JP5148312B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus capable of setting a function for each original bundle among a plurality of original bundles.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF) that sequentially feeds a plurality of documents have appeared, and convenience for users has been improved. The user simply places a plurality of documents on the automatic document feeder, and the automatic document feeder sequentially feeds the documents, and the image reading unit sequentially reads the image data of the documents. There is no need to place originals one by one, and it has become possible to quickly perform operations relating to image formation.

  Normally, the document size, content, and type often differ for each document bundle consisting of a predetermined number of documents. Therefore, when the automatic document feeder reads multiple documents, it is not possible to detect the separation between the document bundles. It is extremely important. As a method of detecting the separation, for example, the order of documents to be separated is input to the automatic document feeder, or a separation sheet indicating a separation is inserted between document bundles, and the separation sheet is input to the automatic document feeder. A method of detecting was adopted.

  However, in the above method, the user needs to perform a predetermined work in advance, and this work takes time and effort, so that the work cannot be performed quickly even though the automatic document feeder is used. There was a problem. Further, in the above work, there is a possibility that an input error of the user or a misidentification of the separator sheet by the image forming apparatus may occur, and a secondary problem may occur.

In order to solve the above problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-192109 (Patent Document 1) discloses a scanner that reads a document on which characters and figures are written and converts them into image data, and a plurality of documents for this scanner. An automatic document feeder for sequentially feeding, a storage device for storing the read image data in a storage medium, a search means for searching the stored image data according to a desired search condition, and the searched image data are displayed. In an electronic file device comprising a display device and a printing device for printing the image data, a document direction detecting means for detecting the orientation of each document from image data of each of the plurality of documents sequentially read by the scanner, and the document Delimiter recognition means for detecting a document whose direction of the document detected by the direction detection stage is different from that of the immediately preceding document and recognizing a document delimiter; Document registration control means is provided for registering image data of each original document in the same direction thereafter in the storage device as a separate document from the image data of the original document for each document break recognized by the cut recognition means. An electronic file device is disclosed. According to the above configuration, it is possible to automatically identify a plurality of document separators and register them collectively by document without using a special separator sheet.
JP 7-192109 A

  However, although the technique described in Patent Document 1 can collectively register (store) image data for each original bundle, there is a problem in that it is not possible to perform function setting for the original bundle image data. is there. Therefore, for example, when the image data of the original bundle to be read first is subjected to facsimile transmission to a predetermined transmission destination, and the image data of the original bundle to be read next is to be copied, two images are once processed. After completing the reading of the original bundle, set the function to be provided separately from the reading operation, or execute the reading and facsimile transmission function for the first original bundle and then move to the next original bundle. On the other hand, there is a problem that it is necessary to perform image reading and copy function provision, that is, it is necessary to perform work separately for each bundle of originals, which is troublesome.

  Furthermore, when a plurality of document bundles are read, there is a user's desire to execute one function provision by combining image data of the document bundles once read. For example, when there are three types of document bundles, copying is performed for the first document bundle and the third document bundle, and facsimile transmission is performed for the second document bundle and the third document bundle. In the above technique, the image forming apparatus reads the third original bundle in duplicate even when setting the copy and setting the facsimile transmission, although the image data of the third original bundle is used redundantly. There is a problem in that it is necessary to perform function provision settings for individual document bundles after registering image data of all document bundles once. For this reason, extra work occurs, and there is a problem in that business execution does not proceed smoothly even though the automatic document feeder is used.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of setting function provision for each original bundle among a plurality of original bundles. To do.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an automatic document feeding unit that sequentially feeds a plurality of documents and is capable of providing a plurality of functions . , from the user, the order information indicating an order in which document stack indicating a predetermined number of the document is read, the function item receiving means for receiving a selection of one or more functional items, among the plurality of originals to be the feeding A document bundle discriminating means for discriminating a predetermined number of documents having the same document characteristics continuously as one document bundle, and information for adding the order information of the document bundle for each image data of the discriminated document bundle An addition means, an image data storage means for storing image data of the original bundle to which the order information is added, and the stored image data of the original bundle are accepted for the order information of the image data of the original bundle. Machine Function providing means for executing one or more provisions corresponding to function items . For example, even if the original bundle is a single original, the original bundle is determined if the original bundle discriminating unit determines that the original bundle is an original bundle.

