Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately responding to situations in which settings are to be changed during image formation. [Solution] When the control unit 30 receives user input via the touch panel display 20 instructing a change in settings during an image forming operation, it changes the settings stored in the storage unit 31 according to the user input for setting items where the setting change availability information indicates that the setting can be changed during the image forming operation. On the other hand, for setting items where the setting change availability information indicates that the setting cannot be changed during the image forming operation, the storage unit 31 does not change the settings stored in the storage unit 31 until the image forming operation currently in progress is completed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an apparatus that transmits image data from an external device such as a computer to an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus forms an image indicated by the image data on a medium. Patent Document 1 relates to a printer which is an example of such an image forming apparatus. The printer of Patent Document 1 performs printing (image formation) based on image data acquired from a digital camera which is an external device. Further, since printing settings can be made in the printer, when performing printing based on image data from an external device, it is possible to be based on the printing settings made in the printer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When it is possible to set (print settings) image formation in an image forming apparatus, it is assumed that the user may operate the image forming apparatus during image formation to change the setting content. If the setting content is changed during image formation, there is a risk that an unfavorable situation such as a change in the quality of the image during image formation may occur.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can appropriately respond to a situation where the setting content is about to be changed during image formation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises an image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on one or more media based on an image forming instruction obtained from an external source, an input unit that receives user input, a storage unit, and a control unit, wherein the storage unit stores setting contents for a plurality of setting items relating to the image forming operation, and setting change feasibility information indicating whether or not the setting contents can be changed during the image forming operation for each of the plurality of setting items, and the control unit performs a setting change process that can change the setting contents in accordance with a change instruction input which is the user input that instructs a change to the setting contents, and The system performs an image forming process that causes the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation based on the specified settings, and the setting change process is a process that, when the input unit receives the change instruction input during the image forming operation, changes the settings stored in the storage unit for changeable items which are setting items indicated by the setting change feasibility information as being changeable during the image forming operation, and does not change the settings stored in the storage unit for non-changeable items which are setting items indicated by the setting change feasibility information as being changeable during the image forming operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The setting change availability information indicates whether or not the settings can be changed during the image formation process for each setting item. When a change instruction is entered to change the settings during the image formation process, the settings for settings that can be changed during the process will be changed based on the setting change availability information, but the settings for settings that cannot be changed during the process will not be changed. In other words, it is possible to configure the system to change the settings quickly when possible, while reducing the risk of undesirable situations such as changes in image quality occurring during the image formation process. This realizes a device that can appropriately respond to situations where settings are to be changed during image formation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]This is a block diagram showing the overview configuration of a printer according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overview of the various types of information stored in the printer's memory unit. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows the GUI image displayed on the printer's touch panel display. Figure 3(a) is an example of a GUI image that accepts input for one-way printing settings. Figure 3(b) is an example of a GUI image that accepts input for stain reduction settings. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows the GUI image displayed on the PC screen. Figure 4(a) is an example of a GUI image that accepts input of settings related to one-way settings. Figure 4(b) is an example of a GUI image that accepts input of settings related to dirt reduction settings. Figure 4(c) is an example of a GUI image that accepts input of settings for immediate change settings. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the processing flow executed by the printer's control unit upon receiving job data from the PC. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows the processing flow executed by the printer's control unit when a user input is made to change the settings during the image formation process, which is one step in Figure 5. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A printer system 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The printer system 1 comprises a printer 100 (corresponding to the "image forming apparatus" of the present invention) and a PC 200 that are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate data via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 100 includes an image forming unit 10, a touch panel display 20, and a control unit 30. The image forming unit 10 accommodates multiple sheets of paper.

[0011] The image forming unit 10 has a carriage 11 and a head 12 mounted on the carriage 11. The carriage 11 is capable of reciprocating along a path from one end to the other in the width direction of the paper. As the carriage 11 moves in the width direction, the head 12 applies ink to the paper, thereby performing an image forming operation in which an image is formed on the paper while the head 2 moves (corresponding to "moving image forming" in the present invention).

