JP2012003199A - Image formation apparatus, image formation method, and image formation program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To advise whether paper is correctly stored, when the paper is stored in a cassette.SOLUTION: An MFP includes: a manuscript reading part for reading a manuscript to output an image; an image formation part for forming an image on paper; a paper feed part for feeding paper stored in a paper feed cassette to the image formation part; a test image generation part 55 for generating a test image from a paper image output by the manuscript reading part reading paper stored in the paper feed cassette; an opening/closing detection part 61 for detecting opening/closing of the paper feed cassette; and a test print execution part 65 for instructing the image formation part to form a test image on paper stored in a cassette in response to opening/closing of the cassette detected by the opening/closing detection part 61.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program.

  When an image is formed on a paper such as a slip that has characters or line drawings recorded in advance, if the paper different from the paper to be stored is stored, or if the front, back, or orientation of the paper is stored incorrectly, the image is correctly displayed on the paper. Cannot be formed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-156804 discloses an image forming apparatus for preventing this sheet storage error. The image forming apparatus includes a recording paper feeding unit that feeds stored recording paper, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording paper, and conveyance between the recording paper feeding unit and the image forming unit. Recording paper type detection means for collecting data for determining the type of recording paper that is positioned on the path and recording paper type for storing data relating to the type of recording paper detected by the recording paper type detection means The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit and a control unit that performs control to execute or prohibit the operation of the image forming unit based on data in the recording sheet type storage unit.

However, the conventional image forming apparatus must be provided with a recording paper type detection unit for determining the type of the recording paper that is located on the conveyance path between the recording paper feeding unit and the image forming unit. There is a problem that the cost increases.
JP-A-6-156804

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to notify whether or not a sheet is correctly stored when the sheet is stored in a cassette. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method capable of notifying whether or not a sheet is correctly stored when the sheet is stored in a cassette.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming program capable of notifying whether or not a sheet is correctly stored when the sheet is stored in a cassette.

  In order to achieve the above-described problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus reads a document and outputs an image, and supplies a paper stored in a cassette to the image forming unit. Paper means, image forming means for forming an image on paper, paper feeding means for supplying the paper stored in the cassette to the image forming means, and paper image output by reading the paper stored in the cassette by the document reading means A test image generating means for generating a test image from the image forming apparatus, a detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the cassette, and the detection means detecting the opening / closing of the cassette, and the test image is formed on the paper stored in the cassette on the image forming means. Test print execution means to be formed.

  According to this aspect, since the test image is generated from the paper image output by the original reading unit reading the paper stored in the cassette, the test image is a feature of the image or color recorded on the paper stored in the cassette. including. For this reason, the user viewing the paper on which the test image is formed can determine whether the paper is correctly stored in the cassette from the difference between the color or direction of the test image and the color or direction of the paper. In addition, since a test image is formed on the paper stored in the cassette in response to detection of opening / closing of the cassette, the test image is displayed on the paper stored in the cassette each time paper is stored in the cassette. It is formed. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of notifying whether or not the paper is correctly stored when the paper is stored in the cassette.

  Preferably, the test image generation unit includes a character line drawing extraction unit that extracts a character or / and line drawing included in the paper image, and the test image generation unit includes the same character or / and the line drawing as the extracted character or / and line drawing. A test image in which the line drawing is arranged at the same position as the extracted character or / and line drawing is generated.

  According to this aspect, the test image includes characters or / and line drawings in the same direction as the characters or / and line drawings recorded on the paper at the same positions as the positions formed on the paper. For this reason, the user who sees the paper on which the test image is formed can visually recognize the difference between the direction of the test image and the direction of the paper. Further, when the direction of the paper is different from the direction of the test image, the test image is formed out of alignment with the characters or / and line drawings recorded on the paper, so that the user immediately recognizes that the direction is different. be able to.

  Preferably, the image forming unit is capable of forming a full-color image, and the test image generating unit further includes a color detecting unit that detects a color of characters or / and line drawings included in the paper image, and the test image generating unit is A character or / and a line drawing are arranged with the detected color.

  According to this aspect, the paper on which the test image is formed forms an image of the same color as the image recorded on the stored paper. Therefore, when the paper storage direction is correct, the user It is difficult to visually recognize that is formed on the paper. For this reason, it is possible to notify the user that the paper is correctly stored.

  Preferably, the image forming unit is capable of forming a full-color image, the test image generating unit includes a background color detecting unit that detects a background color of the paper image, and the test image generating unit is configured to perform predetermined printing. A test image is generated by arranging the image for use with the detected color.

  According to this aspect, the background color of the paper image is detected, and a test image in which a predetermined print image is attached with the detected color is generated. Includes print images of the same color as the color. For this reason, the user who views the paper on which the test image is formed can visually recognize the difference between the color of the image for printing included in the test image and the color of the paper. As a result, it is possible to notify the user that the types of stored paper are different.

  Preferably, the print image has one direction, and the test image generation unit arranges the print image on the test image with the same direction as the print image and the direction of the paper image.

  According to this aspect, since the print image is arranged on the test image in the same direction as the paper image, when the paper direction is different from the print image direction, the fact that the direction is different is notified. be able to.

  Preferably, there are a plurality of cassettes, and the test image generation means further includes association means for associating a plurality of cassettes designated by the user with the generated test image.

  Preferably, the image forming unit further includes: an operation receiving unit that receives a user operation; a print data receiving unit that receives print data; and a remaining amount detection unit that detects the presence or absence of paper stored in a cassette. When the remaining amount is detected by the remaining amount detecting means, the image formation of the received print data is interrupted, and the image formation of the interrupted print data is resumed on condition that a predetermined operation is accepted by the operation accepting means. To do.

  According to this aspect, since the image formation of the print data is not resumed unless a predetermined operation is accepted, the image formation of the print data is resumed before the paper is properly stored, and the paper is wasted. Can be prevented.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming method includes a document reading unit that reads a document and outputs an image, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a document reading unit that outputs an image, and a cassette. An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus comprising: a sheet feeding unit that supplies a sheet stored in a sheet to an image forming unit, wherein the document reading unit reads and outputs the sheet stored in a cassette Generating a test image from the image; detecting means for detecting opening and closing of the cassette; and detecting the opening and closing of the cassette by the detecting means to cause the image forming means to form a test image on the paper stored in the cassette Steps.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming method capable of notifying whether or not the paper is correctly stored when the paper is stored in the cassette.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, an image forming program reads a document and outputs an image, a document reading unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a document reading unit that outputs an image, An image forming program that is executed by a computer that controls an image forming apparatus that includes a sheet feeding unit that supplies a sheet stored in a cassette to an image forming unit, and the document reading unit stores a sheet stored in the cassette. A step of generating a test image from a paper image to be read and output, a detecting means for detecting opening / closing of the cassette, and an image of the test image on the paper stored in the cassette in response to the detection means detecting opening / closing of the cassette. And causing the forming means to form the computer.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming program capable of notifying whether or not a sheet is correctly stored when the sheet is stored in a cassette.

