JP4791032B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for executing print processing based on input image data and print setting information.

  Many of recent image forming apparatuses include an automatic document feeder. In an image forming apparatus provided with an automatic document feeder, when a batch of document bundles is set on a document tray and started, printing processing relating to the document bundle is automatically executed sequentially. In recent years, coupled with an improvement in printing speed, it has become easier to perform a printing process involving a large amount of documents.

  However, when the printing conditions are different for each original bundle, it is necessary to separate original bundles having different printing conditions and set them on the original tray, and perform the printing process for each original bundle. For this reason, it is inconvenient for a user who executes a printing process related to a document with different printing conditions to leave the front of the image forming apparatus.

Therefore, among the conventional techniques, an image forming apparatus that can apply different printing conditions to a plurality of document bundles, that is, an image forming apparatus that can operate in a multi-job mode is often used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ). By operating the image forming apparatus in the multi-job mode, the printing process for a bundle of documents with different printing conditions is simplified.
JP-A-5-333621

  However, in the prior art including the invention according to Patent Document 1, only multi-jobs for different document bundles are considered. For this reason, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when a plurality of different printing conditions are set for the same document bundle and printing is performed, it is necessary to perform the document bundle reading process for the number of types of print conditions. Therefore, when the number of originals included in the original bundle is large or when the printing conditions are large, there is a disadvantage that the burden on the user increases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of improving work efficiency when executing a plurality of printing processes by setting a plurality of printing conditions for the same image data.

(1) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
Setting accepting means for accepting setting input of a plurality of printing conditions to be applied to printing processing related to the same image data;
Input receiving means for receiving input of image data to be printed by applying the plurality of printing conditions;
Recording means for recording the plurality of printing conditions and the image data, respectively;
Job data creation means for creating a plurality of print job data related to the image data by associating each of the plurality of printing conditions with the image data;
Image forming means for executing print processing based on the plurality of print job data;
It is provided with.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention executes multi-job mode printing for print processing related to the same image data. When the setting accepting unit accepts a plurality of printing conditions applied to the printing process of the same image data and the input accepting unit accepts the image data, the image data and the printing conditions are recorded in the recording unit. The job data creation means creates a plurality of print job data related to the input image data based on the image data and printing conditions recorded in the recording means.

  As a result, by inputting image data only once, a plurality of print job data having different printing conditions are created for the image data. Thereafter, printing processing is sequentially performed based on a plurality of print job data created by the image forming unit.

(2) The image forming apparatus according to (1),
The input receiving means is an image reading device that reads image information of a document,
The setting accepting unit collectively accepts a plurality of printing condition setting inputs to be applied to a printing process related to a document to be read by the image reading apparatus.

  In this configuration, the image information of the document is read by the image reading device and recorded in the recording unit, and the setting receiving unit receives a plurality of printing conditions applied to the printing process related to the document and receives the recording unit. To be recorded. The job data creation means creates a plurality of print job data relating to the same original bundle and having different printing conditions based on the recording contents of the recording means. As a result, if a plurality of printing conditions are set and the original bundle is read only once, a plurality of printing processes relating to the original bundle are sequentially executed by the image forming means. It should be noted that the original bundle means a single original, and here, the original bundle includes one original.

(3) The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2),
Display means for displaying the contents of the print job related to the print job data created by the job data creation means,
The setting receiving unit receives a print order setting input for changing a print job order;
The image forming unit executes a printing process based on the printing order.

  In this configuration, a plurality of job data created by combining the image data and each of the plurality of printing conditions is shown to the user via the display unit. Further, the setting accepting unit accepts an input operation from a user who changes the order of print jobs. For this reason, it is possible to change the order of print jobs even after the printing process is started.

(4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),
The printing conditions include monochrome printing or color printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, printing magnification, layout printing setting, reduction rate, and number of copies.

  In this configuration, printing conditions such as monochrome printing or color printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, print magnification, layout print setting, reduction rate, number of copies, and the like are appropriately applied to print processing related to image data.

(5) The image forming apparatus according to (4),
The job data creation means sets the order of print jobs so that print job data related to monochrome printing and print job data related to color printing are continuous.