[0012] This embodiment includes two types of settings related to the image forming operation by the image forming unit 10. The first is the unidirectional setting. The unidirectional setting is a setting that switches between a bidirectional forming operation, in which the head 12 applies ink to the paper on both the forward and return paths of the carriage 11's movement, and a unidirectional forming operation, in which the head 12 applies ink to the paper only on the forward path of the carriage 11's movement. The unidirectional setting can be selectively set to one of two states: on or off. Turning the unidirectional setting on corresponds to using the unidirectional forming operation. Turning the unidirectional setting off corresponds to using the bidirectional forming operation.

[0013] The second setting is the stain reduction setting. The stain reduction setting allows switching between a normal mode, which uses ink corresponding to the job data for image formation, and a paper stain reduction mode, which forms the image while generally reducing the amount of ink compared to the normal mode. The paper stain reduction mode makes it less likely for the paper to become stained, as follows: Paper staining occurs when paper deforms due to swelling caused by ink adhesion and adheres to the print head 12. The paper stain reduction mode makes this phenomenon less likely to occur by generally reducing the amount of ink that adheres to the paper. The stain reduction setting can be selectively set to on or off. Turning the stain reduction setting on corresponds to using the paper stain reduction mode. Turning the stain reduction setting off corresponds to using the normal mode.

[0014] The touch panel display 20 (corresponding to the "user input unit" and "output unit" of the present invention) displays characters, images, etc. on the screen. The touch panel display 20 also detects the contact position when a finger or the like touches the screen and outputs the detection result to the control unit 30. This allows the touch panel display 20 to accept various user inputs. For example, when a user touches a screen displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image (hereinafter referred to as a "GUI image") with their finger or the like, the GUI image at the contact position is manipulated. The control unit 30 then receives the input of information corresponding to that operation.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 30 includes hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30b and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 30c that constitute the storage unit 31, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0016] ROM30b is a non-volatile memory and is used as a storage area for long-term data storage. ROM30b stores program data executed by the CPU30a and ASIC. Furthermore, the rewritable area of ​​ROM30b stores setting details and information on whether the settings can be changed. The setting details correspond to the settings for two setting items: unidirectional setting and dirt reduction setting. As shown in Figure 2, setting details 101 related to the former setting item and setting details 102 related to the latter setting item are stored in ROM30b. Information on whether the settings can be changed will be described later.

[0017] The RAM 30c consists of a volatile memory and functions as a temporary working storage area. In this storage area, storage areas are secured for storing the program data, for storing image data indicating the image to be formed on the paper, and for storing other temporary data for work. The program data is transferred from the ROM 30b to the storage area for programs. Various forms of image data are stored in the storage area for image data.

[0018] The hardware including the CPU 30a that constitutes the control unit 30 executes various processes based on the program data and other data in the storage unit 31. The processes will be described below.

[0019] The control unit 30 receives user input regarding the setting contents of two setting items through the GUI based on the GUI image displayed on the screen by the touch panel display 20. The control unit 30 changes the setting contents of each setting item according to the user input instructing the change of the setting contents (corresponding to the "setting change process" of the present invention).

[0020] The image IM1 in FIG. 3(a) is an example of a GUI image for receiving input of the setting contents of the one-way setting. The user can switch between on and off of the one-way setting by touching the screen of the touch panel display 20 on which the image IM1 is displayed with a finger or the like.

[0021] The image IM2 in FIG. 3(b) is an example of a GUI image for receiving input of the setting contents of the stain reduction setting. The user can switch between on and off of the stain reduction setting by touching the screen of the touch panel display 20 on which the image IM2 is displayed with a finger or the like.

[0022] Furthermore, the control unit 30 executes image forming processing to cause the image forming unit 10 to perform image forming operations based on job data (corresponding to the "image forming instruction" of the present invention) transmitted from the PC 200. The job data is data that instructs the printer 100 to form an image. The job data includes image data related to image formation on one or more pages of paper, as well as setting details for two setting items: unidirectional setting and smudge reduction setting. The control unit 30 executes image forming processing according to the setting details indicated by the job data or the setting details stored in the ROM 30b. Whether the control unit 30 responds to the setting details indicated by the job data or the setting details stored in the ROM 30b will be described later.

[0023] In other words, the control unit 30 causes the carriage 11 and head 12 to perform the operation indicated by the setting, from among unidirectional forming operations and bidirectional forming operations. Note that the process by which the control unit 30 causes the carriage 11 and head 12 to perform a unidirectional forming operation corresponds to the "unidirectional forming process" of the present invention. The process by which the control unit 30 causes the carriage 11 and head 12 to perform a bidirectional forming operation corresponds to the "bidirectional forming process" of the present invention.

