JP2007030352A - Multi-color image printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-color image printer capable of making a cassette means correspond to the number of printing colors for displaying, so that a user can select a cassette means in accordance with the display. <P>SOLUTION: The multi-color image printer capable of printing a plurality of patterns in a plurality of colors comprises a cassette means for feeding papers, a setting means for setting correspondence between the cassette means and the pattern, a storing means for storing correspondence between the cassette means and the pattern, and a displaying means for displaying the setting stored in the storage means, wherein printing is executed in the printing color of the pattern in accordance with the setting of the storage means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to multicolor printing, and relates to a multicolor image printing apparatus capable of switching, for example, 4-color printing / 6-color printing.

In recent years, on-demand printers and inkjet printers can provide printed materials with a wider color reproduction range by using additional colors such as Light Cyan and Light Magenta in addition to the four colors CMYK. For example, in parallel with or prior to the reception of image data, constituent color plate number information indicating the color plate number of image data is received, and paper feed preparation processing and exposure preparation processing are performed based on the constituent color plate number information. A technique for performing the above control has been proposed (see Patent Document 1 below).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-1224

  Conventionally, in a copying machine or a multi-function machine, there has been an idea that the number of print colors is switched depending on a document type (character mode, photo mode, etc.).

  However, when there is a difference in performance and billing between 4-color printing and 6-color printing, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to understand.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described problems, and associates the number of print colors with a cassette stage, displays it, and allows the user to select a cassette stage according to the display. An object is to provide a color image printing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

In a multi-color image printing device that can print multiple colors, multiple patterns,
Cassette means for feeding paper,
Setting means for setting the correspondence between the cassette and the pattern;
Storage means for storing correspondence between the cassette and the pattern;
Having display means for displaying the settings stored in the storage means;
A multi-color image printing apparatus for printing in the print color of the pattern according to the setting of the storage means.

  According to the present invention, the number of colors of the printing color is associated with the cassette stage and displayed so that the user can easily see which cassette stage is used for printing with the desired number of colors and is easy to use for the user. Can provide.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a scanner unit 2070 as an image input device, a printer unit 2095 as an image output device, a Controller Unit 2000, and an operation unit 2012 as a user interface. The scanner unit 2070, the printer unit 2095, and the operation unit 2012 are respectively connected to the Controller Unit 2000, and the Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a network transmission means such as a LAN 2011 and a public line. Transmission by G3 and G4 fax including color image transmission is possible from the public line. In addition, other image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 having the same device configuration as the image forming apparatus 200 are connected to the LAN 2011. Further, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 240 is connected, and can send and receive files and e-mails using FTP and SMB protocols. The image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 have scanner units 2270 and 2370, printer units 2295 and 2395, and operation units 2212 and 2312, which are connected to the controller unit 2200 and 2300, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus. The Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a color scanner 2015 as an image input device and a color printer 2017 as an image output device. On the other hand, the controller unit 2000 is connected to a LAN 2008 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input / output image information and device information. Controller.

  A CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 2005 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 2006 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2006 to the operation unit 2006. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 2006 to the CPU 2001.

  A network 2007 is connected to the LAN 2008 and inputs / outputs information. A Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs image information. Binary image rotation 2052 and binary image compression / decompression 2053 are for converting the direction of an image before transmitting a binary image by Modem 2050, or converting it to a predetermined resolution or a resolution adapted to the partner's ability. It is. Compression and decompression support JBIG, MMR, MR, and MH. A DMAC 2009 is a DMA controller that reads an image stored in the RAM 2002 without using the CPU 2001, transfers an image to the ImageBus I / F 2111, or writes an image from the image bus to the RAM 2002 without using the CPU 2001. The above devices are connected to the system bus 2008. An ImageBus 2111 is an interface for controlling high-speed image input / output via the image bus 2010. The compressor 2112 is a compressor for JPEG compression in units of 32 pixels × 32 pixels before sending an image to the image bus 2010. A decompressor 2013 is a decompressor for decompressing an image sent via the image bus 2010.

