JP2008119942A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device which performs a form overlay printing processing appropriately. <P>SOLUTION: If a printing mode is a spinning sort printing mode (S101 is YES), even if a paper feed tray used is switched to the paper feed tray which keeps an overlay form different from the one assigned to the 1st paper feed tray was assigned in the middle of the form overlay printing of printing data, a laser printer performs form selection control processing (S104, S105, S106) which use selectively the overlay form assigned to the 1st paper feed tray. Accordingly, even when performing the form overlay printing by switching the paper feed trays which keep the different overlay forms assigned in the middle of printing, the form overlay printing using an suitable overlay form can be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that performs form overlay printing.

  Conventionally, in form printing in which data is inserted into a predetermined form such as a form and printed, the data is printed out on a form-printed paper (pre-printed paper) in advance. As the number increased, it was necessary to prepare a large number of types of preprinted paper, and there was a need for improvement in terms of cost and use.

  Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when the mode overlay switch for switching on / off of the form overlay printing process is switched to the form overlay mode and data such as a print character code and image data is transmitted from the host machine, In the image forming apparatus, the data transmitted from the host machine is expanded in units of pages, and the data is superimposed on a form overlay form (hereinafter referred to as overlay form) registered in units of pages. Form overlay processing (form processing) for image output is performed (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2-43074

  However, in the above prior art, the case of performing various form overlay printing processes using a plurality of overlay forms is not taken into consideration, and various form overlays are used using a plurality of overlay forms. There was a need to improve the printing process.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, a plurality of overlay forms are appropriately selected and assigned to the paper feed tray, and when the paper feed tray is switched, the overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray according to the setting and the overlay before switching are changed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that performs various form overlay printing processes in a state of good usability by using a plurality of overlay forms by selecting and using a form.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, an arbitrary overlay form is assigned to each of a plurality of paper feed trays, registered in the form storage means, and used to print the print data when received. In an image forming apparatus that performs form overlay printing processing in which an overlay form assigned to a paper feed tray and the print data are overlapped for each page and printed, the print mode of received print data is in the middle of printing In the print mode in which the print data is switched, during the form overlay printing of the print data, an overlay form different from the overlay form assigned to the first paper feed tray is selected during the printing of the form overlay. Even if the assigned paper tray is switched, it can be used for form overlay printing. As an overlay form to, by performing a form selection control processing of selecting uses the overlay form that are assigned to outermost first paper feed tray, it has achieved the above objects.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, in the image forming apparatus, the print mode in which the paper feed tray is switched during the printing is performed by switching the paper direction between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction for each copy. It may be a rotation sort printing mode for printing.

  Further, for example, in the form selection control process, the image forming apparatus temporarily saves an overlay form registered for the switching destination paper feed tray of the form storage unit. Then, the same overlay form as the overlay form of the first sheet feeding tray is temporarily registered in the switching destination sheet feeding tray, and when the printing process of the print data is completed, the switching destination sheet feeding is completed. The original overlay form temporarily saved in the tray may be registered.

  Furthermore, for example, as described in claim 4, the image forming apparatus may execute the form selection control process only when execution of the form selection control process is selected.

  In addition, for example, as described in claim 5, the image forming apparatus is in the middle of performing the form overlay printing continuously for a plurality of sheets, and no paper is generated in the paper feed tray in use. When the paper tray to be used is switched to another paper tray, according to the selection, the form selection control process is stopped, and the overlay form assigned to the paper tray to be switched to is used. The form overlay printing process may be executed.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 6, the image forming apparatus designates an arbitrary paper feed tray among the plurality of paper feed trays and assigns another overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray. When there is a temporary change instruction to a predetermined overlay form, the overlay form registered for the designated paper feed tray of the form storage means is temporarily saved, and the other predetermined overlay form is temporarily stored. When the form overlay printing process using the other overlay form is completed, the overlay form for the designated sheet feeding tray may be returned to the original overlay form temporarily saved from the other overlay form.

