Image forming apparatus

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus for recording color image data on a recording paper using a plurality of recording materials.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

After generating one page of image information for recording on the recording paper, when the recording material reduction mode is set by the user or the system, the one page of the above-mentioned one page is referred to with reference to the pre-registered recording material reduction pattern. There is an image forming apparatus that thins out a predetermined amount of pixel data and records it on a recording paper by performing a predetermined arithmetic process on the image information of (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this image forming apparatus, the arithmetic processing can be performed independently for each color, so that only recording materials of a specific color, for example, recording materials that are heavily consumed in normal recording processing or expensive recording materials can be used. It is possible to reduce the amount of recording material used and save recording material.

【0003】

[Patent Document 1]

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-245150 (Fig. 5) [0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the recording material reduction mode, although it is possible to reduce the amount of recording material used for a specific color and record color image data on recording paper, if the user has a low amount of recording material remaining, If you do not notice and cannot set the recording material reduction mode, the recording material will run out and the amount of recording material used will be out of balance, and an image with deteriorated image quality will be recorded on the recording paper against the user's will. There is a problem that it ends up.

【0005】

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and when there is a recording material having a small remaining amount, an image forming apparatus capable of automatically suppressing the amount of the recording material used, and a recording material. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration of image quality caused by suppression of usage amount.

【0006】

[Means for solving problems]

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 includes a recording means for recording image data on recording paper using a plurality of color recording materials, a detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the plurality of color recording materials for each color, and the detection means. It is characterized in that it is provided with a control means for controlling the shift of the own device to the recording material save mode based on the detection result of the above.

【0007】

The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material save mode is a mode for suppressing the amount of recording material used whose remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. It is supposed to be.

【0008】

The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 is characterized in that the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 includes a notification means for notifying that the recording material save mode has been entered.

【0009】

The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 performs the control means when a predetermined operation is performed after notifying that the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 has shifted to the recording material save mode by the notifying means. , The feature is that the recording material save mode is released.

【0010】

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 includes a setting means for setting whether or not the control means performs the control in the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It is characterized in that the control is performed only when the control is set to be performed.

【0011】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a case where the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a multifunction device having a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit (MPU: Microprocessing Unit) 2, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3, a document reading unit 4, a color conversion unit 5, a switching unit 6, and a recording unit 7. Equipped with toner remaining amount detection unit 8, RAM (Random Access Memory) 9, image memory 10, codec (CODEC: Coder and Decoder) 11, operation unit 12, notification unit 13, communication unit 14, and PC I / F17. Therefore, each unit 2 to 17 is communicably connected by a bus 18.

【0012】

The control unit 2 controls each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 1 according to a predetermined program. The ROM 3 stores various programs for controlling the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 by the control unit 2, and the control unit 2 that operates according to various programs stored in the ROM 3 functions as a control means. To do. Specifically, the program stored in the ROM 3 sets the image forming apparatus 1 in the recording material save mode based on the image processing program for performing predetermined image processing on the image data and the remaining amount of toner (recording material). It is a judgment processing program or the like for judging whether or not to migrate.

【0013】

The document scanning unit 4 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF: Automatic Document Feeder), a flat bed scanner (FBS: Flat Bed Scanner), and an image processing circuit, and uses a color CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to capture the document. The image is read, and the scanned color image data of the RGB color system is subjected to predetermined image processing such as AD conversion, shooting correction, and deviation / line correction.

【0014】

The color conversion unit 5 converts the RGB color system image data into the L * a * b * color system image data using the color conversion table 5a, and then C (cyan), M (magenta), and so on. Converts to each color data of Y (yellow) and K (black) output color system, and performs processing to binarize each converted color data. The switching unit 6 switches the color conversion table 5a used by the color conversion unit 5 based on the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9.

【0015】

The recording unit 7 is composed of, for example, an electrophotographic system, and records image data output from the color conversion unit 5 and image data decoded by the codec 11 on recording paper using a plurality of colors of toner (recording material). It is a thing. Specifically, recording is performed on recording paper using CMYK four-color toner, and in the present embodiment, the recording unit 7 functions as a recording means. The toner remaining amount detecting unit 8 detects the remaining amount of toner of a plurality of colors for each color. Specifically, the recording unit 7 detects the remaining amount of CMYK four-color toner for each color, and in the present embodiment, the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8 functions as a detecting means.