  Examples of functions that can be provided include a copy function, a facsimile transmission function, a print function, a scan function, a network scan function, a memory function, and a post-processing function. The network scan function is a function for transmitting image data that can be processed by a PC or the like to a PC or the like connected on the network. The memory function is a function for storing the read image data with a predetermined amount of data, and the post-processing function is a function for performing punching, stapling, bookbinding processing, etc. on a printed sheet. That is.

  As a method for accepting selection of a function item, for example, a touch panel or a keyboard provided in the image forming apparatus can be employed. Of course, selection of a predetermined function item may be received from a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus.

  Document characteristics can include at least one of document orientation, thickness, color, size, paper quality, surface roughness, smoothness, gloss, electrical resistance, moisture content, and print rate. For example, document characteristics When the orientation of the document is specified as, a document orientation detection sensor that detects the orientation is adopted to determine the document bundle. The same applies to other document characteristics.

And a combination storage means for storing the number of document bundles in association with a combination item indicating a combination of order information of the order of document bundles determined by the number of document bundles.
When the function item accepting unit accepts an input of the number of document bundles from the user, the function item accepting unit accepts selection of a combination item corresponding to the received number of document bundles based on the combination storage unit from the user. The received combination item can be configured to receive selection of one or a plurality of function items .

  As the order information, for example, any information may be adopted as long as it is information indicating the order of numbers, characters, figures, symbols, and the like.

  Furthermore, it can be configured to include an aligning means for aligning the printed matter corresponding to the copy function for each copy function executed by the function providing means.

  As a method of aligning the printed materials, for example, a method of outputting by shifting a predetermined width with respect to a conventional printed material, a method of changing the direction of the printed material for each printed material, or the like can be adopted. .

  Further, the function item accepting unit includes a history unit that associates and stores the order information of the document bundle provided by the function providing unit and the function item received for the order information as history information. Along with the function item, it can be configured to accept selection of stored history information.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, selection of a function item indicating a function that can be provided is received for each bundle of documents, and among a plurality of fed documents, a predetermined number of documents having the same document characteristics continuously. A document is identified as one document bundle, and function provision is performed for each identified document bundle corresponding to the accepted function item.

  As a result, the user can select and set function items for a plurality of document bundles in advance, and once the selection and setting are performed, the user can continuously execute processing related to image formation. It becomes. Therefore, the troublesome work that has been conventionally performed, that is, the image reading work and the setting work for providing the function separately performed for each bundle of documents is eliminated, and the work relating to the image formation of the user is smoothly performed. Is possible.

  In addition, selection of function items is accepted for each piece of document bundle order information to be read, the order information is added to each piece of image data of the read document bundle, and when providing a function, the document bundle is based on the order information. It is possible to obtain the image data and execute the function provision.

  Thereby, for example, the user can select / set a function item for an item combining the order information of the original bundle, and even if a different function item is selected / set for one order information, Since the function is provided by using the image data of the read original bundle, the image data of the original bundle can be effectively used and unnecessary work is eliminated. As a result, the user's operations relating to image formation are smoothly performed, and convenience for the user is further improved.

  Further, for each received copy function item, a printed matter corresponding to the copy function can be arranged.

  As a result, the user can easily identify the printed matter corresponding to the selected copy function item. Therefore, for example, when it is necessary to execute the copy function for a plurality of document bundles, the output printed materials can be easily distinguished from each other, so there is no need to sort the plurality of printed materials, and distribution accompanying each printed material. Etc. can be advanced promptly.

  Further, it is configured to store the function-provided document bundle order information and the function items received for the order information in association with each other as history information, and accept selection of history information stored together with the function items. Can do.

