JP2002011912A - Apparatus and method for outputting image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and a method in which a bookbinding output approximate to desired output results of a user can be provided without troubling the user when bookbindable output can not be executed as laid out. SOLUTION: The image output apparatus comprises an image I/O control section 3 for inputting data from an external unit, a formatter section 8 for converting inputted data into an image data, a hard disc 13 for storing the converted image data, a core section 10 for laying out the stored image data for bookbinding, a printer section 10 for printing the image data laid out for bookbinding onto a recording sheet, and a finisher 220 outputting the recorded print sheet for bookbinding. The core section 10 makes a decision whether a total number of pages of the image data exceeds the number of bookbindable pages preset in the core section 10. The core section 10 performs ordinary bookbinding layout processing if the total number of pages of the image data does not exceed the number of bookbindable pages, otherwise lays out the number of pages of the image data equal to a value determined by dividing the total number of pages of the image data by the number of bookbindable pages on one page of recording sheet while reducing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and an image output method having a printing function for printing image data on recording paper and a bookbinding output function for binding and outputting the printed recording paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, input means for inputting data from an external device, conversion means for converting the input data into image data, storage means for storing the converted image data, and storage means for storing the converted image data. Layout means for laying out the image data laid out for bookbinding, printing means for printing the image data laid out for bookbinding on recording paper, and stapling a central portion of the printed recording paper, thereby removing the recording paper. 2. Description of the Related Art An image output apparatus including bookbinding output means for folding a book in half and outputting the book is known.

[0003] In such an image output device, when a bookbinding output is performed as laid out by a layout means,
If bookbinding cannot be performed because the image data exceeds the number of stapleable recording papers, the printing means prints the image data laid out for bookbinding on both sides of the recording paper, and the binding output means halves the staples and recording paper. The printed recording paper was output without executing folding. Or
The printing means prints the image data laid out for bookbinding on recording paper on one side, and the bookbinding output means outputs the recording paper printed on one side without performing stapling or folding the recording paper in half.

[0004]

However, in the former method, since there is no means for binding the recording paper in the image output device, it is necessary for the user to staple the output recording paper. I was bothering.

In the latter method, since the recording paper is output by single-sided printing, only an output result far from a user's desired output result can be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and when a bookbinding output cannot be executed as laid out, a bookbinding close to a user's desired output result is performed without bothering the user. It is an object to provide an image output device and an image output method capable of outputting.

[0007]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus, comprising: input means for inputting data from an external device; and conversion means for converting the input data into image data. Storage means for storing the converted image data, layout means for laying out the stored image data for bookbinding, printing means for printing the image data laid out for bookbinding on recording paper, A binding output unit for binding and printing the printed recording paper, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the total number of pages of the image data exceeds a preset number of bindable pages. When the determination unit determines that the total number of pages of the image data exceeds the number of pages that can be bound, the layout unit determines the total number of pages of the image data by the number of pages that can be bound. Wherein the number of pages of the image data equal to a value reduced layout one page of the recording paper.

Preferably, the image output device according to claim 2 is
2. The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the image data reduced and laid out by the layout unit on a recording sheet, and the bookbinding output unit binds and outputs the printed recording sheet. It is characterized by doing.

More preferably, the image output device according to the third aspect is the image output device according to the second aspect, wherein the layout unit is configured to determine whether the total number of pages of the image data is not a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound. The number of pages of image data equal to a value larger by one than the divided value is reduced and laid out on one page of recording paper.

To achieve the above object, an image output method according to a fourth aspect includes an input step of inputting external data,
A conversion step of converting the input data into image data, a storage step of storing the converted image data, a layout step of laying out the stored image data for bookbinding, and a layout step of laying out for the bookbinding. A printing step of printing the printed image data on recording paper and a bookbinding output step of binding and printing the printed recording paper, wherein the total number of pages of the image data is set in advance. A discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the number of pages exceeds the number of pages. If the discriminating step determines that the total number of pages of the image data exceeds the number of pages that can be bound, the layout step includes a step of The number of pages of image data equal to the value obtained by dividing the total number of pages by the number of pages that can be bound is reduced and laid out on one page of recording paper.

Preferably, the image output method according to claim 5 is:
5. The image output method according to claim 4, wherein the printing step prints the image data reduced and laid out by the layout step on a recording sheet, and the bookbinding output step binds and outputs the printed recording sheet. It is characterized by doing.

More preferably, the image output method according to claim 6 is the image output method according to claim 5, wherein the laying out step is performed when a total number of pages of the image data is not a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound. The number of pages of image data equal to a value larger by one than the divided value is reduced and laid out on one page of recording paper.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and mainly includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5,
A computer interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like are provided.

The reader section 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the image to the printer section 2 and the image input / output control section 3. The printer unit 2 prints an image corresponding to image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on recording paper.

