Printing apparatus and printing method

Abstract

The printing apparatus of the present invention comprises a scanner unit for reading an image in an original; an instruction unit for receiving an instruction from a user and instructing operation of reading the image with the scanner unit; and a printer unit for printing the image that has been read on a medium. In the printing apparatus of the present invention, each reading operation with the scanner unit is started by receiving an instruction from the user with the instruction unit when the reading operation is to be performed with the scanner unit for a plurality of number of times and a plurality of the images that have been read are to be printed in their respective predetermined positions on the medium. The printing apparatus makes it possible to perform. N-up printing of a new procedure that is different from conventional N-up printing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A printing apparatus comprising: 
 a scanner unit for reading an image in an original;    an instruction unit for receiving an instruction from a user and instructing operation of reading said image with said scanner unit; and    a printer unit for printing said image that has been read on a medium,    wherein each reading operation with said scanner unit is started by receiving an instruction from the user with said instruction unit when the reading operation is to be performed with said scanner unit for a plurality of number of times and a plurality of the images that have been read are to be printed in their respective predetermined positions on said medium.    
     
     
         2 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 said printing apparatus does not comprise an automatic paper supply device.  
 
     
     
         3 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 before said scanner unit finishes the plurality of number of times of the reading operations, said printer unit starts printing, on said medium, the image that has already been read.  
 
     
     
         4 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein: 
 said printer unit: 
 carries said medium intermittently and performs printing on said medium between the intermittent carries;  
 brings the intermittent carrying into a standby state before printing of said image that has already been read is finished;  
 restarts said intermittent carrying after the next reading operation is started; and  
 carries said medium maintaining a carry amount of said medium constant before and after said standby state.  
 
 
     
     
         5 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 said printer unit has a plurality of nozzles that move; and  
 when said plurality of nozzles move after said next reading operation is started, 
 a portion of said image that has been read before said standby state and a portion of said image that has been read after said standby state are printed on said medium by said plurality of nozzles.  
 
 
     
     
         6 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein: 
 when there is an instruction to stop printing during said standby state, said printer unit: 
 finishes printing said image that has already been read; and  
 discharges said medium.  
 
 
     
     
         7 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein: 
 said printer unit carries said medium intermittently and performs printing on said medium between the intermittent carries;  
 said printer unit performs printing until printing of said image that has already been read is finished; and  
 if the next reading operation has not started when printing of said image that has already been read is finished, said printer unit brings the intermittent carrying into a standby state until said next reading operation is started.  
 
     
     
         8 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein: 
 said printing apparatus allows the number of said images that are to be printed on said medium to be changed; and  
 a number of said images that are read before printing is started differs according to said number of said images that are to be printed on said medium.  
 
     
     
         9 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein: 
 said printer unit has nozzles that move in a moving direction; and  
 if a plurality of said images are to be positioned in said medium along said moving direction, said printer unit starts printing after said scanner unit performs said reading operation for all of said images that are arranged along said moving direction.  
 
     
     
         10 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein: 
 while said scanner unit is performing said reading operation, said printer unit starts printing the image in the original that is being read by that reading operation.  
 
     
     
         11 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 said printer unit is capable of printing, on said medium, said images according to different print modes; and  
 when said plurality of images that have been read are to be printed in their respective predetermined positions on said medium, said printer unit is capable of printing, on said medium, each of said images according to a different print mode.  
 
     
     
         12 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein: 
 said printer unit is capable of printing, on said medium, said images according to a monochrome print mode and a color print mode.  
 
     
     
         13 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein: 
 said different print modes are quality modes that differ in print resolution.  
 
     
     
         14 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 11  wherein: 
 said instruction unit has members for selecting the print modes, each said member being provided for each said print mode; and  
 said instruction unit receives said instruction from the user through said members.  
 
     
     
         15 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 said printer unit is capable of printing, on said medium, said images according to different print modes; and  
 when said plurality of images that have been read are to be printed in their respective predetermined positions on said medium, said printer unit prints, on said medium, each of said images according to the same print mode.  
 
     
     
         16 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein: 
 said instruction unit selects the print mode for printing said images on said medium when it receives an instruction from the user  
 
     
     
         17 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein: 
 when said plurality of images that have been read are to be printed in their respective predetermined positions on said medium, other images are printed on said medium according to the print mode that has been initially selected.  
 
     
     
         18 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 17  further comprising a notification device that provides notification of an error, 
 wherein said notification device provides notification of an error if a print mode that is different from the initially selected print mode is selected when the reading operation is performed for a second time and thereafter.  
 
     
     
         19 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 17  further comprising a display device, 
 wherein said display device displays information about the initially selected print mode when the reading operation is performed for a second time and thereafter.  
 
     
     
         20 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein: 
 the same print mode as the initially selected print mode is selected regardless of the print mode selected when the reading operation is performed for a second time and thereafter.  
 
     
     
         21 . A printing apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein: 
 said instruction unit has members for selecting the print modes, each said member being provided for each said print mode; and  
 said instruction unit receives said instruction from the user through said members.  
 
     
     
         22 . A printing method comprising: 
 instructing a reading operation when an instruction is received from a user;    reading an image in an original according to the instruction to perform said reading operation; and    printing said image that has been read on a medium,    wherein each reading operation is started by receiving an instruction from the user when said reading operation is to be performed for a plurality of number of times and a plurality of the images that have been read are to be printed in their respective predetermined positions on said medium.    
     
     
         23 . A printing apparatus comprising: 
 a scanner unit for reading an image in an original; and    a printer unit for printing said image that has been read on a medium,    wherein when the reading operation is to be performed with said scanner unit for a plurality of number of times and a plurality of the images that have been read are to be printed in their respective predetermined positions on said medium,    said printer unit starts printing, on said medium, the image that has already been read before said scanner unit finishes the plurality of number of times of the reading operations.