JP4089329B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to increase the added value of an image forming apparatus, for example, a printer, a printer having a scanner function is known. In such a printer, in addition to a method of using a scanner function to capture photos, originals, etc. into a computer, the originals read using the scanner function can be copied directly by a printer without using a computer. Can be used as a machine. In particular, a printer having a scanner function developed for general consumers typically employs an ink jet type serial printer as a printing mechanism.
[0003]
When copying with a printer having such a scanner function, a desired copy number and a print mode (for example, a mode with a fast print time / a mode with a good print finish) are designated, and then the copy is started.
[0004]
At this time, the time until the end of copying varies depending on the number of copies and the print mode, but it is not known how long the copy time will eventually be. When a serial printer is employed as the printing mechanism, the copy time also depends on the image density of the original, the image distribution, and the like.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
There are various situations in which copying is performed. In particular, when paying attention to the copy time, when a predetermined number of copies must be made within a limited time, when as many copies as possible are required within a limited time, when a predetermined number of copies are desired to be copied as soon as possible, etc. It is. Even in such a situation, there is a case where it is desired to perform copying in a print mode with as clean a finish as possible.
[0006]
A printer with a scanner function can select a print mode, and the time until the copy is completed changes depending on the print mode. Therefore, the user considers various factors such as the copy time, the number of copies, and the print mode. The copy must be set, and the load was heavy. Even if the copy setting is performed in consideration of these factors, there is no guarantee that the desired copy result can be obtained.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for obtaining a copy result desired by a user when copying is performed using an image forming apparatus.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention,
An image reading unit that reads an original and converts it into image data;
An image forming apparatus including a printing unit that performs printing based on image data, and capable of printing in a plurality of printing modes related to a finished state and a printing speed.
A copy time receiving means for receiving a copy time specification from the user;
Copy number estimating means for estimating, for each printing mode, how many copies can be made within the accepted copy time for image data to be copied;
Print mode accepting means for presenting the estimated number of sheets corresponding to the print mode and accepting designation of the print mode from the user;
There is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs an estimated number of copies in a received print mode.
[0009]
Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, according to this invention,
An image reading unit that reads an original and converts it into image data;
An image forming apparatus including a printing unit that performs printing based on image data, and capable of printing in a plurality of printing modes related to a finished state and a printing speed.
Copy number accepting means for accepting designation of the number of copies from the user;
Copy time estimation means for estimating the copy time required for the received number of copies for each print mode for image data to be copied;
Print mode accepting means for presenting the estimated time corresponding to the print mode and accepting designation of the print mode from the user;
An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a control unit that performs the received number of copies in the received print mode.
[0010]
Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention,
An image reading unit that reads an original and converts it into image data;
An image forming apparatus including a printing unit that performs printing based on image data, and capable of printing in a plurality of printing modes related to a finished state and a printing speed.
Copy time number accepting means for accepting designation of copy time and number of copies from the user;
Copy time estimation means for estimating the copy time required for the received number of copies for each print mode for image data to be copied;
A selection means for selecting a print mode in which the closest copy time is estimated within the accepted copy time;
Print mode accepting means for making the estimated time correspond to the print mode, distinguishing and displaying the selected print mode, and accepting designation of the print mode from the user;
An image forming apparatus is provided that includes a control unit that performs the received number of copies in the received print mode.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the outline of the configuration of a printer with a scanner function to which the present invention is applied.
[0013]
In this figure, a printer 10 with a scanner function includes a control unit 20 that controls each process of the printer 10 with a scanner function, and a scanner that reads an original and converts it into RGB signals (R: red, G: green, B: blue). Unit 30, the RGB signal is converted into a CMY signal (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow), and a printer unit 40 that performs printing; receives instructions from the user; status of printer 10 with scanner function, etc. And a user interface unit 50 for displaying. The printer 10 with a scanner function can print a document read by the scanner unit 30 by the printer unit 40 and can also read print data sent from a host computer (not shown) and print it by the printer unit 40. However, the configuration of the printer 10 with a scanner function is not limited to this.
