Image forming device, image forming method and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming device, an image forming method and a program which can reduce printing mistakes by performing printing while confirming a printing state to enhance productivity.SOLUTION: An image forming device, which forms an image on a printing medium that is lengthy paper, comprises: a reading-out part that performs a reading-out operation to a plurality of manuscripts; a conveyance control part that conveys the printing medium; and an image forming part that forms an image of image data on the manuscripts read out by the reading-out part on the printing medium. The conveyance control part temporarily stops an operation of conveying the printing medium, every time when the image corresponding to a predetermined quantity in a conveying direction of the printing medium is formed, and then conveys the printing medium to an image confirmation position where a last printed portion in the printing medium can be confirmed, after temporarily stopping the operation of conveying; and when an input part receives operation input for resuming the image formation operation, returns the printing medium to a position where the image formation operation is resumed. The image forming part resumes the image formation operation to the printing medium, after the conveyance control part conveys the printing medium to return the medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A known technique for inkjet image forming apparatuses compatible with roll paper is to scan a plurality of documents and stitch together the read data of the plurality of documents to perform long printing.

[0003] As a technique for such long printing, a technique has been disclosed in which multiple pieces of print data are divided and the divided areas are combined for printing (for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to check the print status during long-length printing.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program that can reduce printing errors and increase productivity by printing while checking the print status. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image forming device that forms an image on a printing medium which is long paper, comprising a reading unit that performs a reading operation on a plurality of documents, a transport control unit that transports the printing medium, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the printing medium using image data of the documents read by the reading unit in accordance with the transport operation of the printing medium by the transport control unit, wherein the transport control unit temporarily suspends the transport operation of the printing medium each time an image is formed by the image forming unit by a predetermined amount in the transport direction of the printing medium, and after temporarily suspending the transport operation of the printing medium, transports the printing medium to an image confirmation position where the final printed portion on the printing medium can be confirmed, and after transporting the printing medium to the image confirmation position, if an operation input for resuming the image forming operation is accepted by an input unit after the printing medium has been transported back, transports the printing medium back to a position where the image forming operation will be resumed, and the image forming unit resumes the image forming operation on the printing medium after the printing medium has been transported back by the transport control unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by printing while checking the print state, printing errors can be reduced and productivity can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a carriage portion of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of performing long-length printing from multiple originals in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional block configuration of a controller of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the print medium transport operation when checking the print state in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the scanning operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalent. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the following embodiments. In the following description, the terms "printing", "printing", and "image formation" are used as synonyms unless otherwise noted.

[0010] (Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a carriage portion of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appearance of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of performing long-length printing from multiple originals in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. The schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a serial type inkjet type image forming apparatus. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body 2, a main body frame 3, a main guide rod 4, a sub guide rod 5, a carriage 6, a timing belt 7, a drive pulley 8, a driven pulley 9, a main scanning motor 10, a cartridge unit 11, a maintenance mechanism unit 12, a cartridge 13, a platen 14, a front cover 15 (cover), an encoder sheet 16, an encoder sensor 16s, and spool bearing stands 21a and 21b.

[0012] The main body 2 is a main body portion of the image forming apparatus 1 in which an image forming mechanism is mounted.

[0013] The main body frame 3 is a frame that supports the main body 2.

[0014] 1, the main guide rod 4 is a guide rod that is stretched in the main scanning direction indicated by the double arrow A inside the main body 2. The main guide rod 4 supports a carriage 6 so that the carriage 6 is movable.

[0015] 1, the auxiliary guide rod 5 is a guide rod that is stretched in the main scanning direction indicated by the double arrow A inside the main body 2, similar to the main guide rod 4. The auxiliary guide rod 5 is engaged with the carriage 6 via a connecting piece in order to stabilize the position of the carriage 6.

[0016] 2, the carriage 6 is a member on which a recording head 20 (image forming unit) that ejects ink is mounted, and which moves the recording head 20 back and forth in the main scanning direction. The carriage 6 is connected to a timing belt 7.

[0017] The recording head 20 is a member that ejects ink onto a printing medium P such as roll paper (long paper). As shown in Fig. 2, the recording head 20 includes a recording head 20Y that ejects yellow ink, a recording head 20M that ejects magenta ink, a recording head 20C that ejects cyan ink, and a recording head 20K that ejects black ink.

