JP3847980B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.In placeMore specifically, an image forming apparatus suitable for application to a digital copying machine or the like having storage means for storing a plurality of image data.In placeRelated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there is an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine provided with a memory such as a hard disk for storing a plurality of image data. In this type of image forming apparatus, the original image of the entire copy job is stored in a memory, image data is read out from the first output image of the copy job in order from the memory, image formation is performed, and images for a desired number of copies are formed. An image forming apparatus having an electronic sorter mode for performing a forming process is known.
[0003]
In the image forming apparatus having the electronic sorter mode, the image of the original can be read once in the electronic sorter mode regardless of the number of output copies. In a digital copying machine or an analog copying machine having no memory such as a hard disk, the image of the original is read. While it was necessary to repeat the reading process for the number of copies, the image forming process can be performed without being influenced by factors that reduce productivity such as a circulation loss of a document feeder (hereinafter referred to as DF). it can.
[0004]
Also, in the image forming apparatus using the electronic sorter mode, in order to operate the system more efficiently, the document image reading and storing process and the image forming process are divided, and after the document image reading is completed, the image forming process is performed. There has also been proposed an image forming apparatus capable of starting the reading process and the storing process of the original image of the next copy job regardless of whether or not the printing is performed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional image forming apparatus described above has the following problems. That is, in the case of an image forming apparatus capable of performing image reading processing and storage processing of a document for the next copy job in parallel during image forming processing, when there are two copy jobs for which image forming processing is to be performed in succession. After finishing the document image reading process of the two copy jobs, an instruction to start the image forming process must be performed by the user's hand. For this reason, there has been a demand for an image forming apparatus that can reduce the labor of the user.
[0006]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points. There are a plurality of copy jobs, and after the original image reading and storing process of the first copy job, the image forming process of the first copy job is performed. If it is performed, not only the original image reading and storing process of the second copy job is accepted but also the image forming process of the second copy job after the image forming process of the first copy job is completed. Automatically starts the image forming device that can reduce the user's trouble.PlaceThe primary purpose is to provide it.
[0007]
  In addition, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described points. In order to enable the user to efficiently set the copy mode and start the copy, the setting contents, the status of the copy job (during document reading / printing) Image forming device that can display each copy jobPlaceThe second purpose is to provide it.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  To achieve the above objective,BookThe present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of continuously processing image forming jobs, and an image reading unit that reads image data from a document.Read by the image reading meansImage storage means for storing image data;Stored in the image storage meansImage forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on image data;,Registration means capable of registering at least two or more image forming jobs;, When executing image formation of at least two or more image forming jobs registered by the registration means, in order according to a predetermined priority.Image processing control means for automatically starting image formation;,Settings related to image formationDefiniteDisplay means that can display,Settings for each image forming jobscreenDisplay control means for controlling display on the display means.The display control unit can switch and display a setting screen corresponding to each image forming job registered by the registration unit.It is characterized by that.
[0059]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0060]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a platen glass 101, a scanner 102, scanning mirrors 105 and 106, a lens 108, a CCD sensor (image sensor unit) 109, a photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a front Exposure lamp 114, cleaning device 116, transfer charger 118, exposure controller 120, developing device 121, transfer belt 130, upper cassette 131, lower cassette 132, pickup rollers 133 and 134, feed rollers 135 and 136, registration roller 137 , Pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, fixing device 141, discharge roller 142, deck 150, paper feed roller 152, multi-manual feed 153, paper discharge flapper 154, reverse path 155, refeed tray 156, multiple flapper 157, bottom conveyance Path 158, paper feed roller 159, path 160, The output roller 161, the first feed roller 162, the reverse roller 163, an automatic document feeder (DF: document feeder) 180, a paper discharge processing device 190, paper discharge trays 191 and 192, and a processing tray 193 are configured. .
[0061]
The configuration of each unit will be described in detail together with the operation. The platen glass 101 is a document placing table on which a document is placed. The scanner 102 includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. The scanner 102 is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light of the document is transmitted through the lens 108 through the scanning mirrors 104 to 106. An image is formed on a CCD sensor (image sensor unit) 109. The exposure control unit 120 includes a laser, a polygon scanner, and the like. The exposure control unit 120 is converted into an electrical signal by a CCD sensor (image sensor unit) 109 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to predetermined image processing described later. The photosensitive drum 110 is irradiated with laser light 129. Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a developing device 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided.
[0062]
In the image forming unit 126, the photosensitive drum 110 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the drawing by a motor (not shown), and after being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, a laser beam from the exposure control unit 120. 129 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is developed by the developing device 121 and visualized as a toner image. On the other hand, the transfer paper fed from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132 by the pickup rollers 133 and 134 is sent to the image forming apparatus main body 100 by the paper feed rollers 135 and 136, and is supplied to the transfer belt 130 by the registration rollers 137. The transferred and visualized toner image is transferred onto the transfer paper by the transfer charger 118.
[0063]
After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 116, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114. After the transfer, the transfer paper is separated from the transfer belt 130, and the toner image is recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to the fixing device 141, and fixed by pressurization and heating. It is discharged out of the forming apparatus main body 100. In addition, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is equipped with a deck 150 that can store, for example, 4000 transfer sheets. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 ascends according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the paper feed roller 152. Further, the image forming apparatus main body 100 is equipped with a multi-manual feed 153 that can store, for example, 100 transfer sheets.
[0064]
The paper discharge flapper 154 switches the path between the duplex recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper discharge side. The transfer paper fed from the paper discharge roller 142 is switched from the double-sided recording side to the multiple recording side by this paper discharge flapper 154. In the lower conveyance path 158, the transfer paper fed from the paper discharge roller 142 is turned over via the reverse path 155 and guided to the refeed tray 156. The multiple flapper 157 switches between double-sided recording and multiple recording paths. By tilting the multiple flapper 157 to the left, the transfer paper is guided directly to the lower transport path 158 without going through the reverse path 155. The paper feed roller 159 feeds the transfer paper to the photosensitive drum 126 side through the path 160. The discharge roller 161 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge flapper 154 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the paper discharge flapper 154 to the outside of the apparatus.