The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line and outputs the decompressed image data to the core unit 10 or compresses the image data input from the core unit 10 Then, the compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4 and temporarily stores the received compressed image data.

A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 is a core unit 1.
The image data inputted from 0 is compressed, and the compressed image data and a keyword for searching this image data are stored in the magneto-optical disk set in the magneto-optical disk drive unit 6. The file unit 5 searches compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword input via the core unit 10, reads out the searched compressed image data, decompresses the data, and decompresses the decompressed data. The output image data is output to the core unit 10.

The computer interface unit 7 interfaces between a personal computer or workstation (hereinafter referred to as “PC / WS”) 11 and the core unit 10.

The formatter unit 8 converts the code data representing the image input from the PC / WS 11 via the computer interface unit 7 and the core unit 10 into bitmap image data (hereinafter simply referred to as “image data”) that can be printed by the printer unit 2. A hard disk 13 is connected to the formatter unit 8, and the formatter unit 8 is connected to the computer 10 via the computer interface unit 7 and the core unit 10.
Code data or image data representing an image input from the C / WS 11 is temporarily stored. Similarly, the image memory unit 9 also temporarily stores code data representing an image input from the PC / WS 11 via the computer interface unit 7 and the core unit 10.

Although a detailed description of the configuration of the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 is provided between the reader unit 1, facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9. Controls the flow of all data.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. Document feeder 101 of reader unit 1
Is the platen glass 102 one by one from the last page
After the document is read, the document on the platen glass 102 is discharged. Original is platen glass 1
When the document is conveyed onto the document 02, the lamp 103 is turned on and the scanner unit 104 moves and scans the document while exposing it.
The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 105 and 10.
The light is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 109 by the lens 6 and 107 and the lens 108. In this manner, the scanned image of the document is read by the CCD 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is output to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

The laser driver 227 of the printer unit 2 controls the driving of the laser light emitting unit 201, and emits laser light from the laser light emitting unit 201 according to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. The developing device 203 makes the developer adhere to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202. Then, the recording paper is fed from one of the cassette 204 and the cassette 205 at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, and is transferred by the transfer roller pair 228 to the transfer unit 206.
Transported to In the transfer unit 206, the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to a recording sheet. The recording paper onto which the developer has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the fixing unit 207
Due to the heat and pressure of the developer, the developer is fixed on the recording paper. Fixing unit 2
The recording paper that has passed through 07 is discharged by the discharge roller 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper. The sorter 220
Stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin 226 when the sorting is not set. The sorter 220 includes a stapler 22 for stapling recording papers in addition to the output tray.
1 and puncher 2 for punching holes in recording paper being transported
22. The stapler 221 is provided with two staples, and one stop or two stops can be used properly. Further, the stapler 221 includes a saddle stitch 223 having a bookbinding function. This saddle stitch 223 staples two places in the center of the recording paper,
Further, the recording paper is folded in half and output.

The output tray 224 shifts up and down, and the output tray 225 is an output tray dedicated to the saddle stitch 223. When double-sided recording is set, after the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording paper is fed to the re-feed conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209. Be guided.

When multiplex recording is set, the flapper 2 prevents the recording paper from being conveyed to the discharge roller 208.
09 is guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210. The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 is supplied to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the reader unit 1. As shown in FIG. The A / D / SH unit 110 includes a CCD 109
Performs an analog / digital conversion process and a shading correction process on the image data input from. A /
The image data processed by the D / SH unit 110 is output to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111 and to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface unit 113.

The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface unit 113 in accordance with the contents set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode in which copying is performed after the trimming process is set by the operation unit 115, the CPU 114 causes the image processing unit 111 to perform a trimming process on the image data, and outputs the image data to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set by the operation unit 115, the CPU 114 causes the interface unit 113 to output image data and a control command corresponding to the set facsimile transmission mode to the core unit 10. A control program for performing such processing is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 1
14 performs control while referring to the control program.
The memory 116 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the core unit 10. As shown in FIG. The image data from the reader unit 1 is input to the data processing unit 121, and the control command from the reader unit 1 is input to the CPU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as rotation processing and scaling processing of the image data, and the image data input from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is changed according to a control command input from the reader unit 1. The data is output to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, or the computer interface unit 7 via the interface unit 120.

The computer interface unit 7
Is input to the data processing unit 121, and then output to the formatter unit 8 and expanded into image data. The expanded image data is input to the data processing unit 121. After that, it is output to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2. The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is input to the data processing unit 121 and then output to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, or the computer interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is input to the data processing unit 121 and then output to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, or computer interface unit 7. The CPU 123 controls input and output of the image data according to a control program stored in the memory 124 and a control command input from the reader unit 1. Further, the memory 124 is a CPU 1
It is also used as a work area for 23. As described above, in the image output device according to the present embodiment, the reading of the original image, the printing of the image data, the transmission and reception of the image data, the storage of the image data, and the image exchange with the PC / WS 11 are performed around the core unit 10. It is possible to perform processing combining functions such as input / output of code data to be represented.

