Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device, which can prevent a result of image formation from matching a result not desired by a user, when a medium stored in the device does not match the image formation indicated in image data.SOLUTION: An image forming device executes: a data obtaining process (S1) for obtaining, from the outside, image data indicating whether image formation for transcription and image formation for non-transcription should be performed and contents of an image; an image forming process (S7) for performing image formation indicated in the image data, of the image formation for transcription and the image formation for non-transcription, when the image formation indicated in the obtained image data match a paper indicated in settings of the device (S5, transcription; S8, non-transcription); and a preserving process (S9) for preserving the image data as data for unprocessed image formation, when the image formation indicated in the obtained image data does not match the paper indicated in the settings of the device (S5, non-transcription; S8, transcription).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an image forming apparatus that employs a method of forming an image on a transfer medium and then transferring the image from the transfer medium to another medium. The apparatus of Patent Document 1 is an example of this, and it is capable of forming an image on both the transfer medium and a non-transfer image forming medium, that is, a medium not for transfer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described image forming apparatus that supports both transfer image formation and non-transfer image formation can accommodate both transfer and non-transfer media. On the other hand, there may be a case where the image data transmitted to such an image forming apparatus instructs transfer image formation, but the actually accommodated medium is a non-transfer medium. Conversely, there may also be a case where the image data instructs non-transfer image formation, but the actually accommodated medium is a transfer medium. If the image formation instructed by the image data is performed as it is in these cases, the result may be something that the user does not desire.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which, when the medium accommodated in the apparatus does not match the image formation instructed by the image data, the result of the image formation is less likely to be something that the user does not desire.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a head that discharges ink onto a medium, a medium accommodating unit that can accommodate a transfer medium used for transfer image formation and a non-transfer medium used for non-transfer image formation, a medium supply unit that supplies the medium accommodated in the medium accommodating unit to the head, a medium acquisition unit that acquires whether the medium accommodated in the medium accommodating unit is either the transfer medium or the non-transfer medium, and a control unit. The control unit performs a data acquisition process of acquiring, from the outside, image data indicating which of the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation is to be performed and the content of the image, an image formation process of causing the medium supply unit to supply the medium to the head and causing the head to discharge ink onto the medium so as to perform the non-transfer image formation when both the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process and the medium indicated by the acquisition result by the medium acquisition unit are the non-transfer medium, and a storage process of storing the image data as unprocessed image formation data when the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process is the non-transfer medium but the medium indicated by the acquisition result by the medium acquisition unit is the transfer medium.

[0007] The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a head that discharges ink onto a medium, a medium accommodating unit that can accommodate a transfer medium used for forming a transfer image and a non-transfer medium used for forming a non-transfer image, a medium supply unit that supplies the medium accommodated in the medium accommodating unit to the head, a medium acquisition unit that acquires whether the medium accommodated in the medium accommodating unit is the transfer medium or the non-transfer medium, and a control unit. The control unit performs a data acquisition process of acquiring, from the outside, image data indicating which of the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation is to be performed and the content of the image, and when both the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process and the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit are the transfer type, the control unit causes the medium supply unit to supply the medium to the head and causes the head to discharge ink onto the medium, so as to perform the transfer image formation, and when the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process is the transfer type but the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit is the non-transfer type, the control unit performs a storage process of storing the image data as unprocessed image formation data.

[0008] The image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a head that discharges ink onto a medium, a medium accommodating unit that can accommodate a transfer medium used for forming a transfer image and a non-transfer medium used for forming a non-transfer image, a medium supply unit that supplies the medium accommodated in the medium accommodating unit to the head, a medium acquisition unit that acquires whether the medium accommodated in the medium accommodating unit is either the transfer medium or the non-transfer medium, and a control unit. The control unit performs a data acquisition process of acquiring, from the outside, image data indicating which of the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation is to be performed and the content of the image, and when the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process matches the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit, the control unit causes the medium supply unit to supply the medium to the head and causes the head to discharge ink onto the medium so as to perform the image formation indicated by the image data among the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation. When the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process does not match the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit, the control unit performs a storage process of storing the image data as data for unprocessed image formation.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] When the image formation indicated by the image data matches the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit (i.e., the medium accommodated in the medium accommodating unit), the image formation indicated by the image data is directly executed among the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation. Therefore, it is difficult for a process not desired by the user to be executed.

[0010] On the other hand, when the image formation indicated by the image data does not match the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit, the image formation indicated by the image data is not immediately executed, and the image data is temporarily stored as data for unprocessed image formation. Therefore, when re-executing the image formation later, it is not necessary to acquire the image data from the outside again. Thus, it is possible to quickly re-execute the image formation.

