JP2018026758A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can avoid misregistration due to the influence of contraction of paper even when additional printing is performed with a single apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus manages a ground image to be printed and an additional printing image in association with each other and stores the number of times a recording sheet passes through a fuser when the ground image is printed, and when feeding a recording sheet on which the ground image is printed, the recording sheet set by a user in a paper feed tray, to print the additional printing image, prints the additional printing image at a reduction ratio according to the number of times of passage corresponding to the ground image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs further printing on a sheet that has already contracted due to fixing at the time of printing while suppressing image misregistration.

  In the image forming apparatus, when the paper passes through the fixing device, the paper is heated and the paper shrinks. For this reason, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-228561 discloses a method for preventing image misalignment on a sheet by printing a reduced image in consideration of the rate of sheet shrinkage when printing is performed on a sheet on which sheet shrinkage has occurred. It is disclosed. In Cited Document 1, when double-sided printing is performed, the back-and-back printing is performed with a reduced image in consideration of the rate of sheet shrinkage that occurred during front-side printing, so that no front-back deviation occurs.

  Printing an image reduced in consideration of the above-described sheet shrinkage ratio is effective in preventing misalignment between the base image and the follow-up image when reprint printing is performed. In Cited Document 2, when two printers connected in tandem in series perform base printing and follow-up printing, they are reduced in consideration of the rate of paper shrinkage that occurs during printing in an upstream device. A technique is disclosed in which an image is printed by a downstream apparatus to suppress a positional deviation between a base image and a follow-up image.

JP 2004-347842 A JP 2008-40052 A JP 2015-43024 A JP 2012-108828 A JP 2011-253139 A

  By the way, the base printing and the follow-up printing are not limited to being performed continuously by two printing apparatuses connected in tandem in series, but are also performed by a single printing apparatus. In this case, first, a background image print job is executed, and the user moves and sets the recording paper on which the background image is printed from the paper discharge tray to the paper feed tray, and prints the overprint image on the paper. The procedure is to execute the job.

  However, in a normal image forming apparatus, after a print job is executed, information regarding the print job is deleted. Therefore, when a reprint image print job is submitted, the image forming apparatus does not have information on the executed background image print job remaining in the image forming apparatus. It is unclear whether one side has passed through the fixing device once, or two times on both sides, and the degree of paper contraction is unknown. For this reason, the image forming apparatus cannot automatically reduce the image in consideration of the rate of sheet shrinkage that has occurred in the printing of the base image when executing the print job for the reprint image. Even if the user knows how many times the paper has passed through the fixing device when printing the background image, the conventional image forming apparatus receives the manual input of the information and reduces the image reduction rate at the time of printing. Since it does not have a function to reflect, when a background image print job and a reprint image print job are executed by a single image forming apparatus, it has not been possible to prevent a positional shift between the background image and the reprint image. .

  Note that the method described in the cited document 2 uses two printing apparatuses connected in tandem in series, and prints a background image and a reprint image with one printing apparatus. Is not supported.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and can prevent image misregistration due to paper shrinkage when printing a background image and a reprint image with a single device. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] An image forming unit that performs printing by passing recording paper through a fixing device;
A paper feed tray on which recording paper fed to the image forming unit is set;
A paper discharge tray for discharging the recording paper printed by the image forming unit;
A reduction unit for reducing an image to be printed;
A management unit that associates and manages a base image to be printed and a reprint image;
A storage unit for obtaining and storing passage number information indicating the number of times the recording sheet has passed through the fixing device when a base image is printed;
A recording paper on which a background image associated with the reprint image is printed, and when the user prints the reprint image by feeding a recording paper set in the paper feed tray by a user A control unit that causes the image forming unit to print the follow-up image that has been reduced by the reduction unit at a reduction rate corresponding to the number of times indicated by the number-of-passage information corresponding to an image;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

  In the above invention, the background image to be printed and the reprint image are managed in association with each other, and passage number information indicating the number of times the recording paper has passed through the fixing device when the background image is printed is obtained and stored. When the recording paper on which the base image is printed, the recording paper set in the paper feed tray by the user is fed, and the reprint image linked to the base image is printed, With reference to the pass count information corresponding to the image, the reprint image is reduced and printed at a reduction rate corresponding to the count indicated by the pass count information. By storing the number of times the paper has passed through the fixing unit when printing the background image, even if both background printing and overprint printing are performed with a single device, image misalignment due to the effect of paper shrinkage Can be avoided.

[2] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the management unit associates a print job for printing a base image with a print job for printing a reprint image.

  In the above invention, the base image and the overprint image are associated with each job. For example, a job A for printing a background image, a job AA for printing a reprint image, a job B for printing a background image, and a job BB for printing a reprint image are linked, and job A and job B are successively linked. After printing, the sheets discharged during the execution of the two jobs can be returned to the paper feed tray, and jobs AA and BB can be executed in succession.

