JP2020031275A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening the processing time from image reading to recording for each image of a plurality of originals while effectively utilizing the ACS function. In an image forming apparatus, a control unit 31 determines whether an image of a document read by an image reading unit 11 is color or monochrome, and a color mode or monochrome is determined according to the determination result. It has a mode selection function to set the mode. When the mode selection function is off, an image of the original is formed on the recording paper in the color mode by the image forming unit 12, and when the mode selection function is on, whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied is determined. When it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the image of the document is formed on the recording paper by the image forming unit 12 in the color mode or the monochrome mode set by the mode selection function. [Selection diagram] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that reads an image of a document and forms the image on recording paper, and particularly determines whether the image of the document is color or monochrome, and sets a color mode or a monochrome mode according to the determination result. The present invention relates to a technique for effectively using an ACS function to be set.

  In the image forming apparatus, an image of a document is read by an image reading unit, an image of the document is formed on recording paper by the image forming unit, and the recording paper is discharged to a tray. In Patent Document 1, it is detected whether or not an image of a document read by an image reading unit is a blank page, and if the image is a blank page, the image of the document is not formed on recording paper. For the first document, the formation of the first document is started before it is detected whether or not it is a blank page, and the time until the first recording sheet is output is reduced. I have.

JP 2015-159508 A

  Here, some image forming apparatuses have a well-known ACS (Auto Color Selection) function. The ACS function determines whether the image of the document read by the image reading unit is color or monochrome, and when the image of the document is determined to be color, the image of the document is converted by the image forming unit. The image is formed on the recording paper in the color mode, and when it is determined that the image of the original is monochrome, the image of the original is formed on the recording paper in the monochrome mode by the image forming unit.

  However, since the color or monochrome determination by the ACS function requires time, if the image forming unit waits for the image forming process until the result of this determination is obtained, the processing time from reading the image to recording is not sufficient. Becomes longer.

  In Patent Document 1, formation of the first document is started before detecting whether or not the page is a blank page, and the first recording sheet is output. To shorten the time. Utilizing the technique of Patent Document 1, for the first document, an image of the document is formed on a recording sheet in a color mode by the image forming unit before the result of the color or monochrome determination by the ACS function is obtained. For example, the above processing time can be reduced. However, when images of a plurality of originals are read and formed on respective recording sheets, the processing time cannot be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to shorten the processing time from image reading to recording for each image of a plurality of documents while effectively utilizing the ACS function. Aim.

  An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, and an image forming unit that forms an image of the document read by the image reading unit on recording paper in a color mode or a monochrome mode. Each time a document is read by the image reading unit, determines whether the image of the document read by the image reading unit is color or monochrome, and according to the determination result, the color mode or A mode selection function for setting the monochrome mode, wherein when the mode selection function is off, an image of the document is formed on a recording sheet in a color mode by the image forming unit, and the mode selection function is on. In some cases, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the image of the document is When the image forming unit forms a recording sheet on the recording paper in the color mode or the monochrome mode set by the recording mode selection function, and the mode selection function is on, when it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, And a control section for causing the image forming section to form an image of the document on recording paper in a color mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the processing time from image reading to recording for each image of a plurality of documents, while effectively utilizing the mode selection function (corresponding to the ACS function). .

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 conceptually shows history data in which a color probability that a color image is recorded on a first recording sheet, a monochrome probability that a monochrome image is recorded, and the cumulative number of recording sheets on which a color image is recorded are recorded. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for forming an image of a document on a recording sheet in a color mode or a monochrome mode according to whether the ACS function is turned on and off and whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is, for example, an MFP (multifunction peripheral) having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12.

  The image reading unit 11 has an image sensor that optically reads an image of a document. An analog output of the image sensor is converted into a digital signal, and image data representing an image of the document is generated. The image reading unit 11 reads an image of a document placed on a platen glass by the above-described image sensor, or pulls out one or a plurality of documents set on a document tray one by one to transport the document. A document feeder (automatic document feeder) is provided, and the image of the document conveyed by the ADF is read by the image pickup device.

