JPH11289436A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of jobs smoothly by effectively using a memory for storing a read image. SOLUTION: In a copy job performed on a series of original documents, a scan job that reads an image of the original document and stores the read image in a memory and a print job that prints out the image stored in the memory are respectively performed. In an image forming apparatus which can be executed asynchronously and independently and is capable of executing a second copy job when reading of an original of a first copy job is completed, a memory is used during reading of an original in a second copy job. When the storage capacity of the second copy job becomes insufficient, the original reading operation of the second copy job is interrupted, and the second copy job is resumed when the first copy job is completed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus capable of simultaneously performing an image reading operation and an image writing operation asynchronously.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when performing a copy operation in a digital copying machine, after setting various functions, for example, a copy key is pressed to start the copy operation. A series of copy operations executed by pressing the copy key once is called a copy job.

As a conventional digital copying machine, for example, a digital copying machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-18133, "Image Forming Apparatus" is known. Such "image forming apparatus"
When a stop instruction of the copy operation is issued during the copy operation of the first bundle of originals, the current copy operation is stopped and the mode is shifted to the reservation mode to wait, or the standby is performed while the original copy mode is maintained. When the operator corrects the copy mode and sets the original again, the copying operation for the first bundle of originals can be immediately resumed.

[0004]

However, in the conventional digital copying machine, the capacity of the memory for storing the read image is limited, so that the capacity of the memory becomes insufficient during the execution of the scan job. However, there is a problem that the subsequent document reading operation cannot be executed.

In a conventional digital copying machine, original images are stored in a memory. For example, in a sorting operation,
At the time of reading the document, the first copy is printed and the image is stored in the memory. After the reading of the document is completed, the second copy and thereafter are printed from the image in the memory. Since the memory capacity is finite, after the accumulated image reaches the maximum amount, the reading of the original is interrupted, the accumulated image is printed for the number of copies, and when this is completed, the remaining original is read. Is restarted.

However, if the above operation is applied to the second and subsequent jobs in the so-called multi-job mode in which the original of the next job can be read before the printing process is completed, the memory occupation of the job during the printing operation is occupied. As a result, a situation occurs in which the original reading operation of the next job cannot be continued and is interrupted.

That is, the second and subsequent jobs wait for the end of the currently printing job in order to print after the memory is full, but when the second job becomes printable, In this case, since the memory occupied by the job being printed is released and the free space of the memory is increased, the original is not read even though the original can be read. However, there is a problem that the storage capacity of the device becomes small.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide an image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of jobs smoothly by effectively using a memory for storing a read image. I do.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading unit for reading an image of a document, a storage unit for storing the read image,
A printing unit for printing the image stored in the storage unit on paper, and a stack mode for printing a set number of copies of the image stored in the storage unit for each page. In a copy job to be executed, a scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in the storage unit and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit can be independently and asynchronously executed. In the image forming apparatus, when the stack mode is set, when the remaining amount of the storage unit is insufficient during the execution of the scan job, the document reading operation is interrupted and stored in the storage unit. After printing the set number of copies of one page of the image is completed, the image of one page stored in the storage unit is erased and the reading operation of the document is restarted. .

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reading means reads the image of the document, the storing means stores the read image, and the printing means prints the image stored in the storing means on a sheet. And a stack mode for sequentially printing the image stored in the storage means for each page and repeating this printing operation for a set number of copies, and a stack for printing the set number of images stored in the storage means for each page Mode and
In a copy job performed on a series of document groups, a scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in the storage unit, and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit When the sort mode is set in the image forming apparatus capable of executing each of the operations asynchronously and independently, the document reading operation is performed when the remaining amount of the storage unit is insufficient during the execution of the scan job. After the printing is completed for all pages of the image stored in the storage unit, all the images stored in the storage unit are erased and the reading operation of the document is restarted, while the stack mode is set. If the remaining amount of the storage unit is insufficient during the execution of the scan job, the document reading operation is interrupted, and stored in the storage unit. After one page of the set number of the part print of the image is completed, it is to resume the reading operation of the document by erasing the one page image stored in the storage means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading unit for reading an image of a document, a storage unit for storing the read image, a printing unit for printing the image stored in the storage unit on paper, In a copy job performed on a series of document groups, a scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in the storage unit, and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit Can be independently executed asynchronously and independently, and the second copy job can be executed when reading of the original of the first copy job is completed. If the storage capacity of the storage unit is insufficient during reading, the second
The document reading operation of the copy job is interrupted, and the first
The second copy job is restarted when the second copy job is completed.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reading means reads the image of the document, the storing means stores the read image, and the printing means prints the image stored in the storing means on a sheet. In a copy job that performs a copy operation on a series of originals, a scan job that reads an image of the original and stores the read image in the storage unit, and prints an image that is stored in the storage unit In the image forming apparatus, the print job to be output can be executed independently and asynchronously, and the second copy job can be executed when the reading of the original of the first copy job is completed. If the storage capacity of the storage unit becomes insufficient while reading the original of the copy job, the operation of reading the original of the second copy job is interrupted, and When the erase the image according to the stored first copy job insufficiency of the storage capacity has been canceled, it is to resume the reading operation of the original of the second copy job.

An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reading means reads the image of the document, the storing means stores the read image, and the printing means prints the image stored in the storing means on paper. In a copy job that performs a copy operation on a series of originals, a scan job that reads an image of the original and stores the read image in the storage unit, and prints an image that is stored in the storage unit In the image forming apparatus, the print job to be output can be executed independently and asynchronously, and the second copy job can be executed when the reading of the original of the first copy job is completed. When the storage capacity of the storage unit is insufficient during reading of a document in a copy job, the first copy job differs from the second copy job. It is intended to display the tell on the display unit.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus], [Operation Section of Image Forming Apparatus], [Control System of Image Forming Apparatus (First Configuration Example), (Second Configuration Example)], [Image of Image Forming Apparatus] Processing Unit], [Explanation / Definition of Terms], [Copy Job], [Scan Job], [Print Job in Sort Mode],
The description will be made in the order of [print job in stack mode].