[0011] In the present invention, the case where "the image formation indicated by the image data does not match the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit" corresponds to either a first case where the former is for non-transfer and the latter is for transfer, or a second case where the former is for transfer and the latter is for non-transfer, in terms of the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process and the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit. In the first aspect of the present invention, the storage process is executed when the first case holds. In the second aspect of the present invention, the storage process is executed when the second case holds. In the third aspect of the present invention, the storage process is executed regardless of whether the first or second case holds.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, a sublimation printer (hereinafter simply referred to as "printer") 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the vertical direction is defined based on the state in which the printer 10 is installed for use (the state shown in FIG. 1), the front-rear direction is defined with the side where the opening 13 of the housing 11 is provided as the front side (front), and the left-right direction is defined when the printer 10 is viewed from the front side (front).

[0014] The printer 10 is a device that performs both transfer and non-transfer image formation. In the printer 10, sheets of paper 9x, which are media for transfer, and sheets of paper 9y, which are non-transfer media, are each used. The image formed on the paper 9x by transfer image formation is transferred from the paper 9x to another medium (such as a resin sheet, clothing, etc.). In transfer image formation, an image with the orientation of the original image reversed is formed on the paper 9x. As a result, when the image is transferred from the paper 9x to another medium, the orientation of the original image is reproduced in the transferred image. The image formed on the paper 9y in non-transfer image formation is not used for transfer.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes paper feed trays 4x and 4y, a paper discharge tray 5, a recording unit 6, a transport unit 7, a touch panel display 35, and a control unit 8, etc. The paper feed trays 4x and 4y, the recording unit 6, the transport unit 7, and the control unit 8 are housed inside the housing 11 of the printer 10. Inside the housing 11, the paper feed trays 4x and 4y are arranged below the recording unit 6.

[0016] The paper feed trays 4x and 4y are capable of supporting and accommodating a plurality of sheets of paper 9x or 9y in a stacked state. The paper feed tray 4x is used for accommodating the paper 9x, and the paper feed tray 4y is used for accommodating the paper 9y. Each of the paper feed trays 4x and 4y is insertable and removable in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing 11. Each of the paper feed trays 4x and 4y has a support surface 4a for supporting the paper 9x or 9y.

[0017] The paper discharge tray 5 accommodates the paper 9x or 9y on which an image is formed by a recording head 63 (to be described later) of the recording unit 6. The paper discharge tray 5 is disposed above the front side of the paper feed tray 4x and is configured to move in the front-rear direction together with the paper feed tray 4x.

[0018] The recording unit 6 includes a carriage 61 and a recording head 63. The carriage 61 is supported by two guide rails 67a and 67b. The two guide rails 67a and 67b are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and each extends in the left-right direction. The carriage 61 is disposed so as to straddle the two guide rails 67a and 67b. The carriage 61 is capable of reciprocating in the left-right direction, which is the main scanning direction, along the two guide rails 67a and 67b by the driving force of a carriage drive motor 31 (see FIG. 2).

[0019] The recording head 63 (corresponding to the "head" of the present invention) is mounted on the carriage 61 and reciprocates in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 61. The recording head 63 forms an image on the paper 9x or 9y by discharging the ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) from nozzles 63C, 63M, 63Y, 63K, and 63S provided on a nozzle surface 69 on the lower surface shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] The ink used in the present embodiment includes both sublimation ink for transfer and normal ink for non-transfer. The nozzles 63C, 63M, 63Y, and 63K discharge cyan, magenta, yellow, and black sublimation ink, respectively. The sublimation ink is used for transfer image formation. When the paper 9x on which an image is formed with this ink is heated by a heating device (such as an iron) until it reaches an appropriate temperature, the ink on the paper 9x sublimates. Thereby, transfer from the paper 9x to another medium is possible. The nozzle 63S discharges single-color, for example, black normal ink. The normal ink is non-transfer ink and is not transferred even when heated or is less likely to be transferred compared to the sublimation ink.

[0021] The conveying unit 7 (corresponding to the "medium supply unit" of the present invention) conveys the paper 9x or 9y inside the printer 10, and includes paper feed rollers 70x and 70y, conveying roller pairs 71 to 73, a platen 75, and a guide member 16.

[0022] The paper feed rollers 70x and 70y are arranged at positions where they respectively contact the uppermost papers 9x and 9y among the papers 9x and 9y supported by the paper feed trays 4x and 4y. The paper feed roller 70x or 70y is rotated by the driving force from the paper feed motor 33x or 33y (see FIG. 2), and feeds the paper 9x or 9y in the paper feed tray 4x or 4y backward. The paper 9x or 9y fed out from the paper feed tray 4x or 4y by the paper feed roller 70x or 70y is fed into the conveyance path 14 extending from the paper feed tray 4x or 4y to the recording unit 6.