【0016】

In addition to the registered facsimile number, e-mail address, etc., the RAM 9 stores the recording mode information 9a of the image forming apparatus 1. The recording mode information 9a indicates the current recording mode of the image forming apparatus 1, and the full color mode or the recording material save mode is stored. When the control unit 2 determines that the remaining amount of toner of any color satisfies the predetermined amount based on the detection result of the remaining amount of toner by the remaining amount of toner detection unit 8, the control unit 2 sets the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9 in full color. Update to mode. On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the remaining amount of toner by the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8, the recording mode information 9a of RAM 9 is saved as a recording material. Update to mode. In the present embodiment, the control for shifting the own device 1 to the recording material save mode, which is performed by the control unit 2, is performed by the process of updating the recording mode information 9a to the recording material save mode. In addition, the recording material save mode includes a C save mode, an M save mode, a Y save mode, a K save mode, and the like. When the control unit 2 determines that the remaining amount of the C color toner is less than or equal to the predetermined amount based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8, the control unit 2 updates the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9 to the C save mode. , When it is determined that the remaining amount of toner for M color is less than the specified amount, the recording mode information 9a of RAM9 is updated to M save mode, and when it is determined that the remaining amount of toner for Y color is less than the specified amount. The recording mode information 9a of RAM 9 is updated to Y save mode, and when it is determined that the remaining amount of toner of K color is less than a predetermined amount, the recording mode information 9a of RAM 9 is updated to K save mode.

【0017】

The image memory 10 temporarily stores image data that has been read by the document reading unit 4 and subjected to predetermined image processing, image data received by facsimile, and the like. The codec 11 encodes (encodes) and decodes (decodes) image data according to a predetermined protocol. That is, the image data is encoded by the MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified Read), MMR (Modified Modified Read) method, etc. for transmission, etc., and the image data stored in the image memory 10 is recorded on the recording paper. Therefore, it is decoded according to the recording operation of the recording unit 7.

【0018】

The operation unit 12 has a numeric keypad for inputting a facsimile number, the number of recorded copies, etc., a copy execution command for a document placed on the document reading unit 4, a start key for instructing facsimile transmission, etc., and various settings. It is equipped with operation keys composed of cursor keys and the like. Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the recording material save mode, an instruction input for temporarily canceling the recording material save mode and shifting to the full color mode, and each color by the toner remaining amount detection unit 8 are input. Based on the detection result of the remaining amount of toner in the above, whether or not to control the image forming apparatus 1 to shift to the recording material save mode is set from the operation unit 12, and in the present embodiment, the setting is performed. The operation unit 12 functions as a setting means.

【0019】

The notification unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display device 13a and an LED lamp 13b for displaying information on the state of the image forming device 1, various operation instruction input screens, a setting state, an operating state, and the like. Further, the liquid crystal display device 13a displays a message for notifying that the image forming device 1 has shifted to the recording material save mode in accordance with the control command of the control unit 2, and in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 13a displays a message. , This liquid crystal display device 13a functions as a notification means.

【0020】

The communication unit 14 includes a modem 15 and an NCU (Network Control Unit) 16. The modem 15 modulates and demodulates transmitted and received data in accordance with, for example, ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector) Recommendation V.34 standard or the like. The NCU16 is a network control device that controls a telephone line to make or hang up a telephone line, and is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 19.

【0021】

The PC I / F17 has an interface with the client PC20, and the image forming apparatus 1 and the client PC20 are communicably connected by the PC I / F17.

【0022】

According to the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration as a compound machine, the image data read by the document reading unit 4 can be recorded on the recording paper by the copy function, and another G3 facsimile apparatus (by the facsimile function) through PSTN19. The image data received from the client PC 20 can be recorded on the recording paper by fax transmission / reception (not shown).

【0023】

Hereinafter, image processing is performed until the color image data of the document read by the document reading unit 4 or the color image data received from the client PC 20 is converted into four color data of CMYK and recorded on the recording paper. The flow of data transfer will be described with reference to FIG.

【0024】

The RGB color image data of the document read by the color CCD provided in the document reader 4 is converted into a digital signal and then subjected to predetermined image processing such as shooting correction and deviation / line correction. After that, it is sent to the image memory 10 by a memory management circuit (not shown) and temporarily stored in the image memory 10. On the other hand, the RGB color image data received from the client PC 20 is sent to the image memory 10 and temporarily stored in the image memory 10.

