JPH10200728A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make setting and an operation, which are to be used, to be clear and to improve operability by displaying the operation restricted by a form when a user selects the form and inhibiting a setting operation which is not permitted at that time. SOLUTION: The user selects one ID among picture ID and CPU retrieves a pertinent picture file (ST 5), obtains accompanying original size/resolution information/date (ST 6) and displays them on an LCD display unit (ST 7). LED fitted to the original sizes and paper sizes, which are stored for respective form picture ID, are lighted (ST 8). The paper and resolution of the size corresponding to a selected ID icon are set (ST 10). When a printing key is depressed in ST 11, the file corresponding to selected ID is read and the form picture is printed. When synthesis is set at that time, the form picture and the picture to be synthesized are synthesized and the picture is printed (ST 18).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image having a function of reading a plurality of images in advance and storing them in a memory and selectively printing them, or combining the stored image with a newly read document to print. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus, an original (formatted) is previously read into a memory (registration function) and then printed later (print function). Some have a function of combining (form combining function). Such a function is generally called an extended synthesis function.

When a document is previously registered in the memory using the above-mentioned registration function, subsequent editing is practically determined by the format (document size and resolution) at the time of registration. Therefore, for example, when an A4-R size form image is registered as form number 1, the original is the same as the form, not only when the registered form is printed but also when another original is combined with the form later. The size is limited and the printable paper is also limited to the same size as the form.

An outline of such a conventional extended synthesizing function will be described below. The extended composition function is mainly composed of three modes, which are a form accumulation mode, a form print mode, and a form composition mode.

In the form storage mode, an original document desired by a user is read by a scanner optical system, converted into an electric signal (image data), and stored as data in a memory (including a hard disk) capable of holding data even when the power is turned off. Mode. The document stored and stored at this time is called a form document.

The form print mode is a mode in which image data of a form document stored and stored by the user in the form storage mode is printed in response to a user request. In this mode, the user can also check the contents of the form document image.

In the form synthesizing mode, the image data of the form original stored and accumulated by the user in the form accumulation mode is synthesized with a new original which is read by a scanner optical system and converted into an electric signal (image data). Print mode.

[0008] The operation of the user using the extended synthesizing function will be described below. In the case of the form accumulation mode, the user selects the extended synthesis function, and further selects the form accumulation mode therein. Then, an ID (identification number) of the area in which the form is to be stored is selected, and the copy button is pressed.
Then, after "Scanning original" is displayed,
"Copying is possible" is displayed, and the recording is completed.

In the case of the form printing mode, the user first selects the extended synthesizing function, and further selects the form printing mode. Next, select the ID of the form to be printed and press the copy button. Then "Copying"
Is displayed, "Ready to copy" is displayed, and printing is completed.

In the case of the form synthesizing mode, the user first selects the extended synthesizing function, and further selects the form synthesizing mode. Next, when the ID of the form to be combined is selected, "Please set the document and press the copy button" is displayed. When the original is set and the copy button is pressed, "Copying" is displayed, then "Ready" is displayed, and printing is completed.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus when the extended synthesizing function is used will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining this operation. When the user selects and executes the extended combining function by the above operation, the image forming apparatus operates according to the following sequence.

In the form storage mode (function 1), the image forming apparatus optically reads an image by a scanner optical system and converts the read optical image signal into an electric signal (image data).
Convert to After performing various conversions and processings on the image data, the image data is temporarily expanded on the page memory. The image data expanded on the page memory is compressed, filed, and stored on the hard disk as a form original image. At this time, a plurality of areas for storing the image data of the form document image are prepared in advance on the hard disk, and IDs (1 to 8) are assigned to the respective areas. As a result, the filed image data is stored in the area of the ID specified by the user from the operation panel. At this time, the size and resolution of the read document image are stored as attribute information of the file for each ID.

In the case of the form printing mode (function 2), the image forming apparatus uses the ID specified by the user on the operation panel.
Decompresses the filed image data that has been stored in the area, and restores the original image data. Next, the decompressed image data is temporarily expanded on the page memory. And ID
A paper cassette is prepared based on the document size stored for each. The engine resolution is determined based on the resolution stored for each ID, and the image data developed on the page memory is printed.

In the form combining mode (function 3), the image forming apparatus optically reads a new document image to be combined with a form document (hereinafter, referred to as a combined document image) by a scanner optical system. The optical signal of the read document image is converted into an electric signal (image data).
The image data undergoes various conversions and processings, and is temporarily expanded on a page memory. The image data expanded on the page memory is compressed and filed, and the filed image data is stored as a combined original image on a memory or a hard disk.