[3] The image forming unit is capable of duplex printing,
The number of times the recording paper has passed through the fixing device when the base image is printed is twice when the base image print job is duplex printing and once when the base image print job is single-sided printing. The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein:

[4] When the print job of the reprint image is double-sided printing, the control unit reduces the reduction unit to the reduction unit at a reduction rate corresponding to the number of times N indicated by the pass number information corresponding to the base image. The reprint image is printed on the surface of the recording paper on the image forming unit as a reprint image, and is reduced in the reduction unit at a reduction rate corresponding to the number of times indicated by the pass number information corresponding to the base image + 1. The image forming apparatus according to [3], wherein the back side of the recording paper is printed on the image forming unit.

  In the above invention, when the print job of the reprint image is double-sided printing, the reprint image is further reduced at a reduction rate that further includes a reduction rate corresponding to the paper shrinkage that occurs when the reprint image is printed on the surface of the recording paper. Reduce the size and print the back of the recording paper.

[5] The control unit, when the base image print job is double-sided printing,
[3] The back side of the recording paper is printed on the image forming unit with the base image reduced to the reduction unit at a reduction rate corresponding to the case where the recording paper passes once through the fixing unit [3] Alternatively, the image forming apparatus according to [4].

  In the above-described invention, when the background image print job is double-sided printing, the back side is printed at a reduction ratio corresponding to the shrinkage of the paper that occurs when the surface of the background image is printed.

[6] Any one of [1] to [5], wherein the storage unit adds and stores the pass count information corresponding to the background image to the reprint image associated with the background image. The image forming apparatus according to one.

  In the above invention, the pass count information corresponding to the background image is added to the follow-up image associated with the background image and stored. Since the pass count information is directly attached to the reprint image, it is not necessary to store the print job history and setting history of the base image.

[7] Any one of [1] to [6], wherein the storage unit obtains the number of times of passage based on a setting content of a print job of a base image associated with the reprint image. The image forming apparatus according to one.

  In the above invention, the pass count information is obtained based on whether the print job of the base image is single-sided printing or double-sided printing. One time for single-sided printing, and twice for double-sided printing. If single-sided / double-sided printing is stored as the setting history of the print job of the background image, it is not necessary to store the pass count information separately.

[8] Any one of [1] to [7], wherein the control unit increases or decreases the reduction ratio according to an elapsed time after the recording paper on which the background image is formed is discharged. The image forming apparatus according to one.

  In the above invention, the paper after printing recovers from a contracted state to a normal size after a lapse of time. Therefore, by changing the contraction rate according to the elapsed time after paper discharge, the position of the overprinted image is changed. Misalignment can be prevented with higher accuracy.

[9] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the management unit associates a base image designated by a user with a reprint image.

[10] When linking the background image and the reprint image, the management unit combines the print job of the background image and the reprint image as one combined job,
When the image forming unit performs printing based on the combined job, the control unit determines whether the next image to be printed is the base image or the reprint image based on a designation from the user. The image forming apparatus as described in any one of [1] to [8].

  In the above-described invention, one combined job obtained by combining the print job for the background image and the print job for the reprint image is executed. When executing a combined job, the user receives designation from the user as to whether the next image to be printed is a base image or a reprint image.

[11] A foil pressing device that performs post-processing of foil pressing on the recording paper is further provided.
The control unit increases the reduction ratio when the post-processing of the foil stamping is performed on the recording paper on which the base image is printed. Any one of [1] to [10] The image forming apparatus described in 1.

  In the above invention, when the post-processing of the foil pressing is performed, the sheet is further heated to fix the foil on the printed paper, so that the paper shrinks more strongly than in normal printing. Therefore, when post-processing of foil stamping is performed, the reduction rate of the follow-up image is increased by an amount corresponding to the foil stamping. As a result, even when a reprint image is printed on paper that has been post-processed with foil stamping, the reprint image is reduced at a reduction ratio that is appropriate for the degree of paper shrinkage, and the position of the reprint image is shifted. Can be prevented.

  According to the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, even when the base image and the overprint image are printed by a single apparatus, it is possible to avoid image misalignment due to the effect of paper contraction.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which additional printing is performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the process of reprint printing. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the case of printing a base image and a follow-up image by double-sided printing or single-sided printing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing when two print jobs for reprint images associated with the job are executed after two print jobs for the base image are executed. 10 is a flowchart showing processing in a case where a reduction rate of a follow-up image is changed according to an elapsed time after printing a base image. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when a pass-through image is printed by obtaining the number of times of passage from the setting history of a print job for a base image, determining a reduction rate, and printing a reprint image. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process in a case where the number of passes information is assigned to and stored in the reprint image when the base image is printed, the reduction rate is determined with reference to the pass number information, and the reprint image is printed. . It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which links | relates a base image and a reprint image. It is a figure which shows the relationship with the other page linked | linked for every page in a combination job. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for designating whether an image to be printed next is a base image or a reprint image when a combined job is executed. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the case of printing a reprint image by changing the reduction ratio depending on whether or not the foil stamping post-processing is performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A copy job that optically scans a document and prints the duplicate image on recording paper, a scan job that stores the scanned image data as a file or sends it to an external device, and sends it from an external PC or mobile terminal This is a so-called multi-function machine having a function of executing a job such as a print job for printing an image related to the recorded data on a recording paper and outputting it. In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 holds a print job received from an external apparatus and receives a print start operation from a user on an operation panel 30 (see FIG. 2) described later. The execution of the print job is started.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 prints a base image, and the user returns the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 22 to the paper supply tray 21 to print a reprint image. , Perform reprint printing. Hereinafter, the printing of the background image is referred to as the base printing.

