JP4371728B2 - Image forming apparatus, resource saving method used for image forming, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of promoting saving of resources such as toner and paper used for image formation, a saving method thereof, a program, and a storage medium.

  In recent years, in addition to the increase in energy conservation by users, reduction of power consumption has been regarded as important due to the energy conservation law in Japan and legal regulations such as Energy Star and Blue Angel overseas. In connection with this, it is important to save resources such as toner and paper in digital copying machines.

Under such circumstances, as a prior art related to energy saving and operability, Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming apparatus that supports energy saving.
JP 2003-127504 A

However, even if the user is conscious of saving resources such as toner and paper, there are many cases where it takes time to set various modes in actual use, or it is not conscious of resource saving. There's a problem. The following can be considered as the reason.
I can't really realize how much resources such as toner and paper can be saved by what kind of usage.
In the case of offices, the awareness of practicing resource conservation is lower than that of ordinary households.
For these problems, for example, as in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user sets the mode setting for instructing the resource saving mode and setting the resource saving related mode. As a result of the resource-saving mode set by the user, the resource-saving rate saved by each setting mode is displayed by a cumulative calculation method. In this method, for example, the user wants to achieve the resource-saving rate by 30%. If you think about it, after each setting mode is set, the resource saving rate of the result is displayed, so the resource saving rate desired by the user can not be achieved or it may exceed .

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to easily and accurately achieve the saving rate desired by the user with respect to the resources used for image formation, based on the saving rate desired by the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus for setting a resource saving related mode and a saving method thereof.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a mode instructing unit for instructing the resource saving mode and a resource to be saved in an image forming apparatus having a resource saving mode for saving resources used for image formation. Mode setting means for setting the resource, saving rate setting means for specifying the saving rate of the resource to be saved, and resource saving operation mode selection means for selecting the resource saving operation mode for achieving the set saving rate The resource to be saved is paper and toner, and the mode setting means selects and sets the resource to be saved according to a user instruction from “paper”, “toner”, and “paper and toner”, and saves the resource rate setting means, by the user's instruction, the saving rate of the paper when the resources to be the savings "paper" resource for the saving the saving ratio of the toner in the case of "toner", to the saving capital Saving rate but sets the saving ratio of the paper and the toner in the case of "Paper and toner", the selection means of the resource saving operation mode, which is set by the saving ratio setting means for resources set by said mode setting means When the resource to be saved is paper, the method to save is double-sided copy or reduced paper printing, and when the resource to be saved is toner, the saving method lowers the toner density. Kotodea is, the double-sided copying, reduction paper printing, among the toner density reduction, an image forming apparatus according to claim capable der Rukoto selecting two or more simultaneously.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for saving resources used for image formation of an image forming apparatus, a mode instruction step for instructing a resource saving mode for saving resources used for image formation, and a mode for setting resources to be saved. The saving step includes a setting step, a saving rate setting step for specifying a saving rate of the resource to be saved, and a resource saving operation mode selection step for selecting a resource saving operation mode for achieving the set saving rate. The resource to be used is paper and toner. In the mode setting step, the resource to be saved is selected and set from “paper”, “toner”, and “paper and toner” according to the user's instruction. , by the user's instruction, the saving rate of the paper when the resources to be the savings "paper" resource for the save savings of the toner in the case of "toner", If serial savings to resources of "paper and toner" Set saving factor of the sheet and the toner, in the selection step of the Resource Conservation operation mode set by the saving ratio setting step for resources set by said mode setting step When the resource to be saved is paper, the saving method is duplex copying or reduced paper printing, and when the resource to be saved is toner, the saving method Ri der lowering the concentration, the double-sided copying, reduction paper printing, among the toner density reduction, resources used for image formation in the image forming apparatus characterized by two or more at the same time can be selected This is a saving method.

The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the resource saving method.
The recording medium of the present invention stores the above program so that the computer can read it.

