Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Abstract

To enable printing to be performed properly, when receiving a printing job in which a kind of an envelope that is used in printing is not designated.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: a communication part that receives, as a printing job, printing settings in which a size corresponding to either of a vertical-feed envelope and a transverse-feed envelope whose sizes of short sides and of long sides are same and whose directions of flaps are different from each other but selection of either of the vertical-feed envelope and the transverse-feed envelope is not made and printing data corresponding to the settings; a control part that controls execution of the received printing job; a raster image generating part that generates, on the basis of the printing data, a raster image corresponding to the vertical-feed envelope and a raster image corresponding to the transverse-feed envelope, under an instruction from the control part; an operating unit that receives selection by a user while displaying a screen through which selection of the vertical-feed envelope or the transverse-feed envelope is received, under the instruction from the control part; and an image forming device that performs printing using the raster image corresponding to the selected envelope under the instruction from the control part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of printing on envelopes. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses are known in which envelopes can be set as printing paper in a manual feed tray or a feed tray in order to print an address, sender, and the like on the envelopes. Envelopes come in a variety of sizes, but unlike normal printing paper, they are all rectangular, with three of the four sides folded to form a bag shape and an openable flap on the remaining side. For stable feeding and transport, the user is advised to place the envelope in the manual feed tray or feed tray with the open flap at the rear end.

[0003] The following technology is known for printing on envelopes. When the standard setting for placing envelopes is set to portrait orientation to prevent the occurrence of creases in the envelope, all available envelope type setting buttons and a standard setting direction guide image are displayed on the operation display unit. The setting direction guide image is switched depending on the set envelope type. Then, an operation sequence is set according to the envelope type and the specified setting direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-020497 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If the flap is set to either the left or right side and fed, the left and right balance of the paper feeding and transport is lost, which can easily cause wrinkles or paper jams. Therefore, the type of envelope, specifically the position of the edge with the flap, determines the feeding direction of the envelope, and it cannot be set in either the vertical or horizontal direction as with normal printing paper, such as A4 size printing paper. Some envelopes have the same long and short sides of the main body, but some have flaps on the long side and some on the short side. Even though the short and long sides of the main body of each envelope are the same size, they are clearly distinct types of envelope.

[0006] For example, there are envelopes for folding A4 size paper in thirds, such as Nagagata No. 3 and Yougata Naga No. 3 (or Yougata No. 0). Both have short sides of 120 mm and long sides of 235 mm, but the one with the flap on the short side is called Nagagata No. 3, and the one with the flap on the long side is called Yougata Naga No. 3. Furthermore, the size of the main body is 90 mm on the short side and 205 mm on the long side, but in some cases the one with the flap on the short side is called Nagagata No. 4, and the one with the flap on the long side is called Western Nagagata No. 4. Examples of differences include Rectangular No. 13 and Western-style No. 4 (short side 105 mm, long side 235 mm), and Rectangular No. 14 and Western-style No. 5 (short side 95 mm, long side 217 mm).

[0007] When a user explicitly specifies the type of envelope (for example, Nagagata No. 3 or Yougata No. 3) and executes a print job, the paper feed direction can be assumed from the specified type of envelope. The print data is processed by a RIP (Raster Image Processor) according to the paper feed direction, and a raster image (RIP image) corresponding to the image to be printed can be generated. However, even if the vertical and horizontal sizes of the image are known, there are cases where the type of envelope to be used for printing is not explicitly specified. For example, this is the case when the size of the original image is set in a document processing application, but the print paper is not set in the driver provided by the printer driver, and printing is performed with the setting to automatically select the paper feed tray. If either a vertical feed envelope or a horizontal feed envelope is set in the paper feed tray, the set envelope can be used for printing. However, if neither a vertical feed envelope nor a horizontal feed envelope is set in the paper feed tray, or if both types of envelopes are set, the image forming device cannot determine which type of envelope to print on.

