JP2008134560A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently form an image in an image forming apparatus capable of forming the image in a color mode and a black-and-white mode. <P>SOLUTION: An MFP is equipped with: a job receiving part 151 for acquiring image data; an image forming part 30 for forming the image in the color mode or in the black-and-white mode on the basis of the image data; a detection part 157 detecting whether or not the image forming part 30 can form the image in the color mode; and a job control part 159 controlling the image forming part 30 to form the image of the image data in the black-and-white mode when the detection part 157 detects that the image forming part 30 can not form the image in the color mode during image formation in the color mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image in a color mode and a monochrome mode.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses that form full-color images are in circulation. The image forming apparatus includes a black developing unit that stores black toner, and three color developing units (yellow developing unit, cyan developing unit, magenta developing unit) that store yellow, cyan, and magenta toners, respectively. When the image is formed in the color mode, three color developers are driven, and when the image is formed in the monochrome mode, only the black developer is driven. If any of the toner cartridges of these four developing devices runs out of toner, the operation of the image forming apparatus is temporarily suspended until the toner cartridge that has run out of toner is replaced and filled with toner. For this reason, even when an image can be formed in the monochrome mode, there is a problem that the image cannot be formed in the monochrome mode unless the toner shortage is resolved. In response to this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-357941 describes an image forming apparatus that forms an image in a monochrome mode when monochrome image data is received.

However, the image forming apparatus described in JP-A-2002-357941 cannot form an image when color image data is received. For this reason, in order to form color image data, there is a problem that the toner must be filled and the efficiency is low.
JP 2002-357951 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently forming an image.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes an image data acquiring unit that acquires image data, and an image that forms an image in a color mode or a monochrome mode based on the image data. Forming means, detecting means for detecting whether the image forming means can form an image in the color mode, and detecting that the image forming means cannot form an image in the color mode while the image forming means is forming the image in the color mode. And a control unit that controls the image forming unit to form image data in the monochrome mode.

  According to this aspect, when it is detected that image formation is impossible in the color mode during image formation in the color mode, the image data is formed in the monochrome mode. For this reason, it is possible to form an image to the end without interrupting the image formation based on the image data. As a result, an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently forming an image can be provided.

  Preferably, a switching instruction receiving unit that receives a switching instruction by a user is further provided, and the control unit controls the image forming unit to form image data in the monochrome mode on condition that the switching instruction is received.

  According to this aspect, since the image data is formed in the monochrome mode on condition that the switching instruction by the user is accepted, it is possible to respect the user's intention.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus can store a job receiving unit that receives a job including image data and image forming conditions, can store the received job, and can store a plurality of jobs as standby jobs. Job storage means, image forming means for reading a standby job from the job storage means, and forming an image in a color mode or a black and white mode based on the read standby job image data according to the read standby job image forming conditions; A detecting unit that detects whether or not the image forming unit can form an image in the color mode; and if the detecting unit detects that the image forming in the color mode is impossible, the waiting job stored in the job storage unit A selection means for selecting a job to form an image from, and an image when the image formation condition of the selected job is a color mode. And a control means for an image formed by the image data of the selected job by controlling the deposition means monochrome mode.

  According to this aspect, when a job is accepted, it is stored as a standby job, the standby job is read, and an image is formed in a color mode or a monochrome mode based on image data according to image forming conditions. When it is detected that image formation in the color mode is impossible, a job for image formation is selected from the standby jobs, and when the image formation condition of the selected job is the color mode, the image data is in the monochrome mode. An image is formed. Therefore, the standby job is executed without interrupting image formation. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently forming an image even when the image cannot be formed in the color mode.

  Preferably, the selection means is a job display means for displaying job identification information for identifying a standby job stored in the job storage means, and a selection for accepting at least one selection instruction from the displayed job identification information And an instruction receiving unit, and the selection unit selects a standby job having job identification information instructed to be selected from a plurality of standby jobs.

  Preferably, a user identification information receiving unit that receives user identification information for identifying a user, an authentication unit that authenticates the received user identification information, and a job reception unit receive the user identification information together with the received job, The job storage means stores the job and user identification information in association with each other, and the selection means is associated with the user identification information authenticated by the authentication means or among the plurality of standby jobs stored in the job storage means. Select a waiting job.

  According to this aspect, the job of the user operating the image forming apparatus is selected and an image is formed. For this reason, an instruction as to which job to select from a plurality of jobs can be received early, so that the interrupted job can be executed quickly.

