JPH0511546A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform image forming actions with uniform image forming density at the time of restarting the image forming actions which are interrupted be cause of switching a mode to an interruption mode by providing a density setting information storage means. CONSTITUTION:In an image forming mode, density setting information is outputted by sliding the sliding member 31e of an output means. The image is formed with the image forming density set by a density setting means based on the density setting information. In the case that the image forming mode is switched to the interruption mode by a mode switching means (interruption mode key) 31d, the density setting information outputted from the output means is stored in the storage means 74 synchronously with switching the mode. Then, the image is formed based on the density setting information newly outputted from the output means. In the case that the interruption mode is switched to the image forming mode again by the means 31d, an image forming means restarts the actions with the density based on the density setting information stored in the storage means 74 under the control of a control means 70.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine for forming an image on a copy sheet at a set image density based on image information written on an original.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when copying is performed in an image forming apparatus, that is, a copying apparatus, an image of a document placed on a document table is exposed and scanned by an exposure scanning device having an exposure lamp.
The reflected light from the original is guided to the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier. A developer such as toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image from a developing device to make the image of the original document visible, and the transfer device copies the visualized image of the original (toner image). Transfer to paper or other paper.
Then, the image of the document is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device.

Such a copying apparatus is provided with a switch such as a slide volume variable resistor for manually correcting the density of a copied image by changing the exposure amount of the exposure lamp. And
To increase the density of the copy image, slide the slide volume in the direction in which the exposure amount of the exposure lamp decreases, and to decrease the density of the copy image, expose the slide volume to the exposure lamp. Move in a direction that increases the amount.

Further, in the conventional copying apparatus, the number of copies and the like are set to a plurality of predetermined values (hereinafter referred to as the first setting), the copying by this setting is interrupted, and another setting (hereinafter referred to as the second setting). (Referred to as “setting”), and after the copying according to the second setting is completed, the “interrupt copying” for continuing the previously interrupted copying according to the first setting can be performed.