Next, the image forming apparatus decompresses the filed form document image data stored in the area of the ID designated by the user from the operation panel, returns the image data to the original image data, and temporarily stores the image data in the page memory. The image is expanded in the upper form image buffer memory area. Image forming device is ID
A paper cassette is prepared based on the document size stored for each ID, and the engine resolution is determined based on the resolution stored for each ID. Then, the combined original image stored as a file is developed in the original image buffer memory area of the page memory. Next, the image forming apparatus combines the form original image data and the original image data on the original image buffer memory area and prints them.

[0016]

In order to realize such an extended synthesis function with an appropriate hardware scale and cost,
Based on the configuration shown in FIG. 10, there is no other way but to form an image according to the sequence of the image forming operation described above. That is, the above configuration and operation must be performed, so that there are several problems as described below.

First, a form document stored and stored in the form storage mode is printed independently (after using the form print mode) or after being synthesized with a new document image (form synthesis mode). )), Other than adding or combining different image data with the stored form document image,
You cannot convert, edit, or process something later.

Therefore, even if the user wants to print the form document image later or combine it with another document and print it,
Actually, the printing operation is considerably limited by the conditions when the form document is read, stored and stored. That is, the image buffer memory area when printing a form document is determined by the document size and the resolution of the read form document, so that the printing operation is limited. For this reason, the product image forming apparatus has the following operability problems particularly in the operations of the “form printing mode” and the “form combining mode” using the form original image.

The image forming apparatus wants to prepare a paper cassette and a resolution when printing in accordance with the form document image. When the user operates the form printing mode or the form synthesizing mode, a desired paper (or paper cassette) is required. Even if it is set to a value other than the above, if the paper / cassette / resolution desired by the image forming apparatus is different, the printing operation cannot be performed. Therefore, in such a case, when the paper (or cassette) selected by the user is different from the one prepared by the image forming apparatus, a warning display such as "Please select the correct size paper" must be displayed. In order to select the "correct size", the user has to repeat trial and error of selecting a paper (or cassette) and displaying a warning.

In particular, when the user wants to use the form combining mode, the user combines the newly read original image with the form original image and prints it.
There may be cases where it is desired to print at a magnification other than the above. However, as described above, "Because it is not possible to apply conversion, editing, processing, etc. afterwards, other than adding or combining different image data to the stored form document image For example, when the user specifies the magnification to be 80%, the combined original image reduced to 80% and converted into a file and the original form original image are combined and printed, that is, 100%. The original form image and the combined original image reduced to 80% will be combined and printed (probably you would have tried to reduce the combined image to 80% and copy it). As a result, a printed matter far from the image desired by the user is obtained, and it is difficult for the user to understand why only the form document image was not reduced. When using the form printing mode or the form composition mode, it is a big problem that the operation that is not permitted to perform the image forming operation is clearly displayed and the permitted scanning is not limited to some extent. there were.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a user with an editing function when selecting a function such as a form synthesizing function using image data which cannot be processed or edited later, such as an image previously read into a memory. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that specifies conditions that can be used and prevents unnecessary warnings from being displayed.

[0022]

According to the present invention, various conditions that are determined when a form is read in advance, such as form synthesis, are displayed on an operation panel when the form is called again, and simultaneously. By restricting the operation, the conditions that can be edited and used when the form is selected are clearly indicated to the user. Thereby, it is possible to perform a smooth editing without displaying an unnecessary warning or the like during the operation and after the editing is started.

That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: reading means for continuing a document as a first image; storage means for storing a second image; setting means for setting image forming conditions; Image forming means for synthesizing the first image stored in the storage means and the second image stored in the storage means, and forming the image on the image carrier under the image forming conditions set by the setting means; Control means for limiting conditions that can be set by the setting means when the forming means forms the composite image so as to correspond to attributes of the second image stored in the storage means; Notification means for notifying that setting other than the condition is not possible.