  The raster image processor (RIP) 2018 receives the PDL code from the host computer via the network 2007, and the CPU 2001 stores it in the RAM 2002 through the system bus 2008. The CPU 2001 converts the PDL into an intermediate code, inputs it again to the RIP 2018 via the system bus 2008, and develops it into a bitmap image (multi-value).

  The scanner image processing 2014 performs various appropriate image processing (for example, correction, processing, editing) on the color image and the black and white image from the scanner 2015 and outputs (multi-value).

  Similarly, the printer image processing 2016 performs various appropriate image processing (for example, correction, processing, editing) on the printer 2017. When printing, binary multi-value conversion is performed by decompression 2013, so binary and multi-value output is possible. The image conversion unit 2030 has various image conversion functions used when an image on the RAM is converted and returned to the RAM 2002 again. A rotator 2019 can rotate an image of 32 pixels × 32 pixels unit at a specified angle, and supports binary and multi-value input / output. The magnification changer 2020 has a function (for example, from 25% to 400%) for converting the resolution of the image (for example, from 600 dpi to 200 dpi) and for changing the magnification. Before scaling, the image of 32 × 32 pixels is rearranged into an image in units of 32 lines. The color space conversion 2021 converts, for example, a YUV image on the memory into a Lab image by matrix calculation and LUT, and stores the image on the multi-valued input on the memory. Further, this color space conversion has a 3 × 8 matrix operation and a one-dimensional LUT, and can perform well-known background removal and show-through prevention. The converted image is output in multiple values. A binary multi-value conversion 2022 converts a 1-bit binary image into a multi-value 8-bit, 256 gradation. On the other hand, the multi-value / binary conversion 2026 converts an 8-bit, 256-gradation image on the memory into 1-bit, 2-gradation by a technique such as error diffusion processing, and stores it on the memory. The composition 2023 has a function of synthesizing two multi-valued image images on the memory into one multi-valued image. For example, a company logo can be easily attached to a document image by combining the image of the company logo in the memory with the document image. The thinning 2024 is a unit that performs resolution conversion by thinning out pixels of a multivalued image, and can output 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 multivalued images. By using it together with the variable magnification 2020, a wider range of enlargement / reduction can be performed. The movement 2025 can be output by adding a margin portion to the input binary image or multi-valued image or deleting the margin portion. The rotation 2019, scaling 2020, color space conversion 2021, binary multi-value 2022, composition 2023, thinning 2024, movement 2025, and multi-value binary 2026 can be connected to each other. In the case of image rotation and resolution conversion of a value image, both processes can be performed by connecting them without using a memory.

  FIG. 3 shows the format of the image. The image format used in the present invention uses the image packet structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-103473. In compression 2112, raster format images are rearranged as packets of 32 × 32 pixel units as shown in FIG. 3, and JPEG compression is performed in packet units. At the same time, information such as an ID indicating the position of the packet, a color space, a Q table ID, and a data length is added to the packet to form a header. Binary data (image area flag) indicating characters and photographs is similarly compressed and attached after JPEG.

  FIG. 4 shows packet data. In decompression 2013, JPEG is developed based on this header information and rearranged into a raster image. By making such a packet image, only the image inside the packet is rotated at the time of image rotation, and by changing the position of the packet ID, it can be partially rotated by decompression and compression, so it is very efficient. . All images flowing through ImageBus 2010 are packet images.

  When a raster image is necessary for FAX transmission, binary image rotation 2052, binary image compression, expansion 2053, or the like, conversion from a packet image to a raster image is performed by software.

