Image processing system and method for recording image

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing system comprising an image forming device for forming an image on a recording member and an image transmission device for transmitting an image data to the image forming device. In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing system and a method for recording an image equipped with a function of forming an image based on a printing mode in which image is not formed to a portion of the recording member and a function of forming an image based on a printing mode in which image is formed to the whole region of the recording member, according to which image forming to the whole region of the recording member is made possible according to a feature/type of the recording member on which image is to be recorded.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] According to an image forming device adopting an electrophotographic process, a toner image being formed on the surface of a recording paper (recording member) is fixed to the paper by heat, and then the recording is ejected to the outside of the device.

[0003] According to this system, the toner image formed on the recording paper must be passed through a pair of heating and fixing rollers disposed within a fixing device to be fixed to the recording paper.

[0004] However, there was a drawback according to this system in that the recording paper sometimes adhered to the fixing roller by the heated toner (developing agent), causing abnormal transfer of the recording paper.

[0005] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-232373 discloses a conventional image forming device adopting an electrophotographic process, wherein a region in which no image is formed is provided to the front end of the recording paper in the transfer direction, so as to prevent the recording paper from being adhered to (wound around) the fixing roller.

[0006] However, there is growing demand for recording images to a wide variety of recording papers, and to correspond to this demand, those in the field are developing ways to enable images to be reproduced on various types of recording papers.

[0007] In recent days, many electronic devices such as digital cameras have become commercially available, by which the image data being handled has become multicolored, and the quality of the image advanced.

[0008] Thus, there is an increasing demand in the market for reproducing the colored image more truly and effectively.

[0009] The inkjet printer industry responds to this demand by providing products capable of marginless printing according to which images can be recorded on the whole area of the recording paper.

[0010] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-337886 discloses such device.

[0011] On the other hand, multicolor is also a trend in the field of image forming devices (copying machines) adopting the electrophotographic process, and in recent days, color copy service is available even in convenience stores.

[0012] Also in the present field, there is a demand for the images to be recorded and reproduced on the recording paper in a more true and effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Therefore, the present invention aims at solving the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The object of the invention is to provide an image processing system capable of reproducing an image on a whole area of a recording member having a specific feature (of a specific type) such as thick paper, OHP sheets, envelopes, special paper, postcards and business cards. It is considered that the users have a strong demand for a means to reproduce images in a true and effective manner on such specific recording members.

[0014] Moreover, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for recording image on the whole area of a recording member having a specific feature (of a specific type) utilizing an image forming device adopting an electrophotographic process, comprising the steps of reproducing an image on the whole area of the recording member having a specific feature (of a specific type), and fixing the image formed on the whole area of the recording member.

[0015] The image processing system of the present invention comprises an image forming device for forming an image on a recording member, and an image transmission device connected to the image forming device for transmitting an image data to the image forming device, wherein the image forming device comprises a function for forming the image according to a first image forming mode in which the image is formed to a whole area of a recording member, and a function for forming the image according to a second image forming mode in which the image is formed to a normal region of the recording member excluding a specific region thereof; and the image transmission device comprises an image forming control unit that enables the image to be formed on the whole area of the recording member based on the first image forming mode of the image forming device according to a feature/type of the recording member used to record the image.

[0016] In the above structure, the image forming control unit of the image transmission device enables the image to be formed on the whole area of the recording member based on the first image forming mode of the image forming device, according to the feature/type of the recording member being used to record the image.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present image processing system, the image transmission device comprises a recording member selecting unit for selecting the recording member for recording the image, and an image forming mode control unit for enabling the first image forming mode of the image forming device in which the image is formed to the whole area of the recording member to be selectable according to the feature/type of the recording member being selected via the recording member selecting unit.

[0018] When the user selects the recording member for recording the image through the recording member selecting unit of the image transmission device, the image forming mode control unit of the image transmission device makes the first image forming mode of the image forming device in which image is recorded to the whole area of the recording member selectable only when the feature/type of the selected recording member is suitable for forming the image on the whole area of the recording member.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present image processing system, the image transmission device comprises an image forming mode selecting unit for selecting either the first image forming mode or the second image forming mode of the image forming device, and a recording member determining unit for determining the recording members capable of being selected by the recording member selecting unit according to the first image forming mode or the second image forming mode of the image forming device selected by the image forming mode selecting unit.

[0020] When the user selects either the first image forming mode or the second image forming mode through the image forming mode selecting unit of the image transmission device, the recording member determining unit of the image transmission device determines the recording members suited for either the first image forming mode or the second image forming mode based on the selected image forming mode.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present image processing system, the feature/type of the recording member is the thickness of the recording member body.