  Preferably, the information processing apparatus further includes user identification information designation accepting means for accepting designation of user identification information for identifying the user, the job accepting means accepts the user identification information together with the accepted job, and the job storage means The selection information is stored in association with the identification information, and the selection unit selects the standby job associated with the specified user identification information from among the plurality of standby jobs stored in the job storage unit.

  According to this aspect, when the specification of the user identification information is accepted, the standby job associated with the specified user identification information is selected from the plurality of standby jobs. Therefore, it is possible to easily select a job for image formation from among a plurality of jobs.

  Preferably, when the detection unit detects that the image formation in the color mode is impossible, the selection unit determines that the standby job in the monochrome mode stored in the job storage unit is in the color mode. Select before the waiting job.

  Preferably, the control unit causes the job in the color mode to form an image in the monochrome mode until a predetermined time elapses after the detection unit detects that the image formation in the color mode is impossible.

  Preferably, the control unit causes the job in the color mode to form an image in the monochrome mode until the power is turned off after the detection unit detects that the image formation in the color mode is impossible.

  Preferably, the control unit detects a job in which the image forming condition is in the color mode from the time when the detection unit detects that the image formation in the color mode is possible until the completion of the image formation of one standby job selected. The image is formed in the mode.

  Preferably, when the selected standby job includes a condition for forming a plurality of copies, the control unit finishes partial image formation after the detection unit detects that image formation in the color mode is possible. Until the image forming condition is in the color mode, the image is formed in the monochrome mode.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 includes multifunction peripherals (hereinafter referred to as “MFPs”) 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C and personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) as image forming apparatuses respectively connected to a network 2. 200). The PC 200 is a general computer.

  In the present embodiment, MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus, but a function of forming an image instead of the MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C. For example, a printer, a facsimile, or the like may be used. The network 2 is a local area network (LAN), and the connection form may be wired or wireless. The network 2 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a wide area network (WAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, or the like.

  Although the functions of MFPs 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are different, the configuration of MFP 100 will be described here assuming that MFP 100 has all the functions.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, MFP 100 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 10, an image reading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a paper feeding unit 40, and a main unit for controlling the entire MFP 100. Circuit 101.

  The ADF 10 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document feed tray 11 one by one to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the image reading unit 20, and the image reading unit 20 The document on which the document image is read is discharged onto the document discharge tray 12. The image reading unit 20 includes a light source that irradiates light to a document conveyed to a document reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected by the document, and scans a document image corresponding to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into read data that is an electrical signal and outputs the read data to the image forming unit 30.

  The paper feed unit 40 includes paper feed trays 41, 43, 45 for storing paper, and pickup rollers 42, 44, 46 for feeding out the paper, and conveys the paper to the image forming unit 30. .

  The image forming unit 30 forms an image by a known electrophotographic method, and includes photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, exposure units 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, and developing units 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, a transfer belt 35, and a fixing roller pair 36. The exposure units 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d perform various data processing such as shading correction on the read data input from the image reading unit 20, and drive the laser diode for each main scanning line with the data after the data processing. And the laser light is scanned on the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, respectively. As a result, electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, respectively. The developing units 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d correspond to four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively, and a toner cartridge that stores toner of each color is mounted. The developing units 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d form toner images by placing toner on the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d, respectively. The toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are transferred onto the transfer belt 35 by a transfer charger. The transfer belt 35 superimposes all the toner images on the photosensitive drums 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, and 31 d corresponding to the respective colors, and transfers them onto the paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 40. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is heated by the fixing roller pair 36 and then discharged to a discharge tray. The toner heated by the fixing roller pair 36 is melted and fixed on the paper.

  When image data is input, the image forming unit 30 forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image data. The image forming unit 30 forms an image using toners of four colors, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. When forming an image in the color mode, the image forming unit 30 drives the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, and 31c, the exposure units 32a, 32b, and 32c, and the developing units 33a, 33b, and 33c to form an image. . Further, when forming an image in the monochrome mode, the image forming unit 30 drives the photosensitive drum 31d, the exposure unit 32d, and the developing unit 33d to form an image.

