Printing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a printing device that enables a user to early retry the reading of manuscript.SOLUTION: In a printing device, a control unit executes: a first image reading process (S4) of conveying a number of sheets of manuscript required for images to be printed on one sheet, reading out images of the conveyed sheets of manuscript by an image reading part, and then, stopping the conveyance of sheets of manuscript; a preview display process (S8) of displaying a preview image on a display part; a second image reading process (S13) of resuming the conveyance of sheets of manuscript and reading out images of the conveyed sheets of manuscript by the image reading part, in response to acceptance of a print instruction via an operation unit; and a print process (S11) of printing the readout images on a sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including an image reading unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus having a preview function in which a preview image is displayed before executing copying. In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, after reading a stack of originals by an automatic document feeder (ADF), the image data of the read stack of originals is stored in an image storage unit, and then a preview display of the first page of the stack of originals is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, since the reading of a stack of originals by the ADF cannot be interrupted in the middle, there is a problem that it takes time to re-read the originals.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus capable of shortening the time required to re-read an original.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a document tray on which a document is placed, an image reading unit for reading an image of the document, a document transport unit for transporting the document placed on the document tray toward the image reading unit, a printing unit for printing the image read by the image reading unit onto a sheet, a display unit, an operation unit, and a control unit.

[0007] The control unit performs the following processes: first image reading process, which involves transporting the required number of documents from the document tray to the image reading unit via the document transport unit to obtain an image to be printed on one sheet, reading the images of the transported documents with the image reading unit, and then stopping the transport of documents by the document transport unit; preview display process, which involves forming a preview image representing the printed state of the images read by the image reading unit in the first image reading process and displaying the preview image on the display unit; second image reading process, which, after executing the preview display process, transports documents following the documents read in the first image reading process and reads the images of the transported documents with the image reading unit in the first image reading process and the second image reading process, and printing the images read by the image reading unit in the first image reading process and the second image reading process onto a sheet with the printing unit.

[0008] With the printing device configured as described above, the user can quickly confirm whether the printing conditions are correct by viewing a preview image of only the portion to be printed on a single sheet displayed during the display process. This reduces the time required to rescan the original image.

[0009] Furthermore, in a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit further performs a setting process to receive a setting via the operation unit to determine whether or not to perform the preview display process. If the setting process receives a setting to perform the preview display process, the control unit reads the images of the original document to be printed on one sheet using the image reading unit in the first image reading process, and then displays the preview image on the display unit in the preview display process. If the setting process does not receive a setting to perform the preview display process, the control unit reads the images of the original document to be printed on one sheet using the image reading unit in the first image reading process, and then does not perform the preview display process.

[0010] With the printing device configured as described above, the user can choose whether or not to perform a preview display via the control panel during the setup process, allowing the user to set whether or not to display a preview according to their needs.

[0011] Furthermore, in a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit further accepts the setting of printing conditions via the operation unit, and when it accepts the setting of printing conditions for Nin1 printing, which prints images of N pages (where N is an integer of 2 or more) of a document on one sheet, the first image reading process reads the images of N pages of the document by the image reading unit, and the preview display process displays the preview image on the display unit, which represents the state in which the images of the N pages of the document are printed on one sheet.

[0012] With the printing device configured as described above, when set to Nin1 printing, a preview image representing the printed state of N pages of the original document on a single sheet is displayed on the display unit. This allows the user to check images of two or more pages of the original document at once and quickly determine whether they will be printed under appropriate printing conditions.

[0013] Furthermore, in a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit further receives the setting of printing conditions via the operation unit, and in the first image reading process, if the setting of printing conditions is single-sided printing, the image reading unit reads the image of one page of the original document, if the setting of printing conditions is double-sided printing, the image reading unit reads the image of two pages of the original document, and in the preview display process, if the setting of printing conditions is single-sided printing, the preview image representing the state in which the image of one page of the original document read by the image reading unit is printed on one side of the sheet While the display unit displays the information, if the setting for double-sided printing is accepted, the preview image representing the state in which the images of the two pages of the original document read by the image reading unit are printed on both sides of the sheet is displayed on the display unit. In the printing process, if the setting for single-sided printing is accepted, the reading image, which is the image read by the image reading unit in the first image reading process and the second image reading process, is printed on one side of the sheet by the printing unit. On the other hand, if the setting for double-sided printing is accepted, the reading image is printed on both sides of the sheet by the printing unit.

[0014] With the printing device configured as described above, when double-sided printing is enabled, the user can view preview images of two pages to be printed on both sides of the sheet at once, allowing them to quickly determine whether the print conditions are appropriate.