  A procedure for performing both base printing and follow-up printing will be described. First, the user sets paper in the paper feed tray 21 (T1). The background image (A) is printed on the paper fed from the paper feed tray 21 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 22 (T2). Next, the discharged paper is set again on the paper feed tray 21 (T3). Then, the reprint area image (B) is printed on the paper fed from the paper feed tray 21 and discharged (T4). In FIG. 1, after the base printing and the follow-up printing are completed, both the base image A and the follow-up image B are printed on the resulting paper.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the background image and the follow-up image are linked in advance, and pass number information indicating the number of times the base image has passed through the fixing device is obtained and stored. When a reprint image is printed, the reprint image is reduced at a contraction rate corresponding to the number of times the paper passes through the fixing unit when the background image associated with the reprint image is printed, and the reduced reprint image is printed. Print a printed image. As a result, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the reprint image due to the effect of the paper contraction that occurs when the paper passes through the fixing device when the base image is printed.

  For example, the pass count information is stored in association with a background image (or a print job for a background image) or stored in association with a reprint image (or a print job for a reprint image). The print job for the reprint image is combined into one job and stored in association with the combined job. Further, when the operation mode at the time of printing is changed from a normal mode (normal print mode) to a follow-up print mode to be described later, the image forming apparatus 10 changes the first print job to a base image print job and the next print job to be executed. The image forming apparatus 10 automatically associates the reprinted image as a print job. In that case, the image forming apparatus 10 stores the pass count information.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. A CPU 11 including a microprocessor has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, a hard disk device 15, an image processing unit 16, an image reading unit 17, and a printer via a bus. A unit 18, a facsimile communication unit 19, a network communication unit 20, a paper feed tray 21, a paper discharge tray 22, a foil pressing device 23, and an operation panel 30 are provided.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. The CPU 11 also functions as a control unit that controls the display content of the operation panel 30.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and each function of the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by the CPU 11 executing various processes according to these programs. The ROM 12 stores a program for the CPU 11 to execute a series of controls of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes processing based on a program, an image memory for storing image data, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off, and is used for storing various setting information. The hard disk device 15 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device, and stores an OS program, various application programs, print data, image data, an information history related to a job, and the like.

  The image processing unit 16 performs processing such as image enlargement / reduction, rotation, rasterization processing for converting print data into image data, image data compression / decompression processing, and the like. The image processing unit 16 serves as a reduction unit of the present invention.

  The image reading unit 17 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The image reading unit 17 sequentially, for example, a light source that irradiates light on the document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light for one line in the width direction, and a line-by-line reading position in the length direction of the document. An optical path composed of a moving unit for moving, a lens, a mirror, and the like for guiding reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and a conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data And so on.

  The printer unit 18 has a function of forming an image corresponding to image data on a recording sheet. Here, it has a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. The image formation may be other methods as long as it passes through the fixing device. In the embodiment of the present invention, the printer unit 18 has a mechanism that enables double-sided printing.

  The facsimile communication unit 19 performs a function of transmitting / receiving image data to / from an external device having a facsimile function through a public line.

  The network communication unit 20 performs a function of communicating data with a mobile terminal or other external devices through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The paper feed tray 21 is a paper holding mechanism for setting paper used for printing. In the embodiment of the present invention, the paper set on the paper feed tray 21 is transported to the printer unit 18 by the transport device.

  The paper discharge tray 22 is a paper holding mechanism for stocking paper discharged after printing. When performing reprint printing, the user moves the paper on which the background image is printed from the paper discharge tray 22 to the paper feed tray 21.

  The foil stamping device 23 is a post-processing device for performing post-processing of foil stamping. In the post-processing of foil pressing, heat is applied to the entire paper in the same manner as the processing through the fixing device in order to fix the foil on the paper. When the foil stamping post-processing is performed, the printed paper passes through the foil stamping device 23 and is subjected to the foil stamping post-processing, and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 22. When post-processing after foil pressing is not performed, the printed paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 22 without passing through the foil pressing device 23.

  The operation panel 30 includes a display unit 31 and an operation unit 32. Among these, the operation unit 32 includes a switch unit 33 such as a start button and a touch panel unit 34. The display unit 31 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 performs control of display contents displayed on the operation panel 30 and control related to reception of operations by the operation panel 30.

  The touch panel unit 34 is provided on the display unit 31. The touch panel unit 34 detects a coordinate position on the display unit 31 pressed by a touch pen or a finger, a flick operation, a drag operation, and the like.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 holds an image (print job) input from an external device such as a PC terminal, and holds the image according to an operation received by the operation panel 30. Starts printing based on the current image (print job).

  The image forming apparatus 10 has two normal printing modes, that is, a normal printing mode and a follow-up printing mode, as operation modes during printing. The image forming apparatus 10 in the follow-up printing mode automatically associates the first print job as a background image print job and the second print job as a follow-up image print job. When the first print job is executed, it is determined that the background image print job is being executed, and passage number information indicating the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device is obtained and stored. After that, when the second print job is executed, it is determined that the print job for the reprint image is being executed, and the reprint image reduced at a reduction ratio corresponding to the number of times indicated by the pass count information is printed.