  According to the present invention, the user can freely select a resource saving rate used for image formation, and the user can select and set various saving modes according to the saving rate, thereby making the user aware of resource saving. It is possible to promote use.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing an image forming apparatus main body.
The scanner unit 31 is placed on a document placing table 35 made of transparent glass, a double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF) 36 for automatically feeding and conveying a document onto the document placing table 35, and the document placing table 35. A document image reading unit for scanning and reading a document image, that is, a scanner unit 40 is included.
The document image read by the scanner unit 31 is sent as image data to an image data input unit described later, and predetermined image processing is performed on the image data.
The RADF 36 is a device that sets a plurality of documents at once on a document tray (not shown) provided, and automatically feeds the set documents one by one onto the document placement table of the scanner unit. is there. The RADF 36 also feeds a single-side original, a double-side original, a conveyance path switching means, and an original passing through each part so that the scanner unit reads one or both sides of the original according to the operator's selection. It consists of a sensor group that grasps and manages the state of the sensor and a control unit. Since many applications and commercialization of this RADF 36 have been made, further explanation will be omitted.

A scanner unit 40 that constitutes a scanner unit 31 for reading an image of a document on the document table 35 includes a lamp reflector assembly 41 that exposes the document surface, and a reflected light image from the document on a photoelectric conversion element (CCD). A reflected light image from the first scanning unit 40a on which the first reflecting mirror 42a that reflects the reflected light from the document to be guided is mounted, and the first reflecting mirror unit 40a is applied to a photoelectric conversion element (CCD). Second scanning unit 40b having second and third reflecting mirrors 42b and 42c for guiding, an element (CCD) for converting a reflected light image from the original into an electrical image signal through each of the reflecting mirrors described above. ) And the above-described CCD element 44 for converting the reflected light image from the original into an electrical image signal.
The scanner unit 31 moves the scanner unit 40 along the lower surface of the document placing table 35 while sequentially placing the document to be read on the document placing table 35 by the operation related to the RADF 36 and the scanner unit 40. It is configured to read an image.
In particular, the first scanning unit 40a travels from the left to the right along the document placement table at a constant speed V, and the second scanning unit 40b is parallel to the speed V at a speed of V / 2 in the same direction. The scanning is controlled.
As a result, the image of the document placed on the document placement table 35 is sequentially formed on the CCD element 44 for each line, and the image is read.

Image data obtained by reading a document image with the scanner unit 40 is sent to an image processing unit to be described later, subjected to various processes, temporarily stored in the memory of the image processing unit, and according to an output instruction. The image in the memory is read out and transferred to the laser printer unit 32 to form an image on the recording sheet.
The laser printer unit 32 includes a sheet conveyance system that is a recording material for forming an image, a laser writing unit 46, and an electrophotographic process unit 48 for forming an image.
The laser writing unit 46 is a semiconductor laser light source that emits laser light according to image data read from the memory after being read by the scanner unit 40 described above or image data transferred from an external device, and laser light. A polygon mirror that deflects the angular velocity, an f-θ lens that corrects the laser beam deflected at the uniform angular velocity so as to be deflected at a uniform angular velocity on the photosensitive drum constituting the electrophotographic process unit 48, and the like.
The electrophotographic process section 48 includes a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device, a peeling device, a cleaning device, and a charge eliminating device around a known photosensitive drum.

On the other hand, the sheet conveyance system feeds the sheet P to the conveyance unit 33 that conveys the sheet P to the transfer position of the electrophotographic process unit that performs the above-described image formation, particularly to the transfer position. Cassette paper feeding devices 51, 52 and 53, a manual paper feeding device 54 for appropriately feeding sheets of a necessary size, and a fixing for fixing an image formed on the transferred sheet P, particularly a toner image. The apparatus 49 includes a resupply path 55 for resupplying the sheet P in order to form an image again on the back surface of the sheet P after fixing.
A post-processing device that receives a sheet P on which an image is recorded and performs a predetermined process on the sheet P is disposed downstream of the fixing device 49.
Image data read from the image memory in the laser writing unit 46 and the electrophotographic processing unit 48 is formed as an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 48 by scanning the laser beam with the laser writing unit 46. The toner image visualized by the toner is electrostatically transferred and fixed on the surface of the paper transported from one of the paper feed units of the multi-stage paper feed unit.
The sheet on which the image is formed in this way is conveyed from the fixing device 49 into the post-processing device 34 via the paper discharge roller 57.

