JP3506743B2 - Image output device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device,
More specifically, it can be applied to an image output device used for copying, printers, facsimiles, etc. In particular, the printing paper surface of recycled paper can be determined without mistakenly erasing the printing data, and It is possible to reliably print again on the surface, and it is possible to judge again by dividing the printing state of the printing paper surface of the reused paper into areas and print again on the printing paper surface that was printed on only a part of the paper surface. The present invention relates to an image output device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plotter using an electrophotographic method generally uses plain paper as an output medium, and in particular, a standard cut sheet is often used, and a copying machine or a facsimile machine is a typical example. Device. Plain paper used in a plotter using such an electrophotographic method is used on only one side, but from the viewpoint of saving resources in consideration of cost and environmental impact,
Opportunities to use both sides of paper have been increasing, and by using plain paper that was used by printing only one side once and making it the opposite side of the side that was used by printing once and printing that side again. Resources can be saved.

[0003]

However, in the conventional image output apparatus as described above, when the so-called reused paper, which is used by printing only one side once, is set for reuse, the front and back sides are mistaken. When it is set, it does not have a function to read the printing paper surface, so it cannot judge the printing paper surface, and there is a risk that it will be printed on the wrong side that you do not want to print, and the device is In order to print without recognizing the front and back sides, there is a problem that valuable data may be mistakenly printed and the data may be discarded without guarantee (storing it in a storage device until it is printed reliably). It was

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional image output device,
Since it did not have the function to read the print status of the print paper by dividing it into areas, it was not possible to judge the print status of the print paper by dividing it into areas and used it by printing on only a part of the paper. There was a problem in that it was not possible to meet the demand for reusing reused paper by printing again on the surface of the recycled paper.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to judge the printing paper surface of the recycled paper without erroneously erasing the print data, and reliably print again on the surface opposite to the printing paper surface. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image output device which can judge the print state of the print paper surface by dividing it into regions and can surely print again on the print paper surface printed on only a part of the paper surface.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
Print before printing
An image output device comprising a surplus rate measuring means for measuring the area rate of the printing paper, and an image data storage means for storing image data to be printed for each page, the by dividing the printing paper in any area The divided black character ratio measuring means for measuring the black character ratio and the image data to be printed are
Divided when the surplus ratio measuring means measures the surplus ratio.
Divided into the area corresponding to the arbitrary area
The division printing rate measuring means for measuring a print rate, the divided area rate and the area rate measured by the measuring means and the division printing rate matching and the print rate measured by the measuring means for each of the areas area rate per / It is characterized in that it has a print ratio collating means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned first aspect, when the black character ratio measured by the divided black character ratio measuring means is higher than a predetermined value, the black character ratio is higher than the predetermined value. It is characterized in that it has a notifying means for notifying the effect. The invention according to claim 3 is the above-mentioned claim 1,
In the invention described in 2, when the black character ratio measured by the divided black character ratio measuring means is higher than a predetermined value, the print stopping means for stopping the printing of the image data and the paper for which the printing is stopped by the print stopping means are discharged. It is characterized in that it has a paper discharging means for paper and a paper feeding means for feeding the next paper for reprinting.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the above-described first to third aspects, the apparatus has a plurality of sheet feeding means, and the black character ratio measured by the divided black character ratio measuring means is higher than a predetermined value. In this case, it is characterized in that it has a paper feed selection means for selecting a different paper feed means for reprinting. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the image data re-output / erase selection means for selecting re-output of image data or deletion of image data is provided. .

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, when printing is not possible, a printing means is provided for printing the fact that printing could not be performed on a paper surface.

