JP2005234253A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of selecting a toner saving mode nearer to a toner saving effect desired by a user. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a control panel part (mode selection means) 47 by which a user selects one toner saving mode from a plurality of toner saving modes, a toner saving processing part (toner saving processing means) 106 performing toner saving processing in accordance with the selected toner saving mode, and a recording part 40 (printing means) printing image data after the toner saving processing part 106 is actuated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a toner save mode for printing image data while suppressing toner consumption.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine having a toner save mode, it is only possible to select switching between a normal print mode (a mode other than the toner save mode) and a toner save mode.

Patent Document 1 listed below includes a first function such as a copy function that often outputs photographs and printed materials, and a second function such as a printer function that often outputs characters and line drawings. On the other hand, an object is to automatically set an appropriate toner save process according to function, and in the toner save mode in the multi-function electrophotographic apparatus having at least a copy function and a printer function, the first function is used when the copy function is used. As the toner save process, a process for changing the bias voltage of the printer engine or a process for changing the exposure intensity is performed. When the printer function is used, a specific print dot is thinned out based on a predetermined logic as the second toner save process. A technique for performing a drawing process is disclosed.
JP 2003-29576 A

  However, in the former prior art, one type of toner save mode is set in the image forming apparatus in advance, and it is not possible to select the type of toner save mode depending on the toner save amount (ratio) or the image quality. . In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, the first toner save process or the second toner save process is automatically selected depending on whether the printing to be performed is by the copy function or the printer function. The user could not select.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and allows a user to select one of a plurality of toner save modes having different toner save amounts and image quality, so that a toner closer to a desired toner save effect can be obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of selecting a save mode.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having a toner save mode that prints image data while suppressing consumption of toner more than usual, the user selects one toner save mode from a plurality of toner save modes. Mode selection means, toner save processing means for performing toner save processing according to the selected toner save mode, and printing means for printing the image data after the toner save processing means is activated. It is characterized by.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the toner saving process is a process of thinning out pixels from the image data according to a predetermined rule.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the toner saving process thins out pixels at different ratios according to the selected toner saving mode.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the toner saving process is a process of reducing the size of a pixel without changing the number of pixels and the pixel position. It is characterized by being.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the toner saving process reduces the size of the pixels at a different rate according to the selected toner saving mode. Features.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the toner saving process is a process of reducing a voltage applied to the photosensitive member. .

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the toner saving process reduces the voltage at a different rate depending on the selected toner saving mode. To do.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the mode selection unit provides information for a user to recognize a difference between the plurality of toner save modes. A display means for displaying is provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the user selects one toner save mode from the plurality of toner save modes by the mode selection means, and the toner save processing according to the selected toner save mode is performed by the toner save processing means. Since the image data is printed by the printing means after the toner save processing means is activated, the toner saving process closer to the toner saving process desired by the user can be performed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the toner saving process is a process of thinning out pixels from image data according to a predetermined rule, it is possible to reduce the amount of toner consumed for printing the thinned pixels.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the toner saving process thins out pixels at different rates depending on the selected toner saving mode, so that the amount of toner consumption can be changed according to the rate of thinning out pixels.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the toner saving process is a process of reducing the size of the pixel without changing the number of pixels and the pixel position, the amount of toner consumed can be reduced by reducing the size of the pixel. Can do.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the toner save process reduces the pixel size at a different rate according to the selected toner save mode, so that the toner consumption varies depending on the rate at which the pixel is reduced. Can be made.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the toner saving process is a process for reducing the voltage applied to the photoconductor, the amount of toner adhering to the photoconductor is reduced by the amount of the reduced voltage, and the toner consumption amount is reduced. Can be reduced.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the toner saving process reduces the voltage at a different rate according to the selected toner saving mode, the toner consumption can be changed according to the rate at which the voltage is reduced. it can.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the mode selection means includes the display means for displaying information for the user to recognize the difference between the plurality of toner save modes, the user can recognize the difference in the toner save mode. For example, by displaying a toner save method, a toner save rate, and the like as the information, it is possible to select a toner save mode for performing a process closer to the user's desired toner save process.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body 2, a stack tray 3 disposed on the left side of the main body 2, a document reading unit 5 disposed on the top of the main body 2, and an upper side of the document reading unit 5. And a document feeding unit 6 disposed.