  In the normal print mode, any of the pending images (print jobs) can be specified as a background image (background image print job) and a reprint image (reprint image print job). wear. When printing the background image (background image print job), passage number information indicating the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device is obtained and stored. After that, when printing a reprint image (print job of reprint image), the image is reduced at a reduction ratio corresponding to the number of times indicated by the pass count information stored when the background image associated with the reprint image is printed. Print the reprinted image.

  Next, taking the case of the reprint printing mode as an example, an outline of processing when performing base printing and reprint printing will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG.

  First, the image forming apparatus 10 in the state set in the reprint printing mode receives the designation of the base image print job from among the pending print jobs, and starts executing the designated print job (step). S101). The image forming apparatus 10 executes a background image print job while counting the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device (step S102). The paper is fed from the paper feed tray 21, an image is formed by the printer unit 18, heated and pressed by the fixing device, and discharged to the paper discharge tray 22.

  The method of counting the number of times that the sheet has passed through the fixing device may be counted by installing a counter, or may be obtained depending on whether the print job of the base image is single-sided printing or double-sided printing. For single-sided printing, the number of passes is one, and for double-sided printing, the number of passes is two. The image forming apparatus 10 stores the number of times counted in step S102 as passage number information (step S103).

  Next, the paper on which the background image is printed is returned to the paper feed tray 21 by the user (step S104). After that, when receiving the designation of the next print job to be executed (print job for reprint image) from among the pending print jobs, the image forming apparatus 10 starts executing the designated print job (step S105). ). The image forming apparatus 10 sets a reduction ratio according to the number of times indicated by the pass count information stored in step S103, and prints a reprint image reduced at the set reduction ratio (step S106), and ends this process. .

  Next, a case where the background image print job and the follow-up image print job are duplex printing will be described. When performing double-sided printing, when one job is executed, the paper passes through the fixing device twice in total for front side printing and back side printing. As the number of passes through the fixing device increases, the sheet contracts. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 changes the reduction ratio when reducing the reprint image according to the number of passes.

In addition, when performing double-sided printing, the image forming apparatus 10 reduces and prints an image to be printed at the time of backside printing so that it can cope with paper shrinkage that occurs through the fixing device at the time of front side printing. The relationship between double-sided / single-sided printing and the number of passes through the fixing device is classified into the following patterns 1 to 4.
Pattern 1, (when both the base image and follow-up image are single-sided printing)
The background image is printed at normal magnification. The reprinted image is printed at a reduced rate when the paper passes through the fixing device once.
Pattern 2, (In case of single-sided printing for base image and double-sided printing for follow-up image)
The background image is printed at normal magnification. In the surface printing of the reprint image, the paper is reduced and printed at the reduction ratio when the paper passes once through the fixing device. In the back side printing of a reprint image, the paper is reduced and printed at the reduction rate when the paper passes through the fixing device twice.
Pattern 3, (when the base image is double-sided printing and the reprint image is single-sided printing)
The surface of the ground image is printed at normal magnification. In the back side printing of the background image, the paper is reduced and printed at the reduction rate when the paper passes once through the fixing device. The reprinted image is printed at a reduced rate when the paper passes through the fixing device twice.
Pattern 4, (when both the base image and the overprint image are printed on both sides)
The surface of the ground image is printed at normal magnification. In the back side printing of the background image, the paper is reduced and printed at the reduction rate when the paper passes once through the fixing device. In the surface printing of the reprint image, the paper is reduced and printed at the reduction rate when the paper passes through the fixing device twice. In the backside printing of a reprint image, the paper is reduced and printed at the reduction ratio when the paper passes through the fixing device three times.

  FIG. 4 shows a flow when the image forming apparatus 10 in the follow-up printing mode operates in the patterns 1 to 4 described above.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 receives an instruction to select and output a base print job from among the pending print jobs, the image forming apparatus 10 starts executing the print job (step S201).

  First, after printing the surface of the background image (printing at a normal magnification), the number of times the paper has passed through the fixing device is set to 1 and stored. Whether the background image print job is a double-sided print job or not Is determined (step S202).

  If the base image print job is a single-sided print job (step S202; No), the process proceeds to step S209.

  When the background image print job is a double-sided print job (step S202; Yes), when the background image is printed on the back side, the background image is reduced at a reduction ratio according to the number of times the paper passes through the fixing device. Is printed (step S203), and the stored number of passes is incremented by one.

  Next, when the user returns the paper on which the background image is printed to the paper feed tray 21 (step S204), receives a selection job for the reprint image and receives a job start instruction, the print job for the reprint image is displayed. Execution is started (step S205). First, when printing the surface of the reprint image, the reprint image reduced at a reduction ratio corresponding to the case where the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device is printed (step S206), and the stored number of passes is incremented by one. Remember.

  If the reprint image print job is single-sided printing (step S207; No), the process is terminated. If the print job of the reprint image is double-sided printing (step S207; Yes), when printing the back surface of the reprint image, the reprint is reduced at a reduction ratio corresponding to the case where the number of times the paper passes through the fixing device is 3. The image is printed (step S208), and this process ends.