2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of an MFP in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an outline of a function of a CPU provided in the MFP together with data stored in an EEPROM. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a test image setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the 1st paper. It is a figure which shows an example of the 2nd paper. It is a figure which shows an example of the 1st test image produced | generated based on a 1st paper. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second sheet on which a first test image is formed. It is a figure which shows an example of the 2nd test image produced | generated based on a 1st paper. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second sheet on which a second test image is formed. It is a figure which shows an example of the 3rd test image produced | generated based on a 1st paper. FIG. 10 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a second sheet on which a third test image is formed. It is the 2nd figure showing an example of the 2nd paper on which the 3rd test image was formed. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a test image generation process. It is a first flowchart showing an example of the flow of test print execution processing. 12 is a second flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of test print execution processing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, MFP 1 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 10, a document reading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, and a paper feeding unit 40.

  The ADF 10 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document feed tray 11 by a user one by one to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the document reading unit 20, and reads the document. The document whose document image has been read by the unit 20 is discharged onto the document discharge tray 12. The document reading unit 20 includes a light source that emits light to a document located at a document reading position and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected from the document, and scans a document image corresponding to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data that is an electrical signal and outputs the image data to the image forming unit 30.

  The image forming unit 30 forms an image by a known electrophotographic method, and includes development units 31, 33, 35, and 37 corresponding to four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, a transfer belt 39, and the like. . Each of the developing units 31, 33, 35, and 37 includes a photosensitive drum, an exposure unit, and a developing device. The exposure unit performs various data processing such as shading correction on the image data input from the document reading unit 20, converts the data after data processing into a drive signal for driving the laser diode for each main scanning line, Laser light is scanned on the photosensitive drum. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum. The developing device is equipped with a toner cartridge that stores toner of the corresponding color, and forms a toner image by placing the toner on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the transfer belt 39 by a transfer charger. The transfer belt 39 superimposes all the toner images on the photosensitive drums provided in the developing units 31, 33, 35, and 37, and transfers them onto the paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 40. The image forming unit 30 can drive one or more selected from the developing units 31, 33, 35, and 37 corresponding to four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. When this is selected and driven, a monochrome image can be formed.

  The paper feed unit 40 includes paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 for storing paper. The sheet cassette 41 includes a remaining sheet sensor 47 that detects the number of sheets stored therein, and a pickup roller for feeding out the stored sheets toward the image forming unit 30. The sheet cassette 42 includes a remaining sheet sensor 48 that detects the number of sheets stored in the sheet cassette 42 and a pickup roller that feeds the stored sheets toward the image forming unit 30. The paper feed cassette 43 includes a paper remaining amount sensor 49 that detects the number of papers stored therein, and a pickup roller for feeding out the stored papers toward the image forming unit 30. In addition, open / close sensors 44, 45, and 46 are arranged in proximity to the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43, respectively. The open / close sensor 44 detects the open / close of the paper feed cassette 41, the open / close sensor 45 detects the open / close of the paper feed cassette 42, and the open / close sensor 46 detects the open / close of the paper feed cassette 43.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 1 includes main circuit 101, ADF 10, document reading unit 20, image forming unit 30, sheet feeding unit 40, operation panel 13, and remaining sheet sensors 47, 48, and 49. And open / close sensors 44, 45, 46.

  The main circuit 101 includes a CPU 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 115, and a large capacity. A hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a storage device, a facsimile unit 117, a network I / F 118, and an external storage device 119 to which a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) 119A is mounted are included. CPU 111 is connected to ADF 10, document reading unit 20, image forming unit 30, paper feed unit 40, operation panel 13, remaining paper sensors 47, 48, 49 and open / close sensors 44, 45, 46 to control the entire MFP 1. To do.

  The remaining sheet sensor 47 detects the number of sheets stored in the sheet feeding cassette 41 and outputs the detected number to the CPU 111. The remaining sheet sensor 48 detects the number of sheets stored in the sheet feeding cassette 42 and outputs the detected number to the CPU 111. The remaining sheet sensor 49 detects the number of sheets stored in the sheet feeding cassette 43 and outputs the detected number to the CPU 111.

  The open / close sensor 44 detects opening / closing of the paper feed cassette 41 and outputs an open signal indicating the open state of the paper feed cassette 41 or a close signal indicating the closed state to the CPU 111. The open / close sensor 45 detects the opening / closing of the paper feed cassette 42 and outputs an open signal indicating the open state of the paper feed cassette 42 or a close signal indicating the closed state to the CPU 111. The open / close sensor 46 detects opening / closing of the paper feed cassette 43 and outputs an open signal indicating the open state of the paper feed cassette 43 or a close signal indicating the closed state to the CPU 111.

  The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 and data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program.

  The communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting the MFP 1 to another apparatus using a serial communication cable. The connection form may be wired or wireless.

  The facsimile unit 117 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. The facsimile unit 117 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 116 or outputs it to the image forming unit 30. The image forming unit 30 forms an image of facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 117 on a sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 117 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to a facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

  A network I / F 118 is an interface for connecting the MFP 1 to the network. The CPU 111 can communicate with a personal computer (PC) connected to the network via the network I / F 118 and a computer connected to the Internet.

  The external storage device 119 is loaded with a CD-ROM 119A. The CPU 111 can access the CD-ROM 119A via the external storage device 119, and can load a program stored in the CD-ROM 119A into the RAM 114 and execute it. Note that the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the program stored in the CD-ROM 119A, and may be a program stored in another storage medium, a program stored in the HDD 116, or a network I / O. It may be a program written in the HDD 116 by another computer connected to the network via the F118.

  The storage medium for storing the program is not limited to the CD-ROM 119A, but an optical disc (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC card, optical card, mask ROM, A semiconductor memory such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) may be used.

  The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  Operation panel 13 is provided on the upper surface of MFP 1, and includes a display unit 103 and an operation unit 105. The display unit 103 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic ELD (Electroluminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for a user, information about acquired display data, and the like. The operation unit 105 receives a user operation and outputs the received operation to the CPU 111. The operation unit 105 includes a touch panel arranged so as to be superimposed on the display unit 103. The touch panel is made of a transparent member, and is arranged so as to be superimposed on the display unit 103. When the user touches the touch panel with a finger, the touch panel detects the touched position as an instruction position and outputs the detected position to the CPU 111.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of an outline of functions of the CPU provided in the MFP, together with data stored in the EEPROM. Referring to FIG. 3, CPU 111 provided in MFP 1 includes an operation receiving unit 51 that receives a user operation, a reading control unit 53 that controls document reading unit 20, a test image generating unit 55 that generates a test image, and an external device. A print data receiving unit 57 for receiving print data from the paper, a paper remaining amount detecting unit 59 for detecting the remaining amount of paper stored in each of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42 and 43, and a paper feed cassette 41, 42 and 43, respectively. An open / close detection unit 61 that detects the open / close state of the image, an image formation control unit 63 that controls the image forming unit 30, and a test print execution unit 65.