[0024] Furthermore, the control unit 30 applies processing to the image data corresponding to the mode indicated by the setting, among the normal mode and the paper smudge reduction mode, and causes the head 12 to perform image formation operations based on the processed data. Specifically, the control unit 30 executes a process to obtain the color density of each pixel from the image data included in the job data. The image data shows the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) densities for each pixel that makes up the image. The control unit 30 executes a process (hereinafter referred to as "conversion processing") to convert this image data showing the RGB densities into image data showing the densities of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). Then, the control unit 30 obtains the color density of each pixel from the image data showing the CMYK densities and causes the image formation unit 10 to perform image formation operations based on the obtained color densities. In the image data conversion processing (corresponding to the "predetermined processing" of the present invention), the control unit 30 makes the CMYK densities after conversion processing in the paper smudge reduction mode lower than the CMYK densities after conversion processing in the normal mode. As a result, in the paper smudge reduction mode, the amount of ink adhering to the paper is generally reduced compared to the normal mode, thereby making paper smudging less likely. The process of obtaining the color density of each pixel from the image data after conversion in the normal mode corresponds to the "first density acquisition process" of the present invention. The process of obtaining the color density of each pixel from the image data after conversion in the smudge reduction mode corresponds to the "second density acquisition process" of the present invention.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the PC200 has a user input unit 40, a display 50, and a control unit 60. The user input unit 40 consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc., and accepts various user inputs. The display 50 displays characters, images, etc., on the screen. The GUI image displayed on the display 50 is operated by the user input through the user input unit 40. Then, the control unit 60 receives input of information corresponding to that operation.

[0026] The control unit 60 is equipped with hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The control unit 60 performs a process to generate job data according to the instructions entered by the user through the user input unit 40. The generated job data is sent from the PC 200 to the printer 100.

[0027] Incidentally, if the printer 100 allows various settings related to image formation as described above, it is conceivable that a user might try to change these settings by operating the touch panel display 20 during the image formation process. In this case, for example, even if the unidirectional setting is changed during the image formation process, the quality of the image formed on the paper is unlikely to change. This is because whether the unidirectional setting is on or off only makes a difference in whether the image is formed on both the forward and return paths of the head 12 or on only one path. In contrast, if the setting of the smudge reduction setting is changed, the amount of ink used for the image formation process is reduced. Therefore, if the setting of the smudge reduction setting is changed during the image formation process, the quality of the image being formed on a single page of paper may change midway, potentially causing an unnatural appearance in the image formed on the paper. Thus, changing the setting during the image formation process may lead to undesirable situations.

[0028] Therefore, the printer 100 and PC 200 according to this embodiment are configured as follows to address the above-mentioned problem.

[0029] First, the setting changeability information stored in the ROM 30b of the printer 100 has the following characteristics. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the setting changeability information 103 associated with the unidirectional setting indicates "changeable," meaning that the setting can be changed during the image formation operation for one page (corresponding to the "single-media image formation operation" of the present invention). In other words, the unidirectional setting corresponds to the "changeable item" of the present invention. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, the setting changeability information 104 associated with the smudge reduction setting indicates "unchangeable," meaning that the setting cannot be changed during the image formation operation for one page. In other words, the smudge reduction setting corresponds to the "unchangeable item" of the present invention.

[0030] Then, in the PC200, the control unit 60 generates job data as follows. The control unit 60 generates image data according to user input received through a GUI based on GUI images displayed on the touch panel display 20. Specifically, image data is generated through processes such as generating image data representing documents and diagrams, and importing image data from external devices such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or digital cameras into the PC200.

[0031] Furthermore, the control unit 60 receives user input indicating the settings for the one-way setting and the paper stain setting through a GUI based on a GUI image displayed on the touch panel display 20. In this embodiment, in addition to the settings for the two setting items mentioned above, settings for the main unit priority setting and the immediate change setting are also accepted.

[0032] The printer priority setting determines whether to prioritize the settings of printer 100 for both the one-way printing setting and the paper smudge setting. The printer priority setting can be selectively set to either on or off. When the printer priority setting is on, the settings of the printer (printer 100) are prioritized, meaning the settings of printer 100 are followed. When the printer priority setting is off, the settings of the job data are prioritized, and the settings of the printer are not prioritized.