[0008] When a print job is received that does not specify the type of envelope to be used for printing, a process may be considered in which a RIP image is generated assuming the most frequently used type of envelope (for example, a long envelope). If the user places an envelope of the expected type in the manual feed tray or paper feed tray, printing will proceed without any problems. However, if an envelope of an unexpected type (for example, a long envelope) is placed, the area of ​​the placed envelope and the RIP image will not match, and an image with some parts missing and printed in the wrong orientation will be printed. This will make the printed envelope unusable. Envelopes are more expensive than regular printing paper, so it is desirable to avoid unnecessary printing. This invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can perform appropriate printing when a print job is received that does not specify the type of envelope to be used for printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention provides an image forming device comprising: a communication unit that receives print settings and corresponding print data as a print job, the print settings corresponding to either a vertical-feed envelope or a horizontal-feed envelope, which have the same short and long side sizes but different flap directions, but the type of envelope is not set as either a vertical-feed envelope or a horizontal-feed envelope; a control unit that controls the execution of the received print job; a raster image generation unit that generates a raster image corresponding to the vertical-feed envelope and a raster image corresponding to the horizontal-feed envelope based on the print data in accordance with instructions from the control unit; an operation unit that displays a screen that accepts a selection of either the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope in accordance with instructions from the control unit, and accepts a user's selection; and an image forming device that prints using the raster image corresponding to the envelope selected in accordance with instructions from the control unit.

[0010] From a different perspective, the present invention provides an image forming method including the steps of: a control unit of an image forming device receiving, as a print job, print settings and corresponding print data, the size of which corresponds to either a vertical-feed envelope or a horizontal-feed envelope, which have the same short and long side sizes but different flap directions, but the type of envelope (vertical-feed envelope or horizontal-feed envelope) is not set; using a raster image generation unit to generate a raster image corresponding to the vertical-feed envelope and a raster image corresponding to the horizontal-feed envelope based on the print data; using an operation unit to display a screen that accepts selection of either the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope and accepts a user's selection; and using an image forming device to print using the raster image corresponding to the selected envelope. Effect of the Invention

[0011] When the image forming device of the present invention receives print settings and corresponding print data as a print job that correspond to either a vertical-feed envelope or a horizontal-feed envelope, which have the same short and long side sizes but different flap directions, but the type of envelope (vertical-feed envelope or horizontal-feed envelope) is not set, the image forming device is equipped with a raster image generation unit that generates a raster image corresponding to the vertical-feed envelope and a raster image corresponding to the horizontal-feed envelope based on the print data in response to instructions from the control unit, an operation unit that displays a screen that accepts the selection of either the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope in response to instructions from the control unit and accepts the user's selection, and an image forming device that prints using the raster image corresponding to the envelope selected in response to instructions from the control unit.Therefore, when a print job is received in which the type of envelope to use for printing is not specified, appropriate printing can be performed. That is, the control unit generates two raster images corresponding to the vertical-feed envelope and the horizontal-feed envelope while accepting the user's selection of the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope, so that whichever envelope is selected can be printed with the appropriate raster image. Also, printing can be completed more quickly than if the raster image was generated after the envelope selection operation. The image forming method according to the present invention also provides the same effects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the mechanical configuration of a main body portion of the multifunction peripheral 100 shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 4A] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the direction in which a vertically fed envelope is set in manual feed tray 19 in this embodiment. [Figure 4B] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the direction in which a horizontally fed envelope is set in manual feed tray 19 in this embodiment. [Figure 5A]11 is an explanatory diagram showing the print area when printing on a portrait-feed envelope using a landscape raster image in this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5B] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a print area when printing on a horizontal feed envelope using a vertical raster image in this embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6A] 4 is a first flowchart showing an example of a print job executed by a control unit in this embodiment. [Figure 6B] 11 is a second flowchart showing an example of a print job executed by the control unit in this embodiment. [Figure 7A] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen for prompting a user to select between portrait-feed envelopes and landscape-feed envelopes in this embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen that prompts a user to load either a portrait-feed envelope or a landscape-feed envelope in the paper feed tray in this embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed by an external host computer in response to a request from a multifunction peripheral in this embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. <Configuration example of image forming apparatus> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a multifunction peripheral which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the mechanical configuration of a main body portion of the multifunction peripheral 100 shown in Fig. 1. 1, the multifunction device 100 has an operation unit 105, an image reading device 111 that reads an original, an original transport unit 103 that transports the original to a reading unit, and an image forming device 115 that forms an image. The multifunction device 100 further includes a drawer-type paper feed tray 18, a manual paper feed tray 19, and discharge trays 39a and 39b.