  In this configuration, the job data creation unit sets the order of print jobs so that monochrome printing and color printing are successively performed. As a result, the number of times of switching between monochrome printing and color printing is reduced as compared with the case where monochrome printing and color printing are performed alternately, and the operation of the image forming unit is simplified. In addition, it is possible to execute high-speed printing by continuously performing monochrome printing, and the printing process can be speeded up.

(6) An image forming method according to the present invention includes:
Receiving and recording in advance a plurality of print condition setting inputs to be applied to print processing relating to the same image data;
Receiving and recording input of image data to be printed by applying the plurality of printing conditions;
Creating a plurality of print job data by associating each of the plurality of printing conditions with the image data;
A step of sequentially executing print processing based on the plurality of created job data;
It is characterized by including.

(1) It is possible to simplify the work when setting a plurality of printing conditions for the same image data and performing a plurality of printing processes.

(2) It is possible to simplify the work when a plurality of printing conditions are set for the same document bundle and a plurality of printing processes are performed.

(3) The order of print jobs can be changed as appropriate.

(4) Variations in printing conditions applied to the printing process of the same image data can be increased.

(5) The number of times of switching between monochrome printing and color printing can be reduced.

(6) It is possible to simplify the work when setting a plurality of printing conditions for the same image data and performing a plurality of printing processes.

  Hereinafter, a copying machine as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and an image forming method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine 1 includes a document table 111, a double-sided document automatic conveying device 112, an image reading unit 110, an image forming unit 210, and a paper feeding unit 211.

  The document table 111 is mainly composed of a transparent contact glass. The double-sided automatic document feeder 112 functions as a document table cover that opens or closes the upper surface of the document table 111. The double-sided document automatic conveying device 112 automatically and sequentially sends the documents set on the document tray to the document table 111. The image reading unit 110 is arranged below the document table 111 and reads image information of a document located on the document table 111. The image reading unit 110 includes a first scanning unit 113 and a second scanning unit 114 that reciprocate along the lower surface of the document table 111, an optical lens 115, and a CCD line sensor 116 that is a photoelectric conversion element. .

  The first scanning unit 113 includes an exposure lamp that exposes the surface of an image of a document, and a first mirror that deflects a reflected light image from the document in a predetermined direction. The first scanning unit 113 reciprocates in parallel with the document table 111 at a predetermined scanning speed. The second scanning unit 114 has a second mirror and a third mirror that deflect the reflected light image from the original deflected by the first mirror of the first scanning unit 113 further in a predetermined direction. The second scanning unit 114 reciprocates in parallel with the document table 111 while maintaining a constant speed relationship with the first scanning unit 113.

  The optical lens 115 reduces the reflected light image from the original deflected by the third mirror of the second scanning unit, and forms the reduced light image at a predetermined position on the CCD line sensor 116.

  The CCD line sensor 116 sequentially photoelectrically converts the formed light image and outputs it as an electrical signal. The CCD line sensor 116 reads a black and white image or a color image, and outputs four lines that are color-separated into R (red), G (green), B (blue), and BK (black) color components. This is a color CCD.

  A sheet feeding unit 211 and an image forming unit 210 are disposed below the image reading unit 110. The sheet feeding unit 211 is disposed below the image forming unit 210 and separates the sheets P stacked and stored in the sheet tray one by one and supplies them to the image forming unit 210. A sheet conveyance path is formed between the sheet feeding unit 211 and the image forming unit 210. The timing is controlled by the registration roller 212 immediately before the image forming position in the paper transport path, and the paper is transported to the image forming unit 210. A transfer conveyance belt mechanism 213 is disposed between the image forming unit 210 and the paper feeding unit 211. The transfer / conveying belt mechanism 213 conveys the sheet P by electrostatically adsorbing the sheet P onto the transfer / conveying belt 216 stretched substantially in parallel between the driving roller 214 and the driven roller 215.

  A fixing device 217 for fixing the toner image transferred onto the paper P onto the paper P is disposed downstream of the transfer / conveyance belt mechanism 213 in the paper P conveyance direction. The paper P that has passed between the pair of fixing rollers of the fixing device 217 is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 220 attached to the outer wall of the copier 1 by a discharge roller 219 via a switching gate 218 that switches the conveyance direction of the paper P. Is done.