[0010]

According to the invention described in claim 1, before printing, the printing paper surface to be printed is read and scanned, the black character ratio of the printing paper surface is measured by the black character ratio measuring means, and the image data to be printed is paged by the image data storing means. For each area corresponding to the black character ratio measured by the divided black character ratio measuring unit, the black character ratio is measured by the divided black character ratio measuring unit by dividing the print paper surface into arbitrary regions. And the printing rate is measured by the split printing rate measuring means, and the black rate measured by the split black rate measuring means and the printing rate measured by the split printing rate measuring means are respectively calculated by the black rate / printing rate collating means. It is configured so that it can be collated for each area.

Therefore, the black character ratio of the print paper surface can be measured by reading and scanning the print paper surface before printing, and by storing the image data page by page, when the black character ratio is high. Data can be retained and deleted when the surplus rate is low. Moreover, it is possible to determine whether or not the paper to be printed can be printed without having to worry about the front and back sides of the paper when setting the paper in the paper feeding unit. The reuse of paper can be promoted more than when the front and back of the paper are checked every time. Furthermore, when operating the printing paper surface before printing, the black character ratio is divided into arbitrary regions and the black character ratio is measured and parameterized, and the image data before printing is divided into arbitrary regions and the black character ratio is measured. The print rate is measured and parameterized for each corresponding area, and the black rate that has been measured and parameterized and the print rate that has been measured and parameterized can be collated for each area, so areas with a high black rate It is possible to judge whether or not the areas having a high printing rate do not overlap each other. For this reason, since it is possible to determine the printing state of the printing paper surface by dividing it into areas, it is possible to prevent areas with high printing rates from overlapping, especially when the black character ratio is high for a part of the paper surface. It is possible to increase the possibility of reusing paper that has a high surplus rate for some areas.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the black character ratio measured by the divided black character ratio measuring means is higher than a predetermined value,
The fact that the black character ratio is higher than a predetermined value can be notified by a notification means such as an alarm. Therefore, if the measured surplus ratio is greater than the specified value and the front and back sides of the set paper surface are incorrect, or if it is determined that the printing surface is already used and cannot be used, an alarm etc. will sound and the setting will be performed. Since it is possible to notify the operator that the front and back sides of the paper surface are wrong and cannot be reused, it is possible to prompt the operator to reset the paper or remove the paper.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the black character ratio measured by the divided black character ratio measuring means is higher than a predetermined value,
The printing of the image data is stopped by the print stopping means, and the paper of which the printing is stopped by the print stopping means is discharged by the discharging means,
In order to perform reprinting, the next paper can be fed by the paper feeding means. Therefore, when the measured black character ratio is higher than a predetermined value and the printing surface is already used and cannot be used as in the above case, the printing of the image data is stopped and the sheet is discharged.
Since the next paper can be fed for reprinting, paper that cannot be reused can be discharged without printing, and paper that can be reused can be fed and reprinted on that paper. The printing process can be efficiently continued without bothering the operator.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of paper feeding means, and when the black character ratio measured by the divided black character ratio measuring means is higher than a predetermined value, different paper feeding means for performing reprinting. Is configured to be selected by the paper feeding means selecting means. For this reason, in the case where the measured black character ratio is larger than the predetermined value and the printing surface is already used and cannot be used as in the above case, and if there is a plurality of sheet feeding means that can be selected, it is necessary to reprint. You can select different paper source, so if you try to print on non-reusable paper,
Even if all of the paper in the paper feed unit are set upside down, different paper feed units can be selected for reprinting and paper can be fed from the selected paper feed unit. The printing process can be efficiently continued without bothering.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image data re-output or the image data erasure can be selected by the image data re-output / erase selection means. For this reason, if image data cannot be discriminated with image data whose printing has been temporarily stopped or data that has been printed but has a black character ratio higher than a predetermined value,
If you choose to re-output the image data and the black character ratio is higher than the specified value and you can check the image despite printing,
Since you can choose to delete the data, you can re-output the image data without erasing the image data even if there is an image that you can not check even though you have judged that the printing process is possible and printed. In addition to that, if there is an image that can be confirmed even if it is determined that the printing process cannot be performed,
Image data can be deleted.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when the printing cannot be performed, the fact that the printing cannot be performed can be printed on the paper surface by the printing means. For this reason, by printing a special mark on the paper indicating that printing could not be performed when ejecting the paper that could not be printed, whether the output paper was printed with image data or was originally written. It is possible to determine whether the paper is not printed, and it is possible for the operator to determine that the paper surface is not printed.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the system configuration of the image output apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The sheet feeding unit 1 is set with cut sheets and is connected to a plurality of sheet feeding units, and an appropriate unit is selected according to the data to be printed. Next, the sensor 2 is composed of a contact type CCD or the like, and scans the printing surface of the cut sheet at the time of feeding the paper to feed the data to the black character rate counting unit 4. Next, the plotter 3 carries out the paper feeding and printing of the cut paper, and the CPU 6 carries out control of those motors, judgment of paper selection, and control of the functions according to the present invention. Next, the control program is stored in the ROM 7, and necessary system parameters are stored in the RAM 8 and processed at any time. The image data to be printed is stored in the image memory 5, and the display unit 9 has buttons and a display device buzzer necessary for the user to operate the device.
It is composed of LEDs, and the system bus 10 exchanges data of each unit. Although 4 also serves as a print rate counting section and a data collating section for collating the print rate and the black character rate, the CPU 6 may perform this function.