[0015] Furthermore, in a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit further accepts the setting of printing conditions via the operation unit, and when it accepts the setting of printing conditions that are Nin1 printing and double-sided printing, the first image reading process reads the images of 2N pages of the original document by the image reading unit, the preview display process displays the preview image on the display unit which represents the state in which the images of 2 pages of the original document read by the image reading unit are printed on both sides of the sheet, and the printing process prints the read images, which are the images read by the image reading unit in the first image reading process and the second image reading process, on both sides of the sheet by the printing unit.

[0016] With the printing device configured as described above, when Nin1 printing and double-sided printing are set, a preview image showing the 2N pages of the original document printed on both sides of the sheet is displayed on the display unit. This allows the user to check the images of four or more pages of the original document at once and quickly determine whether the printing conditions are appropriate.

[0017] Furthermore, in a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit further accepts a setting via the operation unit to select between a single-page preview setting and a full-page preview setting. When the single-page preview setting is accepted, the first image reading process reads the image of the document to be printed on one sheet using the image reading unit, and the preview display process displays the preview image for one page on the display unit. When the full-page preview setting is accepted, the first image reading process reads the images of all pages of multiple documents using the image reading unit, and the preview display process displays the preview images for all pages on the display unit in a viewable format.

[0018] With the printing device configured as described above, the user can choose to display a preview image of only one page, or a preview image of all pages, one page at a time, as needed.

[0019] Furthermore, in a printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit, after executing the preview display process, further executes a determination process to determine whether or not it has received a cancellation instruction to cancel the printing process via the operation unit. If the determination process determines that it has received the cancellation instruction, the second image reading process and the printing process are not executed.

[0020] According to the printing device described above, the user can check the preview image and, if they notice that the printing conditions are incorrect, can cancel the printing process via the control panel. This allows the user to quickly rescan the image of the original document. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the time required to re-read a document can be shortened.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. [Figure 2] The sectional view which shows the internal structure of the printer part of the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] The sectional view which shows the internal structure of the scanner part of the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] The block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] The flowchart which shows the flow of control at the time of printing by the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] The figure which shows the transition of the display screen of the display part of the operation panel of the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] The figure which shows the setting screen of the display part of the operation panel of the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] The flowchart which shows the flow of control at the time of printing by the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. [Figure 9] The figure which shows an example of the layout of printing by the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the display part of the operation panel of the multifunction machine which concerns on Embodiment 2.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] 〔Embodiment 1〕 [Schematic Configuration of Multifunction Machine] The multifunction device 1 in Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the multifunction device 1 in Embodiment 1. The multifunction device (MFP: Multi-Function Peripheral) 1 shown in Figure 1 is an example of a printing device and is equipped with print, copy, scan, and fax functions. Note that the printing device is not limited to a multifunction device equipped with all of the above functions; for example, it may be a multifunction device that does not have a fax function. Hereinafter, the vertical, horizontal, and left-right directions of the multifunction device 1 will be defined as shown by the arrows in Figure 1.

[0024] The multifunction device 1 comprises a printer unit 2 and a scanner unit 3. The printer unit 2 has an electrophotographic printing function that forms an image on a sheet P. The scanner unit 3 has a scanning function that reads an image of a document M and generates image data (hereinafter referred to as scan data) of the read image (hereinafter referred to as scan image).

[0025] The printing method of printer unit 2 is not limited to electrophotography; it may also be inkjet. Printer unit 2 may be capable of printing both color and monochrome images, or it may be capable of printing only monochrome images. Scanner unit 3 may be capable of reading both color and monochrome images, or it may be capable of reading only monochrome images.

[0026] The display unit 111 and the operation unit 112 are located on the front operation panel 110 of the multifunction printer 1. The display unit 111 is a touch panel consisting of an LCD display or the like, and displays the operation screen and preview images of the multifunction printer 1.

[0027] More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the display unit 111 can display operation keys such as the print setting key 112A, preview key 112P1, full page preview key 112P2, setting change key 112Q, start key 112B, start key 112C, start key 112D, back key 112F, and forward key 112G. The group of keys displayed on the touch panel, such as the print setting key 112A, constitute a part of the operation unit 112. The operation unit 112 has a physical key, the cancel button 112E shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, a cancel key may be displayed on the touch panel instead of the cancel button 112E.