  This makes it possible to select and set the function items corresponding to the order information of the document bundle selected once again easily and quickly. For this reason, although the function items set for each document bundle are appropriate, if a problem such as the paper used for output being inadequate occurs or you want to set function items for the same document bundle order information again In such a case, it is possible to immediately reproduce the past settings, and it is possible to flexibly cope with the image forming apparatus without impairing the convenience for the user.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus in which a folding device and a bookbinding device are connected. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a scanner alone, or a multi-function machine equipped with a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, and the like, and includes a copy service, a scanner service, a facsimile service, a printer service, and the like. It functions as an image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, for example, the operation of the multi-function device 100 when the copy service is used after continuously reading a document will be briefly described.

  For example, when the user realizes a copy service for a plurality of originals P, a predetermined number of originals for which the copy service is to be realized separately is sorted as an original bundle, and the automatic original feeder 101 provided in the multi-function peripheral 100 is used. The document is placed on the mounting table 101a while changing its direction for each bundle of documents.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the automatic document feeder 101 includes a document conveyance path 202 formed inside the platen cover 201, a pickup roller 203 provided inside the platen cover 201, and conveyance rollers 204A and 204B. Etc. This automatic document feeder 101 draws one document at a time from a plurality of documents placed on the placing table 101a to the inside of the conveyance path 202 by the pickup roller 203, and reads the document drawn by the conveyance roller 204A at the reading position X. Then, the paper is discharged and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 205 by the transport roller 204B. When the document passes through the reading position X, the document is read by the image reading unit 103.

  Further, between the pickup roller 203 and the reading position X, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B1, in the vicinity of the pickup roller 203, the document is conveyed on the surface of the document conveyance path 202 on which the document is conveyed. A predetermined number of document contact sensors 206 (hereinafter, referred to as “vertical direction relative to the document”, hereinafter referred to as “F direction”) at predetermined intervals in a direction perpendicular to the document (also referred to as “transverse direction relative to the document”). A document direction detection sensor). The predetermined interval 2 corresponds to the corner of the sheet when a standard sheet (A4, A5, etc.) placed in a predetermined direction (vertical direction, horizontal direction) is conveyed onto the original document conveyance path 202. The document contact sensors 206 are provided so as to contact each other.

  For example, when the standard paper size B5 placed in the horizontal direction is transported, as shown in FIG. 2B2, in the document contact sensor 206, at the corner of the B5 paper placed in the horizontal direction and in the F direction. On the other hand, the document contact sensor 206a located on the right side and the document contact sensor 206b located on the left side are contacted. Based on the contact signals of the two document contact sensors 206a and 206b, it is determined that the direction of the placed document is the horizontal direction. For example, when the B5 paper placed in the horizontal direction is conveyed, the original contact sensors 206c other than the two original contact sensors 206a and 206b corresponding to the horizontal B5 paper inevitably come into contact with each other. The original contact sensors 206a and 206b corresponding to the horizontal B5 paper include the original contact sensor 206c, and the original is determined to be the horizontal direction based on the contact signals from these original contact sensors 206a, 206b and 206c. . A table that associates a specific document contact sensor that emits a contact signal and a direction of a specific document corresponding to the contact signal, which serves as a reference for determination, is stored in a document direction information storage unit described later. .

  Now, after the user places a plurality of document bundles on the placement table 101a, the user inputs settings relating to a copy service corresponding to continuous document reading from the operation unit 102 provided in the vicinity of the document table 101b different from the placement table 101a. To do. The operation unit 102 displays a plurality of function items related to the functions provided by the multifunction peripheral 100 and setting items related to continuous document reading. Input of setting of the function items and the like can be input by user selection. Done.

  After completing the setting input, the user presses a start key provided on the operation unit 102 to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to start a printing process. When the printing process is started, the automatic document feeder 101 conveys documents one by one from a plurality of document bundles to the reading position X, and the light emitted from the light source 104 is conveyed in the image reading unit 103. The light is reflected at the reading position X on one original. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 108, and the image of the original P is subjected to basic correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like, and becomes image data. Note that the image data may be received by the multifunction device 100 from another device via the cable 109 connected to the communication unit of the multifunction device 100.

