JPH11192748A - Image forming apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten print processing time when color and monochromatic images are mixed by dividing input image information for each page, making a decision in which of a plurality of print modes each divided image information is printed, and modifying the printing order of image information for each print mode. SOLUTION: A color/monochrome deciding section makes a decision whether the image data on a page is color or monochromatic (S104), and registers the page number on a color page list for color data (S105) or on a monochromatic page list for monochromatic data (S106). A job control section check the page numbers registered on the color page list and color printing is performed at an image printing section if the page number is registered on the color page list (S111) before the page number is deleted (S113). Monochromatic printing is performed if the page number is registered on the monochromatic page list (S114) and then the page number is deleted from the monochromatic page list (S116). Since mode switching is required only once, print time can be shortened.

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 and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same which can reduce the processing time when a color image and a monochrome image are mixed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art PDs currently transferred from a computer or the like
L (page description language)
image data such as an image obtained by expanding ge), an image read from a scanner, and an image received by facsimile,
2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus that performs sequential printing is provided. If this image forming apparatus is capable of color printing, there is a possibility that a color image and a black and white image are mixed in the image to be printed,
Even when color printing is not possible, there is a possibility that paper sizes of images to be printed are mixed.

In such a case, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, Pages 1, 3, 4, and 6 are printed on a black-and-white image.
If Pages 2 and 5 are for printing color images,
Between Page1 and Page2, Page2 and Page
3, between Page 4 and Page 5, between Page 5 and P
It is necessary for the image forming apparatus to switch the print mode during age 6, and depending on the image forming apparatus, it may be necessary to cycle down and cycle up when switching the mode.

[0004] Also, depending on the size of the paper to be printed,
In some cases, it is possible to attach two sheets of paper to the drum of the image forming apparatus and perform the processing in parallel. However, if the printing modes (color / monochrome) of the paired sheets are different, such processing is performed. Can't do it.

[0005] Further, as shown in FIG.
e1, 3, 4, and 6 are printing on A4 size paper, and Pa
In the case where the prints on pages 2 and 5 are for printing on A3 size paper, the pages between Page 1 and Page 2 and between Page 2 and Page 2
between page 3, between page 4 and page 5, between page 5
It is necessary to switch the size of the paper to be printed between the page and the page 6, and the processing time becomes longer as in the case of switching between color and black and white.

As a technique for addressing such a problem,
JP-A-7-23194 and JP-A-7-298067
An image processing apparatus has been proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-15095.

In these image processing apparatuses, a color printer and a black-and-white printer are provided in the image processing apparatus, and a color image is printed by a color printer, and a black-and-white image is printed by a black-and-white printer. This is to reduce the running cost.

[0008]

However, the above-described image processing apparatus has a problem that the cost is increased because a monochrome printer is provided in addition to the color printer.
In addition, since printing is performed separately by two printers, double-sided printing cannot be performed, and output destinations are different.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening the print processing time when color and black-and-white images are mixed, and performing double-sided printing and output sequence control, and a control method therefor. With the goal.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of print modes,
In an image forming apparatus that prints input image information in one of the plurality of print modes selected based on the image information, an image information dividing unit that divides the input image information for each page, A print mode determining unit that determines whether each of the image information divided by the information dividing unit is printed in any of the plurality of print modes, and the divided image information is determined based on a determination result of the print mode determining unit. A print order changing unit that changes a print order of the image information for each of the print modes.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of print modes are a color print mode and a black and white print mode, and the print mode discriminating means includes: It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not color information is included.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of print modes are modes according to the size of a sheet to be printed, and the print mode discriminating means includes a step of: The size of the information image is determined.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, when the printing order of the image information is changed by the printing order changing means, the printing order is changed. It is characterized by further comprising display means for displaying the fact.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the re-feedable discharge means capable of re-feeding the discharged paper, The image forming apparatus further includes a selection output unit that selects and outputs the sheet discharged to the paper dischargeable unit and the printed sheet.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the re-feedable discharge means capable of re-feeding the discharged sheets, A selection output unit that selects and outputs a sheet discharged to the paper dischargeable unit and a printed sheet, wherein the print order changing unit outputs the divided image information for each of the print modes. The printing order is changed to one of the descending order of pages and the ascending order of pages.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which has a plurality of print modes and prints input image information in one of the plurality of print modes selected based on the image information. In the control method, the input image information is divided for each page, it is determined whether each of the divided image information is printed in any of the plurality of print modes, and the divided image information is divided based on the determination result. The printing order of the printed image information is changed for each of the printing modes and printing is performed.

