JP2001223884A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device avoiding that the number of originals is restricted by the capacity of a loaded memory at the time of book binding printing. SOLUTION: An original is supplied by using an automatic original transfer device. Picture information on the original is read and one face printing or double face printing is conducted on recording paper. A picture memory 62 storing picture information of one original, which is read, is installed. A data bus switch part 73 selecting whether picture information of the original is directly printed in the first half part or the second half part of recording paper, otherwise, whether picture information of the original is once stored in the picture memory 62 and then arranged in picture information printed in the first half part or the second half part in the transportation direction of recording paper for printing is disposed.

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 such as a copying machine or a multifunction machine capable of supplying an original using an automatic original feeder, reading image information of the original, and printing on one side or both sides of recording paper. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that efficiently performs book binding and copying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, in a copying machine or a multifunction machine having a double-sided printing function, for example, book-bound copying has sometimes been desired.

However, book-bound copying includes bag binding and saddle binding (weekly magazine binding). For example, in the case of an A4 size book, the spread page (two pages) of the copied A3 size paper is bound to the book. When it does, it usually does not become the order page. Also, since book binding includes right binding and left binding, the page arrangement of facing pages (two pages) is more complicated.

[0004] Therefore, the user himself or herself
Although it is possible to set two 4-size originals on the platen and use the double-sided printing function to create a saddle-stitched book-bound copy on A3-size recording paper, it is very time-consuming. This is the operation.

Therefore, as an image forming apparatus for easily performing such book binding copy, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50738.

[0006] In the above-described bookbinding copy creating method in the image forming apparatus, an automatic document feeder is used to read in advance all the sheets of a document to be bound by bookbinding using a scanner, and store the page by page in a memory mounted on the scanner. To store. A selection similar to the bookbinding mode is performed on the operation panel for the image data held in the page unit, and the storage areas are stored in a predetermined order according to the bookbinding mode and the total pages of the document, that is, the pages according to the bookbinding mode. It is designated to output recording paper on which images are formed in the order of arrangement.

In the above bookbinding copy creating method, image data of a document read by a scanner in page units may be subjected to compression processing and stored in a memory. Therefore, the stored image data is read out sequentially from the memory in the order in which the bookbinding copy is formed, and if compressed, is printed while performing the decompression process.

[0008]

However, in the above-described conventional image forming apparatus, in order to hold image data of a read original, a memory having a very large capacity is required depending on the number of originals to be book-bound and copied. I need.

Therefore, even when the image data of the read original is subjected to compression processing or binarization processing and stored in the memory, the number of originals for book binding copy is limited by the installed memory capacity. There is a problem that it will.

[0010] On the other hand, a bookbinding copy with reduced memory capacity using an automatic document feeder requires corresponding means. However, without using the automatic document feeder, an original is placed on a platen. As a process for performing double-sided printing by placing the printer, there is, for example, a copying machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-143293.

In this copier, when a double-page spread book is placed on an original platen, read and printed, and book-bound copy is performed, the contents of each page are placed at approximately the center of each half of the printing paper. , Half of one side of the printing paper, for example,
Assuming that the printing paper is of A3 size, the memory has the capacity of A4 size. By storing the data of the first half or the second half on one side of the printing paper in the A4 size memory, various originals can be stored. A book division mode in which book binding copying corresponding to the number of sheets is performed is possible.

However, in the book binding copy process using the above-described copying machine, only one sheet of printing paper is always transported to the transport path, including the reversing path and the sub-transport path.
There is a problem that a long printing time is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to prevent the number of originals from being limited by the capacity of a mounted memory when performing book binding printing. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can obtain the same.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention supplies a document using an automatic document feeder, reads image information of the document, and prints one side on a recording sheet. Alternatively, in an image forming apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing, storage means for storing image information of one read original is provided, and for the read original, the image information of the original is stored in the first half of the recording paper transport direction. Selection of whether to print directly on the original or the second half, or to temporarily store the image information of the original in the storage means, and to arrange and print the image information printed on the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. It is characterized in that selection means for performing the selection is provided.

According to the above-mentioned invention, the image forming apparatus can supply a document using the automatic document feeder, read the image information of the document, and perform single-sided printing or double-sided printing on recording paper.

The image forming apparatus is provided with storage means for storing image information of one read document, and stores the image information of the read document in the recording paper transport direction. Whether to print directly on the first half or the second half of the original, or to temporarily store the image information of the original in the storage means and print it alongside the image information printed on the first or second half in the transport direction of the recording paper Selection means for making a selection is provided.

That is, in book binding printing of bag binding or saddle binding, the page arrangement on the recording paper is important, so that the read original may not be printed immediately.

At this time, according to the present invention, since the storage means for storing the read image information of one document is provided, the read document can be once stored.

