JPH10117282A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain an automatic book binding process by controlling the order of image-forming, based on the page turn-over information when one or plural sheets of images stored in an image memory are formed on one of both sides of a recording member with one or plural sheets of images formed on the other side of the recording member respectively. SOLUTION: When a half-folded book binding process, for example, is carried out, the final page N is defined as 12. When an horizontal original image is formed on the inside surface in the half-folded book binding (left-open book binding) process, the image of the 2nd page is formed at the left side of a sheet with the image of the (N-1)-th page (11th page) formed at the right side of the sheet respectively. When a horizontal original image is formed on the outside surface, the image of the N-th page (12th image) is formed at the left side of the sheet, with the image of the 1st page formed at the right side of the sheet respectively. In the same way, the images are formed and put over each other. Then the book binding layout order is reversed, so that the book binding process is carried out in the normal order of page.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having image memory means for storing digital image data and forming the image data in the image memory means on a recording material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a discharged paper processing device such as a sorter automatically sorts, aligns, staples, and the like the transferred discharged paper. One of the methods for processing discharged paper is bookbinding processing technology.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, an image of a first page, a last page, a second page and a last-1 page is formed on the back of a sheet, and the image is sequentially formed. This is a technology for binding a book by binding the center of the paper vertically and folding it in half. In addition, there is a technology for controlling the layout of image forming pages as shown in FIG. 12 in order to automatically perform the bookbinding process.

[0004]

However, when a bookbinding process such as that shown in FIG. 12 is performed, usually, when a document is placed horizontally, a book is opened to the left. The image layout is performed in the illustrated page order. However, when the document is written vertically, the book is usually “open right”, and there is a problem that the image layout differs in the page layout illustrated in FIG.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has as its object to provide means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0006]

For this reason, the present invention has a storage means for storing a plurality of image data,
In an image forming apparatus for forming image data stored in a storage unit on a recording material, a plurality of or one image stored in the storage unit may be stored on one surface of the recording material, and the other surface of the recording material may be stored on the other surface. Control means for forming a plurality of or one image stored in the storage means above, and forming an image in which a plurality of formed images are arranged in order in a state in which the image-formed recording material bundle is folded in half; Input means for inputting information on a page turning direction of an image on which image formation is performed, wherein the control means controls an image forming arrangement order of the recording material bundle according to the information input by the input means. It is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem.

[0007]

According to the structure of the present invention as described above, for example, FIG.
In the case of performing the half-fold bookbinding process as shown in FIG. 2, the recording material bundle is controlled in the set information order, so that the correct page order is always ensured.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described in detail based on an embodiment.

[0009]

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

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device (hereinafter, referred to as a "reader unit") for converting a document into image data. Reference numeral 2 denotes a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes. An image output device that outputs a visible image on recording paper (hereinafter, referred to as a “printer unit”);
Reference numeral 3 denotes an external device that is electrically connected to the reader unit 1 and has various functions.

The external device 3 includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, and a magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 connected to the file unit 5, a computer and a computer interface for connecting to a LAN (information communication network within a specific area). A face unit 7, a formatter unit 8 for converting information from the computer into a visible image, and an image memory unit 9 for storing information from the reader unit 1 and temporarily storing information sent from the computer. And a core unit 10 for controlling the above functions. 11 is P
C shows a workstation (PC / WS).

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. The configuration and operation will be described below.

Documents stacked on a document feeder (feeder) 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto a platen glass surface 102. When the document is conveyed to a predetermined position on the glass surface 102, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the document. The reflected light of the original is input to a CCD image sensor unit 109 (hereinafter abbreviated as “CCD”) via each of the mirrors 105, 106 and 107 and a lens 108.

The reflected light of the document irradiated on the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here. The converted electric signal is subjected to various types of image processing in an image processing unit (not shown).
This is also stored in image memory means (not shown). This image memory has a capacity capable of storing all necessary image data. The image storage in the image memory may be performed by compressing the image data as needed.