  For example, as described in claim 7, in the image forming apparatus, the form storage unit registers the overlay form and the paper feed tray in association with a plurality of predetermined pieces of identification information. The overlay form is assigned to the paper feed tray via information, and the registration of the paper feed tray corresponding to the identification information in which the overlay form is not registered and the identification of only the paper feed tray are registered. It may be possible to register and delete any of the overlay forms for information.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, if the print mode of the received print data is a print mode in which the paper feed tray is switched during printing, the print data is used for printing during form overlay printing of the print data. Even if the paper feed tray is switched to a paper feed tray assigned an overlay form different from the overlay form assigned to the first paper feed tray, the overlay form used in the form overlay printing is used. As the form selection control process for selecting and using the overlay form allocated to the first sheet feeding tray is performed, the sheet feeding tray used for the printing is allocated during printing such as rotational sort printing. When performing form overlay printing that switches to a different paper feed tray Also, it is possible to perform a form overlay printing using appropriate overlay form, thereby improving the usability.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 and 2 are views showing a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a laser printer 1 to which the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. is there.

  In FIG. 1, a laser printer 1 includes a controller 2, an operation panel 3, a hard disk 4, a printer engine 5, a main power 6, and the like, and is connected to a network NW such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet. Are connected to the host device 30. As will be described later, the laser printer 1 develops print data sent from the host device 30 or the like in units of pages, and prints out the print data by superimposing the print data in units of pages on a previously registered overlay form. Perform form overlay printing.

  As the host device 30, a computer or the like having normal hardware resources is used, and a hard disk 31 is provided. The hard disk 31 stores an OS (Operating System), various application software (hereinafter simply referred to as an application), a printer driver, data created by the application, and the like. When a print request for document data such as texts and images created by an application is made, the host device 30 converts the print data into print data that can be interpreted by the laser printer 1 with a printer driver, and prints the laser printer 1 as a print job together with print setting data. Send to.

  Although not shown, the network NW is connected to a host device, other printers, and the like, and print data and control information of a document created from the host device by using an application on the host device are stored in the laser printer 1 Sent to another printer.

  The main power 6 is supplied to each part of the laser printer 1 by adjusting the voltage and power of an external power source such as a 100 V commercial power source.

  The controller 2 converts the print data received from the host device 30 or the host device of the network NW into the video according to the control mode set at that time and the control code from the host device 30 or the host device connected to the network NW. The image data is converted into data and output to the printer engine 5 to be controlled. The host I / F 11, program ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, font ROM 13, panel I / F 14, disk I / F 15, CPU ( A central processing unit (RAM) 16, a random access memory (RAM) 17, a non-volatile random access memory (NV-RAM) 18, an engine I / F 19, and a network I / F 20 are provided.

  A host device 30 is connected to the host I / F 11, and the host I / F 11 receives a control signal and print data from the host device 30 and transmits a status signal from the laser printer 1 to the host device 30. I do.

  The program ROM 12 is a program for processing and managing data in the controller 2 and controlling peripheral modules, in particular various programs such as a basic processing program of the laser printer 1 and a form overlay printing process program accompanied by a form selection control process to be described later. The program and data necessary for executing these various programs are stored, and the CPU (control means) 16 receives data (print data, control data, etc.) from the host device 30 according to the program in the program ROM 12. It is processed as a print job, and in particular, a form overlay printing process described later and a form selection control process in the form overlay printing process are executed.

  The RAM 17 manages the print data from the work memory of the CPU 16, the host device 30 or the host device on the network NW in units of pages, temporarily stores it, and converts the print data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern. It is used for a bitmap memory or the like for storing video data.

  The font ROM 13 stores various fonts used for printing (printing), and is read and used under the control of the CPU 16.

  The operation panel 3 is connected to the panel I / F 14, and the operation panel 3 includes a display unit that indicates the state of the laser printer 1, a switch unit that switches the mode, font, and the like of the laser printer 1. The panel I / F 14 performs interface processing between the controller 2 and the operation panel 3.