[0022] The recording members capable of being subjected to whole area image forming include thick paper which is thicker than normal paper, OHP sheets, envelopes, special papers, postcards, and business cards.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present image processing system, the image forming device comprises a function of suppressing a concentration of the image formed to the predetermined region at a rim portion of the recording member than the concentration of the image formed to the normal region of the recording member excluding the predetermined region at the rim portion thereof, when forming the image to the whole area of the recording member of the specific feature/type according to the first image forming mode.

[0024] When the image is formed to the whole area of the recording member of the specific feature/type according to the first image forming mode of the image forming device, the concentration of the image formed to the predetermined region at the rim of the recording member is suppressed than the concentration of the image formed to the normal region of the recording member.

[0025] According to the present invention, the method for recording an image to a whole area of a recording member of a specific feature/type adopting an electrophotographic process comprises an image reproducing step of reproducing the image on the whole area of the recording member of the specific feature/type; and an image fixing step of fixing the image reproduced on the whole area of the recording member of the specific feature/type.

[0026] The method enables images to be recorded on the whole area of the recording member having the specific feature utilizing an image forming device equipped with a fixing device utilizing an electrophotographic process, the method comprising an image reproducing step of reproducing the image on the whole area of the recording member having the specific feature, and an image fixing step of fixing the image being reproduced on the recording member having the specific feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1 is a view showing the connecting configuration of the image processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0028]FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the image forming device in the image processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0029]FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing the operating panel of the image forming device in the image processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0030]FIG. 4 is a detailed view showing the operation indicating screen of the image transmission device of the image processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0031]FIG. 5 is a view showing one example of a screen for selecting the paper type from a driver screen of a driver of the image transmission device in a normal printing mode in the image forming device of the image processing system with regard to the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a view showing one example of a screen for selecting the paper type from a driver screen of a driver of the image transmission device in a marginless printing mode in the image forming device of the image processing system with regard to the present invention; and

[0033]FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the printing areas of a recording member printed according to the marginless printing mode and the normal printing mode by the image forming device of the image processing system with regard to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] One preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035]FIG. 1 shows a connecting configuration of the image processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system according to the present invention comprises an image forming device <b>100</b> for forming an image on a recording member, and an image transmitting device <b>101</b> connected to the image forming device <b>100</b> for transmitting image data to the image forming device <b>100</b>.

[0037] According to the image processing system of the present embodiment, the image forming device <b>100</b> is equipped with a function of performing image formation according to a marginless printing mode (a first image forming mode) in which image is formed to the whole area of the recording member, and a function of performing image formation according to a normal printing mode (a second image forming mode) in which image is formed within a normal printing region excluding a predetermined region of the recording member.

[0038] According to the present image processing system, the image transmission device <b>101</b> is equipped with a driver <b>104</b> which is an image forming control means enabling an image to be formed to the whole area of the recording member according to the marginless printing mode of the image forming device <b>100</b>, in correspondence to the feature/type (hereinafter referred to as feature) of the recording member being used to record the image.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the present image processing system comprises an image forming device <b>100</b> and an image transmission device <b>101</b>, such as a PC (personal computer), for transmitting the image data to the image forming device <b>100</b>. The image forming device <b>100</b> and the image transmission device <b>101</b> are connected via a connecting cable <b>102</b>, and the image data is transmitted from the image transmission device <b>101</b> via a communication path such as a connection cable <b>102</b> to the image forming device <b>100</b>.

[0040] Furthermore, the image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system comprises an operating panel <b>120</b> which functions as an operating unit for setting up various configurations, and the image transmission device <b>101</b> of the present image processing system comprises a display <b>103</b> functioning as a display unit for displaying the operation directing screen enabling determination of various configurations.

[0041] When transmitting image data from the image transmission device <b>101</b> to the image forming device <b>100</b> of the image processing system, a display screen <b>103</b><i>a </i>of the display <b>103</b> of the image transmission device <b>101</b> comprises, as shown in FIG. 4, a window of a driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b> (the operation directing screen) including operation directing keys for setting up various conditions for transmitting the image data and a button key for starting transmission of the image data. The transmission of the image data is executed through the driver <b>104</b> displayed as a window on the screen <b>103</b><i>a </i>of the display <b>103</b> of the image transmission device <b>101</b>.

[0042] According to the image processing system of the present invention, the image transmission device <b>101</b> comprises a “paper type” key <b>106</b> functioning as a recording member selecting means for selecting the member for recording the image, and a driver <b>104</b> functioning as an image forming mode control means that enables a user to select a marginless printing mode of the image forming device <b>100</b> according to which image is formed to the whole area of the recording member, based on the feature of the recording member selected through the “paper type” key <b>106</b>.

[0043] The image transmission device <b>101</b> of the present image processing system comprises a check box <b>110</b> for “marginless printing” functioning as an image forming mode selecting means for selecting either the marginless printing mode or the normal printing mode of the image forming device <b>100</b>, and a “paper type” key <b>106</b> comprising a “normal paper” key <b>113</b>, a “thick paper” key <b>114</b>, an “OHP” key <b>115</b>, an “envelope” key <b>116</b>, and a “special paper” key <b>117</b> which are recording member determining means for determining the selectable recording member.