According to the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claim 7, the plurality of print modes are a color print mode and a monochrome print mode, and the divided image information is printed in the color print mode. The printing order is changed so as to be divided into a first group to be printed and a second group to be printed in the black and white printing mode, and printing is performed for each of the groups.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, the plurality of print modes are modes corresponding to the size of a sheet to be printed. The printing order is changed so as to be divided into a first group and a second group for each group, and printing is performed for each group.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, when the printing order is changed, the user is notified that the printing order has been changed. I do.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the seventh aspect of the present invention, the divided image information is stored in a first group of the plurality of print modes which is to be printed in a first print mode. Changing the printing order so as to be divided into the second group printed in the second printing mode of the printing modes, printing the first group, storing the printed paper, When printing the second group, the printed paper and the stored paper are output in the order before the printing order is changed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the seventh aspect of the present invention, the divided image information is divided into a first group to be printed in a first print mode of the plurality of print modes and the plurality of image information. When the printing order is changed so as to be divided into the second group to be printed in the second printing mode of the printing modes, and the duplex printing is performed, the first group is printed in descending order of pages. And storing the printed sheet, printing the second group on the stored sheet or new sheet in ascending order of pages, and outputting the first group and the second group in page order. It is characterized by.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention and a control method therefor will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a communication control unit 11 for receiving FAX data from a telephone line, a network receiving unit 12 for receiving PDL from a computer or the like via a network, an image scanner 13 for reading a document image, displaying information to a user, A display / input unit 14 for inputting an instruction from a user; and a P for expanding the PDL received by the network receiving unit 12 into printable image data for each page.
DL development unit 15, color / black and white determination unit 16 for determining whether the image data is color or monochrome for each page of input image data, job control unit 17 for controlling the flow of the entire job, FAX data An image data processing unit 18 for compressing or decompressing the image data as needed when decoding or storing or reading image data, a storage device 19 such as a hard disk for storing image data, and an image printing unit 20 for printing images It comprises.

Here, referring to FIG. 2, image forming apparatus 1
Will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process when the image forming apparatus 1 receives the PDL.

When the image forming apparatus 1 starts operating and the network receiving unit 12 receives the PDL (step 101), the job control unit 17 substitutes 1 for a variable Page (step 103). Next, the PDL developing unit 15 develops the page of the number indicated by the input PDL variable Page into image data (step 103). Here, the color / black and white determination unit 16 determines whether the image data of the developed page is color or black and white (step 10).
4) If it is a color (YE in step 104)
S), the job control unit 17 registers the page number in the color page list (step 105). If the page number is monochrome (NO in step 104), the job control unit 17 stores the page number in the monochrome page list. Register (step 106). Next, the image data of the page number registered by the image data processing unit 18 is compressed (step 107),
It is stored in the storage device 19 (step 108).

If the number stored in the variable Page does not indicate the last page (step 109)
NO), the variable Page is incremented (step 110), and the PDL developing unit 15 develops the next page of the input PDL into image data (step 103).
The same processing is performed. Thereafter, the processing of steps 103 to 108 is repeated until the last page of the input PDL (NO in step 109).

When the image data of the last page has been stored in the storage device 19 (YES in step 109), the job control unit 17 checks whether there is a page number registered in the color page list (step 111), and registers the page number. If there is (YES in step 111), the image data of the registered page number is read out from the storage device 19 (step 112), and the image data processing unit 18 decompresses the image data, and the image printing unit 20 Printing (color printing) is performed, and the page number is deleted from the color page list (step 113). The processing of steps 112 and 113 is as follows:
The process is repeated until the process is performed on the images of all the page numbers registered in the color page list, and when all the color printing is completed (NO in step 111), the job control unit 17 is registered in the monochrome page list. It is checked whether a page number exists (step 114).

If there is a registration in the black and white page list (YES in step 114), the image data of the registered page number is read from the storage device 19 (step 11).
5) The image data processing unit 18 decompresses the image data, performs printing (black and white printing) by the image printing unit 20, and deletes the page number from the black and white page list (step 11).
6). The processing of steps 115 and 116 is repeated until the processing is performed on the images of all the page numbers registered in the monochrome page list.