  A hard disk 4 is connected to the disk I / F 15. The disk I / F 15 exchanges data and control signals between the CPU 16 and the hard disk 4, and transfers a large amount of data to the hard disk 4 under the control of the CPU 16. And data is read from the hard disk 4.

  NVRAM (form storage means) 18 stores data to be retained even when the laser printer 1 is powered off. In particular, the NVRAM 18 stores various overlay forms used in the form overlay printing process under the control of the CPU 16. The various overlay forms can be assigned to the paper feed tray of the printer engine 5 by the operation of the operation panel 3 or a control command from the host device. The NVRAM 18 assigns the overlay form and the destination of the overlay form. The allocation information in association with the sheet feeding tray is stored under the control of the CPU 16.

  The engine I / F 19 is an interface for control signals and video signals passed from the controller 2 to the printer engine 5 and an interface for status signals passed from the printer engine 5 to the controller 2.

  The printer engine 5 performs image formation (print processing) by a predetermined image forming method, for example, an electrophotographic method, based on a video signal and a control signal received from the controller 2 via the engine I / F 19. That is, when an image is formed by the electrophotographic method, the printer engine 5 includes components necessary for recording and outputting print data on a sheet by the electrophotographic method, for example, a photoconductor, an optical writing unit, a developing unit, a charging unit, It has a cleaning unit, etc., operates an optical writing unit by a video signal and a control signal to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, supplies toner to the photosensitive member by a developing unit, and develops the toner. Form an image. The printer engine 5 feeds the sheet from the sheet feeding unit between the photosensitive member and the transfer unit, transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member to the sheet, and transfers the toner image transferred sheet to the fixing unit. The image is formed by conveying and fixing the toner image on the paper by heating and pressurizing in the fixing unit. Although not shown, the printer engine 5 includes a plurality of paper feed trays in its paper feed unit. As described above, each of the paper feed trays is operated by the operation of the operation panel 3 or a control command from the host device. On the other hand, an overlay form of the form overlay printing process is allocated.

  As described above, the network I / F 20 is connected to a network NW to which a host device or the like (not shown) is connected. The network I / F 20 is configured to control signals from the host device of the network NW to the laser printer 1 and the like. Print data reception processing and status signal transmission processing from the laser printer 1 to the host device of the network NW are performed.

  That is, the laser printer 1 is connected to a plurality of host devices via the host I / F 11 and the network I / F 20, and print data is transmitted from each host device, and print data and control information are received for each page. When the print data and control information for one page are received, it is converted into drawing information, transferred to the printer engine 5, and the printer engine 5 performs print processing for each page. When the print processing mode is set to ON, the received print data is printed with being overlaid on the overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray designated as the paper feed tray used for printing the print data. The form overlay printing process is executed, and the overlay used in this form overlay printing process is Executing a form selection control processing for selecting control form.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment performs a form selection control process for appropriately selecting an overlay form to be used in the form overlay printing process.

  That is, the laser printer 1 uses the paper feed tray among the overlay forms previously stored in the NVRAM 18 with respect to the paper feed tray of the printer engine 5 by the operation of the operation panel 3 or the control command from the host device. An overlay form to be used in form overlay printing is allocated, and allocation information of the overlay form to the paper feed tray is stored in the NVRAM 18.

  In this state, when print data and control information are transmitted from the host device, it is checked whether the form overlay printing process is on based on the control information or the setting state of the operation panel 3 When ON, based on the control information from the host device or based on the setting state of the operation panel 3, a paper feed tray switching process for switching the paper feed tray even if no paper breakage occurs during printing. Whether or not, for example, the rotation sort printing mode is designated (step S101). In this embodiment, the rotation sort printing mode is taken as an example of the print mode in which the paper feed tray switching process for switching the paper feed tray occurs even when the paper is not cut out during printing. The print mode in which the paper feed tray switching process occurs is not limited to the rotation sort print mode.