  Now, when the image data is generated, it is temporarily stored in a memory provided in the multifunction peripheral, and further, the image data to be image-formed is subjected to expansion processing and sent to the image forming unit 110 as a toner image. It will be transcribed. The image forming unit 110 is provided with a photosensitive drum 111. The photosensitive drum 111 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger 112, in order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. An exposure unit 113, a developing unit 114, a transfer unit 115, a cleaning unit 116, and the like are arranged.

  The charger 112 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 111. The exposure unit 113 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 111 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 114 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the conveyed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, a sheet) by the transfer device 115. The cleaning unit 116 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 111. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 111.

  The above-described sheet is conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 117 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 117 to the conveying path by the pickup roller 118. Each of the paper feed cassettes 117 stores sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on settings input by the user.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is sent between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer device 115 by the conveyance roller 119 and the registration roller 120. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 115 and conveyed to the fixing device 121. Note that the sheet conveyed to the conveyance roller 119 may be conveyed from the manual feed tray 122 provided in the multifunction peripheral.

  When the sheet on which the toner image is transferred passes between the heating roller 123 and the pressure roller 124 provided in the fixing device 121, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed on the sheet. The The amount of heat of the heating roller 123 is optimally set according to the paper type, and the above-described fixing is performed appropriately. The sheet on which the visible image is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 125 through the fixing device 121.

  A printed material conveyance path 126 is provided between the fixing device 121 and the discharge tray 125 so that the printed material output from the fixing device 121 is accurately conveyed to the discharge tray 125. As shown in FIG. 3C1, at the end of 126, a predetermined interval y is provided on the surface on which the printed material is conveyed and in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the printed material is conveyed (hereinafter referred to as P direction). A transport path shift member 127 that moves in parallel is provided. When a predetermined number of printed materials are output to the discharge tray 125, the transport path shift member 127 moves in parallel by a predetermined interval, and is aligned for each of the plurality of printed materials 301 as shown in FIG. 3C2. . The predetermined interval is a width that can be recognized by a plurality of printed materials, for example, 1 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm, and the like.

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides a copy service to the user. Also, when the multifunction peripheral 100 provides other services, the image reading unit 103 and the image forming unit 110 are driven and provided. The means for driving the pickup roller 203 provided in the automatic document feeder to convey the document is the automatic document feeder, and the reading provided in the automatic document feeder 101 by driving the image reading unit 103. The means for reading an image from the position X is an image reading means, the means for driving each driving unit provided in the multi-function peripheral 100 to provide each service is a function providing means, and the means for driving a communication part is for communicating with another device. Is a communication means (described later).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of the operation unit 102 provided in the multifunction machine 100. The user uses the operation unit 102 to input setting conditions for continuous document reading as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting conditions are input, a touch panel 401 and operation keys 402 provided in the operation unit 102 are used.

  The touch panel 401 has both a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions. That is, by pressing an item in the setting screen displayed on the touch panel 401, setting conditions associated with the item are input. In addition, since the background color of the item is changed from white to gray in conjunction with the input setting condition, the input setting condition is confirmed by the background color of the item.

  A predetermined number of operation keys 402 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 401. For example, a ten key 403, a start key 404, a clear key 405, a stop key 406, a reset key 407, and a power key 408 are provided. The numeric keypad 403 is used to input specific numbers when setting the number of copies and the magnification.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction machine. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 504, and a driver 505 corresponding to each drive unit. They are connected by a bus 506. The CPU 501 uses, for example, the RAM 503 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 502, the HDD 504, and the like, and based on the execution result, data from the driver 505 and the operation unit 102 (not shown), document direction Data and instructions from the detection sensor are exchanged, and the operation of each drive unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is controlled. Further, each means (shown in FIG. 6) described later other than the above-described driving unit is realized by the CPU 501 executing a program. The ROM 502, the HDD 504, and the like store programs and data for realizing each means described below.

  Next, a procedure for setting the function provision for each document bundle by the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the MFP 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for illustrating the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.

  First, a user places a plurality of document bundles (here, three bundles) on the placement table 101a of the automatic document feeder 101 by changing the orientation of the documents with respect to each other, and the power source of the multifunction machine 100 Is input, the initial receiving means 601 displays an initial screen (here, the copy setting screen shown in FIG. 8D) on the touch panel 501 (FIG. 6: S101).