  The paper feeding unit 40 stores recording sheets, and supplies the stored recording sheets one by one to the image forming unit 30. MFP 100 includes an operation panel 9 on the upper surface thereof.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the circuit configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 4, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 101, a facsimile unit 60, a communication control unit 61, an ADF 10, an image reading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, and a paper feeding unit 40. The main circuit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 used as a work area of the CPU 111, and an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) for storing programs executed by the CPU 111. ) 113, a display unit 114, an operation unit 115, a hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a mass storage device, and a data communication control unit 117. The CPU 111 is connected to the display unit 114, the operation unit 115, the HDD 116, and the data communication control unit 117, and controls the entire main circuit 101. CPU 111 is connected to facsimile unit 60, communication control unit 61, ADF 10, image reading unit 20, image forming unit 30, and paper feeding unit 40, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The display unit 114 is a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro Luminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 115 includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. The operation unit 115 includes a touch panel provided on the display unit 114. The display unit 114 and the operation unit 115 constitute the operation panel 9.

  The data communication control unit 117 includes a LAN terminal 118 that is an interface for communication using a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and a serial communication interface terminal 119 for serial communication. . The data communication control unit 117 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the LAN terminal 118 or the serial communication interface terminal 119 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 111.

  When a LAN cable for connecting to a network is connected to the LAN terminal 118, the data communication control unit 117 communicates with an electronic mail server connected via the LAN terminal 118, and transmits an electronic mail to the electronic mail server. Is possible.

  Further, the CPU 111 controls the data communication control unit 117 to read a program to be executed by the CPU 111 from the memory card 119A, and stores the read program in the RAM 112 and executes it. The recording medium for storing the program to be executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the memory card 119A, but a flexible disk, a cassette tape, an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) / MO (Magnetic Optical Disc / A medium such as a semiconductor memory such as an MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electronically EPROM), or the like may be used. A program is downloaded from a computer connected to the HDD and stored in the HDD 116 Alternatively, a computer connected to the Internet may write a program to the HDD 116, and the program stored in the HDD 116 may be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed by the CPU 111. The program here is executed by the CPU 111. It includes not only directly executable programs but also source programs, compressed programs, encrypted programs, and the like.

  The communication control unit 61 is a modem for connecting the CPU 111 to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephony Networks) 7. The MFP 100 is assigned a telephone number in the PSTN 7 in advance. When a call is made from the facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN 7 to the telephone number assigned to the MFP 100, the communication control unit 61 detects the call. When the communication control unit 61 detects a call, the communication control unit 61 establishes a call and causes the facsimile unit 60 to communicate.

  The facsimile unit 60 is connected to the PSTN 7 and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN 7 or receives facsimile data from the PSTN 7. The facsimile unit 60 converts the received facsimile data into print data that can be printed by the image forming unit 30 and outputs the print data to the image forming unit 30. As a result, the image forming unit 30 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 60 on a recording sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 60 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and outputs it to a facsimile machine connected to the PSTN 7 or another MFP. As a result, the data stored in HDD 116 can be output to a facsimile machine or another MFP. As described above, the MFP 100 has a facsimile transmission / reception function.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of the functions of the CPU. Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 111 controls job reception unit 151 that receives a job including image data and processing content, user authentication unit 153 for authenticating a user, selection unit 155, and job execution. A job control unit 159 and a detection unit 157 for detecting the state of the image forming unit 30 are provided.

  The job reception unit 151 receives a job. The job includes image data and processing contents. The processing content includes user identification information for identifying the user who has input the job to MFP 100. When the user operates the operation unit 115 and inputs the processing content of the copy job, the job reception unit 151 receives the processing content input from the operation unit 115. Further, when the data communication control unit 117 receives the print job processing content from the personal computer connected via the LAN terminal 118, the job reception unit 151 receives the print job processing content from the data communication control unit 117. Further, when the facsimile unit 60 receives facsimile data from an external facsimile apparatus, the job receiving unit 151 receives processing contents of a facsimile reception job.

  The job reception unit 151 acquires image data. When the job reception unit 151 receives the processing content of the copy job, the job reception unit 151 controls the image reading unit 20 to cause the image reading unit 20 to read a document and acquire image data output by the image reading unit 20. Further, when the job reception unit 151 receives the print job processing content from the data communication control unit 117, the job reception unit 151 acquires the print data received by the data communication control unit 117 as image data, and processes the facsimile reception job from the facsimile unit 60. When the contents are received, the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 60 is acquired as image data.

  The job receiving unit 151 temporarily stores job data including a set of received processing content and image data in the RAM 112 as a standby job 112A. Since the processing content includes user identification information, when a plurality of standby jobs 112A are stored in the RAM 112, only standby jobs including user identification information can be extracted.