[0014] Here, the internal configuration of the multifunction device 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be briefly described. In the multifunction device 100, a color image using each of the colors black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) is printed on a print sheet. Alternatively, a monochrome image using a single color (e.g., black) is printed on a print sheet. For this reason, four of each of the developing units 12, photoconductor drums 13, drum cleaning devices 14, and chargers 15 are provided. In order to form four types of toner images corresponding to the respective colors, four image stations Pk, Pc, Pm, and Py are configured, each corresponding to black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

[0015] At each of the image stations Pk, Pc, Pm, and Py, a toner image is formed as follows. The drum cleaning device 14 removes and collects residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum 13. Then, the charger 15 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 13 to a predetermined potential. Then, the optical scanning unit 11 scans and exposes the uniformly charged surface to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface. Then, the developing unit 12 develops the electrostatic latent image. As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 13. The developing unit 12 contains a developer consisting of toner and carrier. The intermediate transfer belt 21 rotates in the direction of an arrow C. A belt cleaning unit 22 removes and collects residual toner from the rotating intermediate transfer belt 21. The toner images of each color formed on the surface of each photoconductor drum 13 are transferred in sequence to the intermediate transfer belt 21 and superimposed on each other, forming a color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0016] Drawer-type paper feed tray 18, which is a type of paper feed tray, stores sheets and feeds them to secondary transfer unit 23. As shown in FIG. 2, four types of sheets are stored in each tray. Furthermore, a manual feed tray 19, which is a type of paper feed tray, feeds a sheet placed at a predetermined position to the secondary transfer unit 23. The manual feed tray 19 in this embodiment includes a size detection mechanism and a sheet sensor that detects the presence or absence of a sheet at the predetermined position.

[0017] The print sheet is drawn from one of the four drawer-type paper feed trays 18 by a pickup roller 33 and fed to the secondary transfer unit 23 via a sheet transport path R1. Alternatively, the print sheet is fed from the manual feed tray 19 by a pickup roller (not shown) and fed to the secondary transfer unit 23 via the sheet transport path R1. A registration roller 34 is disposed on the sheet transport path R1 to temporarily stop the print sheet and align the leading edge of the print sheet. Also disposed are a transport roller 35 and the like to promote the transport of the print sheet. The registration roller 34 temporarily stops the print sheet, and then transports the print sheet to a nip area sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 21 and the secondary transfer roller 23a in accordance with the transfer timing of the toner image.

[0018] When the print sheet passes through the nip, the color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is transferred to the print sheet. After passing through the nip area, the print sheet is sandwiched between the heating roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 of the fixing unit 17 and is heated and pressed. The color toner image is fixed onto the print sheet by this heating and pressure. The print sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 17 is discharged to the discharge tray 39a or 39b. The discharge destination of the print sheet is controlled by the control unit 110, which will be described later, and the transport path is switched by a switching mechanism (not shown) so that the print sheet is guided to either the discharge tray 39a or 39b.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes an operation unit 105 , an image reading device 111 , an image forming device 115 , and an image processing circuit 120 . The image processing circuit 120 includes a control unit 110 , a communication unit 124 , and a video controller 125 . The control unit 110 includes a processor, a CPU 121, a RAM 122, and a non-volatile memory 123. The non-volatile memory 123 is composed of a flash memory or a HDD, and stores in advance a control program executed by the CPU 121. The RAM 122 stores data used in processing by the CPU and data such as images related to image formation. The CPU 121 executes the control program stored in the non-volatile memory 123, and controls the operation of each unit of the multi-function device 100 shown in FIG. 2 and the processing of data.