  In addition to the normal items for setting the copy service, an “original continuous reading” button 801 is displayed on the initial screen. Therefore, when the user presses the “original document continuous reading” button 801, the function item accepting unit 602 switches from the initial screen to the document bundle number accepting screen.

  As shown in FIG. 8E, the document bundle number acceptance screen displays a message 802 for prompting input of the number of document bundles, the selected “continuous document reading” 803, and a number display 804 indicating the number of input document bundles. Then, an “increase” button 805 for increasing the number, a “decrease” button 806 for decreasing, a “go to initial screen” button 807, and an “OK” button 808 are displayed. Note that the background color of the “continuous document reading” 803 is displayed in gray.

  When the user inputs the number of document bundles “3” while pressing the “OK” button 808 while looking at the document bundle number acceptance screen, the function item accepting unit 602 causes the number of document bundles and combinations resulting from the number to be obtained. The combination item corresponding to the number “3” of document bundles is acquired by referring to the table of the combination storage unit 603 that stores the combination item indicating “(3)” (FIG. 6: S102).

  In the table of the combination storage unit 603, as shown in FIG. 9F, when the number of document bundles is “3” 901, combination items generated from the order of the three bundles, for example, “order 1 and order 2 document bundles”. ”902,“ Order 2 and Order 3 document bundle ”903,“ Order 1 and Order 3 document bundle ”904, and the like are stored in association with each other. Therefore, by selecting the combination item, the order information of the original bundle is selected. Furthermore, the function item accepting unit 602 switches and displays the document bundle number acceptance screen on the document bundle function item acceptance screen on which the acquired combination item is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 9G, on the original bundle function item reception screen, a message 905 for prompting input of the function item, the selected “original continuous reading” 906 (803), the acquired combination item 907, and the function item 908 are displayed. Then, an “add job” button 909 is displayed. At this time, all the combination items 907 are displayed so as to be selectable by the user.

  Therefore, when the user presses the “order 1 and order 3 document bundle” 904 among the displayed combination items 907, the function item receiving unit 602 displays the vicinity of the displayed function item 908 as shown in FIG. 10H. All the function items 1001 indicating the functions that can be provided are displayed (FIG. 6: S103).

  Further, when the user presses “Copy” 1002 among the displayed function items 1001, the function item accepting unit 602 displays the detailed item “automatic paper” 1003 associated with “Copy” 1002 as shown in FIG. 10I. , “Auto Density” 1004, “Auto Scale” 1005, and “Monochrome” 1006 are displayed with a gray background color, a message 1007 prompting whether to add a job or press the start key, and instructing the start of print processing “Start” button 1008 to be displayed is displayed (FIG. 6: S104). The detailed items correspond to the initial setting conditions of the copy function, and are conditions stored in advance in the multifunction peripheral. At this point, the function item accepting unit 602 accepts and sets one process, that is, “document bundle of order 1 and order 3” 904 and “copy” 1002 as job 1, and displays a “start” button 1008. Therefore, the multifunction peripheral 100 does not start the printing process before the function items are received and set for the document bundle order information.

  Further, the user presses the “add job” button 909, and as the job 2, the combination item “document bundle of order 2 and order 3” and the function item “facsimile”, as the job 3, the combination item “order 1 and order 2” When the “document bundle of order 3” and the function item “copy” are selected, all combination items and function items 1101 from job 1 to job 3 are displayed as shown in FIG. 11J. At this time, the function item accepting unit 602 accepts and sets all the setting conditions from the job 1 to the job 3.

  Therefore, when the user presses a “start” button 1008, the function item receiving unit 602 transmits a signal to the automatic document feeding unit 604 to sequentially read a plurality of documents. Then, the automatic document feeder 604 activates the document direction detection sensor 206 and starts feeding the document (FIG. 6: S105).

  When one original is fed, the original direction detection sensor 206 detects a contact signal corresponding to the original and transmits the contact signal to the original bundle discriminating means 605. The document bundle determination unit 605 determines the direction of the fed document based on the received contact signal and the table of the document direction information storage unit 606 (FIG. 6: S106). The determined result is stored in the temporary document bundle determining means 605.