【0025】

The RGB color image data stored in the image memory 10 is read out by the memory management circuit and output to the color conversion unit 5 when a predetermined number of lines are accumulated. The output RGB color system color image data is converted into L * a * b * color system image data based on the color conversion table 5a in the color conversion unit 5, and then converted to each color data of CMYK. And the output color is converted. The color conversion table 5a used in the color conversion unit 5 is switched by the switching unit 6 based on the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9.

【0026】

As shown in FIG. 2, the color conversion table 5a used in the color conversion unit 5 includes a full-color conversion table used when the own device 1 is in the full-color mode and a C-save mode. C save conversion table used when transitioning to M save mode, M save conversion table used when transitioning to M save mode, and Y save conversion table used when transitioning to Y save mode There is a conversion table and a conversion table for K save that is used when shifting to K save mode.

【0027】

When the recording mode information 9a indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 has shifted to the full color mode is stored in the RAM 9, the RGB color image data output to the color conversion unit 5 is the color conversion unit 5. In, the output color is converted to each color data of CMYK based on the conversion table for full color. Then, after being binarized by error diffusion processing or the like, it is output to the recording unit 7 and recorded on the recording paper in the recording unit 7.

【0028】

On the other hand, when the recording mode information 9a indicating that the image forming apparatus 1 has shifted to the recording material save mode is stored in the RAM 9, the RGB color system color image data output to the color conversion unit 5 is stored. Based on the conversion table for saving the recording material, the color conversion unit 5 converts the output color to each color data of CMYK by thinning out the pixel data of the specific color. That is, at the same time as the output color is converted into each color data of CMYK, the pixel data is thinned out for the color data of a specific color, and the color data of other colors is corrected. Will be done. For example, when the recording mode information 9a indicating that the mode is shifted to the C save mode is stored, the color image data of the RGB color system is transferred to each color data of CMYK based on the conversion table for C save. At the same time as the output color is converted, the pixel data is thinned out for the C (cyan) color data, and the correction process is applied to the other MYK color data. Specifically, this correction process is performed before thinning out the C color data so that the image quality when each color data is superimposed on the recording paper is not deteriorated by thinning out the pixel data from the C color color data. This is a process that corrects each color data of other MYK so that a color close to the color can be expressed. After that, the C color data that has been thinned out and the corrected MYK color data are binarized by error diffusion processing or the like, and then output to the recording unit 7 and recorded by the recording unit 7. Recorded on paper.

【0029】

When these processes are completed, the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8 detects the remaining amount of each CMYK toner in the recording unit 7 for each color. Then, when the control unit 2 determines that there is no toner whose remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8, the control unit 2 updates the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9 to the full color mode. On the other hand, when the control unit 2 determines that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8, the color of the toner (hereinafter referred to as "save target color"). Is specified, and the recording mode information 9a of RAM 9 is updated to the recording material save mode in order to suppress the amount of toner used for the color to be saved. For example, when it is determined that the remaining amount of toner of M color is less than or equal to a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the remaining amount of toner detection unit 8, the control unit 2 determines that the color to be saved is M color, and the RAM 9 Update recording mode information 9a to M save mode.

【0030】

Hereinafter, the processing operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1 when there is a request for recording the color image data on the recording paper will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. First, the control unit 2 determines whether or not there is a request for recording the color image data on the recording paper (S1). Then, when it is determined that there is a recording request (S1: YES), it is determined whether the recording request is made from the operation unit 12 or externally, in this case, from the client PC 20 (S2). ). When the recording request is made from the operation unit 12 (S2: operation unit), the image of the color document placed on the document reading unit 4 is read, and a predetermined image is added to the scanned RGB color image data. It is processed and temporarily stored in the image memory 10. On the other hand, when the recording request is made from the outside, that is, from the client PC 20 (S2: external), the RGB color image data received from the client PC 20 is temporarily stored in the image memory 10 (S4).