However, when interrupt copying is performed in the conventional copying apparatus as described above, if the slide volume is operated and the copy density is changed in the second setting, the copying is interrupted by the interrupt copying. When resuming copying with the first setting, it was necessary to return the slide volume to the original position again and then resume copying. Further, at this time, if the position of the slide volume is different from that before the interrupt copying is performed, it is impossible to match the densities of the image before the interrupt and the image after the interrupt. As a result, the copy density of the copy with the first setting may be different before and after the interrupt copy.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when the image forming mode is changed to the interruption mode during the image forming operation and the image forming density is changed in the interruption mode, When the image forming operation interrupted by switching to the interrupt mode is restarted, the image forming density before switching to the interrupt mode and the image forming density after canceling the interrupt mode may be different. There is a problem that an image cannot be formed with uniform density before and after.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the image forming operation is changed from the image forming mode to the interrupt mode during the image forming operation, and after the image forming density is changed in the interrupt mode, the image forming operation is interrupted by the switching to the interrupt mode. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing an image forming operation with a uniform image forming density before switching to the interrupt mode and after canceling the interrupt mode when restarting.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises an image forming means for forming an image of an original on an image carrier, and an image formed by the image forming means. It has a density setting means for setting the density based on the density setting information and a sliding member capable of sliding within a predetermined range, and the density setting means sets the density of the image corresponding to the position of the sliding member. Output means for outputting the density setting information used for recording, storage means for storing the density setting information output by the output means, and the density setting means based on the density setting information output by the output means. An image forming mode for causing the image forming unit to perform an image forming operation at a set density, and a density setting information output by the output unit during the image forming mode are stored in the storage unit. An interruption mode for receiving other density setting information output from the output means and causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation at the density set by the density setting means based on the density setting information. Mode switching means for selectively switching between the image forming mode and the interrupt mode by the mode switching means so that the density setting means sets the density based on the density setting information output from the output means. And a control means for controlling the density setting means to set the density based on the density setting information stored in the storage means when the interruption mode is switched to the image forming mode by the mode switching means. And is provided.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises image forming means for forming an image of an original on an image carrier, condition setting means for setting conditions of image forming operation performed by the image forming means, and the conditions. First storage means for storing the conditions set by the setting means, density setting means for setting the density of the image formed by the image forming means based on the density setting information, and slidable within a predetermined range An output unit having a sliding member, which outputs the density setting information used by the density setting unit to set the density of the image corresponding to the position of the sliding member, and the density setting output by the output unit. An image forming operation is performed on the image forming unit at a density set by the density setting unit based on the density setting information output by the second storing unit and the output setting unit. The image forming mode that enables the image forming mode and the density setting information that is output by the output unit during the image forming mode are stored in the second storage unit, and other density setting information that is output from the output unit is received, and the density setting information is set. Mode switching means for selectively switching between an interrupt mode for causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation at a density set by the density setting means based on information; and a first condition by the condition setting means. When the image forming mode is switched from the image forming mode to the interrupt mode by the mode switching means when the setting is set, the image forming operation by the image forming means under the first condition is interrupted, and the first condition is The second storage condition is stored in the first storage means, and the setting of the second condition by the condition setting means is permitted.
The image forming means is controlled so that the image forming operation under the above condition is performed at the density set by the density setting means on the basis of the density setting information output from the output means, and the image is changed from the interrupt mode by the mode switching means. When switched to the formation mode, the image forming operation of the first condition stored in the first storage means is set based on the density setting information stored in the second storage means. When the image forming unit controls the image forming unit so that the image forming operation is performed with the density set by the unit, and the image forming unit finishes the image forming operation under the first condition set by the setting unit,
The density setting information output by the output means is stored in the second
And a control unit that controls the storage unit to store the data.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises image forming means for forming an image of an original on an image carrier, condition setting means for setting conditions of image forming operation performed by the image forming means, and the conditions. First storage means for storing the conditions set by the setting means, density setting means for setting the density of the image formed by the image forming means based on the density setting information, and slidable within a predetermined range An output unit having a sliding member, which outputs the density setting information used by the density setting unit to set the density of the image corresponding to the position of the sliding member, and the density setting output by the output unit. An image forming operation is performed on the image forming unit at a density set by the density setting unit based on the density setting information output by the second storing unit and the output setting unit. The image forming mode, and the density setting information output by the output means in the image forming mode are stored in the second storage means, and other density setting information output from the output means is accepted, and the density is set. A mode switching unit for selectively switching between an interrupt mode for causing the image forming unit to perform an image forming operation at a density set by the density setting unit based on setting information; and a first by the condition setting unit. When the mode switching unit switches from the image forming mode to the interrupt mode while the condition is set, the image forming operation under the first condition by the image forming unit is interrupted and the first condition is satisfied. The second storage is stored in the first storage means, and the second condition is allowed to be set by the condition setting means.
The image forming means is controlled so that the image forming operation under the above condition is performed at the density set by the density setting means on the basis of the density setting information output from the output means, and the image is changed from the interrupt mode by the mode switching means. When switched to the formation mode, the image forming operation of the first condition stored in the first storage means is set based on the density setting information stored in the second storage means. The image forming means is controlled so that the density is set by the means, and the sliding member is operated when the image forming means is performing the image forming operation under the first condition set by the setting means. When it is slid, the density setting information output by the output unit is stored in the second storage unit, and the first image forming operation is output by the output unit. Characterized by comprising a control means for controlling said image forming means to perform at the concentrations set the density setting means based on the setting information.

[0011]

When copying a document, in the image forming mode, first, the sliding member of the output means is slid to output the density setting information corresponding to the position of the sliding member. The image forming apparatus forms an image with the image forming density set by the density setting means based on the output density setting information.

Here, when the image forming mode is switched to the interrupt mode by the mode switching means, the density setting information output from the output means is stored in the storage means in synchronization with this. Then, in this interrupt mode, the density setting information newly output from the output means is accepted, and based on the density setting information accepted here, the density setting means sets the image forming density, and the image forming density is set. At, the image forming means performs an image forming operation.

When the mode is switched again from the interrupt mode to the image forming mode by the mode switching means, the "density setting information output from the output means before the switching to the interrupt mode" is stored in the storage means. Based on this, the density setting means sets the image forming density, and the image forming means performs the image forming operation at this image forming density.