[0023] The conveying roller pairs 71 to 73 include two rollers that contact each other, and are configured to convey the paper 9x or 9y while sandwiching it between the two rollers. One of the two rollers constituting each conveying roller pair 71 to 73 is a driving roller, which is rotated by the driving force from the conveying motor 34 (see FIG. 2). The other of the two rollers constituting each conveying roller pair 71 to 74 is a driven roller, which is rotated along with the rotation of the driving roller.

[0024] The conveying roller pairs 71 and 72 are arranged with the recording unit 6 interposed therebetween in the front-rear direction. The conveying roller pair 71 is arranged behind the recording unit 6, and the conveying roller pair 72 is arranged in front of the recording unit 6. The conveying roller pair 71 sends the paper 9x or 9y fed out from the paper feed tray 4 by the paper feed roller 70 to the image recording area F facing the nozzle surface 69 of the recording head 63. On the surface of the paper 9x or 9y sent to the image recording area F facing the nozzle surface 69 of the recording head 63, an image is formed by the ink ejected from the recording head 63. The conveying roller pair 72 receives the paper 9x or 9y sent by the conveying roller pair 71 and sends it forward. The conveying roller pair 73 receives the paper 9x or 9y sent by the conveying roller pair 72 and discharges it to the paper discharge tray 5.

[0025] The platen 75 is disposed below the recording unit 6 so as to face the nozzle surface 69 of the recording unit 6. The platen 75 supports the sheet 9x or 9y conveyed to the image recording area F. The guide member 16 defines a conveyance path 14 that feeds the sheet 9x or 9y sent out from the paper feed tray 4 into the image recording area F.

[0026] The touch panel display 35 (corresponding to the "input unit" of the present invention) displays characters, images, etc. on the screen. Further, when a finger or the like touches the screen, the touch panel display 35 detects the contact position and outputs the detection result to the control unit 8. Thereby, the touch panel display 35 can receive various user inputs.

[0027] The control unit 8 controls the entire printer 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 8 is electrically connected to a carriage drive motor 31, a recording head 63, paper feed motors 33x and 33y, a conveyance motor 34, and the like. The control unit 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, a memory 82, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 83, etc., and these cooperate to control the operations of each part such as the carriage drive motor 31, the recording head 63, the paper feed motors 33x and 33y, and the conveyance motor 34.

[0028] The memory 82 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, etc., and stores a main body setting 82a, a program 82b executed by the CPU 81, and image data 82c and 82d used for image formation on the sheet 9x or 9y. The RAM of the memory 82 is used as a work area where various programs are read from the ROM and a storage area for storing work data used during image formation. The ASIC 83 rewrites the image data 82c and 82d.

[0029] The main body setting 82a indicates which of the sheets of paper 9x and 9y is to be used for image formation. The main body setting 82a can be changed by user input through the touch panel display 35. When the user wants to perform image formation for transfer, the user places the sheet of paper 9x in the paper feed tray 4x and sets the main body setting 82a to indicate the use of the sheet of paper 9x. Also, when the user wants to perform image formation for non-transfer, the user places the sheet of paper 9y in the paper feed tray 4y and sets the main body setting 82a to indicate the use of the sheet of paper 9y. Note that when the main body setting 82a indicates the use of the sheet of paper 9x, the paper feed tray 4x that accommodates the sheet of paper 9x corresponds to the "medium accommodating unit" of the present invention. Also, when the main body setting 82a indicates the use of the sheet of paper 9y, the paper feed tray 4y that accommodates the sheet of paper 9y corresponds to the "medium accommodating unit" of the present invention.

[0030] The program 82b may be pre-stored at the time of manufacturing the printer 10. The program 82b may be provided in a form recorded on a CD-ROM or the like, or may be provided via a communication network such as the Internet. The CPU 81 executes the control of the printer 10 by executing the program 82b.

[0031] The image data 82c and 82d are acquired from an external device such as a PC or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The image data 82c and 82d each include, in addition to the data indicating the content of the image to be formed, transfer instruction data indicating whether to perform transfer image formation or non-transfer image formation. The image data 82c is data for which it is undetermined whether image formation along its content will be immediately performed. On the other hand, the image data 82d is data for which it has been determined that image formation along its content will not be immediately performed and is stored as unprocessed data. Details of these will be described later.

[0032] In FIG. 2, one CPU 81 and one ASIC 83 are illustrated. However, the control unit 8 may include only one CPU 81, and this single CPU 81 may perform all the necessary processes collectively, or it may include multiple CPUs 81, and these multiple CPUs 81 may share the necessary processes. Also, the control unit 8 may include only one ASIC 83, and this single ASIC 83 may perform all the necessary processes collectively, or it may include multiple ASICs 83, and these multiple ASICs 83 may share the necessary processes.

[0033] The processing by the control unit 8 includes an image forming process of forming an image on the paper 9x or 9y by controlling the operations of each part within the apparatus based on the image data 82c or 82d acquired from an external device. The image forming process includes a transfer image forming process for performing image forming for transfer and a non-transfer image forming process for performing non-transfer image forming.