[0044] According to the present image processing system, the feature of a recording member is the thickness of the recording member body.

[0045] Further according to the present image processing system, upon forming an image to the whole area of the recording member having a specific feature in the marginless printing mode, the image forming device <b>100</b> comprises a function of suppressing the density of the image formed to a predetermined region in the rim (edge portion) of the recording member compared to the density of the image formed to the normal region excluding the determined region on the frame portion of the recording member.

[0046] A method for recording image according to the present invention relates to a method for recording image to a whole area of a recording member having a specific feature utilizing an electrophotographic process, comprising an image reproducing process for reproducing an image on the whole area of the recording member having a specific feature, and an image fixing step for fixing the image being reproduced on the whole area of the recording member having the specific feature.

[0047]FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the image forming device of the image processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system comprises an image forming unit <b>150</b> for forming an image on a recording member based on the image data being transmitted from the image transmission device <b>101</b>, and a fixing unit <b>12</b> which is an image fixing means for fixing the image formed on the recording member.

[0049] The image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system forms a multi-colored or monochrome image (toner image) on a predetermined sheet (recording paper) being a recording member based on the image data being received from an outside image transmission device <b>101</b>.

[0050] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming device <b>100</b> comprises exposure units <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c </i>and <b>1</b><i>d</i>, developers <b>2</b><i>a</i>, <b>2</b><i>b</i>, <b>2</b><i>c </i>and <b>2</b><i>d</i>, photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d</i>, cleaner units <b>4</b><i>a</i>, <b>4</b><i>b</i>, <b>4</b><i>c </i>and <b>4</b><i>d</i>, chargers <b>5</b><i>a</i>, <b>5</b><i>b</i>, <b>5</b><i>c </i>and <b>5</b><i>d</i>, a transfer belt unit <b>8</b>, a transfer belt cleaning unit <b>9</b>, a fixing unit <b>12</b>, a paper transfer path S, a paper feed tray (cassette) <b>10</b>, a manual paper feed tray <b>11</b>, eject trays <b>15</b> and <b>33</b>, and so on.

[0051] An operating panel <b>120</b> for determining various settings is equipped to the body of the image forming device <b>100</b>.

[0052] The image data being treated by the image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system corresponds to a colored image utilizing the following colors: black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y).

[0053] Accordingly, four exposure units <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c </i>and <b>1</b><i>d</i>, four developers <b>2</b><i>a</i>, <b>2</b><i>b</i>, <b>2</b><i>c </i>and <b>2</b><i>d</i>, four photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d</i>, four cleaner units <b>4</b><i>a</i>, <b>4</b><i>b</i>, <b>4</b><i>c </i>and <b>4</b><i>d</i>, and four chargers Sa, <b>5</b><i>b</i>, Sc and <b>5</b><i>d </i>are provided to create four kinds of latent images corresponding to the four colors, wherein a corresponds to black, b corresponds to cyan, c corresponds to magenta, and d corresponds to yellow, by which four image stations ST<b>1</b>, ST<b>2</b>, ST<b>3</b> and ST<b>4</b> are constituted.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>are arranged (equipped) near the substantial center of the body of the image forming device <b>100</b>.

[0055] The chargers <b>5</b><i>a</i>, <b>5</b><i>b</i>, Sc and <b>5</b><i>d </i>are charging means for evenly charging the surface of the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>to a determined potential, and any type of means such as the one shown in FIG. 2, a contact roller type charger or a brush type charger can be used.

[0056] The exposure units <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c </i>and <b>1</b><i>d </i>can utilize a write head comprising light emitting elements such as EL (electroluminescence) and LED (light emitting diode) arranged in arrays, or a laser scanning unit (LSU) comprising a laser radiation unit and mirrors as shown in FIG. 2.

[0057] The surface of the evenly charged photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>are exposed using the exposure units <b>1</b><i>a</i>, <b>1</b><i>b</i>, <b>1</b><i>c </i>and <b>1</b><i>d </i>according to the image data being input, by which static latent images corresponding to the image data are formed on the surface of photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d. </i>

[0058] The developers <b>2</b><i>a</i>, <b>2</b><i>b</i>, <b>2</b><i>c </i>and <b>2</b><i>d </i>are for manifesting the electrostatic latent images formed on the surface of the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>using toners (developing agent) having colors (K, C, M, Y).

[0059] The cleaner units <b>4</b><i>a</i>, <b>4</b><i>b</i>, <b>4</b><i>c </i>and <b>4</b><i>d </i>are for removing and collecting the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>after the images are developed and transferred.