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. A document bundle (not shown) placed on a document table 102 of an ADF (automatic document feeder) 101 with a document image surface facing upward is operated by an operation unit 2 described later.
When the print key 202 on the document 01 is depressed, the document is fed from the bottom document to a predetermined document reading position on the contact glass 105 by the feeding roller 103 and the feeding belt 104.

The document fed on the contact glass 105 is discharged by the feed belt 104 and the discharge roller 107 after the document image is read by the reading unit 106. Further, the original set detection sensor 108
When it is detected that the next document is present on the document table 102, the next document repeats the same operation as the previous document.
The feed roller 103, the feed belt 104, and the discharge roller 107 are driven by a transport motor (not shown).

The first tray 109 and the second tray 11
The transfer papers stacked on the tray 0 and the third tray 111 are respectively
First paper supply unit 112, second paper supply unit 113, and third paper supply unit 1
The paper is fed by the printer 14, and is transported by the vertical transport unit 115 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 116. The document image read by the reading unit 106 is written as image data on the photoconductor 116 by a laser (not shown) from the writing unit 117, and is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 118.

Next, the toner image on the photoconductor 116 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 119 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 116. The toner image transferred to the transfer paper is fixed as an image by the fixing unit 120. Subsequently, the transfer paper on which the image has been fixed (hereinafter, referred to as an image forming) is discharged by a discharge unit 121 to a finisher 122 which is a post-processing device.

The finisher 122 of the post-processing apparatus transfers the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 121 of the apparatus main body.
Output tray 126 direction and staple processing unit (lower left of drawing)
Can be guided in the direction. The guidance at this time is performed using the switching plate 124. By switching the switching plate 124 upward, the normal paper output tray 126 via the paper discharge roller 123 and the transport roller unit 132
Can be discharged to the side. Further, by switching the switching plate 124 downward, the transport rollers 125 and 127 are switched.
, And can be conveyed to the staple table 128.

The transfer paper stacked on the staple table 128 is aligned by a paper aligning jogger 129 every time one sheet is discharged, and is stapled by the stapler 130 when one copy is completed. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 130 is stored in the staple completed paper discharge tray 131 by its own weight.

On the other hand, a normal paper discharge tray 126 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The discharge tray 126 that can be moved back and forth is provided for each document or for an image memory 50 described later.
1 is to sort the copy paper that moves back and forth and is easily discharged for each copy set sorted by 1.

When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the first tray 109, the second tray 110, and the third tray 11
By setting the branching claw 133 for path switching on the upper side without guiding the transfer paper fed and imaged from No. 1 to the discharge tray 126 side, the double-sided paper feeding unit 134 is once set.
Stock at

Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper feeding unit 134 is fed again from the duplex paper feeding unit 134, and after the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 116 is transferred, branching for path switching is performed. When the claw 133 is set on the lower side, it is guided to the paper discharge tray 126. As described above, the duplex sheet feeding unit 134 is used when forming an image on both sides of the transfer sheet.

The photosensitive member 116, the conveying belt 119, the fixing unit 120, the paper discharging unit 121, and the developing unit 1
18 is driven by a main motor (not shown),
First paper supply unit 112, second paper supply unit 113, and third paper supply unit 1
Reference numeral 14 denotes a drive of the main motor, a first paper feed clutch (not shown), a second paper feed clutch (not shown), and a third paper feed clutch (not shown).
It is driven by transmission by a paper feed clutch (not shown). The vertical transport unit 115 is driven by transmitting the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch (not shown).

Next, an image reading operation in the reading unit 106 and an image writing operation in the writing unit 117, that is, an operation until a latent image is formed on a recording surface will be described. Here, the latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image to light information and irradiating the image on the photoconductor surface.

First, the reading unit 106 includes a contact glass 105 on which a document is placed, and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 135, a first
Mirror 136, lens 137, CCD image sensor 1
38, a second mirror 139, a third mirror 140, and the like. Exposure lamp 135 and first mirror 136
Is fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 139 and the third mirror 140 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).

The original image is read by the CCD image sensor 138, converted into an electric signal, and processed. Lens 137 and CCD image sensor 138
By moving in the left-right direction (in FIG. 1),
The image magnification changes. That is, the positions of the lens 137 and the CCD image sensor 138 in the left-right direction are set corresponding to the designated magnification.

The writing unit 117 comprises a laser output unit 141, an imaging lens 142 and a mirror 143. Inside the laser output unit 141, a laser diode (not shown) as a laser light source and a motor (not shown) are provided. ), A rotating polygon mirror (hereinafter, referred to as a polygon mirror and not shown) that rotates at a high speed at a constant speed is provided.

The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 141 is polarized by a polygon mirror rotating at a constant speed, passes through the imaging lens 142, is turned back by the mirror 143, and is focused and formed on the surface of the photoconductor 116. .

The polarized laser light is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor 116 rotates, and a selector 502 of an image processing unit described later (see FIG. 5).
The output image signal is recorded in line units. By repeating the main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photoconductor 116, an image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 116.

As described above, the laser beam output from the writing unit 117 is applied to the photoconductor 116.
A beam sensor (not shown) that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photoconductor 116 where the laser beam is irradiated. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting and outputting an image signal described later are performed.

[Configuration of Operation Unit of Image Forming Apparatus] Next, the configuration of the operation unit 201 for performing display to the user and input control of function setting from the user will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation unit 201. The operation unit 201 includes a print key 202 serving as a start key and a clear / stop key 2 as shown in FIG.
03, a numeric keypad 204, a liquid crystal touch panel 205, an initial setting key 207, and a mode clear key 208. The liquid crystal touch panel 205 is used for displaying various messages indicating the number of copies and the state of the image forming apparatus, and for inputting various information.

In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal touch panel 20
Since a dot display is used as 5, an optimal display at that time can be graphically performed. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal touch panel 205 uses a dot display, but is not particularly limited to this.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 205 of the operation unit 201. When the operator touches the key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 205, the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black. If the details of the function need to be specified (for example, if the magnification is a magnification, a scaling value is displayed), touching a key displays a detailed function setting screen.