When the black-and-white page list is no longer registered (NO in step 114), if the output order has been changed, a message to that effect is displayed on the display / input unit 14 (step 117), and the printing process is performed. finish.

When a plurality of copies are collated and output, color and black-and-white pages may be output separately for each copy, or all (the total number of) color and black-and-white pages may be output separately. May be.

In this embodiment, the case where the input data is PDL is described.
In the case of data and image data input from the image scanner 13, printing can be performed in the same manner.

Further, in this embodiment, the color / monochrome discriminating section 16 discriminates between color and black and white pages from the image data after PDL decompression. The color and black-and-white pages may be determined beforehand. In this case, the image data can be output without storing the image data in the storage device 19 by changing the developing order.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus and its control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. The image forming apparatus 3 includes a communication control unit 31 and a network reception unit 32, an image scanner 33, a display / input unit 34, a PDL development unit 35, a color / monochrome determination unit 36, a job control unit 37, an image data processing unit 38, and a storage device. 39, an image printing unit 40.

In the image forming apparatus 3, except for the image printing section 40, the same operation as that of the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment is performed, and the description is omitted. .

The image printing section 40 is an output device (not shown), an IOT (image output terminal).
al) for controlling the entire image printing unit 40 including
The control unit 41 includes a paper feed tray 42 for feeding paper, a paper discharge tray 43 for discharging paper, and a re-feedable discharge tray 44 for discharging paper that can be re-fed. Be composed.

The image forming apparatus 3 prints the input data in color and black and white, and outputs the data in the correct output order. The image forming apparatus 3 merely displays that the output order has been changed. This is different from the forming apparatus 1 (first embodiment, see FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a printing process when the image forming apparatus 3 receives a PDL.

When the image forming apparatus 3 starts operating and the network receiving section 32 receives the PDL (step 201), the job control section 37 substitutes 1 for a variable Page (step 202). Next, the PDL developing unit 35 develops the page of the number indicated by the input PDL variable Page into image data (step 203). Here, the color / black and white determination unit 36 determines whether the image data of the developed page is color or black and white (step 20).
4) If it is a color (YE at step 204)
S), the job control unit 37 registers the page number in the color page list (step 205). If the page number is monochrome (NO in step 204), the job control unit 37 stores the page number in the monochrome page list. Register (step 206). Next, the image data of the page number registered by the image data processing unit 38 is compressed (step 207),
It is stored in the storage device 39 (step 208).

If the number stored in the variable Page does not indicate the last page (step 209)
NO), the variable Page is incremented (step 210), and the PDL developing unit 35 develops the next page of the input PDL into image data (step 203).
The same processing is performed. Thereafter, the processing of steps 203 to 208 is repeated until the last page of the input PDL (NO in step 209).

When the image data of the last page has been stored in the storage device 39 (YES in step 209), the job control unit 37 checks whether there is a page registered in the monochrome page list (step 211), and the registration is completed. If there is (YES in step 211), it is further checked whether there is a page registered in the color page list (step 21).
2).

If there is no registration in the color page list (NO in step 212), since all the images to be printed are monochrome images, all the images stored in the storage device 39 are sequentially read (in page order), and Image data processing unit 3
8, the image is printed on the paper fed from the paper feed tray 42 by the image printing unit 40 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 43 (step 213), and the printing process ends.

On the other hand, if there is a registration in the color page list (YES in step 212), since the image to be printed is a mixture of color and black and white, first, the image data of the black and white page stored in the storage device 39 is deleted. The image data is read out (step 214) and decompressed by the image data processing unit 38 (step 2).
15) The image printing unit 40 prints on the paper fed from the paper feed tray 42 and discharges the paper to the re-feedable discharge tray 44 (step 216). Return to 211.

The processing from step 211 to step 216 is repeated until printing of all pages registered in the black and white page list is completed, and if there are no more pages registered in the black and white page list (step 211)
(NO, including the case where the black-and-white page list is not registered from the beginning), the job control unit 37 substitutes 0 for a variable N indicating a page number (step 217).

Next, the job control section 37 checks whether or not the variable N indicates the last page (step 218). If the variable N does not indicate the last page, the variable N is incremented (step 219). Check whether the page is registered in the color page list (step 22)
0).