  When the document whose direction is determined is conveyed to the reading position X of the automatic document feeder 101, the image reading unit 607 reads the image of the document as image data (FIG. 6: S107). The read image data is sent to the information adding means 608 and temporarily stored.

  When the next original is further fed by the automatic original feeding means 604, the original bundle discriminating means 605 discriminates the direction of the original and compares it with the previously stored original direction. (FIG. 6: S108 → S109).

  As a result of the comparison, when the document bundle discriminating means 605 determines that the direction of the next document has the same direction as the previous document, it recognizes that the next document belongs to the same document bundle as the previous document. Then, the fact is transmitted to the information adding means 608 (FIG. 6: S110 YES → S111). Then, the image data of the next document read by the image reading unit 607 is temporarily stored as image data of the same class as the image data of the previous document by the information adding unit 608 (FIG. 6: S112). ).

  Further, when the document still exists on the mounting table, the automatic document feeder 604 further conveys the document (FIG. 6: S113NO → S108).

  On the other hand, if the original bundle discriminating means 605 compares the directions of the next original and the previous original and determines that the direction of the next original is different from the direction of the previous original, the next original Recognizes that it belongs to a different bundle of documents than the previous document, and transmits that fact to the information adding means 608 (FIG. 6: S110 NO → S114). Then, the information adding means 608 adds order information “order 1” which is the order of the read original bundle to the image data of the previous original, and associates the image data with “order 1” to store the image data. It is stored in 609 (FIG. 6: S115). Further, the image data of the next original read by the image reading unit 607 is temporarily stored in the information adding unit 608 (FIG. 6: S116). When the image data of the next document having a different direction is stored in the image data storage unit 609, that is, when the first document in the third document bundle is conveyed and recognized as having a different direction. Therefore, “order 2” is added by the information adding means 608.

  Such a process is executed for all the placed originals (FIG. 6: S113).

  If the document orientation detection sensor 206 does not detect the contact of the document even when the pickup roller 203 of the automatic document feeder 101 is rotated a predetermined number of times, that is, if there is no document on the mounting table 101a, the information adding unit 608 is used. However, the last order information “order 3” of the original bundle is added to the temporarily stored image data, and the image data is stored in the image data storage means 609 (FIG. 6: S113 YES → S117).

  Next, the information adding unit 608 transmits to the function providing unit 610 that the image data of the last document bundle has been stored, and the function providing unit 610 acquires the setting condition from the function item receiving unit 602 and sets the setting condition. According to the conditions, the function provision is started for each document bundle (FIG. 6: S118).

  Specifically, for job 1 “copy copy of order 1 and order 3”, function providing means 610 converts the image data of the bundle of documents corresponding to “order 1” and “order 3” into image data. The copy function is acquired from the storage unit 609 and the image data is used. Functions are also provided for job 2 “facsimile bundle of order 2 and order 3” and job 3 “copy of original bundle of order 1, order 2 and order 3” by the same procedure. As for the facsimile transmission function, the function providing unit 610 transmits the predetermined image data, the predetermined transmission destination, and the like to the communication unit 611. In addition, the printed matter output for each job can be recognized as a printed matter in units of jobs by the alignment unit 612 moving the printed matter shift member 127 in parallel with a predetermined interval corresponding to each job. Will be sorted.

  When the function providing unit 610 finishes providing all functions, the received setting condition is transmitted to the history unit 613, and the history unit 613 stores the setting condition as temporary history information (FIG. 6: S119).

  Now, when the initial reception unit 601 displays the initial screen and the user presses “continuous document reading” 801 again, the function item reception unit 602 displays the document bundle number reception screen and refers to the history unit 613. When history information is stored, as shown in FIG. 11K, a “history” button 1102 and a setting condition 1103 corresponding to the history information are displayed on the document bundle number acceptance screen (FIG. 6: S120). .