In FIG. 3, the upper left of the screen is a message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" or "Please wait", and the right side is a copy number display section for displaying the set number of sheets. Automatic density key for automatically adjusting image density, automatic paper selection key for automatically selecting transfer paper, sort key for specifying processing to align copies one by one in page order, and processing for sorting copies by page Stack key to be sorted, 1
Staple key to specify the binding process for each copy, same-size key to set the magnification to the same size, variable-size key to set the enlargement / reduction ratio, double-sided key to set the duplex mode, erase / move to set the binding margin mode, etc. This is a print key for setting printing of a key, a stamp, a date, a page, and the like.

4 to 7 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of display screens on the liquid crystal touch panel 205 of the operation unit 201. FIG. FIG.
Shows a screen for shifting to a reservation job setting screen. This screen is displayed when the scan job is completed by ending the original in the job being printed. The screen shown in FIG. 4 is a “reservation” for shifting to a reservation job setting screen.
The key 205a is displayed.

FIG. 5 shows a reservation job setting screen. When the reservation key 205a shown in FIG.
The screen shown in is displayed. On this screen, a reservation job can be set. Further, on the reservation job setting screen shown in FIG. 5, a "to copy screen" key 205b for returning to the screen of the previous job being printed is displayed. When the “to copy screen” key 205b is pressed, the screen returns to the screen of the previous job being printed.

FIG. 6 shows a warning screen when the memory is full. FIG. 7 shows a warning screen when the memory is full in the sort mode.

[Control System of Image Forming Apparatus] Next, the control system of the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(First Configuration Example) FIG. 8 shows a control system of the above-mentioned image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 8, various parts are arranged around a system controller 401 for controlling the entire image forming apparatus. An image reading unit 402, an image writing unit 403, a memory unit 404, a CSS 407, and a clock 408 are connected to the system controller 401 via a system bus.
1 is directly connected to the user restriction device 405, the human body detection sensor 406, and the operation unit 201. The image reading unit 402, the image writing unit 403, and the memory unit 404 are connected to each other by an image data bus.

The memory unit 404 includes a compression block, a DRAM block, and a DMA block.
A DRAM block in the memory unit 404 is for storing an image signal read from the image reading unit 402, and transfers image data stored in the image writing unit 403 in response to a request from the system controller 401. be able to. The compressed block is M
It has a compression function such as H, MR, MMR, etc.
The image once read can be compressed to improve the use efficiency of the memory (DRAM). The rotation of the image is realized by changing the address read from the image writing unit 403 and its direction. Note that this memory unit 404 is not necessary if only the normal copy function is realized.

The clock 408 is necessary only when a weekly timer function is realized such that the machine is booted or shut down at a specific time. Further, the human body detection sensor 406 is necessary only when a function of automatically canceling the preheating mode when a user approaches the machine in the preheating mode is realized. C
SS407 performs remote diagnosis, that is, automatically notifies a service center when a machine error occurs,
It has a function to monitor the execution state / use state of the machine from a remote place. These may be mounted only when the above functions are required.

(Second Configuration Example) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the control system of the image forming apparatus. In the above-described first configuration example (FIG. 8), the CP of the system controller 401
U is an image reading unit 402, an image writing unit 403,
Although the central control method controls the memory unit 404 and the CSS 407, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG.
2. Image writing unit 403 and memory unit 404
May have a distributed control system in which a CPU is provided and a command from the system controller 401 to each controller is transmitted through a control signal line. The configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus is not limited to the above configuration examples 1 and 2.
Other configurations may be used.

[Configuration of Image Processing Unit of Image Forming Apparatus] FIG.
0 denotes an image processing unit (image reading unit 402) according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image writing unit 403). Hereinafter, the configuration of the image processing unit will be described with reference to FIG. First, the irradiation light from the exposure lamp 51 irradiates the original surface and is imaged on the CCD image sensor of the reading unit 106 by an imaging lens (not shown). The CCD image sensor 138 of the reading unit 106 photoelectrically converts the received document image to generate image data (analog electric signal), and this image data is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 503, and then, is subjected to shading. After the shading correction is performed by the correction circuit 504, M
The TF / γ correction circuit 505 performs MTF correction / γ correction processing and the like.

The selector 502 has an MTF / γ correction circuit 5
The image data input from the first print synthesizing unit 506 through the first print synthesizing unit 506 is converted into a scaling circuit 508 through the second print synthesizing unit 507.
Alternatively, the image data is switched and supplied to the memory controller 510, and the image data that has passed through the scaling circuit 508 is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the scaling factor and sent to the writing unit 117.

On the other hand, between the memory controller 510 and the selector 502, image data can be input and output bidirectionally. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 6, the image processing unit (IPU) includes an I / O port 514 and an SC in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 106.
One having a function of selecting input and output of a plurality of data so that image data supplied from outside via the SI driver 515, for example, data input from a data processing device such as a personal computer, can be processed. I do.

The image processing unit includes a CPU 511 for setting various information (commands) to the memory controller 510 and the like and controlling the reading unit 106 and the writing unit 117, and a ROM 512 storing programs and data of the CPU 511. And a RAM 513. Further, the CPU 511 includes a memory controller 510
Through which data can be written or read from the image memory 501.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described in detail.
FIG. 11 is a timing chart of image data for one page. A frame gate signal (hereinafter abbreviated as / FGATE) indicates an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning synchronization signal (hereinafter abbreviated as / LSYNC) is provided for each line, and image data becomes valid at a predetermined clock after / LSYNC rises.

A signal indicating that image data in the main scanning direction is valid is a line gate signal (hereinafter, / LGATE).
Abbreviated). These / FGATE, / LSYNC
And / LGATE are synchronized with a pixel synchronization signal (hereinafter abbreviated as VCLK), and data of one pixel is sent for one cycle of VCLK.