  Further, an operation panel 47 (see FIG. 3) is provided at the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation panel unit 47 includes a start key 471 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a numeric keypad 472 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and a toner save mode key 4731 (details). , Etc., and a display unit 473 including a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function for inputting various settings, a reset key 474 for resetting the setting contents set in the display unit 473, and the printing being executed A stop key 475 for stopping the (image formation) operation, a function switching key 477 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function are provided.

  The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner unit 51 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, and a document table 52 and a document reading slit 53 made of a transparent member such as glass. The scanner unit 51 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 52, the scanner unit 51 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 52, and the document image is scanned. The image data acquired while scanning is output to the control unit 100 (FIG. 2, details will be described later). Further, when reading a document fed by the document feeding unit 6, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 6 via the document reading slit 53. The image of the original is acquired and the image data is output to the control unit 100.

  The document feeding unit 6 includes a document placing unit 61 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 62 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placing unit 61. A document transport mechanism 63 including a paper feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown) and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and discharging it to the document discharge section 62 is provided. The document conveyance mechanism 63 further includes a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the document and reversely conveys the document to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and scans both sides of the document through the document reading slit 53. 51 can be read.

  The document feeding unit 6 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 6 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 52, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 52. It has become.

  The main body 2 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461 that store recording papers having different paper types (plain paper that can be printed on both sides, reusable paper that can be printed only on one side) and sizes, and paper feed cassettes. A sheet feeding roller 462 for feeding recording sheets one by one from the sheet 461 to the recording unit 40 and a recording unit 40 for forming an image on the recording sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding cassette 461 are provided. Note that the paper type and paper size stored in each paper feed cassette 461 are stored in the control unit 100 (FIG. 2). When the operator sets the paper type used for printing, the paper type is stored. Recording paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 461.

  The recording unit 40 outputs an optical beam or the like based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 51 to expose the photosensitive drum 43, and a developing unit 44 that forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer unit 41 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 43 to the recording paper, a fixing unit 45 for fixing the toner image to the recording paper by heating the recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred, Conveying rollers 463 and 464 that are provided in the sheet conveying path and convey the recording sheet to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction machine 1 includes a control unit 100 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The control unit 100 includes an exposure lamp 511, a CCD 512, and the like that can read a document image, and a recording sheet conveyed from the paper feed cassette 461 (FIG. 1) to the recording unit 40, after image formation. A recording unit comprising a sheet conveying unit 110 that conveys the recording sheet to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48, an image forming unit 111 including a photosensitive drum 43 and a developing unit 44, a transfer unit 41, a fixing unit 45, and the like. 40 is connected. The control unit 100 also has an image memory 112 used as a work area for temporarily storing document data read by the scanner unit 51 and a large storage capacity capable of storing a large amount of document data. A capacity HDD (hard disk drive) 113 is connected. The HDD 113 includes a mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114 as a storage unit for information that needs to be stored and retained even when other power is interrupted. The mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114 stores mode-voltage correspondence information 115 (see FIG. 5), which is correspondence information between a plurality of toner save modes and the contents of toner save processing.

  The image processing unit 120 converts an analog image signal output from the scanner unit 51 into a digital image when image reading is performed by the scanner unit 51, performs image processing to improve image quality, and then converts the image into a compressed image. This compressed image is written into the image memory 112. The control unit 100 stores the compressed image written in the image memory 112 in the HDD 113 as file data to be managed by the document. At the time of printing out the registered document, the file data (compressed image) to be printed out is written out to the image memory 112 from the HDD 113 or each computer on the network, and the image processing unit 120 stores the compressed file data. For example, in the case of laser exposure, analog modulation is performed on the laser signal. The recording unit 40 (image forming unit 111) prints out based on the analog-modulated signal.

  The control unit 100 also functions as a scanner controller 101, a facsimile controller 102, a copy controller 103, a printer controller 104, and a network controller 105 that control each function that can be executed by the multifunction device 1.

  The scanner controller 101 performs operation control of each unit necessary for the operation of the scanner unit 51. The facsimile controller 102 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the facsimile operation, and controls the facsimile communication unit 121 that adjusts data necessary for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 121 is provided with an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile that is a data transmission / reception partner. The copy controller 103 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the copy operation.

  The printer controller 104 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the printer operation. The printer controller 104 includes a parallel I / F unit 122 that is connected to an external device by parallel transmission that transmits several bits at once using a plurality of signal lines, and one bit at a time using a single signal line. A serial I / F unit 123 connected to an external device by serial transmission for sending data is connected.