  In step S209, the user returns the paper on which the background image has been printed to the paper feed tray 21 (step S209), receives a selection of a reprint image print job, and receives a job start instruction, prints the reprint image. Job execution is started (step S210). First, when printing the surface of a reprint image, a reprint image reduced at a reduction ratio corresponding to the case where the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device is printed (step S211), and the stored number of passes is incremented by one. And remember.

  If the reprint image print job is single-sided printing (step S212; No), this process ends. If the print job of the reprint image is double-sided printing (step S212; Yes), when printing the back surface of the reprint image, the reprint is reduced at a reduction ratio corresponding to the case where the number of times the paper passes through the fixing device is 2. The image is printed (step S213), and this process ends.

  In FIG. 4, when printing is executed, it is determined whether the print job being executed is single-sided printing or double-sided printing. Set the number of print passes when the job is submitted (for example, the first two are set when the background image print job is submitted and the latter is set after the supplementary image print job is submitted), and reduced by referring to the corresponding pass count when executing the job The rate may be determined.

  Next, a case where the base image and the overprint image are printed in a state where the normal print mode is set will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 10 in the state of being set to the normal print mode preliminarily selects a background image (background image print job) and a reprint image (reprint image print job) from among pending images (print jobs). The two specified images (print jobs) are linked. When printing is performed, it is determined whether the image to be printed (print job) is a base image or a reprint image (print job for base image or reprint image print job). In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 associates the background image and the reprint image with each job.

  In the normal print mode, the background image and the overprint image are not linked using the printing order as in the follow-up print mode. For example, after a plurality of background image print jobs are collectively executed, A reprint image print job associated with each of a plurality of background image print jobs can be collectively executed.

  In FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 10 set in the normal print mode executes two print jobs for the background image, and then executes the print job for the reprint image associated with each of the two print jobs. An example of the case is shown in the flow.

  First, among the pending jobs, job A is selected as a background image print job, and job C is selected as a reprint image print job. When a link operation is received, they are linked (step S301). Next, job B is selected as a background image print job and job D as a reprint image print job from among the pending jobs, and when a link operation is received, they are linked (step S302).

  When linking is performed in step S301 and step S302, the image forming apparatus 10 registers job A and job B as a background image print job, and job C and job D as a reprint image print job.

  Next, when an output instruction is received while job A is selected from pending print jobs, job A is executed (step S303). Before executing the job A, the image forming apparatus 10 checks whether the job A is registered as a background image print job or a reprint image print job.

  Since job A is registered as a background image print job at the time of linking, the image forming apparatus 10 counts the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device when job A is executed, and passes number of times information indicating the number of times. Remember. The number-of-passages information obtained when job A is executed is stored in association with the setting history of job A or job C linked to job A.

  Next, when an output instruction is received in a state where job B is selected from pending print jobs, job B is executed (step S304). Similar to step S303, the image forming apparatus 10 checks whether or not the job B is registered as a background image print job or a reprint image print job before the job B is executed. Since job B is registered as a background image print job at the time of association, the image forming apparatus 10 counts the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device when job B is executed, and passes the number-of-passes information indicating the number of times. Remember. The number-of-passage information obtained when executing job B is stored in association with the setting history of job B or job D associated with job B.

  After the user returns both the paper output in job A and the paper output in job B to the paper feed tray (step S305), the image forming apparatus 10 executes job C from among the pending print jobs. In the selected state, in response to an output instruction, execution of job C is started (step S306). Before executing the job C, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether the job C is registered as a background image print job or a reprint image print job.

  Since job C is registered as a reprint image print job at the time of association, the image forming apparatus 10 reduces the follow-up image that is reduced according to the number of times indicated by the pass count information stored when job A is executed. A printed image is printed (step S307).

  Next, the image forming apparatus 10 receives the output instruction in a state where the job C is selected from the pending print jobs, and starts executing the job D (step S308). Before executing the job D, the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether the job D is a background image print job or a reprint image print job.

  Since job D is registered as a reprint image print job at the time of association, the image forming apparatus 10 reduces the follow-up image reduced according to the number of times indicated by the pass count information stored when job D is executed. A printed image is printed (step S309), and this process is terminated.

  As described above, in the normal print mode, the background image and the overprint image are associated with each other regardless of the printing order. Therefore, after a plurality of background image print jobs are collectively executed, each of the plurality of background image print jobs is assigned. It is possible to collectively execute print jobs for linked reprint images. In this case, it is sufficient to return the paper on which the background image is printed to the paper feed tray 21 only once.

  In FIG. 5, print jobs are executed in the order of job A → job B → job C → job D, but may be executed in any order such as job B → job A → job D → job C. In FIG. 5, job A and job B, job C and job D are executed continuously, but if the paper on which the background image is printed is returned to the paper feed tray 21 in accordance with the execution order of the print jobs, it is executed continuously. You don't have to.

  Next, a case will be described in which it takes a certain period of time after the base image is printed until the printing of the additional image is started. Although the paper after printing has contracted immediately after printing, it recovers from the paper contraction as time passes.