Although the detailed description is omitted, the image processing unit separates / F for each of image input and image output.
It has a GATE, / LSYNC, / LGATE and VCLK generation mechanism. By performing phase adjustment and the like in the case of directly outputting a read original image (image data), various combinations of image input / output can be realized. This is a feasible configuration.

Next, the memory controller 510 and the image memory 501 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the memory controller 510 and the image memory 501. The memory controller 510 controls the input data selector 70
1, an image synthesizing unit 702, a primary compression / expansion unit 703, an output data selector 704, and a secondary compression / expansion unit 705. The setting of the control data in each section is performed by the CPU 51
1 is performed. The address and data shown in FIG. 10 indicate the address and data of the image data.
Data and addresses of control data connected to the CPU 511 are omitted.

The image memory 501 includes a primary storage device 706
And a secondary storage device 707. The primary storage device 706 is, for example, a DRAM or the like so that writing to the image memory 501 or reading from the image memory 501 at the time of image output can be performed at high speed substantially in synchronization with the transfer speed of the input image data. Use one that allows high-speed access. Further, the primary storage device 706 has a configuration capable of simultaneously executing input / output of image data by dividing the image data into a plurality of areas according to the size of image data to be processed (not shown, but an interface unit with the memory controller 510). ).

The interface with the memory controller 510 is connected to the interface with the memory controller 510 by two sets of address / data lines for reading and writing so that input and output of image data can be executed in parallel to each divided area. Thus, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 becomes possible.

The secondary storage device 707 is a large-capacity memory for storing data for synthesizing and sorting input images. If elements that can be accessed at high speed are used for both the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707, data processing can be performed without distinction between the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707, and the memory controller 51
Although the control of 0 is relatively easy, the elements such as the DRAM are expensive, so that the access speed of the primary storage device 706 is set to be high and the input / output data is processed.
It is needless to say that a high-speed device such as a DRAM may be used for the secondary storage device 707 as well as the primary storage device 706.

Since the image memory 501 is composed of the primary storage device 706 and the secondary storage device 707 as described above, an image forming apparatus capable of inputting / outputting, storing, and processing a large amount of image data can be manufactured at a low cost. In addition, it can be realized with a relatively simple configuration. Note that the aggregated image in the aggregated copy function is stored in the primary storage device 706 in a format in which a plurality of original images are written on one transfer sheet.

Next, an outline of the operation of the memory controller 510 will be described. First, image input (storage in the image memory 501) will be described.

The input data selector 701 selects image data to be written into the image memory (primary storage device 706) from a plurality of data. The image data selected by the input data selector 701 is supplied to the image synthesizing unit 702, and is synthesized with the data already stored in the image memory 501 by the image synthesizing unit 702. The image data processed by the image synthesizing unit 702 is subjected to data compression by a primary compression / decompression unit 703, and the compressed data is written to a primary storage device 706. The data written in the primary storage device 706 is further compressed by the secondary compression / decompression unit 705 as necessary, and then stored in the secondary storage device 707.

Next, image output (reading of image data from the image memory 501) will be described. First, at the time of image output, image data stored in the primary storage device 706 is read. Even when the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device 706, the primary compression / decompression unit 703 decompresses the image data in the primary storage device 706 and outputs the decompressed data or the decompressed data. The output data selector 704 selects and outputs the data after the image synthesis of the input data and the input data.

The image synthesizing unit 702 includes a primary storage device 706
With the input data (having the function of adjusting the phase of the image data), selecting the output destination of the synthesized data (image output, write-back to the primary storage device 706, simultaneous output to both output destinations) Output is also possible).

The image to be output is the primary storage device 706
If the image data is not stored in the secondary storage device 707, the output target image data stored in the secondary storage device 707 is
05, and the expanded data is stored in the primary storage device 70.
After writing the data in No. 6, the above-described image output operation is performed.

[Explanation and Definition of Terms] Next, the terms used in this specification will be explained. ｛Image reading device (image reading unit)｝: Digital P
As an “image reading device” used in a PC, a light source is irradiated on a document, and the reflected light is “solid image forming element = CC”.
D), an apparatus having a function of converting the signal into an electric signal and performing “necessary image processing” is used. Here, “necessary image processing” includes quantization (conversion of analog data converted into an electric signal by a CCD into binary or multi-valued data), shading correction (irradiation unevenness of a light source for irradiating a document, , To correct CCD sensitivity variation) ・ MTF
Correction (correction of blur caused by the optical system), magnification change processing (indicating processing of changing the image reading density and performing data interpolation using read image data) and the like.

{Image Forming Apparatus (Image Writing Unit)}: [Image Forming Apparatus] used in the digital PPC converts an image sent by an electric signal into an electrophotographic image, heat-sensitive image, heat transfer image, and so on.
This is an apparatus for forming on plain paper, thermal paper, etc. by means such as ink jet.

{Video signal}, {image data}: electric signal of an image converted by the above-mentioned "image reading device",
The electric signal of the image input to the “image forming unit” and the signal for synchronizing with the electric signal of the image are collectively expressed as “video signal” or “image data”.

{Control signal}, {Command}: In order to exchange a “video signal” between an “image reading device”, an “image forming device”, and an “application”, information must be transmitted between the devices. is there. This means "control signal"
Or, it is expressed as issuing a “command”.

{Extension Function}, {Application (abbreviated as application)}, {Memory Function}, {Memory Unit}:
An important feature of the digital PPC is that an image is converted into an electric signal and read, and the electric signal is restored by the image forming apparatus. By having means for changing and transmitting the electric signal read at this time, it can be applied to fields other than the conventional analog PPC. In addition to realizing functions such as FAX, page printer, scanner, and file system, recently, even when executing the PPC function, the read image data is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a DRAM, and the image data is stored as needed. By reading the data, a function to execute a plurality of prints in one scan at the time of a plurality of copies or to print a plurality of originals on one transfer sheet (=
A memory function) is also realized. Functions that can be realized by these digital PPC systems are referred to as “extended functions” or “apps”. In the present invention, the memory unit is also used as a buffer for transferring image data between machines on a network.