【0031】

Then, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 has shifted to the recording material save mode based on the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9 (S5). When the image forming apparatus 1 has not shifted to the recording material save mode, that is, the recording mode information 9a indicating that the RAM 9 is in the full color mode is stored in the control unit 2 (S5: NO), the control unit 2 is stored in the switching unit 6. The conversion table used by the color conversion unit 5 is switched to the full-color conversion table (S6), and the color conversion unit 5 is made to base the RGB color image data read from the image memory 10 on the full-color conversion table. Output color conversion to each color data of CMYK (S7). Then, each color data of CMYK whose output color has been converted by the color conversion unit 5 is output to the recording unit 7, and the recording unit 7 records the color data on the recording paper (S8).

【0032】

When the recording process of each color data on the recording paper in S7 is completed, the control unit 2 controls whether to shift the image forming apparatus 1 to the recording material save mode based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8. Or, here, it is determined whether or not it is set to automatically determine whether or not it is necessary to shift to the recording material save mode (S11). When the determination is made automatically (S11: YES), the control unit 2 causes the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8 to detect the remaining amount of toner of each color for each color (S12). Then, based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detection unit 8, it is determined whether or not there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount (S13), and when it is determined that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount (S13). : YES), Update the recording mode information 9a of RAM 9 to the recording material save mode in order to identify the toner color whose remaining amount is less than the specified amount and suppress the usage of the specified save target color toner (S14). .. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no toner whose remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount (S13: NO), the control unit 2 updates the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9 to the full color mode (S15).

【0033】

In S5, when the control unit 2 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 has shifted to the recording material save mode (S5: YES), that is, the recording mode information 9a indicating that the recording material save mode is in the RAM 9 is stored in the RAM 9. If it is stored, it notifies the information that the recording material save mode has been entered, and also notifies the information requesting the selection of whether or not to temporarily cancel the recording material save mode (S21). For example, a message such as "Y save mode is set" or "Do you want to cancel?" Is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13a. Then, in S2, if it is determined that the recording request is made from the operation unit 12, the operation unit 12 has selected, and if it is determined that the recording request has been made from the outside, the client PC 20 has selected to temporarily cancel the recording material save mode. When it is determined whether or not it is (S22) and a selection is made to temporarily cancel it (S22: YES), the control unit 2 temporarily cancels the recording material save mode and performs the processing after S6.

【0034】

On the other hand, if the selection to temporarily cancel the recording material save mode is not made (S22: NO) and the predetermined time has elapsed (S23: YES), the color conversion unit is switched to the switching unit 6 based on the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9. The color conversion table 5a used by 5 is switched to the recording material saving conversion table (S24), and the color conversion unit 5 converts the RGB color image data read from the image memory 10 for recording material saving. Output color conversion to each color data of CMYK based on the table (S25). For example, when the recording mode information 9a indicating that the own device 1 has shifted to the M save mode is stored in the RAM 9, the switching unit 6 converts the color conversion table 5a used by the color conversion unit 5 into the M save conversion table. The color conversion unit 5 performs output color conversion based on the conversion table for M save. Specifically, the RGB color image data is converted to each CMYK color data as an output color, and at the same time, the M (magenta) color data is thinned out to the other CYK color data. The correction process is performed. Then, each color data of CMYK output from the color conversion unit 5 is recorded on the recording paper by the recording unit 7 (S26), and the processing operations after S11 are performed.

【0035】

It is also possible to thin out the color data of colors other than the color to be saved, or to thin out all the color data of the color to be saved so that the toner of the color to be saved is not used at all. Considering the nature, it is preferable to thin out a part of the color data of the color to be saved. However, it is of course possible to perform processing so as not to use the toner of the color to be saved at all based on the user's selection.

【0036】

Further, even when the toner is replaced by the user, the above-mentioned remaining amount of toner is detected. That is, when the toner is replaced, the processing operations after S12 are performed, and when the toner of the color to be saved is replaced, the control unit 2 sets the image forming apparatus 1 to the full color mode and sets the image forming apparatus 1 to the full color mode. The recording mode information 9a to that effect is stored in RAM9.

【0037】

The remaining amount of toner of each color is detected by the remaining amount of toner detection unit 8, but instead of the detection by the remaining amount of toner detecting unit 8, the amount of toner used for each color within a predetermined period is integrated for each color. The remaining amount may be detected by this. For example, the amount of toner used in each color used in the recording unit 7 is determined from each color data of CMYK output to the recording unit 7, and each time the image data is recorded on the recording paper, the toner of each color is used. The amount is integrated for each color, and the cumulative usage is stored in a predetermined area of RAM9. Then, based on this cumulative usage amount, it is determined whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 1 to the recording material save mode. As a result, it is possible to suppress the amount of toner used that has a large cumulative amount of use for a predetermined period and extend the life of the toner.