[0065]
During double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiple recording (multiple copying), the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward and the copied transfer paper is stored in the refeed tray 156 via the reverse path 155 and the lower transport path 158. . At this time, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right during duplex recording, and the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the left during multiple recording. The transfer sheets stored in the refeed tray 156 are guided one by one from the bottom to the registration rollers 137 of the image forming apparatus main body 100 via the path 160 by the feed rollers 159. When the transfer paper is reversed and discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100, the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, the multiple flapper 157 is tilted to the right, the copied transfer paper is conveyed to the reverse path 155 side, and the transfer paper is transferred. After the rear end passes through the first feed roller 162, it is conveyed to the second feed roller side by the reverse roller 163, and the transfer paper is turned over by the discharge roller 161 and discharged outside the apparatus.
[0066]
The paper discharge processing device 190 aligns and binds the transfer paper discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 100, and stacks and aligns the transfer paper discharged one by one on the processing tray 193. When the discharge of a part of the image formation is completed, the transfer sheet bundle is stapled and discharged to the discharge tray 191 or 192 as a bundle. The discharge trays 191 and 192 are controlled to move up and down by a motor (not shown), and are moved so that the tray loaded before the image forming operation starts is positioned at the processing tray 193.
[0067]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an image memory unit 3, an image processing unit 170, a CPU 171, an operation unit 172, an input / output port 173, a ROM 174, and a work RAM 175 in the image forming apparatus main body 100. It has become.
[0068]
In detail, the CPU 171 is a central processing unit that performs basic control of the image forming apparatus including processing shown in each flowchart described later. The ROM 174, the work RAM 175, and the input / output port 173 are an address bus, In addition to being connected via a data bus, an image processing unit 170, an image memory unit 3, and an operation unit 172 are connected. The CPU 171 sequentially performs input / output control via the input / output port 173 in accordance with the contents of the ROM 174, and executes an image forming operation. The CPU 171 controls the display unit and key input unit of the operation unit 172, and displays the state of the image forming apparatus and the operation mode setting by key input on the operation unit 172.
[0069]
In the ROM 174, a control program executed by the CPU 171 is written. The work RAM 175 is used for the CPU 171 to perform processing. The input / output port 173 is connected to various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch that drive and control the mechanism of the image forming apparatus, and inputs (not shown) such as a sensor that detects the position of the paper. The operation unit 172 includes display means and key input means. The operator instructs the CPU 171 to switch the image forming operation mode and display via the key input means of the operation unit 172. The image processing unit 170 processes the signal converted into an electrical signal by the CCD sensor (image sensor unit) 109. The image memory unit 3 stores the processed image.
[0070]
Next, details of the image processing unit 170 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 is centered on the image processing unit 170 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image processing unit 170, the printer unit 2, the image memory unit 3, the external I / F (interface) processing unit 4, and the like. It is a block diagram which shows the connection state of. The image processing unit 170 of the image forming apparatus includes a CCD sensor 109, an A / D conversion unit / SH unit 501, a log conversion unit 502, a scaling unit 503, a γ correction unit 504, and a binarization unit 505. Yes. The printer unit 2 includes a smoothing unit 506 and an exposure control unit 120.
[0071]
The configuration of each unit will be described in detail together with the operation. A document image formed on the CCD sensor 109 of the image processing unit 170 via the lens 108 is input as black luminance data and converted into an analog electric signal by the CCD sensor 109. The The converted image information is input to an analog signal processing unit (not shown), subjected to sample & hold, dark level correction, and the like, and then converted to analog / digital conversion (A / D conversion), and the digitized signal is subjected to shading correction (variation of sensors for reading the original and correction of light distribution characteristics of the original illumination lamp 103). Thereafter, it is sent to the log conversion unit 502.
[0072]
The log conversion unit 502 stores an LUT (Look Up Table: table for storing the position and address of indirectly referenced data) for converting the input luminance data into density data. Luminance data is converted into density data by outputting a table value corresponding to the data. Thereafter, the image is scaled to a desired magnification by the scaling processing unit 503 and input to the γ correction unit 504. When the density data is output, the γ correction unit 504 performs conversion by LUT considering characteristics of the printer unit 2 and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the operation unit 172. Thereafter, it is sent to the binarization unit 505. In the binarization unit 505, the multi-value density data is binarized, and the density value becomes “0” or “255”. The 8-bit image data is binarized and converted into 1-bit image data of “0” or “1”, and the amount of image data stored in the image memory unit 3 is reduced.
[0073]
However, when the image is binarized, the number of gradations of the image is changed from 256 gradations to two gradations. Therefore, when image data with many halftones such as a photographic image is binarized, the image is generally greatly deteriorated. Therefore, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone expression using binary data. Here, an error diffusion method is used as a method of performing halftone expression in a pseudo manner using binary data. In this method, if the density of an image is greater than a certain threshold, the density data is “255”. If the density is less than a certain threshold, the density data is “0”, and after binarization, the actual density is obtained. In this method, a difference between data and binarized data is distributed to surrounding pixels as an error signal. The error is distributed by multiplying an error caused by binarization with a weighting factor on a matrix prepared in advance and adding it to surrounding pixels. As a result, the density average value of the entire image is stored, and the halftone can be expressed in a pseudo binary manner.
[0074]
The binarized image data is sent to the image memory unit 3 and stored in the image. Further, the image data from the computer input from the external I / F processing unit 4 is processed as binary image data by the external I / F processing unit 4, and thus sent to the image memory unit 3 as it is. The image memory unit 3 includes a high-speed page memory and a large-capacity memory (hard disk) capable of storing a plurality of page image data. The plurality of image data stored in the hard disk is output in the order corresponding to the editing mode designated by the operation unit 172 of the image forming apparatus. For example, in the case of sorting, images of a bundle of documents read from the DF 180 are sequentially output. The original image data once stored from the hard disk is read out, and this is repeated a plurality of times and output. Thereby, it can play the same role as a sorter having a plurality of bins.
[0075]
The image data output from the image memory unit 3 is sent to the smoothing unit 506 in the printer unit 2. The smoothing unit 506 interpolates data so that the line ends of the binarized image are smooth, and outputs the image data to the exposure control unit 120. The exposure control unit 120 forms image data on the transfer paper by the above-described processing.
[0076]
Next, details of the image memory unit 3 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 mainly shows the image memory unit 3 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the connection state of the image memory unit 3 with the printer unit 2, the external I / F processing unit 4, and the image processing unit 170. FIG. The image memory unit 3 of the image forming apparatus includes a page memory unit 301, a memory controller unit 302, an LZ (Lempel Ziv) compression unit 303, and a hard disk (HD) 304.