Here, a specific method for promoting use by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention in consideration of resource saving will be described.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with means for setting resource saving (resource saving), and is configured to display operation keys for the user to set and select on the operation panel. For example, a resource saving mode key, a resource mode setting key, a resource saving operation mode selection key, and the like are displayed on the operation panel 100 in order to instruct a resource saving mode for saving resources such as toner and paper used for image formation. ing.
When the mode instruction key for instructing the resource saving mode is pressed, the resource saving rate of the toner and the paper is displayed in an interactive manner so that the user can instruct as the resource saving related mode. According to the rate, the user can arbitrarily set the means for saving toner and paper as resources used for image formation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the operation panel 100 in the present embodiment. This display shows the default screen.
The user can select and instruct a resource saving mode by depressing a resource saving mode key 101 which is a mode instruction means displayed on the operation panel 100, and can instruct (select) a resource saving related mode interactively. it can.
When the resource saving mode key 101 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 3, the resource (paper, toner, paper and toner) to be saved is selected from the paper or toner or the paper and toner in the resource saving related mode. A paper touch panel key 111, a toner touch panel key 112, and a screen for selecting / setting from a paper and toner touch panel key 113 are displayed.
For example, when the user wants to save 50% of paper, the user presses the paper key 111 on the screen. Then, when “Next” 201 is pressed, a screen for setting a saving rate that the user wants to save paper as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

When the user wants to save 50% of paper, “50” is input and set in the input unit 200 on this screen. When “Next” 301 is pressed after setting the paper saving rate, the screen is switched to a screen as shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen for selecting means for achieving the set resource saving rate.
As a method for achieving a paper resource saving rate of 50%, there is a method in which the paper is halved by printing on both the front and back sides of the paper. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the double-sided copy touch panel button 121 corresponds to this. As another method, there is a half method of achieving this by printing on a paper half the size of the original, such as B4 → B5. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the touch panel button 122 having a reduced layout corresponds to this. A method of combining both of these is also conceivable. The touch panel button 123 for double-sided copy & reduction layout corresponds to this.
By displaying the operations (methods) for achieving these resource savings, the user can confirm a specific method for achieving the resource saving rate of 50%.
However, if the image forming apparatus does not have a duplex copying apparatus, the touch panel button display on the resource saving mode selection screen shown in FIG.

From these methods, the user selects the method most suited to his / her preference, for example, here, the reduced layout 122 and presses “Next” 401 to switch to the screen display as shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen for confirming an output method for a copy executed in order to achieve a set resource saving rate according to a desired mode (reduced layout mode) selected by the user. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the reduced layout rate 50% necessary for achieving the previously set resource saving rate 50% is displayed. If the displayed reduced layout rate 50% is acceptable, “Yes” is displayed. "510" is pressed. If not, "No" 520 is pressed. If “No” is selected and “Next” 501 is pressed, the resource-saving setting is performed again. Therefore, from among the resource-saving modes shown in FIG. Return to the screen to select and set what you want to save.
When “Yes” 510 is selected and “Next” 501 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example in which copying can be started after all resource saving modes have been set. In the example shown in FIG. 7, as a selection mode for achieving the paper resource saving rate of 50% with respect to the case where the user has set the paper resource saving rate of 50%, the simplex printing and reduced layout 50% are used. It can be realized (confirmed) that the paper resource saving rate of 50% can be achieved by setting.