  The image forming unit 12 forms an image represented by the image data on a recording sheet, and includes a magenta image forming unit 3M, a cyan image forming unit 3C, a yellow image forming unit 3Y, and a black image forming unit 3Y. Image forming unit 3Bk. In each of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4. Is formed, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is developed into a toner image, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. This color toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording paper P conveyed from the paper supply unit 14 through the conveyance path 8 in the nip area N between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

  Thereafter, the recording paper P is heated and pressed by the fixing device 15, the toner image on the recording paper P is fixed by thermocompression, and the recording paper P is discharged to the discharge tray 17 through the discharge roller 16.

  Further, the image forming section 12 can switch between a color mode in which a color image or a monochrome image is formed on the recording paper P and a monochrome mode in which only a monochrome image is formed on the recording paper P. In the color mode, the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk are operated as described above to form toner images of respective colors on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, and the toner images of these colors are formed. The primary transfer from each photosensitive drum 4 to the intermediate transfer belt 5 forms a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5, and the color toner image is further transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 5 to the recording paper P. Alternatively, in the color mode, only the black toner image (monochrome image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 in the image forming unit 3Bk while the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk are operating. Then, the monochrome image is primarily transferred from the photosensitive drum 4 to the intermediate transfer belt 5, and a monochrome image is formed on the recording paper P from the intermediate transfer belt 5.

  In the monochrome mode, only the black image forming unit 3Bk is operated, a black toner image (monochrome image) is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 in the image forming unit 3Bk, and the monochrome image is exposed. The image is primarily transferred from the body drum 4 to the intermediate transfer belt 5, and a monochrome image is formed on the recording paper P from the intermediate transfer belt 5.

  As described above, in the color mode, a color image or a monochrome image can be formed on the recording sheet P, and in the monochrome mode, only a monochrome image can be formed on the recording sheet P.

  However, when a monochrome image is formed in the color mode, all the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk are operated. Therefore, even if a toner image of a color other than black is hardly formed, Other color toner is consumed or deteriorated. Therefore, when forming a monochrome image, it is preferable to set the monochrome mode instead of the color mode.

  Next, a configuration related to control of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, a touch panel 24, an image memory 25, an image processing unit 26, a storage unit 28, and a control unit. 21 and the like. These components can transmit and receive data or signals to and from each other via a bus.

  The display unit 22 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (OLED: Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, or the like.

  The operation unit 23 includes hard keys such as a ten key, an enter key, and a start key.

  A touch panel 24 is overlaid on the screen of the display unit 22. The touch panel 24 detects a touch (touch) of the user's finger or the like on the touch panel 24 together with the contact position, and inputs a user's instruction on the screen of the display unit 22. Therefore, the touch panel 24 functions as an operation unit to which a user operation on the screen of the display unit 22 is input.

  The image processing unit 26 converts the image data indicating the image of the document read by the image reading unit 11 into a bitmap and stores the bitmap in the image memory 25. Further, the image processing unit 26 performs various image processing such as shading correction on the image data in the image memory 25.

  The storage unit 28 includes a large-capacity solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like, and stores various data and programs.

  The control unit 21 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control unit 21 functions as the control unit 31 when the control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 28 is executed by the processor. Each of the above-mentioned components of the control unit 21 may be configured by a hardware circuit, instead of the operation based on the above-described control program.

  The control unit 21 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 21 is connected to the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the display unit 22, the operation unit 23, the touch panel 24, the image memory 25, the image processing unit 26, the storage unit 28, and the like. The control unit 31 controls the operation of each of the above-described components and transmits and receives signals or data to and from each of the components.

  The control unit 31 plays a role as a processing unit that executes various processes. Further, the control unit 31 has a function of controlling the display operation of the display unit 22.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 having such a configuration, the user operates the operation unit 23 or the touch panel 24 to input his / her own identification information ID. When authenticating the identification information ID, the control unit 31 permits the user of the identification information ID to use the image forming apparatus 10.