[0018] The timing belt 7 is an endless belt that is stretched along the main guide rod 4 between a driving pulley 8 and a driven pulley 9 .

[0019] The drive pulley 8 is a pulley member that is rotationally driven by a main scanning motor 10, and that causes the carriage 6 connected to the timing belt 7 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction by the rotational drive.

[0020] The driven pulley 9 is a pulley member that is disposed in a state in which it applies a predetermined tension to the timing belt 7 .

[0021] The main scanning motor 10 is a motor that drives the drive pulley 8 to rotate.

[0022] The cartridge section 11 is a member that replaceably houses cartridges 13 filled with yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) inks.

[0023] The maintenance mechanism 12 performs the functions of cleaning the nozzles of the recording head 20, capping, and removing unnecessary ink. This mechanism discharges unnecessary ink from the recording head 20 and maintains the reliability of the recording head 20.

[0024] The cartridges 13 are housed in the cartridge portion 11, and are connected by pipes (not shown) to the recording heads 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K of the corresponding colors of the recording head 20 mounted on the carriage 6, and are components that supply ink through the pipes.

[0025] The platen 14 is a member that supports the printing medium P when the printing medium P is transported in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow B.

[0026] The front cover 15 is a cover that is installed so as to be able to open and close relative to the movable area of ​​the carriage 6. By opening the front cover 15 during maintenance of the image forming apparatus 1 or when a jam occurs, it is possible to perform maintenance work inside the main body 2 and work such as removing the jammed print medium P.

[0027] 2, the encoder sheet 16 is a sheet for reading positions that is disposed parallel to the timing belt 7, i.e., the main guide rod 4, and at least across the movement range of the carriage 6. The encoder sensor 16s is a sensor that is attached to the carriage 6 and is used to read the encoder sheet 16. The image forming apparatus 1 controls the rotational drive of the main scanning motor 10 based on the result of reading the encoder sheet 16 by the encoder sensor 16s, thereby controlling the movement of the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction.

[0028] The spool bearing pedestals 21a and 21b are members attached to the legs of the main body frame 3 and support the printing medium P, which is a roll of paper. The spool bearing pedestals 21a and 21b are formed with support portions 22a and 22b, respectively, that rotatably support the core tube of the printing medium P, which is a roll of paper. That is, the printing medium P is formed by winding the roll of paper around the core tube in a roll shape, and the leading end of the roll is pulled out to become the printing medium to be printed. Various media such as rolled paper and rolled film can be used as the printing medium P.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a scanner 17 (reading unit), a document cover 41, a paper fixing lever 42, an ink cartridge cover 43, and a paper discharge cover 44.

[0030] The scanner 17 is a device that performs a reading operation (scanning operation) on the document set in the document setting section.

[0031] The document cover 41 is a cover that is installed so as to be openable and closable with respect to the scanner 17. In the image forming apparatus 1, the scanning operation by the scanner 17 is performed independently of the printing operation, so that the printing operation continues even if the document cover 41 is opened during the printing operation.

[0032] The paper fixing lever 42 is connected to the registration pressure roller, and is a lever for performing a pressure release operation. For example, when a pressure release operation is performed on the paper fixing lever 42, the registration pressure roller moves in a direction away from the registration roller. This releases pressure on the printing medium P, making it possible to manually pull out the printing medium P, or perform other operations.

[0033] The ink cartridge cover 43 is a cover that covers the cartridge unit 11. A user can replace the cartridge 13 by opening the ink cartridge cover 43.

[0034] The paper discharge cover 44 is a cover that is installed so as to be openable and closable with respect to the printing medium P, which is roll paper set on the spool bearing pedestals 21a and 21b. By opening the paper discharge cover 44, the user can set the printing medium P on the spool bearing pedestals 21a and 21b.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes, from upstream along the transport path of the print medium P, a paper feed roller 31, a suction fan 32, a cutter 33, and a paper discharge roller .