  The operation receiving unit 51 receives an operation input by the user to the operation unit 105. When the user presses a test image setting button included in the operation unit 105, the operation reception unit 51 receives an operation for instructing registration of a test image. When accepting an operation for instructing registration of a test image, the operation accepting unit 51 displays a test image setting screen on the display unit 103 and accepts various settings for registering the test image.

  The test image is generated based on the image data output by the original reading unit 20 reading the paper stored in any of the paper supply cassettes 41, 42, and 43. The paper read by the reading unit 20 is stored in the EEPROM 115 in association with the storage of the paper. Therefore, the test image setting screen includes at least an area for the user to select one of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a test image setting screen. Referring to FIG. 4, test image setting screen 200 has a paper feed cassette selection area 180 that accepts an instruction to select one of paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43, and a print image that accepts setting of a print image. It includes an image setting area 190 and guidance areas 205 and 207 that provide guidance to the user for operations.

  The paper feed cassette selection area 180 includes a button 181 indicating the identification information “first paper feed cassette” of the paper feed cassette 41 and a button 183 showing the identification information “second paper feed cassette” of the paper feed cassette 42. And a button 185 in which the identification information “third sheet cassette” of the sheet cassette 43 is displayed. Buttons 181, 183, and 185 are buttons for the user to select one of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 and can be exclusively selected. When any of the buttons 181, 183, and 185 is instructed by the user, the instructed button is highlighted to notify the user that it has been instructed. In the figure, it is indicated by hatching that the button 181 is instructed and highlighted.

  Here, the operation of the user selecting one of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 is the operation of instructing the buttons 181, 183, and 185. However, the user selects the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43. It is good also as operation which opens and closes. In this case, based on the output of the open / close sensors 44, 45, 46, it is detected which of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, 43 has been opened / closed, and the open / close of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, 43 is detected. You can select the one you want.

  The print image setting area 190 is an area for accepting a setting as to which one of the component images stored in advance in the EEPROM 115 is used for the print image. The component image is used to generate a test image, which will be described later, and includes a stamp image and a pattern image. The print image setting area 190 is an area for accepting an operation for setting a component image used as a print image to be either a stamp image or a pattern image, or both. The stamp image is an image including a predetermined character, and the pattern image is an image defining a predetermined pattern. The print image setting area 190 includes a button 191 including a character string “stamp image” and a button 193 including a character string “pattern image”. Either one or both of the button 191 and the button 193 can be selected. When button 191 and / or button 193 is instructed by the user, the indicated button is highlighted to indicate to the user that the instruction has been accepted. In the figure, hatching indicates that both are instructed and displayed in reverse video.

  Guidance areas 205 and 207 are areas for guiding a user to perform an operation when generating a test image. The guidance area 205 indicates an operation for placing a document on the document feed tray 11. 42 and 43 show operations for storing paper.

  A guidance area 205 indicates the front and back sides and the direction of a document placed on the document feed tray 11. Here, the character “table” is arranged at the center of the guidance area 205, the character “upper” is arranged on the left side, and the character “lower” is arranged on the right side. The characters “front” arranged at the center of the guidance area 205 indicate that the front and back sides of the document are front and back, and the user can place the document on the document feed tray 11 with the front of the document facing up. Be notified. The “upper” characters arranged on the left side of the guidance area 205 and the “lower” characters arranged on the right side indicate that the relationship between the direction of the document and the direction of the document feed tray 11 is the upper side (lower side of the document). ) Matches the left side (right side) of the document feed tray 11, and the direction from the bottom side to the top side of the document is set so that it matches the direction from the right side to the left side of the document feed tray 11 to the user. Will be notified.

  The guidance area 207 indicates the front and back sides and the direction of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 41 corresponding to the button selected in the paper feed cassette selection area 180 of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43, here the button 181. Here, the character “table” is arranged at the center of the guidance area 207, the character “lower” is arranged on the left side, and the character “upper” is arranged on the right side. The characters “front” arranged at the center of the guidance area 207 indicate that the front and back of the paper are front and back, and notify the user that the paper is placed in the paper feed cassette 41 with the front of the paper facing up. Is done. The “lower” character arranged on the left side of the guidance area 207 and the “upper” character arranged on the right side indicate that the relationship between the direction of the paper and the direction of the paper feed cassette 41 is the lower side (upper side) of the paper. Indicates that it matches the right side (left side) of the paper feed cassette 41, and the paper is fed so that the direction from the lower side to the upper side of the paper matches the direction from the left side to the right side of the paper feed cassette 41 to the user. Notification of storage in the cassette 41 is made.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the operation receiving unit 51 detects that the user has pressed the button 181 included in the paper cassette selection area 180 of the test image setting screen 200, the operation receiving unit 51 moves the paper cassette 41 corresponding to the button 181. The cassette identification information “first paper feed cassette” for identification is output to the test image generation unit 55. When the operation receiving unit 51 detects that the button 183 included in the test image setting screen 200 is pressed by the user, the cassette receiving information “second sheet cassette” for identifying the sheet cassette 42 corresponding to the button 183 is displayed. Is output to the test image generation unit 55. When the operation receiving unit 51 detects that the button 185 included in the test image setting screen 200 is pressed by the user, the cassette receiving information “third sheet cassette” for identifying the sheet cassette 43 corresponding to the button 185 is displayed. Is output to the test image generation unit 55.

  When the operation receiving unit 51 detects that the user has pressed the button 191 in the print image setting area 190 included in the test image setting screen 200, the operation accepting unit 51 prints the name of the stamp image previously assigned to the button 191. The image name is output to the test image generation unit 55. When the operation receiving unit 51 detects that the button 193 of the print image setting area 190 included in the test image setting screen 200 is pressed by the user, the operation receiving unit 51 sets the name of the pattern image previously assigned to the button 193 to the print image name. To the test image generation unit 55.

  When the scan button included in the operation unit 105 is instructed while the test image setting screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 103, the operation reception unit 51 receives a test image generation instruction and performs read control on the test image generation instruction. Output to the unit 53 and the test image generation unit 55.

  When a test image generation instruction is input from the operation receiving unit 51, the reading control unit 53 controls the document reading unit 20 to acquire image data that the document reading unit 20 reads and outputs the document. The image data is output to the test image generation unit 55 as a paper image.

  The test image setting screen displayed on the display unit 103 by the operation receiving unit 51 includes the guidance area 207 as described above. In accordance with the operation displayed in the guidance area 207, the user stores paper in the paper cassettes 41, 42, and 43 selected in the paper cassette selection area 180 included in the test image setting screen, With the same sheet placed on the document feed tray 11 in accordance with the operation displayed in the guidance area 205, a scan button provided on the operation unit 105 is pressed. For this reason, the image data acquired by the reading control unit 53 from the document reading unit 20 is the same as the paper stored in the paper storage cassette 41, 42, 43 in which the user stores the paper. Image data to be read and output as a document. Therefore, the sheet image output from the document reading unit 20 to the test image generation unit 55 is formed on the ground region of the sheet stored in the sheet cassette 41, 42, 43 in which the user has stored the sheet, and the background area. Includes the same background area and line drawing as the line drawing.