[0060] A transfer belt unit <b>8</b> disposed below the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>is equipped with a transfer belt <b>7</b>, a transfer belt drive roller <b>20</b>, a transfer belt driven roller <b>21</b>, a plurality of transfer belt tension rollers <b>22</b>, and transfer rollers <b>6</b><i>a</i>, <b>6</b><i>b</i>, <b>6</b><i>c </i>and <b>6</b><i>d. </i>

[0061] The transfer belt drive roller <b>20</b>, the transfer belt driven roller <b>21</b> and the transfer belt tension roller <b>22</b> of the transfer belt unit <b>8</b> are for pulling and supporting the belt <b>7</b> and to drive the belt in the arrow B direction of FIG. 2.

[0062] The transfer rollers <b>6</b><i>a</i>, <b>6</b><i>b</i>, <b>6</b><i>c </i>and <b>6</b><i>d </i>of the transfer belt unit <b>8</b> is rotatably supported by the inside frame (not shown) of the transfer belt unit <b>8</b>, which hold the transfer belt <b>7</b> in a tensioned manner together with the transfer belt drive roller <b>20</b>, the transfer belt driven roller <b>21</b> and the transfer belt tension roller <b>22</b>.

[0063] The transfer rollers <b>6</b><i>a</i>, <b>6</b><i>b</i>, <b>6</b><i>c </i>and <b>6</b><i>d </i>of the transfer belt unit <b>8</b> transfer the toner images formed on the surface of the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>onto a sheet (recording paper) that is adhered to and transferred on the transfer belt <b>7</b>.

[0064] The transfer belt <b>7</b> of the transfer belt unit <b>8</b> is disposed so that it comes into contact with the surfaces of the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d. </i>

[0065] By transferring toner images of each color formed on the surfaces of photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>onto the sheet (recording paper) in sequential manner, a colored toner image (multicolor toner image) is created.

[0066] The transfer belt <b>7</b> of the transfer belt unit <b>8</b> is formed of a film having a thickness of about 100 μm and in an endless shape.

[0067] The transfer of the toner images from the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d</i>to the sheet (recording paper) are performed by transfer rollers <b>6</b><i>a</i>, <b>6</b><i>b</i>, <b>6</b><i>c </i>and <b>6</b><i>d </i>coming into contact with the back side of the transfer belt <b>7</b> of the belt unit <b>8</b>.

[0068] A high voltage (high voltage having reverse polarity (+) to the charged polarity (−) of the toner) is applied to the transfer rollers <b>6</b><i>a</i>, <b>6</b><i>b</i>, <b>6</b><i>c </i>and <b>6</b><i>d </i>of the belt unit <b>8</b> so as to transfer the toner images to the sheet (recording paper).

[0069] The transfer rollers <b>6</b><i>a</i>, <b>6</b><i>b</i>, <b>6</b><i>c </i>and <b>6</b><i>d </i>of the belt unit <b>8</b> are rollers having a metallic axis formed for example of stainless steel with a diameter of 8 to 10 mm as base and a conductive elastic material such as an EPDM (ethylene propylene dienomethy rubber) or an urethane foam covering the base.

[0070] This conductive elastic member enables high voltage to be applied evenly to the sheet (recording paper).

[0071] According to the present embodiment, brushes etc. can be used in place of the transfer rollers <b>6</b><i>a</i>, <b>6</b><i>b</i>, <b>6</b><i>c </i>and <b>6</b><i>c </i>as transfer electrodes.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 2, a transfer belt cleaning unit <b>9</b> is disposed below the transfer belt unit <b>8</b>.

[0073] Moreover, the toner adhered to the transfer belt <b>7</b> by the belt coming into contact with the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>causes the back surface of the sheet (recording paper) to be stained, so it is removed and collected by the transfer belt cleaning unit <b>9</b>.

[0074] The paper feed tray (cassette) <b>10</b> is a tray for storing the sheets (recording paper) used for forming images, which is disposed below the image forming portion <b>150</b> of the image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system.

[0075] Further, a manual paper feed tray <b>11</b> is disposed on the right side of the body of the image forming device <b>100</b> as shown in FIG. 2. The manual paper feed tray <b>11</b> allows plural number of sheets (recording paper) or sheets such as thick paper, OHP (overhead projector) sheets, envelopes and special paper that cannot be filled in the paper feed tray (cassette) to be supplied to the recording unit in a simple manner.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2, a sheet eject tray <b>15</b> is disposed on the upper side of the body of the image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system, the tray <b>15</b> being a tray for mounting the printed sheets face-down.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 2, a sheet eject tray <b>33</b> is disposed on the left side of the body of the image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system, the tray <b>33</b> being a tray for mounting the printed sheets face-up.

[0078] Moreover, the image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system comprises an S-shaped paper transfer path S for transferring the sheet (recording paper) from the paper feed tray (cassette) <b>10</b> via the transfer belt unit <b>8</b> and the fixing unit <b>12</b> to the eject tray <b>15</b>.