  In a normal state where nothing is input from the selection unit 155, the job control unit 159 reads the standby job 112A stored in the RAM 112, outputs the image data included in the standby job 112A to the image forming unit 30, and outputs the standby job 112A. The image forming unit 30 forms an image according to the processing content included in the. When a plurality of standby jobs 112 </ b> A are stored in the RAM 112, the job control unit 159 reads one of the plurality of standby jobs 112 </ b> A in the order stored in the RAM 112. When the processing content included in the standby job 112A defines color mode image formation, the job control unit 159 causes the image forming unit 30 to form an image in color mode, and the processing content defines monochrome mode image formation. In this case, the image forming unit 30 is caused to form an image in the monochrome mode.

  The detection unit 157 detects the remaining amounts of cyan, magenta, and yellow toners. Each of the developing units 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d has a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner cartridge, and the detection unit 157 detects the remaining amount of toner based on the sensor output. The detection unit 157 causes the image forming unit 30 to form an image in the color mode in the job control unit 159 and the selection unit 155 when the remaining amount of cyan, magenta, or yellow toner becomes empty below a predetermined value. A color error signal indicating that the image cannot be output is output.

  The detection unit 157 counts the number of times each of the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, and 31c, the exposure units 32a, 32b, and 32c, and the developing units 33a, 33b, and 33c is used. When a predetermined usage limit is exceeded, a color error signal is output to the job control unit 159 and the selection unit 155. Although the number of times of use is counted here, sensors are provided for detecting whether or not each of the photosensitive drums 31a, 31b, and 31c, the exposure units 32a, 32b, and 32c, and the developing units 33a, 33b, and 33c can be used. Based on the sensor output, the image forming unit 30 may determine whether or not it is possible to form an image in the color mode.

  Furthermore, when the number of sheets that can be printed in color by the user who has input the job being executed is limited, the detection unit 157 outputs a color error signal when the number of prints exceeds the limit value. 159 and the selection unit 155.

  When the color error signal is input from the detection unit 157, the job control unit 159 forms an image on the image forming unit 30 if the image forming unit 30 is controlled to form an image in the color mode at that time. To interrupt. On the other hand, when the color error signal is input from the detection unit 157, if the image forming unit 30 is controlled to form an image in the black and white mode, the image forming unit 30 continues to form an image.

  User authentication unit 153 authenticates the user by receiving user identification information input to operation unit 115 by the user who operates MFP 100 and comparing it with authentication information stored in advance in EEPROM 113. The authenticated user is a login user. After the user authentication unit 153 authenticates the user, the process input to the operation unit 115 is a process based on an instruction from the login user. For example, when a job is input, user identification information of the login user is defined in the processing content of the job.

When the color error signal is input from the detection unit 157, the selection unit 155 selects a job to be executed by the job control unit 159 from among the standby jobs, and performs an instruction for executing the selected standby job as job control. Output to the unit 159. The standby job to be selected is, for example, the next job.
(1) A job that the job control unit 159 is currently executing.
(2) A standby job designated by the user among the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112.
(3) The standby job input by the login user among the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112 (4) The standby job input by the user of the user identification information specified by the user among the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112 .

  Further, when a color error signal is input from the detection unit 157, the selection unit 155 stores all of the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112 in a nonvolatile memory, in this case, the EEPROM 113. Thus, even after the MFP 100 is turned off, the standby job 112A is stored in the EEPROM 113, so that it is possible to prevent the standby job 112A from disappearing. A backup power supply may be connected to the RAM 112.

  When the standby job execution instruction is input from the selection unit 155, the job control unit 159 executes the job if the standby job instructed to execute is a job currently being executed. Otherwise, the RAM 112 The standby job instructed to be executed is read out, and the read standby job is executed. The job control unit 159 includes a color conversion unit for converting color image data into monochrome image data. When the processing content of the standby job to be executed defines color mode image formation, the job control unit 159 converts color image data to black and white image data, and outputs the converted image data to the image forming unit 30 Then, an image is formed in the monochrome mode according to the processing content of the standby job.

The job control unit 159 performs color processing when the processing content of the standby job to be executed defines color mode image formation from when the standby job execution instruction is input from the selection unit 155 until a predetermined event occurs. Are converted into black and white image data, and the converted image data is output to the image forming unit 30. For example, the predetermined event is as follows.
(1) End of standby job.
(2) When the processing content of the standby job includes image formation of a plurality of copies, the first one image formation is completed.
(3) The power of the MFP 100 is turned off.
(4) A predetermined time has elapsed since the execution instruction of the standby job was input from the selection unit 155 (after the image forming unit 30 cannot form an image in the color mode).

