JP3531383B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in an image processing apparatus having a continuous image recording function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, copying machines and printers, which are image processing apparatuses, have been widely used in offices, homes, etc., and recently, facsimile machines and the like having high-performance copying functions and printer functions have become popular. Communication terminals are also becoming popular as image processing apparatuses. Many image processing apparatuses of this type have a function of continuously recording images, and in the case of a copying machine, continuous copying in which different images of a plurality of originals are continuously copied or the same image is input in advance. Multiple copies can be made by copying only the plurality of copies that have been made. In the case of a printer device, continuous printing or multiple copies can be performed in accordance with instructions from a facsimile device or a computer, similar to a copying machine.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image processing apparatus, when the image recording conditions such as the number of recording copies, recording paper size and recording magnification are changed during continuous recording, the recording operation in progress is stopped. However, it is necessary to reset the image recording conditions and then restart the recording operation.

For example, in a copying machine, when an error in inputting the number of copies is noticed while copying a plurality of copies, or when the original is composed of one sheet, the copy operation is completed when the copying operation is completed. You can discard the excess recording paper, scan the original image again, and copy the missing copy.However, if the original is composed of multiple sheets, it will not be necessary if you copy too much. If a large amount of recording paper is output, a large amount of recording paper is wasted, and the number of copies is insufficient,
It is necessary to read and scan a plurality of original images again to perform the copying operation, which consumes a lot of time.

Further, although the copying operation can be stopped midway by operating the stop key, the original document must be read again and copied again after inputting the number of copies again. The above is particularly problematic when the original image is once stored in the memory and then the copying operation is started. As the number of originals increases, the time required to read the originals again becomes longer. Omission) was a challenge.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image processing apparatus capable of temporarily stopping the continuous image recording operation and changing the image recording condition during the image recording operation. The purpose is to do.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus having a continuous image recording function according to the present invention comprises the following means. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the first operation means for temporarily stopping the image recording operation and the second operation means for changing the setting of the image recording condition are provided.
It is assumed that the image recording condition can be changed by the second operating means when the operating means is operated and the image recording operation is temporarily stopped.

Here, the image recording conditions include the number of recording copies,
There are recording paper size, recording magnification (enlargement ratio, reduction ratio), and the like. In an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer apparatus, or a facsimile apparatus, if the pause key that is the first operation means is operated, the recording operation is performed. Is temporarily stopped, and the above conditions can be changed by various condition setting keys which are the second operating means.

[0009]

Further , by the third operating means, it is possible to select the image recording operation after changing the image recording condition to re-execute from the beginning or to continue from the beginning. For example, if you choose to run from the beginning after changing the number of records to be printed, all the changed number of records will be re-recorded, and if you select to continue from the next number, the number of copies that is insufficient for the number recorded before the pause will be recorded. Record.

A second aspect of the present invention is the second operation of the first aspect.
After changing the conditions of image recording by the production means
Also, when the image recording operation after releasing the pause within the predetermined time is not selected by the third operating means, the pause is automatically released, and the image recording operation before the pause is performed according to the condition of the image recording before the pause. The image recording operation is continued.

That is, when the predetermined operation is not performed within the predetermined time despite the temporary stop, the original recording operation is automatically restored.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the image processing apparatus. Here, the configuration of a facsimile machine (copy / facsimile multifunction machine) having a copy function is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and if a continuous image recording function is provided, a copy machine or It may be an image processing device such as a printer device.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a signal processing unit which is composed of a CPU and controls the following units, 2 is a reading unit for reading image data from an original, 3 is an image received by facsimile, and an image read by the reading unit 2. Is recorded on a preset paper (recording paper), 4 is a key operation unit including a numeric keypad and various switches, and 5 is a liquid crystal screen or L
A display unit 6 including an ED lamp and the like is connected to a telephone line L, and a modem or NC for performing facsimile communication.
A communication control unit having a U or the like, a ROM 7 in which a control program or the like is stored in advance, and a RAM 8 for temporarily storing various data such as image recording conditions.