Further, FIG. 8 and subsequent examples in which toner is selected from the resource saving related modes shown in FIG. 3 (the toner touch panel key 112 is pressed) are shown.
For example, when the user wants to save 30% of toner, when the user presses the toner key 112 and presses “Next” 201 on the screen, the saving rate the user wants to save paper as shown in FIG. The setting screen is displayed. When the user wants to save 30% of toner, “30” is input and set in the resource saving rate input unit 200 on this screen.
When “Next” 601 is pressed after the above setting, the screen is switched to a screen as shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen for selecting a means for achieving the set resource saving rate.
As a method for achieving a toner resource saving rate of 30%, there is a method of reducing toner consumption by lowering the toner concentration. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the toner density touch panel button 131 corresponds to this. As another method, there is also a method of achieving this by printing the original on a reduced paper as A4 → B5. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the touch panel button 132 having a reduced layout corresponds to this. A method of combining both of these is also conceivable. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the touch panel button 133 of the toner density & reduction layout corresponds to this.
By displaying these, the user can confirm a specific method for achieving the toner resource saving rate of 30%.

Among these, the user selects a toner density by the method most suitable for his / her preference, for example, the toner density key 131 and presses “Next” 701 to switch to a screen display as shown in FIG. .
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen for confirming an output method for a copy executed in order to achieve a set resource saving rate according to a desired mode selected by the user. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the toner density reduction rate 30% necessary to achieve the previously set toner resource saving rate 30% is displayed, and the displayed toner concentration reduction rate 30% is acceptable. If yes, press “Yes” 710, otherwise press “No” 720. If “No” 720 is selected and “Next” 801 is pressed, the setting related to resource saving is performed again to return to the selection and setting of the resource saving related mode shown in FIG. Alternatively, the screen returns to the screen for selecting and setting the item to be saved from the three of paper and toner.
When “Yes” 710 is selected and “Next” 801 is pressed, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example in which copying can be started after all resource saving modes have been set. In the example shown in FIG. 11, a setting of 30% reduction in toner density is selected as a selection mode for achieving the toner resource saving rate of 30% with respect to the user setting the toner resource saving rate of 30%. It is possible to realize (confirm) that the toner resource saving rate of 30% can be achieved.
An embodiment in which both paper and toner are selected from the resource saving mode shown in FIG. This is a case where N1% of paper and N2% of toner are to be saved simultaneously.
For example, if the user wants to save N1% of paper and N2% of toner at the same time, press the paper / toner key on the screen and press “Next” 201 to display the user as shown in FIG. A screen for setting the paper and toner saving ratio to be saved is displayed. When the user wants to save N1% of paper and N2% of toner at the same time, the respective values are input and set in the resource saving rate input units 300 and 400 on this screen.
When “Next” 901 is pressed after the above setting, a screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen for selecting means for achieving each set resource saving rate. As a method of simultaneously achieving the paper resource saving rate N1% and the toner resource saving rate N2%, the original is printed on the reduced paper as A4 → B5, and at the same time, the toner density is lowered, and further double-sided copying is performed. Thus, there is a method for reducing the amount of paper used and simultaneously reducing the amount of toner consumed. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the touch panel button 141 for reduced layout, toner density, and duplex copying corresponds to this. In addition, there is a method of achieving resource saving of paper and toner by excluding double-sided copying from the resource saving method. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the reduced layout & toner density touch panel button 143 corresponds to this. Similarly, there is a method of achieving resource saving of paper and toner by removing the toner density from the resource saving method. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the touch panel button 144 of the double-sided copy & reduction layout corresponds to this. As another method, there is a method of achieving resource saving of paper and toner by printing an original on a reduced paper as A4 → B5. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the touch panel button 142 of the reduced layout corresponds to this. By displaying these, the user can confirm a specific method for achieving resource saving simultaneously with the paper and toner.