[0033] The instant change setting is a setting that switches between an instant change enabled mode and an instant change disabled mode. The instant change enabled mode is a mode in which, if possible, the settings are changed immediately when user input is made to change the settings of the printer 100 via the touch panel display 20 during image formation processing. The instant change disabled mode is a mode in which the settings are not changed immediately during image formation processing, regardless of whether the above user input has been made or whether the settings can be changed immediately or not. The instant change setting selectively takes two states: on and off. Turning the instant change setting on corresponds to using the instant change enabled mode. Turning the instant change setting off corresponds to using the instant change disabled mode. Note that in this invention, the instant change setting for job data being on corresponds to "the image formation instruction having a first content". Also, in this invention, the instant change setting for job data being off corresponds to "the image formation instruction having a second content".

[0034] Image IM3 in Figure 4(a) is an example of a GUI image that accepts input for settings related to one-way settings. The user can switch between two settings for one-way settings by operating image IM3 displayed on the screen of the display 50 via the user input unit 40. Specifically, the user can switch between turning the main unit priority setting on and off, and turning the one-way setting for when the main unit setting is not followed on and off.

[0035] Specifically, image IM3 has content that allows the user to select either "According to main unit settings," "OFF," or "ON." When "According to main unit settings" is selected, the control unit 60 sets the job data to indicate that the main unit priority setting is ON for unidirectional settings. When "OFF" is selected, the control unit 60 sets the job data to indicate that the main unit priority setting is OFF and the unidirectional setting is OFF. When "ON" is selected, the control unit 60 sets the job data to indicate that the main unit priority setting is OFF and the unidirectional setting is ON.

[0036] Image IM4 in Figure 4(b) is an example of a GUI image that accepts input for settings related to stain reduction. The user can switch between two stain reduction settings by operating image IM4 displayed on the screen of the display 50 via the user input unit 40. Specifically, the user can switch between turning the main unit priority setting on and off, and turning the one-way setting (when not following the main unit setting) on ​​and off.

[0037] Specifically, image IM4 has content that allows the user to select either "According to main unit settings," "OFF," or "ON." When "According to main unit settings" is selected, the control unit 60 sets the job data to indicate that the main unit priority setting is ON for the dirt reduction setting. When "OFF" is selected, the control unit 60 sets the job data to indicate that the main unit priority setting is OFF and the dirt reduction setting is OFF. When "ON" is selected, the control unit 60 sets the job data to indicate that the main unit priority setting is OFF and the dirt reduction setting is ON.

[0038] Image IM5 in Figure 4(c) is an example of a GUI image that accepts input of settings related to the instant change setting. The user can switch the instant change setting by operating Image IM5 displayed on the screen of the display 50 via the user input unit 40. Specifically, Image IM5 has content that allows the user to select either "Instant Change OFF" or "Instant Change ON". If "Instant Change OFF" is selected, the control unit 60 sets the job data to indicate that the instant change setting is off. If "Instant Change ON" is selected, the control unit 60 sets the job data to indicate that the instant change setting is on.

[0039] The control unit 60 transmits the job data, which includes the image data and setting information obtained as described above, to the printer 100.

[0040] An example of processing by the control unit 30 of the printer 100 when job data for image formation operations on multi-page paper is sent from PC200 will be explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 5, the control unit 30 receives job data from PC200 (S1). Next, the control unit 30 determines whether the settings of the main unit priority setting indicated by the job data from PC200 are on for the one-way setting, that is, whether to comply with the main unit setting for the one-way setting (S2). If it is determined that the main unit setting should be complied with for the one-way setting (S2, Yes), the control unit 30 obtains the settings of the one-way setting from ROM30b (S3). On the other hand, if it is determined that the main unit setting should not be complied with for the one-way setting (S2, No), the control unit 30 obtains the settings of the one-way setting from the job data (S4).

[0041] Next, the control unit 30 determines whether the settings for the main unit priority settings indicated by the job data from the PC 200 are turned on for the dirt reduction setting, that is, whether or not to comply with the main unit setting for the dirt reduction setting (S5). If it is determined that the main unit setting should be complied with for the dirt reduction setting (S5, Yes), the control unit 30 obtains the settings for the dirt reduction setting from the ROM 30b (S6). On the other hand, if it is determined that the main unit setting should not be complied with for the dirt reduction setting (S5, No), the control unit 30 obtains the settings for the dirt reduction setting from the job data (S7).