The attribute of the image includes the size of the original image, and the notifying unit notifies the size of the original image. The setting means has means for selecting a paper cassette corresponding to the size of the document image. The attribute of the image includes a resolution when the reading unit reads the document, and the notifying unit notifies the resolution.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a reading unit for reading a document as image data, a storage unit for storing image data read by the reading unit, a setting unit for setting image forming conditions, Display means for displaying image forming conditions that can be set by the setting means; and an image carrier based on image data taken by the reading means in accordance with the image forming conditions set by the setting means. An image forming means for forming an image, and a synthesizing mode for synthesizing the image data stored in the storage means and the image data taken in by the reading means so that the image forming means forms a synthesized image. A mode setting means for setting the image data stored in the storage means, wherein a condition that can be set by the setting means is set when the synthesis mode is set by the mode setting means. With limiting to correspond to the attribute, and a control means for changing the display of the display means such that the setting other than the settable conditions becomes impossible.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention sets reading means for reading a document as image data, storage means for storing at least two or more image data read by the reading means, and sets image forming conditions. Setting means, display means for displaying image forming conditions which can be set by the setting means, and image bearing based on image data read by the reading means in accordance with the image forming conditions set by the setting means. An image forming unit for forming an image on a body, and a combining mode for combining the image data stored in the storage unit and the image data read by the reading unit to cause the image forming unit to form a combined image Mode setting means for setting the image data, and when the combination mode is set by the mode setting means, one of the image data stored in the storage means
Selecting means for selecting one of them, and limiting the conditions that can be set by the setting means in accordance with the image data selected by the selecting means, and setting the conditions other than the settable conditions to be impossible. Control means for changing the display on the display means.

Further, in the image forming method of the present invention, there is provided a reading step of successively taking a document as a first image, a storing step of storing a second image, a setting step of setting image forming conditions, An image forming step of combining the first image stored in the step and the second image stored in the storing step and forming the image on the image carrier under the image forming conditions set in the setting step; When forming the composite image in this image forming step, the conditions that can be set in the setting step,
The present invention further comprises a control step of limiting the attribute of the second image stored in the storage step to correspond to the attribute of the second image, and a notifying step of notifying that setting other than the settable condition is impossible. In the image forming method, a reading step of reading a document as image data, a storing step of storing the image data read in the reading step, a setting step of setting image forming conditions, and setting in the setting step A display step of displaying various image forming conditions, and an image forming step of forming an image on an image carrier based on image data taken in the reading step according to the image forming conditions set in the setting step. Setting a combining mode for combining the image data stored in the storing step and the image data taken in the reading step to form a combined image in the image forming step. A mode setting step to be performed, and when the combination mode is set in the mode setting step, a condition that can be set in the setting step corresponds to an attribute of the image data stored in the storage step. And a control step of changing the display of the display step so that setting other than the settable condition becomes impossible.

Further, a reading step of reading an original as image data, a storing step of storing at least two or more image data read in the reading step, a setting step of setting image forming conditions, and a setting step A display step of displaying image forming conditions that can be set by an image forming step, and an image forming step of forming an image on an image carrier based on image data read in the reading step according to the image forming conditions set in the setting step A mode setting step of combining the image data stored in the storage step with the image data read in the reading step, and setting a combining mode for forming a combined image in the image forming step. A selecting step of selecting one of the image data stored in the storing step when the combining mode is set in the mode setting step; Corresponding to the image data selected in the step, limiting the conditions that can be set in the setting step, and changing the display of the display step so that settings other than the settable conditions are disabled. Is provided.

The conditions (document size and paper size of the form image) determined when the form is registered (that is, when the form is read into the memory) are displayed on the operation panel when the form is called again, and other operations are performed. An operation system that cannot perform There is no warning or interruption when a user performs a prohibited operation. Specifically, when "print" or "synthesis" is selected, "A4-R available" is displayed, and even if a document size key or a paper size key other than A4-R is pressed, it is invalidated.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, that is, a digital copier control system, and FIG. 2 is a basic control unit 3 of FIG.
11 shows a detailed configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital copier control system comprises two blocks, a basic unit 301 and a page memory unit 302. In the basic unit 301, the scanner 31
3. An image processing unit 314 is connected between the printer 315 and the digital copier. The page memory unit 302 receives and stores the image data from the basic unit 301, and transfers the stored image data to the basic unit 301 again, thereby implementing a memory copy.

The basic unit 301 and the page memory unit 302 are connected by a basic unit system interface 316 for exchanging control data and a basic unit image interface 317 for exchanging image data.

Next, the basic unit 301 comprises a scanner 313, a printer 315, an image processing means 314, and a basic control unit 311 for controlling these. As shown in FIG. 2, the main CPU 100 of the basic control unit 311 includes an RO
M102, RAM 104, image memory 106, timer memory 108, PIN code memory 110, timer 112,
Internal interface 122, external interface 12
4 are connected. An operation panel 114 is connected to the internal interface 122, and an LC
A D display 116, a numeric keypad 118, an LED 120, a copy key 121, and the like are arranged. The external interface 124 is connected to the hard disk drive 80 and the external device 13.
8 is connected.