  If the predetermined event occurs after the standby job execution instruction is input from the selection unit 155 and the processing content of the standby job to be executed defines black-and-white mode image formation, the job control unit 159 The job is executed, but if the processing content of the standby job to be executed defines color mode image formation, the standby job is not executed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of job reception processing. The job reception process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 executes a program stored in the EEPROM 113. Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 111 determines whether a job has been accepted (step S01). The process waits until a job is accepted (NO in step S01). If a job is accepted, the process proceeds to step S02 (YES in step S01).

  In step S02, it is determined whether the processing content of the accepted job defines color mode image formation. If the process content is a color print job that defines image formation in the color mode, the process proceeds to step S03; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S04. In step S03, it is determined whether MFP 100 is set to the forced black and white mode. The forced monochrome mode is a mode in which the MFP 100 forms an image of image data of a job that defines image formation whose processing content is a color mode in the monochrome mode. If MFP 100 is set to forced black and white mode, the process proceeds to step S04; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S06. When a forced monochrome printing process (see FIG. 9) described later is executed, a forced monochrome mode flag stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 113 is set to ON. By referring to the forced monochrome mode flag, Then, it is determined whether or not the forced monochrome mode is set.

  In step S04, a job is accepted. Then, the accepted job is stored in the RAM 112 as a standby job (step S05), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, in step S06, error processing is executed. For example, the error process is a process for displaying a message prohibiting input of a job for forming an image in the color mode on the display unit 114. The error process is a process for transmitting an error message to the PC 200 when print data is transmitted from the PC 200 connected to the MFP 100.

  Although the color print job cannot be input when the forced monochrome mode is set here, the color print job may be input. In this case, step S03 and step S06 are unnecessary.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of job execution processing. The job execution process is a process executed by the CPU 111 independently of the above-described job reception process when the CPU 111 executes a program stored in the EEPROM 113. Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 111 determines whether standby job 112A is stored in RAM 112 (step S21). The process waits until the standby job 112A is stored (NO in step S21). When the standby job 112A is stored, the process proceeds to step S22 (YES in step S21). In other words, the job execution process is a process executed on condition that the above-described job reception process is executed and the standby job 112A is stored in the RAM 112.

  In step S22, the standby job 112A is read from the RAM 112. If a plurality of standby jobs 112A are stored in the RAM 112, the standby job 112A stored first in the RAM 112 is read out. Then, it is determined whether or not the processing content of the read standby job defines color mode image formation (step S23). If the color mode image formation is defined, the process proceeds to step S24; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S24, it is determined whether MFP 100 is set to forced black and white mode. If the forced black and white mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S25; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S33. A flag indicating whether or not the forced monochrome mode is set is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 112, and whether or not the forced monochrome mode is set is determined by referring to the area. In step S33, forced black-and-white printing is executed, and the process returns to step S21. The forced black-and-white printing process will be described later, but the process content is a process for forming the image data of the standby job that defines the image formation in the color mode in the monochrome mode.

  In step S25, the image data of the standby job read in step S22 is output to the image forming unit 30, and an image is formed according to the processing content of the standby job read in step S22 (step S25). As a result, the image forming unit 30 starts image formation in the color mode.

  In the next step S <b> 26, a color printing availability determination process is executed. The color printing availability determination process will be described later, and is a process for detecting an event in which the image forming unit 30 cannot form an image in the color mode.

  In step S27, it is determined whether the result of the color printing availability determination process is a color printing error. If the result of the color printing availability determination process is a color printing error, the process proceeds to step S28; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S28, it is determined whether or not MFP 100 can be set to the forced monochrome mode. If the forced monochrome mode can be set, the process proceeds to step S33; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S29. Whether or not the forced monochrome mode can be set is set in advance in the MFP 100 by the user. For example, a setting availability flag is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 113, and by referring to the setting availability flag, it is determined whether or not the forced monochrome mode can be set.

  In step S29, the standby job 112A stored in the RAM 112 is deleted. Then, error processing is executed (step S30). In the error processing, a message indicating that image formation cannot be performed in the color mode is displayed on the display unit 114. Further, a message indicating that all waiting jobs have been deleted may be displayed.

  In step S31, it is determined whether or not the standby job 112A read in step S22 has ended. If the job has ended, the process proceeds to step S32. Otherwise, the process returns to step S26. In step S32, the standby job 112A that has completed the process is deleted from the RAM 112, and the process returns to step S21 to execute the next standby job 112A.