When code data representing an image from the PC / WS 11 is input via the computer interface unit 7 and the core unit 10 to the formatter unit 8, the formatter unit 8 notifies the core unit 10 of the start of a job. Then, the formatter unit 8
After receiving the notification of the start of the job from the core unit 10, expands the code data representing the image into image data recordable by the printer unit 2 and stores the expanded image data on the hard disk 13. This image data is stored on the hard disk 1
3 is output to the core unit 10 together with the output operation setting data via the formatter unit 8, and only the image data is output to the printer unit 2 or the facsimile unit 4.

Here, the formatter unit 8 is connected to the PC / W via the computer interface unit 7 and the core unit 10.
When receiving the output operation setting data including the instruction command of the bookbinding printing process described later together with the code data representing the image from S11, the formatter unit 8 converts the code data representing the image into image data printable by the printer unit 2. The image data is expanded and the expanded image data is stored in the hard disk 13. The formatter unit 8 performs this processing in one JO
The processing is executed for all the pages of B, and after storing the image data of all the pages in the hard disk 13, the layout of the image data is set by bookbinding layout processing described later.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the image data of all pages is A4 size image data of 8 pages,
The first page and the eighth page are pasted on one A3 page, and similarly, the second page and the seventh page, the third page and the sixth page, the fourth page and the fifth page, and the A4 size is eight pages. Is converted into image data of four pages in A3 size (hereinafter referred to as “bookbinding layout processing”). When printing the four-page image data in the converted A3 size, the image data in which the first page and the eighth page are pasted on the surface of one A3-size recording paper is printed, and the recording is performed. The image data in which the second and seventh pages are attached to the back surface of the paper is printed. Similarly, the other one
Image data in which the third and sixth pages are pasted on the front surface of a sheet of A3-size recording paper, and image data in which the fourth and fifth pages are pasted on the back surface of the recording paper Print. In this way, the two sheets of A3-size recording paper that have been printed on both sides are printed on the saddle stitch 22
3, the recording paper is stapled at two places in the center, and the stapled recording paper is folded in half and output to an output tray 225 dedicated to the saddle stitch 223.
As a result, continuous bookbinding output of double-page spreads such as the first page, the second page,.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the processing from data reception to bookbinding output.

First, the formatter unit 8 is connected to the PC / WS via the computer interface unit 7 and the core unit 10.
11, output operation setting data including an instruction command for bookbinding printing processing together with code data representing an image, and developing the code data representing the image into image data printable by the printer unit 2 (step S61). The stored image data is stored in the hard disk 13 (step S6).
2).

Next, the core unit 10 determines whether or not the processing for expanding all pages of one JOB as image data has been completed (step S63). On the other hand, when the process is completed, it is determined whether or not the total number of pages of the expanded image data exceeds the number of pages that can be bound (step S64).

If the result of this determination is that the total number of pages does not exceed the number of bookable pages preset in the core unit 10, bookbinding layout processing as shown in FIG. 5 is performed (step S).
65) Then, bookbinding printing processing is performed (step S6).
6), end this processing. Steps S65 and S6 in FIG.
FIG. 5 shows an example in which bookbinding layout processing and bookbinding printing processing are performed in accordance with No. 6.

FIG. 5 shows the output operation setting data received by the formatter unit 8 that includes an instruction command for bookbinding print processing of image data of eight pages in A4 size, and the saddle stitch 223 of the finisher 220 is used for double-sided printing. Shows a case where bookbinding output of two sheets of A3 size recording paper (8 pages of A4 size) is executed. At this time, since the total number of pages of the image data is the same as the number of pages that can be processed (8 pages in A4 size), bookbinding layout processing from the first page to the eighth page is performed according to steps S65 and S66 in FIG. Perform bookbinding printing processing.

Returning to FIG. 6, if the result of determination in step S64 is that the total number of pages of the expanded image data exceeds the number of pages that can be bound, the total number of pages is divided by the preset number of pages that can be bound. An N value (N is a natural number) is obtained (step S67), and it is determined whether or not the total number of pages is a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound (step S68).

If the result of determination in step S68 is that the total number of pages is a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound, bookbinding layout processing is performed using Nin1 (N reduced images are arranged on one recording sheet) ( Step S70), Step S66 above
Proceed to. On the other hand, if the total number of pages is not a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound, the N value is incremented by 1 (step S69).
Go to step S70. Steps S66 to S in FIG.
FIG. 7 shows an example in which bookbinding layout processing and bookbinding printing processing are performed according to 70.