  Then, when the user sets a document on the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key of the operation unit 23 to instruct execution of copying, the control unit 31 activates the image reading unit 11 and activates the image reading unit. The image of the document is read by the reading unit 11. The image processing unit 26 performs bitmap conversion of the image data indicating the image of the document output from the image reading unit 11 and stores the converted image data in the image memory 25, and performs various processes on the image data. The image forming unit 12 receives image data from the image memory 25 and forms an image of a document indicated by the image data on recording paper.

  Further, the control unit 31 has a known ACS function (corresponding to a mode selection function in the claims). The ACS function determines whether the image of the document read by the image reading unit 11 is a color image or a monochrome image. If the image of the document is determined to be color, the image of the document is converted to an image forming unit. The image forming unit 12 forms the image of the document on the recording paper in the monochrome mode when it is determined that the image of the document is monochrome in the color mode by the image forming unit 12. The turning on and off of the ACS function is instructed by the user operating the operation unit 23 or the touch panel 24, and the control unit 31 turns on or off the ACS function according to the user's instruction.

  When the ACS function is turned on, the control unit 31 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the control unit 31 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 31 uses the ACS function. It is determined whether the image data in the image memory 25 is color or monochrome, and the image of the original is formed on the recording paper in the color mode or monochrome mode by the image forming unit 12 according to the result of this determination. Further, even if the ACS function is turned on, if the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the image forming unit 12 causes the image forming unit 12 to form the image of the document on the recording paper in the color mode.

  Here, the above-mentioned predetermined condition means that when the color probability CP at which the color image is recorded on the first recording sheet and the monochrome probability MP at which the monochrome image is recorded are compared, the monochrome probability MP is determined. Is higher than the color probability CP. The control unit 31 calculates and updates the color probability CP or the monochrome probability MP every time the identification information ID of the user is authenticated, and sets the updated color probability CP or monochrome probability MP to the identification information ID of the authenticated user. It is stored in the history data D as shown in FIG. Thus, the color probability CP and the monochrome probability MP are stored in the history data D in the storage unit 28 for each of the identification information IDs of a plurality of users. Then, the control unit 31 authenticates the user identification information ID and, when the ACS function is ON, stores the color probability CP and the monochrome probability MP associated with the authenticated user identification information ID in the storage unit 28. From the history data D, and determines whether or not the condition that the read monochrome probability MP is higher than the read color probability CP is satisfied.

  The predetermined condition is a condition that the cumulative number CN of recording sheets on which color images are recorded is equal to or larger than a predetermined number Q of sheets. Each time the control unit 31 authenticates the user's identification information ID, the control unit 31 calculates and updates the cumulative number of recording sheets CN on which the color image is recorded, and updates the updated cumulative number CN of the authenticated user's identification information ID. Is stored in the history data D in the storage unit 28 in association with. Thus, the accumulated number CN of recording sheets on which color images are recorded is stored in the history data D in the storage unit 28 for each of the identification information IDs of a plurality of users. Then, when the ACS function is turned on after authenticating the user identification information, the control unit 31 obtains, from the history data D in the storage unit 28, the accumulated number CN associated with the authenticated user identification information ID. It is determined whether the condition that the read cumulative number CN is equal to or larger than the specified number Q is satisfied.

  Further, the predetermined condition is a condition that the remaining amount TN of the color toner used in the image forming unit 12 is less than a predetermined value S. When the ACS function is on, the control unit 31 acquires the remaining amount TN of the color toner used in the image forming unit 12 (the minimum remaining amount of the Y, M, and C toners) TN. It is determined whether or not a condition that the acquired remaining amount TN of the color toner is less than a predetermined value S is satisfied. For example, the remaining amount TN of the toner is detected by a sensor provided in the toner container, and the control unit 31 acquires the remaining amount TN of the toner from the sensor. Alternatively, the control unit 31 calculates the toner remaining amount TN by calculating the amount of toner consumption based on the number of printed recording papers and the printing rate of each recording paper, and calculating the toner consumption amount from the initial toner storage amount in the toner container. It is calculated by subtracting the toner consumption. For example, the predetermined value S is a toner amount that is predetermined in such a manner that the remaining amount of toner is insufficient.