  When the process proceeds to step S34, the processing content of the standby job 112A read in step S22 defines the image formation in the monochrome mode. Therefore, in step S34, the image data included in the standby job is output to the image forming unit 30, and the image is formed according to the processing content of the standby job. As a result, the image forming unit 30 starts image formation in the monochrome mode.

  In step S35, the process waits until the standby job 112A read in step S22 ends (NO in step S35). If the job ends, the process proceeds to step S36 (YES in step S35). In step S36, the standby job 112A that has completed the process is deleted from the RAM 112, and the process returns to step S21 to execute the next standby job 112A.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of color printing availability determination processing. The color printing availability determination process is a process executed in step S26 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of cyan (C), magenta (M), or yellow (Y) toner is detected (step S41). If it is detected that any remaining toner is exhausted, the process proceeds to step S44; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, the number of uses of each of the developing units 33a, 33b, and 33c for cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) is compared with the upper limit value T, and one of the developing units 33a, 33b, and 33c is compared. It is determined whether or not the number of uses exceeds the upper limit value T. If the number of uses of development units 33a, 33b, and 33c exceeds upper limit value T, the process proceeds to step S44; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S43, it is determined whether or not the permission counter value of the user who has input the standby job being executed has exceeded the limit value. If the limit value is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S44; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S45. The permission counter is a counter assigned for each user, and is incremented every time an image is formed in the color mode. The limit value is assigned for each user, and is the number of sheets allowed to form an image in the color mode.

  In step S44, “color printing error” is set as the return value, and the process returns to the job execution process. In step S45, “normal” is set as the return value, and the process returns to the job execution process.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of forced black-and-white printing processing. The forced black and white printing process is a process executed in step S33 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, image formation is interrupted by image forming unit 30 (step S51). The forced black and white printing process is executed when a color printing error is detected in step S27 of FIG. For this reason, image formation in the color mode is interrupted. In the next step S52, MFP 100 is set to the forced monochrome mode. A forced monochrome mode flag stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 113 is set to ON.

  Then, job selection processing is executed (step S53). Although job selection processing will be described later, it is processing for selecting a job to be executed. Hereinafter, the job selected by the job selection process is referred to as a selected job. Then, it is determined whether or not the processing content of the selected job defines color mode image formation (step S54). If the process content is a color print job that defines image formation in the color mode, the process proceeds to step S55; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S61.

  In step S61, the image data of the selected job selected in step S53 is output to the image forming unit 30, and an image is formed according to the processing content of the selected job. As a result, the image forming unit 30 starts image formation in the monochrome mode. And it will be in a standby state until the selection job which started image formation by step S61 is complete | finished (it is NO at step S62), and if a selection job is complete | finished, a process will be advanced to step S63 (it is YES at step S62). Then, the standby job corresponding to the selected job is deleted from the RAM 112 (step S63), and the process returns to step S53 to execute the next standby job.

  In step S55, the color image data included in the selected job is converted into black and white image data. Then, monochrome image data is output to the image forming unit 30, and an image is formed in the monochrome mode according to the processing content of the selected job (step S56). As a result, the image forming unit 30 starts image formation in the monochrome mode.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the forced monochrome mode cancellation mode is set to the job cancellation mode (step S57). The forced black and white mode release mode includes a job release mode that releases the forced black and white mode after the end of the job, a part release mode that releases the forced black and white mode after the end of image formation, and a forced release when a predetermined time elapses or the power is turned off. And a continuous cancel mode for canceling the black and white mode. The release mode of the forced monochrome mode is set by the user and stored as a release mode flag in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 113. The CPU 111 determines the release mode by referring to the release mode flag.

  If the job cancel mode is set, the process proceeds to step S58. If the copy cancel mode is set, the process proceeds to step S65. If the continuous cancel mode is set, the process proceeds to step S66. In step S58, the process waits until the selected job that started image formation in step S56 is completed (NO in step S58). If the selected job is completed, the process proceeds to step S59 (YES in step S58). Then, the standby job corresponding to the selected job is deleted from the RAM 112 (step S59), the forced monochrome mode setting is canceled (step S60), and the process returns to the job execution process.

  In step S65, if the processing content of the selected job that has started image formation in step S56 defines a plurality of copies, the process waits until part of the image formation is completed (NO in step S65), and part of the image If formation is completed, the process proceeds to step S60 (YES in step S65). In step S60, the forced monochrome mode setting is canceled and the process returns to the job execution process.