  FIG. 5 shows a detailed description of the scanner image processing 2014. The RGB area 8-bit luminance signal input from the scanner is set by an image area enable generation unit 2510 so that a necessary portion of the original image area is sent to subsequent image processing based on an instruction from the user. Here, it is set to read an extra image so that the input image is 32 × 32 pixels. After that, masking 2501 converts the signal into a standard RGB color signal independent of the CCD filter color. In the filter 2502, for example, a 9 × 9 matrix is used, and an image is blurred or sharpened. A histogram 2503 is a processing unit that samples image signal data in an input image, and is used to determine the background level of the input image. In this module, RGB data in a rectangular area surrounded by the specified start and end points in the main and sub-scan directions is sampled at a constant pitch in the main and sub-scan directions, and a histogram is created. . This histogram is read when background skipping or prevention of show-through is specified, and the background of the original is estimated from the histogram, and is stored and managed in the memory or HDD along with the image as the background skipping level. Used for image processing. In gamma 2504, processing is performed so that the density of the entire image is increased or decreased. For example, it is a part that converts the color space of the input image into an arbitrary color space or performs correction processing relating to the color of the input system. In the image shift of 2511, both the main scan and the sub scan have a shift function within 32 × 32 pixels. Since the input image is shifted in which direction and the padding position is changed by the shift, The color can be specified.

  In order to determine whether the document is color or black and white, the image signal before scaling is converted into a known Lab by color space conversion 2505. Of these, “a” and “b” represent color signal components. If the level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level in the comparator 2506, a 1-bit determination signal is output from the comparator 2506 as a chromatic color, and otherwise as an achromatic color. To do. The counter 2507 measures the output from the comparator 2506. A character / photo determination 2508 is a function for extracting a character edge from an image and separating the image into a character and a photo. As an output, a character photograph determination signal is obtained. This signal (image area signal) is also stored in the memory or HD together with the image and used during printing. Reference numeral 2509 denotes a binarization processor, which generates a signal called ND signal from RGB 8-bit signals (ND = (R + 2G + B) / 4), and binarizes it with a fixed or variable slice level threshold. Reference numeral 2510 denotes a counter that counts pixels of the binarized signal. By comparing the count value with a predetermined value set in advance by the comparator 2512, the blank page determination result can be held.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed description of the printer image processing 2016.

  The background removal 2601 skips the background color of the image data, and removes unnecessary background fogging. For example, background removal is performed by a 3 × 8 matrix operation or a one-dimensional LUT. Reference numeral 2602 denotes a monochrome generation unit that converts color image data, for example, RGB data, to Gray single color when the color image data is converted to monochrome data and printed as a single color. For example, it is composed of a 1 × 3 matrix operation that multiplies RGB by an arbitrary constant to obtain a Gray signal. An output color correction unit 2603 performs color correction in accordance with the characteristics of the printer unit that outputs image data. For example, it is composed of processing by 4 × 8 matrix calculation or direct mapping. Reference numeral 2604 denotes a filter processing unit that arbitrarily corrects the spatial frequency of image data, and includes, for example, processing for performing a 9 × 9 matrix operation. Reference numeral 2605 denotes a color number conversion unit. C (cyan) and LC (light cyan) are generated from a C signal and a CMYK four-color input mode as it is, and M (magenta) and LM (light magenta) are generated from the M signal. Y and K are output as they are. Reference numeral 2606 denotes a process for performing gamma correction in accordance with the characteristics of the printer unit to be output, and is usually composed of a one-dimensional LUT. A halftone correction 2607 is a processing unit that performs arbitrary halftone processing in accordance with the number of gradations of the printer unit to be output, and is a halftone that performs arbitrary screen processing such as binarization and binarization and error diffusion processing. It is a processing unit. Each process can be switched by a character / photo determination signal (not shown). The inter-drum delay memory 2608 is a memory for superimposing CMYK images by shifting the print timing of CMYK / LC / LM by the distance between the drums in a color printer having CMYK / LC / LM drums. In a color printer having four drums for each color of CMYK, it can be delayed to align the position of the image.

  An image input / output device is shown in FIG. The scanner unit 2015, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown), thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray 2702 of the original feeder 2701, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2006, the controller CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2015, and the original paper is fed one by one from the tray 2702 of the feeder 2071. Feeds and reads the original image.

  The printer unit 2017, which is an image output device, is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet method for printing an image directly on paper, but any method may be used. Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2017 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are corresponding paper cassettes 2703, 2704, and 2705. A paper discharge tray 2706 is a paper discharge tray for receiving the printed paper.