Here, the storage and reading of the image information is performed by the main CPU 100. For example, when storing image information, the image information read by the scanner unit under the control of the scanner CPU 160 is stored in the image memory 106 according to an instruction from the main CPU 100. Main CPU
The mode of the instruction 100 is determined by an input (key input) from the operation unit.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention, when using the extended synthesizing function, specifies an operation limited by the form when the user selects the form, and conversely, prohibits an operation not permitted at that time. Thereby, the operability of the extended synthesizing function is improved.

Operations in various modes of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described. First, when the form storage mode is designated by the user via the operation panel 114, the main CPU 100 optically reads an image with the scanner 313 and converts the read optical image signal into an electric signal (image data). The image data is stored in the image processing unit 3
After various conversions and processings are performed by 14, the data is temporarily expanded on the page memory 323. The image data expanded on the page memory 323 is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 324, converted into a file, and stored as a form original image on a hard disk in the hard disk drive 80.

At this time, a plurality of (eg, eight) areas for storing the image data of the form original image on the hard disk are prepared in advance, and IDs (1 to 8) are assigned to the respective areas. This allows the user to operate the operation panel 11.
4. Filed image data is stored in the area of the ID specified from above. Further, the size, resolution, and date and time of the read original image are used as file attribute information as ID information.
It is stored every time.

Next, the operation when the form printing mode or the form combining mode is selected will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
First, after the power is turned on, each unit in the image forming apparatus is in a ready state, and the LCD 116 of the operation panel 114 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 4 (step ST1). Here, when the user selects "enhanced composition" displayed on the LCD display 116 in order to select the form printing mode or the form composition mode (step ST2), the display screen is set to the mode of the extended composition function as shown in FIG. The screen changes to the selection screen. When the user selects “copy image (form print mode)” or “composite image (form composite mode)”, the display screen displays the image ID of the extended composite function shown in FIG.
The screen changes to the selection screen.

The user selects the image I in the image ID selection screen.
One ID is selected from D (1 to 8), and step S
At T4, the selected ID is detected. The CPU 100 searches for an image file corresponding to the selected form image ID (step ST5), and among the document size, resolution, and storage date / time stored for each form image ID, the document size / resolution associated with the corresponding image file. Resolution information /
The date and time are obtained (step ST6). The CPU 100 displays the acquired document size / resolution / date and time on the LCD display 116.
Is displayed as shown in FIG. 7 (step ST7).

In step ST8, the LED corresponding to the document size stored for each form image ID and the LED corresponding to the sheet size of the same size as the document size are turned on as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows how the A4 document size and paper size LEDs are lit. CPU
100 prohibits the operation of the document size key and the paper size key other than the document size / paper size acquired in step ST6, and further prohibits the operation of the zoom up key and the zoom down key. Specifically, even if the key map is changed and a document size key / paper size key other than the document size and paper size acquired in step ST6 is pressed, the key map is invalidated,
Further, pressing the zoom up key / zoom down key is invalidated. That is, the key map stored in the ROM 102 is developed in the RAM 104 and changed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, A, B,... Indicate keys such as a document size key and a paper size key, and 1, 2,. For example,
In the initial mode (mode 1), the document size key (A), the paper size key (B), and the zoom up key (C) are accepted, but in the form print mode (mode 2), these keys are prohibited.

Next, a cassette in which paper of a size corresponding to the ID icon selected in step ST4 is set, and a resolution corresponding to the selected ID icon is set (step ST10).

If the selected form image is not the desired one based on the document size, storage date, etc. of the form image corresponding to the ID icon pressed in step ST4 on the screen as shown in FIG. Is I again
Press the D icon and select another form image. Thus, in step ST14, it is determined that the ID icon has been pressed.

If the ID icon has been pressed in step ST14, the flow moves to step ST5, and the above-described operation is repeated. Further, when the setting is cleared by the user or the automatic clear is applied as in step ST12, the liquid crystal display and the LED display are erased,
Also, the key prohibition processing is canceled (key map is changed). If the print key is pressed in step ST11, the file corresponding to the selected ID is read from the hard disk, and the form image is printed. At this time, if the combination is set, the form image and the image to be combined are combined and the image is printed (step ST1).
8).