[0034] In the transfer image forming process, by controlling the driving of the carriage drive motor 31, the recording head 63, the paper feed motor 33x, and the conveyance motor 34, the paper 9x is sent from the paper feed tray 4x to the image recording area F while sublimation ink is ejected from the recording head 63 at appropriate positions and timings. When ejecting the sublimation ink from the recording head 63, the control unit 8 controls the recording unit 6 so that an image with the orientation of the image indicated by the image data 82c or 82d reversed is formed on the paper 9x.

[0035] In the non-transfer image forming process, by controlling the driving of the carriage drive motor 31, the recording head 63, the paper feed motor 33y, and the conveyance motor 34, the paper 9y is sent from the paper feed tray 4y to the image recording area F while normal ink is ejected from the recording head 63 at appropriate positions and timings. Thereby, the image indicated by the image data 82c or 82d is formed on the paper 9y.

[0036] Incidentally, for example, while the image data 82c or 82d instructs to perform image formation for transfer, the main body setting 82a may instruct the use of the paper 9y. Conversely, while the image data 82c or 82d instructs to perform non-transfer image formation, the main body setting 82a may instruct the use of the paper 9x. If the image formation instructed by the image data 82c or 82d is performed as it is in these cases, the result may be something that the user does not desire.

[0037] Therefore, in order to make it difficult for the user-unwanted processing to be executed in the above cases, the present embodiment is configured such that the control unit 8 executes the following processing. Hereinafter, the flow of the processing by the control unit 8 will be described according to FIG. 4.

[0038] First, when receiving image data from an external device, the control unit 8 stores the image data in the memory 82 (S1). At this time, the data stored in the memory 82 is the image data 82c in FIG. 2. Note that the process of acquiring image data from an external device corresponds to the "data acquisition process" of the present invention.

[0039] Next, the control unit 8 extracts transfer instruction data from the image data 82c in the memory 82 (S2), and extracts the main body setting 82a from the stored content in the memory 82 (S3). Note that the function of the control unit 8 to extract the main body setting 82a corresponds to the function of the "medium acquisition unit" of the present invention. Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the transfer instruction data acquired in S2 instructs transfer image formation (S4). If it is determined that transfer image formation is instructed (S4, transfer), the control unit 8 determines what content the main body setting 82a acquired in S3 instructs the use of either the paper 9x or 9y (S5).

[0040] When it is determined that the main body setting 82a indicates the use of the sheet 9x (S5, transfer), the control unit 8 executes transfer image formation processing (S6 and S7). That is, the control unit 8 controls the recording unit 6 and the conveyance unit 7 to form an image on the sheet 9x while inverting the orientation of the image in the image data 82c (S6), and (S7). Then, a series of processes ends.

[0041] When it is determined that the main body setting 82a indicates the use of the sheet 9y (S5, non-transfer), the control unit 8 decides not to immediately execute the image formation processing based on the image data 82c, and saves the image data 82c as unprocessed image data 82d in the memory 82 (S9). Note that the process of S9 corresponds to the "saving process" of the present invention. Next, the control unit 8 executes save data processing (S10) for processing the image data 82d. Details of the save data processing will be described later. Then, a series of processes ends.

[0042] In S4, when it is determined that the transfer instruction data indicates non-transfer image formation ( S4, non-transfer), the control unit 8 determines whether the main body setting 82a acquired in S3 indicates the use of either the sheet 9x or 9y (S8).

[0043] When it is determined that the main body setting 82a indicates the use of the sheet 9y (S8, non-transfer), the control unit 8 executes non-transfer image formation processing (S7). That is, the control unit 8 controls the recording unit 6 and the conveyance unit 7 to form the image on the sheet 9y without inverting the image in the image data 82c, in its original orientation. Then, a series of processes ends.

[0044] When the main body setting 82a indicates the use of the sheet 9x (S8, transfer), the control unit 8 decides not to immediately execute the image formation processing based on the image data 82c, and saves the image data 82c as unprocessed image data 82d in the memory 82 (S9). Next, the control unit 8 executes save data processing (S10) for processing the image data 82d. Then, a series of processes ends.

[0045] Details of the saved data processing will be described with reference to FIG. 5. First, the control unit 8 causes the touch panel display 35 to display a data selection screen 101 shown in FIG. 6(a), and receives user input using this screen (S21).

[0046] The data selection screen 101 includes a saved data list 101a, an inversion status 101b, a check box 101c, and a print instruction button 101d. The saved data list 101a represents a list of image data 82d stored in the memory 82 by their data names (file names in the example of FIG. 6). Each data name in the list can be selected by user input through the touch panel display 35. The inversion status 101b indicates whether image formation for transfer is instructed for each image data 82d in the list. The display of "Reverse" indicates that image formation with image inversion, that is, image formation for transfer, is instructed. The display of "-" indicates that non-transfer image formation is instructed. The check box 101c can be checked by the user through the touch panel display 35, and the presence or absence of the display of the check mark indicates whether it has been checked. The print instruction button 101d can be selected by the user through the touch panel display 35.