[0028] [Printer Unit Configuration] Next, the configuration of the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 1, the printer unit 2 includes a housing 20. A feed tray 21 is provided at the bottom of the housing 20 so as to be movable in the front-to-back direction. The feed tray 21 is configured to support multiple sheets P. An output tray 22 is provided at the top of the housing 20. The output tray 22 supports the sheets P on which images are printed. The sheets P are, for example, A4 size plain paper. The number of feed trays 21 can be changed as appropriate.

[0029] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer unit 2 of the multifunction device 1. As shown in Figure 2, the printer unit 2 is equipped with a feed roller 23, a transport path R1, a registration roller 24, a printing unit 4, a fuser 5, transport rollers 25, 26, an discharge roller 27, a re-transport path R2, and reversing rollers 28, 29.

[0030] The feed roller 23 is provided on the feed tray 21 and feeds the sheets P contained in the feed tray 21 one by one to the transport path R1. The transport path R1 is a route that goes from the feed tray 21, through the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K and the fuser 5, through the discharge port 2A, and to the discharge tray 22.

[0031] The feed roller 23, resist roller 24, transport rollers 25, 26, discharge roller 27, and reversing rollers 28, 29 are a group of rollers that transport the sheet P along the transport path R1 or the re-transport path R2. The resist roller 24 aligns the direction of the leading edge of the sheet P and then transports the sheet P toward the photosensitive drum 6Y.

[0032] The printing unit 4 includes a transfer unit 40, four photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, four developer units 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K, and an exposure unit 8. The four photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K correspond to the colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, and are arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the sheet P, with spacing between them in the front-to-back direction. The photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown). Note that the arrangement order of the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate.

[0033] The surfaces of each photosensitive drum 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K are uniformly charged by a charger (not shown). Above each photosensitive drum 6Y, 6M, and 6C are four developer units 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K, respectively. Each developer unit 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K contains toner corresponding to the respective color. At the rear lower end of each developer unit 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K are developer rollers 71Y, 71M, 71C, and 71K, respectively.

[0034] An exposure unit 8 is positioned above the four developing units 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K. The exposure unit 8 exposes the photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K by irradiating them with laser light L based on the image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image based on the image data to be printed on the sheet P is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K.

[0035] The four developing rollers 71Y, 71M, 71C, and 71K supply toner to the respective photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K becomes the developer image.

[0036] Below the four photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, a transfer unit 40 is positioned along the front-to-back direction. The transfer unit 40 has an endless belt 41 and four transfer rollers 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K. The upper surface of the belt 41 moves from front to back while in contact with the four photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K as the belt 41 rotates.

[0037] The four transfer rollers 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K are arranged with a gap between them in the front-to-back direction. Each transfer roller 42Y, 42M, 42C, and 42K is located below the corresponding photosensitive drums 6Y, 6M, 6C, and 6K, with a belt 41 in between them.

[0038] The fuser 5 is located behind the transfer unit 40 and has a heating roller 51 including a heater 53 and a pressure roller 52. The heater 53 is, for example, a halogen heater. The heater 53 heats the sheet P via the heating roller 51. The fuser 5 fixes the developer image onto the sheet P using the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52.

[0039] The conveyor roller 25 is positioned downstream of the fuser 5 in the conveyor path R1 and conveys the sheet P toward the conveyor roller 26. The conveyor roller 26 conveys the sheet P toward the discharge roller 27. The discharge roller 27 discharges the sheet P toward the discharge tray 22.

[0040] The re-transport path R2 is a path for transporting the sheet P, which has an image printed on one side, to the passage opening 2B side via the flap 9, then reversing the transport direction with reversing rollers 28 and 29, transporting it downwards, and supplying it to transport path R1 from the underside of the supply tray 21.

[0041] The flap 9 is located above and behind the conveyor roller 25 and is rotatable between a discharge position, indicated by a solid line, which opens the conveyor path R1 and closes the re-conveyor path R2, and a re-conveyor position, indicated by a dashed line, which closes the conveyor path R1 and opens the re-conveyor path R2.

[0042] [Configuration of the scanner unit] Next, the internal configuration of the scanner unit 3 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the scanner unit 3 of the multifunction printer 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the scanner unit 3 has a housing 30, a document transport unit 31, and a document cover 32.

[0043] The document transport unit 31 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and is for transporting the document M placed on the document tray 31A toward the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36. It is integrally provided with the document cover 32. The document M is placed on the document tray 31A with its surface facing upwards.

[0044] The document cover 32 is rotatably mounted on the housing 30 and opens and closes the top surface of the housing 30. The scanner unit 3 may be capable of reading both color and monochrome images, or it may be capable of reading only monochrome images.