[0036] The paper feed roller 31 is a roller that conveys the print medium P along the sub-scanning direction to a position where ink is ejected by the recording head 20. The paper feed roller 31 is rotated by a sub-scanning motor (not shown).

[0037] The suction fan 32 is disposed below the platen 14 and serves to bring the print medium P transported over the platen 14 into close contact with the platen 14 .

[0038] The cutter 33 is a member that cuts the print medium P in the main operation direction (paper width direction) (a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the print medium P). An existing cutter can be used as the cutter 33, and it is equipped with, for example, a cutter blade, multiple pulleys, a drive motor that drives the pulleys via a wire or timing belt, and the cutter blade is moved in the main scanning direction by the drive motor via the pulleys, wire or timing belt, thereby cutting the print medium P in the main scanning direction. The cutter 33 cuts the leading edge of the print medium P in the main scanning direction to align the leading edge of the print medium P, and also cuts the print medium P on which an image has been recorded at an appropriate position.

[0039] The paper discharge roller 34 is a roller for transporting the print medium P on which the printing is performed by the recording head 20 to a paper discharge outlet.

[0040] The paper feed roller 31 and the paper discharge roller 34 can transport the print medium P in the paper discharge direction, and can also transport the print medium P in a return direction opposite to the paper discharge direction.

[0041] Based on the above-mentioned configuration, the image forming apparatus 1 prints an image on the printing medium P by discharging ink from the recording head 20 mounted on the carriage 6 onto the printing medium P, which is intermittently transported on the platen 14 in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, while moving the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 transports the printing medium P intermittently in the sub-scanning direction, and while transport of the printing medium P in the sub-scanning direction is stopped, moves the carriage 6 in the main scanning direction and discharges ink from the nozzle rows of the recording heads 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K of each color of the recording head 20 mounted on the carriage 6 onto the printing medium P on the platen 14, thereby forming (printing) an image on the printing medium P.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the image forming apparatus 1 causes the scanner 17 to scan multiple original documents, and after the scanning operation of the first page is completed, controls the main scanning motor 10, the paper feed roller 31 and the paper discharge roller 34 to intermittently transport the printing medium P in the sub-scanning direction while causing the carriage 6 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction and ejects ink from the recording head 20, thereby achieving long-length printing in which images of multiple original documents are printed in sequence on the printing medium P, which is roll paper, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

[0043] (Hardware configuration of image forming device) 6 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 201, a memory controller 202, a network I / F 203, a Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) 204, a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) 205, an operation panel 206 (an example of an input unit), a recording head control unit 207, and a head relay board 208.

[0045] The controller 201 is a device that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 201 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, an image processing unit 212, and an engine control unit 213, as shown in FIG.

[0046] The CPU 211 is a calculation device that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The image processing unit 212 is a hardware circuit that performs various image processing and rendering processing. The functions realized by the image processing unit 212 may be realized by the CPU 211 executing a program. The engine control unit 213 is a hardware circuit that controls various engines. For example, the engine control unit 213 controls the operations of the scanner 17, the main scanning motor 10, the recording head 20, the paper feed roller 31, and the paper discharge roller 34. The engine control unit 213 also controls the operations of the suction fan 32 and the cutter 33.

[0047] The memory controller 202 is a controller that controls reading and writing of data from and to the SDRAM 204 and the HDD 205 .

[0048] The network I / F 203 is an interface for data communication with an external device etc. via a network. The network I / F 203 complies with, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP (Internet Protocol).

[0049] The SDRAM 204 is a volatile storage device used as a work area for the CPU 211 .

[0050] The HDD 205 is a non-volatile storage device that stores the read data read by the scanner 17, the image data to be printed, and various programs and data. Note that the HDD 205 may be replaced with an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0051] The operation panel 206 is a touch panel or the like having an input function for accepting user operations and a display function for displaying various data and the like.

[0052] The printhead control unit 207 is a hardware circuit that controls the ink ejection operation of the printhead 20 under the control of the engine control unit 213 .

[0053] The head relay board 208 is a hardware circuit that relays a control signal from the printhead control unit 207 to the printhead 20 .

[0054] The above-mentioned controller 201, memory controller 202, and network I / F 203 are capable of data communication with one another via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus.