  If the rotation sort printing mode is not set in step S101, the CPU 16 determines that the sheet feeding tray is not switched during printing, and the sheet feeding tray (control information) used to print the print data as an overlay form. Alternatively, the overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray specified on the operation panel 3 is read from the NVRAM 18, the overlay form is expanded on the RAM 17, and the received print data is superimposed on the overlay form. The superimposed data is converted into video data and transferred to the printer engine 5 via the engine I / F 19, and the printer engine 5 feeds an image in which the overlay form and the data are superimposed from the paper feed tray. Print output on the coming paper.

  If the rotation sort is designated in step S101, the CPU 16 checks whether the first copy of the print data is printed (step S102). If the first copy, the CPU 16 checks the print data as an overlay form. Using the overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray used for printing, the printer engine 5 uses the overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray to print an image obtained by superimposing the overlay form and print data on the paper from the paper feed tray. To print out.

  If the first set is not the first copy in step S103, the CPU 16 has switched the paper feed tray to a paper feed tray that stores differently rotated paper than the first copy tray. It is checked whether an overlay form is assigned to the paper feed tray, that is, if there is an assigned overlay form (step S103). If there is no assigned overlay form, the first overlay form is used as it is, and the same as above. Then, the printer engine 5 prints out an image obtained by superimposing the overlay form and data on a sheet from the sheet feeding tray.

  If there is an allocation overlay form in the switching destination paper feed tray in step S103, the CPU 16 temporarily saves the allocation overlay form of the switching destination paper feed tray registered in the allocation information of the NVRAM 18 to 1 The allocation overlay form of the paper feed tray used for the printing of the second copy is allocated as the allocation overlay form of the switching destination paper feed tray (step S105), and the layout overlay of the first copy is used in the same manner as described above. Then, the printer engine 5 prints out an image obtained by superimposing the overlay form and data on the paper from the paper feed tray (step S106).

  When the second copy is completed, the CPU 16 checks whether or not the rotation sort printing for all the copies has been completed (step S107). If there is an unprinted copy, the CPU 16 returns to step S106 to switch the paper feed tray. As described above, the overlay form assigned to the switching destination is used to print out an image obtained by superimposing the overlay form and data on the paper from the paper feed tray, and printing of the part is performed. When completed, the process of checking whether the rotation sort printing for all the copies is completed is performed until the rotation sort printing for all the copies is completed (steps S106 and S107). When rotating sort printing is performed by sequentially switching the paper feed trays, the allocation information of the NVRAM 18 is assigned to the first paper feed tray in step S104 and step S105 for the paper feed tray used in an even number of copies. Since the layout overlay form is temporarily allocated, the form overlay printing can be performed using the overlay form of the first paper feed tray in the printing of all copies.

  When printing of all the copies is completed in step S107, the CPU 16 sets the overlay form of the second paper feed tray temporarily saved in step S104 as the overlay form of the second paper feed tray in the NVRAM 18. Then, the process is restored (restored) (step S108).

  As described above, when the print mode of the received print data is the print mode in which the paper feed tray is switched in the middle of printing, the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment includes the print data in the middle of the form overlay printing. Even if the paper feed tray used for printing is switched to a paper feed tray assigned with an overlay form different from the overlay form assigned to the first paper feed tray, the overlay form used in the form overlay printing is used. Form selection control processing for selecting and using the overlay form allocated to the first paper feed tray is performed.

  Therefore, form overlay printing using an appropriate overlay form can be performed even when form overlay printing is performed in which the paper feed tray to be used changes to a paper feed tray with a different assigned overlay form during printing. , Can improve usability.

  Further, in the laser printer 1 of this embodiment, when the print mode in which the paper feed tray is switched during printing is the rotation sort print mode in which the paper orientation is switched between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction for each copy. Form selection control processing for selecting and using the overlay form assigned to the first paper feed tray is performed.

  Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform rotational sort printing with form overlay processing, and improve usability.

  Further, the laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment temporarily saves the overlay form registered for the switching destination paper tray of the NVRAM 18 in the form selection control process, so that the switching destination paper tray is switched. The same overlay form as that of the first paper feed tray is temporarily registered, and when the print processing of the print data is completed, the original overlay form temporarily saved for the switching destination paper feed tray is registered. is doing.