An electric signal connected from the image memory means of the image processing unit to the printer unit 2 is converted into an optical signal modulated by an exposure control unit 201, and is converted into a photoconductor (drum) 20.
Irradiate 2. The latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper stacking unit 204,
Alternatively, the transfer paper is conveyed from 205, and the developed image is transferred in the transfer unit 206. After the transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207, the paper
08 to the outside of the apparatus.

The transfer paper output from the paper discharging unit 208 is output to each bin when the sorting function is operating in the discharging processing unit 220, or at the end of the discharging processing unit when the sorting function is not operating. It is discharged to the upper bin. Further, when the bookbinding processing function is working, the transfer paper is bound according to the function.

Next, a method of sequentially outputting read images on both sides of one output sheet will be described.

After the output sheet fixed by the fixing unit 207 is once conveyed to the sheet discharge unit 208, the sheet conveyance direction is reversed, and the transfer sheet stack unit 210 for re-feeding the sheet through the conveyance direction switching member 209. Transport to When the next manuscript is prepared,
The original image is read in the same way as the above process,
Since the transfer sheet is fed from the transfer sheet stacking section 210 for re-feeding, two original images can be output on the front and back surfaces of the same output sheet.

Next, the discharge processing of the discharge processing section 220 will be described. The discharge processing section 220 has a fixed 5-bin tray 221 and performs sorting.

In the case of the sort mode, the image-formed paper is sequentially discharged from the discharge roller 208 of the main body, and every time the paper is discharged to each bin of the tray 221 of the discharge processing unit 220, a bin shift (not shown) is performed. Each bin is moved up and down by a motor to perform sorting.

When the staple mode is selected, a staple device (not shown) staples the sheets of each bin while moving the bins one by one by a bin shift motor.

Reference numeral 222 denotes a bookbinding processing unit of the discharge processing unit 220, which staples a central portion of the discharged paper, and
The sheet bundle is folded in half so that the last discharged sheet is on the inside, and is stacked on the discharge tray 223 such that the folded portion is on the outside.

A description will now be given, with reference to FIG. 3, of a paper discharge processing apparatus in which the transfer paper is normally discharged and in which half-fold processing is required. The main body (leader section and printer section) of FIG. 3 is substantially the same as FIG.

In the case of the normal paper discharging process, the transfer paper output from the paper discharging unit 208 is sent to the discharging processing unit 220 and discharged to the paper discharging tray 221 by the flapper 502 or
Alternatively, it is sent to the half-fold path 504.

Next, in the case of half-fold processing, FIG.
4 will be described. The sheet sent to the half-fold path 504 is sent to the abutment plate 520 (1). When the abutment plate 520 moves in the vertical direction, the trailing end of the sheet is put into the retreat path 505, and the next sheet is conveyed (2). Similarly, the second sheet is set in the retreat path 505 (3). After the setting is completed, the abutment plate 520 is moved so that the center of the set sheet comes to the folding section 509 (4), and the folding section 509 is moved in the direction of the folding roller 507 so that the center of the sheet becomes the folding roller 507. Then, as shown in (5), the stacked sheets are folded in half and discharged to the discharge tray 223.

The paper discharge processing device 220 is detachable from the copying machine main body, and a sensor (not shown) for detecting the device of the paper discharge processing device 220 is provided in the main body.

The state of the bound sheets will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, an image is formed on both sides of a sheet, three sheets are aligned, the center of the sheet is stapled, and the sheet is folded in half. A document image of four pages is formed on one sheet, and a document image of 12 pages is formed in the example of FIG. FIG. 13A shows a view when the image of the sheet S1 is viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B shows a view when the image of the sheet S1 is viewed from the direction of arrow B in FIG. Show.

N shown in FIG. 13A is the last page of bookbinding, and N is 12 in the example of FIG. FIG.
(A) is an image that becomes the inner surface when bookbinding is half-folded. When the formed image is a horizontally written original image (bookbinding is open to the left), the second page image is formed on the left side of the sheet.
The image of the (N-1) th page (the 11th page) is formed on the right side.