[0055] (Configuration and operation of functional blocks of a controller of an image forming apparatus) Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of functional blocks of a controller of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram explaining a print medium conveying operation when checking the print state in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, the controller 201 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a scan control unit 301, a print control unit 302, a transport control unit 303, and a setting unit 304.

[0057] The scan control unit 301 is a functional unit that controls the scanning operation (reading operation) of the scanner 17 on the document via the engine control unit 213. The scanner 17 can continuously read a plurality of documents of, for example, a standard size (A3, A4 size, etc.), and can also read documents of non-standard sizes. The scanner 17 stores image data of the read document for each page in the SDRAM 204 or the HDD 205.

[0058] The print control unit 302 is a functional unit that controls the drive of the main scanning motor 10 via the engine control unit 213 to move the carriage 6 back and forth in the main scanning direction, and forms an image by ejecting ink from the recording head 20 onto the printing medium P via the engine control unit 213 and the recording head control unit 207. The print control unit 302 can also form an image on the printing medium P based on image data received via the network I / F 203, for example, and can also realize a copy function of forming an image on the printing medium P based on image data of an original read by the scanner 17. In this embodiment, details of the long copy operation in which image data obtained by reading multiple (multiple pages) originals by the scanner 17 is printed onto the printing medium P, which is roll paper, will be described.

[0059] Here, the printing operation of the image data read by the scanner 17 will be described. The print control unit 302 reads the image data read by the scanner 17 from the SDRAM 204 or HDD 205 via the memory controller 202. The print control unit 302 transmits the read image data to the image processing unit 212. The image processing unit 212 converts the received image data into a data format compatible with the recording head 20, and transmits it to the recording head control unit 207 via the engine control unit 213. The recording head control unit 207 transfers the received image data to the recording head 20 via the head relay board 208. This causes the recording head 20 to perform a printing operation on the print medium P based on the image data.

[0060] The transport control unit 303 is a functional unit that controls the feed roller 31 and the discharge roller 34 via the engine control unit 213 to intermittently transport the print medium P in the sub-scanning direction. In this embodiment, the transport control unit 303 temporarily stops the transport operation of the print medium P at a predetermined temporary stop timing during the printing operation, and transports the print medium P to a position where the user can confirm the final print portion PP on the print medium P as shown in FIG. 8(a). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the transport control unit 303 transports the print medium P to a position near the discharge port 35 where the user can confirm the print portion PP. However, if the transport portion inside the main body 2 can be confirmed by opening the front cover 15, the user can confirm the print medium P inside the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 8(c), so the transport control unit 303 transports the print medium P to a position where the user can confirm the print portion PP. Then, the transport control unit 303 transports the print medium P back to the original position in accordance with the user's operation, and the print control unit 302 and the transport control unit 303 resume the printing operation. In this case, the print medium P can be transported to a position where the user can check the print portion PP (image confirmation position) and the transport distance until it is transported back to the original position can be made smaller in the case of Fig. 8(c) than in the case of Fig. 8(b), so it is possible to shorten the time of the printing operation.

[0061] The setting unit 304 is a functional unit that performs various settings in response to a user's operation on the operation panel 206 or an instruction from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) via the network I / F 203. For example, the setting unit 304 sets whether or not to enter a pause mode in which the printing operation by the print control unit 302 and the conveyance control unit 303 is paused at a predetermined timing as described above. By being able to set whether or not to enter the pause mode in this way, it is possible to improve the user's operability. In addition, the setting unit 304 sets, as the above-mentioned predetermined timing, a page-by-page stop mode in which the operation is paused every time each page (an example of a predetermined amount) of a document is printed, or a specified length-by-specified length stop mode in which the operation is paused every time a specified length (an example of a predetermined amount) in the conveyance direction of the print medium P is printed. In addition, the setting unit 304 sets the specified length (predetermined length) in the specified length-by-specified length stop mode in millimeters, for example.

[0062] Note that the functional units of the controller 201 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 7 are conceptually shown, and are not limited to such a configuration. For example, the multiple functional units illustrated as independent functional units in the controller 201 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 7 may be configured as one functional unit. On the other hand, the function of one functional unit in the controller 201 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 7 may be divided into multiple functions and configured as multiple functional units.