  Next, a processing procedure for forming an image of a document on a recording sheet in a color mode or a monochrome mode according to whether the ACS function is turned on and off and whether a predetermined condition is satisfied will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the user operates the operation unit 23 or the touch panel 24 of the image forming apparatus 10 to input his / her own identification information ID. In the image forming apparatus 10, when the identification information ID of the user is input, the control unit 31 authenticates the identification information ID of the user and permits the user to use the image forming apparatus 10 (S101). .

  Subsequently, after the user sets the document on the image reading unit 11 and operates the start key of the operation unit 23 to instruct the execution of the copy, the control unit 31 activates the image reading unit 11 and The image of the document is read by the image reading unit 11. The image processing unit 26 performs bitmap expansion of the image data indicating the image of the document and stores the image data in the image memory 25 (S102). The image data at this time indicates R (red), G (green), and B (blue).

  Then, the control unit 31 determines whether the ACS function is ON or OFF (S103). For example, if the control unit 31 determines that the ACS function is off (S103 “off”), the image processing unit 26 sets the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image data in the image memory 25. Is converted into image data of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black), and the converted image data of Y, M, C, and Bk are transferred from the image memory 25 to the image forming unit 12. Is entered. The control unit 31 causes the image forming unit 12 to operate in the color mode, and causes the image forming unit 12 to record an image represented by the converted color image data on a recording sheet (S104).

  Thereafter, the control unit 31 determines that the color image formed on the recording paper in S104 is that of the first page of the original placed on the platen glass of the image reading unit 11 or is first conveyed by the ADF. In the case of the original of the first page, the color probability CP of the first recording sheet associated with the identification information ID authenticated in S101 is read out from the history data D in the storage unit 28 and read out. The color probability CP is updated, and the updated color probability CP is overwritten on the history data D in association with the identification information ID (S111). Further, the control unit 31 reads the cumulative number CN of color images associated with the identification information ID authenticated in S101 from the history data D in the storage unit 28, and updates the cumulative number CN of read color images, The updated cumulative number of color images CN is overwritten on the history data D in association with the identification information ID (S111). In the process of S111, after the image forming process (S104) for the second and subsequent pages of the original, the overwriting process of the color probability CP is not performed, and only the overwriting process of the accumulated number CN is performed.

  After S111, the control unit 31 determines whether there is a document of the next page (S112). For example, the document of the next page is placed on the platen glass of the image reading unit 11, and the start key is operated. Alternatively, when the next page of the original is conveyed by the ADF and the reading of the next page of the original is started by the image reading unit 11, it is determined that the next page of the original is present (S112 "Yes"), and S104 is performed. When it is determined that there is no original of the next page (S112 “No”), the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is terminated.

  Therefore, when the ACS function is off, it is not determined whether the image data in the image memory 25 is color or monochrome by the ACS function, and accordingly, whether the image of the original is color or monochrome is determined. Irrespective of this, the image of the document is immediately recorded on the recording paper in the color mode by the image forming unit 12, and the waiting time of the user is minimized.

  When the control unit 31 determines that the ACS function is ON (S103 “ON”), the control unit 31 starts to determine whether the image data in the image memory 25 is color or monochrome (S106). . The ACS function determines whether the document image is color or monochrome based on the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image data in the image memory 25.

  At the same time, since the control unit 31 has authenticated the user identification information ID in S101, the color probability CP and the monochrome probability MP associated with the user identification information ID as described above are stored in the history data in the storage unit 28. D, it is determined whether the condition that the monochrome probability MP is greater than or equal to the color probability CP is satisfied, and the accumulated number CN of color images associated with the user identification information ID is stored in the history in the storage unit 28. It is read from the data D, and it is determined whether or not the condition that the accumulated number CN is equal to or larger than the specified number Q is satisfied (S107).