FIG. 13B shows an image on the outer surface when bookbinding is half-folded. When the formed image is a horizontally written original image (bookbinding is open to the left), the Nth page (12 The image of the first page is formed, and the image of the first page is formed on the right side. Similarly, an image is formed on the sheets S2 and S3, and the sheets S1, S2 and S3 are overlapped and bound.

Next, copy processing in the bookbinding mode will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the bookbinding mode. here,
(1) shows manuscripts 601 to 608, and these manuscripts are
The document is set on the document feeder 101. (2) shows a bookbinding state by double-sided output. (3) shows, for example, page sorting for the first and second transfer sheets.

As shown in FIG. 1, the external device 3 is connected to the reader 1 by a cable, and a core unit 10 in the external device 3 is provided.
Control of signals and control of each function. As described above, the external device 3 includes a facsimile unit 4 for performing facsimile transmission and reception, a file unit 5 for converting various types of document information into electric signals and storing them on a magneto-optical disk, and developing code information from a computer into image information. Formatter unit 8, LAN
And a computer interface unit 7 for interfacing with a computer, storing information from the reader unit 1, temporarily storing information sent from the computer, and temporarily storing information sent from the computer. An image memory unit 9 for accumulating the image data and a core unit 10 for controlling the above functions.

FIG. 5 is a structural external view of the operation panel in the reader unit 1 of the image forming apparatus in FIGS.
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 301 denotes a display unit which displays an operation state and a message. Further, the surface of the display unit 301 is a touch panel, and functions as a selection key by touching the surface. Reference numeral 302 denotes a numeric keypad, which is a key for inputting numbers. 303 is a start key,
The operation is started by pressing this key.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are sequence flowcharts (1) and (2) for image forming layout for bookbinding shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. This is a subroutine required from the main sequence accordingly.

In FIG. 6, in step S101, it is determined whether or not all the document images for the pages to be image-formed have been read into the image memory unit 111. Step S101
If all have not been read, the process returns to step S101. If all readings have been completed in step S101, the process proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, it is determined whether or not the image forming mode is the layout mode for bookbinding. If the mode is not the layout mode, the process proceeds to A (not shown), and a normal image layout sequence is executed.

If the mode is the layout mode in step S102, the process proceeds to step S103. Step S1
At 03, it is determined which of a horizontally written original (left-opening) and a vertically written original (right-opening) will be described later. If it is determined in step S103 that the document is not a horizontal writing document, the process proceeds to step B and proceeds to step S201 in FIG.

If it is determined in step S103 that the original is a horizontally written original, the flow advances to step S104. In step S104, the variable No for managing the layout image page is set to N.
, The IMT is initialized to 1 and the IME is initialized to N. Here, N is the total number of pages of the document on which the image is to be formed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, it is determined whether or not No is greater than 4M. Here, M is the number of sheets that can be stapled and half-folded by the bookbinding processing unit 222 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and is specified by a method described later. When No is larger than 4M in step S105, the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, a layout for image formation is performed. To perform the number of pages in units of staples, set the IME to a 4M value,
Set to Lo to save the value of.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S107, in which an image is formed in synchronization with the paper fed from the cassette 204 or 205 shown in FIGS. At this time, the image of the page of the numerical value set to IME is formed in the left half of the sheet, and the page of the numerical value set to IMT is formed in the right half. For example, when step S107 is executed for the first time, a 4M page image is formed on the left half of the sheet and a first page image is formed on the right half of the sheet.

Next, the flow shifts to step S108, where the sheet passes through the conveying path 210 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and waits again for a position where an image can be formed in accordance with the above-mentioned sheet conveyance at the time of double-sided copying. If it is determined in step S108 that the image can be formed again, the process proceeds to step S109.