Next, an operation example of the plotter 3, the sheet feeding unit 1, the sensor 2 and the black character rate counting section 4 of the embodiment according to claim 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the cut sheet 11 pulled out from the sheet feeding unit 1 is scanned on the printing surface by the sensor 2 including a contact CCD sensor, and the sensor data is sent to the black character rate counting unit 4. Then, when it is determined that the printing can be endured by the black character ratio, the printing ratio, the collation, etc., the image data is sent to the plotter 3 and the image data is printed on the paper surface. Although the configuration shown here is an example of an electrophotographic system, a plotter or the like other than the electrophotographic system can be configured to perform the same operation.

Next, an operation example of an embodiment according to claim 1 of the present invention will be described. First, for example, in the case of a printing paper surface as shown in FIG. 3, the black character ratio X% is measured. For example, 10%
It is like that. Further, when the printing paper surface is divided into arbitrary areas, the black character ratio X% is measured in each of a to h as shown in FIG. 4, for example. For example, the area c is 0%,
The area g is 10%. Now, assuming that the threshold for printing is 8%, the printing paper surface of FIG.
It is determined that printing cannot be performed. Note that this threshold is a parameter that can be changed as appropriate. Further, in the case of the print paper surface divided into the respective areas in FIG. 4, the print rate of the area g is 0% by comparing with the print data of the area of the corresponding image data.
If so, it is determined that printing can be performed, and this determination is performed for each area. Next, an operation example according to claims 2 to 6 of the present invention is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on. FIG. 5 shows an operation example for each page. First, the parameters at the start of printing and the memory are initialized, the paper suitable for the image data to be printed is selected (process S ₁ ), and if selected, the paper conveyance is started and the reading is started. (Processing S ₂ ), scanning is continued until the reading is completed, and the black character ratio is measured (Processing S ₃ , Processing S ₄ ). At this time, the end of reading is judged by the passage of the trailing edge of the paper. Next, if printing is possible (process S ₅ ), a printing process including a paper discharge process is performed (process S ₆ ). If the print result is confirmed (process S ₇ ), the data is erased (process S ₇ ). S _8), the processing is terminated, on the other hand, NG check the print results
If so (process S ₇ ), the process is terminated without erasing the data. The processes S ₇ and S ₈ are the processes according to claim 5. Also, when it is determined that printing cannot be performed (process S ₅ ).
Performs alarm processing or the like to notify the user (processing S ₉ ). This is the process according to claim 2. Then, after notification to the user, when interrupting the print (processing S ₁₀₎
Discharges the paper (process S ₁₁ ), and if printing is not interrupted (process S ₁₀ ), the process proceeds to the print process (process S ₆ ). This is the process according to claim 3. Next, in the case of re-outputting after discharging the paper (process S ₁₃ ), the process returns to the paper feed unit selection process (process S ₁ ), the paper is fed from a different paper feed unit, and the process is continued. This is the process according to claim 4. Then, when the paper is ejected, a paper ejection mark is printed or marked (process S ₁₂ ). This is the process according to claim 6.