  In step S66, the process waits until the selected job that started image formation in step S56 is completed (NO in step S66). If the selected job is completed, the process proceeds to step S67 (YES in step S66). Then, the standby job corresponding to the selected job is deleted from the RAM 112 (step S67), and it is determined whether or not the standby job is stored in the RAM 112 (step S68). If a standby job is stored in RAM 112, the process proceeds to step S69; otherwise, the forced monochrome mode setting is canceled (step S71), and the process returns to the job execution process.

  In step S69, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the color printing error was detected. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S70. Is canceled (step S71), and the process returns to the job execution process.

  In step S70, it is determined whether power of MFP 100 is turned off. If the MFP 100 is not turned off, the process returns to step S53 to execute the next standby job. If the MFP 100 is turned off, the forced monochrome mode setting is canceled (step S71), and the process is executed. Return to processing.

  FIG. 10 is a first flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of selection processing. The selection process is a process executed in step S53 of the forced black and white printing process shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 10, an error screen is displayed on display unit 114 (step S101). The error screen includes, for example, a message notifying that image formation cannot be performed in the color mode and that image formation is continued in the forced monochrome mode.

  In the next step S102, it is determined whether a monochrome printing instruction has been accepted. For example, if it is detected that the start button of the operation unit 115 is pressed while the error screen is displayed, a monochrome printing instruction is accepted. This is for confirming the user's intention and forcing the currently executed job to form an image in the monochrome mode. If a black and white print instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S103; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, an error process for interrupting image formation is executed. The error processing includes deleting the standby job 112A stored in the RAM 112 and resetting the MFP 100.

  In step S103, the standby job being executed is selected as the selected job, and the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, the selected job being executed is stored in HDD 116, and the process returns to the forced monochrome printing process. Thus, even when the power of the MFP 100 is turned off, the job being executed is stored in the HDD 116, so that it can be executed again when the power is turned on next time.

  FIG. 11 is a second flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of selection processing. Referring to FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the selection mode is a user selection mode (step S111). The user selection mode is set in advance by the user of MFP 100, and a user selection mode flag is stored in a predetermined area of EEPROM 113. With reference to the user selection mode flag, it is determined whether or not the selection mode is the user selection mode. If so, the process proceeds to step S112; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S115.

  In step S112, a list of standby jobs whose processing contents are in the color mode among the standby jobs stored in the RAM 112 is displayed on the display unit 114. The job list includes, for example, job identification information of a standby job, a file name of image data, and user identification information of a user who has input the job.

  Then, selection of a job by the user is accepted (step S113). For the selection, selection of a plurality of standby jobs may be accepted, or selection of one standby job may be accepted. The selected standby job is a selected job.

  In step S <b> 114, the standby job that has not been selected as the selected job among the standby jobs stored in the RAM 112 is deleted from the RAM 112. This is because it is not necessary to store a standby job that defines image formation in the color mode in a state where image formation in the color mode cannot be performed.

  In the next step S115, it is determined whether the monochrome priority mode is set. The monochrome priority mode is set in advance by the user of the MFP 100, and a monochrome priority mode flag is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 113. With reference to the monochrome priority mode flag, it is determined whether or not the selection mode is the monochrome priority mode. If so, the process proceeds to step S116; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S117. In step S116, the standby jobs stored in the RAM 112 are rearranged so that the order of the standby jobs in the monochrome mode precedes the order of the standby jobs in the color mode. This is because the black-and-white mode standby job is executed before the color mode standby job, thereby forming as much color image data as possible in the color mode.

  In step S117, standby job 112A stored in RAM 112 is stored in HDD 116, and the process proceeds to step S118. In step S118, the standby job with the earliest order among the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112 is selected as the selected job, and the process is returned to the forced monochrome printing process.

  FIG. 12 is a third flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of selection processing. Referring to FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not a login user exists (step S121). If there is a login user, the process proceeds to step S122; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S123. In step S122, the standby job other than the standby job input by the login user is deleted from the RAM 112 from the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112. Then, the standby job 112A stored in the RAM 112 is stored in the HDD 116 (step S123), and one of the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112 is selected as a selected job (step S124), and the process is forced black and white. Return to print processing.

  When a plurality of standby jobs 112A are stored in the RAM 112, jobs can be automatically selected even when images are formed in the monochrome mode.