[0077]
The configuration of each unit will be described in detail together with the operation. In the image memory unit 3, the external I / F processing unit 4 and the image processing unit 170 are connected to the page memory unit 301 configured by a memory such as a DRAM via the memory controller unit 302. Binary image writing from the printer, image reading to the printer unit 2, and image input / output access to the hard disk 304, which is a large-capacity storage device. The memory controller unit 302 generates a DRAM refresh signal of the page memory unit 301 and arbitrates access to the page memory unit 301 from the external I / F processing unit 4, the image processing unit 170, and the hard disk 304.
[0078]
Further, the memory controller unit 302 controls a write address to the page memory unit 301, a read address from the page memory unit 301, a read direction, and the like according to an instruction from the CPU 171. As a result, the CPU 171 arranges and arranges a plurality of document images in the page memory unit 301, and controls the function of outputting to the printer unit 2, the function of cutting out and outputting only a part of the image, and the image rotation function.
[0079]
Next, the configuration of the external I / F processing unit 4 of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system including the image forming apparatus and the external computer according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, an image memory unit 3, and an external I / F processing unit 4. The external I / F processing unit 4 includes a facsimile unit 401, a hard disk 402, and a computer interface unit 403. The formatter unit 404, the image memory unit 405, and the core unit 406 are provided. In the figure, 11 is an external computer (personal computer or workstation), and 12 is a telephone line.
[0080]
The configuration of each unit will be described in detail together with the operation. The external I / F processing unit 4 stores the binary image data of the reader unit 1 in the external I / F processing unit 4 via the image memory unit 3 as described above. In addition, the binary image data from the external I / F processing unit 4 is output to the printer unit 2 via the image memory unit 3 to form an image.
[0081]
The facsimile unit 401 is connected to a telephone line (public line) 12 via a modem (not shown), and receives facsimile communication data from the telephone line 12 and transmits facsimile communication data to the telephone line 12. . The facsimile unit 401 performs processing by storing a fax image in the hard disk 402 such as performing facsimile communication at a designated time, which is a facsimile function, or transmitting image data in response to a designated password inquiry from the other party. As a result, once the image is transferred from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 401 and the facsimile hard disk 402 via the image memory unit 3, the fax can be performed without using the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 for the facsimile function. Communication can be performed.
[0082]
The computer interface unit 403 is an interface unit that performs data communication with an external computer. The computer interface unit 403 is used for local area network (LAN), serial I / F, SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) I / F, and printer data input. Has Centro I / F. Via this I / F, the status of the printer unit 2 and the reader unit 1 is notified to the external computer, or an image read by the reader unit 1 in accordance with an instruction from the external computer is transferred to the external computer. Also, print image data is received from an external computer.
[0083]
The formatter unit 404 forms an image in the printer unit 2 via the image memory unit 3 because the print data notified from the external computer through the computer interface unit 403 is described in a dedicated printer code. Convert to raster image data. The formatter unit 404 performs raster image data development on the image memory unit 405.
[0084]
The image memory unit 405 is used as a memory in which the formatter unit 404 expands raster image data as described above, or sends an image of the reader unit 1 to an external computer via the computer interface unit 403 (image scanner function). In addition, the image data sent from the image memory unit 3 is once developed in the image memory unit 405, converted into a data format to be sent to an external computer, and sent from the computer interface unit 403. .
[0085]
The core unit 406 controls and manages data transfer among the facsimile unit 401, the computer interface unit 403, the formatter unit 404, the image memory unit 405, and the image memory unit 3. As a result, even if there are a plurality of image output units in the external I / F processing unit 4 or only one image transfer path to the image memory unit 3, the exclusive control and priority are controlled under the management of the core unit 406. Image output is performed.
[0086]
Next, the configuration of the operation unit 172 for setting the copying operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 621 denotes a power lamp indicating that the power is on. The power lamp 621 is turned on and off in accordance with the power ON / OFF switching by the power switch 613. Reference numeral 622 denotes a numeric keypad which is used for setting the number of formed images and inputting numerical values for mode setting. On the facsimile setting screen, it is used for inputting a telephone number. Reference numeral 623 denotes a clear key, which clears the setting input with the numeric keypad 622. Reference numeral 616 denotes a reset key for returning the set number of formed images, an operation mode, a selected paper feed stage, and the like to default values.
[0087]
Reference numeral 614 denotes a start key. When the start key 614 is pressed, an image forming operation is started. In the center of the start key 614, red and green LEDs (not shown) indicating whether or not the start is possible are arranged. When the start is not possible, the red LED is lit. LED lights up. A stop key 615 is used to stop the copying operation. Reference numeral 617 denotes a guide key. When another key is pressed after pressing this key, a description of functions that can be set by the key is displayed on the display panel. The guide display is canceled by pressing the guide key 617 again.
[0088]
Reference numeral 618 denotes a user setting key. When this key is pressed, the setting of the image forming apparatus can be changed by the user. The settings that can be changed by the user are, for example, the time until the settings are automatically cleared, the setting of the default value of the mode when the reset key 616 is pressed, and the like. Reference numeral 619 denotes an interrupt key. When this key is pressed during an image forming operation, other image forming operations are stopped and copying can be performed without using the automatic document feeder 180. Reference numeral 620 denotes a display panel composed of, for example, a liquid crystal or the like, and the display content changes according to the setting mode in order to facilitate detailed mode setting. The surface of the display panel 620 is a touch sensor. The example of FIG. 6 shows an example of a setting screen for the copy operation mode. In FIG. 6, keys 624 to 631 are displayed in the front panel 620, and the mode is set by determining that the key is pressed by touching the display position of this key.
[0089]
Reference numeral 627 denotes a paper stage selection key. When this key is pressed, a display for setting which of the cassettes 131 and 132 is used for paper feeding is displayed on the display panel 620. Reference numerals 628 to 631 denote keys for setting the copy magnification of the copy operation. Reference numeral 626 denotes an application mode setting key. When this key is pressed, a screen for setting an application function mode such as a multiplex operation, a reduced layout mode, and a cover / interleaf mode is displayed on the cover panel 620. For example, FIG. Each application function mode setting key is displayed, and the application mode can be set. Reference numeral 624 denotes a setting key for duplex operation. For example, “single-both mode” for performing double-sided output from a single-sided document, “both-both mode” for performing double-sided output from a double-sided document, and two-sided output from a double-sided document. Three types of duplex mode, “both-single mode”, are set. Reference numeral 625 denotes a sort key. When this key is pressed, the operation mode of the paper discharge processing apparatus 190 is set and the output paper sorting mode is set using the image memory.