  The network controller 105 controls data transmission / reception performed between the multifunction machine 1 and a computer on the network. The network controller 105 transmits / receives data to / from the outside via the network I / F unit 124.

  The operation panel unit 47 described above is also controlled by the control unit 100. The operation key unit 470 includes a start key 471, a numeric keypad 472, a reset key 474, a stop key 475, a function switching key 477, and the like. The setting of the toner save mode executed at the time of recording is performed by the operator operating the operation panel unit 47.

  Further, the control unit 100 performs printing according to an instruction to perform printing in the toner save mode (toner save mode execution instruction) input from the operation panel unit 47 by the operator and any of the plurality of toner save modes. It also functions as a toner save processing unit 106 that performs processing for saving toner based on an instruction to perform (toner save mode selection instruction). Specifically, the toner save processing unit 106 saves the toner by controlling the amount of toner in the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum by changing the voltage applied to the photosensitive drum 43, for example.

  The management memory 130 stores document data management information (document name, storage destination folder, document data amount, etc.), document code, and the like stored in the HDD 113 and a computer on the network.

  3 is a top view illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation panel unit 47 and an initial screen of the display unit 473, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner save mode selection screen displayed on the display unit 473. When the operator presses the toner save mode key 4731 displayed on the display unit 473 in the operation panel unit 47 shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 473 displays a toner save mode selection screen shown in FIG. The toner save mode selection screen displays five selection keys 476 from No. 1 to No. 5, and a description of the characteristics of the toner save mode corresponding to each selection key 476 is displayed on the right side of each selection key 476. In the example of FIG. 4, a toner save rate 477 and an image quality explanation 478 when printing is performed at the toner save rate are displayed. For example, the toner save rate corresponding to the first selection key 4761 is 10%, for example, and “Slightly thinner than normal” is displayed as the image quality explanation in that case. The user sees this explanation, selects one appropriate toner save mode from the five toner save modes (corresponding to the selection keys 476 of Nos. 1 to 5), and presses the select key 476 to select one toner save mode. Toner save mode is selected. When one of the selection keys 476 is pressed, the display unit 473 is in a state where the toner save mode key 4731 is displayed in black and white reversed on the screen of the display unit 473 shown in FIG. A message such as “print in toner save mode” may be displayed on the top of the display. When the toner save mode key 4731 is pressed in the state where the toner save mode key 4731 is displayed in black and white reversed (toner save mode), the toner save mode key 4731 is displayed normally (display not in black and white reversed display), and the toner save mode is canceled. Return to normal printing mode.

  FIG. 5 is a chart showing an example of the mode-voltage correspondence information 115 stored in the mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114, and is sensitive to the toner save mode corresponding to each mode number (corresponding to the number of the selection key 476). This is information on the voltage applied to the body drum 43. A mode number column 1141 shows a mode number, and a photosensitive drum applied voltage column 1142 shows a voltage applied to the photosensitive drum 43. For example, when the toner save mode of the first mode number is selected (when the first selection key 476 is pressed), for example, a voltage of 460 V is applied to the photosensitive drum 43. Here, the mode number 0 represents a normal print mode (a mode other than the toner save mode).

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing when an image is printed in the toner save mode in the multifunction machine 1 according to the present invention. The processing flow of the multifunction machine 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. At the start of this flowchart, it is assumed that the copy mode is selected by pressing the copy key 4771 of the operation panel unit 47 by the operator.

  In step S <b> 1, the toner save processing unit 106 applies to the photosensitive drum 43 from the mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114 as an initial setting in the multifunction device 1 in the normal printing mode (mode not in toner save mode; mode number 0). A predetermined voltage value, for example, 500 V is acquired, and this voltage value is set as an applied voltage of the photosensitive drum 43. In step S3, the operation panel unit 47 checks whether or not the toner save mode key 4731 has been pressed. If the operation panel unit 47 has received the press of the toner save mode key 4731 (YES in step S3), step S5 is performed. Proceed to In step S5, the operation panel unit 47 checks whether the toner save mode is already being executed. If the toner save mode is not being executed (NO in step S5), the process proceeds to step S7. In step S <b> 7, the operation panel unit 47 displays a toner save mode selection screen on the display unit 473 and accepts pressing of the selection key 476.