  The switching gate 218 selectively switches the conveyance path of the paper P after image fixing to a path for discharging the paper P to the discharge tray 220 and a path for resupplying the paper P toward the image forming unit 210. . Note that the sheet P conveyed again toward the image forming unit 210 by the switching gate 218 is reversed and then supplied to the image forming unit 210 via the switchback conveying path 221.

  The image forming unit 210 is close to the upper surface of the transfer conveyance belt 216, and the first image forming station 230A, the second image forming station 230B, the third image forming station 230C, and the fourth image forming station 230D. The image forming stations 230A to 230D are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper P.

  The transfer conveyance belt 216 is frictionally driven by the driving roller 214 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. 1 to carry the paper P fed by the paper feeding unit 211, and sequentially feed the paper P to the image forming stations 230A to 230D. Transport.

  Each of the image forming stations 230A to 230D has substantially the same configuration. Each of the image forming stations 230A to 230D includes photosensitive drums 222A to 222D, which are image carriers that are rotationally driven in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG.

  Around the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D, the chargers 223A to 223D for uniformly charging the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D and the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D are developed. Developing devices 250A to 250D to form toner images, transfer dischargers 225A to 225D for transferring the toner images on the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D to the paper P, and toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D Cleaning devices 226A to 226D to be removed are arranged in this order along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D.

  Further, laser beam scanner units 227A to 227D are provided above the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D, respectively. The laser beam scanner units 227A to 227D include a semiconductor laser element (not shown) that emits dot light modulated according to image data, a polygon mirror 240 for deflecting the laser beam from the semiconductor laser element in the main scanning direction, An fθ lens 241 and mirrors 242 and 243 are provided for forming an image of the laser beam deflected by the polygon mirror 240 on the surface of the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D.

  The laser beam scanner unit 227A has a pixel signal corresponding to the black component image of the color document image, the laser beam scanner unit 227B has a pixel signal corresponding to the cyan component image of the color document image, and the laser beam scanner unit 227C has the pixel signal. A pixel signal corresponding to the magenta color component image of the color original image is input, and a pixel signal corresponding to the yellow color component image of the color original image is input to the laser beam scanner unit 227D.

  As a result, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the color-converted image data are formed on the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D. The developing device 250A contains black toner, the developing device 250B contains cyan toner, the developing device 250C contains magenta toner, and the developing device 250D contains yellow toner. The electrostatic latent images on the body drums 222 </ b> A to 222 </ b> D are developed with these color toners. As a result, the color-converted image data is reproduced as a toner image of each color.

  In addition, a sheet adsorbing charger 228 is provided between the first image forming station 230A and the sheet feeding unit 211. The adsorption charging unit 228 charges the surface of the transfer conveyance belt 216, and the sheet feeding unit 211 is charged. The paper P supplied from the first image forming station 230 is transported without deviation between the first image forming station 230A and the fourth image forming station 230D in a state where the paper P is securely adsorbed onto the transfer transport belt 216.

  On the other hand, a static eliminator 229 is provided between the fourth image station 230 </ b> D and the fixing device 217, almost directly above the drive roller 214. An AC voltage is applied to the static eliminator 229 for separating the sheet P electrostatically attracted to the transport belt 216 from the transfer transport belt 216.

  In the copying machine 1 configured as described above, for example, cut sheet-shaped paper is used as the paper P. When the paper P is fed out from the paper feed cassette and supplied into the paper feed path guide of the paper feed unit 211, the leading end of the paper P is detected by a sensor (not shown) and output from this sensor. Based on the detected signal, the pair of registration rollers 212 are temporarily stopped.

  Then, the sheet P is sent onto the transfer conveyance belt 216 rotating in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 1 in time with the image forming stations 230A to 230D. At this time, since the transfer conveyance belt 216 is charged by the adsorption charger 228 as described above, the sheet P is stably conveyed while passing through the image forming stations 230A to 230D. The

  In each of the image forming stations 230 </ b> A to 230 </ b> D, a toner image of each color is formed and superimposed on the paper P that is electrostatically attracted and transported by the transfer transport belt 216. When the transfer of the toner image by the fourth image station 230 </ b> D is completed, the paper P is sequentially peeled from the transfer conveyance belt 216 by the static eliminator 229 from the leading end portion thereof and guided to the fixing device 217. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 220 from a paper discharge port (not shown).