The reading unit 2 includes a reading sensor 21 such as a CCD.
And an image processing unit 22 for performing necessary image processing such as monochrome binarization processing and correction processing. In addition, the recording unit 3
The printer control unit 31 is composed of a laser recording type printer and controls the printer as a whole, an image memory 32 for storing image data to be recorded, a laser output unit 33 for outputting a laser beam in accordance with an image, and a rotation. It is composed of a polygonal mirror, and is provided with a scanning unit 34 for irradiating a laser beam on a photoconductor in order to attach toner, a paper feeding unit 35 for conveying recording paper, and the like, so that a high quality image can be recorded at high speed Has become.

Further, the key operation unit 4 has a temporary stop key 41 as a first operation means for temporarily stopping the image recording operation.
And a recording condition setting change key 42 for changing the setting of the image recording condition as the second operation means, and an image recording operation after releasing the temporary stop by the pause key 41 as the third operation means. An operation selection key 43 for canceling the temporary stop is included.

In the facsimile device having such a configuration, when the facsimile mode is selected by the key operation unit 4, the image of the original read by the reading unit 2 is transferred to the communication control unit 6.
On the other hand, when the copy mode is selected, the image of the original read by the reading unit 2 is recorded (printed out) on a sheet by the recording unit 3 while being facsimile-transmitted via the. Facsimile reception can be performed in any of the modes. In the facsimile mode, the received image data is sequentially recorded by the recording unit 3, and in the copy mode, the received image data is received by the memory. After the copying is completed, the image data stored in the memory is read out and recorded by the recording unit 3.

This facsimile apparatus has a function of continuously recording images. In the copy mode, the recording unit 3 records a plurality of images of an original document read and scanned by the reading unit 2 or a plurality of original documents. Images can be recorded continuously. The present invention is characterized in that the conditions for image recording can be changed during continuous recording by reading and scanning an image of a document.

That is, when the pause key 41 is operated during recording by the recording unit 3 (or during scanning by the reading unit 2), the recording unit 3 is constituted by a laser recording type page printer here. When the recording (or reading scan) for each page is completed, the image recording operation is temporarily stopped, and at this time, the recording condition setting change key 42
It is possible to change the condition of image recording by. The image recording conditions include the number of recording copies, recording paper size, recording magnification (enlargement ratio, reduction ratio), and the like.

After changing the image recording conditions,
By the operation selection key 43, it is possible to select whether to re-execute the image recording operation from the beginning or to continue it, and at the same time, the temporary stop can be released. For example, if you change the number of recordings and then select execution from the beginning, all of the changed recordings will be recorded again. Record the number of copies minus the number of copies recorded. Therefore, it is sufficient to prevent the number of copies already recorded from being changed.

Next, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic operation. Here, an example is shown in which the number of copies is changed during the copy operation. After the document to be copied (copied) is set on the platen (S1), the key operation unit 4 is used to set the copy mode (S2), and the resolution (image quality), density, and the like in the reading mode are set (S3). Next, using the recording condition setting change key 42, the number of copies (X in this case)
Is set (S4) and the start key is operated (S4)
5) The image of the original is read and the copy operation is started (S6).

When the temporary stop key 41 is operated during copying (S7), the copying operation is temporarily stopped when the time comes between pages (S8, S9). If the copy operation is temporarily stopped, the number of copies can be changed by the recording condition setting change key 42 (S10). Here, when you pause
It is assumed that the copy (X> Y) has already been copied, and the number of copies is set to Z (Y <X <Z).

If the number of copies is changed, the operation selection key 4
It is assumed that "Recopy" or "Continuous Copy" can be selected by S3 (S11, S12).
Copy) again (S13), and if "continuation copy" is selected, the number of copies (Y part) that is already copied with respect to the changed number of copies (Z part) is insufficient (Z-Y part). Is copied (S14).

Here, the operation selection key 43 can select only "recopy" or "continuous copy", but the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording operation condition (the number of copies) is changed. However, it is also possible to continue the copy operation under the condition (number of copies) before the temporary stop, or to stop the copy operation with the temporary stop similarly to the conventional stop key.

Further, here, when the operation selection key 43 is not operated within a predetermined time, the temporary stop is automatically released, and according to the condition of the image recording before the temporary stop,
The image recording operation is continued (S15, S16). That is, if the operation after the suspension is released is not selected within the predetermined time even though the copying operation is temporarily stopped and the number of copies is changed, the original copying operation is automatically resumed and the remaining number of copies is set. Copy (XY section).