[0042] Next, the control unit 30 performs image formation processing based on the settings acquired in S3 or S4 and S6 or S7 (S8). Then, the series of processes is completed.

[0043] The following describes the processing performed by the control unit 30 when a user attempts to change the settings of the unidirectional setting or the dirt reduction setting by operating the touch panel display 20 during the image forming process in S8 of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, the control unit 30 receives an input from the user via the touch panel display 20 that instructs them to change the settings (the "change instruction input" of this invention) (S11). Next, the control unit 30 refers to the main unit priority setting in the job data for the setting item for which the instruction to change the settings was received in S11, and determines whether or not the setting corresponds to the main unit setting (S12). If it is determined that the setting does not correspond to the main unit setting (S12, No), the control unit 30 executes the processing in S17 described later.

[0044] If it is determined in S12 that the setting corresponds to the main unit setting (S12, Yes), the control unit 30 refers to the immediate change setting in the job data for the setting item for which a setting change instruction was received in S11, and determines whether or not to make an immediate change (S13). If it is determined that an immediate change is not to be made (S13, No), the control unit 30 waits until all image formation processing based on the job data is completed (S18, No), and once all image formation processing based on the job data is completed (S18, Yes), it executes the process in S17 described below.

[0045] If it is determined in S13 to make an immediate change (S13, Yes), the control unit 30 refers to the setting change feasibility information in ROM 30b for the setting item for which an instruction to change the setting content was received in S11, and determines whether or not it is possible to change the setting content during the image formation operation for one page (S14). If the setting change feasibility information indicates that it is possible to change the setting content during the image formation operation for one page (S14, Yes), the control unit 30 executes the process in S16 described below. If the setting change feasibility information indicates that it is not possible to change the setting content during the image formation operation for one page (S14, No), the control unit 30 waits until the image formation operation for the currently running one page of paper is completed (S15, No), and then executes the process in S16.

[0046] In the process of S16, the control unit 30 reflects the changes in the settings according to the input received in S11 into the image forming process (S17). As a result, if S16 is executed via S15, the changes in the settings are reflected after the image forming operation for one page is completed and before the image forming process for the next page begins. On the other hand, if S16 is executed without going through S15, the changes in the settings are reflected in the middle of the image forming operation for one page that is currently being executed.

[0047] For example, if the input received in S11 corresponds to an instruction to change the setting of the unidirectional setting from on to off, the control unit 30 changes the image forming process from using unidirectional forming to using bidirectional forming. Also, for example, if the input received in S11 corresponds to an instruction to change the setting of the smudge reduction setting from off to on, the control unit 30 changes the image forming process from using the normal mode to using the paper smudge reduction mode.

[0048] Next, the control unit 30 reflects the changes in the settings received in S11 into the stored contents of the ROM 30b (S17). Then, the series of processes is completed.