  The test image generation unit 55 analyzes the paper image input from the reading control unit 53 and generates a test image. The test image generation unit 55 includes a character / line image extraction unit 71, a background region extraction unit 73, a background color detection unit 75, an arrangement unit 77, and an association unit 81.

  The character / line drawing extraction unit 71 extracts characters and / or line drawings from the paper image input from the reading control unit 53 and extracts the color and position of the extracted characters or / and line drawings in the paper image. For example, an edge image obtained by differentiating the paper image is generated, and characters or / and line drawings are extracted from the edge image. In the edge image, the pixel value of the paper image is set to “1” if the difference from the pixel value of the pixel adjacent in the horizontal direction is equal to or greater than the threshold, and “0” if the difference is less than the threshold. Generated. The technique for extracting characters or line drawings from an image is not limited to this, and other techniques may be used.

  The character / line drawing extraction unit 71 outputs a set of a character or / and line drawing extracted from the paper image and a color / position in the paper image of the character or / and line drawing to the arrangement unit 77. The character / line drawing extraction unit 71 does not extract characters and line drawings unless the paper image includes characters and line drawings. In this case, the character / line drawing extraction unit 71 determines that no character or line drawing exists in the placement unit 77. The signal shown is output.

  The background area extraction unit 73 extracts a background area from the paper image input from the reading control unit 53, and detects the position of the extracted background area in the paper image. A well-known technique can be used as the technique for extracting the background area from the paper image. For example, a set of a plurality of pixels having the largest number of pixels of the same color in the paper image may be used as the base region. The background area extraction unit 73 outputs the extracted background area to the background color detection unit 75, and outputs the position of the detected background area in the paper image to the arrangement unit 77.

  The background color detection unit 75 detects the color of the background region input from the background region extraction unit 73 and outputs the detected color to the placement unit 77.

  When a set of a character or / and line drawing and a color and / or position in the paper image of the character or / and line drawing is input from the character / line drawing extracting unit 71, the arrangement unit 77 includes the character or / and line drawing in the paper image. The colored character or / and line drawing is arranged in the test image at the same position as the position in the paper image in the test image. A test image in which colored characters or / and line drawings are arranged is in a default state, and the values of all pixels are “256”. By the arrangement unit 77, the test image includes characters or line drawings of the same color and shape as the characters or line drawings included in the paper image. A pixel having a pixel value of “256” indicates a value at which toner is not formed on the paper by the image forming unit 30.

  The character or / and line drawing extracted by the character / line drawing extraction unit 71 may include a direction in the case of a character, and may include a direction in the case of a line drawing. For this reason, the test image in which the colored character or / and line drawing is arranged by the arrangement unit 77 is recorded on the paper with the character or / and line drawing in the same direction as the character or / and line drawing recorded on the paper. In the same position as

  The placement unit 77 receives the position of the background region in the paper image from the background region extraction unit 73 and receives the color of the background region from the background color detection unit 75. Further, the placement unit 77 receives a print image name from the operation reception unit 51. When the name of the stamp image is input as the print image name from the operation receiving unit 51, the arrangement unit 77 reads the stamp image 95 specified by the name of the input stamp image from the EEPROM 115, and reads the stamp image read out. A colored stamp image with a color input from the background color detection unit 75 is generated at 95. The stamp image is an image having one direction. Then, the placement unit 77 places the colored stamp image at the same position as the position of the ground region input from the ground region extraction unit 73 of the test image. When the stamp image has one direction, the placement unit 77 places the colored stamp image on the test image in the same direction as the direction of the paper image. The test image here is a test image after the character or / and line drawing is arranged when the character / line drawing extracting unit 71 extracts the character or / and line drawing.

  When the name of the pattern image is input from the operation receiving unit 51, the arrangement unit 77 reads the pattern image 97 specified by the input pattern image name from the EEPROM 115, and detects the background color in the read pattern image 97. A colored pattern image with a color input from the unit 75 is generated. Then, the placement unit 77 places the colored pattern image over the entire ground region input from the ground region extraction unit 73 of the test image. The test image here is a test image after the character or / and line drawing is arranged when the character / line drawing extracting unit 71 extracts the character or / and line drawing, and further, a colored stamp image is arranged. In this case, it is a test image after the colored stamp image is arranged.

  The placement unit 77 places the colored stamp image or / and the colored pattern image on the test image when the color of the ground region input from the ground color detection unit 75 is not “white”. The arrangement unit 77 does not arrange the colored stamp image or / and the colored pattern image on the test image when the color of the background region input from the background color detection unit 75 is “white”. This is because the MFP 1 cannot form a test image. The arrangement unit 77 outputs a test image in which characters or / and line drawings or colored stamp images are arranged to the association unit 81.

  The association unit 81 receives cassette identification information for identifying any of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 from the operation reception unit 51, and receives a test image from the arrangement unit 77. The association unit 81 stores the test image input from the arrangement unit 77 in the EEPROM 115 in association with the cassette identification information input from the operation reception unit 51. As a result, the test image 91 is stored in the EEPROM 115. The test image is generated based on image data output by the document reading unit 20 reading and outputting a document when the start key is pressed while the test image setting screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 103. On the other hand, the cassette identification information input from the operation accepting unit 51 is a cassette for identifying the one selected by the user from the sheet cassettes 41, 42, and 43 in the sheet cassette selection area 180 of the test image setting screen 200. Identification information. Therefore, the test image is associated with the sheet cassette selected by the user on the test image setting screen 200 among the sheet cassettes 41, 42, and 43. The association unit 81 associates the test image with the cassette identification information by storing association data including image identification information for identifying the test image input from the arrangement unit 77 and cassette identification information in the EEPROM 115.

  The print data receiving unit 57 controls the network I / F 118 to receive print data transmitted from the PC. The print data receiving unit 57 outputs the received print data to the image formation control unit 63.

  The sheet remaining amount detection unit 59 receives the number of sheets stored in the sheet feed cassette 41 from the sheet remaining amount sensor 47 and inputs the number of sheets stored in the sheet feed cassette 42 from the sheet remaining amount sensor 48. Then, the number of sheets stored in the sheet feed cassette 43 is input from the remaining sheet sensor 49. When the number of sheets input from the remaining sheet sensor 47 reaches zero, the remaining sheet detector 59 outputs to the image forming controller 63 that the remaining amount in the sheet cassette 41 is zero, and the remaining sheet sensor 48. When the number of sheets input from the printer is zero, the fact that the remaining amount of the sheet cassette 42 is zero is output to the image forming control unit 63. The fact that the remaining amount of 43 is zero is output to the image formation control unit 63.