FIG. 7 shows the output operation setting data received by the formatter unit 8 which is a data including an instruction command for bookbinding print processing of image data of 16 pages in A4 size, and
A case where the saddle stitch 223 of the finisher 220 performs bookbinding output of two A3 size (8 pages in A4 size) recording paper by duplex printing is shown. At this time, the total number of pages of image data is 16 pages, which is larger than the number of pages that can be bound, ie, 8 pages. It is necessary to lay out image data for two pages of A4 size on one page of size. Therefore, the image data of the first page and the second page are combined to form one page of A4 size image data, and the image data of the third page and the fourth page are combined to form one page of the A4 size image data. Then, the bookbinding layout processing is sequentially performed in 2in1. Then, according to step S66 in FIG.
Perform bookbinding printing processing.

In FIG. 7, since the total number of pages of the image data is a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound (the total number of pages is 2 times the number of pages that can be bound).
No), the process of step S69 in FIG. 6 is not executed.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, if the total number of pages of image data is not less than the number of pages that can be bound, bookbinding layout processing is performed at Nin1. Can not be executed, it is possible to execute an alternative output close to the desired output result of the user without bothering the user.

[0043]

As described above in detail, according to the image output device of the first aspect and the image output method of the fourth aspect, it is determined that the total number of pages of the image data exceeds the number of pages that can be bound. In this method, the number of pages of image data equal to the value obtained by dividing the total number of pages of image data by the number of pages that can be bound is reduced and laid out on one page of recording paper. The present invention has the effect of enabling bookbinding output close to the user's desired output result without bothering the user.

According to the image output apparatus of the second aspect and the image output method of the fifth aspect, the reduced layout image data is printed on a recording sheet, and the printed recording sheet is bound and output. Therefore, bookbinding output that is actually close to the output result desired by the user can be performed.

According to the image output device of the third aspect and the image output method of the sixth aspect, when the total number of pages of the image data is not a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound, it is equal to a value larger by one than the divided value. Since the number of pages of the image data is reduced and laid out on one page of the recording paper, bookbinding and output can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a reader unit 1 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a core unit 10 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating bookbinding layout processing and bookbinding printing processes.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of processing from data reception to bookbinding output.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating bookbinding layout processing and bookbinding printing processes.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output control part 4 Facsimile part 5 File part 6 Magneto-optical disk drive unit 7 Computer interface part 8 Formatter part 9 Image memory part 10 Core part 11 PC / WS 13 Hard disk

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04N 1/393 H04N 1/393 F-term (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AR03 CK04 HH01 HH03 HJ06 HK11 HK15 HN02 HN15 2C087 AB05 BC05 BC14 BD06 CA02 CB03 CB12 CB13 DA16 5B057 AA11 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CD10 CE08 5C076 AA17 AA22 BA02 CB02

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An input unit for inputting data from an external device, a conversion unit for converting the input data into image data, a storage unit for storing the converted image data, and the stored image An image including layout means for laying out data for bookbinding, printing means for printing image data laid out for bookbinding on recording paper, and bookbinding output means for binding and printing the printed recording paper The output device, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether a total number of pages of the image data exceeds a preset number of pages that can be bound, wherein the total number of pages of the image data is the number of pages that can be bound by the determination unit. If it is determined that the number of pages exceeds the number of pages, the layout means reduces the number of pages of image data equal to a value obtained by dividing the total number of pages of the image data by the number of pages that can be bound to one page of recording paper. An image output apparatus characterized by. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the image data reduced in layout by the layout unit on a recording sheet, and the bookbinding output unit binds and outputs the printed recording sheet. The image output device according to claim 1. 3. The layout means according to claim 1, wherein, when the total number of pages of the image data is not a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound, the number of pages of the image data equal to one greater than the divided value. 3. The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the layout is reduced to one page. 4. An input step of inputting external data, a conversion step of converting the input data into image data, and a storage step of storing the converted image data.
A layout step of laying out the stored image data for bookbinding, a printing step of printing the image data laid out for bookbinding on recording paper, and a bookbinding output step of binding and printing the printed recording paper A determination step of determining whether the total number of pages of the image data exceeds a preset number of bookable pages, wherein the total number of pages of the image data is If it is determined that the number of pages exceeds the number of pages that can be bound, the layout step reduces the number of pages of image data equal to a value obtained by dividing the total number of pages of the image data by the number of pages that can be bound to one page of recording paper. An image output method characterized by laying out. 5. The printing step prints image data reduced in layout by the layout step on recording paper, and the bookbinding output step binds and outputs the printed recording paper. The image output method according to claim 4. 6. The layout step according to claim 1, wherein, when the total number of pages of the image data is not a multiple of the number of pages that can be bound, the number of pages of the image data equal to a value larger by one than the divided value. 6. The image output method according to claim 5, wherein the layout is reduced on one page.