That is, the interrupt mode is switched during the image forming operation in the image forming mode, the image forming operation is performed in the interrupt mode, and then the image forming mode is returned to the image forming operation. When restarted, the image forming unit restarts the image forming operation at the image forming density based on the density setting information stored in the storage unit under the control of the control unit. As a result, the image forming density before switching the image forming operation to the interrupt mode and the image forming density after switching from the interrupt mode to the image forming mode become the same.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the image forming apparatus 10, in which a charging device 13 and an exposure position 14 by an optical device 14 are provided around the photosensitive drum 12 in the center of the main body 11.
a, a developing device 16, a transfer peeling charger 17, a cleaning device 18, and a charge eliminating lamp 20 are provided. The charging device 13 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 12. Further, the optical device 14, which is a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 1, exposes the image of the original, guides the image of the original onto the photosensitive drum 12, and forms an electrostatic latent image of the image of the original. The developing device 16 visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 12 by supplying a developer such as toner to the electrostatic latent image. The transfer peeling charger 17 transfers the toner image on the photoconductor drum 12 onto the paper and peels the paper from the photoconductor drum 12. The cleaning device 18 is for removing the residual toner on the photoconductor drum 12, and is a static elimination lamp 20.
Is for removing charges on the photoconductor.

On the right side of the main body 11, there are provided cassettes 21a and 21b for accommodating the sheet P and a manual paper feed table 21c. And in the main body 11, the cassette 21
a, 21b and the manual paper feed table 21c are picked up by the pickup rollers 22a, 22b, 22c, and the fed sheet paper P is guided to the paper discharge tray 23 on the left side of the main body through the photoconductor drum 12 (see FIG. 1) (indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1) is formed. The first and second separation rollers 25a and 25b and the registration roller pair 2 are provided on the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 12 in the paper transport path 24.
6 is provided, and a transport belt 27, a fixing roller pair 28, and a paper discharge roller pair 30 are provided on the downstream side. Further, on the upper surface of the main body 11, there are a document table 34 on which the document D is placed, a white platen sheet 35a, a document cover 35 for covering the document table 34, and an operation panel 31. Further, on the leading edge side of the document around the document table 34,
A document scale 32 is provided which serves as a guide when the document D is placed.

On the operation panel 31, as shown in FIG. 2, numerical values such as the number of copies and copy magnification, an LED display section 31a for displaying a message from the CPU, and an instruction to start the copying operation are given. Copy key 31b, number of copies,
An interrupt mode key 3 for switching the control of the CPU 70 to an interrupt mode for performing an interrupt copy, which will be described later, is provided with a ten-key pad 31c for setting the copy magnification and the like.
0d and various keys and switches such as a slide volume control 30e including a variable resistor for setting the copy density are provided.

Next, a schematic perspective view of the optical device 14 is shown in FIG.
Shown in. The optical device 14 has an exposure lamp 3 for exposing an original.
6, a first carriage 38a as an exposure scanning means for mounting the first mirror 37a and a second mirror 37b.
And a second mirror 37c (shown in FIG. 1)
A carriage 38b is provided. The first and second carriages 38a and 38b are scanning motors composed of pulse motors via a driving belt 45, a wire fixing portion 49, and a wire 48 which are wound between fixed first and second pulleys 43 and 44. 41 guide shaft 50
It is adapted to reciprocate at a speed of [2: 1] along a and the guide rail 50b.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention. The CPU 70 receives signals from the copy key 31b, the ten-key pad 31c, the interrupt mode key 31d, and the A / D converter 75 on the operation panel 31, and information such as the operating state is sent from the CPU 70 to the LEDs on the operation panel 31. It is output to the display unit 31a. Also, the A / D converter 75 is a slide volume 31e.
Connected to the variable resistor of the slide volume 31
The information on the position e is digitally converted and output to the CPU 70. Further, the CPU 70 has a ROM in which a control program for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 10 is stored.
73, and RA for storing the position information of the slide volume 31e output from the A / D converter 75
M74 is connected. Further, the CPU 70 has D
The exposure lamp 36 is connected to the exposure lamp 36 via the A / A converter 77, the amplifier 78, and the lamp regulator.
Control the exposure amount of. That is, the exposure amount of the exposure lamp 36 is controlled based on the variable resistance information of the slide volume 31e stored in the RAM 74.
Further, the CPU 70 is also connected to the image forming means 76 including the photosensitive drum 12 and the charging device 13, the developing device 16 and the like around the photosensitive drum 12, and also controls this.

Next, the operation of copying the document D using the image forming apparatus 10 having the above-described structure will be described. First, the operator places the document D at a predetermined position on the document table 34, and then closes the document cover 35. Then, after inputting the number of copies and the magnification from the ten key 31c of the operation panel 31 and setting the copy density by sliding the slide volume control 31e, a signal for instructing the CPU 70 to start copying is given by turning on the copy key 31b. Is entered. As a result, the CPU 70 starts the copy operation in the main body 11.