For example, the following pattern may be used as a case where a certain time or more is required from when the base image is printed until printing of the additional image is started.
(Time elapsed pattern 1)
After executing many print jobs such as background image print jobs A, B, C, D, and E, the sheets ejected at the time of executing these print jobs are collectively returned to the paper feed tray 21 and then followed up. When executing print jobs a, b, c, d, and e for printed images. Since there are a large number of jobs to be executed collectively, it takes time until the reprint image is printed after the background image is printed.
(Time elapsed pattern 2)
Simply, it takes a long time for the reprint image to be printed after the base image is printed for the convenience of the user. The time lapse due to the time lapse pattern 2 occurs not only in the normal printing mode but also in the follow-up printing mode.

  In view of this, the image forming apparatus 10 reduces the reduction ratio applied when printing the reprint image when it takes a long time from when the base image is printed to when printing the reprint image is started. Prevent over-reduction of overprinted images.

  FIG. 6 shows a flow in the case where the reduction ratio of the reprint image is changed depending on whether or not a certain time or more has elapsed from when the base image is printed until printing of the reprint image is started. FIG. 6 is an example in the normal print mode, and it is assumed that job A is linked in advance as a background image print job, and job B is linked as a reprint image print job.

  First, when receiving an output instruction in a state where job A is selected from pending print jobs, the image forming apparatus 10 executes job A (step S401). Since job A is a background image print job, at the time of execution, the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device is counted, and passage number information indicating the number of times is stored. The pass count information is stored in association with the setting history of job A or job B associated with job A.

  After the user returns the paper output in job A to the paper feed tray (step S402), the image forming apparatus 10 receives an output instruction in a state where job B is selected from the pending print jobs. Then, execution of job B is started (step S403). Since job B is a print job for a reprint image, first, it is checked whether or not the elapsed time since the execution of job A linked to job B is longer than a certain time (step S404). The elapsed time may be obtained by associating and storing the time when job A is executed with job A and comparing the time when job B is output or counting from the time job A is executed. May be.

  If the elapsed time is less than a certain time (step S404; No), it is determined that the paper has not recovered from the shrinkage, and when the job A is executed, the reprint image reduced according to the number of times the paper has passed through the fixing device is displayed. Printing is performed (step S406), and this process ends.

  If the elapsed time is greater than or equal to a certain time (step S404; Yes), it is determined that the paper shrinkage has recovered somewhat, and the reduction rate corresponding to the number of times the paper has passed through the fixing device at the time of execution of job A is set as the elapsed time. Then, the reprint image reduced at a reduction rate reduced according to the above is printed (step S405), and this process is terminated.

  Next, a method for storing information (passage count information) indicating the number of times a sheet has passed through the fixing device when a background image print job is executed will be described. The image forming apparatus 10 stores the number of times of passage information using one of the first and second methods described below.

(First method)
The first method is a method in which when a background image print job is executed, the setting history of the print job is left as pass count information. Since the reprint image can be linked after the base image is printed, the first method can be employed when any of the reprint print mode and the normal print mode is set. It should be noted that not all the information indicated by the setting history but only information on duplex printing / single-sided printing may be used.

  When the first method is adopted, when a reprint image is printed, the print job setting history of the base image associated with the reprint image is referred to, whether the print job is single-sided printing or double-sided printing. In the case of single-sided printing, it is determined that the number of times that the paper has passed through the fixing device is one, and in the case of double-sided printing, the number of times that the paper has passed through the fixing device is two. Then, the follow-up image is reduced at a reduction rate corresponding to the determined number of times.

  FIG. 7 shows a flow until the reprint image is printed in the case where the first method described above is employed. In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 is set to the normal print mode, and job A is associated in advance as a background image print job and job B as a reprint image print job.

  First, when the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print start operation in a state where the job A is selected from the pending print jobs, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the job A (step S501). The image forming apparatus 10 stores the setting history of the job A as the pass count information after the job A is executed.

  After the paper on which the background image of job A is printed is returned to the paper feed tray 21 by the user, the image forming apparatus 10 performs a print start operation in a state where job B is selected from the pending print jobs. If it is received, execution of job B is started (step S502).

  When job B is started, the setting history of job A linked to job B is referenced to identify whether the job is single-sided printing or double-sided printing. In the case of double-sided printing, it is determined that the number of times the sheet passes through the fixing device is 2 (step S503). Then, a reduction ratio is set according to the determined number of times, and a reprint image reduced at the set reduction ratio is printed (step S504), and this process is terminated.

(Second method)
In the second method, when a background image print job is executed, the number of passes through the fixing device or information indicating whether the print job is single-sided printing or double-sided printing is used as the number of times of passing information. Is stored in association with the reprint image associated with the image. When a reprint image is printed, the sheet is loaded into the fixing device when a print job for the background image associated with the reprint image is executed based on the pass count information stored in association with the reprint image. Determine the number of passes. Then, the reprint image is reduced according to the determined number of times. The second method corresponds to the case where the base image and the overprint image are linked before the base image is printed. Therefore, the second method can be used in the normal print mode and cannot be used in the overprint print mode.

  FIG. 8 shows a flow up to printing a follow-up image when the second method described above is employed. In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 is set to the normal print mode, and job A is associated in advance as a background image print job, and job B as a supplementary print image print job.