{System Controller}, {System}: In carrying out the copy mode, in order to form an image in the image writing unit, a paper transport process, an electrophotographic process process, an abnormal state and a paper cassette state (paper presence / absence) ), And a controller that controls the scanner operation and the ON / OFF of the light source for reading an image by the image reading unit are collectively expressed as a “system controller”. Furthermore, recent digital PPCs have extended functions
Not only one but also multiple applications are being installed at the same time. As described above, a digital PPC sharing one resource may be referred to as a “system”, and a controller that controls this system may be referred to as a “system controller”.

{Resource}, {Resource}: Functional unit units shared by a plurality of applications are expressed as "resource" and "resource". The aforementioned “system controller”
System control is performed for each resource. The resources managed by the digital PPC of this case are "image reading device", "image forming unit", "operation unit", "memory", "peripheral device (= ADF, sorter, automatic duplex unit, etc.)"
and so on.

{User Restriction}: In particular, PPCs using the electrophotographic process may consume a large amount of data, and may not want to permit unlimited use. At this time, "user"
"Coin rack" to identify, limit, and manage
Use "user restricted device" such as "key counter", "key card", "prepaid card", "password" and the like.

{User Settings}: When the system becomes complicated, it is necessary to individually deal with each user. Since it is impossible to satisfy all of these measures at the time of factory shipment,
Market response is essential. Therefore, normally, a non-volatile RAM is provided to enable system setting according to customer's request, but this function is expressed as "user setting".

{Idle state}: A state in which no operation is performed by the user for a certain period of time is expressed as an "idle state", and other states are expressed as a "busy state".
The time until the transition from the "busy state" to the "idle state" is user-configurable. For example, not only during the copying operation but also after the copying operation is completed, the state does not transition to the “idle state” unless the user does not operate for a certain period of time.

{Weekly Timer}: Power ON / OFF according to ON / OFF time set for each day of the week
Function. For this function, an operation for adjusting the time of the clock module and an operation for setting the ON / OFF time for each day of the week are required.

{Preheating}: Fixing temperature is fixed (for example, 1
0 ° C.) to reduce power consumption by lowering the control and turning off the display on the operation unit. The settings for this mode are
Depending on the key input on the operation unit or the machine setting, it is automatically set after a certain period of time after the operation and operation are lost.
This mode is released when a human body detection sensor detects that a person stands in front of the machine by key input on the operation unit or machine setting.

{Reload}: A state in which the fixing temperature reaches the fixing-possible temperature and copying is possible is called reloading.

{Interrupt mode}: A mode in which a copy operation is temporarily interrupted during execution of a copy operation and during operation to perform copying. By setting this mode, the previous copy mode and, if the copying is in progress, the progress information are stored in the non-volatile RAM, the mode is shifted to the interruption mode, and the mode is initialized. When the interrupt mode is released after execution of the copy operation, the mode and information stored in the nonvolatile RAM are returned to restore the state before the interrupt mode was set, and the mode before the interrupt can be continued by restarting. The setting / cancellation of this mode can be performed by an interrupt key of the operation unit 201.

{Reservation mode}: A plurality of copy applications are activated, and resource management is performed by the system controller. If a certain copy application is in an image forming operation and the operation unit and the image reading device are released, use of another copy application is permitted, and setting operations and reading of a document are performed.

{Sort mode}, {Stack mode}:
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the sort mode.
As shown in FIG. 13, the sort mode is a mode in which copies are arranged page by page. FIG. 3 shows an example in which three copies of a three-page document are sorted. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the stack mode. In the stack mode, as shown in FIG. 14, copies are sorted by the number of copies for each page. FIG. 3 shows an example in which three originals of three pages are stacked.

[Copy Job] FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of a sort copy job (copy job). Hereinafter, the processing of the sort copy job will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The next job (reserved job) without waiting for the end of the previous job being printed
In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention which employs a multi-job system capable of starting a job, the processes of the two jobs operate simultaneously in parallel, and the scan job and the print job operate simultaneously in parallel. A copy job refers to a copy operation performed on a series of original documents.
The job includes a scan job (a job for reading an image of a document and storing the read image in a memory) and a print job (a job for printing and outputting the image stored in the memory).

In FIG. 15, first, in the image forming apparatus, the system controller 401 determines whether or not the scanner (image reading device) is in an unused state (step S10). Then, it is determined whether or not the printer (image writing device) is in an unused state (step S11). If the result of this determination is that the printer is not in use, a scan job and a print job are started (step S12) and the flow ends. That is, the job can be started only when the scanner is not used, and when the printer is not used, the scan job is performed as a normal copy job in order to simultaneously read and print the original. Initiate both print jobs.

On the other hand, if the printer is in use in step S11, the system controller 401
A reservation job flag is set (step S13), and a scan job is started (step S14). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the printer is unused (step S1).
5) If the printer is not used, the reserved job flag is reset (step S16), a print job is started (step S17), and the flow ends. That is, when the printer is in use for another job, only a scan job is started to perform only reading of a document as a reserved job. Then, by starting a print job when the previous job is completed and the printer is in an unused state during execution of the reserved job, the reserved job changes to a normal job, and a new reserved job can be accepted. Become.

[Scan Job] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the process of a scan job. Hereinafter, the processing content of the scan job will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Note that, as described above, the scan job and the print job operate simultaneously in parallel.

In FIG. 16, first, the system controller 401 sets a scanner busy flag at the start of a scanner job, and notifies other jobs that the scanner is busy (step S20). Next, the document is read (step S21), and the read document is stored in the image memory 501 (step S22). Then, it is determined whether or not the capacity of the image memory 501 is full (step S24).

If the result of this determination is that the capacity of the image memory 501 is not full, it is determined whether or not the original has been completed (step S21). If the original is not completed, the process proceeds to step S21, and the same processing is repeated until the original is completed. On the other hand, when the original is completed, the system controller 401 sets the original end flag (step S25), resets the scanner in-use flag (step S26), and sets the other job to a state where the scanner can be used. End the flow.