[0090]
In addition to the normal display, the display of the key in the display panel 620 indicates that the key cannot be operated by setting the display line to a dotted line (shaded) when the display key mode cannot be set. It has become. Further, in the example of FIG. 6, the contents set for the copying operation and the current operation state are displayed above the display panel 620. Further, on the upper left of the screen, there is a display indicating which screen in each function mode to be described later. In the example of FIG. 6, the copy A setting screen is shown. In the example of FIG. 6, it is indicated by characters, but may be a symbol indicating each. Further, below the display panel 620, operation states of other function modes to be described later are displayed in a range that can be displayed in one line. In the example of FIG. 6, the output operation of the copy B to the printer unit 2 is being performed.
[0091]
Next to the application mode key 626 in the display panel 620, a key that can be changed by the user is arranged, and up to two function keys that can be set on the application mode setting screen can be registered. By displaying the application mode setting key at the position shown in the figure, the registered mode can be set more easily. These keys are collectively referred to as preference function keys, and their settings will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A shows a screen for setting the item of the favorite function key 1. This screen is displayed by pressing the user setting key 618 and then selecting the setting of the favorite function key 1 from the setting items. By selecting an item on the screen shown in FIG. 8A and pressing the OK key, the function key to be displayed can be selected. A new key is displayed on the screen as in the example of FIG.
[0092]
In FIG. 6 again, reference numerals 601 to 612 denote keys and LED displays for switching the display of the operation unit 172 in order to set each function of copying operation and system operation using the image forming apparatus. Reference numerals 601, 604, 607, and 610 are keys for switching each function. This key is composed of a translucent key button, and a display lamp (not shown) such as an LED is disposed inside the key. When an operation screen is selected by pressing these keys, the lamps inside the keys are lit. This lamp inside each key is controlled so that only the lamp inside the key of the selected operation function screen is turned on, and the lamps inside other keys are turned off.
[0093]
In addition, a green LED is arranged to the right of each key (603, 606, 609, 612), and this LED indicates the operation status of each function by LED lighting control. For example, the LED 606 of the copy B is controlled to be turned off when the copy B is on standby, and is controlled to blink when the copy B is in an output operation as shown in FIG. When the copy B image is stored in the hard disk 304 of the image memory unit 3 and the copy B printing operation is not performed, the lighting is controlled. Similarly, for example, the fax LED 609 is controlled to blink during a communication operation, a printing operation, and a reading operation, and is turned on when there is a fax image on the hard disk 402 of the facsimile unit 401.
[0094]
A red LED is arranged to the left of each key (602, 605, 608, 611), and this LED indicates that an abnormal state of each function has occurred by LED lighting control. For example, the LED 605 of the copy B is controlled to blink when the copy B has an interruption such as a paper out interruption or a JAM. At this time, by pressing the copy B function key 604 and switching the display of the operation unit 172 to copy B, the status of copy B is displayed on the display panel 620, and the details of the abnormal status can be confirmed. These function switching keys can be pressed at any time regardless of the operation status of each function, and the operation unit 172 can be switched.
[0095]
When the copy A function and the copy B function can be switched as in this embodiment, the keys other than the keys in the display panel 620 such as the stop key 615, the start key 614, and the reset key 616 described above are function switched. The function selected by the keys 601 and 604 is operated. For example, even if the stop key 615 is pressed while the copy A operation screen is displayed in the example of FIG. 6, the copy operation cannot be stopped for the copy B output operation. When stopping the copy operation of copy B, the output of copy B is stopped by pressing the stop key 615 after pressing the copy B function key 604. Further, the data set by the user setting key 618 has data on each screen where the copy A and copy B operation units are selected, and the setting operation can be performed independently on each screen.
[0096]
Correspondence between each part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention described above and each constituent element in the claims is as follows. The reader unit 1 corresponds to the image reading unit, the printer unit 2 corresponds to the image forming unit, the image memory unit 3 corresponds to the image storage unit, the control program of the CPU 171 and ROM 174, and the memory controller unit 302 of the image memory unit 3. Corresponds to the image processing control means, the CPU 171 and the operation unit 172 correspond to the registration means, the operation unit 172 corresponds to the display means, the display content holding means, the display switching means, and the status display means, and the CPU 171 serves as the display control means. Correspond.
[0097]
Next, processing at the time of setting data in the user setting mode in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 20 shows a subroutine process called when data setting is confirmed in the user setting mode.
[0098]
In step S1501, it is determined whether the screen is a copy A screen. If the screen is not a copy A screen in step S1501, that is, if the screen is a copy B screen, the process proceeds to step S1502. If the copy A screen is displayed in step S1501, the process advances to step S1503. In step S1503, the user data set in the user setting data area of copy A is written, and the process proceeds to step S1504. In step S1502, a switch setting flag for determining whether to share the user data of copy A and the user data of copy B is determined. In the case of sharing setting in step S1502, the process proceeds to step S1503 in order to write the setting data for copy B in the setting area for copy A as well. If it is not shared setting in step S1502, the process proceeds to step S1505.
[0099]
In step S1504, after the copy A data is set, a switch setting flag for determining whether or not the copy A user data and the copy B user data are shared is determined. In the case of sharing setting in step S1504, the process proceeds to step S1505 in order to write the setting data for copy A in the setting area for copy B as well. In step S1505, the user data set in the user setting data area is written, and the process ends. If it is not shared setting in step S1504, the process ends.
[0100]
In this way, by providing a switching means for sharing user setting data that can be set for each screen, the data of the screens of copy A and copy B, which have the same copy function, both the copy A and copy B have the same operating environment. Further, it is possible to easily provide a screen, and it is also possible to realize screen settings according to the unique use of each of copy A and copy B.
[0101]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a process for sharing data in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. In FIG. 21, the user setting data area 1601 for copy A and the user setting data area 1602 for copy B are mapped to the memory space of the CPU 171 in FIG. The data area 1601 and data 1602 are connected by address data buses 1605 and 1606, respectively, and are written and read. The CPU 171 accesses the memory space of the CPU 171 via the address data bus 1604. The address data bus 1604 of the CPU 171 is connected to the data sharing bus controller 1603, and the data sharing bus controller 1603 controls connection between the address data bus 1604 of the CPU 171 and the address data buses 1605 and 1606 in the data area.