[0020] The operation unit 105 includes input means such as operation keys and a touch panel as hardware resources, and a liquid crystal display as a display means. The operation keys and touch panel receive user operations. The control unit 110 recognizes the received user operations and causes the liquid crystal display to display an operation screen related to the status and settings of the multifunction device 100. The communication unit 124 is an interface circuit for connecting the multifunction device 100 to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). A video controller 125 generates a scanning signal and sends it to the optical scanning unit 11. The scanning signal controls scanning exposure by the optical scanning unit to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum 13, which corresponds to the image to be printed.

[0021] The multifunction peripheral 100 receives a print job from the host computer 200 connected via the communication unit 124. Alternatively, the multifunction peripheral 100 receives a print job when a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 105. The control unit 110 temporarily stores the received print job in the non-volatile memory 123. When executing the print job, the control unit 110 reads the print job stored in the non-volatile memory 123, analyzes the printer command description section included in the print job, and then causes the video controller 125 to convert the data into raster data (generate a RIP image). The RAM 122 is also used for these processes. It takes a certain amount of time to generate a RIP image.

[0022] In this embodiment, in the case of a print job in which the types of portrait-feed envelopes and landscape-feed envelopes are not set, control unit 110 performs control so that a corresponding RIP image is generated in advance for each. For example, a RIP image for portrait-feed envelopes is first generated and stored in non-volatile memory 123. Thereafter, the print job stored in non-volatile memory 123 is read again, and a RIP image for landscape-feed envelopes is generated and stored in non-volatile memory 123. Here, the order in which the RIP images for portrait-feed envelopes and landscape-feed envelopes are generated does not matter. When a vertical-feed envelope or horizontal-feed envelope is selected as the type of envelope to be used as the print paper, or when either envelope is set in the paper feed tray, the control unit 110 controls the video controller 125 as follows. An RIP image corresponding to the selected or set type of envelope is read from the non-volatile memory 123 and sent to the image forming device 115. The image forming device 115 uses the optical scanning unit 11 to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the raster image sent from the video controller 125 on the surface of the photoconductor drum 13. The image is then developed by the developing unit 12 and printed on the envelope. The control unit 110 controls the operation of the image forming device 115 related to printing.

[0023] Fig. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing the direction in which a vertically fed envelope is set in manual feed tray 19 in this embodiment. The arrow shown in Fig. 4A indicates the feed direction of manual feed tray 19. Vertically fed envelope 41 is set so that its short side is at the leading edge in the feed direction. 4B is an explanatory diagram showing the direction in which a horizontally fed envelope is set in manual feed tray 19 in this embodiment. The arrow shown in Fig. 4B indicates the feed direction of manual feed tray 19. Horizontally fed envelope 42 is set so that the long side is at the leading edge in the feed direction.

[0024] For both vertically fed envelope 41 and horizontally fed envelope 42, it is preferable to set the flap at the rear end as shown in Figures 4A and 4B. The image forming apparatus is designed to feed and transport rectangular print paper. Envelopes with trapezoidal flaps (also called flaps) are still close to rectangular, but envelopes with triangular flaps (also called diamond envelopes) are particularly prone to slanted feeding on the feed and transport path when fed with the flap set at the front end. As a result, there is a high possibility of wrinkles and paper jams.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, once the type of envelope is determined, the orientation of the envelope, i.e. whether to feed the envelope with the short side at the front and rear ends or the long side at the rear ends, is also determined. It is necessary to print using a raster image that corresponds to the orientation of the envelope. When printing using a raster image that has a different vertical and horizontal orientation than the print paper, an envelope, part of the raster image is not printed on the envelope.