[0049] According to the embodiment described above, the setting change availability information stored in the ROM 30b indicates whether or not it is possible to change the setting content during the image formation process for one page (i.e., for each of the unidirectional setting and the dirt reduction setting). When a setting change instruction is input via the touch panel display 20 during the image formation process, the setting content of setting items that can be changed during the image formation process for one page is immediately changed based on the setting change availability information. In other words, the change in setting content based on the change instruction is reflected in the image formation process currently in progress. On the other hand, for setting items that cannot be changed during the image formation process for one page, the setting content is not immediately changed. In other words, the change in setting content based on the change instruction is not reflected in the image formation process currently in progress, but is reflected in the image formation process for the next page after the image formation process for the current page is completed. This reduces the risk of undesirable situations such as changes in image quality occurring during the image formation process for one page, while enabling a configuration that allows for quick changes to the setting content when possible. This realizes a device that can appropriately respond to situations in which setting content changes are attempted during image formation.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, whether or not to follow the main unit settings, that is, whether to use the settings stored in the ROM 30b of the printer 100 or the job data, is switched according to the main unit priority setting of the job data. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately select from the outside whether or not to use the settings on the printer 100 side.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, whether the unidirectional setting is on or off does not significantly affect the quality of the image formed on the paper. Therefore, there is no major problem even if the setting is changed during the image formation operation. On the other hand, changing settings that change the color density of pixels, such as the stain reduction setting, may significantly affect the quality of the image formed on the medium. Therefore, if the setting is changed during the image formation operation for one page, there is a risk of quality problems occurring in the image formed on the paper. Accordingly, by indicating that the setting changeability information for the setting item related to the unidirectional setting is changeable, and indicating that the setting changeability information for the setting item related to the stain reduction setting is not changeable, it becomes possible to configure the system to quickly change the setting without significantly affecting the image quality.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 30 converts image data showing RGB density to image data showing CMYK density. In the image data after this conversion, the density of the color of each pixel shown in the image data differs between the normal mode and the paper stain reduction mode. Thus, changing the settings related to stain reduction settings causes differences in the content of the image data after conversion. Consequently, differences also occur in the quality of the image formed on the paper based on the image data after conversion. On the other hand, changing the settings related to unidirectional settings does not cause differences in the content of the image data after conversion. Therefore, differences in the quality of the image formed on the paper based on the image data after conversion are less likely to occur. Accordingly, the setting changeability information for setting items that cause differences in the content of the image data after conversion will indicate that they cannot be changed. Also, the setting changeability information for setting items that do not cause differences in the content of the image data after conversion will indicate that they can be changed. This makes it possible to quickly change the setting content without significantly affecting the image quality.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by switching the immediate change setting in the job data on and off, it is possible to switch between an immediate change enabled mode, in which the settings are changed as quickly as possible when possible, and an immediate change disabled mode, in which the settings are not changed immediately. If the setting related to the immediate change setting in the job data is off, the control unit 30 of the printer 100 may display on the touch panel display 20 that it is not possible to change the settings for the unidirectional setting and the stain reduction setting during the image forming process. As a specific example, both images IM1 and IM2 shown in Figure 3 may be grayed out, preventing the user from accessing these GUIs. This appropriately informs the user that changes to the settings cannot be accepted during the image forming process.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, for setting items where the setting changeability information indicates that the setting can be changed (i.e., one-way settings), the setting content is changed immediately even in the middle of the image formation operation for one page. On the other hand, for setting items where the setting changeability information indicates that the setting cannot be changed (i.e., stain reduction settings), the setting content is not changed until the image formation operation for one page is completed. Therefore, it is possible to create a configuration that reduces the risk of changes in image quality within a single page of paper, while allowing the setting content to be changed quickly when possible.

[0055] Alternatively, the following configuration may be adopted. For setting items where the setting changeability information indicates that the setting can be changed (for example, one-way setting), the setting is changed immediately, even if the image formation operation for one page is in progress. On the other hand, for setting items where the setting changeability information indicates that the setting cannot be changed (for example, stain reduction setting), the setting is not changed until the image formation operation for multiple pages (corresponding to the "multiple media image formation operation" of the present invention), including the image formation operation for one page currently in progress, is completed. If such a configuration is adopted, it becomes possible to reduce the risk of changes in image quality across multiple pages of paper, while also enabling the setting to be changed quickly when possible.

[0056] Furthermore, the image formation operation for multiple pages described above may also be an image formation operation for the entire job data. In this case, the risk of changes in image quality during the image formation operation for the entire job data can be reduced. An example of a setting that should not be changed during the image formation operation for the entire job data is the setting for enlarging or reducing the image to form it on the paper. For example, it is undesirable for the presence or absence of enlargement or reduction, or the enlargement or reduction ratio, to be changed during the image formation operation for the entire job data.

[0057] <Other variations> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description of embodiments, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0058] For example, in the process shown in Figure 6 of the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the printer 100 has received job data to form an image on multiple pages of paper. In this regard, the same process as in Figure 6 is performed even when the printer 100 has received job data to form an image on a single page of paper. In this case, for setting items where the setting changeability information indicates that the setting cannot be changed (for example, the smudge reduction setting), if a user input instructing a change in the setting content is made during the image formation operation for one page, the setting content will be changed according to the user input after the image formation operation for one page is completed, that is, after the image formation operation for the entire job data is completed.