[0102]
The data sharing bus controller 1603 determines a switching setting flag for determining whether or not the user data of the copy A and the copy B is shared, and when sharing the data, the CPU 171 accesses the address of the data area 1602. The address data buses 1604 and 1605 are controlled to be connected. Thus, the data area 1601 is accessed regardless of which of the data areas 1601 and 1602 is accessed from the CPU 171. As described above, there are operation setting screens for each of copy A and copy B, and switching is performed by a switching key, and copying operation start, stop, and status confirmation are performed on each screen for copy A and copy B, respectively. Multiple copies can be operated in the same way as.
[0103]
Next, screen switching in another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the function switching key 901 of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is provided in the display panel 920. The example of FIG. 9 shows a display when the function switching key 901 is pressed. The function switching key 901 can be pressed during any operation display, and when the function switching key 901 is pressed, the display of FIG. 9 is made. In FIG. 9, the display panel 920 displays a list of functions implemented in the image forming apparatus. By selecting a function item to be switched on the display panel 920 on the touch panel and pressing an OK key 906, the screen is switched to an operation screen for the selected function.
[0104]
The cursor keys 904 and 905 are used to scroll the screen when items cannot be displayed on one screen. In the example of FIG. 9, since all items can be displayed on one screen, the cursor keys 905 and 906 are displayed with dotted lines (shaded display), indicating that the keys cannot be pressed. In addition, when the function switching key 901 is pressed, but canceling the switching of the operation screen, the cancel key 907 is pressed to return to the operation screen before the function switching key 901 is pressed.
[0105]
A green LED 903 is arranged on the right side of the function switching key 901, and this LED represents the operation status of functions other than the function displayed on the operation unit by LED lighting control. For example, on the copy A operation screen, if any of the functions of copy B, copy C, printer, and fax is active, the LED 903 is controlled to blink. Further, when there is an image of a function that is not in operation on the hard disk 304 of the image memory unit 3, and when all the functions are not in operation, the LED 903 is controlled to be lit. A red LED 902 is arranged on the left of the function switching key 901. This LED indicates that an abnormal state of a function other than the function displayed on the operation unit has occurred by LED lighting control. For example, when the copy A operation screen is displayed, the LED 902 is controlled to blink when any one of the functions of copy B, copy C, printer, and fax occurs such as paper out interruption or JAM.
[0106]
The other embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 is realized without adding a hard key or the like even if the function realized by the image forming apparatus is increased as compared with the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. it can. However, since the switching function is selected after pressing the function switching key once to switch the operation screen, the operability is inferior to that of FIG.
[0107]
Next, a control example of the copying operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 to 11, 12 to 14, and 15. 10 to 11 are flowcharts for controlling reading of an image in the copying operation for copy A (or B), and FIGS. 12 to 14 are flowcharts for controlling writing of an image in the copying operation for copy A (or B). FIG. 15 shows a subroutine for checking the output order. 10 to 11 and FIGS. 12 to 14 are called from the main sequence at regular time intervals or as necessary.
[0108]
First, in step S1001 of FIGS. 10 to 11, it is determined whether or not the start key 614 has been pressed. At this time, copy A (or B) needs to be selected by the operation unit function switching key. If the start key 614 is not pressed in step S1001, the process returns to step S1001 and waits until the start key 614 is pressed. If the operator presses the start key 614 in step S1001, the process proceeds to step S1002, and it is determined whether or not copying can be started. At this time, it is determined that the copy start is not possible even when the copy B (or A) is being read or when the fax function is being read. When the set copy operation mode cannot be operated except when the copy start cannot be performed during the reading operation of another function, for example, when there is no paper in the set paper feed cassette, or the paper discharge processing device 190 matches. There are cases where the copy operation is specified with an unusable paper size.
[0109]
If copy start is not possible in step S1002, the process returns to step S1001. At this time, a message indicating that copying cannot be started may be displayed on the display panel 620 of the operation unit 172. If copy start is possible in step S1002, the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, it is determined whether an abnormality such as JAM of the printer unit 2 has occurred due to the print output operation of another function. If an abnormality such as JAM has occurred in step S1003, the process proceeds to step S1010, and the fact that the abnormal state such as JAM of the printer unit 2 is displayed on the operation unit display panel 620 of copy A (or B) is displayed. The process ends. The abnormality check of the printer unit 2 in step S1003 may be simultaneously determined and displayed when it is determined that the start key 614 is pressed in step S1001.
[0110]
If there is no abnormality such as JAM in the printer unit 2 in step S1003, the process proceeds to step S1004. In step S1004, copy A (or B) is registered in a queue for controlling the order of print output. At this time, it is registered in the queue in accordance with the priority information for each predetermined function. For example, by searching from the end of the queue, a registered function having a priority equal to or higher than the priority of the function to be registered is found and registered after the function. By doing so, the queue is registered in the order of processing from the top, and if the function registered this time has higher priority than the processing of the function waiting for output, the processing is performed first.
[0111]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1005, the fact that the document image reading operation in the reader unit 1 is being performed is displayed on the display panel 620 of the operation unit 172, and the process proceeds to step S1006. In step S1006, the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 101 by the DF 180, the original on the platen glass 101 is scanned and read, and the image processing unit 170 performs processing such as scaling according to the mode set by the operation unit 172. After that, the image is written into the page memory unit 301 of the image memory unit 3. At this time, if an abnormality has occurred in the document conveyance by the DF 180, the reading is not performed and the step S1006 is ended. The image in the image memory unit 3 is stored in the hard disk 304 through the LZ compression unit 303. Thereafter, the document on the platen glass 101 is discharged. Further, instead of scanning the document with the scanning mirror 104 after placing the document on the platen glass 101, the image may be read while the scanning mirror 104 is fixed and the document is conveyed by the DF 180.
[0112]
Images stored in the hard disk 304 are managed by numbering in the order of image reading, and 1 is added to the document number management information in the control. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1007, where it is determined whether or not a DF 180 conveyance abnormality has occurred. If an abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S1011. In step S1011, the operation unit display panel 620 for copy A (or B) displays that the DF 180 is in an abnormal state. At this time, if the image is read while the document is conveyed by the DF 180, it cannot be guaranteed that the image data read last is normally conveyed and read to the end. The image in 304 is erased. Then, the process ends.