[0045] A first contact glass 33 and a second contact glass 34 are provided side by side in the width direction on the upper surface of the housing 30. A first reading sensor 35 is located inside the document cover 32. Inside the housing 30, a second reading sensor 36 is provided below the first contact glass 33 and the second contact glass 34 so as to be movable in the width direction, i.e., in the sub-scanning direction. The first reading sensor 35 is a sensor that reads one side of the document M, and the second reading sensor 36 is a sensor that reads the other side of the document M.

[0046] The first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 are, for example, CIS (Contact Image Sensors). The original document M, whose image has been read by the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36, is transported by the document transport unit 31 along the transport path R3 and discharged into the discharge tray 31B. The transport path R3 extends from the document tray 31A to the left end of the document cover 32, and then curves downward from the left end to the discharge tray 31B.

[0047] The multifunction printer 1 of Embodiment 1 assumes a case where images of multiple documents M are read using an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder). The first reading sensor 35 reads the back side of the document M that has been transported along the transport path R3 by the document transport unit 31. The second reading sensor 36 reads the front side of the document M that has been transported along the transport path R3 by the document transport unit 31.

[0048] A front sensor 37 is located at the uppermost part of the transport path R3. The front sensor 37 is a sensor that detects whether or not there is a document M in the document tray 31A.

[0049] [Electrical configuration of printing equipment] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the multifunction device 1. As shown in Figure 4, the multifunction device 1 further includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 100, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 104, and a communication interface (I / F) 120.

[0050] The ASIC100 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101. The CPU 101 is an example of a control unit and performs overall control of each part of the multifunction device 1. The ASIC100 is electrically connected to the ROM 102, RAM 103, NVRAM 104, roller groups 23-29, printing unit 4, document transport unit 31, first reading sensor 35, second reading sensor 36, front sensor 37, operation panel 110, and communication I / F 120. The ASIC100 may also be used as a control unit.

[0051] ROM 102 stores various control programs and settings for controlling the multifunction printer 1. RAM 103 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read, and as a storage area for temporarily storing image data and raster data. NVRAM 104 has various data pre-stored in it. CPU 101 controls the roller groups 23-29, the printing unit 4, the document transport unit 31, etc., based on the control programs read from ROM 102.

[0052] The CPU 101 drives the feed roller 23, registration roller 24, transport rollers 25, 26, discharge roller 27, and reversing rollers 28, 29 via motors (not shown).

[0053] The first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 output the scanned data of the scanned image to the CPU 101. The front sensor 37 outputs an ON signal to the CPU 101 when there is a document M in the document tray 31A, and an OFF signal to the CPU 101 when there is no document M in the document tray 31A.

[0054] The CPU 101 controls the display on the display unit 111 of the operation panel 110. Furthermore, when the operation unit 112 is operated by the user, the CPU 101 executes various processes according to the operation of the operation unit 112.

[0055] The communication interface 120 is connected to a network such as a LAN and enables connection to external devices that have a driver for the multifunction printer 1 installed. The multifunction printer 1 can receive a print start command via the communication interface 120.

[0056] [CPU-driven control flow during printing] Next, the control flow during printing by the CPU 101 will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the control flow during printing by the multifunction device 1. Embodiment 1 describes the case where the printing conditions are set so that the second reading sensor 36 reads the image on one side of the original document M and the scanned image is printed on both sides of the sheet P.

[0057] In the flowchart shown in Figure 5, first, the CPU 101 executes a setting process to accept various settings related to printing (S1). Figure 6 is a diagram showing the transition of the display screen of the display unit 111 of the operation panel 110 of the multifunction printer 1. As shown in the upper part of Figure 6, the user can make various settings related to printing by operating the keys on the operation unit 112.

[0058] For example, the user can set the printing conditions for printing on sheet P by operating the print setting key 112A. The user can also set the scanning conditions for scanning the original document M by operating the setting change key 112Q. Furthermore, the user can set the preview settings to display a preview image on the display unit 111 by selecting the preview key 112P1 or the full-page preview key 112P2.

[0059] Specifically, when preview key 112P1 is selected and the "1-page preview setting" is accepted, the multifunction printer 1 reads the image of the original document M to be printed on one sheet P and displays it on the display unit 111 as a preview image for one page.

[0060] Furthermore, if the full-page preview key 112P2 is selected and the "full-page preview setting" is accepted, the multifunction printer 1 reads images of all pages of multiple documents and displays preview images of all pages one by one on the display unit 111.

[0061] The "preview image" is any image corresponding to the scanned image. For example, the preview image is the image in which the scanned image will be printed on sheet P, that is, an image of the scanned image placed within the area of ​​sheet P.