  Here, for example, when the user presses the “history” button 1102, the function item accepting unit 602 reads the setting conditions stored in the history unit 613 and accepts the setting conditions. Further, when an “OK” button 808 is pressed, each means executes processing based on the setting condition.

  As described above, selection of function items indicating functions that can be provided is accepted for each original bundle, and a predetermined number of originals having the same original characteristics are continuously included in a single original bundle among a plurality of supplied originals. And providing the function corresponding to the received function item for each determined document bundle.

  As a result, the user can select and set function items for a plurality of document bundles in advance, and once the selection and setting are performed, the user can continuously execute processing related to image formation. It becomes.

  In addition, selection of function items is accepted for each piece of document bundle order information to be read, the order information is added to each piece of image data of the read document bundle, and when providing a function, the document bundle is based on the order information. It is possible to obtain the image data and execute the function provision.

  Thereby, for example, the user can select / set a function item for an item combining the order information of the original bundle, and even if a different function item is selected / set for one order information, Since the function is provided by using the image data of the read original bundle, the image data of the original bundle can be effectively used and unnecessary work is eliminated.

  Further, for each received copy function item, a printed matter corresponding to the copy function can be arranged.

  As a result, the user can easily identify the printed matter corresponding to the selected copy function item. Therefore, for example, when it is necessary to execute the copy function for a plurality of document bundles, the output printed materials can be easily distinguished from each other, so there is no need to sort the plurality of printed materials, and distribution accompanying each printed material. Etc. can be advanced promptly.

  Further, it is configured to store the function-provided document bundle order information and the function items received for the order information in association with each other as history information, and accept selection of history information stored together with the function items. Can do.

  This makes it possible to select and set the function items corresponding to the order information of the document bundle selected once again easily and quickly. For this reason, although the function items set for each document bundle are appropriate, if a problem such as the paper used for output being inadequate occurs or you want to set function items for the same document bundle order information again In some cases, it is possible to immediately reproduce past settings.

  Note that the function item accepting unit 602, the information adding unit 608, and the function providing unit 610 according to the embodiment of the present invention specify and process image data of a document bundle based on order information indicating the order in which the document bundle is read. However, the image data of the bundle of documents may be specified and processed by another configuration.

  For example, the automatic document feeder 101 includes a sensor that can detect the document characteristics, such as document orientation, thickness, color, size, paper quality, surface roughness, smoothness, gloss, print rate, and the like, and can detect them. A function item accepting unit 602 that accepts a function item for each original bundle, and an information adding unit 608 for adding the original characteristic to each image data of the original bundle corresponding to the detected original characteristic. You may comprise so that the function provision means 610 which performs a function provision may be provided based on the original document characteristic of the original bundle corresponding to the received function item.

  With the above-described configuration, it is possible to select and set function items for the document characteristics of various document bundles without being limited by the order in which the document bundles are read. Therefore, for example, even if a trouble such as a miscounting by the user occurs, the function provision is executed for the designated document characteristic, so that it is possible to prevent an output error as much as possible.

  In addition, the function item accepting unit 602 in the embodiment of the present invention accepts the selection of the function item before sequentially feeding a plurality of documents, but even after the plurality of documents are fed sequentially, It doesn't matter if you are on the way.

  Further, the document bundle discriminating means 605 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to discriminate a predetermined number of documents having the same document orientation from among a plurality of fed documents as one document bundle. Of course, other document characteristics may be adopted. Examples of document characteristics include, but are not limited to, size, thickness, color, paper quality, surface roughness, smoothness, gloss, electrical resistance value, moisture content, printing rate, and the like. Needless to say, when other document characteristics are employed, it is necessary to use a sensor corresponding to the document characteristics.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined number of documents is determined as one document bundle by detecting the orientation of the document. For example, based on the printing rate of the image data read by the image reading unit. A blank sheet detecting unit capable of detecting a blank sheet may be provided so that one original bundle is discriminated from the blank sheet as a boundary. Of course, a predetermined color paper may be used as a boundary instead of the white paper or together with the white paper. In addition, a mark discriminating unit that discriminates a mark such as a predetermined ink or sticker among the image data read by the image reading unit may be provided, and one original bundle may be discriminated using the mark as a boundary. .