That is, in the main body 11, the photoconductor drum 12 is sequentially charged, exposed, and developed in accordance with its rotation to form a toner image, and reaches the transfer peeling charger 17. On the other hand, in synchronism with this, the paper P is fed from any one of the selected cassettes 21a and 21b, and is fed to the transfer peeling charger 17 through the registration roller pair 26 at the timing when the front end is aligned with the toner image on the photoconductor 12. Be done. After the transfer of the toner image, the paper P separated from the photoconductor 12 is fixed by the fixing roller pair 28 and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 23 by the paper discharge roller pair 30 to complete the copying.

On the other hand, after the transfer is completed, the residual toner is removed from the photoconductor 12 by the cleaning device 18, and the photoconductor 12 is made ready for the next copy through the charge eliminating lamp 20, and the required number of copies is repeated. When the required number of copies is completed, the operator takes out the document D from the document table 34 and places the next document.

In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when copying is performed with a certain setting, this continuous copying is interrupted and another setting is copied.
It can be performed.

Here, interrupt copying will be described. After the number of copies, the copy magnification, etc. are set by operating the ten keys 31c on the operation panel (this is referred to as the first setting), the copy key 31b is turned on to start the copy operation. If the interrupt mode key 31d on the operation panel 31 is pressed during the copying of the first setting, the copying by the first setting is interrupted and the interrupt mode is set, and the number of copies, the copy magnification, etc. The setting of is ready to be accepted again. Here, various settings can be made (this is referred to as second setting), and the copy key 31b can be turned on to perform copying according to the second setting. The interrupt mode key 31 on the operation panel 31 is provided during the copying in the second setting or after the copying in the second setting is completed.
When d is turned on again, the interrupt mode is released. When the copy key 31b is turned on again after canceling the interrupt mode, the copying operation according to the interrupted first setting is restarted from the interrupted position.

The flow of control by the CPU 70 when performing interrupt copying in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. First, by referring to the input signal from the operation panel 31, when it is confirmed that the copy conditions such as the number of copies and the copy magnification have been set (step 1), the variable resistance value of the slide volume 31e is set to A / The variable resistance value of the A / D converted slide volume 31e is D-converted (step 2) and stored in the RAM 74 as data D1 (step 3). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the copy key 31b is turned on. If the copy key 31b is not turned on, the above steps 2 and 3 are repeated. When it is confirmed in step 4 that the copy key 31b is turned on, the variable resistance value of the slide volume 31e is A / D converted (step 5), and this A / D converted value and the data D1 in the RAM 74 are converted. By comparing, it is determined whether the slide volume 31e has been moved (step 6). When it is determined in step 6 that the slide volume 31e has been moved, the slide volume 3 calculated in step 5 is calculated.
The RAM 7 is a value obtained by A / D converting the variable resistance value of 1e.
The data D1 stored in 4 is updated (step 7). Also, in step 5, slide volume 31e
If it is determined that is not moved, the above step 7
Is performed and step 8 described later is performed. Next, CPU
Reference numeral 70 sets the exposure lamp 36 to an exposure amount based on the data D1 (A / D conversion value of the variable resistance value of the slide volume 31e) stored in the RAM 74, and the original D
Exposure scanning is performed to copy the document D (step 8). Then, the interrupt mode key 3 on the operation panel 31
It is determined whether interrupt copying is instructed by determining whether 0d is input (step 9). If it is determined in step 9 that interrupt copying has not been instructed, it is then determined whether copying of the conditions set in step 1 has been completed (step 10), and copying of the specified conditions is completed. If not completed, steps 5 to 10 are repeated. When it is determined in step 10 that the copying of the conditions set in step 1 is completed, the variable resistance value of the slide volume 31e at this point is A / D converted (step 1
1) The data D1 stored in the RAM 74 is updated with this A / D converted value (step 12), and the process is terminated.