It should be noted that the pause key 41 is operated for the predetermined time.
The time measurement is started when is operated, when the recording condition is changed by the recording condition setting change key 42, or the like.
Further, even if the recording condition setting change key 42 is not operated within a predetermined time after the pause key 41 is operated (when the image recording condition is not changed), the pause is automatically released, The image recording operation may be continued.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an example of changing the image recording conditions stored in the RAM 8. FIG. 3A shows a case where only the number of copies is changed after the suspension. If the copy original is composed of one sheet, when "continuation copy" is selected, it is only necessary to simply copy the number of copies which is insufficient to the number of copies already completed, but the copy original is composed of a plurality of sheets. If you want to use the memory for the copy function, scan all the originals at the start of the copy operation, and copy sequentially from the images stored in the memory, the number of copies is changed during copying and When "copy" is selected, the shortage of the already copied document images may be copied, and then the uncopyed document images may be copied by the number of copies after the change.

For example, in the illustrated example, the pause key 41 is operated during copying of the original composed of three sheets, at which time the first copy (10 copies) has already been completed and the second copy has been completed. If 8 copies have been completed, the number of copies will be 10 to 2
After the copy is changed to 0 and the pause is canceled by selecting "Continuous copy", the first copy is 10 copies and the second copy is 12 copies.
Make 20 copies of the third copy. Note that the copy order at this time is not limited, and in order to facilitate sorting after the copy is completed, after copying the second copy for two copies, the first copy is copied for 10 copies.
It is also possible to make a copy of the second copy, 10 copies of the second copy, and 20 copies of the third copy. This is especially useful when the sort function is not running.

FIG. 3B shows a case where the recording paper size and the copy magnification are changed after the temporary stop. here,
When the recording paper size is changed from "A4" to "B5", the copy magnification is automatically changed to 86%, and the copy magnification is further changed to "80"%.

In the illustrated example, if three copies out of five have already been copied to A4 size recording paper at the time of temporary stop, the conditions are changed as described above and "continuation copy" is selected. When the pause is released, the remaining two copies are copied onto B5 size recording paper at a size of 80% of the original document image. Although the above description has been centered on changing the conditions during the copying operation of the image processing apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to, for example, continuous printing to a printer device connected to a computer.

[0031]

As can be understood from the above description, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following effects. According to the first aspect, since it is possible to temporarily stop the continuous image recording operation and change the image recording condition, an error in setting the image recording condition is noticed, and the image recording condition is set during the image recording. This is convenient when changing the image, and it is not necessary to restart the image recording operation from the beginning. Therefore, the operation time can be shortened as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, when the images of the original are temporarily stored in the memory and are continuously copied, the number of copies and the like can be changed during the copying, and the original need not be read again, which is particularly effective.

Further , according to claim 1 , the image recording operation after the image recording operation is temporarily stopped, the image recording condition is changed, and then the temporary stop is released, is re-executed from the beginning or is continued. Since it is possible to select whether or not to do so, it is possible to change the condition of image recording and continue image recording depending on the situation at that time. According to claim 2, after the pause, the
After changing the condition of image recording by the operation means of 2.
Even if the image recording operation after releasing the pause within the predetermined time is not selected by the third operation means, the pause is automatically released and the image recording condition before the pause is set. Therefore, since the image recording operation can be continued, the image recording operation will not be left in a suspended state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the main configuration of an image processing apparatus (facsimile apparatus having a copy function) according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic operation of the image processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a change in image recording conditions.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Signal processing unit 2 ... Reading unit 3 ... Recording section 4 ... Key operation part 41 ... Pause key 42 ... Recording condition setting change key 43 ... Operation selection key

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Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus having a continuous image recording function, including first operation means for temporarily stopping the image recording operation, second operation means for setting and changing image recording conditions, and first operation means. A third operating means is provided for selecting an image recording operation after the temporary stop by the operating means is released, and when the first operating means is operated and the image recording operation is temporarily stopped, the second operating means is used. The image recording condition is changed, and thereafter, the third operation means selects whether to re-execute the image recording operation from the beginning or from the continuation, and the temporary stop is released. Image processing device. 2. The second operating means according to claim 1,
Therefore, even after changing the conditions for image recording,
When the image recording operation after releasing the pause within the predetermined time is not selected by the operation means of 3, the pause is automatically released and the image recording operation is performed according to the image recording condition before the pause. An image processing apparatus characterized by continuing.