[0026] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing an example in which the vertical and horizontal directions of the raster image in this embodiment do not match the vertical and horizontal directions of the print paper, which is an envelope. Fig. 5A shows an example in which a horizontal raster image is used for printing on a vertical-feed envelope 41. Fig. 5B shows an example in which a vertical raster image is used for printing on a horizontal-feed envelope 42. The area shown by the gray rectangle in Figure 5A is print area 43 corresponding to the horizontal raster image. The area shown by the gray rectangle in Figure 5B is print area 44 corresponding to the vertical raster image. None of the print areas match the envelope, and some of the print areas will not print on the envelope.

[0027] <Flowchart> An example of a print job executed by control unit 110 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to a flowchart. A case will be described in which the types of portrait-feed envelopes and landscape-feed envelopes are not set in the print job. 6A and 6B are flowcharts showing an example of a print job executed by the control unit 110 in this embodiment. In the flowcharts, the print job may be received from an external host computer 200 via the communication unit 124. The print data may be stored in the host computer 200, or may be stored in a server on the web, an FTP server, or the like accessible from the host computer 200.

[0028] Furthermore, the print job may be received not only from the host computer 200, but also from a predetermined operation on the operation unit 105, for example. For example, a print job of data stored in a USB memory connected to a USB connector (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) provided in the multifunction device 100 may be received by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 105. The print data related to the print job is received from the connected USB. Alternatively, a print job of data stored in an external device capable of communicating with the multifunction device 100 via the communication unit 124, such as an FTP server or an SMB server, may be received by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 105. The print data related to the print job is received from the FTP server or the SMB server.

[0029] 6A, control unit 110 waits for reception of a print job (step S11), and checks whether an envelope is specified as the print paper in the printing conditions of the received print job (step S13). Here, an envelope is specified when, for example, the size of the short side and the long side of the print area match any envelope size.

[0030] If it is determined that an envelope is not specified as the print paper (No in step S13), control unit 110 executes printing according to the print conditions as a normal print job (step S14), and ends the print job. In a normal print job, the length and width of the print paper relative to the paper feed direction is not determined by the size (type) of the print paper, and for example, if print paper of a matching size is set in one of the paper feed trays (drawer-type paper feed tray 18 or manual feed tray 19), the length and width are determined according to the print paper and printing is performed.

[0031] On the other hand, if it is determined that an envelope has been specified as the printing paper (Yes in step S13), control unit 110 temporarily stores the received print job in non-volatile memory 123 (step S15). Then, it is determined whether the print job is for a size in which a portrait-feed envelope and a landscape-feed envelope have the same short and long side sizes but different flap directions, and whether the print condition is unknown for either the portrait-feed envelope or the landscape-feed envelope (step S17). If only one of the vertical-feed envelope and horizontal-feed envelope exists for the size (No in step S17), control unit 110 executes printing according to the printing conditions as a normal print job (step S14) and ends the print job. Also, if either the vertical-feed envelope or horizontal-feed envelope exists for the size but either one of them is set (No in step S17), control unit 110 executes printing according to the printing conditions as a normal print job (step S14) and ends the print job.

[0032] On the other hand, if a certain size of vertical-feed envelope and horizontal-feed envelope is set and it is unknown which one is the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope (Yes in step S17), the control unit 110 then checks whether either a vertical-feed envelope or a horizontal-feed envelope of the set size is set in the paper feed tray (step S19). If both vertical-feed and horizontal-feed envelopes are set (Yes in step S19), the user is left to select which envelope to print on, and two types of RIP images, a RIP image for the vertical-feed envelope and a RIP image for the horizontal-feed envelope, are generated by the video controller 125 (step S31). Then, an operation screen is displayed on the operation unit 105 to accept the selection of either the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope, and the user is asked to make a selection (step S33). After that, the control unit 110 advances the process to step S41 in FIG. 6B.

[0033] Also, if neither portrait-feed envelopes nor landscape-feed envelopes are set in the paper feed tray (No in step S19), the control unit 110 then checks whether only one type of envelope is set (step S21). If either a portrait-feed envelope or a landscape-feed envelope is set in the paper feed tray (Yes in step S21), the control unit 110 determines that the set envelope is the print paper intended by the user. Based on that determination, a RIP image corresponding to the set envelope is generated and printed on the envelope (step S23), and the print job is terminated.