If page N is registered in the color page list (YES in step 220), the image of page N is read from storage device 39 (step 221) and decompressed by image data processing unit 38 (step 222). Then, the image printing unit 40 prints on the paper fed from the paper feed tray 42 and discharges it to the paper discharge tray 43 (step 223), deletes the page from the color page list, and proceeds to step 2
Return to 18.

On the other hand, if the N page is not registered in the color page list (NO in step 220), the image printing section 40 feeds paper (black and white printed in step 216) from the re-feedable discharge tray 44. Out tray 4
3 (step 224), and returns to step 218.

In step 218, it is checked whether or not the N page discharged in step 223 or 224 is the last page.
O), the variable N is incremented (step 21)
9) Thereafter, the same processing is repeated, and when the N page discharged in step 223 or 224 is the last page (NO in step 218), the image forming apparatus 3 ends the printing processing.

The image forming apparatus 3 can perform double-sided printing even when color and black-and-white images are mixed.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 3 when performing double-sided printing will now be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of the double-sided printing process of the image forming apparatus 3. FIG. 7 shows the accumulation state of the sheets in the discharge tray 43 and the re-feedable discharge tray 44 during the double-sided printing process. FIG.

In this description, among the images of all 10 pages, pages 1, 3, 4, 6, and 10 are printed in black and white, and pages 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9 are printed in color. The case will be described as an example.

Steps 301 to 31 shown in FIG.
Since each process of 0 is the same as the process of steps 201 to 210 described above, the description is omitted.

Now, in step 308, the image data of 10 pages is stored in the storage device 39, and when it is determined in step 309 that the page is the last page (YE in step 309).
S), the process proceeds to step 311. At this time, pages 1, 3, 4, 6, and 10 are registered in the monochrome page list, and pages 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9 are registered in the color page list. Have been.

Here, the job control section 37 checks whether there is any page registered in the black-and-white page list (step 3).
11) If there is a registration (YES in step 311), it is further checked whether there is a page registered in the color page list (step 312).

If there is no registration in the color page list (NO in step 312), all the images to be printed are monochrome images, so that all the images stored in the storage device 39 are sequentially (in page order). The image data is read out, decompressed by the image data processing unit 38,
Then, printing is performed on the sheet fed from the second sheet and the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 43 (step 313), and the printing process ends. The two-sided printing process at this time is the same as the printing process of the conventional image forming apparatus, and thus the description is omitted.

Here, since there is a registration in the color page list (YES in step 312), the last 10 pages registered in the monochrome page list are acquired (step 314), and the opposite side of the 10 pages is obtained. It is checked whether printing of page 9 has been completed.
Since the page has not been printed (N in step 315)
O), paper is fed from the paper feed tray 42 (step 316), 10 pages of image data are read from the storage device 39 (step 318), decompression and printing are performed (step 319), and re-feedable discharge is performed. The sheet is discharged to the paper tray 44 (step 320, see FIG. 7A), 10 pages are deleted from the monochrome page list, and the process returns to step 311.

Similarly, printing and discharging of six pages (FIG. 7)
(B) and printing and discharging of four pages (FIG. 7C)
(See step 314), and the printing process for three pages is started (step 314). Since the four pages opposite to the three pages have already been printed (YES in step 315), the re-feedable discharge tray 44 Feed the paper from (Step 3
17, see FIG. 7 (d)), read out three pages of image data from the storage device 39 (step 318), perform decompression and printing (step 319), and discharge it to the re-feedable discharge tray 44. (Step 320, see FIG. 7E), three pages are deleted from the black-and-white page list, and the process returns to step 311 to print one page.

When printing of one page is completed (step 32)
0, see FIG. 7 (f)). When returning to step 311, since nothing is registered in the black and white page list (NO in step 311), the process proceeds to step 321 (the subsequent steps are shown in FIG. 6), A variable N indicating a page is initialized to 0.

Since N (= 0) does not indicate the last page (NO in step 322), N is incremented (step 323, N = 1). Next, N (=
1) The page is already printed (Y in step 324)
ES), since two pages opposite to N (= 1) are not printed (NO in step 325), N is incremented again (step 323, N = 2).

Since page N (= 2) has not been printed (NO in step 324) and one page on the opposite side has been printed (YES in step 326), sheets are discharged from the re-feedable discharge tray 44. Feed (step 327, FIG. 7)
(See (g)), image data of two pages is read from the storage device 39 (step 328), decompression and printing are performed (step 329), and N (= 2) is an even number (YES in step 330). The sheet is turned over (front and back) and discharged to the discharge tray 43 (step 331, FIG. 7).
(M)).