  First, when the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print start operation in a state where the job A is selected from the pending print jobs, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the job A (step S601). In FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 10 counts the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device at the time of execution of the job A, and uses the number-of-passage information indicating the number of times as the print job B for the reprint image linked to the job A. Are stored in association with each other (step S602).

  After the paper on which the background image of job A is printed is returned to the paper feed tray 21 by the user, the image forming apparatus 10 performs a print start operation in a state where job B is selected from the pending print jobs. If it is received, execution of job B is started (step S603).

  When job B is started, reference is made to the pass count information stored in association with job B, a reduction rate is set according to the number of times indicated by the pass count information, and a follow-up reduced at the set reduction rate is set. A printed image is printed (step S604), and this process is terminated.

  Next, a method for associating a base image with a reprint image in the normal print mode will be described. In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 holds a plurality of jobs in advance, and receives a designation of a background image print job and a reprint image print job from the user.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen 100 displayed by the display unit 31 when linking a background image print job and a supplementary image print job.

  On the screen 100, jobs held by the image forming apparatus 10 are displayed in the job column 102. The user selects two jobs from the jobs displayed in the job column 102. If the link button 101 is pressed while two jobs are selected, the two jobs are linked. Note that, when two jobs are selected, the one selected first is a base image print job, and the one selected later is a follow-up image print job.

  For example, when there are four jobs (A to D) in the job column 102, the job A and the job C are set to be linked and the job B and the job D are set to be linked as shown in the flow of FIG. Then, after executing job A and job B, job C and job D can be executed.

  Next, two modifications of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Modification 1)
In the first modification, a description will be given of a modification of how to link a background image print job and a follow-up image print job. In the first modification, when a background image print job and a follow-up image print job are linked, the two jobs are combined into one job. Hereinafter, the combined job is referred to as a combined job. In the combined job, each page corresponding to the background image print job and each page corresponding to the follow-up image print job are linked.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of page linking in a combined job. FIG. 10 shows a page configuration of a combined job when a print job A for a five-page background image and a print job B for a five-page reprint image are combined. Of the ten pages constituting the combined job, the first to fifth pages are portions corresponding to the background image print job A, and the sixth to tenth pages are portions corresponding to the follow-up image print job B.

In FIG. 10, the pages 1 to 10 are linked as follows.
-Page 1 of the base image and page 6 of the reprint image
・ Page 2 of base image and page 7 of reprint image
-Page 3 of the base image and page 8 of the reprint image
・ Page 4 of base image and page 9 of reprint image
・ Page 5 of base image and page 10 of reprint image

  When executing the combined job, the image forming apparatus 10 prints the page designated by the user among the page of the base image and the page of the reprint image constituting the combined job. FIG. 11 shows a screen 110 for the user to make the above-mentioned designation. The screen 110 is provided with a base print button 111 and a reprint print button 112. When one of the buttons is selected and the start button of the switch unit 33 is pressed, a page is printed according to the selected button. Done.

  The flow for executing a combined job will be described. First, the user selects one or a plurality of combined jobs from pending jobs, and determines a combined job to be printed. When the combined job to be printed is confirmed, the image forming apparatus 10 displays the screen 110 in FIG. Next, when the start button is pressed while the base print button 111 is selected, execution of the combined job is started. Since the base print button 111 is selected, the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the page of the base image is to be printed in the combined job, and stores the number of times the paper has passed through the fixing device.

  When printing of the page of the background image is completed, the user returns the discharged paper to the paper feed tray 21 and selects the reprint printing button to resume printing. Since the reprint printing button 112 is selected, the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the reprint image page is to be printed in the combined job, and the page of the base image associated with the reprint image page is determined. A reprint image reduced in accordance with the number of times the sheet has passed through the fixing device during printing is printed.

  When a combined job is created by associating a background image and a reprint image, once the association operation is performed, there is no need to select a reprint image print job again after the background image print job is executed. For example, a plurality of combined jobs 1, 2, and 3 are selected, the background image pages of combined jobs 1, 2, and 3 are printed together, the discharged sheets are returned to the paper feed tray 21, and the combined jobs 1, In the case where two or three pages of reprint images are printed together, the trouble of selecting a print job for the reprint image before printing the reprint image is saved.

(Modification 2)
In the second modification, a case where post-processing of foil pressing is performed will be described. When the post-processing of foil stamping is performed, the paper after printing is further overheated, and paper contraction stronger than that during normal printing occurs. Therefore, when the post-processing of foil pressing is performed, the image forming apparatus 10 increases the reduction ratio of the reprint image by an amount corresponding to the foil pressing. As a result, even when a reprint image is printed on paper that has been post-processed by foil stamping, the reprint image is reduced at a reduction rate that is appropriately in accordance with the degree of paper shrinkage, thereby preventing image misalignment. be able to.

  FIG. 12 shows a flow in the case where it is determined whether or not post-processing of foil pressing has been performed. In FIG. 12, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 is set to the normal print mode, and job A is associated in advance as a background image print job, and job B as a supplementary print image print job.

  First, when the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print start operation in a state where the job A is selected from the pending print jobs, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the job A (step S701). The image forming apparatus 10 stores passage number information indicating the number of times the sheet has passed when job A is executed.