  Therefore, even when the paper feed tray is continuously switched, the form selection control process can be performed appropriately and easily.

  The form selection control process may be executed only when execution of the form selection control process is selected by an operation on the operation panel 3 or a control command from the host device.

  In this way, it is possible to perform appropriate form overlay printing according to the usage pattern of the laser printer 1 and the usage pattern of the user, and the usability can be further improved.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a form overlay printing process accompanied by a form selection control process by a laser printer to which the second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a laser printer similar to the laser printer 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used as they are as necessary. explain.

  The laser printer 1 assigns an overlay form to each paper feed tray as an assigned overlay form, and only designates a paper feed tray to be used for printing, and forms overlay using the layout overlay assigned to the paper feed tray. In this form overlay printing process, when a printing mode for performing a printing process in which the paper feed tray is switched as in the rotation sort printing of the first embodiment is designated, the pre-allocated allocation is performed. An overlay form suitable for use in the printing mode is switched, and a form selection control process for temporarily assigning the overlay form to the destination paper feed tray is performed, and the form overlay printing process is performed using the temporary layout overlay form. Do.

  However, if the form selection control process is performed to switch the layout overlay form already allocated to the paper feed tray to another temporary overlay form, the usability may be impaired.

  For example, normally, each paper tray contains appropriate paper (paper with appropriate paper size, etc.) in the layout overlay assigned to the paper feed tray. For the temporary overlay form in which the paper stored in the previous paper feed tray is switched from the layout overlay form of the paper feed tray, the paper size is not appropriate and the intended form overlay printing cannot be performed. There is a case.

  Therefore, in the laser printer 1 of this embodiment, when the paper feed tray is switched, the overlay form is not switched even if the paper feed tray is switched in accordance with the user setting (selection) (that is, the switching destination is switched). The form selection control process), and the process for canceling the form selection control process and using the layout overlay originally assigned to the paper feed tray. Do.

  Whether or not the overlay form used at the time of switching the paper feed tray is used as it is is determined by the operation on the operation panel 3 of the laser printer 1 or the control command from the host device. The CPU 16 stores this setting content in the NVRAM 18 as overlay selection selection information at the time of tray switching.

  That is, the laser printer 1 uses a designated paper feed tray and assigns it to the paper feed tray according to a print process in a print mode that does not involve switching of the paper feed tray, for example, a normal form overlay print process. When the form overlay printing process is performed using the allocated layout form, the CPU 16 has run out of paper in the paper feed tray in use during the printing, as shown in FIG. Is checked (step S201), and if there is no paper out, the form overlay printing process is performed as it is.

  When the paper runs out in step S201, the CPU 16 checks whether the paper feed tray to be used has been switched to another paper feed tray (step S202), and the paper is fed to the paper feed tray in which the paper runs out. When the paper tray is not switched, the form overlay printing process is performed as it is.

  When the paper feed tray is switched in step S202, the CPU 16 refers to the allocation information in the NVRAM 18 and checks whether there is an allocation overlay allocated to the paper tray to be switched to (step S203). When there is no layout overlay form, the form overlay printing process is performed using the original overlay form as it is.

  In step S203, when there is an assigned overlay form in the paper tray to be switched to, the CPU 16 refers to the overlay selection selection information at the time of tray switching in the NVRAM 18 and checks whether the setting is to switch the overlay form (step S204) If the setting is not set to switch the overlay form, the form overlay printing process is performed using the original overlay form as it is.

  If it is set to switch the overlay form in step S204, the CPU 16 selects the overlay form assigned to the switching destination paper feed tray as the overlay form used in the printing (step S205). Form overlay printing processing is performed (step S206), and it is checked whether the print job is completed (step S207).

  If the print job is not completed in step S207, the CPU 16 returns to step S202 or step S201, and performs the same processing as described above from the processing for checking whether the paper feed tray has been switched (steps S202 to S207).

  When the print job is finished in step S207, the CPU 16 finishes the printing process and the form selection control process.