  In step S9, the operation panel unit 47 checks whether or not it has been received that the first selection key 4761 has been pressed, and if it has received that the first selection key 4761 has been pressed (in step S9). YES), the operation panel unit 47 transmits to the toner save processing unit 106 that the toner save mode of mode number 1 has been selected, and proceeds to step S11. In step S <b> 11, the toner save processing unit 106 applies a predetermined application from the mode-voltage correspondence information 115 stored in the mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114 to the photosensitive drum 43 in the toner save mode of mode number 1. A voltage value, for example, 460 V is acquired, and this voltage value is set as an applied voltage to the photosensitive drum 43. If it is not accepted that the first selection key 4761 is pressed in the branch of step S9 (NO in step S9), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the operation panel unit 47 checks whether or not it has been received that the second selection key 4762 has been pressed, and if it has received that the second selection key 4762 has been pressed (in step S13). YES), the operation panel unit 47 transmits to the toner save processing unit 106 that the toner save mode of mode number 2 has been selected, and proceeds to step S15. In step S <b> 15, the toner save processing unit 106 applies a predetermined application from the mode-voltage correspondence information 115 stored in the mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114 to the photosensitive drum 43 in the toner save mode of mode number 2. A voltage value, for example, 430 V is acquired, and this voltage value is set as the applied voltage of the photosensitive drum 43. If it is not accepted that the second selection key 4762 has been pressed in the branch of step S13 (NO in step S13), the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the operation panel unit 47 checks whether or not it has been received that the third selection key 4863 has been pressed, and if it has received that the third selection key 4863 has been pressed (in step S17). YES), the operation panel unit 47 transmits to the toner save processing unit 106 that the toner save mode of mode number 3 has been selected, and proceeds to step S19. In step S <b> 19, the toner save processing unit 106 applies a predetermined application from the mode-voltage correspondence information 115 stored in the mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114 to the photosensitive drum 43 in the toner save mode of mode number 3. A voltage value, for example, 360 V is acquired, and this voltage value is set as the applied voltage of the photosensitive drum 43. If it is not accepted that the third selection key 4863 has been pressed in the branch of step S17 (NO in step S17), the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, the operation panel unit 47 checks whether or not the fourth selection key 4764 has been pressed, and if it has received that the fourth selection key 4764 has been pressed (in step S21). YES), the operation panel unit 47 transmits to the toner save processing unit 106 that the toner save mode of mode number 4 has been selected, and proceeds to step S23. In step S <b> 23, the toner save processing unit 106 applies a predetermined application from the mode-voltage correspondence information 115 stored in the mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114 to the photosensitive drum 43 in the toner save mode of mode number 4. A voltage value, for example, 300 V is acquired, and this voltage value is set as an applied voltage to the photosensitive drum 43. If it is not accepted that the fourth selection key 4764 is pressed in the branch of step S21 (NO in step S21), the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the operation panel unit 47 checks whether or not the fifth selection key 4765 has been pressed, and if it has received that the fifth selection key 4765 has been pressed (in step S25). YES), the operation panel unit 47 transmits to the toner save processing unit 106 that the toner save mode of mode number 5 has been selected, and proceeds to step S27. In step S <b> 27, the toner save processing unit 106 uses the mode-voltage correspondence information 115 stored in the mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114 to apply a predetermined application to the photosensitive drum 43 in the toner save mode of mode number 4. A voltage value, for example, 270 V is acquired, and this voltage value is set as the applied voltage of the photosensitive drum 43. If it is not accepted that the fifth selection key 4765 is pressed in the branch of step S25 (NO in step S25), the process returns to step S9, and the process of accepting the pressing of each selection key 476 is repeated.

  If the toner save mode is being executed in the branch of step S5 (YES in step S5), the process proceeds to step S29. In step S 29, the operation panel unit 47 transmits to the toner save processing unit 106 that the toner save mode key 4731 has been pressed during the toner save mode, and the toner save processing unit 106 stores the mode-voltage correspondence information storage unit 114. The voltage corresponding to the normal mode (mode number 0) is acquired from the mode-voltage correspondence information 115 and set as the applied voltage of the photosensitive drum 43.