[0059] In addition, although the embodiments described above have described the application of the present invention to a printer, it is not limited thereto. The present invention may also be applied to other inkjet-type image forming apparatuses that eject ink from a head, such as multifunction printers and copiers, or to such image forming apparatuses. It may also be applied to laser-type image forming apparatuses that perform image recording processing by adhering toner to printing paper. In this case, a toner cartridge containing toner is detachably mounted in the image forming apparatus. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 10 Image forming unit 20 Touch panel displays 30 Control Unit 31 Storage section 40 User Input Section 50 displays 60 Control Unit 100 printers

Claims

1. An image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on one or more media based on an image forming instruction obtained from an external source, An input section that accepts user input, Memory unit and, It includes a control unit, The aforementioned storage unit is The settings for multiple setting items related to the image forming operation, The system stores setting changeability information for each of the multiple setting items, indicating whether or not the setting content can be changed during the image forming operation. The control unit, A setting change process that allows the setting to be changed according to a change instruction input, which is a user input that instructs a change to the setting; An image forming process is performed which causes the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation based on the above settings. The aforementioned setting change process is, If the input unit receives the change instruction input during the image forming operation, For changeable items, which are setting items indicated by the setting changeability information as being able to change the setting content during the image forming operation, the setting content stored in the storage unit is changed. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, if it is not possible to change the setting contents during the image forming operation, the process of not changing the setting contents stored in the storage unit for setting items that cannot be changed, as indicated by the setting change feasibility information.

2. The control unit, When the image forming instruction has a first content, the image forming process is executed based on the setting content stored in the storage unit, and when the input unit receives the change instruction input during the image forming operation, the setting change process is executed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the image forming instruction has a second content different from the first content, it executes the image forming process based on the setting content indicated by the image forming instruction, and does not execute the setting change process regardless of whether the input unit has received the change instruction input during the image forming operation.

3. The image forming unit has a head capable of forming a moving image on a medium while moving back and forth in one direction. The control unit, In the aforementioned image forming process, It is possible to selectively perform a bidirectional image formation process, which causes the head to form the moving image for both the forward and return movements of the head along the aforementioned one direction, and a unidirectional image formation process, which causes the head to form the moving image for only one of the forward or return movements of the head along the aforementioned one direction, A first density acquisition process is performed to acquire the color density of each pixel constituting the image from the image data, and a second density acquisition process is performed to acquire the color density of each pixel constituting the image from the image data at a density lower than the density acquired in the first density acquisition process. By selectively executing these two processes, it is possible to cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation based on the acquired color densities. The changeable item is the setting item that selects either the bidirectional forming process or the unidirectional forming process, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-changeable item is a setting item for selecting either the first density acquisition process or the second density acquisition process.

4. The image forming process involves applying a predetermined process to the image data and causing the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation based on the image data after the predetermined process. The changeable items are those setting items for which there is no difference in the content of the image data after the predetermined processing whether the setting is changed or not. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-changeable item is a setting item in which there is a difference in the content of the image data after the predetermined processing depending on whether the setting is changed or not.

5. The control unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it can selectively adopt an immediate changeable mode in which the setting change processing is performed, and an immediate change non-mode in which the setting change processing is not performed regardless of whether the input unit has received the change instruction input during the image forming operation.

6. It also has an output unit that outputs information, The control unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, when the immediate change-prohibition mode is in place, the output unit outputs a message during the image forming operation indicating that the input unit cannot accept the change instruction input.

7. The aforementioned setting change process is, When the input unit receives the change instruction input during a single-medium image forming operation, which is the image forming operation for one medium, For changeable items, which are setting items indicated by the setting changeability information as being changeable during the single-media image forming operation, the setting content stored in the storage unit is changed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, with respect to the non-changeable items, which are setting items indicated by the setting changeability information as not being changeable during the single-medium image forming operation, the setting contents stored in the storage unit are not changed until the single-medium image forming operation is completed, and the setting contents are changed by the start of the image forming operation for the next medium after the single-medium image forming operation.

8. The aforementioned setting change process is, When the input unit receives the change instruction input during the multi-media image forming operation, which is the image forming operation for multiple media, For changeable items, which are setting items indicated by the setting changeability information as being able to change the setting content during the multi-media image forming operation, the setting content stored in the storage unit is changed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, for non-changeable items, which are setting items indicated by the setting changeability information as not being changeable during the multi-media image forming operation, the setting contents stored in the storage unit are not changed until the multi-media image forming operation is completed.

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