【0038】

In the recording material saving conversion table used in the above color conversion unit 5, when the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8 detects that the remaining amount of toner of any one color of CMYK is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. However, if there are multiple toners with a remaining amount of less than the specified amount, the amount of toner used for the multiple colors is converted to the output color using the full-color conversion table and used on the recording paper. Store the color conversion table 5a so that it will be less than when it was recorded. For example, when the control unit 2 determines that the remaining amount of the toners of the two colors C (cyan) and Y (yellow) is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the recording mode information 9a is updated to the CY save mode. Then, when there is a request for recording the image data on the recording paper next time, the color conversion unit 5 is made to convert the output color based on the conversion table for CY save. That is, at the same time as outputting color conversion of RGB color image data to each color data of CMYK, thinning processing is performed on the color data of C color and Y color, and the color data of other M color and K color is described above. Make corrections.

【0039】

Further, when it is determined in S13 that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount, information to that effect is notified, and when the user selects to shift to the recording material save mode, the toner is shifted to the recording material save mode. You may do so. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the control unit 2 determines that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8 (S13: YES), the remaining amount is determined. Not only the information that there is less than a certain amount of toner and the color of the toner is notified, and also the information requesting the selection of whether or not to shift to the recording material save mode is notified to the user (S31). For example, a message such as "Yellow toner is low" or "Do you want to shift to Y save mode?" Is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13a. Then, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus 1 is selected to shift to the recording material save mode by the predetermined operation of the user (S32), and if the shift is selected (S32: YES), the above-mentioned S14 If the process is performed and no selection is made for migration (S32: NO), the process of S15 is performed.

【0040】

Therefore, when there is toner having a remaining amount of less than or equal to a predetermined amount, it is possible to determine whether or not to shift the image forming apparatus 1 to the recording material save mode according to the user's intention.

【0041】

Next, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 31 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same reference numerals as those of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and only the differences will be described below. The image forming apparatus 31 includes an image processing unit 32, a thinning circuit 33, and a save rate control unit 34 instead of the color conversion unit 5 and the switching unit 6 in the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. are doing.

【0042】

As shown in FIG. 8, the image processing unit 32 is subjected to predetermined image processing such as AD conversion, input correction, and color correction performed by the document reading unit 4 in the first embodiment, and image processing. After converting the color image data of the RGB color system to the image data of the L * a * b * color system, the output color is converted to each color data of CMYK, and the process of binarizing by error diffusion processing etc. Do. Therefore, the document reading unit 4 only reads the document in the present embodiment. The image memory 10 temporarily stores each color data of CMYK output from the image processing unit 32.

【0043】

The thinning circuit 33 performs a process of thinning out pixel data for the color data of the color to be saved among the CMYK color data output from the image processing unit 32 and temporarily stored in the image memory 10. The save rate control unit 34 controls the thinning amount of the color data of the color to be saved in the thinning circuit 33 based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8. If the control unit 2 determines that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than or equal to a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8, the toner remaining amount information 9b of the color to be saved is displayed together with the recording mode information 9a. It is stored in RAM9.

【0044】

Hereinafter, when the image forming apparatus 31 requests recording of the color image data read by the document reading unit 4 or the RGB color system color image data received from the client PC 20 on the recording paper, the image forming apparatus 31 The flow of data transfer of image processing performed in 31 will be described with reference to FIG.

【0045】

The image data of the document read by the document reading unit 4 is sent to the image processing unit 32, and the image processing unit 32 performs predetermined image processing such as AD conversion, shooting correction, and deviation / line correction. After that, the color image data of the RGB color system is converted into the image data of the L * a * b * color system, and then the output color is converted into each color data of CMYK. Then, after being binarized by error diffusion processing or the like, it is sent to the image memory 10 by a memory management circuit (not shown) and temporarily stored in the image memory 10. Then, each color data of CMYK stored in the image memory 10 is sent to the thinning circuit 33 by the memory management circuit. Then, the thinning process is performed on the color data of the colors required in the thinning circuit 33. The color data to be thinned out here is the color data of the color to be saved, which is determined in advance by the control unit 2 to be less than or equal to a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8. .. For example, when the image forming apparatus 31 is in the C save mode, the C (cyan) color data is thinned out. On the other hand, the remaining YMK color data is not thinned out and is sent to the recording unit 7 as it is and recorded on the recording paper. Further, the C color data is sent to the recording unit 7 and recorded on the recording paper after the thinning process is performed.