In step S109, an image is formed on the back of the image-formed sheet. At this time, the image of the (IMT + 1) page is placed on the left half of the sheet, and (IME-
1) Form an image of the page. For example, when step S109 is first executed, the image of the second page is formed on the left half of the sheet and the image of the (4M-1) page is formed on the right half of the sheet.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S110, and the data IMT and IME for managing the image page are reset to the values of IMT + 2 and IME-2, respectively. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S111, and it is determined whether the image forming process from step S107 to step S110 has been performed M times. Step S if not performed M times
Returning to step 107, image formation is performed again.

If the operation has been performed M times in step S111,
In step S112, in which the IMT of the data for managing the layout image page, and No and IME are reset, the process proceeds to step S112.
At 06, the initial data Lo of the IMT stored is set to a value obtained by adding 4M. No is set to No-4M, and (IMT + No-1) is set using the reset IMT and No.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S121, where the M sheets are stapled at the center by the bookbinding section 222 in FIGS. 2 and 3, folded halfway, and discharged to the tray 223.
At this time, the discharged sheet bundle is discharged with the 4Mth page formed on the uppermost surface without the first page at the bottom.

Thereafter, the flow returns to step S105, and it is determined whether or not the number reset in step S112 is larger than 4M. Hereinafter, the above-described processing is repeated until No is no greater than 4M. If No is not larger than 4M in step S105, the process proceeds to step S113.

In step S113, the remainder when No is divided by 4 is set to A, and the quotient is set to S. In step S114, it is determined whether or not A set in step S113 is 0.

When it is 0 in step S114, the process proceeds to step S123. In step S123, the value of S is decremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S116. Step S
When A is not 0 at 114 and when forming an image, the number of remaining image pages is not enough for all the pages of the paper on which the image is formed.

Therefore, the image layout management data is corrected in step S115 so that the blank page of the missing page portion is formed at the end of the page. If A is 1, layout is performed four pages at a time on one sheet, so three pages of IME less than three pages are added. Similarly, when A is 2, IME is added by 2 pages, and when A is 3, IME is added by 1 page. This is performed in step S115, and the process proceeds to step S116.

In step S116, step S107
Similarly, the image of the page of the numerical value set to IME is formed on the left half of the sheet, and the image of the page of the numerical value set to IMT is formed on the right half.

Here, when the numerical values indicated by IMT and IME are larger than the total image page number N, the image is formed as a blank image. Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S117, and it is determined whether or not the sheet has been conveyed to a position where image formation can be performed again during double-sided copying. If no in step S117, step S1
Return to step 17 and wait until it is conveyed to a possible position.

If the sheet has been conveyed in step S117, the process proceeds to step S118. In step S118, as in step S109, (IM
The image of the (T + 1) page is formed in the right half of the image of the (IME-1) page. Where (IMT + 1),
When the page of (IME-1) is larger than the total image page number N, it is formed as a blank image.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S119, where the data IMT and IME for managing the image page are reset, and
Move to step S120. In step S120, the steps from step S116 to step S119 change the value of S calculated in step S113 by (S +
1) It is determined whether or not execution has been performed once.

If it has not been executed (S + 1) times, the process returns to step S116. If it has been executed, step S122.
Move to. In step S122, the center of the (S + 1) sheets is stapled by the bookbinding processing unit 222 in FIGS.
Then go to the exit.

Next, in step S103, if the original is not a horizontally written original (right-opening book), the flow shifts to step S201 in FIG. In step S201, a variable No for managing a layout image page is set to N, and IM
Initialize T to 1 and IME to N. After that, it moves to step S202.

In the case of the right-opening book layout, the page number is reset on the tray 223 of the bookbinding processing section 222, and the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207, an image is formed by synchronizing the sheets fed from the cassette 204 or 205 described above. At this time, the image of the page of the numerical value set in the IMT is placed on the left half of the sheet and the I
The image of the page having the numerical value set in ME is formed.

At this time, if the numerical values indicated by IMT and IME are larger than all image pages N, the image is formed as a blank image.

Next, in accordance with the above-described paper conveyance during double-sided copying, the paper passes through the conveyance path 210 in FIGS.
Wait until the image can be formed again.