  The open / close detection unit 61 receives an open signal indicating the open state of the paper feed cassette 41 or a close signal indicating the closed state from the open / close sensor 44, and an open signal or close state indicating the open state of the paper feed cassette 42 from the open / close sensor 45. Is input, and an open signal indicating the open state of the paper feed cassette 43 or a close signal indicating the closed state is input from the open / close sensor 46. The open / close detection unit 61 outputs a status signal indicating the open / closed state for each of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, 43 to the image formation control unit 63 and the test print execution unit 65. For example, when an open signal is input from the open / close sensor 44, the open / close detector 61 receives the cassette identification information “first paper cassette from the open / close sensor 44 until the next close signal is input from the open / close sensor 44. ”And a state signal indicating the open state are output to the image formation control unit 63 and the test print execution unit 65. When the close signal is input from the open / close sensor 44, the open / close detector 61 receives the cassette identification information “first paper cassette” of the paper cassette 41 until the open signal is input from the open / close sensor 44 next time. A pair with the state signal indicating the closed state is output to the image formation control unit 63 and the test print execution unit 65. Accordingly, each of the image formation control unit 63 and the test print execution unit 65 sets the open / close state for each of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, 43 based on the combination of the cassette identification information and the status signal input from the open / close detection unit 61. To detect.

  The image formation control unit 63 controls the image forming unit 30 and the paper feeding unit 40 in response to the input of print data from the print data receiving unit 57, and feeds paper feed cassettes 41, 42, The paper stored in any one of 43 is conveyed to the image forming unit 30, and the image forming unit 30 forms an image of the print data on the paper. Whether the paper stored in any of the paper supply cassettes 41, 42, and 43 is conveyed to the paper supply unit 40 is determined by the print data input from the print data reception unit 57.

  When the interruption condition is satisfied while the image forming unit 30 is forming the image of the print data, the image forming control unit 63 causes the image forming unit 30 to stop the image formation and feeds the paper to the paper feeding unit 40. Of the cassettes 41, 42, and 43, the cassette identification information of the sheet conveyed to the sheet feeding unit 40 is output to the test print execution unit 65. The interruption condition includes a first interruption condition and a second interruption condition, and when either one is satisfied, the interruption condition is satisfied. The first interruption condition is that the remaining amount of the sheet feeding cassettes 41, 42, 43 transporting the sheet from the sheet remaining amount detecting unit 59 to the image forming unit 30 becomes zero. Is to be entered. The second condition is that among the sheet cassettes 41, 42, and 43 from the open / close detection unit 61, the cassette identification information of the sheet feeding unit 40 transporting the sheet to the image forming unit 30 and the status signal indicating the open state. A set is input.

  After interrupting the image formation of the print data, the image formation control unit 63 resumes the image formation of the print data on condition that the restart condition is satisfied. The restart condition includes the first to third restart conditions. When all of the first to third restart conditions are satisfied, the restart condition is satisfied. The first restart condition is that the remaining amount of paper is not zero even though the paper feed unit 40 transported the paper to the image forming unit 30 among the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, 43 from the paper remaining amount detection unit 59. It is to be done. The second resumption condition is that the cassette identification information and the status signal indicating the closed state of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 from the open / close detection unit 61 that are transporting the paper to the image forming unit 30. A set is input. The third restart condition is that a restart instruction is input from the test print execution unit 65 described later. The restart instruction will be described later.

  If the interruption condition is satisfied, the paper cassettes 41, 42, and 43 that store the paper used for image formation have run out of paper, or the user needs to insert a paper feed cassette to replenish the paper during image formation. This is when it opens. Therefore, when the first restart condition and the second restart condition are satisfied, the user closes the paper cassettes 41, 42, and 43 that store the paper used for image formation and replenishes the paper. This is the case. In this case, there is a case where the operation of storing the paper in the paper storage cassette 41, 42, 43 that stores the paper used for image formation is incorrect. For example, when storing different types of paper, storing the paper with the front and back reversed, and storing the paper with the paper direction reversed.

  For this reason, the test print execution unit 65 executes the test print after the first restart condition and the second restart condition are satisfied. The test print execution unit 65 determines that the first resumption condition and the second resumption condition are satisfied after the image formation control unit 63 interrupts image formation and the cassette identification information is input from the image formation control unit 63. A test print is executed accordingly.

  The test print execution unit 65 refers to the association data stored in the EEPROM 115, and reads from the EEPROM 115 the test image 91 specified by the image identification information associated with the cassette identification information input from the image formation control unit 63. read out. The test print execution unit 65 controls the image forming unit 30 and the paper feed unit 40 and is specified by cassette identification information input from the image formation control unit 63 among the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43. The paper stored in the paper is conveyed to the paper feed unit 40, and the image forming unit 30 forms the test image 91 on the paper.

  As described above, the test image generated by the test image generation unit 55 is stored on the paper stored in the cassette specified by the cassette identification information input from the image formation control unit 63 among the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43. Includes recorded image or color features. For this reason, the paper on which the test image is formed, if the type, front, back, and direction of the paper stored in the paper cassette are correct, the color or direction of the test image, the direction of the image recorded on the paper, and the background of the paper If one of the paper type, front, back, and orientation is incorrect, either the test image color or orientation, the image orientation recorded on the paper, or the background color of the paper Is different. For this reason, the user viewing the paper on which the test image is formed determines whether the type, front, back, and direction of the paper stored in the paper cassette are correct based on the difference between the color or direction of the test image and the color or direction of the paper. Can be judged.

  In particular, the test image includes characters or / and line drawings in the same direction as the characters or / and line drawings recorded on the paper at the same positions as those recorded on the paper. For this reason, the user who sees the paper on which the test image is formed can visually recognize the difference between the direction of the test image and the direction of the paper. Further, when the direction of the paper is different from the direction of the test image, the test image is formed out of alignment with the characters or / and line drawings recorded on the paper, so that the user immediately recognizes that the direction is different. be able to.

  When the test image includes a stamp image or a pattern image, the test image includes a stamp image or pattern image having the same color as the background color of the paper. For this reason, the user viewing the paper on which the test image is formed can visually recognize the difference between the color of the stamp image or the pattern image included in the test image and the color of the paper. Users can be notified that they are different.

  Further, when the test image includes a stamp image including one direction, a user viewing the paper on which the test image is formed may visually recognize the difference between the direction of the stamp image included in the test image and the direction of the paper. Therefore, it is possible to notify the user that the direction of the stored paper is different.

  The test print execution unit 65 causes the image forming unit 30 to form the test image 91 on the paper, and then displays a confirmation screen on the display unit 103. The confirmation screen includes a confirmation button that can be pressed by the user. When the user looks at the test printed paper and determines that the type, front, back, and orientation of the paper stored in the paper cassette are correct, the user presses the confirmation button.

  When the confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 103, the user looks at the test-printed paper and determines that the type, front, back, or orientation of the paper stored in the paper cassette is incorrect. The operation of taking out the paper stored in the paper cassette again and storing it again can be repeated until it is determined that the type, front, back, and direction of the paper stored in the paper cassette are correct.

  The test print execution unit 65 displays the cassette identification information input from the image formation control unit 63 among the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 from the open / close detection unit 61 while the confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 103. After a set of state signals indicating the state is input, cassette identification information input from the image forming control unit 63 among the sheet feeding cassettes 41, 42, and 43 from the open / close detection unit 61 and a state signal indicating the closed state When a set is input, a test print is executed.