[0113]
If it is determined in step S1007 that no abnormality has occurred in the document conveyance of the DF 180, the process advances to step S1008 to determine whether the read original is the final original. If it is determined in step S1008 that the document is not the final document, the process returns to step S1006 and is repeated until the next document is conveyed and all documents are processed. If it is determined in step S1008 that the document is the final document, the process proceeds to step S1009, the display during image reading is erased, and the process ends.
[0114]
Next, in step S1101 of FIGS. 12 to 14, it is determined whether or not the print output request for copy A (or B) is registered in the print output queue. If not registered in step S1101, the process returns to step S1101 and waits for registration. If it is registered in the queue in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1102, and a print output waiting display is displayed on the operation unit display panel 620 of copy A (or B). This message display is controlled by combining the above-described status display of the reader unit 1, for example, a display during a document image reading operation, with the information status display area of the display panel 620. In step S1103, an output order check subroutine is called to determine whether the order of the printer output queue is copy A (or B).
[0115]
The output order check subroutine will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1201 in FIG. 15, it is first determined whether or not a function other than the function to be checked is operating in the printer. If the operation is in operation at step S1201, the process proceeds to step S1204, the output value is set to NG and the return value is set, and the process returns from the subroutine. If it is not in operation in step S1201, the process proceeds to step S1202. In step S1202, it is determined whether or not the function of checking the output order is at the head of the output queue even if output queue replacement processing described later is performed. If it is not the top in step S1202, the process proceeds to step S1204. If it is the head in step S1202, the request for the function to be checked is disconnected from the queue, and the return value is set to indicate that the output order is OK, and the process exits the subroutine.
[0116]
12 to 14 again, if the order of the printer output queue is not “copy A” (or B) in step S1103, the process returns to step S1103. If it is determined in step S1103 that the order of the printer output queue is copy A (or B), the process proceeds to step S1104. In step S1104, a display indicating that printing is being performed is displayed on the operation panel display panel 620 for copy A (or B), and the process proceeds to step S1105. In step S1105, it is determined whether an abnormality such as an alarm such as JAM or no paper has occurred in the printer unit 2. At this time, it is also determined whether an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2 that has occurred before the copy A (or B) print operation is started. The abnormality occurring before the start of the printing operation for copy A (or B) is when the printing operation of another function is abnormally interrupted.
[0117]
If an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2 in step S1105, the process proceeds to step S1111. In step S1111, it is determined whether or not the copy A (or B) read operation has been completed. If the reading operation of copy A (or B) is not completed in step S1111, the process returns to step S1111 and waits until the reading operation is completed. If the reading operation is finished in step S1111, the process proceeds to step S1112. In step S1112, in order to restart the output of the printer unit 2, registration in the recovery queue is performed. The recovery queue is a queue that is processed in the registered order. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1113, the abnormality of the printer unit 2 is displayed, and the process is terminated.
[0118]
If no abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2 in step S1105, the process proceeds to step S1106. In step S 1106, the images are read from the hard disk 304 in the image memory unit 3 and developed in the page memory unit 301 in the order of image formation according to the image formation mode set by the operation unit 172. In the case of the layout mode or the like, a plurality of document images are read at this time, and the images are laid out on the page memory unit 301 and developed. Thereafter, an image is output to the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 feeds transfer paper from the cassette in accordance with the image forming operation described above, forms an image on the transfer paper in synchronization with the image from the image memory unit 3, and discharges it outside the apparatus. In step S1106, if a necessary image has not yet been read and is not stored in the hard disk 304, the process waits until the image is stored in the hard disk 304 before being processed.
[0119]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1107. In step S1107, it is determined whether or not the image formed in step S1106 is an image of the final document, or whether or not an abnormality of the DF 180 has occurred in the copy A (or B) reading operation. Judge. If it is determined in step S1107 that the image is the final original image or that the DF 180 is abnormal in the copy A (or B) reading operation, the process advances to step S1108. If it is determined in step S1107 that it is neither, the process returns to step S1106 to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2. In step S1108, it is determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the DF 180 in the copy A (or B) reading operation. If no abnormality has occurred in step S1108, the process proceeds to step S1109. If an abnormality has occurred in step S1108, the process proceeds to step S1114.
[0120]
In step S1109, it is determined whether or not image formation has been completed for all copies set by the operation unit 172. If not finished in step S1109, the process returns to step S1105. If the process has ended in step S1109, the process advances to step S1110 to display the end of print output on the operation unit display panel 620 for copy A (or B), and the copy image forming operation ends. In step S1114, the image forming operation is interrupted. At this time, since the middle of the output of the first copy of copy A (or B) is stacked in the paper discharge process, the internal management information is the same as during printer operation so as not to start the print process of other functions. Set the information and lock the operation. Thereafter, the process ends.
[0121]
Next, image formation control in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIGS. 16 to 18 are flowcharts for controlling the image forming operation in the copying operation of copy A (or B), and the processes of FIGS. 16 to 18 are called as needed at regular intervals from the main sequence.
[0122]
First, in step S1301 in FIGS. 16 to 18, it is determined whether or not the start key 614 has been pressed. At this time, copy A (or B) needs to be selected by the operation unit function switching key. If the start key 614 is not pressed in step S1301, the process returns to step S1301 and waits until the start key 614 is pressed. If the start key 614 is pressed by the operator in step S1301, the process proceeds to step S1302, and it is determined whether or not copying can be started. At this time, it is determined that the copy start is not possible even when the copy B (or A) is being read or when the fax function is being read. When the set copy operation mode cannot be operated except when the copy start cannot be performed during the reading operation of another function, for example, when there is no paper in the set paper feed cassette, or the paper discharge processing device 190 matches. There are cases where the copy operation is specified with an unusable paper size.
[0123]
If copy start is not possible in step S1302, the process returns to step S1301. At this time, a message indicating that copying cannot be started may be displayed on the display panel 620 of the operation unit 172. If copy start is possible in step S1302, the process proceeds to step S1303. In step S1303, it is determined whether an abnormality such as JAM of the printer unit 2 has occurred due to the print output operation of another function. If an abnormality such as JAM has occurred in step S1303, the process proceeds to step S1317, and an abnormal state such as JAM of the printer unit 2 is displayed on the operation unit display panel 620 of copy A (or B). The process ends.