If there are a plurality of sheet feeding units 1, the mounting position of the sensor 2 for measuring the surplus rate may be provided for each sheet feeding unit. However, even in this case, it must be in front of the third plotter. Further, print processing by the plotter 3 before detection surplus rate by sensor 2 is completed no problem even begun, in this case, the print interruption processing (processing S ₁₀₎ would paper remains in the plotter 3 portion Therefore, it is more convenient for the control side to automatically perform the processing. When printing becomes impossible, in order to select and output each page, by storing the pages that can be output in the RAM 8, this page can be specified one by one and all of them can be specified. You can also In addition to the alarm processing, the operator may be notified by a method such as a visually appealing lamp.

Thus, in this embodiment (claim 1),
And scanning reading the print paper to be printed before printing the area rate of the printed paper was measured, the image data stored in each page to be printed, measuring the area rate by dividing the printing paper in any area, the Image data to be printed
Divided when the surplus ratio measuring means measures the surplus ratio.
Divide into areas corresponding to the arbitrary area, and for each area
The printing rate is measured, and the measured black rate and the measured printing rate can be collated for each area.

Therefore, the black character ratio of the print paper surface can be measured by reading and scanning the print paper surface before printing, and by storing the image data for each page, the black character ratio can be increased when the black character ratio is high. Data can be retained and deleted when the surplus rate is low. Moreover, it is possible to determine whether or not the paper to be printed can be printed without having to worry about the front and back sides of the paper when setting the paper in the paper feeding unit. The reuse of paper can be promoted more than when the front and back of the paper are checked every time. Furthermore, when operating the printing paper surface before printing, the black character ratio is divided into arbitrary regions and the black character ratio is measured and parameterized, and the image data before printing is divided into arbitrary regions and the black character ratio is measured. The print rate is measured and parameterized for each corresponding area, and the black rate that has been measured and parameterized and the print rate that has been measured and parameterized can be collated for each area, so areas with a high black rate It is possible to judge whether or not the areas having a high printing rate do not overlap each other. For this reason, it is possible to determine the printing state of the printing paper surface by dividing it into areas, and it is possible to prevent areas with high printing rates from overlapping, especially when the black character ratio is high on a part of the paper surface. It is possible to increase the possibility of reusing paper that has a high surplus rate for some parts.

In the present embodiment (claim 2), when the measured surplus rate is higher than a predetermined value, an alarm or the like can be used to notify that the surplus rate is higher than the predetermined value. Therefore, if the measured surplus ratio is larger than the specified value and the front and back of the set paper is incorrect, or if it is determined that the printing surface is already used and cannot be used, an alarm etc. will sound. Since it is possible to inform the operator that the front and back of the set paper are incorrect or cannot be reused, the operator can be prompted to reset the paper or remove the paper.

In the present embodiment (claim 3), when the measured black character ratio is higher than a predetermined value, the printing of the image data is stopped, the paper for which the printing is stopped is discharged, and the reprinting is performed. It is configured so that the next paper can be fed. Therefore, if the measured surplus ratio is higher than the specified value and the printing surface is already used and cannot be used as in the above case, the printing of the image data is stopped, the paper is ejected, and the next printing is performed again. Paper can be fed, so paper that cannot be reused can be ejected without printing, and paper that can be reused can be fed and reprinted on that paper, efficiently and without bothering the operator. The printing process can be continued.