  FIG. 13 is a fourth flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of selection processing. Referring to FIG. 13, it is determined whether a user designation has been accepted (step S131). A list of user identification information may be displayed on display unit 114, and a user operating MFP 100 may select user identification information from the list. One or more user identification information may be selected. The user identification information displayed as a list is preferably the user identification information of the user who has input the standby job 112A stored in the RAM 112. If user designation is accepted, the process proceeds to step S132; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S133. In step S132, the standby job other than the standby job input by the user designated from the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112 is deleted from the RAM 112. Then, the standby job 112A stored in the RAM 112 is stored in the HDD 116 (step S133), and one of the standby jobs 112A stored in the RAM 112 is selected as a selection job (step S134), and the process is forced black and white. Return to print processing.

  When a plurality of standby jobs 112A are stored in the RAM 112, a job that can form an image in the monochrome mode can be selected simply by designating a user.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

<Appendix>
(1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the control unit includes a conversion unit that converts the image data from a color image to a monochrome image.
(2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising backup means for storing the standby job selected by the selection means in a nonvolatile memory.

It is a figure showing the whole information processing system outline in an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an MFP. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the MFP. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the function of CPU. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a job reception process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a job execution process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a color printing availability judgment process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of forced black-and-white printing processing. It is a 1st flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a selection process. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a selection process. It is a 3rd flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a selection process. It is a 4th flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a selection process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 2 Network 9 Operation panel 10 ADF 20 Image reading part 30 Image forming part 40 Paper feeding part 50 Post-processing part 60 Facsimile part 61 Communication control part 100,100A, 100B 100C MFP, 101 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 RAM, 113 ROM, 114 display unit, 115 operation unit, 116 HDD, 117 data communication control unit, 118 LAN terminal, 119 serial communication interface terminal, 119A memory card, 151 job acceptance 153, user authentication unit, 155 selection unit, 157 detection unit, 159 job control unit.

Claims (11)

Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Image forming means for forming an image in a color mode or a black and white mode based on the image data;
Detecting means for detecting whether the image forming means can form an image in the color mode;
When the image forming unit detects that the image formation is impossible in the color mode while the image forming unit is forming the image in the color mode, the image forming unit controls the image forming unit to image the image data in the monochrome mode. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that forms the image; A switching instruction receiving means for receiving a switching instruction by the user;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the image forming unit to form an image of the image data in a black and white mode on condition that the switching instruction is accepted. Job accepting means for accepting a job including image data and image forming conditions;
Job storage means for storing the accepted job and storing a plurality of jobs as standby jobs;
An image forming unit that reads the standby job from the job storage unit and forms an image in a color mode or a monochrome mode based on the image data of the read standby job in accordance with the image forming conditions of the read standby job;
Detecting means for detecting whether the image forming means can form an image in the color mode;
A selection unit that selects a job to form an image from among the standby jobs stored in the job storage unit when the detection unit detects that image formation in the color mode is impossible;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control the image forming unit to form the image data of the selected job in a monochrome mode when the image forming condition of the selected job is a color mode; The selection means includes a job display means for displaying job identification information for identifying a standby job stored in the job storage means;
Selection instruction receiving means for receiving at least one selection instruction from the displayed job identification information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit selects a standby job having job identification information instructed to be selected from the plurality of standby jobs. User identification information receiving means for receiving user identification information for identifying a user;
Authentication means for authenticating the accepted user identification information;
The job accepting means accepts the user identification information together with the accepted job,
The job storage means stores the job and the user identification information in association with each other,
The image according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit selects a standby job associated with user identification information authenticated by the authentication unit from among the plurality of standby jobs stored in the job storage unit. Forming equipment. A user identification information designation accepting unit for accepting designation of user identification information for identifying the user;
The job accepting means accepts the user identification information together with the accepted job,
The job storage means stores the job and the user identification information in association with each other,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit selects a standby job associated with the designated user identification information from among the plurality of standby jobs stored in the job storage unit.   When the detection unit detects that image formation in the color mode is impossible, the selection unit selects a standby job whose monochrome job mode is stored in the job storage unit as a color mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is selected prior to the waiting job.   The control means causes the image forming condition to form an image in a monochrome mode until a predetermined time elapses after the detection means detects that the image formation in the color mode is impossible. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   The control means causes the image forming condition to form an image in the monochrome mode until the power is turned off after the detection means detects that the image formation in the color mode is impossible. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   The control unit detects that the image forming condition is a color mode job from the time when the detection unit detects that the image can be formed in the color mode until the end of the image formation of the selected one waiting job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an image is formed in a monochrome mode.   When the selected waiting job includes a condition for forming a plurality of copies, the control unit finishes partial image formation after the detection unit detects that the image can be formed in the color mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a job in which the image forming condition is a color mode is formed in a monochrome mode until the image forming process is performed.

Images