[0079] To the area approximate the paper transfer path S extending from the paper feed tray (cassette) <b>10</b> to the paper eject tray <b>15</b> and the paper eject tray <b>33</b> are disposed pickup rollers <b>16</b> and <b>17</b>, a resist roller <b>14</b>, a fixing unit <b>12</b>, a transfer direction switching gate <b>34</b>, and a transfer roller <b>25</b>.

[0080] The transfer roller <b>25</b> is a small roller for aiding and supporting the transfer of the sheet (recording paper), and a plurality of transfer rollers are disposed along the paper transfer path S.

[0081] Pickup rollers <b>16</b> and <b>17</b> are disposed to the end portions of the paper feed tray (cassette) <b>10</b> and the manual paper feed tray <b>11</b>, and function as rollers for taking one sheet (recording paper) from the paper feed tray (cassette) <b>10</b> and the manual paper feed tray <b>11</b> (recording paper) at a time and supplying the same to the paper transfer path S.

[0082] The transfer direction switching gate <b>34</b> is disposed rotatably on a side cover <b>35</b>, and by the rotation of the transfer direction switching gate <b>34</b> from a state shown by the solid line of FIG. 2 to the position shown by the broken line of FIG. 2, the sheet (recording paper) can be separated from the midway of the paper transfer path S and discharged on the eject tray <b>33</b>.

[0083] When the transfer direction switching gate <b>34</b> is positioned as shown by the solid line of FIG. 2, the sheet passes through a transfer portion S′ (a portion of paper transfer path S) formed between the fixing unit <b>12</b>, the side cover <b>35</b> and the transfer direction switching gate <b>34</b>, and ejected on the upper eject tray <b>15</b>.

[0084] The resist roller <b>14</b> is for correcting the obliqueness of the sheet by regulating the front end of the sheet being transferred on the paper transfer path S, and for controlling the timing of the movement with the front end of the images (toner images) being reproduced on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d. </i>

[0085] The resist roller <b>14</b> functions to transfer the sheet at a desired timing corresponding to the rotation of the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>so that the multiple transfer of images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>are performed with high accuracy.

[0086] In other words, the resist roller <b>14</b> is designed to transfer the sheet so that the front end of images formed on the surfaces of photosensitive drums <b>3</b><i>a</i>, <b>3</b><i>b</i>, <b>3</b><i>c </i>and <b>3</b><i>d </i>correspond to the front end of the image forming area of the sheet, based on a detection signal output from a sensor switch not shown disposed before the resist roller <b>14</b>.

[0087] The fixing unit <b>12</b> comprises a heat roller <b>31</b>, a pressure roller <b>32</b> and the like as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the heat roller <b>31</b> and the pressure roller <b>32</b> are disposed so as to sandwich the sheet (recording paper) and rotate in the opposite direction.

[0088] The heat roller <b>31</b> of the fixing unit <b>12</b> is controlled to maintain a predetermined fixing temperature based on the temperature sensed through a machine controller (control unit) not shown, and by thermocompressing the sheet together with the pressure roller <b>32</b>, the color toner image (multicolored toner image) transferred onto the sheet is melted, mixed and pressurized, thereby being heat-fused onto the sheet.

[0089] The sheet having been completed the fusing process of the color toner image (multicolored image) via the fixing unit <b>12</b> is then transferred onto a rotating ejection path of the sheet transfer path S by the transfer roller <b>25</b>, and discharged onto the eject tray <b>15</b> in a reversed position where the color toner image (multicolored image) is faced down.

[0090]FIG. 3 is a detailed view illustrating the operating unit of the image forming device according to the image processing system of the present embodiment.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 3, the operating panel <b>120</b> disposed on the body of the image forming device <b>100</b> comprises an operating screen <b>121</b> which enables the user to confirm various setup statuses of the device. The operating panel <b>120</b> further comprises in the area below the operating screen <b>121</b> a “menu” key <b>122</b>, an“up (▴)” key <b>123</b>, a“down (▾)” key <b>124</b>, a“return/clear” key <b>125</b>, an “OK” key <b>126</b>, and an “operation guide” key <b>127</b>.

[0092] Various settings of the image forming device can be controlled through the operating panel <b>120</b>.

[0093] Further, on the right side of the operating screen <b>121</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> are disposed a “ready” LED <b>128</b>, a “data” LED <b>129</b>, and an “error” LED <b>130</b>.

[0094] When the “menu” key <b>122</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> is pressed, the menu for setting up various conditions for forming the image through the image forming device <b>100</b> is displayed on the operating screen <b>121</b>, by which various conditions can be set up.

[0095] The “up” key <b>123</b> and the “down” key <b>124</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> is for scrolling the contents of the displayed menu since not all the various menus can be displayed at once on the operating screen <b>121</b>. The user can press either the “up” key <b>123</b> or the “down” key <b>124</b> until the desired menu information is displayed on the operating screen <b>121</b>.