On the other hand, in step S23, the image memory 50
If 1 is full, the process moves to step S27,
It is determined whether there is a reserved job (step S2)
7). The setting of the reserved job is performed on the reserved job setting screen shown in FIG. If there is a reserved job, for example, a warning screen "Memory is full. Please wait for a while." Is displayed as shown in FIG. 6 (step S28), and the process proceeds to step S23 to move to the image memory 501. The processing is suspended until the full state of is released. The warning screen is deleted when the full state of the image memory 501 is released. Also, in step S27,
If no reserved job has been set, the process directly proceeds to step S23. As described above, since the scan job and the print job operate simultaneously in parallel, if the print job progresses with the passage of time, an empty space is generated in the image memory 501, and the reading of the document is started. Operation becomes possible.

As described above, during execution of a scan job,
When the memory capacity is insufficient, the scan job is interrupted, and when the memory capacity is recovered by the progress of the print job, the scan job is restarted.
The use efficiency of the memory can be improved, and the memory capacity can be reduced.

A series of manuscripts handled here is the ADF 101
And may be read using a pressure plate. In the case of the ADF 101, the end of the original can be detected by the original set detection sensor 108 in FIG. In the case of a pressure plate, a document end key or the like is provided, and it is possible for an operator to make a determination by operating this key.

[Print Job in Sort Mode] FIG.
FIG. 19 to FIG. 19 are flowcharts for explaining processing of a print job in the sort mode. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the entire processing content of the print job in the sort mode. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the details of the process of printing the memory images of the flowchart of FIG. 4 is a flowchart (first example) for explaining the contents. FIG. 19 is a flowchart (second example) for describing the details of the process of printing the memory images of the number of copies (the process of printing the second and subsequent copies) in the flowchart of FIG. 17. Hereinafter, the processing of the print job in the sort mode will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, as described above, the scan job and the print job operate simultaneously in parallel.

In FIG. 17, first, a printer busy flag is set at the start of a job (step S30), and the fact that the printer is busy is reported to another job. Then, a read target image for calling an image to be printed from the image memory 501 is set as the first image in the image memory 501 (step S31). this is,
Immediately after the start of the job, it indicates the image of the first document.

Next, it is determined whether or not the image memory 501 is full (step S32). As a result of this decision,
If the image memory 501 is not full, step S33
Then, it is determined whether there is an image to be read in the image memory 501 or not. If the result of this determination is that there is no image to be read, the process proceeds to step S32, and waits until the image to be read is stored in the image memory 501 by the scan job. If there is, that is, if the completion of the reading is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S34.

In step S34, the image to be read is read from the image memory 501, and the read image is printed (step S35). Next, it is determined whether or not the original has been completed (step S36). If the original has not been completed, the image to be read from the image memory 501 is set to the next image (step S39), and then the process proceeds to step S3.
The same processing is repeated until the processing is shifted to 2 and the original is completed.
On the other hand, when the original is completed, the process proceeds to step S37 to print the memory images of the second copy and thereafter to print the number of copies (step S37). Finally, the system controller 401 sets the printer busy flag Is reset (step S38), and the job is set to a state in which another job can use the printer, and the flow ends.

On the other hand, in step S32, the image memory 50
If 1 is full, the process moves to step S40, for example, displaying a warning screen as shown in FIG.
The fact that the image memory 501 is full and the start of output of the second copy and thereafter of the read original are urged. in this case,
The scan job is also suspended because the image memory 501 is full.

Next, when a restart instruction is given, that is, when the "confirmation" key 205c in FIG. 7 is pressed and the output of the second and subsequent copies of the read original is instructed, the second and subsequent copies are issued. Printing is performed for the number of copies of the image to be printed (step S42), and the process proceeds to step S31. When the printing process proceeds or ends, a space is generated in the image memory 501, and the scan job is restarted.

Next, the specific processing contents of the processing of printing a plurality of memory images (processing of printing the second and subsequent copies) of the memory images in steps S37 and S42 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. I do.

(First Example) First, a first example will be described. In FIG. 18, a read target image for reading an image to be printed from the image memory 501 is set to the first image in the image memory 501 (step S50). Next, the image to be read is stored in the image memory 5.
01 (step S51), and the read image is printed (step S52). Next, it is determined whether or not the image is the final image (step S53). If the image is not the final image, the image to be read is set to the next image (step S56), and the process proceeds to step S51. Repeat the printing process until When printing to the final image is completed, one copy is completed.

In step S53, when the printing of the last image is completed and one copy is completed, the flow shifts to step S54 to determine whether or not the copying for the number of copies is completed. However, the number of copies here is 1
Since the printing of the copy has been completed, the number of copies printed here is
(Set number of copies-1). If the number of copies has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S50 to repeat the same process until the copy of the set number of copies is completed. All the images in the memory 501 are deleted (step S55),
The flow ends. That is, if the scan job has been stopped because the image memory 501 is full, the print job can be resumed upon completion.

(Second Example) Next, a second example will be described. In FIG. 19, first, a read target image for reading an image to be printed from the image memory 501 is set to the first image in the image memory 501 (step S60). Next, the image to be read is stored in the image memory 5.
01 (step S61), and the read image is printed (step S62). Then, it is determined whether or not it is the last copy (step S63). If it is not the last copy, the process proceeds to step S65. If it is the last copy, the target image read out of the image memory 501 is read. Is deleted, and the routine goes to Step S65.

In step S65, it is determined whether or not the image is the final image. If the image is not the final image, the image to be read is set as the next image (step S67), and the flow advances to step S61. The printing process is repeated until the final image. When printing to the final image is completed, one copy is completed.

In step S65, if the printing is completed up to the final image and one copy is completed, the flow shifts to step S66 to determine whether the copying for the number of copies is completed. However, since the printing of the first copy has already been completed first, the number of copies printed here is (set number of copies -1). If the number of copies has been completed, the flow is terminated. On the other hand, if the number of copies has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S60 and the same processing is repeated until the set number of copies has been completed.