For such an original to be read,
The image information of the document is directly printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the image information of the document is temporarily stored in the storage means, and is stored in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. The selection as to whether to print in line with the printed image information is made by a selection unit.

Therefore, by the selection operation by the selection means, as described above, the image information of the first document is first stored in the storage means, and then the read document is printed first.
Thereafter, the stored image information of the document can be printed side by side. As a result, it is possible to print on recording paper having a page layout suitable for bookbinding printing.

In this printing method, the storage means for storing the image information of the document only needs to have a capacity capable of storing the image information of one document.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the above-described image forming apparatus, when the printing surface is only one side, the selection means determines whether the number of documents is an odd number or an even number. Either print the image information of the original directly in the first half or the second half of the transport direction of the recording paper, or temporarily store the image information of the original in the storage unit and print it in the first half or the second half of the transport direction of the recording paper It is characterized in that a selection is made as to whether or not to print in line with the selected image information.

According to the above invention, when the printing surface is only one side, the selection means determines the image information of the original in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction depending on whether the number of the originals is odd or even. The image data of the original is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the image information is printed side by side with the image information printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction.

That is, in book binding printing with bag binding, it is sufficient to print on one side of the recording paper. Then, in this case, when reading the original, the original may be conveyed to the original reading unit in order from either the top or the bottom of the bundle. That is, it is not necessary to take alternately.

Here, in book binding printing with bag binding, there are right binding and left binding, and the page arrangement on the recording paper is important, so that the read original may not be printed immediately.

At this time, according to the present invention, since the storage means for storing the read image information of one document is provided, the read document can be once stored.

On the other hand, in book binding printing with bag binding, when the number of documents is an odd number, it is necessary to perform an operation so that the last page of book binding becomes a white page.

However, even in such a case, according to the present invention, the selecting means prints the image information of the original directly in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction depending on whether the number of originals is odd or even. Or the image information of the original is temporarily stored in the storage means, and is printed in line with the image information printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction.

Therefore, by the selecting operation by the selecting means, the image information of the first document is first stored once in the storage means, for example, the image information of the white page separately stored in advance is printed first, and thereafter, The stored image information of the document can be printed side by side. As a result, it is possible to perform printing on recording paper having a page arrangement suitable for bookbinding printing of bag binding.

In this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the document includes a capacity capable of storing the image information of one document and a capacity of the image information of the white pages separately stored in advance. It is enough if there is capacity.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of originals due to the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing with bag binding.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is arranged such that, in the automatic document feeder, any one of the highest-order document and the lowest-order document in the bundle of placed documents is provided. An upper / lower document selecting / conveying means is provided for sequentially selecting and conveying the selected document to the document reading section.

That is, in bookbinding printing with saddle stitching, for example, the first page and the last page of a document are printed side by side on one side of a recording sheet.

Therefore, it is necessary to read the original from both the uppermost and lowermost positions of the original bundle.

At this time, according to the present invention, the automatic original feeder selects the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the bundle of originals to be placed and selects the upper and lower originals to sequentially convey to the original reading section. Transport means is provided.

For this reason, the upper and lower original selecting / conveying means selects either the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the original bundle to be placed and sequentially conveys the original to the original reading section.

Therefore, conventionally, it has not been possible to select one of the uppermost document and the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be placed and sequentially convey the document to the document reading unit. It was necessary to read and memorize all manuscripts.

However, in the present invention, even when the first page and the last page of the original are printed side by side on one side of the recording paper, for example, the original can be read from above and below the placed original bundle. Therefore, the storage capacity can be reduced.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing bookbinding printing with saddle stitching.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the upper / lower original selecting / conveying means includes an uppermost original or a lowermost original in a bundle of originals to be placed based on the number of originals. It is characterized in that one of the lowermost documents is selected.

That is, in bookbinding printing of saddle stitching, printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper.

When the number of originals is 4n (n is an integer), as described above, for example,
The last page and the first page of the document are printed in this order, while, for example, the second page and one page before the last page are printed in this order on the back surface of the recording paper. However, this printing order is such that the number of documents is 4n-1 sheets, 4n-
The difference between the two sheets and the 4n-3 sheets is different. Also, the order may be changed by inserting image information of a white page.

However, in the present invention, the upper and lower original selecting and conveying means selects either the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the original bundle based on the number of originals.

Therefore, the upper and lower original selecting and conveying means selects either the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the bundle of originals to be placed based on the number of originals. An appropriate one of the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the document bundle can be fetched and read by the image reading unit.

As a result, it is easy to take out either the uppermost document or the lowermost document of the placed document bundle.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the above-described image forming apparatus, when the printing surface is double-sided, the selecting means sets the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 to 0, 1 or 2. (2) or (3), the image information of the document is directly printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the image information of the document is temporarily stored in the storage means, It is characterized in that a selection is made as to whether or not to print the image information printed in the first half or the second half.