Next, since N (= 2) is not the last page (NO in step 322), N is incremented (step 323, N = 3), and the N (= 3) page has been printed (step 324). (YES), since the other four pages have already been printed (YES in step 325), the paper is fed from the re-feedable discharge tray 44 (step 3).
32, see FIG. 7 (h)), discharge this to the paper discharge tray 43 (step 333, see FIG. 7 (n)), and increment N (step 334, N = 4).

Returning to step 322, since N (= 4) is not the last page (NO in step 322), N is incremented (step 323, N = 5), and N (=
5) Since the page has not been printed (NO in step 324), and the opposite six pages have been printed (step 32).
(YES at 6), the paper is fed from the re-feedable discharge tray 44 (step 327, see FIG. 7 (i)), and the image data of 5 pages is read from the storage device 39 (step 328), and decompressed and printed. (Step 32)
9) Since N (= 5) is an odd number (NO in step 330), the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 43 (step 3).
35, see FIG. 7 (o)), increment N (step 336, N = 6), and return to step 322.

Next, since N (= 6) is not the last page (NO in step 322), N is incremented (step 323, N = 7), and the N (= 7) page has not been printed (step 324). (NO), the eight pages on the opposite side have not been printed yet (NO in step 326).
(Step 337), and the storage device 3
Read the image data of pages 9 to 7 (step 3
38), extend and print (step 339),
(= 7) Since the page is not the last page (step 34)
(NO at 0), the sheet is discharged to the re-feedable discharge tray 44 (step 341, see FIG. 7 (j)). Here, assuming that page 7 is the last page (Y in step 340).
ES), since there are no opposite eight pages, the sheet on which the seven pages have been printed is discharged to the discharge tray 43 (step 342), and the process ends.

Actually, since page 7 is not the last page (NO in step 322), N is incremented (step 323, N = 8), and page N (= 8) is unprinted (step 324). NO), since the opposite seven pages have been printed (YES in step 326), the paper is fed from the re-feedable discharge tray 44 (step 327, see FIG. 7 (k)), and Eight-page image data is read (step 328), decompression and printing are performed (step 329), and since N (= 8) is an even number (YES in step 330), the sheet is reversed (front and back) and discharged. Discharge paper to tray 43 (Step 3)
31, see FIG. 7 (p)).

Now, returning to step 322, N (=
8) is not the last page (N in step 322)
O), N is incremented (step 323, N =
9), page N (= 9) has not been printed (NO in step 324) and page 10 on the opposite side has been printed (YES in step 326).
4 is fed (step 327, FIG. 7 (l)).
9) is read from the storage device 39 (step 328), decompression and printing are performed (step 329), and since N (= 9) is an odd number (NO in step 330), the sheet is discharged. The sheet is discharged to the paper tray 43 (step 335, see FIG. 7 (q)), N is incremented (step 336, N = 10), and step 322 is performed.
Return to

Since N (= 10) indicates the last page (YES in step 322), if there is a sheet in the re-feedable discharge tray 44, it is discharged (step 343). Then, the image forming apparatus 3 ends the double-sided printing process.

As described above, even when performing double-sided printing, the monochrome pages are processed in descending order and the color pages are processed in ascending order, so that the switching between the monochrome printing mode and the color printing mode is performed only once, and the output order is uniform. Printing results can be obtained.

In the second embodiment, the case where the input data is PDL is described.
In the case of FAX data or image data input from the image scanner 13, printing can be performed in the same manner. The color / black and white determination unit 36 determines the color and monochrome pages from the image data after PDL development. If color and black and white can be determined from the PDL data, color and black and white pages may be determined before development. In this case,
By changing the developing order, the image data can be output without being stored in the storage device 39.

The opposite side of the page being processed in the double-sided printing process is a page obtained by subtracting 1 when the page being processed is an even page, and 1 when the page being processed is an odd number. Since the page is added, the state of the opposite surface can be easily obtained.

In the first and second embodiments, the same result can be obtained even if the black and white and the color are reversed.

Further, the present invention can cope with not only switching between the modes of color printing and black-and-white printing, but also switching of the mode for printing on paper of different sizes, as described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. In the description of the embodiment, the color printing and the black-and-white printing are described as printing on paper of different sizes (for example, A4 size and A3 size), and the description will be omitted.