[0047] In S21, when the print instruction button 101d is selected with any of the check boxes 101c checked, the control unit 8 determines that a print instruction has been given (S22, Yes). In response, the control unit 8 executes an image formation process based on the image data 82d corresponding to the data name checked in the check box 101c in accordance with the content of the image data 82d at that time (S23). For example, for the image data 82d corresponding to the data name "1.AAAAA.jpeg" checked in FIG. 6, a transfer image formation process related to image formation for transfer is executed as indicated by the display "Reverse" of the inversion status 101b. On the other hand, for the image data 82d corresponding to the data name "3.CCCCC.png" checked, a non-transfer image formation process related to non-transfer image formation is executed as indicated by the display "-" of the inversion status 101b.

[0048] In S23, when the content of the inversion status 101b does not match the content of the main body setting 82a, it is preferable that a message prompting to newly select whether it is for transfer or non-transfer is displayed before each image forming process is executed.

[0049] For example, when executing the image forming process for "1.AAAAA.jpeg" where the inversion status 101b is "reverse", if the main body setting 82a instructs the use of paper 9y, the inversion selection screen 111 in Fig. 6(b) is displayed on the touch panel display 35. The inversion selection screen 111 includes a message 111a that says "The main body setting is for normal paper. Please select whether inversion is required." and prompts the user to select whether it is for transfer or non-transfer. Also, in the selection field 111b, by selecting the presence or absence of inversion through user input via the touch panel display 35, it is possible to select whether it is for transfer or non-transfer. Then, when the execution button 111c is selected through user input via the touch panel display 35, among the transfer image forming process and the non-transfer image forming process, the image forming process corresponding to the selection content in the selection field 111b is executed.

[0050] Also, when executing the image forming process for "3.CCCCC.png" where the inversion status 101b is "-", if the main body setting 82a instructs the use of paper 9x, the inversion selection screen 112 in Fig. 6(c) is displayed on the touch panel display 35. The inversion selection screen 112 includes a message 112a that says "The main body setting is for transfer paper. Please select whether inversion is required." and prompts the user to select whether it is for transfer or non-transfer. Also, in the selection field 112b, by selecting the presence or absence of inversion through user input via the touch panel display 35, it is possible to select whether it is for transfer or non-transfer. Then, when the execution button 112c is selected through user input via the touch panel display 35, among the transfer image forming process and the non-transfer image forming process, the image forming process corresponding to the selection content in the selection field 112b is executed.

[0051] When the process of S23 ends, the control unit 8 deletes the image data 82d for which the image formation process has been performed from the memory 82 (S24). Next, the control unit 8 determines whether there is any unprocessed image data 82d (S25). If it is determined that there is (S25, Yes), the process returns to the process of S21. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is none (S25, No), the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 4 to end the series of processes. When returning to S21, the data selection screen 101 based on the remaining image data 82d after the deletion by S24 is displayed and user input is received.

[0052] If it is determined in S22 that no print instruction has been given (S22, No), the control unit 8 determines whether a data name has been selected in S21 (S26). If it is determined that no data name has been selected (S26, No), the control unit 8 returns to the process of S21.

[0053] If it is determined that a data name has been selected (S26, Yes), the control unit 8 determines whether image formation for transfer is instructed in the image data 82d corresponding to the selected data name (S27). If it is determined that image formation for transfer is instructed (S27, Yes), the control unit 8 moves to the process of S35. The processes after S35 will be described later. If it is determined that image formation for transfer is not instructed (S27, No), the control unit 8 causes the preview A screen 102 shown in FIG. 7 to be displayed on the touch panel display 35 for the image data 82d corresponding to the selected data name, and receives user input using this screen (S21).

[0054] The preview A screen 102 includes a preview image 102a, a reverse instruction button 102b, and a print instruction button 102c. The preview image 102a is a preview image based on the image data 82d, corresponding to a reduced version of the content of the image indicated by the image data 82d. In this process, since the image data 82d instructs non-transfer image formation, the preview image is displayed with the content corresponding to the original state of the image without being reversed. By displaying the preview image 102a, the user can confirm the content of the image indicated by the image data 82d and that the image is not reversed. The reverse instruction button 102b and the print instruction button 102c can be selected by user input through the touch panel display 35. Note that prior to the selection of the print instruction button 102c, the user replenishes the paper used for image formation into either the paper feed trays 4x or 4y as needed. Also, when the enlargement instruction button 102p displayed on the preview A screen 102 is selected, it is possible to partially enlarge the preview image 102a and display it on the touch panel display 35.