[0034] If neither the vertical feed envelope nor the horizontal feed envelope is set in the paper feed tray (No in step S21), the control unit 110 leaves it up to the user to select which envelope to print on. Therefore, the control unit 110 causes the video controller 125 to generate two types of RIP images, a RIP image corresponding to the vertical feed envelope and a RIP image corresponding to the horizontal feed envelope (step S35 in FIG. 6B). Then, the control unit 105 displays an operation screen that prompts the user to set either the vertical feed envelope or the horizontal feed envelope in the paper feed tray, and requests the user to select (step S37).

[0035] 7A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen that the control unit 110 causes the operation unit 105 to display in step S33 described above. Operation screen 47 shown in FIG. 7A is a screen that prompts the user to select either a vertically fed envelope, a long size 3 envelope, or a horizontally fed envelope, a Western long size 3 envelope. The control unit 110 causes operation keys 45 and 46 to be displayed on the right side in correspondence with the illustrations of the vertically fed envelope and the horizontally fed envelope, respectively. Each of the operation keys 45 and 46 displays the type of envelope and which paper feed tray the envelope is set in. The control unit 110 recognizes which operation key has been operated and accepts the user's selection.

[0036] 7B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation screen that the control unit 110 causes the operation unit 105 to display in step S37 described above. Operation screen 48 shown in FIG. 7B is a screen that prompts the user to load either a vertically fed envelope, a long size 3 envelope, or a horizontally fed envelope, a Western long size 3 envelope, in the paper feed tray. The illustrations of the vertically fed envelope and the horizontally fed envelope each show the paper feed direction and the direction in which the envelope should be loaded. The type of each envelope is displayed to the right of the envelope. Although each paper feed tray has a function for detecting the size of the paper loaded, some paper feed trays do not have the function for detecting the size of the paper loaded. In the case of such a paper feed tray (embodiment 2), control unit 110 may display an operation key instead of the display showing the type of envelope in Fig. 7B, and control unit 110 may recognize which operation key has been operated and determine the type of envelope loaded.

[0037] Returning to the explanation of the flowchart. After causing the operation unit 105 to display the operation screen 47 in step S33 or the operation unit 105 to display the operation screen 48 in step S37, the control unit 110 preferably performs the following process: This is a process of checking whether the received print job was received from the host computer 200 or from the operation unit 105 (step S41).

[0038] The process of step S41 and step S43 described below are processes that belong to the category of a preferred embodiment, not to the category of the basic embodiment (Embodiment 3). If the print job has been received from the external host computer 200 (Yes in step S41), the control unit 110 sends a notification to the host computer 200 requesting that a message be displayed (step S43). The content of the message is a notification that an envelope needs to be selected on the operation screen 47 displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction device 100. Alternatively, the message is a notification that an envelope should be set in the drawer-type paper feed tray 18 or manual paper feed tray 19 of the multifunction device 100.

[0039] If the print job has been received from the operation unit 105 (No in step S41), the user is near the multifunction device 100, and so there is no need to cause the host computer 200 to display a message. Therefore, the control unit 110 advances the process to the following step S45. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a message displayed by the host computer 200 in response to the request. A message 49 shown in Fig. 8 is displayed, for example, on a display (not shown in Fig. 3) of the host computer 200. The message informs the user operating the host computer 200 that an operation on the multifunction device 100 is required. The above is the process according to the third embodiment.

[0040] Returning to the basic embodiment, the control unit 110 waits for an envelope to be selected on the operation screen 47 or for an envelope to be set in the paper feed tray (step S45). When an envelope is selected or an envelope is set in the paper feed tray, the type of envelope to be used for printing is known. The control unit 110 reads out the RIP image corresponding to the envelope to be used for printing from the non-volatile memory 123, executes printing (step S47), and ends the print job. The above is an example of the process related to the execution of a print job.