  If the toner save mode key 4731 is not pressed in the branch of step S3 (NO in step S3), and if the process of step S11, S15, S19, S23, S27 or S29 is completed, the process proceeds to step S31. move on. In step S31, the operation panel unit 47 checks whether or not the start key 471 has been pressed. If the start key 471 has been pressed (YES in step S31), the copy controller 103 starts copying. The instruction is transmitted and the process proceeds to step S33. In step S <b> 33, the copy controller 103 transmits an image reading instruction to the scanner unit 51, and the scanner unit 51 reads an image from a document based on this, and stores the image data in the image memory 112. In step S <b> 35, the image forming unit 111 applies the photosensitive drum 43 with a voltage set as an applied voltage of the photosensitive drum 43 in accordance with an instruction from the copy controller 103. In step S <b> 37, the recording unit 40 prints the image data stored in the image memory 112 on a recording sheet according to an instruction from the copy controller 103.

  In the branch of step S31, when it is not accepted that the start key 471 has been pressed (NO in step S31), the process returns to step S3 and the processes from step S3 are repeated.

  As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, after the operator selects one toner save mode from a plurality of toner save modes provided when printing in the toner save mode using the operation panel unit, the selected toner save mode is selected. Since the applied voltage of the photosensitive drum is set in accordance with the mode and copying is executed, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum in accordance with the selected toner save mode is formed with a different density, and thus the toner to be selected. Printing can be performed with different toner consumption (different toner saving effects) depending on the save mode.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the thing of the said embodiment, The aspect described below can be employ | adopted. For example, in the present embodiment, the case of using a copy function of a multifunction peripheral as an image forming apparatus has been described as an example. However, if this is an image forming apparatus having a printing function, for example, the facsimile function of the multifunction peripheral, It may be a printer function or a dedicated device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer device.

  In this embodiment, different toner save rates are realized by changing the voltage applied to the photosensitive drum. However, this is not necessarily realized by the voltage applied to the photosensitive drum. For example, in the image data, The pixels may be thinned out at a rate corresponding to the toner save rate so that printing is not performed on the thinned pixels, or the pixel size of the image data may be reduced according to the toner save rate. When thinning out pixels in the image data, it may be thinned out randomly, for example, at a rate corresponding to the toner save rate. In the method of thinning out pixels, the toner for printing the thinned out pixels is saved, and in the method of reducing the size of the pixels, toner for the smaller pixels is saved.

  In this embodiment, different toner save modes are implemented by a single implementation method (a method using a voltage applied to the photosensitive drum), but a plurality of implementation methods (for example, applied to the photoreceptor drum) are applied to different toner save modes. A method using a voltage to be applied, a method of thinning out pixels, and a method of reducing pixels) may be mixed. In addition, for example, a toner save mode having a different toner realizing rate with the same toner saving rate may be provided, or the operator may select both the realizing method and the toner saving rate.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of predetermined toner save modes are selected by pressing a selection key corresponding to each toner save mode. However, the operator directly uses the operation panel unit to select a toner save rate. May be entered as a numerical value, or the toner save rate setting value may be changed and determined by pressing an up / down key or the like.

1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine. It is a top view which shows the example of the external appearance of an operation panel part, and the initial screen of a display part. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a toner save mode selection screen displayed on a display unit. It is a chart showing an example of mode-voltage correspondence information. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when an image is printed in a toner save mode in a multifunction peripheral. 10 is a continuation of the flowchart showing the flow of processing when an image is printed in the toner save mode in the multifunction peripheral.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
40 Recording unit (printing means)
43 photoconductor drum (photoconductor)
47 Operation panel (mode selection means, display means)
106 Toner save processing unit (toner save processing means)

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus having a toner save mode for printing image data while suppressing toner consumption from the usual level,
Mode selection means for the user to select one toner save mode from a plurality of toner save modes;
Toner save processing means for performing toner save processing according to the selected toner save mode;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the image data after the toner save processing unit is activated.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner saving process is a process of thinning out pixels from the image data according to a predetermined rule.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the toner saving process thins out pixels at a different rate according to the selected toner saving mode.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner saving process is a process of reducing a pixel size without changing the number of pixels and the pixel position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the toner saving process reduces the size of the pixels at a different rate according to the selected toner saving mode.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the toner saving process is a process of reducing a voltage applied to the photosensitive member.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in the toner save process, the voltage is reduced at a different rate according to the selected toner save mode.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection unit includes a display unit that displays information for allowing a user to recognize a difference between the plurality of toner save modes.

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