[0055] When the print instruction button 102c is selected in S28, the control unit 8 determines that a print instruction has been given (S29, Yes). In response, the control unit 8 executes an image formation process based on the image data 82d on which the preview image 102a is displayed, that is, a non-transfer image formation process (S30). In the process of S30, when the main body setting 82a instructs the use of the paper 9x, a reverse selection screen similar to the process of S23 is displayed on the touch panel display 35, and after the selection of transfer or non-transfer, the image formation process is executed. Next, the control unit 8 deletes the image data 82d from the memory 82 (S31). Next, the control unit 8 determines whether there is any unprocessed image data 82d (S32). If it is determined that there is (S32, Yes), the process returns to S21, while if it is determined that there is not (S32, No), the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 4 to end the series of processes. When returning to S21, the data selection screen 101 based on the remaining image data 82d after the deletion in S31 is displayed and user input is received.

[0056] When it is determined that no printing instruction has been given (S29, No), the control unit 8 determines whether the reverse instruction button 102b has been selected (S33). When it is determined that the reverse instruction button 102b has not been selected (S33, No), the control unit 8 returns to the process of S28. When it is determined that the reverse instruction button 102b has been selected (S33, Yes), the control unit 8 changes the transfer instruction data of the image data 82d to the content instructing image formation for transfer (S34). Next, the control unit 8 causes the preview B screen 103 shown in FIG. 8 to be displayed on the touch panel display 35 and accepts user input using this screen (S35).

[0057] The preview B screen 103 includes a preview image 103a, a return instruction button 103b, a print test instruction button 103c, and a print instruction button 103d. The preview image 103a is a preview image based on the image data 82d and corresponds to a reduced version of the content of the image indicated by the image data 82d. In this process, since the image data 82d instructs image formation for transfer, the preview image is displayed with content corresponding to the state where the image is reversed. By displaying the preview image 103a, the user can confirm the content of the image indicated by the image data 82d and the state where the image is reversed. The return instruction button 103b, the print test instruction button 103c, and the print instruction button 103d can be selected by user input through the touch panel display 35. When the enlargement instruction button 103p displayed on the preview B screen 103 is selected, it is also possible to partially enlarge the preview image 103a and display it on the touch panel display 35.

[0058] When the print instruction button 103d is selected in S35, the control unit 8 determines that a print instruction has been issued (S36, Yes). In response to this, the control unit 8 executes an image forming process based on the image data 82d in which the preview image 103a is displayed, that is, a transfer image forming process (S37). In the process of S37, when the main body setting 82a instructs the use of the sheet 9y, a reverse selection screen similar to the process of S23 is displayed on the touch panel display 35, and after the selection of transfer or non-transfer is made, the image forming process is executed. Next, the control unit 8 deletes the image data 82d from the memory 82 (S38). Next, the control unit 8 determines whether there is any unprocessed image data 82d (S39). If it is determined that there is (S39, Yes), the process returns to S21. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is none (S39, No), the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and a series of processes are terminated. When returning to S21, the data selection screen 101 based on the remaining image data 82d after the deletion by S38 is displayed and user input is received.

[0059] If it is determined that no print instruction has been issued (S36, No), the control unit 8 determines whether the print test instruction button 103c has been selected (S40). If it is determined that the print test instruction button 103c has been selected (S40, Yes), the control unit 8 executes a test image formation based on the image data 82d in which the preview image 103a is displayed (S41). In this process, the test image selection screen 104 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel display 35.

[0060] The test image selection screen 104 includes selection fields 104a and 104b, a message 104c, and an execution instruction button 104d. The message 104c, for example, includes the string "Normal paper is used for test printing. Please replenish the paper as needed." This content prompts the user to replenish the paper 9y in the paper feed tray 4y. Through user input via the touch panel display 35, the presence or absence of inversion can be selected in the selection field 104a, and the presence or absence of outline printing can be selected in the selection field 104b. When the execution instruction button 104d is selected through user input via the touch panel display 35, test printing by non-transfer image formation processing is executed with the content selected in the selection fields 104a and 104b. FIG. 10 shows the paper 9y on which the test image T is formed by this process. The test image T is formed in a direction according to the presence or absence of inversion indicated by the selection field 104a, regardless of the content of the transfer instruction data by the image data 82d. Also, when the outline printing indicated by the selection field 104b is "Yes", as shown in FIG. 10, the formation inside the image is omitted, and the image is formed with only the outer edge remaining as an outline. On the other hand, when the outline printing indicated by the selection field 104b is "No", the whole including the inside of the image is formed. When the formation of the test image is completed, the control unit 8 returns to the process of S35.