  That is, the test print execution unit 65 repeatedly executes test prints until it is detected that the confirmation button included in the confirmation screen is pressed. When the test print execution unit 65 detects that the confirmation button included in the confirmation screen has been pressed, the test print execution unit 65 outputs a restart instruction to the image formation control unit 63. Since the restart instruction is not output until the user presses the confirmation button, the image formation of the print data interrupted by the image formation control unit 63 is not restarted until the user presses the confirmation button. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of paper by restarting image formation of print data before the paper is correctly stored.

  Further, when the image formation control unit 63 is not forming an image, the test print execution unit 65 receives a set of cassette identification information and an open state signal from the open / close detection unit 61 and then opens / closes the open / close detection unit. When a set of cassette identification information and a state signal indicating a closed state is input from 61, a test print is executed. This is because the user may add paper to the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 even if the user has not input a print instruction. Also in this case, the test print execution unit 65 repeatedly executes the test print until it is detected that the confirmation button included in the confirmation screen is pressed.

  Further, the test print execution unit 65 is executed after the test image setting screen 200 is displayed on the display unit 103 after the user presses the test image setting button and a test image is generated. It is possible to prevent an erroneous test image from being registered.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first sheet. Referring to FIG. 5, first sheet 220 includes a character string “shipping slip A”, line drawing 223, and background area 221. Here, the character string of “shipping slip A” and the color of the line drawing 223 are black, and the color of the base area 221 is red.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second sheet. Referring to FIG. 6, second sheet 230 includes a character string “shipping slip B”, line drawing 233, and background area 231. Here, the character string of “shipping slip B” and the color of the line drawing 233 are black, and the color of the base area 231 is blue.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first test image generated based on the first sheet. Referring to FIG. 7, the first test image 240 includes a stamp image 241. The stamp image 241 includes a character string of “replenishment error”, and the color of the character string of “replenishment error” is the same red color as the color of the base region 221 of the first sheet 220 shown in FIG. Further, the character string “replenishment error” includes the direction. The background color of the test image 240 is white.

  The color of the base region 221 of the first paper 220 shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the color of the stamp image 241 of the first test image 240 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the first test image 240 shown in FIG. 7 is formed on the first paper 220 shown in FIG. 5, the user shows the first paper 220 shown in FIG. 5 on the first paper 220 shown in FIG. 7. In the paper on which the first test image 240 is formed, the stamp image 241 can only be viewed thinly in the base region 221, and the stamp image 241 cannot be viewed unless carefully viewed. Note that a part of the line drawing 223 in the test image 240 is scraped by the stamp image, but the portion to be scraped is small, so it is not noticeable. For this reason, the user looks at the sheet on which the first test image 240 shown in FIG. 7 is formed on the first sheet 220 shown in FIG. And it can be determined that the direction is correct.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second sheet on which the first test image is formed. The color of the base region 231 of the second sheet 230 shown in FIG. 6 is different from the color of the stamp image 241 of the first test image 240 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the first test image 240 shown in FIG. 7 is formed on the second paper 230 shown in FIG. 6, the user puts the stamp image 241 in the second paper 230 shown in FIG. Visible clearly. For this reason, the user can be notified that the type of paper fed to the paper cassette is incorrect.

  The stamp image 241 includes a character string “replenishment error”. Since the upper direction of the character string is specified, when the paper is stored upside down, the character string “shipping slip B” recorded on the paper and the character string “replenishment error” included in the stamp image 241 are stored. Appears upside down. For this reason, in addition to the type of paper fed to the cassette being wrong, it can be notified that the storing direction is wrong.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second test image generated based on the first sheet. Referring to FIG. 9, second test image 250 includes a pattern image 251. The color of the pattern image 251 is red, which is the same as the color of the base region 221 of the first paper 220. The background color of the pattern image 251 is white.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second sheet on which the second test image is formed. The color of the base region 231 of the second sheet 230 shown in FIG. 6 is different from the color of the pattern image 251 of the second test image 250 shown in FIG. For this reason, when the second test image 250 shown in FIG. 9 is formed on the second paper 230 shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 10, the user uses the second paper shown in FIG. In 230, the pattern image 251 can be clearly seen. For this reason, the user can be notified that the type of paper fed to the paper cassette is incorrect.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a third test image generated based on the first sheet. Referring to FIG. 11, third test image 260 includes a white background region 261 and the same character string as the character string “shipping slip A” included in first paper 220 at the same position. Further, the third test image 260 includes the same line drawing 263 as the line drawing 223 included in the first paper 220 at the same position.

  FIG. 12 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a second sheet on which a third test image is formed. The character string “shipping slip B” on the second sheet 230 shown in FIG. 6 and the character string “shipping slip A” in the third test image 260 have the same position and the characters “A” and “B”. Is different. Therefore, on the second sheet 230 on which the third test image shown in FIG. 11 is formed, two different characters “A” and “B” overlap each other. Further, the line drawing 233 of the second sheet 230 shown in FIG. 6 and the line drawing 263 in the third test image are misaligned. Therefore, the two line drawings 233 and 263 can be clearly seen in the second sheet 230 on which the third test image shown in FIG. 11 is formed. For this reason, the user can be notified that the type of paper fed to the paper cassette is incorrect.

  FIG. 13 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the second sheet on which the third test image is formed. Referring to FIG. 13, the second paper 230 on which the third test image 260 is formed has the third test image 260 that is upside down with respect to the second paper 230. For this reason, the character string “shipping slip B” arranged on the upper side of the second sheet 230 in which the third test image shown in FIG. 11 is formed upside down and the character string arranged on the lower end on the opposite side. “Shipping slip A” can be clearly seen. Further, the line drawing 233 of the second sheet 230 shown in FIG. 6 and the line drawing 263 in the third test image are misaligned. Therefore, the two line drawings 233 and 263 can be clearly seen in the second paper 230 on which the third test image shown in FIG. 11 is formed upside down. For this reason, the user can be notified that the type of paper fed to the paper feed cassette is incorrect and the paper direction is reversed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of test image generation processing. The test image generation process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 executes an image forming program stored in the ROM 103 or the EEPROM 115. Referring to FIG. 14, CPU 111 determines whether a test image setting instruction has been accepted (step S01). When the user instructs a test image setting button provided in the operation unit 105, a test image setting instruction is accepted. The process waits until a test image setting instruction is accepted (NO in step S01). If a test image setting instruction is accepted (YES in step S01), the process proceeds to step S02.

  In step S02, test image setting screen 200 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on display unit 103, and the process proceeds to step S03. In step S03, it is determined whether selection of a paper feed cassette has been accepted. If the selection of the paper cassette is accepted, the process proceeds to step S05. If not, the process proceeds to step S04. In the paper cassette selection area 180 of the test image setting screen 200 displayed in step S02, if the button 181 is instructed, the selection of the paper cassette 41 is accepted, and if the button 183 is instructed, the paper cassette 42 is selected. The selection is accepted, and if the button 183 is designated, the selection of the paper feed cassette 43 is accepted.