  As described above, in the laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment, while a plurality of sheets are continuously printed with form overlay, no paper is generated in the paper feed tray that is being used, and the paper feed tray to be used is a different one. When switching to the paper feed tray, the form selection control process is canceled according to the selection, and the form overlay printing process is executed using the overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray at the switching destination. Yes.

  Therefore, the overlay form assigned to the destination paper tray that was switched without paper is different from the overlay form assigned to the first paper tray, and the paper in the destination paper tray is the first If it is different from the paper in the paper feed tray, the form selection control process is performed according to the selection, so that inappropriate form overlay printing is originally assigned to the destination paper feed tray. By performing the form overlay printing using the overlay form, it is possible to make the warning easy to understand, to prevent the inappropriate form overlay printing from being continuously performed, and to improve the usability.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a form overlay printing process accompanied by a form selection control process by a laser printer to which the third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a laser printer similar to the laser printer 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used as they are as necessary. explain.

  The laser printer 1 assigns an overlay form to each paper feed tray as an assigned overlay form, and only designates a paper feed tray to be used for printing, and forms overlay using the layout overlay assigned to the paper feed tray. In this form overlay printing process, when a printing mode for performing a printing process in which the paper feed tray is switched as in the rotation sort printing of the first embodiment is designated, the pre-allocated allocation is performed. An overlay form suitable for use in the printing mode is switched, and a form selection control process for temporarily assigning the overlay form to the destination paper feed tray is performed, and the form overlay printing process is performed using the temporary layout overlay form. Do.

  The laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment performs the form selection control process to switch the layout overlay form already allocated to the paper feed tray to another temporary overlay form, and further improve the usability. Therefore, various overlay forms stored in the NVRAM 18 can be appropriately selected by an operation command on the operation panel 3 or a control command from the host device, and an overlay that temporarily uses the command designation overlay selected and designated by the command is used. A form selection control process for forming a form may be performed, and a form overlay printing process using the temporary overlay form may be performed.

  That is, in the laser printer 1, an overlay form to be used is allocated among the overlay forms stored in the NVRAM 18 in advance to the paper feed tray of the printer engine 5 by the operation of the operation panel 3 or a control command from the host device. When the overlay form assignment information is stored in the NVRAM 18 and the print data and control information are transmitted from the host device, the CPU 16 performs control based on the control information as shown in FIG. Based on the setting state of the operation panel 3, it is checked whether the form overlay printing process is on. If it is on, the layout overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray specified by the control information is displayed. Overlay used for Selected as Omu (step S301), and checks whether there is designation of overlay form by the command (step S302).

  If no overlay form is designated by the command in step S301, the CPU 16 performs the form overlay printing process using the layout overlay form allocated to the paper feed tray as it is.

  When an overlay form is designated by a command in step S302, the CPU 16 temporarily saves the assigned overlay form assigned to the sheet feeding tray of the NVRAM 18 (step S303), and the overlay form designated by the command (command designation). (Overlay Form) is selected as an overlay form to be used for printing, and a form overlay printing process for one page is performed using the command-designated overlay form (step S304), and it is checked whether the print job is completed (step S304). Step S305).

  If the print job is not completed in step S305, the CPU 16 returns to step S302 to check whether an overlay form is designated by the command (step S302). If no overlay form is designated by the command, the paper feed is performed. Form overlay printing processing is performed using the layout overlay form allocated to the tray.

  When an overlay form is designated by a command in step S302, the CPU 16 temporarily saves the assigned overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray (step S303), and the overlay form designated by the command (command designated overlay form). ) Is selected as the overlay form to be used for printing, the form overlay printing process for one page is performed using the command-designated overlay form (step S304), and it is checked whether the print job is completed (step S305). ).

  When the print job is finished in step S305, the CPU 16 finishes the printing process and the form selection control process.