  The configuration of the operation unit 2006 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 2801 has a touch panel sheet 2802 pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen and soft keys, and transmits the position information to the controller CPU 2001 when the displayed keys are pressed. A start key 2803 is used when starting a document image reading operation. There is a green and red two-color LED 2804 in the center of the start key 2803, and indicates whether or not the start key 2803 can be used depending on the color. A stop key 2805 functions to stop an operation in operation. An ID key 2806 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2807 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  FIG. 9 is an initial screen in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and is also a standard screen that returns after setting each image forming function. 3101 performs screen switching for performing copy settings. 3102 performs screen switching for setting to send the scanned image by fax or electronic mail. A screen 3103 stores a scan image and a PDL image in the built-in HDD, or performs screen switching for setting the print, transmission, or editing of the stored scan image and PDL image. Reference numeral 3104 denotes a window for displaying settings at the time of image reading set in 3105. In 3105, resolution, density, and the like at the time of image reading are set. Reference numeral 3106 denotes a timer setting at the time of timer transmission and a setting for printing on the HDD or printer. 3107 displays the transmission destination designated by the destination table 3108. 3109 displays the detailed information of one destination displayed in 3107. 3110 deletes one destination displayed in 3107.

  FIG. 10 is a pop-up window that is displayed when the read setting 3105 is pressed. In 3201, the read original size is selected and input from the pop-up, and the set read size is displayed in 3202. Reference numeral 3203 denotes a selection of a document reading mode. When pressed, three types of color / black / automatic (ACS) can be selected. The color mode can be selected in the same way for copy and box. If the measurement result of the counter 2507 is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined as a black and white document, and if it is larger, it is determined as a color document. If it is color, a color image is displayed, if it is black, a monochrome image is displayed. Accumulate the result of determining whether it is color or black and white. 3204 is a selection input from a pop-up for designating the resolution of reading. Reference numeral 3205 denotes a slider for adjusting the reading density of the original, and can be adjusted in nine steps. 3206 is for automatically determining the density when reading an image with a background such as a newspaper. For 3206, the same setting can be made by copying.

  FIG. 11 shows a screen when the copy tab 3101 is pressed. Reference numeral 3301 denotes whether or not copying is possible. At the same time, the set number of copies and the selected paper (paper cassette) are also displayed. A sheet selection button 3302 selects a sheet to be used for copying by selecting a sheet cassette. Reference numeral 3308 denotes a function equivalent to 3206 in FIG. 10, and is a button for selecting whether to automatically remove the background. Reference numeral 3303 denotes a slider having a function equivalent to 3205 in FIG. 10 and capable of nine-level density adjustment. In 3304, the type of the original is selected, and a character / photo / map, text, a photographic paper photo, and a printed photo can be selected. Reference numeral 3305 denotes an application mode button which can set a reduced layout (a function for reducing and printing a plurality of originals on one sheet), a color balance (CMYK color fine adjustment), and the like. Reference numeral 3306 denotes a button for performing settings relating to various finishings, and shift sort, staple sort, and group sort can be set. Reference numeral 3307 denotes a button for performing settings relating to duplex reading and duplex printing.

  FIG. 12 shows a screen when the box tab 3103 is pressed. Reference numeral 3401 denotes each folder logically divided into HDDs. Folder numbers are assigned to the folders in advance, and 3401 becomes the 0th folder. Next to the folder number, the percentage of disk space used by the folder is displayed. Folders can be given any name, and the name is displayed here. 3402 displays the usage amount of the entire HDD.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen when the folder 3401 is pressed. Reference numerals 3501 and 3502 denote documents stored in folders. A document is composed of a plurality of pages. Reference numeral 3501 denotes a scanned document, which displays an icon display indicating a scanned document, an HDD usage amount, and a document name display that can be arbitrarily set by the user. An icon 3502 is a PDL document stored from the PDL. By depressing the icon, it is shown in reverse video that the document has been selected. Reference numeral 3503 denotes a button for transmitting the selected document. Reference numeral 3504 denotes a button for reading a document from the scanner and generating a document. Reference numeral 3505 denotes a button for selecting all the documents in the folder. Reference numeral 3506 denotes a button for deleting the selected document. Reference numeral 3507 denotes a button for printing the selected document. Reference numeral 3508 denotes a button for editing the selected document. For example, it has a function of selecting and combining two documents, saving them as one document, and deleting a specific page. Reference numeral 3509 denotes a button for displaying detailed information of the last selected document. In addition to the document name, information such as resolution, document size, and color can be viewed.