  In step S04, it is determined whether a print image selection has been accepted. If the button 191 in the print image setting area 190 of the test image setting screen 200 displayed in step S02 is not designated, the selection of the stamp image is accepted, and if the button 193 is designated, the selection of the pattern image is accepted. If selection of either a stamp image or a pattern image is accepted, the process proceeds to step S05. If not, the process returns to step S03.

  In step S05, it is determined whether or not the scan button has been pressed. If the scan button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S06. If not, the process returns to step S03.

  In step S06, the original reading unit 20 reads the original, and the process proceeds to step S07. When the user presses the start button, the user places one of the sheets stored in the selected paper feed cassette on the document feed tray 11 in an appropriate direction and presses the scan button. The document read by 20 is the same as the paper stored in the paper feed cassette selected in step S03.

  In step S07, the image data output by document reading unit 20 is acquired as a paper image, and the process proceeds to step S08. In step S08, characters or / and line drawings are detected from the paper image acquired in step S07. If a character or / and line drawing is detected, the process proceeds to step S09; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S09, characters or / and line drawings are extracted from the paper image. Then, the extracted character or / and line drawing is placed on the test image (step S10), and the process proceeds to step S11. In the test image, the character or / and line drawing extracted in step S09 is arranged at the same position as that in the paper image.

  In the next step S11, a background area is extracted from the paper image acquired in step S07. Then, the color of the extracted background area is detected (step S12), and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not the color of the ground area detected in step S12 is white. If the background color is white, the process proceeds to step S17; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the print image selected in step S04 is acquired. If the stamp image is selected as the print image, the stamp image 95 stored in the EEPROM 115 is read out. If the pattern image is selected as the print image, the pattern image 97 stored in the EEPROM 115 is read out.

  In the next step S15, a colored printing image is generated by adding the same color as the color of the background area detected in step S12 to the printing image acquired in step S14. When the stamp image 95 is selected, a colored stamp image obtained by adding a color to the stamp image 95 is used as a colored printing image, and when the pattern image 97 is selected, the pattern image 97 is colored. The attached pattern image is a colored printing image. In the next step S16, the colored printing image generated in step S15 is arranged in the test image at the same position as the ground region extracted in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the generated test image is stored in the EEPROM 115 in association with the cassette identification information of the paper feed cassette selected in step S03. Here, the test image, the association data including the cassette identification information and the image identification information of the test image are stored in the EEPROM 115.

  15 and 16 are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of the test print execution process. The test print execution process is a process executed by the CPU 111 when the CPU 111 executes an image forming program stored in the ROM 103 or the EEPROM 115.

  Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, CPU 111 determines whether or not print data has been received (step S21). If network I / F 118 receives print data from a PC or the like, the process proceeds to step S22; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S37.

  In step S22, a paper feed cassette that supplies paper for paper feeding is determined. The paper cassette is determined to be determined by the print data received from the paper cassettes 41, 42, and 43. Here, a case where the paper feed cassette 41 is determined will be described as an example.

  In step S23, image formation of the print data received in step S21 is started. Specifically, the paper feed unit 40 is controlled so that the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22 among the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 is supplied to the image forming unit 30 to form the image. Print data is output to the unit 30, and an image of the print data is formed on the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 40.

  In the next step S24, it is determined whether or not paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22. The determination is made based on the output of the remaining sheet sensor 47. If the paper is stored in paper feed cassette 41, the process proceeds to step S36. If no paper is stored in paper feed cassette 41, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the image formation started in step S22 is interrupted. Then, it is detected whether or not the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22 is open (step S26). When a state signal indicating an open state is input from the open / close sensor 44, the paper feed cassette 41 is determined to be in the open state. The process waits until a state signal indicating an open state is input from the open / close sensor 44. If a state signal indicating an open state is input from the open / close sensor 44, the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27, it is detected whether or not the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22 is in a closed state. When a state signal indicating a closed state is input from the open / close sensor 44, it is determined that the paper feed cassette 41 is in a closed state. The process waits until a state signal indicating the closed state is input from the open / close sensor 44. If the state signal indicating the closed state is input from the open / close sensor 44, the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S28, as in step S24, it is determined whether or not paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22. If the paper is stored in paper feed cassette 41, the process proceeds to step S29. If no paper is stored in paper feed cassette 41, the process returns to step S26.

  In step S29, it is determined whether there is a test image associated with the paper feed cassette determined in step S22. It is determined whether or not the associated data including the cassette identification information of the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22 is stored in the EEPROM 115. If associated data including cassette identification information of paper feed cassette 41 is stored in EEPROM 115, the process proceeds to step S30. If not, the process proceeds to step S34.

  In step S30, a test image is acquired. A test image is obtained by reading from the EEPROM 115 a test image associated with the cassette identification information of the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22 and the associated data. Then, a test print is executed using the acquired test image (step S31). Specifically, the paper feed unit 40 is controlled to supply the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22 to the image forming unit 30, and the image forming unit 30 is controlled to test the test image. Form on paper.

  In the next step S 32, a confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 103. In step S33, it is determined whether a confirmation instruction has been accepted. If a confirmation instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S34; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, as in step S26, it is detected whether or not the paper feed cassette 41 determined in step S22 is open. If a state signal indicating an open state is input from open / close sensor 44, the process returns to step S27. If not, the process returns to step S33.

  In step S34, the image formation interrupted in step S25 is resumed. In the next step S36, it is determined whether or not the image formation of the print data received in step S21 is completed. If the image formation of the print data is completed, the test print execution process is ended. If not, the process returns to step S24.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S37, the print data is not received. In step S37, it is detected whether any of the paper feed cassettes 41, 42, 43 is open. It is determined whether or not a state signal indicating an open state is input from any of the open / close sensors 44, 45, and 46. If it is detected that any of paper feed cassettes 41, 42, and 43 is open, the process proceeds to step S38. If not, the process returns to step S21. Here, a case where a state signal indicating an open state is input from the open / close sensor 45 and an open state of the paper feed cassette 42 is detected will be described as an example.

  In step S38, it is detected whether or not the paper feed cassette 42 whose open state has been detected in step S37 is in a closed state. When a state signal indicating a closed state is input from the open / close sensor 45, it is determined that the paper feed cassette 42 is in a closed state. If a state signal indicating a closed state is input from open / close sensor 45, the process proceeds to step S39. If not, the process returns to step S38.

  In step S39, it is determined whether or not a sheet is stored in the sheet feeding cassette 42 in which the closed state is detected in step S38. The determination is made based on the output of the remaining sheet sensor 48. If the paper is stored in paper feed cassette 42, the process proceeds to step S40. If no paper is stored in paper feed cassette 42, the process returns to step S37.

  In step S40, it is determined whether or not there is a test image associated with the paper feed cassette whose closed state is detected in step S38. It is determined whether or not the associated data including the cassette identification information of the paper feed cassette 42 whose closed state is detected in step S38 is stored in the EEPROM 115. If association data including cassette identification information of the paper feed cassette 42 is stored in the EEPROM 115, the process proceeds to step S41. If not, the process returns to step S21.