[0041] As mentioned above, (i) The image forming device of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a communication unit that receives, as a print job, print settings and corresponding print data that correspond to a size corresponding to either a vertical-feed envelope or a horizontal-feed envelope, which have the same short and long side sizes but different flap directions, but the type of envelope is not set as either a vertical-feed envelope or a horizontal-feed envelope; a control unit that controls the execution of the received print job; a raster image generation unit that generates a raster image corresponding to the vertical-feed envelope and a raster image corresponding to the horizontal-feed envelope based on the print data in accordance with instructions from the control unit; an operation unit that displays a screen that accepts a selection of either the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope in accordance with instructions from the control unit, and accepts a user's selection; and an image forming device that prints using the raster image corresponding to the envelope selected in accordance with instructions from the control unit.

[0042] In this invention, the size of the short side and the long side are the size of the short side and the long side of the rectangle when the flap of the envelope is folded. Normally, the envelope is fed with the flap open and the flap is fed from the rear end side. In this specification, the types of envelopes are distinguished by calling the envelope with the flap on the short side a vertical feed envelope and the envelope with the flap on the long side a horizontal feed envelope. A raster image represents an image as a surface formed by a number of parallel scanning lines. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the scanning signal generated by the video controller is a signal corresponding to the scanning lines. The video controller in the above-described embodiment corresponds to the raster image generating section of this invention. The optical scanning unit in the embodiment forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum by scanning and exposing the surface with light corresponding to the scanning signal generated by the video controller.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit controls the operation of the image forming apparatus related to the execution of a print job. A specific example of the control unit is a circuit board mainly composed of a processor such as a CPU or MPU and a memory, as described in the above embodiment. The processor executes a control program pre-stored in the memory, and the hardware and software are organically combined to realize the function of the control unit.

[0044] Further, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described. (ii) The image forming device may be provided with a paper feed tray for feeding printing paper, and if neither the vertical feed envelope nor the horizontal feed envelope is set in the paper feed tray, the control unit may cause the operation unit to display a screen prompting the user to set either the vertical feed envelope or the horizontal feed envelope, and may cause the image forming device to print on the envelope using a raster image corresponding to the set envelope. In this way, when a print job is received that does not specify the type of envelope to be used for printing, and neither a vertical-feed envelope nor a horizontal-feed envelope is set in the paper feed tray, raster images corresponding to the vertical-feed envelope and the horizontal-feed envelope are generated, respectively, and the user is prompted to set an envelope in the paper feed tray, and the raster image corresponding to the set envelope is used to print on that envelope, thereby enabling appropriate printing.

[0045] (iii) The image forming device may be provided with a plurality of paper feed trays for feeding set printing paper, and when the vertical-feed envelope is set in one paper feed tray and the horizontal-feed envelope is set in the other paper feed tray, the control unit may cause the operation unit to display a screen that accepts the selection of either the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope, and feed the envelope corresponding to the accepted selection to the image forming device and perform printing. In this way, when a print job is received that does not specify the type of envelope to be used for printing, and both vertical-feed and horizontal-feed envelopes are set in the paper feed tray, raster images corresponding to the vertical-feed and horizontal-feed envelopes respectively are generated, and the user's selection as to which envelope to use for printing is accepted, allowing appropriate printing to be performed.

[0046] (iv) In a case where the print job is instructed by an external device with which communication is possible via the communication unit, the control unit may be configured to send a notification to the external device to indicate that operation of the paper feed tray or the operation unit is required. In this way, when a print job is instructed by an external device, it is possible to inform the user operating the external device that it is necessary to operate the operation unit or paper feed tray of the image forming apparatus.

[0047] (v) One aspect of the invention includes an image forming method including the steps of: a control unit of an image forming device receiving, as a print job, print settings and corresponding print data, the size of which corresponds to either a vertical-feed envelope or a horizontal-feed envelope, which have the same short and long side sizes but different flap directions, but the type of envelope (vertical-feed envelope or horizontal-feed envelope) is not set; using a raster image generation unit to generate a raster image corresponding to the vertical-feed envelope and a raster image corresponding to the horizontal-feed envelope based on the print data; using an operation unit to display a screen that accepts a selection of either the vertical-feed envelope or the horizontal-feed envelope and accepts a user's selection; and using an image forming device to print using the raster image corresponding to the selected envelope.