As described above, when the sort mode is set, the scan job is interrupted when the remaining amount of the memory is insufficient during the execution of the scan job, and all pages of the image stored in the memory are interrupted. Since the print job is completed and the scan job is restarted after erasing all the images stored in the memory, the sorting process can be prevented from being divided into multiple times, and the time required to complete the reading of the original can be reduced. The document can be easily separated.

In the second example, the image in the memory is erased in image units at the time of printing the image of the last copy. Therefore, when the memory is full, the scan job is interrupted. Thus, the scan job can be restarted when free space occurs without waiting for the completion of the print job.

[Print Job in Stack Mode] Next, the processing of a print job in the stack mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of a print job in the stack mode. Note that, as described above, the scan job and the print job operate simultaneously in parallel.

In FIG. 20, first, the system controller 401 sets a printer busy flag at the start of a job (step S70), and notifies other jobs that the printer is busy. Then, the image memory 501
Is determined (step S71), and when the read image is accumulated in the image memory 501, the oldest image in the image memory 501 is read from the image memory 501 (step S72). The read image is printed (step S73). Subsequently, it is determined whether the printing for the set number has been completed (step S74). If the printing for the set number has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S7.
The process proceeds to 3 and the same process is repeated until printing for the set number of sheets is completed.

Now, when printing for the set number of sheets is completed,
The process proceeds to step S75, and the printed image memory 5
Erase the oldest image in 01. That is, since the image for one page is erased when the printing for the set number of sheets is completed, if the scan job is interrupted due to the memory being full, it is not necessary to wait for the completion of the print job. The scan job can be resumed when the image of one page is erased.

Then, it is determined whether or not the original has been completed (step S76).
The same process is repeated until the document is completed. When the document is completed, the printer in-use flag is reset (step S77), and another job can use the printer, thus ending the flow.

As described above, when the stack mode is set, the scan job is interrupted when the remaining amount of memory is insufficient during the execution of the scan job, and one page of the image stored in the memory is stopped. After the printing of the set number of copies is completed, the image of the one page in the memory is erased and the scan job is restarted, so that the scan job can be restarted without waiting for the print job to end. In addition, it is possible to handle the job in the same manner as a normal copy job, and it is not necessary to perform a special printing operation when the memory is full unlike the sort mode.

As described above, in this embodiment, the scan job is performed first without waiting for the completion of the print job, and even if the memory capacity is insufficient, the interruption and the restart are automatically performed. Therefore, the operator can perform the same operation as in the case where the pre-reading of the document is not performed, without being aware of the memory capacity.

In the above-described embodiment, different warnings are displayed for the scan job and the print job when the memory capacity is insufficient during the execution of the scan job. Even when the same phenomenon that the memory is full with the job occurs, it is possible to prompt the operator to perform an appropriate operation, and the operability is improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be carried out with appropriate modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0109]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading unit for reading an image of a document, a storage unit for storing the read image, and a printing unit for printing the image stored in the storage unit on a sheet. A stack mode for printing the set number of images stored in the storage unit for each page, and in a copy job performed on a series of originals, reading the image of the original and storing the read image in the storage unit When the stack mode is set in an image forming apparatus that can execute a scan job to be executed and a print job to print out an image stored in the storage unit independently and asynchronously, the scan job is being executed. When the remaining amount of the storage means is insufficient, the document reading operation is interrupted, and after the printing of the set number of one page of the image stored in the storage means is completed, Since the one-page image stored is erased and the original reading operation is restarted, the scan job can be restarted without waiting for the end of the print job in the stack mode, and the stack mode can be smoothly executed. And the memory for storing the image can be effectively used.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a reading unit for reading an image of a document, a storage unit for storing the read image, a printing unit for printing the image stored in the storage unit on a sheet, A sort mode in which images stored in the storage means are sequentially printed for each page and this printing operation is repeated for a set number of copies, and a stack mode in which the images stored in the storage means are printed for the set number of copies for each page. In a copy job performed for a series of document groups, a scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in a storage unit, and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit, respectively. When the sort mode is set in the image forming apparatus that can be executed asynchronously and independently, when the remaining capacity of the storage unit is insufficient during the execution of the scan job, When the reading operation of the original is interrupted and the printing of all the pages of the image stored in the storage unit is completed, all the images stored in the storage unit are erased and the reading operation of the original is restarted, while the stack mode is set. If there is a shortage of storage in the storage unit during the execution of the scan job, the document reading operation is interrupted, and after the printing of the set number of one page of the image stored in the storage unit is completed,
Since the one-page image stored in the storage means is erased and the reading operation of the original is restarted, the sort mode and the stack mode can be smoothly executed, and the memory for storing the image is also provided. Can be used effectively.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading device for reading an image of a document, a storage device for storing the read image, and a printing device for printing the image stored in the storage device on a sheet. In a copy job performed on a series of document groups, a scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in a storage unit and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit are asynchronous with each other. In the image forming apparatus which can be executed independently of the first copy job and can execute the second copy job at the time when the reading of the original of the first copy job is completed, the storage means during the reading of the original in the second copy job If the storage capacity of the second copy job is insufficient, the original reading operation of the second copy job is suspended, and the second copy job is terminated when the first copy job ends. Since it was decided to resume the job,
A plurality of copy jobs can be smoothly performed, and a memory for storing images can be effectively used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: reading means for reading an image of a document; storage means for storing the read image; printing means for printing the image stored in the storage means on a sheet; In a copy job for performing a copy operation on a series of originals, a scan job for reading an image of the original and storing the read image in a storage unit, and a print job for printing and outputting the image stored in the storage unit Are independently executable asynchronously and the second copy job can be executed at the time when the reading of the first copy job is completed. If the storage capacity of the storage unit is insufficient during the operation, the original reading operation of the second copy job is interrupted, and the first copy job stored in the storage unit is stopped. Since the image reading operation of the second copy job is restarted when the state of the storage capacity shortage is released by erasing the image according to the above, the timing of the document reading operation of the second copy job is advanced. This makes it possible to perform a plurality of copy jobs smoothly, and it is possible to effectively utilize a memory for storing images.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: reading means for reading an image of a document; storage means for storing the read image; printing means for printing the image stored in the storage means on a sheet; In a copy job for performing a copy operation on a series of originals, a scan job for reading an image of the original and storing the read image in a storage unit, and a print job for printing and outputting the image stored in the storage unit Can be independently executed asynchronously and independently, and the second copy job can be executed when the reading of the original of the first copy job is completed. inside,
When the storage capacity of the storage unit is insufficient, different warnings are displayed on the display unit for the first copy job and the second copy job, so that the first copy job and the second copy job are respectively displayed. An appropriate operation can be prompted to the operator, and the operability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of a liquid crystal touch panel of an operation unit.