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the laser beam scanner units 227A to 227D scan and expose the laser beam to perform optical writing on the photosensitive drums 222A to 222D has been described. However, the laser beam scanner units 227A to 227D Instead, a writing optical system (LED head) including a light emitting diode array and an imaging lens array may be used. The LED head is smaller than the laser beam scanner units 227A to 227D and is silent because there are no moving parts. Therefore, it can be suitably used in an image forming apparatus such as a tandem digital color copying machine that requires a plurality of optical writing units.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the copying machine 1. The copying machine 1 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, an image reading unit 110, an image processing unit 16, an image forming unit 210, a paper feeding unit 211, a job management unit 13, an interface unit 17, a RAM 15, a ROM 14, and a CPU 10. .

  The operation unit 11 has a plurality of keys for the user to perform input operations. The display unit 12 is a display that displays the operation status of the copying machine 1. The image processing unit 16 performs image processing on the image data read by the image reading unit 110 according to a preset procedure. The job management unit 13 manages print jobs in the copying machine 1. The interface unit 17 has a function necessary for connecting the copying machine 1 to the network. The RAM 15 is a semiconductor storage device to which the CPU 10 can directly write or read information, and temporarily stores input / output data and arithmetic data. The ROM 14 stores a plurality of types of programs necessary for the operation of the copying machine 1. The CPU 10 comprehensively controls each unit of the copier 1 based on a program stored in the ROM 14.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the management unit 13. The management unit 13 includes a printing condition recording unit 18, an image data recording unit 19, and a job data recording unit 20. The printing condition recording unit 18 records printing conditions input via the operation unit 11. The image data recording unit 19 records image data supplied from the image reading unit 110 via the image processing unit 16 or image data input from the outside via the interface unit 17. The job data recording unit 20 records the correspondence relationship between the input printing conditions and the image data.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the CPU 10 during the multi-job mode print processing related to the same image data. Note that the multi-job mode related to different image data is processed in the same manner as a known image forming apparatus.

  When the multi-job mode related to the same image data is set, the CPU 10 waits until input of a plurality of printing conditions related to the multi-job mode is completed (S1). When the input of the printing conditions is completed, the CPU 10 records the input printing conditions in the printing condition recording unit 18 (S2).

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 waits until image data is input (S3). In the present embodiment, the CPU 10 waits until image data reading processing relating to a document bundle composed of 10 originals set on the double-sided automatic document feeder 112 is completed (S3). When the input of the image data is completed, the CPU 10 records the input image data A to J in the image data recording unit 19 (S4). Subsequently, the CPU 10 creates job data indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of printing conditions and the input image data A to J, and records the job data in the recording unit 20 (S5). Subsequently, the CPU 10 arranges the created job data and displays them in that order (S6). FIG. 5A shows the display state of the display unit 12 after step S6.

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 causes the image forming unit 210 to execute print processing based on the set job order. During printing, the CPU 10 detects whether or not there is an input operation for changing the job order from the user (S9). FIG. 5B shows the state of the display unit 12 in the job change input operation. The user selects a job to print preferentially while viewing the display unit 12. When an input operation for changing the job order is performed in the determination step of S9, the CPU 10 arranges the job order again, and causes the display unit 12 to display the arranged job order as shown in FIG. S8). When there is no input operation for changing the job order during printing, the CPU 10 determines whether or not all jobs to be executed are completed (S10). If the job is not completed in the determination step of S10, the process proceeds to the printing step of S7 again. If the job is completed, the CPU 10 ends the printing in the multi-job mode.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when printing on the same original bundle under a plurality of printing conditions, it is only necessary to read the image information of the original bundle once. For this reason, it is possible to simplify the user's work when printing the same original bundle under a plurality of printing conditions.

  Furthermore, since the progress of the job is displayed on the display unit 12, the user can easily visually recognize a plurality of settings. Further, it is possible to cope with a case where it is necessary to change the job order after the job is set.