[0063] (Flow of long-length copy operation of image forming device) Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a scanning operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. The flow of a long copy operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.

[0064] First, among the long length copy operations, the scan operation by the scan control unit 301 shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

[0065] <Step S11> If a document containing multiple pages is set in the document setting section of scanner 17 and the user has performed an operation to start a long-length copy on operation panel 206 (step S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12; if a document is not set or if the user has not performed an operation to start a long-length copy (step S11: No), the process waits.

[0066] <Step S12> When an original is set in the original setting section of scanner 17 and a user operates operation panel 206 to start long-length copying, scan control section 301 causes scanner 17 to start a scan operation (reading operation) of the original via engine control section 213. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0067] <Step S13> When the scanning operation (reading operation) of one page of the document by the scanner 17 is completed (step S13: Yes), the scanner 17 stores the read image data of one page in the SDRAM 204 or the HDD 205, and proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when the scanning operation is not completed (step S13: No), the scanner 17 continues the scanning operation until it is completed.

[0068] <Step S14> If the page for which the scanning operation has been completed is the first page (step S14: Yes), the process proceeds to step S15, and if the page is not the first page (step S14: No), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0069] <Step S15> If the page for which the scanning operation has been completed is the first page, the print control unit 302 and the conveyance control unit 303 start the printing operation shown in Fig. 10. This makes it possible to execute the scanning operation and the printing operation in parallel. Details of the printing operation will be described later with reference to Fig. 10. Note that the printing operation is not limited to being started when the scanning operation of the first page of the document is completed, and the printing operation may be started during the scanning operation of the first page of the document. Then, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0070] <Step S16> If the page for which the scanning operation has been completed is the last page (step S16: Yes), the scanning operation is ended, and if the page is not the last page (step S16: No), the process returns to step S11.

[0071] Next, among the long copy operations, the printing operation performed by the print control unit 302 and the transport control unit 303 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0072] <Step S21> The transport control unit 303 transports the printing medium P so that the recording head 20 can eject ink to a position on the printing medium P that corresponds to the top of the page of the image data of the document read by the scan operation by the scan control unit 301. Then, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0073] <Step S22> The print control unit 302 starts printing based on the image data of the document onto the print medium P. Then, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0074] <Step S23> If printing control unit 302 has completed printing one page of the document (step S23: Yes), the process proceeds to step S27, and if printing control unit 302 has not completed printing one page of the document (step S23: No), the process proceeds to step S24.

[0075] <Step S24> If the setting unit 304 has set the stop mode for every page (step S24: Yes), printing of one page has not yet been completed, so the process returns to step S23. On the other hand, if the setting unit 304 has set the stop mode for every specified length (step S24: No), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0076] <Step S25> If the setting unit 304 has set the stop mode every specified length, and if printing of the specified length set by the printing control unit 302 has been completed (step S25: Yes), proceed to step S26, and if printing of the specified length has not been completed (step S25: No), return to step S23.

[0077] <Step S26> If the setting unit 304 has set the pause mode (step S26: Yes), the printing control unit 302 has completed printing the length specified, so the process proceeds to step S30. On the other hand, if the setting unit 304 has not set the pause mode (step S26: No), there is no need to pause and printing will continue, so the process returns to step S23.

[0078] <Step S27> If the page for which printing control unit 302 has completed printing is the final page (step S27: Yes), the process proceeds to step S35 since all image data of the document read by scanner 17 has been printed. On the other hand, if the page is not the final page (step S27: No), the process proceeds to step S28.

[0079] <Step S28> If the setting unit 304 has set the stop mode every page (step S28: Yes), proceed to step S29; if the setting unit 304 has set the stop mode every specified length (step S28: No), return to step S21 to start printing the image data of the next page of the document.

[0080] <Step S29> If the setting unit 304 has set the pause mode (step S29: Yes), printing of one page has been completed by the print control unit 302, and the process proceeds to step S30. On the other hand, if the setting unit 304 has not set the pause mode (step S26: No), there is no need to pause, and the process returns to step S21 to start printing the image data of the next page of the document.