If it is determined in step 9 that the interrupt copy is instructed, the current state is changed to R.
The data is stored in the AM 74 (step 13) and the copying operation currently being performed is interrupted (step 14). Here, the information of the current state stored in the RAM 74 in step 13 is, for example, when the copying of a plurality of sheets is set in the step 1, how many of the number of copies are completed, etc. Of information. Subsequently, the contents of the variable resistance value data D1 of the A / D-converted slide volume 31e stored in the RAM 74 are copied to create data D2 and stored in the RAM 74 (step 1
5). Then, the copy condition is set (step 16),
When it is confirmed that the copy key 31b is turned on (step 17), the variable resistance value of the slide volume 31e is A / D converted (step 18), and this A / D converted value and the data D1 of the RAM 74 are stored. By comparing, it is determined whether the slide volume 31e has been moved (step 19). If it is determined in step 19 that the slide volume 31e has been moved, the RAM is the A / D converted value of the variable resistance value of the slide volume 31e calculated in step 18.
The data D1 stored in 74 is updated (step 20). Also, in step 19, slide volume 3
If it is determined that 1e is not moved, step 20 is not performed and step 21 described later is performed. Next, the CPU 70 sets the exposure lamp 36 to an exposure amount based on the data D1 (A / D conversion value of the variable resistance value of the slide volume 31e) stored in the RAM 74, and the exposure scanning of the document D is performed. Then, the copy of the document D is executed (step 21). Then, it is determined whether or not the interrupt copying is canceled by determining whether or not the interrupt mode key 30d on the operation panel 31 is pressed (step 22). If it is determined in step 22 that the interrupt copying has not been canceled, it is determined whether the copying of the conditions set in step 16 is completed (step 23), and the copying of the set conditions is completed. If not, steps 18 to 23 are repeated. If it is determined in step 23 that the copying of the conditions set in step 16 has been completed, the process returns to step 16 and the setting of copying conditions is accepted.

When it is determined in step 22 that the interrupt copying has been canceled, the CPU 70 updates the data D1 with the contents of the data D2 stored in the RAM 74 in step 15 (step 24). That is, the content of the data D1 is updated to the content of the A / D converted value of the variable resistance value of the slide volume 31e before the interrupt copying is performed. Subsequently, the CPU 70 reads out the information on the state of the image forming apparatus 10 before execution of the interrupt copying stored in the RAM 74 at the step 13 (step 25), and sets the copying machine to the state before the interrupt based on this information. return. After that, when the copy key 31b is turned on (step 26), the copying operation suspended by the interruption is restarted (step 27). That is, the processing from step 5 onward is performed.

As described above in detail, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, when the interrupt mode key 31d is pressed during the copying operation to enter the interrupt copy mode, the position of the slide volume 31e at that time. Data is R
It is stored in AM74, and after the interrupt copy mode is released,
The exposure lamp 36 is turned on based on the data of the slide volume 31e before interruption copying stored in the AM 74. Therefore, even if the position of the slide volume 31e is changed during the interruption copying and the exposure amount setting of the exposure lamp is changed, the slide volume before interruption copying stored in the RAM 74 after the interruption copying is completed. Since the exposure lamp 36 is turned on based on the data of 31e, there is no difference in the exposure amount before and after interruption due to interruption, and there is no difference in image forming density before and after interruption due to interruption. . Further, when the suspended image forming operation is restarted, it is not necessary to move the slide volume 31e to return it to the initial position.

Further, the position data of the slide volume 31e stored in the RAM 74 is rewritten to the position data of the slide volume 31e at that time at the time when the copying operation interrupted by the interruption is completed, and image formation is performed. The density is determined by referring to the data stored in the RAM 74. This prevents the actual position of the slide volume 31e from deviating from the correspondence with the image forming density.

In the above embodiment, the method of adjusting the image forming density by controlling the exposure amount by the exposure lamp 36 has been described. For example, the CPU 70
Slide volume 31 stored in RAM 74
The image forming density may be adjusted by controlling the developing bias in the developing device 16 based on the variable resistance information of e.

Further, the CPU 70 controls the amount of charge on the photosensitive drum 12 by the charging device 13 based on the variable resistance information of the slide volume 31e stored in the RAM 70, thereby adjusting the image forming density. It may be one.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is described that the interruption mode is released by re-inserting the interruption mode key 31d, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a timer unit is provided and no input is made from the operation panel 31 while the timer unit counts a predetermined time in the interrupt mode, the CPU 70 automatically releases the interrupt mode, The copying machine may be returned to the state before the interruption occurred.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the image forming mode is changed to the interrupt mode during the image forming operation, and after the image forming density is changed in the interrupt mode, the mode is switched to the interrupt mode. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing an image forming operation at a uniform image forming density before switching to the interrupt mode and after canceling the interrupt mode when the image forming operation suspended by the operation is restarted. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the entire image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an exposure device of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (1) showing a flow of control of operation by the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart (2) showing a flow of control of operation by the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 image forming apparatus 31 Operation panel 31b Copy key 31d Interrupt mode key 31e Slide volume 36 exposure lamp 70 CPU 73 RAM 74 ROM