【0046】

Further, the thinning amount (save rate) when thinning out the color data of the color to be saved by the thinning circuit 33 is controlled by the save rate control unit 34 based on the toner remaining amount information 9b of the RAM 9. For example, when the toner remaining amount information 9b that the remaining amount of toner of C color is 20% when the toner is not used is stored in RAM 9, the save rate control unit 34 is 20% from the color data of C color. When the toner remaining amount information 9b that the remaining amount of toner of C color is 10% when not in use is stored in RAM9 by thinning out the pixel data of C color, 40% of the pixel data is extracted from the color data of C color. The amount of thinning in the thinning circuit 33 is controlled so as to thin out.

【0047】

In this way, among the CMYK color data stored in the image memory 10, the color data of the color to be saved is thinned out in the thinning circuit 33 and then sent to the recording unit 7 for recording paper. The other color data is sent to the recording unit 7 and recorded on the recording paper without being thinned out. When the color image data recording process is completed in this way, the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8 detects the remaining amount of toner of each color in the recording unit 7 for each color. Then, the control unit 2 determines whether or not there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8, and determines that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount. , The recording mode information 9a of RAM9 is updated to the recording material save mode, and the toner remaining amount information 9b of the color to be saved is stored in RAM9. It is possible to thin out all the color data of the color to be saved in the thinning circuit 33 and not to use the toner of the color to be saved at all in the recording unit 7, but considering the color reproducibility, some of the color data is thinned out. Is more preferable. Therefore, as described above, the thinning circuit 33 thins out a part of the color data of the color to be saved based on the toner remaining amount information 9b. However, it is also possible to record the color image data on the recording paper without using the toner of the color to be saved at all by the user's selection.

【0048】

Hereinafter, the processing operation performed by the image forming apparatus 31 when there is a request for recording the color image data on the recording paper will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

【0049】

First, the control unit 2 determines whether or not there is a request for recording the color image data on the recording paper (S41), and if it determines that there is a recording request (S41: YES), the recording request is sent from the operation unit 12. Determine if it was done or externally, here from the client PC20 (S42). When a recording request is made from the operation unit 12 (S42: operation unit), the image of the color document placed on the document reading unit 4 is read, the image processing unit 32 performs predetermined image processing, and then the RGB color is applied. After converting the color image data of the system to the image data of the L * a * b * color system, it is converted to each color data of CMYK and temporarily stored in the image memory 10 (S43). On the other hand, when a recording request is made from the outside (S42: external), the RGB color image data received from the client PC 20 is converted into L * a * b * color image data in the image processing unit 32. After that, the output color is converted into each color data of CMYK, binarized, and temporarily stored in the image memory 10 (S44). Then, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 31 has shifted to the recording material save mode based on the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9 (S45), and has not shifted to the recording material save mode, that is, , When the recording mode information 9a indicating that the full color mode is stored is stored in the RAM 9 (S45: NO), each color data stored in the image memory 10 is output to the recording unit 7, and the recording unit 7 outputs the recording mode information 9a. Record on recording paper as it is (S46).

【0050】

When the recording process of each color data on the recording paper in S46 is completed, the control unit 2 controls whether to shift the image forming apparatus 1 to the recording material save mode based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8. Or, here, it is determined whether or not it is set to automatically determine whether or not it is necessary to shift to the recording material save mode (S51). When the determination is made automatically (S51: YES), the control unit 2 causes the toner remaining amount detecting unit 8 to detect the remaining amount of toner of each color for each color (S52). Then, based on the detection result of the toner remaining amount detection unit 8, it is determined whether or not there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount (S53), and when it is determined that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount (S53). : YES), In order to identify the toner color whose remaining amount is less than the specified amount and suppress the amount of toner used for the specified save target color, the recording mode information 9a of RAM 9 is updated to the recording material save mode and saved. Store the toner remaining amount information 9b of the target color in RAM 9 (S54). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no toner whose remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount (S53: NO), the control unit 2 updates the recording mode information 9a of the RAM 9 to the full color mode (S55).