[0062] After S1, the CPU 101 determines whether the start key 112B or start key 112C was pressed (S2). The user presses the start key 112B to perform a monochrome copy, and the user presses the start key 112C to perform a color copy.

[0063] CPU 101 repeats S2 until start key 112B or start key 112C is pressed (S2:NO). When start key 112B or start key 112C is pressed (S2:YES), it determines whether the preview setting is on or off (S3).

[0064] If the preview key 112P1 is selected and the "1-page preview setting" is turned on (S3:YES), the CPU 101 starts the first image reading process (S4). Specifically, in S4, the CPU 101 first transports the required number of original documents M from the document tray 31A to the second reading sensor 36 via the document transport unit 31, which is the number of original documents M required for the images to be printed on one sheet P.

[0065] Here, the number of original documents M required for the image to be printed on one sheet P is, for example, 2 original documents M when printing images on both sides of sheet P. Therefore, 2 pages of original documents M are transported to the second reading sensor 36. After the CPU 101 reads the image on one side of the 2 pages of original documents M using the second reading sensor 36, it stops transporting the original documents M by the document transport unit 31.

[0066] On the other hand, if the preview setting is off (S3:YES), the CPU 101 transports the document M placed on the document tray 31A to the second reading sensor 36 via the document transport unit 31, and while the second reading sensor 36 reads the image of one side of the transported document M, the printing unit 4 starts printing the image it has read (S5), and then proceeds to S15.

[0067] After S4, the CPU 101 determines whether the reading of the images of the two pages of the original document M has been completed using the second reading sensor 36 (S6). If the reading of the images of the two pages of the original document M has not been completed (S6: NO), the CPU 101 repeats S6. If the reading of the images of the two pages of the original document M has been completed (S6: YES), the CPU 101 stops reading the original document M with the second reading sensor 36 and creates a preview image representing the printed state of the two pages of the original document M on sheet P (S7).

[0068] After S7, the CPU 101 transitions the display screen of the display unit 111 to the lower diagram in Figure 6, and displays the front and back preview images G1 of the original document M on the display unit 111 as shown in the lower diagram in Figure 6 (S8). The user checks the preview images G1 displayed on the display unit 111 to determine whether the printing conditions are appropriate.

[0069] If the user determines that the print conditions are appropriate, they press the start key 112D; if they determine that the print conditions are incorrect, they press the cancel button 112E. If the preview image G1 has multiple pages, the user checks the number of pages in the preview image G2 displayed on the page number display screen 111A and uses the back key 112F and forward key 112G to determine whether the print conditions are appropriate.

[0070] After S8, the CPU 101 determines whether the cancel button 112E was pressed (S9: Third determination process). If the cancel button 112E is pressed (S9: YES), the CPU 101 determines that it has received a cancel instruction to cancel the print process, transitions the display screen of the display unit 111 to the settings screen shown in Figure 7, and does not execute the second image reading process (S13) and the print process (S11). On the settings screen shown in Figure 7, the user can make various settings related to printing by operating the various setting keys 112H, copy key 112I, 2-in-1 copy key 112J, 4-in-1 copy key 112K, scan key 112L, and secure print key 112M.

[0071] On the other hand, if the cancel button 112E is not pressed (S9:NO), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the start key 112D has been pressed (S10). If the start key 112D has not been pressed (S10:NO), the CPU 101 returns to S9, and if the start key 112D has been pressed (S10:YES) and a print command has been received, the CPU 101 starts the printing process (S11).

[0072] Specifically, in S11, the CPU 101 converts the scan data of the scanned image read by the second reading sensor 36 into raster data. The CPU 101 also feeds the sheet P to the transport path R1 using the feed roller 23 and transports the sheet P to the printing unit 4 using the register roller 24.

[0073] Next, the CPU 101 prints raster data on the surface of the sheet P using the printing unit 4, then transports the printed sheet P to the re-transport path R2, reverses the transport direction using the reversing rollers 28 and 29, transports it downwards, and then supplies it back to the transport path R1. Then, the CPU 101 prints raster data on the back of the sheet P using the printing unit 4, and then discharges the sheet P, which has been printed on both sides, into the discharge tray 22.

[0074] Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a document M in the document tray 31A based on the detection result from the front sensor 37 (S12). If the front sensor 37 is on, the CPU 101 determines that there is a document M in the document tray 31A (S12: YES) and starts the second image reading process (S13). Specifically, in S13, the CPU 101 transports the document M following the document read in the first image reading process (S4) using the document transport unit 31, and reads the image of the transported document M using the second reading sensor 36.