8 is a diagram illustrating a control system (configuration example 1) of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

9 is a diagram illustrating a control system (configuration example 2) of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram illustrating an image processing unit of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a timing chart of an image signal for one page.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a memory controller and an image memory illustrated in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a sort mode.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a stack mode.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a sort copy job.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a scan job process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the entire processing content of a print job in a sort mode.

18 is a flowchart (first example) for describing the details of the process of printing the number of copies of the memory image in the flowchart of FIG. 17 (the process of printing the second and subsequent copies).
It is.

19 is a flowchart for explaining the detailed contents of the process of printing the number of memory images of the flowchart of FIG. 17 (the process of printing the image of the second copy and thereafter).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a print job process in a stack mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) 102 Document Plate 103 Feed Roller 104 Feed Belt 105 Contact Glass 106 Reading Unit 107 Discharge Roller 108 Document Set Detection Sensor 109 First Tray 110 Second Tray 111 Third Tray 112 First Feed Paper unit 113 Second paper feed unit 114 Third paper feed unit 115 Vertical transport unit 117 Writing unit 118 Developing unit 122 Finisher 134 Double-sided paper feed unit 201 Operation unit 202 Print key 203 Clear / stop key 204 Numeric keypad 205 Liquid crystal touch panel 207 Initial setting Key 208 mode clear key 401 system controller 402 image reading unit 403 image writing unit 404 memory unit 405 user limiter 406 human body detection C 407 CSS 408 Clock 501 Image memory 502 Selector 506 First print synthesizing unit 507 Second print synthesizing unit 510 Memory controller 511 CPU 512 ROM 513 RAM 514 I / O port 515 SCSI driver 701 Input data selector 702 Image synthesizing unit 703 Primary Compression / expansion unit 704 Output data selector 705 Secondary compression / expansion unit 706 Primary storage device 707 Secondary storage device

Claims (5)

[Claims] A reading unit that reads an image of a document; a storage unit that stores the read image; and a printing unit that prints the image stored in the storage unit on paper.
A stack mode for printing a set number of images stored in the storage unit for each page, and in a copy job performed on a series of document groups, read a document image and store the read image in the storage unit. In an image forming apparatus capable of independently and independently executing a scan job to store and a print job to print out an image stored in the storage unit, the scan mode is set when the stack mode is set. When the remaining capacity of the storage unit is insufficient during execution of a job, the document reading operation is interrupted, and after the printing of the set number of one page of the image stored in the storage unit is completed, An image forming apparatus, wherein the stored one-page image is erased and the original reading operation is restarted. 2. A reading device for reading an image of a document, a storage device for storing the read image, and a printing device for printing the image stored in the storage device on a sheet of paper.
There are a sort mode for sequentially printing the images stored in the storage means for each page and repeating this printing operation for a set number of copies, and a stack mode for printing the set number of images stored in the storage means for each page. In a copy job performed on a series of document groups, a scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in the storage unit, and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit. In the image forming apparatus that can be executed independently and asynchronously, when the sort mode is set, the document reading operation is interrupted when the remaining amount of the storage unit is insufficient during the execution of the scan job. After printing of all pages of the image stored in the storage unit is completed, all the images stored in the storage unit are deleted and the original reading operation is restarted. On the other hand, when the stack mode is set, the original reading operation is interrupted when the remaining amount of the storage unit is insufficient during the execution of the scan job, and the image stored in the storage unit is deleted. An image forming apparatus, wherein after the printing of a set number of one page is completed, the image of the one page stored in the storage means is erased and the reading operation of the document is restarted. 3. A reading device for reading an image of a document, a storage device for storing the read image, and a printing device for printing the image stored in the storage device on paper.
In a copy job performed on a series of originals,
A scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in the storage unit and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit can be independently and asynchronously executed, and In the image forming apparatus capable of executing the second copy job at the time when the reading of the original of the copy job is completed, when the storage capacity of the storage unit is insufficient during reading of the original in the second copy job, An image forming apparatus, comprising: interrupting a document reading operation of a second copy job, and resuming the second copy job when the first copy job is completed. 4. A reading device for reading an image of a document, a storage device for storing the read image, and a printing device for printing the image stored in the storage device on paper,
In a copy job for performing a copy operation on a series of document groups, a scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in the storage unit, and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit. Can be independently executed asynchronously and independently, and the second copy job can be executed when the reading of the first copy job is completed. If the storage capacity of the storage unit is insufficient during this time, the original reading operation of the second copy job is interrupted, and the image related to the first copy job stored in the storage unit is erased and stored. An image forming apparatus wherein the operation of reading a document of the second copy job is resumed when the shortage of capacity is released. 5. A reading device for reading an image of a document, a storage device for storing the read image, and a printing device for printing the image stored in the storage device on a sheet.
In a copy job for performing a copy operation on a series of document groups, a scan job that reads an image of a document and stores the read image in the storage unit, and a print job that prints out the image stored in the storage unit. Can be executed independently and asynchronously, and the second copy job can be executed when the reading of the original of the first copy job is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the storage capacity of the storage unit is insufficient, a different warning is displayed on a display unit between the first copy job and the second copy job.