【0051】

In S45, when the control unit 2 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 has shifted to the recording material save mode (S45: YES), that is, the recording mode information 9a indicating that the recording material save mode is in the RAM 9 is stored in the RAM 9. If it is stored, it notifies the information that the recording material save mode has been entered, and also notifies the information requesting the selection of whether or not to temporarily cancel the recording material save mode (S61). For example, a message such as "Y save mode is set" or "Do you want to cancel?" Is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13a. Then, in S42, if it is determined that the recording request is made from the operation unit 12, the operation unit 12 has selected, and if it is determined that the recording request has been made from the outside, the client PC 20 has selected to temporarily release the recording material save mode. When it is determined whether or not it is (S62) and a selection is made to temporarily cancel it (S62: YES), the control unit 2 temporarily cancels the recording material save mode and performs the processing after S46.

【0052】

On the other hand, if the recording material save mode is not selected to be temporarily canceled (S62: NO) and the predetermined time has elapsed (S63: YES), the recording mode information 9a of RAM 9 and the toner remaining amount information 9b of the color to be saved are used. Of the CMYK color data stored in the image memory 10 based on the above, a predetermined amount of pixel data is thinned out from the color data of the color to be saved (S64). For example, when the recording mode information 9a indicating that the own device 1 has shifted to the M save mode and the toner remaining amount information 9b of the M color which is the color to be saved are stored in the RAM 9, the thinning circuit 33 has the M color. The pixel data is thinned out from the color data of. The thinning amount at this time is controlled by the save rate control unit 34 based on the toner remaining amount information 9b. Then, the M (magenta) color data that has been thinned out and the color data of other CYK colors are output to the recording unit 7, and each color data is recorded on the recording paper in the recording unit 7 (S65). ). Then, the processing operation after S51 is performed.

【0053】

As in the first embodiment, when it is determined that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount, information to that effect and the color of the toner are notified, and whether or not to shift to the recording material save mode. After notifying the user of the information requesting the selection, the image forming apparatus 1 may be shifted to the recording material save mode when the user selects to shift to the recording material save mode. Further, when there are a plurality of toners having a remaining amount of less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the color data of the plurality of colors to be saved is thinned out.

【0054】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, even if the user does not make a setting for shifting the image forming apparatus to the recording material save mode, the image forming apparatus is based on the detection result of the detection means. There is an advantage that it can be automatically shifted to the recording material save mode.

【0055】

According to the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, in the recording material save mode, the amount of recording material used whose remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined amount is suppressed and the image data is recorded on the recording paper. There is an advantage that the life of the recording material, which is less than a fixed amount, can be extended.

【0056】

According to the image forming apparatus according to claim 3, since the user is notified that the recording material save mode is set, copying or the like is performed without knowing that the recording material save mode has been set, and the user can make a copy or the like. There is an advantage that color image data can be prevented from being recorded on the recording paper with disappointing image quality.

【0057】

According to the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, after recognizing that the image forming apparatus has shifted to the recording material save mode, the user temporarily cancels the recording material save mode and performs copying or the like. Therefore, even if the recording material save mode is set, it is possible to perform high-quality full-color recording as needed.

【0058】

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 has an advantage that the user can set in advance whether or not to shift to the recording material save mode based on the detection result of the detection means.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of data transfer of color image data of a document read by a document reading unit or color image data received from the outside.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed in an image forming apparatus when a request for recording color image data on a recording paper is made.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed in an image forming apparatus when a request for recording color image data on a recording paper is made.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed in an image forming apparatus when a request for recording color image data on a recording paper is made.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation in a modified example of the determination process after determining that there is toner having a remaining amount of less than a predetermined amount.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of data transfer of color image data read by a document reading unit or color image data received from the outside in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed when a request for recording color image data is made in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed when a request for recording color image data is made in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing operation performed when a request for recording color image data is made in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 31 Image forming device 2 Control unit 3 ROM5 Color conversion unit 5a Color conversion table 6 Switching unit 7 Recording unit 8 Toner remaining amount detection unit 9 RAM9a Recording mode information 9b Toner remaining amount information 12 Operation unit 13a Liquid crystal display device 33 Thinning circuit 34 Save rate control unit