When the user selects a method most suitable for his / her preference, for example, a reduced layout & toner density & double-sided copy 141 and presses “Next” 1001, a screen display as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Switch to
FIG. 14 shows a specific output method for a copy executed to achieve each resource saving rate set according to a desired mode selected by the user, and the user selects a method most suitable for his / her preference. This is a display example of a screen to be set. In the example shown in FIG. 14, specific output methods necessary to achieve the previously set resource saving rates are displayed as indicated by reference numerals 151, 152, and 153. When the user selects a displayed output method that is most suitable for his / her preference and presses “Next” 1101, a screen as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example in which copying can be started after all resource saving modes have been set. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the user sets the paper resource saving rate N1% and the toner resource saving rate N2%, and the reduced layout is used as a selection mode for achieving each resource saving rate. It can be realized that each resource saving rate can be achieved by setting Na%, toner density Nb%, and duplex copying.

Next, a resource saving mode control method in the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the resource saving mode process.
First, in step S81, when the user presses the resource saving mode key 101 from the screen display on the operation panel to instruct the setting of the resource saving related mode, the process proceeds to step S82, and the screen display on the operation panel is shown in FIG. The mode is switched to the screen display for selecting the first mode from the resource saving related modes as shown, and the mode for selecting the resource to be saved is selected. The first mode is a mode for selecting a resource saving setting.
Next, in step S83, the user selects a desired mode from the display for selecting a resource that the user wants to save, and when "Next" 201 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S84, where the selection is made. Set the resource saving rate that you want to save. When “Next” 301 is pressed after setting the desired saving rate, the process proceeds to step S85, and resource saving for achieving the saving rate set in step S84 for the resource selected in step S83. Switch to the mode selection screen. In step S85, the user selects a method most suitable for his / her preference from among the resource saving modes as shown in FIG. If "Next" is pressed, the process proceeds to step S86.
In step S86, a specific mode setting value for achieving the saving rate set in step S84 is displayed in the resource saving mode selected in step S85, and determination of means for achieving resource saving is performed. I do.
If “Yes” is selected in Step S86 and “Next” is pressed, the process proceeds directly to Step S87. If “No” is selected in Step S86 and “Next” is pressed, the process returns to Step S82, and the paper, toner, or paper is selected from the resource saving related modes shown in FIG. Then, the screen returns to the screen for selecting and setting the one to be saved from the three toners.
In step S87, as shown in FIG. 7, a selection mode based on the set resource saving rate is displayed. When the start key is pressed, the process proceeds to step S88 to perform image formation.

According to the embodiment described above, a resource saving mode key for saving resources such as toner and paper is provided, and an operation mode is set according to the resource saving rate, so that there is no complicated operation. The user can select and set the method most suitable for the user's desired taste interactively, and can confirm a specific method for achieving the resource saving rate desired by the user. In addition, the effect of promoting resource conservation in offices can be expected.
In this example, only “double-sided”, “reduced layout”, and “toner density” are set as resource-saving related modes. However, other operation modes for saving toner and paper include, for example, resolution, typeface, An operation mode such as a line spacing pitch may be added.