[0048] The aspects of the present invention include any combination of the above-mentioned aspects. In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, various modifications of the present invention are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not falling within the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and the equivalent meanings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 11: optical scanning unit, 12: developing unit, 13: photoconductor drum, 14: drum cleaning device, 15: charging unit, 17: fixing unit, 18: drawer type paper feed tray, 19: manual feed tray, 21: intermediate transfer belt, 22: belt cleaning unit, 23: secondary transfer unit, 23a: secondary transfer roller, 24: heating roller, 25: pressure roller, 34: registration roller, 33: pickup roller, 35: transport roller, 39a, 39b: output tray, 41: portrait-feed envelope, 42: landscape-feed envelope, 43, 44: printing area, 45, 46: operation keys, 47, 48: operation screen, 49: message 100: multifunction device, 103: document transport unit, 105: operation unit, 110: control unit, 111: image reading device, 115: image forming device, 120: image processing circuit, 121: CPU, 122: RAM, 123: non-volatile memory, 124: communication unit, 125: video controller, 200: host computer Pk, Pc, Pm, Py: Image station, R1: Sheet transport path

Claims

1. a communication unit that receives, as a print job, print settings and corresponding print data for envelopes having the same short and long side sizes but different flap directions, the size corresponding to either a vertical feed envelope with a flap on the short side or a horizontal feed envelope with a flap on the long side, but in which the type of envelope, whether vertical feed or horizontal feed, is not set; A control unit that controls execution of a received print job; a raster image generating unit that generates a raster image corresponding to the vertical feed envelope and a raster image corresponding to the horizontal feed envelope based on the print data in response to an instruction from the control unit; an operation unit that displays a screen for selecting the vertical feed envelope or the horizontal feed envelope in response to an instruction from the control unit and accepts a user's selection; a paper feed tray which detects that printing paper has been set and its size and feeds the printing paper; an image forming device that performs printing using a raster image corresponding to the printing paper; When neither the vertical feed envelope nor the horizontal feed envelope is set in the paper feed tray, the control unit displays on the operation unit the direction in which the vertical feed envelope and the horizontal feed envelope should be set so that the flap is set at the rear end, prompting the user to set one of the envelopes in the paper feed tray, and when an envelope is set, detects its size to determine the type of envelope, and causes the image forming device to print the envelope using a raster image corresponding to that type.

2. the image forming device includes a plurality of paper feed trays for feeding set print paper; The image forming device of claim 1, wherein when the vertical feed envelope is set in one paper feed tray and the horizontal feed envelope is set in the other paper feed tray, the control unit displays a screen on the operation unit that accepts the selection of either the vertical feed envelope or the horizontal feed envelope, and feeds the envelope corresponding to the accepted selection to the image forming device and prints it.

3. An image forming apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein when the print job is instructed by an external device capable of communicating via the communication unit, the control unit sends a notification to the external device to indicate that operation of the paper feed tray or the operation unit is required.

4. A control unit of the image forming apparatus receiving, as a print job, print settings and corresponding print data for envelopes having the same short and long side sizes but different flap directions, that is, a vertical feed envelope with a flap on the short side and a horizontal feed envelope with a flap on the long side, but in which the type of envelope, whether vertical feed or horizontal feed, is not set; generating a raster image corresponding to the portrait-feed envelope and a raster image corresponding to the landscape-feed envelope based on the print data using a raster image generating unit; When neither the vertical feed envelope nor the horizontal feed envelope is set in the paper feed tray, displaying a screen using an operation unit to prompt the user to set either the vertical feed envelope or the horizontal feed envelope in the paper feed tray by displaying the directions in which the vertical feed envelope and the horizontal feed envelope should be set so that the flap is set on the rear end side; a step of detecting that an envelope has been set and its size to determine the type of the envelope; and causing an image forming device to print using a raster image corresponding to said type.

Images