  FIG. 14 shows a software configuration diagram. Reference numeral 4010 denotes a UI control unit that controls the display operation unit, a copy application unit 4020 that receives an instruction from the UI control unit 4010, performs a copy operation, a transmission operation, scans from the box screen, and prints, a transmission application unit 4021, and a box application. Part 4022. There is also a PDL application unit 4023 that receives PDL print data from the network application 4120 and inputs a PDL print job. Reference numeral 4030 denotes a common interface for absorbing a device-dependent portion of the device control portion, and 4040 denotes a job manager that organizes job information received from the common interface 4030 and transmits the job information to a lower-level document processing unit. If the document processing unit is a local copy, the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090, a remote copy transmission job or a transmission job, the scan manager 4050 and the file store manager 4100, and a remote copy reception job, the file read manager 4060. And a print manager 4090, and PDL manager 4070 and print manager 4090 for PDL printing such as LIPS and PostScript. An image processing request to the image manager 4110 that performs synchronization between the document managers and performs various image processing is performed via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 performs image processing and image file storage during scanning and printing.

  First, local copy software processing will be described. A copy setting is transmitted from the UI control unit 4010 to the copy application unit 4020 together with a copy instruction in accordance with a user instruction. The copy application unit 4020 transmits information from the UI control unit 4010 to the job manager 4040 that performs device control via the common interface 4030.

  The job manager 4040 transmits job information to the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090. The scan manager 4050 issues a scan request to the scanner 2070 via a device I / F (not shown) (the device I / F is a serial I / F connecting the controller 2000 and the scanner 2015 and the controller 2000 and the printer 2017). At the same time, an image processing request for scanning is sent to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080.

  The image manager 4110 sets the scanner image processing unit 2014 in accordance with an instruction from the scan manager 4050. When the setting is completed, a scan preparation completion is notified via the sync manager 4080.

  Thereafter, the scan manager 4050 instructs the scanner 2070 to scan. The completion of scan image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  Upon receiving the scan completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090 of the scan completion. At the same time, the sync manager 4080 instructs the image manager 4110 to file the compressed image stored in the RAM 2002 into the HDD 2004.

  The image manager 4110 stores the image (including the character / photo determination signal) on the memory in the HDD 2004 according to the instruction. A color determination / monochrome determination result, a background skip level for performing background skip, a scanned image, and a color space RGB as an image input source are also stored in an SRAM (not shown) as accompanying information of the image.

  When the storage in the HDD 2004 is completed and the scan completion from the scanner 2070 is received, the scan manager 4050 is notified of the completion of file formation via the sync manager 4080.

  The scan manager 4050 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The print manager 4090 issues a print request to the printer 2095 via the device I / F when an image is stored in the memory. At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 4080.

  Upon receiving a request from the print manager 4090, the sync manager 4080 requests the image manager 4110 for image processing settings.

  The image manager 4110 sets the printer image processing unit 2015 according to the accompanying information of the image, and notifies the print manager 4090 that the print preparation is complete via the sync manager 4080.

  The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  In response to the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the print manager 4090 of the print completion. The print manager 4090 receives the completion of paper discharge from the printer unit, returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit 4010 of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

  In the case of a remote copy scan job or transmission job, the file store manager 4100 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the print manager 4090. When the scan image has been stored in the HDD, a storage completion notification is received from the sync manager 4080, and this is notified via the common interface 4030 to the copy application unit 4020 for remote copying and to the transmission application unit 4021 for transmission jobs.