  In this example, the input resource saving rate and the equal setting value are displayed. For example, when the user inputs a resource saving rate of approximately 70%, the resource saving rate is close to the numerical value. By displaying a resource saving rate mode of a recommended rate of, for example, 60% to 80% and making the user selectable, it is possible to further increase the user's options and improve the resource saving promotion effect.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen for selecting and setting a resource saving mode. It is a figure which shows the screen for inputting and setting the resource saving rate with respect to the paper which a user desires. It is a figure which shows the screen which selects the means for achieving the resource saving rate with respect to the set paper. It is a figure which shows the screen which confirms the output method with respect to the copy implemented in order to achieve the resource saving rate with respect to the set paper according to the desired mode which the user selected. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen in which copying can be started after all resource saving modes for paper have been set. It is a figure which shows the screen for inputting and setting the resource saving rate with respect to the toner which a user desires. It is a figure which shows the screen which selects the means for achieving the resource saving rate with respect to the set toner. It is a figure which shows the screen which confirms the output method with respect to the copy implemented in order to achieve the resource saving rate with respect to the set toner according to the desired mode which the user selected. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen in which copying can be started after all resource saving modes for toner have been set. It is a figure which shows the screen for inputting and setting the resource saving rate with respect to the paper and toner which a user desires. It is a figure which shows the screen which selects the means for achieving the resource saving rate with respect to the set paper and toner. It is a figure which shows the screen which selects a more specific achievement means with respect to the means selected in order to achieve the resource saving rate with respect to the set paper and toner. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen in which copying can be started after all resource saving modes for paper and toner have been set. It is a flowchart which shows the resource saving mode process in this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 Operation Panel 101 Resource Saving Mode Key 111 Paper Touch Panel Key 112 Toner Touch Panel Key 113 Paper and Toner Touch Panel Key 121 Double Side Copy Touch Panel Key 122 Reduction Layout Touch Panel Key 123 Double Side Copy & Reduction Layout Touch Panel Key 131 Toner Density Key 132 Reduction Layout Key 133 Toner Density & Reduction Layout Key 141 Reduction Layout & Toner Density & Duplex Copy Key 142 Reduction Layout Key 143 Reduction Layout & Toner Density Key 144 Double-sided Copy & Reduction Layout Key 200, 300, 400 Input Unit

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus having a resource saving mode for saving resources used for image formation,
Mode instruction means for instructing the resource saving mode, mode setting means for setting resources to be saved, saving rate setting means for specifying saving ratios of resources to be saved, and achieving the set saving ratio A resource saving operation mode selection means for selecting a resource saving operation mode;
The resource to be saved is paper and toner,
The mode setting means selects and sets a resource to be saved according to a user instruction from “paper”, “toner”, “paper and toner” , and
The saving ratio setting means, according to a user instruction , when the resource to be saved is “paper”, the saving ratio of the paper, and when the resource to be saved is “toner”, the saving ratio of the toner, If is "Paper &Toner" , set the paper and toner saving rate,
The resource saving operation mode selecting means selects a saving method for achieving the saving rate set by the saving rate setting means for the resource set by the mode setting means,
When resources the saving of paper, the saving process is two-sided copying or reduced paper printing, when resources the saving of toner, the saving method Ri der lowering the concentration of toner,
The duplex copy, reduced paper printing, among the toner density reduction, the image forming apparatus according to claim capable der Rukoto selecting two or more simultaneously.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode setting unit and the resource saving operation mode selection unit can be repeatedly set and selected in an interactive manner. In a method for saving resources used for image formation of an image forming apparatus,
A mode instruction step for instructing a resource saving mode for saving resources used for image formation, a mode setting step for setting resources to be saved, a saving rate setting step for specifying saving rates of resources to be saved, and a set A resource saving operation mode selection step for selecting a resource saving operation mode for achieving a saving rate,
The resource to be saved is paper and toner,
In the mode setting step, a resource to be saved according to a user instruction is selected and set from “paper”, “toner”, “paper and toner” , and
In the saving rate setting step, when the resource to be saved is “paper”, the saving rate of the paper is set when the resource to be saved is “paper”, and the toner saving rate is set when the resource to be saved is “toner”. If is "Paper &Toner" , set the paper and toner saving rate,
In the selection step of the resource saving operation mode, a saving method that achieves the saving rate set in the saving rate setting step for the resource set in the mode setting step is selected,
When resources the saving of paper, the saving process is two-sided copying or reduced paper printing, when resources the saving of toner, the saving method Ri der lowering the concentration of toner,
A method for saving resources used for image formation in an image forming apparatus , wherein two or more of two-sided copying, reduced paper printing, and toner density reduction can be selected simultaneously .   4. The method for saving resources used for image formation according to claim 3, wherein the mode setting step and the resource saving operation mode selection step can be repeatedly set and selected interactively.   A program for causing a computer to execute the resource saving method according to claim 3 or 4.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 5 is stored.

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