In this embodiment (claim 4), a plurality of paper feeding units are provided, and when the measured black character ratio is higher than a predetermined value, different paper feeding units can be selected for reprinting. I am configuring. Therefore, if the measured surplus ratio is larger than the specified value and the printing surface is already used and cannot be used as in the above case, and if you have a plurality of paper feeding units that you can select, reprint You can select a different paper feed unit, so if you try to print on non-reusable paper and the paper in the paper feed unit is set upside down, you will need to use a different paper feed unit to reprint. Since the sheet can be selected and fed from the selected sheet feeding unit, the printing process can be efficiently continued without bothering the operator.

In this embodiment (claim 5), re-output of image data or deletion of image data can be selected. For this reason, if the image data cannot be discriminated with image data whose printing has been temporarily stopped or data that has been printed but the black character ratio is higher than the specified value, the re-output of the image data is selected and the black character ratio becomes higher than the specified value. If you can check the image even though it was printed, you can select to delete the data. , You can re-output the image data without deleting the image data,
The image data can be erased when there is an image that can be confirmed even though it is determined that the printing process cannot be performed.

In this embodiment (Claim 6), when the printing cannot be performed, the fact that the printing cannot be performed can be printed on the paper surface. Therefore, by printing a special mark on the paper indicating that printing could not be performed when ejecting the paper that could not be printed, the output paper may have been printed with image data or may have been written from the beginning. It is possible to determine whether the paper is not printed, and it is possible for the operator to determine that the paper surface is not printed.

[0028]

According to the present invention, it is possible to judge the printing surface of recycled paper without erroneously erasing the print data, and to reliably print again on the surface opposite to the printing paper surface. There is an effect that the printing state of the printing paper surface of the used paper can be divided into regions and judged, and the printing paper surface printed on only a part of the paper surface can be surely printed again.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of a sheet feeding unit, a sensor, and a black character rate counting unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a printing paper surface of an embodiment according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing paper surface divided into arbitrary areas in an embodiment according to claim 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of an embodiment according to claims 2 to 6 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Paper feeding unit 2 sensors 3 plotter 4 Black ratio counting unit / printing ratio detecting unit / data collating unit 5 image memory 6 CPU 7 ROM 8 RAM 9 Display 10 system bus 11 cut paper

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Keizo Baba 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-6-105103 (JP, A) JP-A-5-336299 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/23 H04N 1/04 106

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A surplus rate measuring means for printing paper surface by scanning reading measures the area rate of the printing paper to be printed before printing, and an image data storage means for storing image data to be printed for each page image in the image output apparatus, and the division area rate measuring means for measuring the area rate by dividing the printing paper in any area, that is the printed having
Image data is divided by the black surplus ratio measuring means to measure the black surplus ratio.
Divide into areas corresponding to the arbitrary areas divided when
Then, the divided printing rate measuring means for measuring the printing rate for each area
When the area rate before and measured by the divided area rate measuring means
Serial division printing ratio image output apparatus characterized by having a area rate / printing rate matching means for matching for each of the territory <br/> region and the printing rate measured by the measuring means. Wherein when the divided area rate the black <br/> shape factor measured by the measuring means is higher than a predetermined value, to have the informing means the surplus rate is notifying higher than a predetermined value image outputting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the. Wherein when the divided area rate the black <br/> shape factor measured by the measuring means is higher than a predetermined value, the printing stop means to stop the printing of the image data, printing in the printing stop means and the discharge means for discharging the paper was stopped, an image output apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a paper feeding means for feeding the next sheet of paper in order to re-print. 4. comprises a plurality of said feeding means, said case dividing area rate the area rate measured by the measuring means is higher than a predetermined value, selects the paper feed means different in order to perform a re-print 2. A sheet feeding means selecting means is provided.
4. The image output device according to any one of 3 to 3. 5. The image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an image data re-output / erase selecting means for selecting erasure of the re-output or the image data of the image data. 6. If you can not print, the image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a printing means for printing a message indicating a failure in printing on paper.