Patent ID: 6333796
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A printing control apparatus comprising:a printing unit for performing printing onto a printing paper;a reading unit for reading information of an original document;a printing paper conveyance mechanism for conveying the printing paper;an original document conveyance mechanism for conveying the original document;a motor for producing a rotating force when energized by an excitation current;a switching mechanism for switching modes of transmission of the rotating force of the motor, the switching mechanism being for transmitting the rotating force to only the original document conveyance mechanism in a reading mode, to only the printing paper conveyance mechanism in a printing mode, and to both of the printing paper conveyance mechanism and the original document conveyance mechanism simultaneously in a copying mode; anda control unit for, by driving the switching mechanism, selecting one from a plurality of processes that include a printing process for executing the printing mode to thereby convey the printing paper by the printing paper conveyance mechanism and thereby pass the printing paper through the printing unit to thereby perform printing onto the printing paper in the printing unit, a reading process for executing the reading mode to thereby convey the original document by the original document conveyance mechanism and thereby pass the original document through the reading unit to thereby perform reading the original document in the reading unit, and a copying process for executing the copying mode to thereby convey the original document by the original document conveyance mechanism and thereby pass the original document through the reading unit to thereby perform reading of the original document in the reading unit and simultaneously convey the printing paper by the printing paper conveyance mechanism and thereby pass the printing paper through the printing unit to thereby perform printing onto the printing paper in the printing unit,wherein the control unit continues a supply of the excitation current to the motor only when mode is switched to the copying mode from another mode other than the copying mode and discontinues the supply of the excitation current to the motor when mode is switched to the another mode other than the copying mode.