According to the above invention, when the printing surface is double-sided, the selection means sets the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 to 0, 1, or
According to 2 or 3, the image information of the document is directly printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the image information of the document is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the first half of the recording paper conveyance direction is used. A selection is made as to whether to arrange and print the image information printed on the set or the second half.

That is, in bookbinding printing with saddle stitching, printing must be performed on both sides of the recording paper.

Here, in bookbinding printing with saddle stitching, there are right stitching and left stitching, and the arrangement of pages on recording paper is important, so that the read original may not be printed immediately.

At this time, in the present invention, since the storage means for storing the read image information of one document is provided, the read document can be once stored.

On the other hand, in bookbinding printing of saddle stitching, as described above, when the number of documents is 4n (n is an integer), for example, the last page and the first page of the document are placed on the surface of the recording paper. Are printed in this order, while, for example, the second page and one page before the last page are printed in this order on the back surface of the recording paper. However, the order of this printing is different when the number of originals is 4n-1, 4n-2, and 4n-3. Also, the order may be changed by inserting image information of a white page.

However, according to the present invention, when the printing surface is double-sided, the selection means sets the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 to 0,
According to 1, 2, or 3, the image information of the document is directly printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the image information of the document is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the recording paper conveyance direction is used. Of the image information printed in the first half or the second half of the image.

Therefore, when the printing surface is double-sided, the image information of the first document is first stored in the storage device based on the number of documents by the selection operation by the selection device, and the white information previously stored separately is stored. It is possible to print the image information of the page first, and then print the image information of the stored document side by side.

As a result, it is possible to perform printing on a recording sheet having a page arrangement suitable for bookbinding printing with saddle stitching.

In this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the document includes a capacity capable of storing the image information of one document and a capacity of the image information of the white pages separately stored in advance. It is enough if there is capacity.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the number of originals from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing bookbinding printing with saddle stitching.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, white image insertion means for inserting white page image information instead of a read original based on the number of originals is provided. It is characterized by being provided.

According to the present invention, the white image inserting means causes the image information of the white page to be inserted instead of the read original based on the number of originals.

Therefore, in bookbinding printing, for example, when it is desired to make the last page a white page, the white page can be easily inserted by the white image inserting means.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the automatic document feeder is provided with either an uppermost original or a lowermost original in a bundle of originals to be placed. The original read once is selected and discharged once into the uppermost original and the lowermost original, and one of the discharged original bundles is again taken out one by one, and the other discharged original is discharged. A discharge document rearranging means for stacking and discharging the bundle of originals in ascending or descending order is provided.

That is, when the original is taken out from the top and bottom of the original bundle, if there is only one discharge place, the original bundle will not be in the page order when printing is completed. The work of rearranging the manuscripts in ascending or descending order is required, which is rather troublesome.

However, according to the present invention, the automatic document feeder selects the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be placed and reads the original once as the uppermost document. While the document is discharged separately into the two lowermost documents, one of the discharged document bundles is again taken out one by one, and the other discharged document bundles are stacked and discharged in ascending or descending order. Discharged document rearranging means is provided.

Therefore, the discharged original rearranging means first selects the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the bundle of originals to be placed, and then reads the original once and sets the uppermost original and the lowermost original. And the original is discharged separately.
Next, the discharged document rearranging means takes out one of the discharged document bundles one by one again, and stacks and discharges the other discharged document bundles in ascending or descending order.

Therefore, when the re-discharge of the original is completed, the discharged original bundle is arranged in ascending or descending order.

As a result, even after printing is completed, the discharged original bundle can be taken out in a state where the original original bundle is arranged in the page order.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the discharged original rearranging means includes a first original and a second original which are once read. An upper and lower two-stage document output tray that separates and discharges documents, and a switch that takes out documents that have been discharged to one of the upper and lower document discharge trays, switches back, and discharges them to another document discharge tray It is characterized by comprising back means.

That is, when the originals are taken out from the top and bottom of the bundle of originals, the originals arranged in ascending order from the first original and the originals arranged in descending order from the last original are alternately ejected. The submitted manuscript will not be in the original line.

However, according to the above-mentioned invention, the discharged original rearranging means comprises an upper and lower two-stage original discharge tray for temporarily separating the read original into two, that is, the uppermost original and the lowermost original. And switchback means for taking out the document discharged to one of the upper and lower document discharge trays, switching back the document, and discharging the document to another document discharge tray.

Therefore, the printed original is divided into two original discharge trays, one from the beginning and the other from the end, and is discharged once. Thus, by discharging a document from one document discharge tray to the other document discharge tray, it is possible to finally discharge the document in the original order in which the page order is aligned.

As a result, even after the printing is completed, the discharged original bundle can be reliably taken out in the page order of the original original bundle.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when printing image information of one read original in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, uses one of the lengths of the recording paper in the transport direction. When / 2 does not coincide with the length of the document in the transport direction, a variable magnification printing means for performing magnification and printing is provided.