  Also, the method for detecting the orientation of the document in the embodiment of the present invention is to detect a predetermined number of document directions at a predetermined interval in the vicinity of the pickup roller 203 of the automatic document feeder 101 and in a direction perpendicular to the F direction. Although the sensor 206 is provided and the orientation of the document is detected by a signal from a specific document direction detection sensor, other detection methods may be employed. For example, instead of the document orientation detection sensor 206, a line sensor capable of detecting the document size may be provided at a predetermined position, and the orientation of the document may be detected based on the size detected by the line sensor. With the above configuration, it is possible to more accurately detect the orientation of the document, and to minimize misidentification of the orientation. Note that the line sensor may be employed when detecting other document characteristics.

  In addition, the function item accepting unit 602 according to the embodiment of the present invention refers to the table of the combination storage unit 603, accepts a combination item indicating document bundle order information, and accepts a function item for the combination item. However, other modes may be adopted as long as the function items are received for the document bundle.

  Further, the alignment means 612 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the printed material shift member 127 is provided at the end of the printed material conveyance path 126 and the printed material corresponding to the copy function is aligned for each copy function of the original bundle. The printed matter may be aligned by other methods. For example, a method of changing the direction of the printed material for each printed material corresponding to the received copy function, and the like can be employed. The method of changing the direction of output is, for example, storing sheets with different orientations in advance compared to the normal sheet orientation in the paper feed tray, changing the orientation of the scanned image data, and changing the orientation. Can be realized by forming images on different sheets.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP 100 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In the above-described configuration, the above-described program is read by the multi-function device 100, and the multi-function device 100 implements the above-described units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a storage method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the copy service and the facsimile service are employed. However, for example, the present invention can also be employed for a scanner service, a printer service, a network scan service post-processing service, and the like.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a copying machine, a printer, a multifunction peripheral, and the like. It is effective as a device.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an automatic document feeder and its mounting table according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the printed matter shift member which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows an example of the table by which the combination item of embodiment of this invention was memorize | stored, and the screen displayed on the touch panel. It is a 3rd figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a 4th figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 101 Automatic document feeder 127 Printed material shift member 206 Document direction detection sensor 401 Touch panel 601 Initial reception unit 602 Function item reception unit 603 Combination storage unit 604 Automatic document feed unit 605 Document bundle determination unit 606 Document direction information unit 607 Image reading means 608 Information adding means 609 Image data storage means 610 Function providing means 611 Communication means 612 Arranging means 613 History means

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus that includes an automatic document feeder that sequentially feeds a plurality of documents and can provide a plurality of functions ,
Function item accepting means for accepting selection of one or a plurality of function items from the user in order information indicating the order in which the document bundle representing a predetermined number of documents is read ;
Among a plurality of originals to be the feeding, the document bundle determining means for determining a predetermined number of documents having the same document properties continuously as a bundle of documents,
Information adding means for adding order information of the original bundle for each image data of the determined original bundle;
Image data storage means for storing image data of a bundle of documents to which the order information is added;
A function providing unit that executes one or a plurality of provisions corresponding to the function items received with respect to the order information of the image data of the original bundle in the stored image data of the original bundle; Image forming apparatus. And a combination storage means for storing the number of document bundles in association with a combination item indicating a combination of order information of the order of document bundles determined by the number of document bundles.
When the function item accepting unit accepts an input of the number of document bundles from the user, the function item accepting unit accepts selection of a combination item corresponding to the received number of document bundles based on the combination storage unit from the user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein selection of one or a plurality of function items is received in the received combination item .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an aligning unit that aligns printed matter corresponding to the copy function for each copy function executed by the function providing unit. Furthermore, it comprises history means for storing the order information of the document bundle provided by the function providing means and the function items received for the order information in association with each other as history information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the function item accepting unit accepts selection of stored history information together with the function item. 2. The document characteristics include at least one of document orientation, thickness, color, size, paper quality, surface roughness, smoothness, gloss, electrical resistance value, moisture content, and printing rate. The image forming apparatus described in 1.

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