  As described above, the laser printer 1 of this embodiment designates an arbitrary paper feed tray from among a plurality of paper feed trays and commands to another predetermined overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray. If there is a designation (temporary change instruction), the overlay form registered for the command specified paper feed tray of the NVRAM 18 is temporarily saved, the other predetermined overlay form is temporarily registered, and the other When the form overlay printing process using the overlay form is completed, the overlay form for the designated paper feed tray is returned to the original overlay form temporarily saved from the other overlay form.

  Therefore, by designating the command, form overlay printing using the temporarily intended overlay form can be performed easily and appropriately, and the usability can be further improved.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the form selection control process by the laser printer to which the fourth embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to a laser printer similar to the laser printer 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the reference numerals used in the first embodiment are used as they are as necessary. explain.

  The laser printer 1 assigns an overlay form to each paper feed tray as an assigned overlay form, and only designates a paper feed tray to be used for printing, and forms overlay using the layout overlay assigned to the paper feed tray. In this form overlay printing process, when a printing mode for performing a printing process in which the paper feed tray is switched as in the rotation sort printing of the first embodiment is designated, the pre-allocated allocation is performed. An overlay form suitable for use in the printing mode is switched, and a form selection control process for temporarily assigning the overlay form to the destination paper feed tray is performed, and the form overlay printing process is performed using the temporary layout overlay form. Do.

  The laser printer 1 according to the present embodiment performs the form selection control process to switch the layout overlay form already allocated to the paper feed tray to another temporary overlay form, and further improve the usability. Therefore, the registration number (identification information) to be registered for the overlay form is registered as registration number assignment information in the NVRAM 18 so that the overlay form can be registered for the registration number and the overlay form is registered. Regardless of whether it is registered or not, by assigning a registration number to the paper feed tray and managing the overlay forms assigned to the paper feed tray according to the registration number, unregistered overlay forms can be assigned to the paper feed tray. Enables setting to assign reservations.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the laser printer 1 operates in response to an operation on the operation panel 3 or a control command from the host device, as shown in FIG. When setting for assigning 1 to the paper feed tray A and the paper feed tray B is performed, the CPU 16 registers the registration number assignment information for assigning the designated registration numbers to the paper feed tray A and the paper feed tray B in the NVRAM 18.

  Next, the overlay form FORM a is registered with the registration number no. When there is an instruction to specify and register 1, the CPU 16 registers the overlay form FORM a with a registration number No. 1. 1 is registered in the NVRAM 18.

  In this state, when print data designating the paper feed trays A and B is sent from the host device, the CPU 16 registers the registration number No. assigned to the paper feed trays A and B from the NVRAM 18. The overlay form FORM a registered in No. 1 is selected as an overlay form, and form overlay printing processing is performed in which print data is superimposed (composited) on the overlay form FORM a and printed.

  Next, when deletion of the overlay form FORM a is instructed, the CPU 16 deletes the instructed overlay form FORM a from the NVRAM 18, but the registration number no. The registration number assignment information for one paper feed tray A and B is kept valid.

  In this state, when print data designating the paper feed trays A and B is sent from the host device, the CPU 16 sends a registration number No. to the paper feed trays A and B from the NVRAM 18. 1 is assigned, but registration number no. Since no overlay form is registered in 1 and there is no overlay form to be combined with the print data, normal print processing is performed without performing form overlay processing.

  Next, the overlay form FORM b is registered with the registration number no. When there is an instruction to specify and register 1, the CPU 16 registers the overlay form FORM b with a registration number No. 1. 1 is registered in the NVRAM 18.

  In this state, when print data designating the paper feed trays A and B is sent from the host device, the CPU 16 registers the registration number No. assigned to the paper feed trays A and B from the NVRAM 18. The overlay form FORM b registered in No. 1 is selected as an overlay form, and form overlay printing processing is performed in which the print data is superimposed (synthesized) on the overlay form FORM b and printed.

  As described above, in the laser printer 1 of this embodiment, overlay forms and paper feed trays are registered in the NVRAM 18 in correspondence with a plurality of predetermined registration numbers (identification information), and the paper feed is performed via the registration numbers. The overlay form is assigned to the tray, and the registration of the paper feed tray corresponding to the registration number where the overlay form is not registered, and any overlay form corresponding to the registration number where only the paper feed tray is registered Registration and deletion are possible.