[0014]
The scanner unit 30 includes a reading engine unit 31 and an A / D conversion unit 32 including a light source, a lens, a scanning motor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devic) sensor, and the like. The reading engine unit 31 scans a document while irradiating light, and performs processing of guiding the reflected light to a CCD sensor having red (R), green (G), and blue (B) filters. The A / D conversion unit 32 converts the grayscale analog information read by the CCD sensor into digital signals (RGB signals) and outputs them.
[0015]
The printer unit 40 includes an image processing unit 41 and a print engine unit 42. The image processing unit 41 converts the RGB signal into a CMY signal with reference to a lookup table that records the combination of color conversions. Then, after image processing such as halftone processing is performed, the data is converted into a data configuration that can be printed by the print engine unit 42. The print engine unit 42 performs printing based on the data generated by the image processing unit 41. The printing method of the print engine unit 42 can be an inkjet method, for example.
[0016]
The printer unit 40 can print in a plurality of print modes. The print mode can be, for example, “Fab”, “Foot”, “Beautiful”, and “Shashin” in ascending order of printing time. These differ in the image resolution at the time of printing, the printing processing method, and the like, and the quality of the finished product increases in the reverse order of the printing time. That is, for example, the coarser the image resolution, the shorter the printing time, but the lower the image quality. The higher the image resolution, the higher the image quality, but the longer the printing time. The print mode may further consider color printing / monochrome printing.
[0017]
In the printer unit 40, the print mode, the image resolution, and the print processing method are associated with each other in advance, and when the designation of the print mode is received from the user, printing is executed with the image resolution and the print processing method corresponding to the print mode. Is done.
[0018]
The user interface unit 50 includes an input / output device 51. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the appearance of the input / output device 51. As shown in the figure, the input / output device 51 includes a liquid crystal display 52 for displaying menu contents, instruction buttons 53a and 53b for instructing operation contents, and a selection button 54a for selecting menu items. , 54b.
[0019]
The user can select an item by operating a selection button 54a for advancing the selection item and a selection button 54b for returning the selection item. In the example shown in this figure, as copy mode selection, four items of “normal”, “time priority”, “number priority”, and “time number specification” are displayed, and the user selects the selection button 54a and the selection button 54b. Any item can be selected by operation.
[0020]
Then, the user can instruct the operation content by operating the instruction buttons 53a and 53b for instructing the operation content. The operation content is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 52 on the instruction buttons 53a and 53b in accordance with the displayed menu. In the example shown in this figure, “return” and “decision” are displayed as the operation contents, and the user can decide the selected item by pressing the operation button 53b corresponding to “decision”. .
[0021]
In the present embodiment, the control unit 20 includes a copy adjustment unit 21 that adjusts a copy time, the number of copies, a print mode, and the like when performing a copy. The control unit 20 is realized by processing performed by a CPU or the like that controls the printer 10 with a scanner function in accordance with a program stored in a ROM or the like provided in the printer 10 with a scanner function, and will be described below. Performs proper processing.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the copy adjustment unit 21. As shown in the figure, the copy adjustment unit 21 includes a copy condition adjustment unit 21a, a time / number estimation unit 21b, and a print time estimation table 21c per sheet.
[0023]
The copy condition adjustment unit 21a performs processing for adjusting copy conditions, for example, the number of copies, the print mode, and the like based on the printing time and the number of printed sheets estimated by the time / sheet number estimating unit 21b.
[0024]
The time / number-of-sheets estimation unit 21b refers to the printing time estimation table 21c for each sheet, and performs processing for estimating the time for printing one sheet for each printing mode based on the image data of the document read by the scanner. .
[0025]
The estimation of the printing time per sheet is performed by, for example, the image density of the read original image data, the image distribution, the paper size, the resolution of each printing mode, the image processing method performed in each printing mode, and the like. Information for performing this estimation is recorded in the printing time estimation table 21c per sheet. Note that the image density and image distribution of the image data greatly affect the paper feed pitch and the print head scanning area when a serial printer is employed as the print engine unit 42 of the printer unit 40. Can also be used to estimate printing time. That is, if the number of pixels of the image to be printed in each print mode, the scanning area of the print head, and the like are known, the printing time in each print mode can be estimated from the processing capability of the printer unit 40 that is already known.
[0026]
It should be noted that, like a printer with a scanner, it can function as a copying apparatus. In a computer system or the like in which a scanner and a printer are connected, it is difficult to specify the processing speed, communication time, etc. of each apparatus. Whereas there are many uncertain elements in the estimation, the printer 10 with a scanner function to which the present invention is applied performs processing alone, and therefore, since there are few uncertain elements, relatively accurate estimation is possible.
[0027]
Next, the copy process in this embodiment will be described.
[0028]
When copying, the user can select a copy mode on the copy mode selection screen as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, selectable copy modes are “normal”, “time priority”, “number priority”, and “time number specification”.
[0029]
“Normal” is a mode in which copying is performed by designating the number of copies and the print mode in the conventional copy.
[0030]
“Time priority” is a mode in which the number of printable copies is made within the time designated by the user.
[0031]
“Number priority” is a mode in which an estimate of the printing time in each printing mode for the number of sheets specified by the user is received, and a copy mode is received from the user and copying is performed.
[0032]
“Time sheet number designation” recommends a print mode that is determined to be optimal based on the number of sheets and time specified by the user, and sets the print mode during printing to achieve the number of sheets and time specified by the user. It is an adjustable mode.
[0033]
First, processing when the user selects “time priority” on the copy mode selection screen as shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The user selects the “time priority” mode when he wants to make as many copies as possible with a predetermined image quality within a limited time.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the printer with the scanner function at this time. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 52 at this time.
[0035]
When “time priority” is selected as the copy mode, the scanner unit 30 scans the read original to be copied (S101). This scan may be either a so-called pre-scan for reading an outline of a document or a so-called main scan for reading an image used for printing. During scanning, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 5A can be performed to indicate that scanning is in progress.
[0036]
When the scan is completed, a display as shown in FIG. 5B is performed, and the user is prompted to input a desired copy time (S102).
[0037]
The time / number estimation unit 21c of the copy adjustment unit 21 estimates the printing time per document for each printing mode from the document information read by the scanner unit 30 and the per-sheet printing time estimation table 21d. . Then, the number of copies that can be made within the copy time input by the user is calculated for each print mode (S103). At this time, time for pre-printing processing and the like is also taken into consideration.
[0038]
The calculated estimation result is displayed as shown in FIG. 5C, for example, and prompts the user to select a print mode (S104).
[0039]
When a mode selection is received from the user, a display for selecting whether or not to adjust the number of sheets as shown in FIG. Here, “no adjustment of the number of sheets” is to print the number of sheets displayed in FIG. 5C even when the actual number of printed sheets is different from the estimated number of sheets. When the number of printed sheets is different from the estimated number of sheets, the number of printed sheets is adjusted and printing is performed as many as possible within the time received from the user.
[0040]
When the scanner-equipped printer 10 receives a copy instruction on the display as shown in FIG. 5D, it starts actual copying. At this time, when the main scan is performed in the process (S101), the image data read by the image processing unit 41 is processed according to the selected print mode, and the print process is started. If the prescan is performed in the process (S101), the scanner unit 30 performs the main scan, and the image data read by the image processing unit 41 is processed according to the selected print mode. Start the printing process. At this time, the number of printable sheets is calculated according to the remaining amount of ink or the like provided in the print engine unit 42, and the number of printable sheets is displayed corresponding to the print mode selected in FIG. If the number is smaller than the number of printed sheets, a display as shown in FIG.
[0041]
When “No adjustment” is selected (S106: N), the number of prints displayed corresponding to the print mode selected in FIG. 5C is executed, and the copy is finished when printing is finished. (S108).
[0042]
If “with sheet number adjustment” is selected (S106: Y), when printing of the first sheet is started, for example, a display as shown in FIG. This display includes a display “The number adjustment value is displayed after printing the first sheet”.
[0043]
Then, after the first sheet is printed, the number adjustment process (S107) is performed. This is because the actual number of printed sheets can be obtained to some extent accurately because the actual printing time per sheet can be obtained when the first sheet is printed.
[0044]
In the sheet number adjusting process (S107), the time required for printing the first sheet (considering the process before printing, for example, when performing a main scan) and the remaining time of the copy time designated by the user From the above, the number of sheets that can be printed in the current print mode is calculated. Then, the copy number is changed to the calculated number and the process proceeds, and the user is notified as shown in FIG.
[0045]
When printing of the adjusted number of sheets is completed, the display as shown in FIG. 5G is performed, and the copying is completed (S108).
[0046]
Next, processing when the user selects “number priority” on the copy mode selection screen as shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The user selects the “number priority” mode when he / she wants to make a predetermined number of copies as soon as possible.
[0047]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the printer with the scanner function at this time. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 52 at this time.
[0048]
When “copy number priority” is selected as the copy mode, the scanner unit 30 scans the read original to be copied (S101). This scan may be either a so-called pre-scan for reading an outline of a document or a so-called main scan for reading an image used for printing. During scanning, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 7A can be performed to indicate that scanning is in progress.
[0049]
When the scan is completed, a display as shown in FIG. 7B is displayed, and the user is prompted to input the desired number of copies (S202).
[0050]
The time / number estimation unit 21c of the copy adjustment unit 21 estimates the printing time per document for each printing mode from the document information read by the scanner unit 30 and the per-sheet printing time estimation table 21d. . Then, an estimate of the time required for printing the number of sheets input by the user is calculated for each printing mode (S303). At this time, time for pre-printing processing and the like is also taken into consideration.
[0051]
The calculated estimation result is displayed as shown in FIG. 7C, for example, and prompts the user to select a print mode (S304).
[0052]
When a mode selection is received from the user, a display for confirming the copy content as shown in FIG.
[0053]
When the scanner-equipped printer 10 receives a copy instruction on the display as shown in FIG. 5D, it starts actual copying. At this time, if the main scan is performed in the process (S301), the image data read by the image processing unit 41 is processed according to the selected print mode, and the print process is started. If pre-scanning has been performed in the process (S301), the image data read by the image processing unit 41 is processed according to the selected print mode after the scanner unit 30 has performed the main scan. Start the printing process. At this time, the number of printable sheets is calculated based on the remaining amount of ink or the like provided in the print engine unit 42, and the number of printable sheets is smaller than the number input by the user in FIG. May be displayed as shown in FIG. 7H to prompt replacement of ink or the like.
[0054]
When printing is started, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 7E is displayed to indicate the copy status. This display includes a display “The exact remaining time is displayed after printing the first sheet.”
[0055]
Then, the remaining time is displayed (S206) as needed after the first sheet is printed. This is because the actual printing end time can be obtained to some extent accurately since the actual printing time per sheet can be obtained when the first sheet is printed.
[0056]
In the number adjustment process (S206), from the time required for printing the first sheet (considering the process before printing, for example, when performing a main scan, etc.) and the remaining number of printed sheets to the end of printing. The time is calculated. Then, the user is notified as shown in FIG.
[0057]
When the printing of the number of sheets input by the user is completed, the display as shown in FIG. 7G is performed, and the copying is completed (S207).
[0058]
Next, processing when the user selects “Specify number of time sheets” on the copy mode selection screen as shown in FIG. 3 will be described. The user selects the “time number designation” mode when he / she wants to copy a predetermined number of copies within a predetermined time.
[0059]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the printer with the scanner function at this time. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 52 at this time.
[0060]
When “Specify number of sheets per hour” is selected as the copy mode, the scanner unit 30 scans the read original to be copied (S301). This scan may be either a so-called pre-scan for reading an outline of a document or a so-called main scan for reading an image used for printing. During scanning, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 9A can be performed to indicate that scanning is in progress.
[0061]
When the scan is completed, a display as shown in FIG. 9B is displayed, and the user is prompted to input a desired number of copies and a copy time (S302).
[0062]
The time / number estimation unit 21c of the copy adjustment unit 21 estimates the printing time per document for each printing mode from the document information read by the scanner unit 30 and the per-sheet printing time estimation table 21d. . Then, an estimate of the time required for printing the number of sheets input by the user is calculated for each printing mode (S303). At this time, time for pre-printing processing and the like is also taken into consideration. Then, the print mode with the closest print time within the print time input by the user is determined, and this print mode is set as the recommended print mode.
[0063]
The calculated estimation result and the recommended print mode are displayed as shown in FIG. 9C, for example (S304). It is also possible to accept designation of a print mode other than the recommended print mode on this screen. However, in this case, printing may not be completed within the printing time desired by the user.
[0064]
When a mode selection is received from the user, a display for selecting whether or not to perform print mode adjustment as shown in FIG. Here, “no print mode adjustment” means that the number of prints shown in FIG. 9C is printed even when the actual print time is different from the estimated time. When the printing time becomes longer than the estimated time, the printing mode is adjusted, and the number of sheets received from the user is printed within the time received from the user.
[0065]
When the printer with scanner 10 receives a copy instruction on the display as shown in FIG. 9D, it starts actual copying. At this time, if the main scan is performed in the process (S301), the image data read by the image processing unit 41 is processed according to the selected print mode, and the print process is started. If pre-scanning has been performed in the process (S301), the image data read by the image processing unit 41 is processed according to the selected print mode after the scanner unit 30 has performed the main scan. Start the printing process. At this time, when the number of printable sheets is calculated based on the remaining amount of ink or the like provided in the print engine unit 42, and the number of printable sheets is smaller than the number input by the user in FIG. Alternatively, the display as shown in FIG. 9H may be performed to prompt the exchange of ink or the like.
[0066]
If “no print mode adjustment” is selected (S306: N), the number of prints displayed corresponding to the print mode selected in FIG. 9C is executed, and when printing is completed, a copy is made. The process ends (S308).
[0067]
When “print mode adjustment is present” is selected (S306: Y), when printing of the first sheet is started, for example, a display as shown in FIG. . This display includes a display “Print mode adjustment is displayed after printing the first sheet.”
[0068]
Then, after the first sheet is printed, the number adjustment process (S307) is performed. This is because the actual printing time can be obtained with a certain degree of accuracy since the actual printing time per sheet can be obtained when the first sheet is printed.
[0069]
In the sheet number adjusting process (S307), the current printing is performed based on the time required for printing the first sheet (considering the process before printing, for example, when performing a main scan) and the remaining number of printed sheets. Calculate the print end time in the mode. As a result, if printing does not end within the printing time entered by the user, some of the remaining number of sheets are printed in the printing mode in which printing is performed earlier than the recommended printing mode and designated. The specified number of prints can be completed within the print time.
[0070]
Here, the number of sheets for which the print mode is changed can be, for example, the minimum number of sheets that can be printed within the printing time. In this case, it is possible to determine the number of print modes to be changed using the print time estimate for each print mode estimated in the print number estimation process (S303). Further, the number adjustment process (S307) may be performed every time a predetermined number of prints are completed, for example.
[0071]
Then, the copy process proceeds according to the adjusted print mode, and the user is notified of the number of prints for each print mode as shown in FIG.
[0072]
When the printing of the number of sheets input by the user is completed, the display as shown in FIG. 9G is performed, and the copying is completed (S308).
[0073]
In the present embodiment, the printer 10 with the scanner function is used as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applied to a copying apparatus and other apparatuses including a reading unit and a printing unit. be able to.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for obtaining a copy result desired by a user when copying is performed using an image forming apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an outline of a configuration of a printer with a scanner function to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a copy adjustment unit 21;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the appearance of the input / output device 51;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the printer with a scanner function when the “time priority” mode is selected.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 52 when the “time priority” mode is selected.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the printer with a scanner function when the “number priority” mode is selected.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 52 when the “number priority” mode is selected.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the printer with a scanner function when the “time sheet number designation” mode is selected.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining information displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 52 when the “time number designation” mode is selected.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Printer with scanner function
20 ... Control unit
21. Copy adjustment section
21a: Copy condition adjustment unit
21b ... time / number of sheets estimation section
21c: Table for estimating printing time per sheet
30: Scanner section
31 ... Reading engine section
32 ... A / D converter
40 ... Printer section
41. Image processing unit
42 ... Print engine
50: User interface section
51. Input / output device
52 ... Liquid crystal display
53 ... Instruction button
54 ... Selection button

Claims (7)

An image reading unit that reads an original and converts it into image data;
An image forming apparatus including a printing unit that performs printing based on image data, and capable of printing in a plurality of printing modes related to a finished state and a printing speed.
A copy time receiving means for receiving a copy time specification from the user;
Copy number estimating means for estimating, for each printing mode, how many copies can be made within the accepted copy time for image data to be copied;
Print mode accepting means for presenting the estimated number of sheets corresponding to the print mode and accepting designation of the print mode from the user;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs an estimated number of copies in a received print mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further corrects the estimated number of copies based on an actual printing time. An image reading unit that reads an original and converts it into image data;
An image forming apparatus including a printing unit that performs printing based on image data, and capable of printing in a plurality of printing modes related to a finished state and a printing speed.
Copy time number accepting means for accepting designation of copy time and number of copies from the user;
Copy time estimation means for estimating the copy time required for the received number of copies for each print mode for image data to be copied;
A selection means for selecting a print mode in which the closest copy time is estimated within the accepted copy time;
Print mode accepting means for making the estimated time correspond to the print mode, distinguishing and displaying the selected print mode, and accepting designation of the print mode from the user;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform a received number of copies in a received print mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .
The control means further changes the print mode for a part of the number of printed sheets based on the actual printing time so that the number of sheets accepted for designation can be copied within the copy time for which designation is accepted. An image forming apparatus. An image reading unit that reads an original and converts it into image data;
A program for controlling processing of an image forming apparatus including a printing unit that performs printing based on image data, the printing unit being capable of printing in a plurality of printing modes related to a finished state and a printing speed. ,
A copy time number acceptance process for accepting designation of a copy time and the number of copies from the user;
A copy time estimation process for estimating the copy time required for the accepted number of copies for each print mode for image data to be copied;
A selection process for selecting a print mode in which the closest copy time is estimated within the accepted copy time;
A print mode reception process that associates the estimated time with the print mode, distinguishes the selected print mode, and receives designation of the print mode from the user;
A program for causing an image forming apparatus to perform control processing for performing a received number of copies in a received print mode. An image reading unit that reads an original and converts it into image data, and a printing unit that performs printing based on the image data, the printing unit capable of printing in a plurality of printing modes related to the finished state and the printing speed A copy control method in an image forming apparatus,
A copy time reception process for receiving a copy time specification from the user;
For the image data to be copied, copy number estimation processing for estimating for each print mode how many copies can be made within the accepted copy time;
A print mode acceptance process that presents the estimated number of prints corresponding to the print mode and accepts designation of the print mode from the user;
A copy control method comprising: performing an estimated number of copies in the accepted print mode. An image reading unit that reads an original and converts it into image data, and a printing unit that performs printing based on the image data, the printing unit capable of printing in a plurality of printing modes related to the finished state and the printing speed A copy control method in an image forming apparatus,
A copy time number acceptance process for accepting designation of a copy time and the number of copies from the user;
A copy time estimation process for estimating the copy time required for the accepted number of copies for each print mode for image data to be copied;
A selection process for selecting a print mode in which the closest copy time is estimated within the accepted copy time;
A print mode reception process that associates the estimated time with the print mode, distinguishes the selected print mode, and receives designation of the print mode from the user;
A copy control method comprising: a process of performing a received number of copies in a received print mode.

Images