  In step S41, a test image is acquired. The test image is acquired by reading from the EEPROM 115 the test image associated with the cassette identification information of the paper feed cassette 42 whose closed state is detected in step S38 and the associated data. Then, a test print is executed using the acquired test image (step S42). Specifically, the paper feed unit 40 is controlled, the paper stored in the paper feed cassette 42 whose closed state is detected in step S38 is supplied to the image forming unit 30, and the image forming unit 30 is controlled. The test image acquired in step S43 is formed on a sheet.

  In the next step S43, a confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 103. Then, it is determined whether or not a confirmation instruction has been accepted (step S44). If a confirmation instruction is accepted, the process returns to step S21; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, as in step S40, it is detected whether or not the paper feed cassette 42 in which the closed state is detected in step S38 is in the open state. If a state signal indicating an open state is input from open / close sensor 45, the process returns to step S38; otherwise, the process returns to step S44.

  As described above, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment generates a test image from a paper image output by the original reading unit 20 reading a paper stored in one of the paper feed cassettes 41 to 43 specified by the user. To do. The test image includes characters and / or line drawing or background color characteristics recorded on a sheet stored in one of the sheet cassettes 41 to 43 specified by the user. For this reason, the user viewing the paper on which the test image is formed can determine whether the paper is correctly stored in the cassette from the difference between the color or direction of the test image and the color or direction of the paper. Further, in response to the detection of the opening / closing of any of the paper feeding cassettes 41 to 43, a test image is formed on the paper stored in the paper feeding cassette 41 to 43 whose opening / closing is detected. When paper is stored in any of the paper feed cassettes 41 to 43, it can be notified whether the paper is stored correctly.

  In addition, since the test image includes characters or / and line drawings in the same direction as the characters or / and line drawings recorded on the paper at the same position as the position formed on the paper, the user viewing the paper on which the test image is formed Can visually recognize the difference between the direction of the test image and the direction of the paper. Further, when the direction of the paper is different from the direction of the test image, the test image is formed out of alignment with the characters or / and line drawings recorded on the paper, so that the user immediately recognizes that the direction is different. be able to.

  Further, since the paper on which the test image is formed forms an image of the same color as the image recorded on the stored paper, if the paper storage direction is correct, the user forms the test image on the paper. It is difficult to see what is being done. For this reason, it is possible to notify the user that the paper is correctly stored.

  Further, the background color of the paper image is detected, and a test image in which the stamp image and / or pattern image is arranged with the detected color is generated, so the test image is the same as the background color of the paper Includes a color stamp image or / and a pattern image. For this reason, the user viewing the paper on which the test image is formed can visually recognize the difference between the color of the stamp image and / or the pattern image included in the test image and the color of the paper, and the type of the paper stored Can be notified to the user that they are different.

  Furthermore, since the stamp image has one direction and the stamp image is arranged in the test image in the same direction as the paper image, the direction is different if the paper direction is different from the direction of the stamp image. Can be notified.

  Also, after image formation is interrupted during print data image formation and test print is executed, if the user does not receive an operation to press the confirmation button included in the confirmation screen, the print data image formation is resumed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of paper by restarting image formation of print data before the paper is properly stored.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 1 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the image forming method for causing the MFP 1 to execute the processes illustrated in FIGS. It goes without saying that the invention can be understood as an image forming program to be executed by the controlling CPU 111.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1 MFP, 10 ADF, 11 Document feed tray, 12 Document discharge tray, 13 Operation panel, 20 Document reading unit, 30 Image forming unit, 31, 33, 35, 37 Development unit, 39 Transfer belt, 40 Paper feed unit 41, 42, 43 Paper cassette, 44, 45, 46 Open / close sensor, 47, 48, 49 Remaining paper sensor, 51 Operation accepting unit, 53 Reading control unit, 55 Test image generating unit, 57 Print data receiving unit, 59 Remaining paper amount detection unit, 61 Open / close detection unit, 63 Image formation control unit, 65 Test print execution unit, 71 Character line image extraction unit, 73 Background area extraction unit, 75 Background color detection unit, 77 Arrangement unit, 81 Association unit 91 test image, 95 stamp image, 97 pattern image, 101 main circuit, 103 display unit, 105 operation unit, 111 CPU, 12 Communication I / F, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 EEPROM, 116 HDD, 117 facsimile unit, 118 network I / F, 119 external storage device, 119A CD-ROM.

Claims (9)

An original reading means for reading an original and outputting an image;
Image forming means for forming an image on paper;
A paper feeding means for supplying paper stored in a cassette to the image forming means;
A test image generating means for generating a test image from a paper image output by the original reading means reading a paper stored in the cassette;
Detecting means for detecting opening and closing of the cassette;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a test print execution unit that causes the image forming unit to form the test image on a sheet stored in the cassette in response to the detection unit detecting opening / closing of the cassette. The test image generation means includes a character line drawing extraction means for extracting characters or / and line drawings contained in the paper image,
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the test image generation unit generates a test image in which the same character or / and line drawing as the extracted character or / and line drawing is arranged at the same position as the position in the paper image. Forming equipment. The image forming means can form a full-color image,
The test image generation means further includes color detection means for detecting the color of characters or / and line drawings contained in the paper image,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the test image generation unit arranges the extracted character or / and line drawing with the detected color. The image forming means can form a full-color image,
The test image generation means includes a background color detection means for detecting a background color of the paper image,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test image generation unit generates a test image in which a predetermined printing image is arranged with the detected color. The printing image has one direction,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the test image generation unit arranges the print image on the test image with a direction of the print image and a direction of the paper image being the same. There are a plurality of the cassettes,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test image generation unit further includes an association unit that associates the plurality of cassettes designated by a user with the generated test image. . Operation accepting means for accepting a user operation;
Print data receiving means for receiving print data;
And a remaining amount detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the paper stored in the cassette,
The image forming unit interrupts image formation of the received print data when the remaining amount detecting unit detects no paper, and is interrupted on the condition that a predetermined operation is received by the operation receiving unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming of the printed data is resumed. An original reading means for reading an original and outputting an image;
Image forming means for forming an image on paper;
An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus comprising: a paper supply unit that supplies paper stored in a cassette to the image forming unit;
A step of generating a test image from a paper image output by the original reading means reading a paper stored in the cassette;
Detecting means for detecting opening and closing of the cassette;
An image forming method including: causing the image forming unit to form the test image on a sheet stored in the cassette in response to the detection unit detecting opening / closing of the cassette. An original reading means for reading an original and outputting an image;
Image forming means for forming an image on paper;
A paper feeding means for supplying paper stored in a cassette to the image forming means;
An image forming program executed by a computer for controlling an image forming apparatus comprising:
A step of generating a test image from a paper image output by the original reading means reading a paper stored in the cassette;
Detecting means for detecting opening and closing of the cassette;
An image forming program for causing the computer to execute the step of causing the image forming means to form the test image on a sheet stored in the cassette in response to the detection means detecting the opening and closing of the cassette.

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