[0096] The “return/clear” key <b>125</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> is for clearing the conditions being varied and to return to the screen prior to the setup of conditions.

[0097] The “OK” key <b>126</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> is for determining the conditions being varied or set up.

[0098] The “operation guide” key <b>127</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> is pressed when the user requires an operation guidance for example when a sheet is stuck in the device or when consumable parts must be exchanged. When the user operates the “operation guide” key <b>127</b>, a message guidance corresponding to the present status of the device is displayed on the screen <b>121</b> of the panel <b>120</b>.

[0099] Next, the LED displays disposed on the right side of the operating screen <b>121</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> on the image forming device <b>100</b> will be explained.

[0100] The “ready” LED <b>128</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> of the image forming device <b>100</b> is turned on when the device <b>100</b> is capable of operating normally, and turned off when the device <b>100</b> is in a state where images cannot be recorded.

[0101] Thus, the operating status of the image forming device <b>100</b> is notified to the user.

[0102] Next, the “data” LED <b>129</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> is for displaying the status of communication with the outside image transmission device <b>101</b>, according to which the “data” LED <b>129</b> is turned on when communication with the outside device is possible, and blinks when image data is being transmitted from the outside device.

[0103] Lastly, the “error” LED <b>130</b> of the operating panel <b>120</b> is normally turned off, and turns on when the device <b>100</b> is in a status where image forming operation cannot be continued, such as when the toner is used up, no recording paper is available, or when paper is stuck in the device.

[0104]FIG. 4 is a detailed view showing the operation directing screen of the display unit of the image transmission device according to the image processing system of the present embodiment.

[0105] On a display screen <b>103</b><i>a </i>of a display <b>103</b> of the image transmission device <b>101</b>, a driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>is displayed as a window, the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>being an operation directing screen of a driver <b>104</b> comprising operation directing keys for setting up various conditions for transmitting the image data to the image forming device <b>100</b>, or a button key for starting transmission of the image data, as shown in FIG. 4. The transmission of image data to the image forming device <b>100</b> is performed through the driver <b>104</b> which is displayed as a driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>window on the screen <b>103</b><i>a </i>of the display <b>103</b> of the image transmission device <b>101</b>.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 4, the driver screen window <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b> comprises a “sheet size” key for setting up the sheet sizes of the recording member such as A3, B4, A4, B5 sizes; a “sheet type” key <b>106</b> for setting up the sheet type indicating the material or weight of. the recording member such as a normal paper, a thick paper, an OHP sheet, an envelope, or a special paper; a “print direction” key <b>107</b> for setting up the direction of print on the recording member (vertical direction or horizontal direction); a “scale” key <b>108</b> for setting up the recording scale; a “ruled line” check box <b>109</b> for setting up whether there is a boundary line determined by a ruled line; a “marginless printing” check box <b>110</b> for setting up whether to validate marginless printing mode or not; a “print” key <b>111</b>; a “cancel” key <b>112</b>; and so on.

[0107] According to this driver screen (operation directing screen) <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b>, it is possible to set up various conditions such as the sheet size indicating the size of the printing material such as A3, B4, A4 and B5, the sheet type defining the material or weight etc. of the sheet such as normal paper, thick paper, OHP sheet, envelope and special paper, the direction of printing on the recording member (vertical or horizontal), and the recording scale.

[0108] The user can click the “sheet size” key <b>105</b> on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b> to set up the sheet size of the recording member such as A3, B4, A4 and B5 sizes.

[0109] The user can click the “sheet type” key <b>106</b> on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b> to set up the sheet type of the recording member defining the material and weight of the member, such as normal paper, thick paper, OHP sheet, envelope and special paper.

[0110] Further, the user can click the “print direction” key <b>107</b> on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>to set up the direction of printing (vertical or horizontal) on the recording member.

[0111] Moreover, the user can click the “scale” key <b>108</b> on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>to set up the recording scale.

[0112] Usually, in the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b>, a certain preset default value (general value frequently utilized) is set up, and the user does not need to set up all the various setup items on the screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>for the appropriate image to be printed out.

[0113] However, if necessary, the user can designate various setup portions by clicking the setup portions on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>and to change the contents of various setup conditions.

[0114] The driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>further comprises check boxes, such as the “ruled line” check box <b>109</b> for setting up whether there is a border line defined by a ruled line, and a “marginless printing” check box <b>110</b> for setting up whether to validate the marginless printing mode according to the present embodiment.

[0115] The “print” key <b>111</b> on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>functions as a trigger key for actually transmitting the image data from the image transmission device <b>101</b> to the image forming device <b>100</b> and to execute printing.

[0116] The “cancel” key <b>112</b> of the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>is for canceling the print execution and to close the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b>.