[0124]
If there is no abnormality such as JAM in the printer unit 2 in step S1303, the process proceeds to step S1304. In step S1304, information indicating that the reader unit 1 is reading a document image is displayed on the display panel 620 of the operation unit 172, and the process proceeds to step S1305. In step S 1305, the document is transported onto the platen glass 101 by the DF 180, the document on the platen glass 101 is scanned and read, and the image processing unit 170 performs processing such as scaling according to the mode set by the operation unit 172. After that, the image is written into the page memory unit 301 of the image memory unit 3. At this time, if an abnormality has occurred in the document conveyance in the DF 180, the reading is not performed and the step S1305 is ended. The image in the image memory unit 3 is stored in the hard disk 304 through the LZ compression unit 303. Thereafter, the document on the platen glass 101 is discharged. Further, instead of scanning the document with the scanning mirror 104 after placing the document on the platen glass 101, the image may be read while the scanning mirror 104 is fixed and the document is conveyed by the DF 180.
[0125]
Images stored in the hard disk 304 are managed by numbering in the order of image reading, and 1 is added to the document number management information in the control. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1306, where it is determined whether or not a DF 180 conveyance abnormality has occurred. If an abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step S1318. In step S1318, the operation unit display panel 620 for copy A (or B) displays that the DF 180 is in an abnormal state. At this time, if the image is read while the document is conveyed by the DF 180, it cannot be guaranteed that the image data read last is normally conveyed and read to the end. The image in 304 is erased. Then, the process ends.
[0126]
If there is no abnormality in the document conveyance of the DF 180 in step S1306, the process proceeds to step S1307, and it is determined whether or not the read document is the final document. If it is not the final document in step S1307, the process returns to step S1305 and is repeated until the next document is conveyed and all the documents are processed. If it is the last original in step S1307, the process proceeds to step S1308. In step S1308, copy A (or B) is registered in a queue for controlling the order of print output. At this time, it is registered in the queue in accordance with the priority information for each predetermined function. For example, searching from the end of the queue, a registered function having a priority equal to or higher than the priority of the function to be registered is found, and registered after that function. By doing so, the queue is registered in the order of processing from the top, and if the function registered this time has higher priority than the processing of the function waiting for output, the processing is performed first.
[0127]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1309, and a print output waiting display is displayed on the operation unit display panel 620 of copy A (or B). This message display is controlled in the information status display area of the display panel 620. In step S1310, an output order check subroutine is called to determine whether the order of the printer output queue is copy A (or B). The output order check subroutine is the same as that in FIG. If it is determined in step S1310 that the order of the printer output queue is not copy A (or B), the process returns to step S1310. If the order of the printer output queue is copy A (or B) in step S1310, the process proceeds to step S1311.
[0128]
In step S1311, the operation unit display panel 620 for copy A (or B) displays that printing is in progress, and the process proceeds to step S1312. In step S1312, it is determined whether an abnormality such as an alarm such as JAM or no paper has occurred in the printer unit 2. At this time, it is also determined whether an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2 that has occurred before the copy A (or B) print operation is started. The abnormality occurring before the start of the printing operation for copy A (or B) is when the printing operation of another function is abnormally interrupted. If an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2 in step S1312, the process proceeds to step S1319. In step S1319, in order to resume the output of the printer unit 2, registration in the recovery queue is performed. The recovery queue is a queue that is processed in the registered order. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1320, the abnormality of the printer unit 2 is displayed, and the process is terminated.
[0129]
If no abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2 in step S1312, the process proceeds to step S1313. In step S <b> 1313, images are read from the hard disk 304 in the image memory unit 3 and developed in the page memory unit 301 in the order of image formation according to the image formation mode set by the operation unit 172. In the case of the layout mode or the like, a plurality of document images are read at this time, and the images are laid out on the page memory unit 301 and developed. Thereafter, an image is output to the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 feeds transfer paper from the cassette in accordance with the image forming operation described above, forms an image on the transfer paper in synchronization with the image from the image memory unit 3, and discharges it outside the apparatus.
[0130]
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1314. In step S1314, it is determined whether the image formed in step S1313 is the image of the final document. If it is determined in step S1314 that the image is the final document, the process advances to step S1315. If it is determined in step S1314 that the image is not the final document, the process returns to step S1312, and it is determined whether an abnormality has occurred in the printer unit 2. In step S1315, it is determined whether image formation has been completed for all copies set by the operation unit 172. If not finished in step S1315, the process returns to step S1312. If the process has ended in step S1315, the process advances to step S1316 to display the end of print output on the operation unit display panel 620 for copy A (or B), and the copy image forming operation ends.
[0131]
In this embodiment, since the image forming operation is started after all the original images have been read, the discharge of the first sheet of the image-formed transfer paper is delayed, but the image forming operation is performed due to an abnormality such as JAM of DF180. Since there is no interruption, even if an abnormality such as JAM of the DF 180 occurs at the time of reading a document image, the print output of other functions is not waited.
[0132]
Next, an operation method for changing the order of output requests registered in the print queue in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 shows an example of a display panel 620 that displays the status of waiting for print output. In the display panel 620, the status of the output request is displayed. In the example of FIG. 19, the output of the copy B function, which is being output and the status is being displayed, is currently being performed. Hereinafter, the numbers indicate the order of registration in the current queue. If the copy B being output is completed, the output of the copy C is executed next.
[0133]
A key 1403 is a key for exiting this screen and returning to the original screen. The cursor keys 1405 and 1406 are keys for scrolling the screen when the number of items waiting for output does not enter one screen. By pressing the down cursor key 1405, the fifth to eighth items waiting for output are 1 Will be displayed instead of 4. An erase key 1402 is a key for canceling a function waiting for output, and an output can be canceled by selecting an item to be erased with a touch key and pressing the erase key 1402. When an item is selected on this screen, control is performed so that the item being output, copy B in the example of FIG. 19, cannot be selected on this screen. The detailed information key 1404 displays an item of processing to be output, for example, information such as the number of copies, the number of documents, and an output mode such as duplex, by selecting an item and pressing the detailed information key 1404.