[0061] If it is determined that the print test instruction button 103c is not selected (S40, No), the control unit 8 determines whether the return instruction button 103b is selected (S42). If it is determined that the return instruction button 103b is not selected (S42, No), the control unit 8 returns to the process of S35. If it is determined that the return instruction button 103b is selected (S42, Yes), the control unit 8 changes the transfer instruction data of the image data 82d to the content instructing non-transfer image formation (S43). Then, the control unit 8 moves to the process of S28.

[0062] According to the present embodiment described above, when the image formation indicated by the transfer instruction data included in the image data 82c matches the paper accommodated in the paper feed trays 4x and 4y, among the image formation for transfer and the image formation for non-transfer, the image formation indicated by the transfer instruction data is executed as it is (S7 in FIG. 4). Therefore, it is difficult for processes not desired by the user to be executed.

[0063] On the other hand, when the image formation indicated by the transfer instruction data does not match the paper accommodated in the paper feed trays 4x and 4y, the image formation indicated by the transfer instruction data is not immediately executed, and in the save data process (S9 in FIG. 4), the image data 82d is temporarily saved as data for unprocessed image formation. Therefore, when re-executing the image formation later, it is not necessary to acquire the image data from the outside again. Thus, it is possible to quickly re-execute the image formation.

[0064] Also, in the present embodiment, the content of the image data 82d is displayed on the touch panel display 35 as the preview image 102a or 103a (S28, S35 in FIG. 5). For this reason, the user can consider the subsequent processing while checking the display on the touch panel display 35.

[0065] Also, during the above preview, the user can change the setting of whether to perform image formation for transfer or image formation for non-transfer by user input through the touch panel display 35 (S34, S43 in FIG. 5). Thus, in the save data process according to the present embodiment, among the image formation for transfer and the image formation for non-transfer, the image formation according to the user input is performed.

[0066] Also, in the above-described embodiment, when either the transfer image formation process or the non-transfer image formation process is performed through user input via the touch panel display 35, and the image formation does not match the main body setting 82a, the screens of FIG. 6(b) or FIG. 6(c) that prompt the user to make a new selection between transfer and non-transfer are displayed. Therefore, the image formation desired by the user is more likely to be appropriately performed.

[0067] Also, in the above-described embodiment, before performing image formation on the sheet 9x based on the image data 82d, the test image T in FIG. 10 formed on the sheet 9y can be confirmed. Therefore, appropriate image formation on the transfer medium is likely to be executed. Also, prior to the formation of the test image T, the message 104c in FIG. 9 prompting replenishment of the sheet 9y is displayed on the touch panel display 35. Thus, the test image T can be surely formed on the sheet 9y. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the test image T can be displayed only with outlines, that is, a part of the image can be omitted, so that the ink used for forming the test image T can be saved.

[0068] <Other Modifications> As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration should be considered not to be limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0069] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the sublimation ink is four colors and the normal ink is single color. The sublimation ink may be single color or a plurality of colors other than four colors, or the normal ink may be a plurality of colors.

[0070] Also, in the above-described embodiment, depending on whether or not the transfer instruction data of the image data 82c matches the main body setting 82a, it is selected whether to perform the image forming process as it is or to temporarily store the image data 82d in the memory 82. Regarding this, other indicators may be used instead of the main body setting 82a. For example, a sensor for detecting whether there is paper in the paper feed tray 4x and a sensor for detecting whether there is paper in the paper feed tray 4y are installed. Then, when only the former sensor detects the presence of paper, it may be determined that the printer 10 contains the paper 9x, and when only the latter sensor detects the presence of paper, it may be determined that the printer 10 contains the paper 9y. In this case, depending on whether or not the paper contained in the printer 10 indicated by the detection result of the sensor matches the transfer instruction data, it is selected whether to perform the image forming process as it is or to temporarily store the image data 82d in the memory 82. Note that these sensors correspond to the "medium acquisition unit" of the present invention.

[0071] Also, in the above-described embodiment, both the paper feed tray 4x for the paper 9x and the paper feed tray 4y for the paper 9y are employed. Instead of this, only one paper feed tray may be installed. In this case, when performing image formation for transfer, the main body setting 82a is set to instruct the use of the paper 9x, and the paper 9x is accommodated in the paper feed tray. Also, when performing non-transfer image formation, the main body setting 82a is set to instruct the use of the paper 9y, and the paper 9y is accommodated in the paper feed tray. Then, similar to the above-described embodiment, depending on whether or not the transfer instruction data of the image data 82c matches the main body setting 82a, it is selected whether to perform the image forming process as it is or to temporarily store the image data 82d in the memory 82. Also, when only one paper feed tray is installed, a sensor for directly detecting whether the paper 9x or the paper 9y is accommodated may be installed in the paper feed tray. In this case, depending on whether or not the transfer instruction data of the image data 82c matches the detection result of the sensor, it is selected whether to perform the image forming process as it is or to temporarily store the image data 82d in the memory 82. Note that this sensor corresponds to the "medium acquisition unit" of the present invention.