  For example, the control unit 31 determines that the condition that the monochrome probability MP is equal to or higher than the color probability CP is not satisfied and that the condition that the cumulative number CN of color images is equal to or larger than the specified number Q is not satisfied (S107 “No”). "), And the remaining amount TN of the color toner (the minimum remaining amount among the Y, M, and C toners) TN used in the image forming unit 12 is smaller than the predetermined value S as described above. It is determined whether the condition is satisfied (S108). At this time, if the control unit 31 determines that the condition that the remaining amount TN of the color toner is less than the predetermined value S is not satisfied (S108 “No”), the image processing unit 26 R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image data are converted into Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) image data. Is input from the image memory 25 to the image forming unit 12. The control unit 31 causes the image forming unit 12 to operate in the color mode, and causes the image forming unit 12 to record an image represented by the converted color image data on a recording sheet (S104). After the process of S111, the control unit 31 determines whether or not there is a document of the next page (S112). If it is determined that there is a document of the next page (S112 “Yes”), Returning to the processing (not shown in FIG. 4), when it is determined that there is no original of the next page (S112 “No”), the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is ended.

  Therefore, even if the ACS function is on, the condition that the monochrome probability MP is not less than the color probability CP is not satisfied, and the condition that the cumulative number CN of color images is not less than the specified number Q is not satisfied. If the condition that the remaining amount TN of the toner for use is less than the predetermined value S is not satisfied, without waiting for the result of determining whether the image data is color or monochrome by the ACS function, The image is quickly recorded on the recording paper in the color mode by the image forming unit 12, and the waiting time of the user is reduced.

  If the condition that the monochrome probability MP is higher than the color probability CP is not satisfied, it is assumed that the user of the identification information ID authenticated in S101 has more opportunities to record a color image on the first recording sheet. Can be. If the condition that the cumulative number CN of color images is equal to or greater than the specified number Q is not satisfied, it can be determined that the user of the identification information ID authenticated in S101 has not excessively recorded the color image. Further, when the condition that the remaining amount TN of the color toner is less than the predetermined value S is not satisfied, it can be considered that the situation is not that the remaining amount TN of the color toner is insufficient.

  That is, if there are many opportunities to record a color image on the first recording sheet, the color image is not excessively recorded, and the remaining amount TN of the color toner is not insufficient, the ACS The image of the document is quickly recorded on the recording paper in the color mode without waiting for the result of the determination by the function, and the waiting time of the user is reduced.

  On the other hand, the control unit 31 determines that the condition that the monochrome probability MP is greater than or equal to the color probability CP is satisfied or that the condition that the cumulative number CN of color images is equal to or greater than the specified number Q is satisfied (“Yes” in S107). )), After ending the determination of whether the image data in the image memory 25 is color or monochrome by the ACS function, according to the result of this determination, that is, whether the original image is color or monochrome The image of the original is formed on the recording paper in the color mode or the monochrome mode by the image forming unit 12 according to the image data (S109).

  Further, the control unit 31 determines that the condition that the monochrome probability MP is not less than the color probability CP is not satisfied and the condition that the cumulative number CN of the color images is not less than the specified number Q is not satisfied (S107 “No”). )), When it is determined that the condition that the remaining amount TN of the color toner used in the image forming unit 12 is less than the predetermined value S is satisfied (“Yes” in S108), the image memory 25 by the ACS function is used. After the determination of whether the image data is color or monochrome is completed, the image of the document is formed on the recording paper in the color mode or monochrome mode by the image forming unit 12 according to the result of this determination (S109). .

  For example, when the ACS function determines that the image data is color, the image processing unit 26 converts the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image data in the image memory 25 into Y (yellow), (Magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) image data, and the converted image data is input from the image memory 25 to the image forming unit 12, and the control unit 31 converts the image forming unit 12 into color image data. In the mode, the image forming unit 12 forms an image represented by the converted color image data on the recording paper by the image forming unit 12 (S109).

  If the ACS function determines that the image data is monochrome, the image processing unit 26 converts the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) image data in the image memory 25 into a monochrome (Bk) image. The converted monochrome image data is input from the image memory 25 to the image forming unit 12, the control unit 31 operates the image forming unit 12 in the monochrome mode, and the image forming unit 12 performs the conversion. An image indicated by the monochrome image data is formed on a recording sheet (S109).