When two-sided printing is performed on paper of different sizes, if paper of a different size cannot be fed from the re-feedable tray 44, it must be separated into a plurality of trays. In double-sided printing using paper of a size, for example, the back side of an image of an A4 size may be an image of an A3 size, and the frequency of use may be low.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, the order of printing is changed, color printing and black-and-white printing are performed together, and when performing double-sided printing, black-and-white pages are sorted in descending order. Are processed in ascending order, so it is only necessary to switch the mode between color printing and black-and-white printing once, shorten the printing time, align the output order, print black and white on one side and color on the other side You can also get output that is printed.

Further, with the same configuration, it is possible to shorten the printing time for paper of different sizes.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a PDL.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a printing process when the image forming apparatus 3 receives a PDL.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (1) showing a flow of a duplex printing process of the image forming apparatus 3.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart (2) illustrating a flow of a duplex printing process of the image forming apparatus 3.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which sheets are stored in a discharge tray 43 and a re-feedable discharge tray 44 during a duplex printing process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a print pattern requiring mode switching.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image forming apparatus 3 image forming apparatus 11 communication control unit 12 network receiving unit 13 image scanner 14 display / input unit 15 PDL developing unit 16 color / monochrome discriminating unit 17 job control unit 18 image data processing unit 19 storage device 20 image printing unit 31 Communication control unit 32 Network receiving unit 33 Image scanner 34 Display / input unit 35 PDL developing unit 36 Color / monochrome discriminating unit 37 Job control unit 38 Image data processing unit 39 Storage device 40 Image printing unit 41 IOT control unit 42 Paper feed tray 43 Discharge Paper tray 44 Re-feedable output tray

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/46 H04N 1/46 C

Claims (12)

[Claims] An image forming apparatus that has a plurality of print modes and prints input image information in one of the plurality of print modes selected based on the image information. Image information dividing means for dividing each page, print mode determining means for determining whether each of the image information divided by the image information dividing means is printed in one of the plurality of print modes, and the print mode An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing order changing unit that changes a printing order of the divided image information for each of the print modes based on a determination result of the determination unit. 2. The print mode according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print modes are a color print mode and a black and white print mode, and the print mode determining unit determines whether the divided image information includes color information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The print mode according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print modes are modes corresponding to a size of a sheet to be printed, and the print mode determining unit determines a size of the image of the divided image information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a change in the printing order when the printing order of the image information is changed by the printing order changing unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 3. 5. A re-feedable discharge means capable of re-feeding discharged paper, and selecting paper discharged and printed paper from the re-feedable discharge means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection output unit configured to output the image data. 6. A re-feedable discharge means capable of re-feeding the discharged paper, and selecting the paper discharged and the printed paper by the re-feedable discharge means. And a selection output unit that outputs the divided image information in one of a descending order of pages and an ascending order of pages for each of the print modes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 7. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a plurality of print modes and printing input image information in one of the plurality of print modes selected based on the image information, Image information is divided for each page, it is determined whether each of the divided image information is printed in any of the plurality of print modes, and the printing order of the divided image information is determined based on the determination result. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, wherein printing is performed by changing the print mode for each print mode. 8. The plurality of print modes are a color print mode and a black and white print mode, wherein the divided image information is printed in the first print group in the color print mode and in the black and white print mode. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the printing order is changed so as to be divided into a second group, and printing is performed for each group. 9. The printing mode according to the size of paper to be printed, wherein the divided image information is divided into a first group and a second group for each image size. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the printing order is changed so as to perform printing for each group. 10. The control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the printing order is changed, the user is notified that the printing order has been changed. 11. A method of printing the divided image information in a first print mode of the plurality of print modes.
The printing order is changed so as to be divided into a second group and a second group printed in a second printing mode among the plurality of printing modes. The first group is printed, and the printed group is printed. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when printing the second group, storing the paper and outputting the printed paper and the stored paper in the order before the printing order is changed. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus. 12. A first printing method for printing the divided image information in a first printing mode of the plurality of printing modes.
The printing order is changed so as to be divided into a group of a plurality of printing modes and a second group printed in a second printing mode of the plurality of printing modes. And printing the descending order, storing the printed sheet, and printing the second group on the stored sheet or new sheet in ascending order of the page, and combining the first group and the second group. The method according to claim 7, wherein the output is performed in a page order.