[0081] <Step S30> The print control unit 302 temporarily stops the movement of the carriage 6 and the ink ejection by the recording head 20, and moves the carriage 6 to a standby position (such as the home position) outside the printing area to keep it on standby. The transport control unit 303 also temporarily stops the transport of the print medium P. Then, the process proceeds to step S31.

[0082] <Step S31> Thereafter, the transport control unit 303 transports the printing medium P to a position (image confirmation position) (see Figures 8(b) and 8(c)) where the user can confirm the above-mentioned printed portion PP. The user then checks the printing condition of the printing medium P that has been transported to the image confirmation position. At this time, the user adjusts the position and other conditions of the printing medium P as necessary. Then, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0083] <Step S32> When the user instructs the operation to interrupt the printing operation via the operation panel 206 due to the occurrence of printing mist or paper discharge errors and the like, and judges that it is difficult to continue the printing operation (step S32: Yes), the process proceeds to step S35. This allows the user to check printing errors for each page or for each specified length, so that unnecessary copying can be interrupted immediately. Also, when the specified length stop mode is set, it is possible to easily avoid problems during paper discharge by setting the specified length so that the paper is temporarily stopped at a position that is convenient for the mechanical layout of the paper discharge mechanism, paper stacker, etc. In the case of long-length printing, since the probability of problems during paper discharge is high, if the specified length is set to be shorter than the length of one page, the frequency of temporary stops is higher for temporary stops for each specified length than for temporary stops for each page, so the probability of preventing problems before they occur can be increased. On the other hand, when the instruction to interrupt is not performed (step S32: No), the process proceeds to step S33.

[0084] <Step S33> If the user issues an instruction to resume printing on the print medium P via the operation panel 206 (step S33: Yes), the process proceeds to step S34; if the user does not issue an instruction to resume printing (step S33: No), the process returns to step S32.

[0085] <Step S34> The transport control unit 303 transports the print medium P back to the original position for restarting printing, and then the process returns to step S22.

[0086] <Step S35> The print control unit 302 moves the carriage 6 to the home position, for example, as a print end process, and then proceeds to step S36.

[0087] <Step S36> The transport control unit 303 transports the print medium P to a position where the print medium P is cut by the cutter 33. Then, the process proceeds to step S37.

[0088] <Step S38> The transport control unit 303 transports the cut print medium P to be discharged from the paper discharge port 35. This completes the printing operation.

[0089] By the above printing operation, it is possible to produce a long copy by joining together the image data of each page of the document read by the scanner 17.

[0090] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the scanner 17 performs a reading operation on a plurality of documents, the transport control unit 303 transports the print medium, and the recording head 20 forms an image on the print medium of the image data of the document read by the scanner 17 in accordance with the transport operation of the print medium by the transport control unit 303. The transport control unit 303 temporarily stops the transport operation of the print medium every time the recording head 20 forms an image by a predetermined amount in the transport direction of the print medium, and after temporarily stopping the transport operation of the print medium, transports the print medium to an image confirmation position where the final printed portion on the print medium can be confirmed, and after transporting the print medium to the image confirmation position, if an operation input for resuming the image forming operation is accepted by the operation panel 206, transports the print medium back to a position where the image forming operation is resumed, and the recording head 20 resumes the image forming operation on the print medium after the print medium is transported back by the transport control unit 303. This makes it possible to reduce printing errors and increase productivity by printing while checking the print state.

[0091] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the front cover 15 is installed so as to be openable and closable relative to the movable area of ​​the recording head 20 (carriage 6), and the transport control unit 303 temporarily stops the transport operation of the print medium, and then transports the print medium to a position, which serves as an image confirmation position, where the final printed portion can be confirmed when the front cover 15 is opened. Since the transport amount required to transport the print medium to a position (image confirmation position) where the user can confirm the printed portion and then return to the original position can be reduced, it is possible to shorten the time for the printing operation (image forming operation).

[0092] Each function of the above-described embodiment can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices such as ASIC, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each function described above.

[0093] The program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. The program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment may be provided as a computer program product by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. The program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0094] In addition, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment has a modular configuration including each of the functional units described above, and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU 211 reads the program from the HDD 205 and executes it, whereby each of the functional units described above is loaded onto the SDRAM 204 serving as a main memory device, and each functional unit is generated on the main memory device.