  Here, when the condition that the monochrome probability MP is greater than or equal to the color probability CP is satisfied, it is assumed that the user of the identification information ID authenticated in S101 has less opportunity to record a color image on the first recording sheet. Can be. If the condition that the cumulative number CN of color images is equal to or greater than the specified number Q is satisfied, it can be considered that the recording of the color image by the user with the identification information ID authenticated in S101 is excessively performed. Furthermore, when the condition that the remaining amount TN of the color toner is less than the predetermined value S is satisfied, it can be considered that the remaining amount TN of the color toner is insufficient.

  That is, there are few opportunities to record a color image on the first sheet of recording paper, or when recording of a color image is excessively performed, or an opportunity to record a color image on the first sheet of recording paper. If the amount of color toner is insufficient and the remaining amount TN of the color toner is insufficient even if the recording of the color image is not performed excessively, the determination of whether the image data is color or monochrome by the ACS function is ended. After that, the image of the document is formed on the recording paper in the color mode or the monochrome mode by the image forming unit 12 according to the result of this determination. This reduces the chances of setting the color mode uselessly even when the user's waiting time is long.

  Thereafter, the control unit 31 determines whether the color or monochrome image formed on the recording paper in S109 is that of the first page of the original placed on the platen glass of the image reading unit 11 or first by the ADF. If the original is the original of the transported first page, the monochrome probability MP or the color probability CP of the first recording sheet associated with the identification information ID authenticated in S101 is stored in the history data D in the storage unit 28. The monochrome probability MP or the color probability CP that has been read out is calculated and updated based on the result of the processing of S109, and the updated monochrome probability MP or color probability CP is associated with the identification information ID and the history data D Is overwritten (S110). When the image formed on the recording paper in S109 is a color image, the control unit 31 stores the cumulative number CN of the color images associated with the identification information ID authenticated in S101 in the history data D in the storage unit 28. The cumulative number CN of the read color images is calculated and updated based on the result of the process of S109, and the updated cumulative number CN of the color images is overwritten on the history data D in association with the identification information ID. (S110). In the process of S110, after the image forming process (S109) for the document of the second and subsequent pages, the overwriting process of the monochrome probability MP or the color probability CP is not performed, and only the overwriting process of the accumulated number CN is performed.

  Then, the control unit 31 determines whether or not there is a document of the next page (S105). If it is determined that there is a document of the next page (S105 "Yes"), the control unit 31 returns to the process from S106 and performs control. The unit 31 determines whether the image data in the image memory 25 is color or monochrome for the next page by the ACS function (S106). When the control unit 31 determines that there is no original of the next page (S105 “No”), the processing of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4 ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, every time one image is read by the image reading unit 11, the control unit 31 determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied when the ACS function is turned on. If it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the image of the original is changed to the color mode or the monochrome mode in accordance with the result of the determination as to whether the image data in the image memory 25 is the color mode or the monochrome mode by the ACS function. If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the image of the original is printed in the color mode without waiting for the result of the determination of whether the image data is color or monochrome by the ACS function. Because it is formed on recording paper, it is possible to reduce the processing time from image reading to recording for each image of a plurality of documents while using the ACS function. Can.
<Modification>

  In the modified example, even if the control unit 31 determines that the ACS function is off, the control unit 31 uses the color / monochrome determination technique based on the ACS function to determine whether the image data in the image memory 25 is color or monochrome. Make a judgment. Then, the control unit 31 converts the image data (R, G, B) in the image memory 25 into Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and Bk (black) image data. The converted image data is input from the image memory 25 to the image forming unit 12, the image forming unit 12 is operated in the color mode, and the image indicated by the color image data converted by the image forming unit 12 is recorded on recording paper. Record. Note that the control unit 31 gives priority to the image forming process by the image forming unit 12 in the color mode, and determines whether the image is the color mode or the monochrome mode after that.