  Therefore, it is possible to easily and easily register and delete the intended overlay form from the intended paper feed tray, and it is possible to perform form overlay printing using the intended overlay form more easily and appropriately.

  In the above description, the registration number is used as the identification information, and the allocation to the paper feed tray and the registration of the overlay form and the association between the allocation and the registration are managed. However, symbols and other appropriate information can be used as long as they can appropriately perform allocation to the paper feed tray and overlay form registration and association between the allocation and registration. it can.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be applied to image forming apparatuses such as laser printers and composite apparatuses that perform form overlay printing processing in which print data is superimposed on an overlay form and printed on a sheet fed from a paper feed tray.

1 is a block diagram of a laser printer to which a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a form overlay printing process accompanied by a form selection control process by the laser printer of FIG. 1. 9 is a flowchart showing a form overlay printing process accompanied by a form selection control process by a laser printer to which a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. 10 is a flowchart showing a form overlay printing process accompanied by a form selection control process by a laser printer to which a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. Explanatory drawing of the form selection control processing by the laser printer to which 4th Example of the image forming apparatus of this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1 Laser Printer 2 Controller 3 Operation Panel 4 Hard Disk 5 Printer Engine 6 Main Power NW Network 11 Host I / F
12 Program ROM
13 Font ROM
14 Panel I / F
15 Disk I / F
16 CPU
17 RAM
18 NVRAM
19 Engine I / F
20 Network I / F 30 Host device 31 Hard disk

Claims (7)

  When an arbitrary overlay form is assigned to each of a plurality of paper feed trays and registered in the form storage means and print data is received, the overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray used for printing the print data and the In an image forming apparatus that performs a form overlay printing process in which print data is overlaid on a page-by-page basis, if the print mode of the received print data is a print mode in which a paper feed tray is switched during printing, the print During the form overlay printing of data, even if the paper feed tray used for the printing is switched to a paper feed tray assigned with an overlay form different from the overlay form assigned to the first paper feed tray. As the overlay form used in the form overlay printing, An image forming apparatus characterized in that a form selection control processing of selecting uses the overlay form that is allocated to the paper feed tray.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print mode in which the paper feed tray is switched during the printing is a rotation sort print mode in which printing is performed by switching a paper direction in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction for each copy. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   In the form selection control process, the image forming apparatus temporarily saves the overlay form registered for the switching destination paper tray of the form storage unit, and the switching is performed for the switching destination paper tray. When the overlay form same as the overlay form of the first paper feed tray is temporarily registered and the print processing of the print data is completed, the original overlay form temporarily saved with respect to the paper feed tray of the switching destination The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is registered.   4. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus executes the form selection control process only when execution of the form selection control process is selected. Forming equipment.   In the image forming apparatus, while the form overlay printing is continuously performed for a plurality of sheets, there is no paper in the paper feed tray in use, and the paper feed tray to be used is cut to another paper feed tray. In other words, according to the selection, the form selection control process is stopped, and the form overlay printing process is executed using the overlay form allocated to the switching destination paper feed tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus designates an arbitrary paper feed tray among the plurality of paper feed trays, and when there is a temporary change instruction to another predetermined overlay form assigned to the paper feed tray, The overlay form registered for the designated paper feed tray of the form storage means is temporarily saved, the other predetermined overlay form is temporarily registered, and the form overlay using the other overlay form is temporarily stored. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the printing process is completed, the overlay form for the designated paper feed tray is returned to the original overlay form temporarily saved from the other overlay form. Image forming apparatus.   In the image forming apparatus, the form storage unit registers the overlay form and the sheet feeding tray in association with a plurality of predetermined identification information, and the overlay form is stored in the sheet feeding tray via the identification information. It is possible to register the paper feed tray corresponding to the identification information that is allocated and not registered to the overlay form, and to register and delete any of the overlay forms for the identification information that is registered only for the paper feed tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

Images