[0072] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the printer 10 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may be applied to other inkjet type image forming apparatuses that eject ink from a head, such as a multifunction peripheral, a copying machine, or the like, or these image forming apparatuses.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 4x, 4y paper feed tray 6 recording unit 7 conveyance unit 8 control unit 9x, 9y paper 10 printer 82 memory 82a main body setting 82c, 82d image data 35 touch panel display 101 data selection screen 102 preview A screen 103 preview B screen 104 test image selection screen T test image

Claims

1. a head that discharges ink onto a medium; a medium storage unit capable of accommodating a transfer medium used for transfer image formation and a non-transfer medium used for non-transfer image formation; a medium supply unit that supplies the medium accommodated in the medium storage unit to the head; a medium acquisition unit that acquires whether the medium accommodated in the medium storage unit is either the transfer medium or the non-transfer medium; a control unit; wherein the control unit performs a data acquisition process of acquiring, from the outside, image data indicating which of the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation is to be performed and the content of the image; when both the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process and the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit are the non-transfer type, an image formation process of causing the medium supply unit to supply the medium to the head and causing the head to discharge ink onto the medium so as to perform non-transfer image formation; when the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process is the non-transfer type but the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit is the transfer type, a storage process of storing the image data as data for unprocessed image formation. An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising the above.

2. a head that discharges ink onto a medium; a medium storage unit capable of accommodating a transfer medium used for transfer image formation and a non-transfer medium used for non-transfer image formation; a medium supply unit that supplies the medium accommodated in the medium storage unit to the head; a medium acquisition unit that acquires whether the medium accommodated in the medium storage unit is either the transfer medium or the non-transfer medium; a control unit; wherein the control unit performs a data acquisition process of acquiring, from the outside, image data indicating which of the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation is to be performed and the content of the image; when both the image formation indicated by the image data acquired by the data acquisition process and the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit are the transfer type, an image formation process of causing the medium supply unit to supply the medium to the head and causing the head to discharge ink onto the medium so as to perform transfer image formation; An image forming apparatus, comprising: a storage process of storing the image data obtained by the data acquisition process as data for image formation that has not been processed, when the image formation indicated by the image data obtained by the data acquisition process is for transfer, but the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit is for non-transfer. **Claim 3** A head that discharges ink onto a medium; A medium storage unit capable of accommodating a transfer medium used for transfer image formation and a non-transfer medium used for non-transfer image formation; A medium supply unit that supplies the medium accommodated in the medium storage unit to the head; A medium acquisition unit that acquires whether the medium accommodated in the medium storage unit is either the transfer medium or the non-transfer medium; A control unit, wherein the control unit performs a data acquisition process of acquiring, from the outside, image data indicating which of the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation is to be performed and the content of the image; when the image formation indicated by the image data obtained by the data acquisition process matches the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit, in the transfer image formation and the non-transfer image formation, causes the medium supply unit to supply the medium to the head and causes the head to discharge ink onto the medium, so as to perform the image formation indicated by the image data (image formation process); when the image formation indicated by the image data obtained by the data acquisition process does not match the medium indicated by the acquisition result of the medium acquisition unit, performs a storage process of storing the image data as data for image formation that has not been processed. An image forming apparatus characterized by this. **Claim 4** The transfer image formation is image formation that performs the content of the image indicated by the image data in an inverted manner, The non-transfer image formation is image formation that performs the content of the image indicated by the image data without inverting it. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by this. **Claim 5** Further comprising a display, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the content of the image indicated by the image data stored in the storage process is displayed on the display. **Claim 6** Further comprising an input unit that receives user input, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit changes a setting for the image data stored by the storage process from one of the transfer use and the non-transfer use to the other according to the input content received by the input unit.

7. The image forming apparatus further includes an input unit that receives user input, Based on the content of the image indicated by the image data stored by the storage process, the medium supply unit supplies a medium to the head and the head discharges ink onto the medium so as to perform image formation according to the input content received by the input unit among the image formation for transfer use and the image formation for non-transfer use. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The image forming apparatus further includes a display, The control unit, When performing image formation according to the input content received by the input unit, and when the image formation according to the input content received by the input unit does not match the medium indicated by the acquisition result by the medium acquisition unit, the control unit causes the display to perform a display prompting selection of the image formation for transfer use and the image formation for non-transfer use. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The image forming apparatus further includes an input unit that receives user input, When forming an image on the transfer medium based on the image data stored by the storage process, the control unit controls the medium supply unit and the head to form a test image based on the content of the image indicated by the image data according to the input content received by the input unit prior to the execution. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The image forming apparatus further includes a display, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit causes the display to perform a display indicating that the non-transfer medium is to be accommodated in the medium accommodating unit before forming the test image.

11. The test image has a content in which a part of an image obtained by inverting the content of the image indicated by the image data is omitted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

Images