[0095] The aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a print medium that is a long sheet of paper, A reading unit that performs a reading operation on a plurality of documents; A transport control unit that transports the print medium; an image forming unit that forms an image of the image data of the original read by the reading unit on the print medium in response to a conveying operation of the print medium by the conveyance control unit; Equipped with The transport control unit is a conveyance operation of the print medium is temporarily stopped every time the image forming unit forms an image on the print medium by a predetermined amount in the conveyance direction; After temporarily stopping the transport operation of the print medium, the print medium is transported to an image confirmation position where the final printed portion on the print medium can be confirmed; After the print medium is transported to the image confirmation position, when an operation input for restarting the image forming operation is accepted by an input unit, the print medium is transported back to a position where the image forming operation is restarted; The image forming unit is an image forming device that resumes an image forming operation on the print medium after the print medium has been transported back by the transport control unit. <2> a cover that is installed so as to be openable and closable relative to a movable area of ​​the image forming unit, the conveyance control unit temporarily stops the conveyance operation of the print medium, and then conveys the print medium to a position where the final printed portion can be confirmed when the cover is opened, as the image confirmation position. <1> The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, <3> The method further includes a setting unit that sets the predetermined amount to one page of the document or a predetermined length in a transport direction of the print medium in response to an operation input to the input unit. <1> or <2> The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, <4> The setting unit sets the predetermined length in response to an operation input to the input unit. <3> The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, <5> a setting unit that sets whether or not to temporarily stop a conveying operation of the print medium every time the image forming unit forms an image on the print medium by the predetermined amount in the conveying direction in response to an operation input to the input unit. <1> or <2> The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, <6> When an instruction to interrupt the image forming operation is received by the input unit after the conveyance control unit has temporarily stopped the conveyance operation of the print medium, the image forming unit <1> ~ <5> 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; <7> The printing method further includes a cutting unit that cuts the print medium in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the print medium, the conveyance control unit conveys the print medium to a position where the print medium is cut by the cutting unit when the image forming operation by the image forming unit is completed. <1> ~ <6> 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; <8> The image forming unit is a recording head that forms an image on the print medium by ejecting ink. <1> ~ <7> 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; <9> An image forming method for forming an image on a print medium that is a long sheet of paper, comprising the steps of: a reading step in which a reading unit performs a reading operation on a plurality of documents; a transport control step of transporting the print medium; an image forming step of forming an image on the print medium based on the image data of the original read by the reading unit in response to a conveyance operation of the print medium; a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance operation of the print medium every time an image is formed on the print medium by a predetermined amount in a conveyance direction; a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance operation of the print medium, and then conveying the print medium to an image confirmation position where a final printed portion on the print medium can be confirmed; after transporting the print medium to the image confirmation position, when an input operation for restarting the image forming operation is received by an input unit, transporting the print medium back to a position where the image forming operation is restarted; after conveying the print medium back, restarting the image forming operation on the print medium; The image forming method includes the steps of: <10> To your computer a reading step in which a reading unit performs a reading operation on a plurality of documents; A transport control step for transporting a print medium, which is a long sheet of paper; an image forming step of forming an image on the print medium based on the image data of the original read by the reading unit in response to a conveyance operation of the print medium; a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance operation of the print medium every time an image is formed on the print medium by a predetermined amount in a conveyance direction; a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance operation of the print medium, and then conveying the print medium to an image confirmation position where a final printed portion on the print medium can be confirmed; after transporting the print medium to the image confirmation position, when an input operation for restarting the image forming operation is received by an input unit, transporting the print medium back to a position where the image forming operation is restarted; after conveying the print medium back, restarting the image forming operation on the print medium; This is a program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1. Image forming device 2 Main unit 3 Main frame 4 Main guide rod 5 Secondary guide rod 6 Carriage 7. Timing belt 8 Drive pulley 9 Driven pulley 10 Main scanning motor 11 Cartridge section 12 Maintenance mechanism section 13 Cartridge 14 Platen 15 Front cover 16 Encoder sheet 16s Encoder Sensor 17 Scanner 20, 20C, 20K, 20M, 20Y recording head 21a, 21b Spool bearing stand 22a, 22b Support part 31 Paper feed roller 32 Suction fan 33 Cutter 34 Paper ejection roller 35 Paper outlet 41 Manuscript Cover 42 Paper fixing lever 43 Ink cartridge cover 44 Paper exit cover 201 Controller 202 Memory Controller 203 Network Interface 204 SDRAM 205 HDD 206 Operation Panel 207 Recording head control section 208 Head Relay Board 211 CPU 212 Image processing section 213 Engine control unit 301 Scan control section 302 Printing control unit 303 Transport control section 304 Settings P Print media PP printing part [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0097] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-315575