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image forming unit for forming an image of an original on an image carrier, a density setting unit for setting a density of an image formed by the image forming unit based on density setting information, and a predetermined range. An output unit that has a sliding member that is slidable, and that outputs the density setting information used by the density setting unit to set the density of the image corresponding to the position of the sliding member, and the output unit that outputs the density setting information. Storage means for storing the density setting information, and an image for causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation at the density set by the density setting means based on the density setting information output by the output means. The image forming mode and the density setting information output by the output unit during the image forming mode are stored in the storage unit, and other density setting information output from the output unit is received. Mode switching means for selectively switching between an interrupt mode for causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation at a density set by the density setting means based on the density setting information, and image formation by the mode switching means. When the mode is switched to the interrupt mode, the density setting means controls the density setting based on the density setting information output from the output means, and the mode switching means changes the interrupt mode to the image forming mode. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the density setting unit to set the density based on the density setting information stored in the storage unit when switched. 2. An image forming means for forming an image of a document on an image carrier, a condition setting means for setting a condition of an image forming operation performed by the image forming means, and a condition set by the condition setting means. A first storage unit for storing, a density setting unit for setting a density of an image formed by the image forming unit based on density setting information, and a sliding member capable of sliding within a predetermined range, An output unit that outputs the density setting information used by the density setting unit to set the density of the image corresponding to the position of the sliding member, and a second setting unit that stores the density setting information output by the output unit. Storage means, and an image forming mode for causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation at a density set by the density setting means based on the density setting information output by the output means, The density setting information output by the output means in the image forming mode is stored in the second storage means, and other density setting information output by the output means is accepted, and the density is set based on the density setting information. A mode switching means for selectively switching between an interrupt mode for causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation at the density set by the setting means; and a first condition set by the condition setting means. When the image forming mode is switched to the interruption mode by the mode switching means, the image forming operation under the first condition by the image forming means is interrupted and the first condition is stored in the first storage means. The density setting is stored, the setting of the second condition by the condition setting unit is allowed, and the image forming operation under the second condition is output from the output unit. Based on the information, the image forming means is controlled so that the density is set by the density setting means, and when the interrupt mode is switched to the image forming mode by the mode switching means, the image is stored in the first storage means. The image forming operation under the first condition
The image forming means is controlled to perform the density set by the density setting means based on the density setting information stored in the storage means, and the image forming means is set by the setting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the density setting information output by the output unit to be stored in the second storage unit when the image forming operation under the conditions is completed. 3. An image forming means for forming an image of an original on an image carrier, a condition setting means for setting conditions of an image forming operation performed by the image forming means, and a condition set by the condition setting means. A first storage unit for storing, a density setting unit for setting a density of an image formed by the image forming unit based on density setting information, and a sliding member capable of sliding within a predetermined range, An output unit that outputs the density setting information used by the density setting unit to set the density of the image corresponding to the position of the sliding member, and a second setting unit that stores the density setting information output by the output unit. Storage means, and an image forming mode for causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation at a density set by the density setting means based on the density setting information output by the output means, The density setting information output by the output means in the image forming mode is stored in the second storage means, and other density setting information output by the output means is accepted, and the density is set based on the density setting information. A mode switching means for selectively switching between an interrupt mode for causing the image forming means to perform an image forming operation at the density set by the setting means; and a first condition set by the condition setting means. When the image forming mode is switched to the interruption mode by the mode switching means, the image forming operation under the first condition by the image forming means is interrupted and the first condition is stored in the first storage means. The density setting is stored, the setting of the second condition by the condition setting unit is allowed, and the image forming operation under the second condition is output from the output unit. Based on the information, the image forming means is controlled so that the density is set by the density setting means, and when the interrupt mode is switched to the image forming mode by the mode switching means, the image is stored in the first storage means. The image forming operation under the first condition
The image forming means is controlled to perform the density set by the density setting means based on the density setting information stored in the storage means, and the image forming means is set by the setting means. When the sliding member is slid while performing the image forming operation under the condition, the density setting information output by the output unit is stored in the second storage unit and the first image is stored. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the image forming unit so that the forming operation is performed at the density set by the density setting unit based on the density setting information output from the output unit.