If it is determined in step S208 that the image can be formed again, the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, an image is formed on the back of the image-formed sheet. At this time, an image of the (IME-1) page is formed on the left half of the sheet, and an image of the (IMT + 1) page is formed on the right half. Here, when each value of (IME-1) and (IMT + 1) is larger than N, each is formed as a blank image.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S210, where the data IMT and IME for managing the image page are
The values are reset to T + 2 and IME-2, and the process proceeds to step S211. In step S211, it is determined whether the processing from step S207 to step S210 has been performed (S + 1) times set in step S204. If the process has not been performed (S + 1) times in step S211, the smaller one in step S207 becomes the upper surface and is stacked.

Therefore, in the case of a right-opening book, the total number of pages N
, The remaining amount when processing is performed in units of pages (4M) that can be bound is calculated, and the forming processing is performed first. Calculation processing is performed in steps S202 and S203. Step S202
Then, it is determined whether or not No is larger than 4M. If it is larger, the process moves to step S203. In step S203, the IMT of the data for managing the layout image page is set to I
Reset to MT + 4M and No to No-4M respectively
Returning to step S203, the process is repeated until No becomes larger than 4M.

If No is not larger than 4M in step S202, the process moves to step S204. At this time, N
o is the remaining value from 1 to 4M when processing is performed in (4M) units for all image pages, and IMT is 1, (4M +
1), (8M + 1),... (N × 4M + 1). Here, n is a natural number. Step S20
At 4, the remaining A when No is divided by 4 and the quotient S are calculated, and set to Lo in order to save the initial data of the IMT.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S205, and it is determined whether or not A set in step S204 is 0. If it is 0, the process proceeds to step S219, the value of S is decremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S207. If it is not 0 in step S205, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, step S11 in FIG.
As in the case of 5, IM
E is returned to (IME + 4-A), and steps S207 to S207 are performed.
Step S210 is repeated.

If the process has been executed (S + 1) times in step S211, the process proceeds to step S221. Step S211
Then, the center of the sheet is stapled by the bookbinding processing unit 222 in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S212.

In step S212, it is determined whether the value of Lo is greater than 4M. Here, the value of Lo is (n × 4
(M + 1), if it is not large in step S212, Lo is 1 and the image formation is completed up to the first page of the document image, and the process exits to the exit.

If the value of Lo is greater than 4M in step S212, the flow shifts to step S213 to reset the data for managing the image page. In step S213, Lo
Is subtracted from 4M, and the reset Lo value is set in the IMT. Using the IMT with the IME reset (IMT
+ 4M-1).

Next, the process proceeds to a step S214. In step S214, as in step S207, FIG.
, An image is formed on the paper fed from the cassette 204 or 205. At this time, similar to step S207,
Image of the IMT page on the left half of the paper and IM on the right half
The image of the E-th page is formed.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S215, and it is determined again whether or not the sheet has been transported to a position where an image can be formed. If not conveyed in step S215, the process returns to step S215, and waits until conveyed.

If the sheet is conveyed in step S215, the process proceeds to step S216, where an image is formed on the back of the sheet on which the image has been formed. At this time, (IME-
1) The image of the (IMT + 1) page is formed in the right half of the image of the page. Next, the process proceeds to step S217,
Data IMT and IME for managing layout image pages
Are reset to (IMT + 2) and (IME-2), respectively, and the routine goes to Step S218.

In step S218, step S214
It is determined whether or not the process of step S217 has been executed M times. If it has not been executed in step S218, the process returns to step S214 and the above is repeated. Step S2
If executed in step 18, the process returns to step S221, performs bookbinding processing, and proceeds to step S212.