  Subsequently, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The basic configuration of the copying machine 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the job order setting is different from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the CPU 10 in the multi-job mode according to the second embodiment. Steps S11 to S20 in FIG. 6 correspond to steps S1 to S10 in FIG. 4, respectively. The second embodiment is characterized by the step S16.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the CPU 10 in step S16. The CPU 10 extracts printing conditions related to monochrome printing from the input printing conditions. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first, third, fourth, and seventh input printing conditions are extracted. Next, the CPU 10 sets the job order for the image data A to J so that jobs relating to the extracted printing conditions are executed preferentially and displays them on the display unit 12 (S22). Subsequently, the CPU 10 extracts printing conditions relating to color printing (S23). In the example shown in FIG. 8, the second, fifth, and sixth input printing conditions are extracted. Subsequently, the CPU 10 sets a job order relating to color printing for the image data A to J, and displays the job order on the display unit 12 (S24). Thereafter, the CPU 10 proceeds to the printing step of S17 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the job order is set so that switching between monochrome printing and color printing can be performed only once, loss time generated when switching between monochrome printing and color printing is minimized. To the limit.

  When the copying machine 1 has a high-speed print mode function, the high-speed print mode is automatically set when only a job related to monochrome printing is extracted in step S16 or when monochrome printing is continuously executed. The print mode may be set. When monochrome printing and color printing are mixed, image data related to K may be created from image data related to R, G, and B in the CCD.

  In the above-described embodiment, a print job for reading and printing a document has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to image data input from an external personal computer. In this case, a step of receiving in advance a setting input of a plurality of printing conditions to be applied to the printing processing related to the same image data and outputting the setting data to the copying machine 1, and image data to be printed by applying the plurality of printing conditions Is preferably installed on the personal computer. A device driver for causing the computer to execute the step of outputting to the copier 1 is executed.

  Finally, the description of the above-described embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a copying machine. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a copying machine. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the management part in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of CPU10 in multi-job mode. It is a figure which shows the example of the display content of a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of CPU10 in multi-job mode. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of CPU10 in multi-job mode. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the management part in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1-Copier 10-CPU
12-Display unit 13-Management unit 18-Print condition recording unit 19-Image data recording unit 20-Job data recording unit

Claims (3)

Setting accepting means for accepting setting input of a plurality of printing conditions to be applied to printing processing related to the same image data;
Input receiving means for receiving input of image data to be printed by applying the plurality of printing conditions;
Recording means for recording the plurality of printing conditions and the image data, respectively;
Job data creation means for creating a plurality of print job data related to the image data by associating each of the plurality of printing conditions with the image data;
Image forming means for executing print processing based on the plurality of print job data;
With
Display means for displaying the contents of the print job related to the print job data created by the job data creation means,
The setting receiving unit receives a setting input of an order condition for changing the order of print jobs;
The image forming unit executes print processing in an order based on the order condition ; and
The printing conditions include monochrome printing or color printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, print magnification, layout print setting, reduction rate, number of copies, and
The image forming apparatus, wherein the job data creation unit sets the order of print jobs so that print job data related to monochrome printing and print job data related to color printing are continuous . The input receiving means is an image reading device that reads image information of a document,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting receiving unit collectively receives a plurality of print condition setting inputs to be applied to a printing process related to a document to be read by the image reading apparatus. Receiving and recording in advance a plurality of print condition setting inputs to be applied to print processing relating to the same image data;
Receiving and recording input of image data to be printed by applying the plurality of printing conditions;
A step of creating a plurality of print job data in association with the respective said image data of said plurality of printing conditions, the print job data according to the monochrome printing, and so that the print job data according to the color printing each successive Setting the order of print jobs in
A step of sequentially executing print processing based on the plurality of created job data;
Including, and
Displaying the contents of the print job related to the print job data created by the job data creation means;
Receiving a setting input of an order condition for changing the order of print jobs;
Executing print processing in an order based on the order condition;
Further including
The image forming method , wherein the printing conditions include monochrome printing or color printing, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, printing magnification, layout printing setting, reduction rate, and number of copies .

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