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a print medium that is a long sheet of paper, A reading unit that performs a reading operation on a plurality of documents; A transport control unit that transports the print medium; an image forming unit that forms an image of the image data of the original read by the reading unit on the print medium in response to a conveying operation of the print medium by the conveyance control unit; Equipped with The transport control unit is a conveyance operation of the print medium is temporarily stopped every time the image forming unit forms an image on the print medium by a predetermined amount in the conveyance direction; After temporarily stopping the transport operation of the print medium, the print medium is transported to an image confirmation position where the final printed portion on the print medium can be confirmed; After the print medium is transported to the image confirmation position, when an operation input for restarting the image forming operation is accepted by an input unit, the print medium is transported back to a position where the image forming operation is restarted; The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit resumes an image forming operation on the print medium after the print medium has been transported back by the transport control unit.

2. a cover that is installed so as to be openable and closable relative to a movable area of ​​the image forming unit, The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transport control unit temporarily stops the transport operation of the printing medium and then transports the printing medium to a position, which serves as the image confirmation position, where the final printed portion can be confirmed when the cover is opened.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that sets the predetermined amount to one page of the document or a predetermined length in a transport direction of the print medium in response to an operation input to the input unit.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the setting section sets the predetermined length in response to an operation input to the input section.

5. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit that sets whether or not to temporarily suspend the transport operation of the printing medium each time the image forming unit forms an image of the predetermined amount in the transport direction of the printing medium in response to an operational input to the input unit.

6. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the transport control unit temporarily stops the transport operation of the printing medium and the input unit receives an instruction to interrupt the image forming operation, the image forming unit interrupts the image forming operation.

7. The printing method further includes a cutting unit that cuts the print medium in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the print medium, 3 . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transport control unit transports the print medium to a position where the print medium is cut by the cutting unit when the image forming operation by the image forming unit is completed.

8. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming section is a recording head that forms an image on the print medium by ejecting ink.

9. An image forming method for forming an image on a print medium that is a long sheet of paper, comprising the steps of: a reading step in which a reading unit performs a reading operation on a plurality of documents; a transport control step of transporting the print medium; an image forming step of forming an image on the print medium based on the image data of the original read by the reading unit in response to a conveyance operation of the print medium; a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance operation of the print medium every time an image is formed on the print medium by a predetermined amount in a conveyance direction; a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance operation of the print medium, and then conveying the print medium to an image confirmation position where a final printed portion on the print medium can be confirmed; after transporting the print medium to the image confirmation position, when an input operation for restarting the image forming operation is received by an input unit, transporting the print medium back to a position where the image forming operation is restarted; after conveying the print medium back, restarting the image forming operation on the print medium; The image forming method according to claim 1,

10. To your computer a reading step in which a reading unit performs a reading operation on a plurality of documents; A transport control step for transporting a print medium, which is a long sheet of paper; an image forming step of forming an image on the print medium based on the image data of the original read by the reading unit in response to a conveyance operation of the print medium; a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance operation of the print medium every time an image is formed on the print medium by a predetermined amount in a conveyance direction; a step of temporarily stopping the conveyance operation of the print medium, and then conveying the print medium to an image confirmation position where a final printed portion on the print medium can be confirmed; after transporting the print medium to the image confirmation position, when an input operation for restarting the image forming operation is received by an input unit, transporting the print medium back to a position where the image forming operation is restarted; after conveying the print medium back, restarting the image forming operation on the print medium; A program for executing the above.

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