[0117] Now, the method for selecting the marginless printing mode according to the image forming device <b>100</b> of the present image processing system will be explained in detail.

[0118]FIG. 5 is a drawing showing one example of the screen for selecting the sheet type from the driver screen of the driver of the image transmission device during a normal printing mode of the image forming device.

[0119] According to the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b>, when the user clicks the “sheet type” key <b>106</b>, there is displayed on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>a “normal paper” key <b>113</b>, a “thick paper” key <b>114</b>, an “OHP” key <b>115</b>, an “envelope” key <b>116</b>, and a “special paper” key <b>117</b> enabling the user to select sheet types, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0120] Next, when the user selects the “normal paper” key <b>113</b> in the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a</i>, the selected “normal paper” key <b>113</b> is displayed in white letters (inverse video) on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>as shown in FIG. 5, according to which the user an confirm the determined status of the sheet type.

[0121] The device to which the present embodiment is applied is an image forming device utilizing an electrophotographic process and a heat fixing roller.

[0122] Therefore, only recording member that has a certain degree of toughness that can be removed smoothly from the fixing device and ejected is capable of being selected to record image on the whole region of the recording member.

[0123] For example, the sheet types allowing image to be recorded on the whole area of the sheet are thick paper, OHP sheets, envelopes, special paper, postcards, business cards and so on. Only when the sheet types of the recording member that satisfy these conditions are selected in the “sheet type” key <b>106</b> of the driver screen <b>104</b> will the “marginless printing” check box <b>110</b> enabling the user to select the marginless printing mode be displayed on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a. </i>

[0124] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the “marginless printing” check box <b>110</b> is shown on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the drier <b>104</b> only to show that a column for selecting a “marginless printing mode” exists in the driver.

[0125] In actual use, since according to FIGS. 4 and 5 the selected sheet type is “normal paper”, the “marginless printing” check box <b>110</b> for selecting the marginless printing mode is not displayed on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b>.

[0126]FIG. 6 is a drawing showing one example of a screen for selecting the sheet type from the driver screen of the driver of the image transmission device when a marginless printing mode is selected for the image forming device of the present image processing system.

[0127] When the user clicks the “sheet type” key <b>106</b> in the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b>, the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b> displays, as shown in FIG. 6, “normal paper” key <b>113</b>, “thick paper” key <b>114</b>, “OHP” key <b>115</b>, “envelope” key <b>116</b> and “special paper” key <b>117</b>.

[0128] Next, when the user selects and clicks one key out of the “thick paper” key <b>114</b>, “OHP” key <b>115</b>, “envelope” key <b>116</b> and “special paper” key <b>117</b> in the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a</i>, the selected key is displayed (not shown) in white letters (inverse video) on the screen, and the “marginless printing” check box <b>110</b> for selecting the marginless printing mode is displayed on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a</i>, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0129] Thereafter, when the user clicks the check box <b>110</b> of the “marginless printing” in the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a</i>, the marginless printing mode is made effective, and the “normal paper” key <b>113</b> of the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>becomes invalid, by which the paper types that can be selected by the “sheet type” key is determined.

[0130] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, if the “marginless printing” check box <b>110</b> is displayed in advance on the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>and the user clicks the checkbox <b>110</b> to enter a checkmark thereto, it is possible to display only the selectable sheet types in the marginless printing mode to the driver screen <b>104</b><i>a </i>of the driver <b>104</b>.

[0131] In the above configuration, it is possible to set up in advance the possible options of the sheet types of the recording member in a marginless printing mode per each user from the operation panel <b>120</b> of the image forming device <b>100</b>.

[0132] Furthermore, the image forming device <b>100</b> can determine whether the determined sheet type of the recording member corresponds to the sheet type enabling marginless printing, and the device <b>100</b> can send out the information on the predetermined sheet type information that it holds to the driver according to the request for sheet type information received from the driver.

[0133] Thus, the driver is capable of judging whether such marginless printing is possible or not.

[0134] Next, FIG. 7 is used to explain an image area of a recording paper <b>200</b> that is utilized as a recording member for actually printing an image using the image forming device <b>100</b> based on the above-explained operation.

[0135]FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the printing areas of the recording member based on a marginless printing mode and a normal printing mode, capable of being printed through the image forming device of the image processing system according to the present embodiment.

[0136] According to the normal printing mode of the image forming device <b>100</b>, as shown in FIG. 7, image is printed only on a printing area of a normal region in which image corresponding to a predetermined region, which in this case is width D, is removed from both front and rear ends <b>202</b><i>a </i>and <b>202</b><i>b </i>and both side ends <b>202</b><i>c </i>and <b>202</b><i>d</i>, in any arbitrary sheet size of the recording paper <b>200</b>.