  After this notification, the copy application unit 4020 and the transmission application unit 4021 request the network application 4120 to transmit the file stored in the HDD.

  The network application 4120 that has received the request transmits the file. The network application 4120 receives setting information regarding copying from the copy application unit 4020 at the start of the job, and also notifies the remote device of the setting information. In the case of remote copy, the network application 4120 performs transmission using a device-specific communication protocol. In the case of a transmission job, a standard file transfer protocol such as FTP or SMB is used.

  In the case of fax transmission, after the file is stored, the transmission application 4021 instructs the FAX manager 4041 to transmit via the common interface 4030 and the job manager 4040. The FAX manager 4041 negotiates with the other device via the Modem 2050, requests the image manager 4110 to perform necessary image processing (color-> black and white conversion, multi-value binary conversion, rotation, scaling), and converts the converted image. Send using Modem.

  When there is a printer at the transmission destination, the transmission application issues a print instruction as a print job via the common interface 4030. The operation at that time is the same as that of the remote copy print job described below. When the transmission destination is a box destination in the device, the file store manager 4100 stores it in the file system in the device.

  At the time of FAX reception, the FAX manager 4041 receives an image using Modem and stores it in the HDD 2004 as an image file. When the box application 4022 is notified after the HDD 2004 is stored, a reception print instruction is issued from the box application 4022 to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Thereafter, the operation is the same as that of a normal box print job, and the description is omitted.

  In the case of a remote copy print job, the network application 4120 stores an image from the transmission side in the HDD and issues a job to the copy application unit 4020. The copy application unit 4020 submits a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, the file read manager 4060 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the scan manager 4050.

  A request for expanding the received image from the HDD to the memory is sent to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 expands the image in the memory. When the development is completed, the image manager 4110 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the completion of the development via the sync manager 4080.

  When an image is stored in the memory, the print manager 4090 selects a paper feed stage instructed by the job manager 4040 or a stage having the paper size via the device I / F, and issues a print request. In the case of automatic paper, the paper feed stage is determined from the image size and a print request is issued. At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 4080. When the sync manager 4080 receives a request from the print manager 4090, it requests the image manager 4110 to set print image processing (at this time, for example, if there is no optimum size paper and rotation is required, a separate rotation instruction is also requested. If this happens, the image manager uses the image rotation 2019 to rotate the image.)

  The image manager 4110 sets the printer image processing unit 2016 and notifies the print manager 4090 of completion of print preparation via the sync manager 4080.

  The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown).

  Upon receiving the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the print completion.

  The file read manager 4060 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. In response to the completion of paper discharge from the printer unit, the print manager 4090 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. The job manager 4040 returns an end notification to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030.

  The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit 4010 of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

  In the case of a PDL data development storage job, a request from the host PC that has input the PDL print is transmitted to the PDL application 4023 via the network application 4120. The PDL application 4023 instructs the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030 for a PDL data development storage job. At this time, the PDL manager 4070 and the store manager 4100 receive a request from the job manager 4040. An image input portion after completion of RIP of the image is the same as that of the above-described scan job. The image on the memory (including the character / photo determination signal) is stored in the HDD 2004. Color / monochrome information is stored in an SRAM (not shown) as accompanying information of an image, and a PDL image, a color space CMYK or RGB is also stored as an image input source. When the storage of the PDL image in the HDD 2004 is completed, a storage completion notification is received from the sync manager 4080 and is notified to the PDL application 4023 via the common interface 4030. After this notification, the PDL application 4023 notifies the network application 4120 of the storage completion to the HDD, and this information is transmitted to the host PC that has entered the PDL print. In the case of a PDL print job, an image developed on the memory is printed by the PDL manager 4070 and the print manager.

  To print an image stored in the PDL format, a stored document instructed to be printed by the UI is issued as a print job to the BOX application. The box application unit 4022 submits a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, the file read manager 4060 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the scan manager 4050. A request for expanding an image instructed to be printed from the HDD to the memory is made to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The subsequent operation is the same as that described in the remote copy print job, and is therefore omitted.