[0075] On the other hand, if the front sensor 37 is off, the CPU 101 determines that there is no document M in the document tray 31A (S12: NO) and proceeds to S15.

[0076] Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the reading of images from all pages of the original document M has been completed (S14). The CPU 101 repeats S14 until the reading of images from all pages of the original document M is completed (S14: NO), and if the reading of images from all pages of the original document M is completed (S14: YES), it proceeds to S15.

[0077] In S15, the CPU 101 determines whether the printing process for all pages has been completed (S15). The CPU 101 repeats S15 until the printing process for all pages of the original document M is completed. If the printing process for all pages of the original document is completed (S15: YES), the flow shown in Figure 5 is terminated.

[0078] [Effects of Embodiment 1] According to the multifunction printer 1 of Embodiment 1 described above, for example, when scanning images of 20 original documents M and printing them double-sided, the printer does not scan all of the original documents M. Instead, it scans only the first two original documents M (S6:YES), and then displays a preview image G1 on the display unit 111 (S8). By viewing the preview images of the first two pages at once, the user can quickly determine whether the print will be printed under appropriate printing conditions (such as print layout). This allows the printer to immediately rescan the original documents M if the printing conditions are incorrect, thus reducing the time required to rescan the original documents M.

[0079] Furthermore, the user can choose whether or not to perform a preview display via the operation unit 112 during the setup process (S1), so the presence or absence of a preview display can be set according to the user's needs.

[0080] Furthermore, if the user notices that the print conditions are incorrect after checking the preview image displayed during the preview display process (S8), they can cancel the print process (S11) by pressing the cancel button 112E (S9:YES). This allows the user to quickly restart the scanning of the original document M.

[0081] [Modification 1 of Embodiment 1] In the multifunction printer 1 of the embodiment 1 described above, when the preview setting is turned on in the flowchart of Figure 5, a preview image G1 of two pages of the original document M is displayed on the display unit 111 as shown in Figure 6, but the device is not limited to this.

[0082] In the setup process (S1), if the full page preview key 112P2 is selected and the "full page preview setting" is accepted (S3: YES), the CPU 101 reads images of all pages of the document M in the document tray 31A using the second reading sensor 36 in S4, and then in S8, displays preview images of both sides of all pages of the document M on the display unit 111, two pages at a time.

[0083] In this way, by selecting preview key 112P1 or full-page preview key 112P2, users can choose to display a preview image of one page at a time, or preview images of all pages, one page at a time, as needed.

[0084] [Embodiment 2] Next, the multifunction printer 1 in Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the control flow during printing for the multifunction printer 1 in Embodiment 2. For the sake of explanation, components having the same function as those described in Embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0085] In Embodiment 2, the print conditions are assumed to be that the preview setting is turned on, the images on both sides of the original document M are read, and the read images are printed on both sides of sheet P in Nin1 (N=4). The user can configure the 4in1 print settings by operating the 4in1 copy key 112K on the display screen shown in Figure 7.

[0086] [CPU-driven control flow during printing] In the flowchart shown in Figure 8, first, the CPU 101 performs the setting process in the same way as in S1 (S21). After S1, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the start key 112D has been pressed (S22), and repeats S22 until the start key 112D is pressed (S22: NO). Once the start key 112D is pressed (S22: YES), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the preview setting is on (S23).

[0087] As shown in the upper part of Figure 6, the CPU 101 starts the first image reading process (S24) if the preview key 112P1 is selected and the preview setting is on (S23: YES). Specifically, in S24, the CPU 101 first transports four documents M from the document tray 31A to the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36, which are the image reading units, via the document transport unit 31.

[0088] The CPU 101 then reads images from both sides of the four transported documents M using the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36. After that, the CPU 101 stops the transport of the documents M by the document transport unit 31.

[0089] On the other hand, if the preview setting is off (S23:YES), the CPU 101 transports the document M placed on the document tray 31A to the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 via the document transport unit 31. The first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 read the images on both sides of the transported document M, and the printing unit 4 starts printing the read images on both sides of the sheet P (S25), then proceeds to S35.

[0090] After S24, the CPU 101 determines whether the reading of 2N pages, i.e., 8 pages of the original document M, has been completed using the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 (S26). The CPU 101 repeats S26 until the reading of the images of 8 pages of the original document M is completed (S26: NO). If the reading of the images of 8 pages of the original document M is completed (S26: YES), the CPU 101 stops the reading of the original document M by the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 and creates a preview image representing the state in which the images of 8 pages of the original document M have been printed on both sides of the sheet P (S27).