  In this case, the image of the original may be recorded on the recording paper in the color mode even though the image data is determined to be monochrome. Therefore, when determining that the image data is monochrome, the control unit 31 causes the display unit 22 to display a message indicating that the monochrome image has been recorded in the color mode. The user can see from the message that the monochrome image has been recorded in the color mode.

  Alternatively, when determining that the image data is monochrome, the control unit 31 not only displays a message indicating that the monochrome image has been recorded in the color mode on the display unit 22 but also displays the monochrome image in the monochrome mode. To display on the display unit 22 a key for instructing recording on the recording paper. The user sees the message and knows that the monochrome image has been recorded in the color mode, and touches the key to input an instruction to record the monochrome image on the recording paper in the monochrome mode through the touch panel 24. Is done. When detecting a touch operation on the key through the touch panel 24, the control unit 31 operates the image forming unit 12 in the monochrome mode. Further, the image processing unit 26 converts the image data (R, G, B) in the image memory 25 back to monochrome (Bk) image data. The image forming unit 12 inputs the monochrome image data and records a monochrome image on a recording sheet. Accordingly, when a monochrome image is formed in the color mode, an operation for re-forming the image in the monochrome mode can be easily performed.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus of the above embodiment, and the present invention can be applied to a copy machine or the like.

  The configuration and processing of the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 are merely an embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the configuration and processing.

Reference Signs List 10 image forming apparatus 11 image reading unit 12 image forming unit 21 control unit 22 display unit 23 operation unit 24 touch panel 25 image memory 26 image processing unit 28 storage unit 31 control unit

Claims (5)

An image reading unit that reads an image of a document,
An image forming unit that forms an image of the document read by the image reading unit on recording paper in a color mode or a monochrome mode;
Each time the document is read by the image reading unit, it is determined whether the image of the document read by the image reading unit is color or monochrome, and according to the result of the determination, the color mode or the A mode selection function for setting a monochrome mode, wherein when the mode selection function is off, an image of the document is formed on a recording sheet in a color mode by the image forming unit, and the mode selection function is on. In the case, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the image of the document is set to a color mode or a monochrome mode set by the mode selection function. In the case where the image forming unit forms a recording sheet and the mode selection function is ON, the predetermined condition is not satisfied. When constant, the image forming apparatus and a control unit for forming the recording sheet in the color mode by the image of the image forming portion of the document. A storage unit that stores a color probability that a color image is recorded on the first recording sheet and a monochrome probability that a monochrome image is recorded for each user identification information;
The control unit includes:
Authenticates the user identification information, calculates the color probability or the monochrome probability for each of the user identification information, and stores the calculated color probability or monochrome probability in association with the authenticated user identification information. In the department
When the user identification information is authenticated, and when the mode selection function is on, the color probability and the monochrome probability associated with the authenticated user identification information are read from the storage unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a condition that the read monochrome probability is higher than the read color probability is set as the predetermined condition, and it is determined whether the predetermined condition is satisfied. apparatus. A storage unit for storing the cumulative number of recording sheets on which color images are recorded for each user identification information,
The control unit includes:
The authentication information of the user is authenticated, the cumulative number of recording sheets on which the color image is recorded is calculated for each of the user identification information, and the calculated cumulative number is associated with the identification information of the authenticated user. Stored in the storage unit,
When the identification information of the user is authenticated, and when the mode selection function is on, the cumulative number associated with the identification information of the authenticated user is read from the storage unit, and the read cumulative number is read. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a condition that the number of sheets is equal to or greater than a predetermined number is set as the predetermined condition, and it is determined whether the predetermined condition is satisfied.   The control unit, when the mode selection function is on, a condition that the remaining amount of the color toner used in the image forming unit is less than a predetermined value as the predetermined condition, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether the predetermined condition is satisfied. Equipped with a display,
The control unit, when the mode selection function is off, the image of the document read by the image reading unit while forming the image of the document on the recording paper in a color mode by the image forming unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the document is monochrome, the display unit displays that the image of the document determined to be monochrome is formed on recording paper in a color mode. 6. apparatus.