  Next, the control when the number of print colors is made to correspond to the paper cassette, which is the central part of the present embodiment, will be described.

  FIG. 15 shows the operation of the color number conversion 2605 in FIG. The color number conversion 2605 can output CMYK in four colors of CMYK, or output in six colors of CMYK / LC / LM, depending on the setting. In the case of 4-color output, the input value is output as it is. In the case of 6-color output, as shown in the figure, C / LC and M / LM are output (vertical axis) with respect to C and M inputs (horizontal axis).

  A screen 4101 in FIG. 16 is displayed when the paper selection button is pressed.

  In 4102, A3, plain paper, and six colors are set in the first cassette. Reference numeral 4102 denotes a dark frame to indicate the selected stage. As the size, the size detected by the cassette size detection mechanism is displayed. Similarly, A3, plain paper, 4 colors, and A3, 6 colors, and thick paper are set for the second row.

  FIG. 17 shows a screen for setting the paper type (plain paper, thick paper, etc.) and the number of colors (4 colors, 6 colors) for each cassette stage. First, the level to be set is selected (for example, the first level 4201), and the button 4202 is pressed.

  After that, FIG. 18 is displayed, and it becomes possible to set the paper type and the number of output colors (at full color). 4301 thick paper, 4302 thick paper, 4303 thick paper 2, 4304 OHT, and 4305 second original drawing. In addition, the number of colors in full color is selected from 4 colors of 4306 (CMYK) and 6307 colors (CMYK / LC / LM). To cancel, press 4308.

  FIG. 19 shows a flowchart for full color copying. However, the settings in FIG. 18 are made before this flow.

  First, in 4401, a paper cassette is selected by a paper selection screen button. After that, the scan is performed with the start key. If the selected paper cassette has 6 colors in 4402, color number conversion is set to 4 colors input and 6 colors output in 4403. Next, in 4404, six-color printing is performed. If the paper cassette selected at 4402 is not six colors, color number conversion is set to through at 4405. In 4406, four-color printing is performed.

  FIG. 20 shows a default color setting when automatic paper selection is set. In the cassette setting as shown in FIG. 16, when automatic paper selection is A3, it is not possible to determine which paper cassette of four colors or six colors should be selected, so the setting is performed on the screen of FIG. 4501 is a setting button for four colors, and 4502 is a setting button for six colors. Setting is completed by pressing the completion button 4503. With this setting, in the above example, the second stage is selected if there are four colors, and the first stage is selected if there are six colors.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus Diagram showing image format Figure showing packet data Detailed explanation of scanner image processing Detailed explanation of printer image processing Diagram showing image input / output device Diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit The figure which shows the initial screen in the image forming apparatus of a present Example The figure which shows the pop-up window displayed when the reading setting of FIG. 9 is pressed The figure which shows a screen when the copy tab of FIG. 9 is pressed The figure which shows a screen when the box tab of FIG. 9 is pushed The figure which shows a screen when the folder 3401 of FIG. 12 is pressed The figure which shows the software block diagram in the Example of this invention. The figure which shows the operation | movement of the color number conversion of FIG. Figure showing the screen displayed when the paper selection button is pressed Diagram showing the screen when setting the paper type and number of colors for each cassette stage Figure showing a screen where the paper type and number of output colors can be set Flow chart at the time of full color copying in the embodiment Figure showing the default color setting screen when automatic paper selection is set

Explanation of symbols

200 Image forming apparatus 2000 Controller unit 2012 Operation unit 2070 Scanner unit 2095 Printer unit 2011 LAN

Claims (1)

In a multi-color image printing device that can print multiple colors, multiple patterns,
Cassette means for feeding paper,
Setting means for setting correspondence between the cassette means and the pattern;
Storage means for storing correspondence between the cassette means and the pattern;
Having display means for displaying the settings stored in the storage means;
A multi-color image printing apparatus for printing in the print color of the pattern according to the setting of the storage means.

Images