[0091] Figure 9 shows an example of a print layout using the multifunction printer 1. Figure 10 shows an example of the display screen of the display unit 111 of the operation panel 110 of the multifunction printer 1. After S27, the CPU 101 displays a preview image G2 showing the result of printing on both sides of sheet P on the display unit 111 one page at a time, as shown in Figure 10 (S28).

[0092] In this case, the print layout is set to 4-in-1 (landscape) and double-sided printing (long edge binding) as shown in Figure 9. If the user wants to check the preview image of the back side, they operate the advance key 112G, and if they want to return to the preview image G2 of the front side, they operate the back key 112F.

[0093] After S28, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the cancel button 112E was pressed (S29: Third determination process). If the cancel button 112E was pressed (S29: YES), the CPU 101 determines that a cancel instruction has been received, and terminates the flow shown in Figure 8 without executing the second image reading process (S33) and the printing process (S31).

[0094] On the other hand, if the cancel button 112E is not pressed (S29: NO), the CPU 101 determines whether or not the start key 112D has been pressed (S30). If the start key 112D has not been pressed (S30: NO), the CPU returns to S29. If the start key 112D has been pressed (S30: YES) and a print command has been received, the CPU starts the printing process (S31).

[0095] Specifically, in S31, the CPU 101 prints the images for the eight pages read by the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36 onto both sides of the sheet P using the printing unit 4, similar to S11.

[0096] Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a document M in the document tray 31A, similar to S12 (S32). If the front sensor 37 is on, the CPU 101 determines that there is a document M in the document tray 31A (S32: YES) and starts the second image reading process (S33). Specifically, in S33, the CPU 101 transports the document M following the document read in the first image reading process (S4) using the document transport unit 31, and reads the image of the transported document M using the first reading sensor 35 and the second reading sensor 36.

[0097] On the other hand, if the front sensor 37 is off, the CPU 101 determines that all documents M have been transported and there are no documents M left in the document tray 31A (S32: NO), and proceeds to S35.

[0098] Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the image reading of all pages of the original document M has been completed (S34). The CPU 101 repeats S34 until the image reading of all pages of the original document M is completed (S34: NO), and if the image reading of all pages of the original document M is completed (S34: YES), it proceeds to S35.

[0099] In S35, the CPU 101 determines whether the printing process for all pages has been completed. The CPU 101 repeats S35 until the printing process for all pages of the document is completed. If the printing process for all pages of the document is completed (S35: YES), the flow shown in Figure 8 is terminated.

[0100] [Effects of Embodiment 2] In the multifunction printer 1 of Embodiment 2 described above, when Nin1 printing (N=4) and double-sided printing are set, a preview image G2 representing the state in which the images of 8 pages of the original document M are printed on both sides of the sheet P is displayed on the display unit 111. Therefore, the user can check the images of 8 pages of the original document M at once and quickly determine whether they will be printed under appropriate printing conditions. That is, as shown in Figure 9, when multiple print layout patterns can be set, the user can determine whether they will be printed in the desired print layout by checking the preview image G2 corresponding to the minimum number of original document M pages scanned.

[0101] [Modification 2 of Embodiment 2] In the multifunction printer 1 of Embodiment 2, the printing conditions were set to Nin1 printing (N=4) and double-sided printing, but Nin1 printing (N=4) and single-sided printing may also be used.

[0102] In the multifunction printer 1 of the modified example 2, when Nin1 printing is enabled, a preview image showing the N-page document M images printed on one side of sheet P is displayed on the display unit 111. This allows the user to check images of two or more pages of the document M at once and quickly determine whether they will be printed under appropriate printing conditions.

[0103] Although the above-described embodiment 2 explained the case of 4-in-1 printing, it is not limited to this, and 2-in-1 printing or 6-in-1 printing may also be used.

[0104] [Other Embodiments] In the multifunction printer 1 of the above embodiment 1, the sheet P is described as plain paper, but the type of sheet P is not limited to this, and may be, for example, thick paper or thin paper. The fuser 5 fixes the developer image to the sheet P using a heating roller 51 made of a roller member, but is not limited to this. For example, a heating belt may be used instead of the heating roller 51.

[0105] [Examples of implementation using software] The control block of the multifunction device 1 (especially the CPU 101) may be implemented by logic circuits (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or by software.

[0106] In the latter case, the multifunction device 1 includes a computer that executes instructions for a program, which is software that realizes each function. This computer includes, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. The object of the present invention is achieved when the processor in the computer reads the program from the recording medium and executes it.