Next, the specification of a horizontally written (left-opening book) and a vertically written (right-opening book) original will be described with reference to an example of a setting display screen shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a display example of the operation unit 301 shown in FIG. 5 when the mode for performing the bookbinding process is selected in the copy mode or when the copy is started in the mode for performing the bookbinding process. A display window 304 is displayed on a normal screen. Each button B101, B10 is displayed on the display window 304.
2 and B103, and displays a message instructing the operator to perform an operation. Buttons B101 and B102 are buttons for selecting a left-opening (horizontal writing) book and a right-opening (vertical writing) book, respectively, and the currently set button is displayed in black. In the example of FIG. 8, the mode is set to the left opening main mode.
By pressing the buttons B101 and B102, the orientation of the original of the book which opens right or left is set, and the button B103 is used to set the display window 3
Exit 01.

Next, the process for determining the number of sheets M that can be bound will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a sequence flowchart for setting the number of sheets M that can be bound, and is called from the main sequence as needed or before image formation on the first sheet.

[0073] At step S301 of FIG. 9, reads out the staple number of sheets M _o the binding processing unit 222 (FIG. 2) are determined as a mechanical design specifications, to set it to M. This read value is described in the program ROM, or when the bookbinding processing unit 222 is controlled by another CPU (not shown), the read value is read from the CPU by communication processing. Then, the process proceeds to step S302, it is determined whether already set the binding process number M _M by the user by the operation unit in step S302.

[0074] described an example of setting the number M _M by the user according to the display screen example in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a display example of the operation unit 301 (FIG. 5) when the number-of-processes setting button, which is an option of the bookbinding processing mode, is pressed in the copy mode. Further, it may be possible to set so as to be always displayed when the bookbinding processing mode is set in the machine specifications.

In FIG. 10, a display window 305 is displayed on a normal screen. The display window 305 includes buttons B104 and B1.
05 and B106, and displays a message instructing the operator to perform an operation. Button B 104, B105 is a button for setting the number of processed M _M, B 104 is "-" button, a B105 is "+" button. When the button B104 is pressed, the number of processed sheets is subtracted by 1, and the button B104 is pressed.
When 105 is pressed, 1 is added. Current number of processed sheets M _M
Is displayed on the display unit 306. In the example of FIG. 10, _MM is a setting of two sheets. B106 exits the display window 305 with the end button.

If it is determined in step S302 in FIG. 9 that _MM has not been set by the user shown in FIG. 10, the process proceeds to step S305. On the other hand, if the setting end shifts to step S303 in step S302, M _M determines whether M is smaller than that set in step S301.

If _MM is not small in step S303, the process proceeds to step S305. M in step S303
_{If M} is smaller, the process proceeds to step S304, and M _{M is changed} to M
And the process proceeds to step S305. Step S3
05, the cassette 204 or 2 in FIGS.
05, a means for detecting the thickness of the paper fed and conveyed is provided, and it is determined whether or not the paper is at a position where the thickness can be detected.

An example of the sheet thickness detection will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of sheet thickness detection. The sheet thickness detecting means is arranged from the cassette 204 or 205 in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the image forming position.

In FIG. 11, P is a sheet fed from the cassette 204 or 205,
Are transported in close contact with the rollers 402 and 403. The light emitted from each of the light emitting elements 404 and 406 arranged on the surface opposite to the support reference plate 401 of the paper is reflected by the paper P and the support reference plate 401, and each light receiving element 4.
05 and 407, respectively. Light emitting element 4
The light of No. 04 is always reflected on the paper P, and the light of the light emitting element 406 is always reflected on the support reference plate 401.

The thickness of the sheet P is determined based on the difference between the light receiving times of the light emitted from the light emitting elements 404 and 406 and the light receiving elements 405 and 407 at the same time. The thicker the paper P, the greater the difference between the light receiving times. Although not shown, a sensor for detecting the sheet P is provided outside each of the rollers 402 and 403 to determine that the sheet P is at a position where the thickness can be detected.

In step S305 in FIG. 9, when the sheet thickness detecting means is not provided or the sheet cannot be detected in thickness,
Exit to the exit. When the thickness detectable in step S305, the process proceeds to step S306, it is determined stapling possible processed sheets M _P than the paper thickness is detected at step S306.