[0137] According to the marginless printing mode of the image forming device <b>100</b>, as shown in FIG. 7, image is printed to the whole area of the recording paper <b>200</b> having an arbitrary sheet size, with printing performed to correspond also to the printing area corresponding to the predetermined region of width D from both front and rear ends <b>202</b><i>a </i>and <b>202</b><i>b </i>and both side ends <b>202</b><i>c </i>and <b>202</b><i>d</i>, the area which had been eliminated according to the normal printing mode.

[0138] According to the marginless printing mode, it is also possible to set a printing condition so that the image formed to the predetermined region of the recording paper has a somewhat reduced printing density (amount of developer being adhered) than the image formed to the normal region of the normal printing mode excluding the predetermined region.

[0139] This is because since the recording paper is somewhat tough and thick, there is a possibility that the non-fixed image is displaced at the edge portions of the recording paper during the transfer step, by which the quality of the image being formed on there cording paper may be deteriorated. Therefore, the image formed on the predetermined region of the sheet may have a reduced density (smaller amount of developer being adhered) compared to the image formed on the normal region.

[0140] Furthermore, the present embodiment adopts an image forming device utilizing an electrophotograhic process (LED printer), but other image forming devices, such as a digital copying machine with a scanner, or an image forming device having other types of recording units such as an inkjet printer or a thermal printer, can also be adopted.

[0141] If an inkjet printer is used to perform the marginless printing mode in which the whole region of the recording paper including its edges is used to print an image with a developer or an ink, the recording paper may deflected or curved, which may cause the driven ink carriage to collide against the edge of the deflected paper and rip the paper, or may cause ink to be blurred. Thus, the relation between the types of recording papers and the marginless printing mode can be selected accordingly.

[0142] As explained, according to the present image processing system, the image forming control means of the image transmission device enables image to be formed on the whole region of the recording member corresponding to the first image forming mode of the device according to the feature/type of recording member being used, so the image can be recorded effectively and advantageously to the whole region of a specific feature/type of recording member such as thick paper, OHP sheets, envelopes, special paper, postcards, or business cards.

[0143] Furthermore, it is possible to set in advance a recording member that is not preferable for recording image on the whole region thereof using a developer or an ink, so accordingly, it becomes possible to prevent the recording member from being deflected or curved by not performing unreasonable image forming.

[0144] According to the present image processing system, simply by selecting via the recording member selecting means of the image transmission device the recording material for recording the image, the image forming mode control means of the image transmission device enables the first image forming mode (in which image is formed to the whole area of the recording member) of the image forming device to be selectable only when the selected recording member is suitable for carrying out the whole area recording, according to the feature of the recording member being selected. Therefore, the user will not be confused because if the selected recording member is not suited for whole area recording, the first image forming mode will not appear on the screen as an option.

[0145] When a recording member capable of marginless printing is selected by the recording member selecting means of the image transmission device, a first image forming mode of the image forming device becomes effective as one option, facilitating use by the user.

[0146] According to the present image processing system, simply by selecting either a first image forming mode or a second image forming mode of the image forming device through an image forming mode selecting means of the image transmission device, the recording member determining means of the image transmission device determines recording members that are appropriate for the selected first or second image forming mode, so the user simply needs to select and indicate the desired recording member out of the determined recording members determined as option by the recording member determining means of the image transmission device. The user will not be confused because the recording members not suited for whole region printing are not displayed as option from the start.

[0147] According to the present image processing system, the thickness of the recording member body is set as the feature/type of the recording members, so the recording members such as a thick paper, an OHP sheet, an envelope, a special paper, a postcard or a business card having a specific feature/type (thickness) can be subjected to effective image forming, since these members can be transmitted in the device and ejected to the outside of the image forming device without being adhered to the photosensitive drum or fixing roller.

[0148] Moreover, since an image can be recorded on the whole area of the recording member of a specific feature/type, the image can be recorded effectively on the recording member, by which the user benefits.

[0149] According further to the present image processing system, upon forming an image to the whole area of the recording member of a specific feature/type based on a first image forming mode of the image forming device, the density of the image being formed on the predetermined region (rim region) of the recording member is suppressed than the density of the image formed to the normal region of the recording member. Since the amount of developer adhered to the predetermined rim region of the recording member is smaller than the amount of developer adhered to the normal region of the recording member, the image formed on the recording member will not be deteriorated, and image data can be reproduced with high accuracy on the recording member.

[0150] According to a method for recording image of the present invention, an image is reproduced on the whole area of the recording member having a specific feature in the image reproducing step, and the reproduced image on the whole area of the recording member having a specific feature is fixed in the image fixing step. In the image forming device utilizing an electrophotographic process, the recording member of a specific feature (thickness) such as a thick paper, an OHP sheet, an envelope, a special paper, a postcard and a business card can be transferred and ejected from the device without being adhered to a photosensitive drum or a fixing roller, by which very effective image recording is made possible.