[0107] As the processor mentioned above, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, a "non-temporary, tangible medium" such as ROM (Read Only Memory), as well as tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, programmable logic circuit, etc., can be used. Furthermore, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for deploying the program may also be provided.

[0108] Furthermore, the above program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium capable of transmitting the program (such as a communication network or broadcast waves). In one aspect of the present invention, the above program can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, which is embodied by electronic transmission.

[0109] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1 Multifunction device 4 Printing Department 31. Manuscript transport section 31A Document Tray 32 Manuscript cover 35. First reading sensor 36. Second reading sensor 37 Front Sensor 101 CPU 110 Control Panel 111 Display section 112 Operation section M Manuscript P Sheet G1, G2 preview images S4 First image reading process S8 Preview Display Processing S11 Printing Process S13 Second image reading process

Claims

1. A document tray for placing the document, An image reading unit that reads the image of the document, A document transport unit that transports the document placed on the document tray toward the image reading unit, A printing unit prints the image read by the image reading unit onto a sheet, Display unit and Control panel and, Control unit and Equipped with, The control unit, The first image reading process involves transporting the required number of documents from the document tray to the image reading unit via the document transport unit to obtain the image needed to print on one sheet, reading the images of the transported documents with the image reading unit, and then stopping the transport of documents by the document transport unit. The first image reading process forms a preview image representing the image read by the image reading unit as printed on the sheet, and the preview display process displays the preview image on the display unit. After executing the preview display process, in response to receiving a print command via the operation unit, the second image reading process transports the document following the document read in the first image reading process, and reads the image of the transported document using the image reading unit. A printing process in which the image read by the image reading unit in the first image reading process and the second image reading process is printed onto a sheet by the printing unit, A printing apparatus characterized by performing the following actions.

2. The control unit, Further, a setting process is performed to accept a setting via the operation unit to determine whether or not to execute the preview display process. If the setting process accepts a setting to execute the preview display process, the first image reading process reads the images of the document to be printed on one sheet using the image reading unit, and then the preview display process displays the preview image on the display unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the setting process does not accept a setting to execute the preview display process, the first image reading process reads the images of the original document to be printed on one sheet using the image reading unit, and then does not execute the preview display process.

3. The control unit, The operation unit further accepts the setting of printing conditions, When a setting for Nin1 printing is received, which prints images of N pages (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) of the original document onto a single sheet, In the first image reading process, the image reading unit reads images of N pages of the document, The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the preview display process displays the preview image on the display unit, which represents the state in which the images of the N pages of the original document are printed on a single sheet.

4. The control unit, The operation unit further accepts the setting of printing conditions, In the first image reading process, When the printing condition is set to single-sided printing, the image reading unit reads the image of one page of the document; when the printing condition is set to double-sided printing, the image reading unit reads the image of two pages of the document. In the aforementioned preview display process, When the setting for single-sided printing is accepted, the preview image representing the state in which the image of one page of the original document read by the image reading unit is printed on one side of the sheet is displayed on the display unit, When the setting for double-sided printing is accepted, the preview image representing the state in which the images of the two pages of the original document read by the image reading unit are printed on both sides of the sheet is displayed on the display unit. In the aforementioned printing process, When the printing condition is set to single-sided printing, the image read by the image reading unit in the first image reading process and the second image reading process is printed on one side of the sheet by the printing unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the printing condition is set to double-sided printing, the reading image is printed on both sides of the sheet by the printing unit.

5. The control unit, The operation unit further accepts the setting of printing conditions, When the printing conditions are set to Nin1 printing and double-sided printing, In the first image reading process, the image reading unit reads images from 2N pages of the original document. In the preview display process, the preview image representing the two pages of the document read by the image reading unit printed on both sides of the sheet is displayed on the display unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the printing process, the printed image, which is an image read by the image reading unit in the first image reading process and the second image reading process, is printed on both sides of the sheet by the printing unit.

6. The control unit, The aforementioned control unit further accepts the setting to select between a single-page preview setting and a full-page preview setting. When the aforementioned one-page preview setting is received, the first image reading process reads the image of the document to be printed on one sheet using the image reading unit, and the preview display process displays the preview image for one page on the display unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, when the all-page preview setting is accepted, the first image reading process reads images of all pages of multiple documents using the image reading unit, and the preview display process displays the preview images of all pages on the display unit in a viewable manner.

7. The control unit, After performing the preview display process, a determination process is further performed to determine whether or not a cancellation instruction to cancel the print process has been received via the operation unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that if the determination process determines that the cancellation instruction has been received, the second image reading process and the printing process are not executed.

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