  After the paper on which the background image of job A is printed is returned to the paper feed tray 21 by the user (step S702), the image forming apparatus 10 is in a state where job B is selected from the pending print jobs. When a print start operation is received, execution of job B is started (step S703).

  When job B is started, it is determined whether post-processing for foil stamping has been performed when job A associated with job B is executed (step S704). Whether post-processing of foil stamping has been performed in job A may be determined based on, for example, the setting history of job A, or job A may be included in print job B for a reprint image associated with job A. It may be determined by adding information indicating that foil stamping has been performed.

  When it is determined that the post-processing of foil stamping has not been performed (step S704; No), a reduction rate is set according to the number of times indicated by the pass count information, and a reprint image reduced at the set reduction rate is printed. (Step S706), and this process is terminated.

  When it is determined that the post-processing of foil pressing has been performed (step S704; Yes), a reduction ratio obtained by adding a numerical value corresponding to the post-processing of foil pressing to the reduction ratio corresponding to the number of times indicated by the pass number information, The reprint image reduced at the set reduction rate is printed (step S705), and this process ends. For example, when the original reduction ratio is 3%, a reduction ratio of 4% is set by adding a reduction ratio of 1% according to foil pressing.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention associates the background image with the overprint image, and stores the number of times that one sheet has passed through the fixing device when the background image is printed. . Thereafter, when a reprint image associated with the base image is printed on the paper returned to the paper feed tray 21 by the user, the follow-up image reduced at a reduction rate corresponding to the stored number of times. Print a printed image. Thereby, even when both base printing and follow-up printing are performed by a single device, it is possible to prevent the positional deviation of the re-printing image due to paper contraction that occurs during base printing.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus 10 is a single apparatus. However, the two image forming apparatuses 10 are installed, the first apparatus performs base printing, and the discharged paper is printed by the user. The present invention also includes a configuration in which additional printing is performed by setting it on the paper feed tray of the second apparatus. In such a configuration, communication between the two image forming apparatuses 10 is performed, and information for identifying a linked job or a fixing device when a background image is printed by the first apparatus. Send and receive the number of passes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Nonvolatile memory 15 ... Hard disk device 16 ... Image processing part 17 ... Image reading part 18 ... Printer part 19 ... Facsimile communication part 20 ... Network communication part 21 ... Paper feed tray 22 ... Paper discharge tray 23 ... Foil pusher 30 ... Operation panel DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 31 ... Display part 32 ... Operation part 33 ... Switch part 34 ... Touch panel part 100 ... Screen 101 ... Linking button 102 ... Job column 110 ... Screen 111 ... Base printing button 112 ... Reprint printing button

Claims (11)

An image forming unit that performs printing by passing recording paper through a fixing device; and
A paper feed tray on which recording paper fed to the image forming unit is set;
A paper discharge tray for discharging the recording paper printed by the image forming unit;
A reduction unit for reducing an image to be printed;
A management unit that associates and manages a base image to be printed and a reprint image;
A storage unit for obtaining and storing passage number information indicating the number of times the recording sheet has passed through the fixing device when a base image is printed;
A recording paper on which a background image associated with the reprint image is printed, and when the user prints the reprint image by feeding a recording paper set in the paper feed tray by a user A control unit that causes the image forming unit to print the follow-up image that has been reduced by the reduction unit at a reduction rate corresponding to the number of times indicated by the number-of-passage information corresponding to an image;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management unit associates a print job for printing a base image with a print job for printing a follow-up image. The image forming unit is capable of duplex printing,
The number of times the recording paper has passed through the fixing device when the base image is printed is twice when the base image print job is duplex printing and once when the base image print job is single-sided printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. When the reprint image print job is double-sided printing, the control unit reduces the reprint image that has been reduced to the reduction unit at a reduction rate corresponding to the number of times N indicated by the pass number information corresponding to the base image. The image forming unit prints the surface of the recording paper and the reprinted image reduced to the reduction unit at a reduction rate corresponding to the number of times N + 1 indicated by the pass number information corresponding to the base image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a back surface of the recording paper is printed on a forming unit. When the background image print job is double-sided printing, the control unit
4. The back side of the recording paper is printed on the image forming unit with the base image reduced to the reduction unit at a reduction rate corresponding to a case where the recording paper passes through the fixing device once. Or the image forming apparatus according to 4. 6. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit adds and stores the pass count information corresponding to the background image to the reprint image associated with the background image. Image forming apparatus. The said storage part calculates | requires the said frequency | count information based on the setting content of the print job of the base image linked | related with the said reprint image, The one of Claim 1 thru | or 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus. 8. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases or decreases the reduction ratio according to an elapsed time after the recording paper on which the base image is formed is discharged. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management unit associates a base image designated by a user with a reprint image. The management unit, when linking the background image and the reprint image, combine the print job of the background image and the reprint image as one combined job,
When the image forming unit performs printing based on the combined job, the control unit determines whether the next image to be printed is the base image or the reprint image based on a designation from the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. It further comprises a foil stamping device that performs post-processing of foil stamping on the recording paper,
11. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the post-processing of the foil pressing is performed on the recording paper on which the base image is printed, the reduction ratio is increased. Image forming apparatus.