For example, when the sheet thickness t is a predetermined t ₁
When it is not thicker, _MP is 15 sheets, t _{2 which} is thicker than t ₁
If it is not thicker, ten as M _P, greater than t _2,
If it is not thicker than t ₃ to set the five as M _P, t ₃
If it is thicker, stapling and half-folding are not possible,
The image forming processing is interrupted, an alarm is displayed, or the bookbinding processing layout mode is canceled, and normal image forming processing is performed.

Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S307, where M _P
Is smaller than M set in the above-described step. If it is not small in step S307, go to the exit. On the other hand, if it is smaller in step S307, the process proceeds to step S308, M _P is set to M, and the process exits to the exit. The M _M setting and M _{P obtained} by the thickness detection are as follows.
It is not always necessary to provide them, and they may be provided according to the specifications of the printer unit.

As described above, the position of the layout of the original image stored in the image memory (not shown) is changed by specifying the right-opening and left-opening originals. If there are manuscript pages, the image page processing for the possible number of sheets is repeated, and when the remaining becomes smaller than the possible number M, the remaining manuscript pages are processed so that the bookbinding process can be performed even if there are many manuscript pages. it can.

(Other Embodiments) As another embodiment, the same applies to the case where the image stored in the image memory means (not shown) is not the original image from the reader unit 1 in FIG. be able to. In this case, page images from the external device 3 are sequentially stored in the image memory 111. After all page images are stored in the image memory,
FIGS. 6, 7 and 9 show a first embodiment. At this time, FIG.
The setting shown in FIG. 8 may be set separately from the copy mode by the same method.

At this time, it may be performed for each function in the external device 3. In particular, when data from the PC / WS 11 is received by the interface unit 7 and image data converted into a visible image by the formatter unit 8 is formed by the printer unit 2, the operation unit 301 in FIG. Instead of setting the opening, the information of right opening (vertical writing) and left opening (horizontal writing) set when the data is created on the PC / WS 11 is received from the PC / WS 11 through communication, and the information is set by the information. good.

As another embodiment, the same can be achieved by using the image memory unit 9 provided in the external device 3 as the memory for storing the original image, or using an external recording means such as a hard disk. At this time, the scanner image from the reader unit 1, the image from the formatter unit 8, and the like are once read into the image memory unit 9, and the subsequent processing is the same as the processing in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7 described in the first embodiment. Is performed by the core unit 10.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention,
For example, when performing the half-fold bookbinding process as shown in FIG. 12, a means for setting whether the image to be formed is vertical writing (right-opening) or horizontal writing (left-opening) is provided. By reversing the layout order,
Regardless of the image, the bookbinding process can be performed in the normal page order.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 during half-folding processing;

FIG. 4 describes a half-folding process.

FIG. 5 is an external view of an operation unit of the reader unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 1 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 2 of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an example of a setting display screen of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a setting sequence of the number of sheets that can be bound according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an example of a bookbinding number setting display screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing paper thickness detection.

FIG. 12 shows an example of output paper subjected to bookbinding processing.

FIG. 13 is a view of each A / B arrow in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a bookbinding mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 External device 4 Facsimile part 5 File part 6 Magneto-optical disk drive unit 7 Interface part 8 Formatter part 9 Image memory part 10 Core part 11 PC workstation 208 Discharge part 220 Discharge processing part 221 Discharge tray 222 Bookbinding unit 223 Half-fold tray

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising a storage unit for storing a plurality of image data, and forming the image data stored in the storage unit on a recording material, wherein the storage unit stores the image data on one surface of the recording material. Multiple or one image stored
Further, a plurality of or one image stored in the storage means is formed on the other surface of the recording material, and a plurality of formed images are arranged in order in a state in which the image-formed recording material bundle is folded in half. Control means for performing image formation; and input means for inputting information regarding a page turning direction of an image on which image formation is to be performed. The control means includes an image of the recording material bundle according to information input by the input means. An image forming apparatus that controls a forming arrangement order. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit inputs information indicating whether the opening is right or left. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is arranged on one side of the recording material on both sides of a line to be folded. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recording materials are half-folded in an overlapping state.