[0044]

According to the present invention, when using the extended synthesizing function, the operation limited by the form when the user selects the form is specified, and the setting operation which is not permitted at that time is prohibited. Therefore, it is easy to understand the settings and operations that can be used by the user when using the extended synthesis function, and it is expected that the operability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of a basic control unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an LCD display screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the LCD display screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the LCD display screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the LCD display screen.

FIG. 8 is a display example of an LED display.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a change of a key map.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 301: Basic section 302: Page memory section 316: Basic section system interface 317: Basic section image interface

Claims (12)

[Claims] A reading unit that captures an original as a first image; a storage unit that stores a second image; a setting unit that sets image forming conditions; and a first unit that is stored in the reading unit. An image forming unit that combines the image and the second image stored in the storage unit and forms the image on the image carrier under image forming conditions set by the setting unit; Control means for limiting the conditions that can be set by the setting means at the time of formation so as to correspond to the attribute of the second image stored in the storage means; and setting other than the settable conditions is impossible. And an informing means for informing that there is. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute of the image includes a size of the document image, and the notifying unit reports the size of the document image. 3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said setting means has means for selecting a paper cassette corresponding to the size of said document image. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute of the image includes a resolution when the reading unit reads the document, and the notifying unit notifies the resolution. 5. A reading means for reading a document as image data; a storage means for storing image data read by the reading means; a setting means for setting image forming conditions; Display means for displaying image forming conditions; image forming means for forming an image on an image carrier based on image data taken in by the reading means according to the image forming conditions set by the setting means; Mode setting means for combining the image data stored in the storage means and the image data taken by the reading means, and setting a combining mode for causing the image forming means to form a combined image; When the combination mode is set by the mode setting unit, the condition that can be set by the setting unit is limited to correspond to the attribute of the image data stored in the storage unit. And control means for changing the display of the display means so that setting other than the settable condition becomes impossible,
An image forming apparatus comprising: 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the attribute of the image data includes a size of the document image, and the display unit displays the size of the document image. 7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said setting means has means for selecting a paper cassette corresponding to the size of said document image. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the attribute of the image data includes a resolution when the reading unit reads the document, and the display unit displays the resolution. 9. Reading means for reading a document as image data, storage means for storing at least two or more image data read by the reading means, setting means for setting image forming conditions, and Display means for displaying image forming conditions which can be set by the image forming means, and image forming means for forming an image on an image carrier based on image data read by the reading means in accordance with the image forming conditions set by the setting means A mode setting unit that combines the image data stored in the storage unit and the image data read by the reading unit, and sets a combining mode for causing the image forming unit to form a combined image; When the combination mode is set by the mode setting means, a selection means for selecting one of the image data stored in the storage means; Control means for limiting conditions that can be set by the setting means in accordance with the selected image data, and changing the display of the display means so that settings other than the settable conditions are disabled. Image forming apparatus. 10. A reading step of following a document as a first image, a storing step of storing a second image, a setting step of setting image forming conditions, and a first step of storing the first image stored in the reading step. Forming an image on the image carrier under the image forming conditions set in the setting step by combining the image of the above and the second image stored in the storing step; A control step of limiting conditions that can be set in the setting step when forming a composite image so as to correspond to the attribute of the second image stored in the storage step; An informing step of informing that setting is impossible. 11. A reading step of reading a document as image data, a storing step of storing the image data read in the reading step, a setting step of setting image forming conditions, and a setting step of setting the image forming conditions. A display step of displaying image forming conditions, and an image forming step of forming an image on an image carrier based on the image data continued in the reading step, according to the image forming conditions set in the setting step, A mode setting step of combining the image data stored in the storage step and the image data continued in the reading step and setting a combining mode for forming a combined image in the image forming step When the combination mode is set in the mode setting step, the condition that can be set in the setting step is set in the attribute of the image data stored in the storage step. And a control step of changing the display of the display step so that settings other than the settable conditions are not possible. 12. A reading step of reading a document as image data, a storage step of storing at least two or more image data read in the reading step, a setting step of setting image forming conditions, A display step of displaying image forming conditions that can be set by an image forming step; and an image forming step of forming an image on an image carrier based on the image data read in the reading step in accordance with the image forming conditions set in the setting step A mode setting step of combining the image data stored in the storage step with the image data read in the reading step, and setting a combining mode for forming a combined image in the image forming step. A step of selecting one of the image data stored in the storage step when the combination mode is set in the mode setting step; Corresponding to the image data selected in the step, limiting the conditions that can be set in the setting step, and changing the display of the display step so that setting other than the settable conditions is disabled. An image forming method comprising: