Abstract: Even if a band in which a development processing time is not in time corresponding to an image formation process is included in any of bands, a band developing process can be performed so as to be always set to a timing when a continuous image formation can be performed. To form images at a high throughput, a CPU analyzes print data received by a host I/F, and a band development schedule when an image to be formed on the basis of image data that is formed on a band unit basis is formed onto a recording medium through an intermediate transfer member is optimized on the basis of the development processing time which is previously predicted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a memory for storing a first job and a second job, an output unit for sequentially outputting the first and second jobs stored in the memory, a setter for setting a recall function effective to the first job and a job controller. The recall function is a function enabling a re-output of the first job in accordance with a request of an operator after a completion of the first job. The job controller controls the output unit so as to output the second job a predetermined time later after a completion of the first job where the recall function is set effective to the first job, or output the second job immediately after a completion of the first job where the recall function is set ineffective to the first job.

Abstract: In addition to a parameter commonly used for all printing jobs, a parameter used for each printing job is also set at the performing of the print job. During the performing of the print job, when no available sheet is left, a switching is effected to another sheet supplying tray on the basis of the commonly used parameter and parameter for each printing job. By doing so it is possible to, during the performing of the print job, prevent a switching to a sheet supply tray in which a sheet not wanted by the user is held.

Abstract: In a image processing apparatus, a predetermined processing is performed in response to occurrence of an abnormal condition that an image forming job cannot be executed. A first processing is preset for the apparatus as a common processing to respond to the abnormal condition. A second processing is set for the image forming job as a processing to respond to the abnormal condition. Either the first processing or the second processing is selected according to priorities assigned thereto. The selected processing is performed in response to occurrence of the abnormal condition when the abnormal condition occurs. The processing to handle the abnormal condition can flexibly be selected from among a plurality of processings according to the environment in which the printer system is placed.

Abstract: In a mode of continuously forming different images, such as a serial page copy mode and an enlargement serial copy mode, which of the images are to be formed, and how they are to be formed is previewed prior to the start of a copy operation. At an operation unit an operator sets a selected mode, for example, the serial page copy mode, by sequentially depressing a preview key and an image reading key to supply image data to a preview processing unit which displays the output image on a CRT prior to printing. The output images may be displayed in the order to be copied. The output images may also be collectively displayed on the same screen, or the continuous display during preview may be temporarily interrupted or resumed at a desired timing.

Abstract: In a precedent pre-output processing of a print start command in a digital reproducing apparatus, a print start command is saved in a command queue in an engine control task, and a next sheet feed start command is transmitted immediately after a termination command indicating sheet feed of a sheet which is being processed is received from a mechanism control section. Furthermore, the precedent pre-output of a print start command is performed even when sheet feed positions are different corresponding to a preceding sheet and a following sheet in such a case of printing in a cover sheet mode or printing using an automatic duplex unit. In this case, the digital reproducing apparatus does not transmit the command which has been precedently pre-output to a mechanism control section and notifies a print control task of no transmission of the command as cancellation of the print start command, thereby preventing the next sheet from being printed at a time of occurrence of sheet empty.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an imput section for inputting image data, a discriminating section for discriminating a process to which the image data should be subjected, and a display for displaying an image represented by the image data when the discriminating section fails in the discrimination. The apparatus further includes an interface for receiving information inputted by an operator and being relevant to the process to which the image should be subjected, and an image processing section for processing the image data according to a result of discrimination of the discriminating section and the information inputted via the interface. Through the above apparatus, by supplementing the discrimination as to whether or not to process the image data by human determination, processing of the image data is reliably executed.

Abstract: In a delivery destination control method of this invention, even when a cardboard mode is instructed first, and then a finishing mode is instructed, the cardboard mode instructed first is preferentially selected and set. Conversely, even when the cardboard mode is instructed first, and then the finishing mode is instructed, the finishing mode instructed first is preferentially selected and set. When the cardboard mode is set, the delivery destination is controlled to a first delivery section, and a change of the delivery destination is inhibited. When the finishing mode is set, the delivery destination is controlled to a second delivery section, and the change of the delivery destination is inhibited.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms images onto a plurality of pages has prediction unit which predicts a development processing time to develop a band of intermediate data based on print data to a bit map image and a controller which switches from a first mode to form one page or second mode to form images of a plurality of pages depending on the prediction information calculated by the prediction device. Thus the throughput can be increased by controlling the print data and a band development schedule.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit for forming images of two pages on one side of a sheet and forming images of other two pages on the other side of the sheet, a storage unit for storing an image to be formed by the image forming unit, and a control unit for controlling to store images in the storage unit in a first mode of fastening or to fasten the longer side of the sheet so as to locate an image of a (4N−1)-th page at the back side of an image of a (4N−3)-th page and locate an image of a 4N-th page at the back side of an image of a (4N−2)-th page, and in a second mode of fastening or to fasten the shorter side of the sheet so as to locate an image of a 4N-th page at the back side of an image of a (4N−3)-th page and locate an image of a (4N−1)-th page at the back side of an image of a (4N−2)-th page, wherein the image forming unit forms the images in the storage unit located by the control unit, on the sheet.

Abstract: A method for controlling an imaging apparatus based on an intelligent usage tracking system is provided. The method monitors use of the imaging apparatus over a period of time and uses the collected data to predict future use. The collected data is used to control the imaging apparatus to minimize warm-up delays and to maximize time in one or more standby modes.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus, such as a finisher, to be used in an image forming device, has a sheet conveying device for allowing conveyance and temporary stopping conveyance to place the sheet in a waiting state, a sheet-conveying-condition detector for detecting a conveying condition for each sheet, a first mode of conveying a sheet by driving the sheet conveying device without placing the sheet conveying device in a waiting state, a second mode of conveyance which places the sheet conveying device in the waiting state, thereafter releasing the waiting state of the sheet conveying device in accordance with conveyance of a succeeding sheet, and conveying preceding and succeeding sheets in a superposed state, and a third mode of conveyance, placing the sheet conveying device in the waiting state, thereafter releasing the waiting state of the sheet conveying device, and conveying the preceding sheet separately from the succeeding sheet.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus can form an image on a paper sheet according to each of a plurality of input job, and also can selectively perform a sheet process, such as sorting or stapling, for the sheets on which the images are formed. The apparatus controls, according as whether or not the sheet process is included in a first job in which the apparatus is forming an image and in a second job which is input after the first job is input, whether or not an interruption operation of the second job is to be permitted. The interruption operation consists of stopping execution of the first job in order to perform the second job instead. This enables the first job to halt temporarily, until the second job is complete, so that the pages of the first job will not become mixed in with the page of the second job, thereby preventing the pages of two different jobs from being stapled together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printer system responsive to the request of an operator for performing specified control on a specified portion of a medium during a print operation. Such control minimizes the labor required by an operator to change the set-up condition of the printer when different print media is used. Print operations having modified print attributes for specified areas are set-up for each type of media in advance and stored in a storage device of a printer or a host processor for controlling the printer, such as a personal computer or a server. When a medium is inserted into the printer, medium identifying information, such as a bar coded form number or the size of the medium is used to determine which record stored in the storage device corresponds to the selected medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises function for reading images of a series of original documents in a first order and for outputting a series of image data items, storage function for storing the series of image data items outputted from the read function, instruct function for instructing one of the first order and a second order reverse to the first order, as an output order in which the series of image data items are outputted, first output function for outputting the series of image data items stored in the storage function, in the first order, in accordance with the output order instructed by the instruct function, second output function for converting the series of image data items stored in the storage function into the second order and for outputting the series of image data items converted, and function for forming images corresponding to the series of image data items outputted from the first or second output function.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an image forming unit which has an image carrier for holding an image, operates in a first image forming mode to form an image for a single page on the image carrier and in a second image forming mode to form images for a plurality of pages on the image carrier, and performs image formation in one of the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode. The printing apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving printing data from an external device, a unit for analyzing the printing data to obtain image data and image forming condition information in units of page, and a control unit for selecting one of the first image forming mode and the second image forming mode depending on the image forming condition information, thereby rendering the image formation to be performed in the selected mode. A control method for the printing apparatus and a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for the printing apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: In a structure that setting for a second job is possible even if a first job is being executed, if the first job is the job which uses a manual sheet feed unit, a sheet selection key is handled on a second job setting screen to display a manual feed key with shading or halftone dots on a sheet setting screen. Thus, it is inhibited from selecting the manual sheet feed unit, whereby it is inhibited from changing sheet size setting of the manual sheet feed unit.

Abstract: A copying system includes a plurality of copying apparatuses, a communication line interconnecting the plurality of copying apparatuses with each other such that the plurality of copying apparatuses can communicate image data therebetween, and a controller. The controller controls the copying system such that: (i) several or all of the plurality of copying apparatuses produce copying materials in parallel according to image data read by one of the plurality of copying apparatuses, and (ii) at least one of the several or all of the plurality of copying apparatuses receive image data of a next job while a present job is being conducted.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is disclosed which comprises print means for printing input print data on a print recording medium, the print means driven by the input print data, storage means for storing the print data, storage control means for determining whether or not storage specification is set in the print data and storing the print data in the storage means as a file if the storage specification is set, attribute information transfer means for transferring attribute information of the file stored in the storage means to a source issuing the attribute information transfer request in response to an input attribute information transfer request, file conversion means for converting the file stored in the storage means into an image data file in response to an image data file transfer request input based on the attribute information, image data file transfer means for transferring the image data file to a source issuing the image data file transfer request, and reprint means for reading the file stored in the stora

Abstract: A combined digital reproduction apparatus suitable for making prints in response to actuation of keys on an operating panel (e.g. copies of documents scanned with a scanner) and making prints on its own initiative (prints in accordance with a digital print file received from a network). In this apparatus, a user present at the apparatus for a print order is given priority. The control process of the apparatus for this purpose executes any print orders arriving via the network only if it does not detect any signs indicative of the fact that a user is preparing or executing a reproduction process at the apparatus. Such signs may, for example, be in the form of actuation of a key on the operating panel or the actual execution of a copying order. If the control process detects such signs, it does not start the print orders received via the network. If the control process does not detect such signs, it announces the print order first for a predetermined time period, e.g.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus according the present invention includes a copy section for copying an original, a transmission section for transmitting the original via a telephone line, an input section for inputting the number of sheets to be copied and a destination telephone number, a determination section for determining a desired mode based on the input numerical values, and an execution stop section for stopping the execution of a mode other than the desired mode. In addition, in a transmission method according to the present invention, data input during a copy mode is retained in an image recording apparatus with a facsimile and a copy functions, the mode is switched to a facsimile mode with the input data retained, and the input data is used to execute facsimile transmission.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes plural paper feed portions to feed paper and an image forming portion to form an image on paper fed from one of the plural feed portions. When paper in the paper feed portion which feeds paper on which the image is formed in the image forming portion of this image forming apparatus is exhausted, it is so controlled that paper is automatically fed to the image forming portion from another paper feed portion containing the same size paper as that contained in the current paper feed portion, enabling it to continue the image forming operation and it is possible to set whether the execution of the automatic paper feed control is permitted or prohibited for each of plural paper feed portions.

Abstract: A copying machine that allows copying by inputting an access code at the time of use without registering said access code in advance and that can also register said access code. In the control routine by CPU 601 that controls the copying machine, when a control-by-section mode selection signal is input using key 45 on the operation panel, selection of automatic code input mode (the second mode), which is different from regular mode (the first mode), is permitted. When automatic code input mode is selected and an access code is input using 10-key keypad 42 on the operation panel, the input access code is registered and control is performed so that the copying operation is permitted. By limiting the period of validity for the access codes registered, the memory capacity in the access code registration memory may be effectively utilized and only sections that actually use the copying machine can be registered.

Abstract: The present invention is a duplex printing apparatus, which is equipped with a first image forming process unit, a second image forming process unit, a fixing section, a conveyance system, and said fixing section, and a control section. In making a switch-over between printing modes (one-sided copying, both-sided copying), the control section fixes by the fixing section the unfixed toner image on the medium formed in the printing mode preceding before the switch-over and then conveys the medium by the conveyance system to a printing start position in the printing mode following after the switch-over. With this, in making a switch-over between printing modes, even when the medium is fed back, there is no possibility that the unfixed toner image formed on the medium will be disturbed. Therefore, printing quality can be maintained and printing can be performed on the medium without waste.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has N-in-1 mode for forming an image of N documents in a sheet of paper and automatic color selection mode for deciding whether a document is a color document or a monochromatic one. When the N-in-1 mode and the automatic color selection mode are selected, color copy mode is selected if a number of color documents in N documents to be reproduced in a sheet of paper is larger than a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit for forming images of two pages on one side of a sheet and forming images of other two pages on the other side of the sheet, a storage unit for storing an image to be formed by the image forming unit, and a control unit for controlling to store images in the storage unit in a first mode of fastening or to fasten the longer side of the sheet so as to locate an image of a (4N-1)-th page at the back side of an image of a (4N-3)-th page and locate an image of a 4N-th page at the back side of an image of a (4N-2)-th page, and in a second mode of fastening or to fasten the shorter side of the sheet so as to locate an image of a 4N-th page at the back side of an image of a (4N-3)-th page and locate an image of a (4N-1)-th page at the back side of an image of a (4N-2)-th page, wherein the image forming unit forms the images in the storage unit located by the control unit, on the sheet.

Abstract: Screen data to be presented on the display section of an image processing apparatus is compressed and then stored in a memory. For presentation, the screen data to be presented is read, decompressed and stored in a VRAM. Screen data frequently used, such as the one for a standard screen, is stored in a cache area in a RAM after decompression, and such screen data is transferred from the cache to the VRAM.

Abstract: When a power supply of an image forming apparatus is turned on and also a power save function is released, the image forming apparatus initialize modules with respect to each of the modules. For example, when initializations of a communication control unit and a modulating/demodulating unit are accomplished, even when initializations of other modules are not yet ended, a facsimile service is provided. Also, when initializations of an image reading control unit and an image reading unit are accomplished, a scanner service is provided. In this manner, the services provided by such modules whose initializations have been accomplished are sequentially providable irrespective of states of the other modules.

Abstract: A system or method displays an appropriate user interface for a multi-function machine. A controller changes displayed contents of a user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a copy-function when a document handler sensor senses a document placed in a document handler and changes the displayed contents of the user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a facsimile-function when a telephone number sensor circuit senses a telephone being inputted through a ten-key pad. The controller also changes the display of the user interface to display a functional screen corresponding to a copy-function when a platen cover sensor senses a lifting of a platen cover. Lastly, the controller changes the display of the user interface to display a function screen corresponding to a print-function when a portable memory drive sensor senses an insertion of a portable memory device into a portable memory drive.

Abstract: In a document feeding and imaging system with a document input tray for sequentially feeding a set of plural document sheets to a document imaging station to be respectively imaged with variable image processing conditions dependent on the size of the document sheet, including a document sheet size measurement system for measuring at least one dimension of the document sheets, wherein the input tray has associated document size measurement sensors, wherein the set of documents loaded into the input tray may be a mixed size set of different sheet sizes or a set of the same sheet sizes; there is provided an operator selectable input for a mixed size set providing a mixed size set control signal which actuates a special prescan document size sensing operational mode for sensing the sheet size as the document is fed past the document imaging station without its being imaged, and then automatically re-feeding that document to the imaging station to be imaged under image processing conditions controlled by the docu

Abstract: In order to improve operability of a copying machine which applies an image processing to an area of an original surrounded by a marker, following processes are carried out. An area of an original surrounded by a marker is detected. It is determined whether or not the number of the detected areas exceeds 30, or the time from starting of detection exceeds three minutes during the detection. If any of those two conditions is satisfied, edit based on the marker is not executed and image data which has undergone full-color copying is output.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, first in a printing delay process, it is determined whether or not a specific mode is set. When it is determined that a specific mode is set, printing is inhibited until images to be printed are accumulated in a memory, and whether or not originals are mixed originals (of assorted sizes) is detected. If it is determined that originals are mixed ones, start of printing is inhibited. Since printing cannot be executed when a specific mode in which mixed originals cannot be handled is set, an image forming apparatus capable of automatically handling mixed originals can be provided.

Abstract: A setup method for a corona charger device used in an electrophotographic recording apparatus. The setup method includes operating the corona charger device in a calibration mode so that charge of a first polarity is output by the device and deposited upon a photoconductive recording member. The level of charge deposited upon the member is sensed and a position of the charger device relative to the member is adjusted so that the level of charge deposited upon the member is at a target level. The charge of the first polarity output for setup is opposite to that of charge output during the production run.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first sheet feeding device for storing therein recording sheets; a second sheet feeding device for storing therein the same sized recording sheets as those stored in the first sheet feeding device in a direction perpendicular to the recording sheets stored in the first sheet feeding device; an image processing device capable of processing an image of a document under a condition that an image data thereof is rotated by 90.degree.; an image forming device for forming an image on a recording sheet based on the image data processed by the image processing device; and a controller for detecting whether or not a sorting device for sorting the recording sheet is connected or operative.

Abstract: A digital copying machine capable of two-sided copying, which forms an image on one side of a paper sheet, transports the paper sheet through a sheet re-feeding path provided with a sheet turning over unit, forms an image on the other side of the paper sheet, and finally delivers the paper sheet outside. When two-sided copy mode is set in accordance with an instruction from the user, paper sheets are supplied at sheet intervals shorter than sheet intervals at which paper sheets are supplied in one-sided copy mode.

Abstract: An image producing apparatus including a control panel. When a school mode is selected, numeric or alphanumeric keys are pressed on a keypad so as to select one or a plurality of classes or grades. Numerical data concerning the number of students per class and grade are extracted, and are registered as the number of prints to be produced and sorted.

Abstract: A laser printer includes a photosensitive drum on which a toner image corresponding to an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a transfer roller in confronting relation to the photosensitive roller for transferring the toner image to a sheet passing between the drum and the transfer roller. The printer also includes a fixing portion at which the toner image on the sheet is fixed. A control unit is connected to the transfer roller for controlling a transfer bias to be applied thereto. A panel switch is provided to select one of a printing mode and a lamination mode. If lamination mode is selected, the fixing portion heat-seals a pair of lamination sheet members. In the lamination mode, no bias voltage is applied to the transfer roller when the lamination sheet members are passing between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller for preventing residual toner on the drum and the roller from being transferred onto the lamination sheet members.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an ADF for automatically feeding a plurality of originals, a mechanism for selecting a continuous mode, in the continuous mode the plurality of originals separately fed by the ADF a plurality of number of times are processed as a series of originals, a mechanism for reading the images of the plurality of originals, a memory for storing as a series of images, the images read from the originals fed while the continuous mode is selected, and a printer for forming the series of images stored in the memory in a predetermined order.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a copying apparatus capable of executing copy operations with excellent efficiency, when executing multi-sort copying even when there is a large number of document pages or a large number of copy bundles, by executing controls to calculate the number of sorting bins required to accommodate ejected recording sheets per document bundle based on the number of document pages and the sheet accommodation capacity per each bin of a sorter, and calculate the number of copies possible in a single multi-sort copy operation from the total number of bins of the sorter and the number of bins required to accommodate the ejected recording sheets per document bundle, and divide the number of copies in a plurality of multi-sort copy operations when the number of set copy bundles exceeds the number of copies possible in a single multi-sort copy operation.

Abstract: A print media sheet tray control system for use with a printing system having a controller is provided. The control system includes a print media sheet tray which is configurable, through use of the controller, in a selected one of a first operational mode and a second operational mode. The configurable print media sheet tray is characterized by a print media attribute set having a selected state which can be either a first state or a second state. If the configurable print media sheet tray is configured in the first operational mode, then the controller prohibits printing system operation if the selected state has been altered from the first state to the second state. On the other hand, if the configurable print media sheet tray is configured in the second operational mode, then operation of the printing system is permitted provided the alteration was achieved pursuant to a preselected alteration process.

Abstract: As a service man resisters in a maintenance mode a both side copy mode as a standard copy mode, a one side copy key and a "one side.fwdarw.both sides" key are displayed on an operation/display unit. If an optional mode to be registered as the standard copy mode by a user does not contain the both side copy mode, a change in the standard copy mode is inhibited.

Abstract: A determination unit is used for a functional apparatus, for determining whether or not an external object will use the functional apparatus. The determining unit comprises a detecting unit, a determining sub-unit, a service providing unit. The detecting unit detects movement of an external object. The determining sub-unit determines, based on the result of the detection by the detection unit, whether or not the external object will use the functional apparatus. The service providing unit provides a service which is appropriate based on the determination performed by the determining sub-unit.

Abstract: In a digital copying machine having facsimile functions, in which image data can be stored for polling transmission, use of a confirmation print mode for normal copying is inhibited by modifying the appearance of copies that are produced in the confirmation print mode. This modification can be made by altering the size of the printed image, or combining additional image data with the stored image data to produce an altered version of the document.

Abstract: A system for repeatedly processing, in a production run, a set of original images to form at least two disparate sets of copies of the originals in accordance with a job specification, the job specification including at least two disparate copy set specifications corresponding to the two disparate copy sets to be formed. The system produces the required disparate copy sets, each in accordance with its own copy set specification, independently of an operator's intervention.

Abstract: An image-data processing apparatus includes an image-reading unit which converts an original image on an image-reading area to corresponding image data. The image-data processing apparatus also includes an automatic-document feeder. The automatic-document feeder has a receiving member, which receives originals having the original image, and a mechanism which transports the originals from the receiving member to the image-reading area one by one. The image-data processing apparatus includes an image-forming unit which forms an image on an image bearing member on the basis of the image data in a first mode, an interface device adapted to transmit the image data to an external unit in a second mode, and a control unit for setting the first mode when the automatic-document feeder transports the originals from the back of the originals, and setting the second mode when the automatic-document feeder transports the originals from the front of the originals.

Abstract: A copier apparatus and method includes a scanning station for electronically scanning a set of document sheets to be copied as a copy job. The scanning station includes a platen or glass for supporting a document sheet scanned in a first mode wherein the document sheet is manually positioned on the platen by an operator and the scanning station operates in a second mode wherein document sheets are automatically fed to the station by a feeder. An operator control panel includes a display for indicating options for selection by an operator. These options include selection for scanning of a document sheet from the set in the first mode or the second mode. Another option available allows the operator to identify that all document sheets of the set are scanned for this copy job. A controller is responsive to signals generated pursuant to selections for actuating the scanning station to scan document sheets from the set in the first and second modes.

Abstract: In a reproduction system providing an ordered output from a printer to a sheet output stacker of printed transparency sheets interleaved with corresponding paper sheets, with a choice of different output stacker units to be operatively connected to the printer, wherein at least one stacker provides face down stacking, and at least one other provides face up stacking; an automatic electronic printing order control system is automatically electronically activated by the connection of a stacker unit to the printer to change the ordered output of printed transparency sheets and paper sheets so that the transparency sheets will be ahead of their corresponding paper copy sheets regardless of which stacker is connected to the printer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which allows information to be input regarding the current copying job or a new copying job while a current copying job is being executed. Information which can be input relating to the present job includes the change of operating parameters and the setting of a conditional stop condition which will stop the current copying operation upon its occurrence. Information can also be input which relates to the end of the current job being performed. For example, as the job is being performed, the operator can request that a sound be generated when the current job ends. Additionally, parameters relating to the next job to be performed can be altered or added.

Abstract: A recording apparatus wherein an original image is recorded in a matrix of dots by applications of a toner tolocal spots on a recording medium, and which includes a non-toner-save controller for recording the original image in a non-toner-save mode, a toner-save controller for recording a toner-save image in a toner-save mode such that the toner-save image generated on the basis of the original immage has a lower density of image dots than the original image, and a mode selector for activating one of the non-toner-save controller and the toner-save controller to select the corresponding non-toner-save or toner-save recording mode, on the basis of the type of the original image data.

Abstract: A facsimile system wherein an original image is recorded in a matrix of dots by application of a toner to local spots on a recording medium, and which includes a non-toner-save controller for recording the original image in a non-toner-save mode, a toner-save controller for recording a toner-save image in a toner-save mode such that the toner-save image generated on the basis of the original image has a lower density of image dots than the original image, and a mode selector for activating one of the non-toner-save controller and the toner-save controller to select the corresponding non-toner-save or toner-save recording mode, on the basis of a degree of importance of the subject matter or content of the original image data.