[0134]
Further, the priority key 1401 selects an item and presses the priority key 1401 to move to the head of the queue, that is, number 1 on the screen of FIG. At this time, items whose numbers are smaller than the selected item are moved down one by one. For example, in the example of FIG. 19, the third copy A item is selected. At this time, if the priority key 1401 is pressed, the first copy A, the second copy C, the third printer: acceptance No. 110. In addition, the priority set for the item registered in the queue is set in advance for each function such as a copy and a printer so that the output registered in the queue does not become the head of the queue after the priority is changed. Change higher than any of the set priorities. As a result, even when a new function output waiting registration occurs, it is not registered before the item whose priority is changed to the top.
[0135]
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, the reader unit 1 that reads image data from a document, the image memory unit 3 that stores image data, and a recording medium based on the image data. It is possible to register at least two or more copy jobs with the printer unit 2 that performs image formation, and for each copy job to be registered, an image of each original of the first copy job by the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 The data reading and storage and the image formation by the printer unit 3 are sequentially executed to read and store the image data of all the originals, and then the reading and storing of the image data of the remaining copy jobs are permitted, and A CPU that executes control for automatically starting image formation of the copy job after completion of image formation of the immediately preceding copy job in reading order for each copy job Because having a 71, an effect as follows.
[0136]
In the above configuration, when a plurality of copy jobs are registered, the CPU 171 of the image forming apparatus causes the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 to read and store the image data of each original of the first copy job, and the printer unit 3. Thus, the image formation is sequentially executed to read and store the image data of all the originals. Thereafter, the CPU 171 of the image forming apparatus permits the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 to read and store the original image data of the remaining copy job, and the printer unit 3 immediately preceding each copy job in the reading order. After the image formation of the copy job is completed, the printer unit 3 is automatically started to form the image of the copy job.
[0137]
Further, the CPU 171 of the image forming apparatus causes the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 to read and store the image data of all originals of the first copy job for each registered copy job, and then performs the first copy. While the image formation of the job is being executed, reading and storing of the image data of the original of the remaining copy job is permitted, and the image formation of the copy job is completed after the image formation of the previous copy job in the reading order for each copy job. Automatically starts.
[0138]
Therefore, when there are a plurality of copy jobs and the image forming process of the first copy job is performed after the original image reading and storing process of the first copy job, the second copy job In addition to accepting the original image reading and storing process, the image forming process of the second copy job is automatically started after the image forming process of the first copy job is completed. It is possible to perform the second copy job with only one instruction to start the job and with high processing efficiency, thereby reducing the user's trouble.
[0139]
Further, according to the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 171 of the image forming apparatus controls the display and setting of each copy job on the display panel 620 of the operation unit 172 and displays on the display panel 620. Is switched to display corresponding to each copy job, and the following effects are obtained.
[0140]
The settings of the image forming device and the copy job status (document reading, printing, print standby, etc.) are displayed for each copy job, so that the user can efficiently set the copy mode and start copying. There is an effect that can be done.
[0141]
The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores program codes stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by executing read.
[0142]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0143]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0144]
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing is also included.
[0145]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0163]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above, according to the present invention,There is an effect that the user can efficiently set the image formation mode (copy mode) and start image formation (copy start).Furthermore, it is possible to perform a setting operation (for example, a stop operation) independent of other image forming jobs with respect to an already registered image forming job, thereby improving the user operability.
[0185]
  Moreover, according to the present invention,The second image forming job can be executed only once and the second image forming job can be processed efficiently, and the user's trouble can be reduced.Fruitis there.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an image forming apparatus and an external computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration centering on an image processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration centering on an image memory unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a copy operation application mode of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a copy operation preference function key setting screen of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of an item setting screen of the preference key 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a copy setting screen.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a first control flowchart of a copying operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a first control flowchart of a copying operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a second control flowchart of a copying operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a second control flowchart of a copying operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a second control flowchart of a copying operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a third control flowchart of a copying operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16 is a control flowchart of a copying operation in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a control flowchart of a copying operation in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a control flowchart of a copying operation in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing processing for sharing data in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a process of sharing data in an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reader section
2 Printer section
3 Image memory
4 External I / F processor
170 Image processing unit
171 CPU
172 Operation unit
174 ROM
301 page memory
302 Memory controller
304 hard disk

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus capable of continuous processing of image forming jobs,
Image reading means for reading image data from a document ;
Image storage means for storing image data read by the image reading means ;
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image data stored in the image storage means ;
Registration means capable of registering at least two or more image forming jobs ;
An image processing control means for automatically starting image formation in an order according to a predetermined priority level when executing image formation of at least two or more image forming jobs registered by the registration means ;
Display means capable of displaying settings for the image forming,
Display control means for controlling display of the setting screen of each image forming job on the display means ,
Wherein the display control unit, an image forming apparatus according to claim capable der Rukoto to display switching a setting screen corresponding to each image forming job registered by said registration means. The display means includes display content holding means for displaying a setting screen of each image forming job, and display switching means for switching the display to a display corresponding to each image forming job. The image forming apparatus according to 1 . Wherein the display switching unit of the display means, according to claim 1, wherein the setting screen any of the image forming job can be switched to display of the setting screen of any other image forming job, even if it is displayed Or the image forming apparatus of 2 . Wherein the display switching unit of the display means, the image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the is a display changeover switches corresponding to the respective display contents. The display means, 1 to claim characterized in that it has a status display means capable of displaying state corresponding to other image forming job even if the display of the setting screen corresponding to any image forming job has been made 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 4 above. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the status display means of the display means is a light emitting diode provided corresponding to the number of all image forming jobs and capable of distinguishing states by display colors. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the status display means of the display means is a status display message area provided corresponding to the number of all image forming jobs. The image processing control means is capable of starting image formation of an image forming job based on the order determined according to the priority even when the display means displays corresponding to any image forming job. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized. When the image processing control unit is reading and storing image data of another image forming job among the image forming jobs displayed on the display unit, the image processing control unit accepts input of settings relating to image formation, and forms an image. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that does not accept the input of the start. When the image processing control unit has not read and stored image data of another image forming job among the image forming jobs displayed on the display unit, the image processing control unit inputs setting for image forming and starts image forming. the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that accepts input. The image forming means forms a latent image on the photoconductor based on the image data, develops the latent image, transfers the image onto a recording medium and fixes it, and forms an image. The image processing control means the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 1 0, characterized in that output from the means to selectively read the image forming means the image data. The image processing control unit, based on the order of the queue, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that to start image formation of the the image forming job automatically. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is applicable to a copying machine. Copying function, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is applicable to the multifunction machine having a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the communication is possible via the external device and the network.

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