According to the above invention, when printing the image information of one read original, the variable-magnification printing means sets the half of the length of the recording paper in the transport direction as the length of the original in the transport direction. If they do not match, the image is printed with magnification.

Therefore, when printing on recording paper, even if the scale of the document is different, it is possible to print with the same size.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a compression means for compressing the read image information of one document before storing it in the storage means. It is characterized by having.

According to the above invention, the compression means for compressing the read image information of one document before storing it in the storage means is provided.

For this reason, since the image information of one document can be compressed and stored in the storage means, the storage capacity can be further reduced.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of further preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is arranged such that, in the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, the surface of the recording paper is printed so as to support double-sided printing, and then the recording paper is turned over. A recording paper switchback means for printing on the back side of the document is provided.On the other hand, when performing book binding double-sided printing, direct printing for directly printing image information of the document on recording paper based on the number of documents and image information of the document are provided. Is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the image information of the two originals is printed on the surface of one sheet of recording paper in combination with memory printing for printing on the recording paper, and the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means. After that, back printing is performed on the recording paper in the same manner.

According to the above invention, in order to support double-sided printing, the recording paper switchback means for printing the front side of the recording paper, then inverting the recording paper and printing on the back side of the recording paper is provided. . When performing book-bound double-sided printing, based on the number of originals, direct printing, which prints the image information of the original directly on the recording paper, and memory printing, which temporarily stores the image information of the original in the storage means and then prints it on the recording paper The image information of the two originals is printed on the front side of a single recording sheet by using both of them, and after the recording sheet is inverted by the recording sheet switchback means, the back side is printed on the recording sheet in the same manner.

Therefore, when performing book-bound double-sided printing, appropriate printing can be performed on the surface of the recording paper to reduce the memory capacity, and thereafter, the printing surface of the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means. As a result, appropriate printing can be performed on the back surface of the recording paper so that the memory capacity can be reduced.

As a result, the memory capacity can be reduced, and the operation of reversing the recording paper by an external manual operation is omitted, and the burden on the user for reversing the recording paper is reduced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention supplies a document using an automatic document feeder,
The image information of the original can be read and one-sided printing or two-sided printing can be performed on the recording paper. In the case of two-sided printing, after the one-sided printing of the recording paper is completed in the main paper transport path in the paper transport path, the recording paper is temporarily stopped. In an image forming apparatus which is retracted to a reversing path in a paper transport path and then printed on a back side in a main paper transport path via a sub transport path in the paper transport path, a storage means for storing image information for one side of the recording paper And this storage means can store image information of one side of recording paper or half of one side of recording paper with respect to a document to be read, and at the time of printing, the image information stored in the storage means And a selection unit for selecting which one of the image information of the document read by the automatic document feeder is to be printed, and the recording after the completion of the single-sided printing during the double-sided printing. After the sheet is once retracted to the reversing path, a standby means is provided for taking out the recording sheet retreated to the reversing path during the printing of the next recording sheet, conveying the recording sheet to the sub-conveying path, and waiting in the sub-conveying path. It is characterized by being.

According to the above invention, in the image forming apparatus,
A document is supplied using an automatic document feeder, image information of the document is read, and single-sided printing or double-sided printing can be performed on recording paper.

Further, in this image forming apparatus, when performing double-sided printing, after the single-sided printing of the recording paper is completed in the paper main transport path in the paper transport path, the recording paper is temporarily retracted to the reversing path in the paper transport path. After that, the reverse side printing is performed on the paper main transport path via the sub transport path in the paper transport path.

Here, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with storage means for storing image information for one side of the recording paper,
The storage means can store the image information of one side of the recording paper or half of the one side of the recording paper with respect to the document to be read, and at the time of printing, the image information stored in the storage means and the automatic document It is provided with a selection means for selecting which one of the image information of the document read by the transport device to be printed, and in the above-described double-sided printing, after the recording paper after the single-sided printing is once retracted to the reversing path, There is provided a standby means for taking out the recording sheet retracted to the reversing path while printing the next recording sheet, transporting the recording sheet to the sub-transport path, and waiting in the sub-transport path.

That is, in book binding printing of bag binding or saddle binding, since the page arrangement on the recording paper is important, the read original may not be printed immediately.

At this time, in the present invention, storage means for storing image information for one side of the recording paper is provided, and this storage means is provided for storing one side of the recording paper or one side of the recording paper for the original to be read. Can store half of the image information, so that the read original can be temporarily stored.

That is, since the storage means can store the image information for one side of the recording paper, half of the one side of the recording paper can be stored for two originals. Also,
Since this storage means can store the image information of one side of the recording paper or half of the one side of the recording paper for the document to be read, it is also possible to store only the half of the original of one side of the recording paper. . This means that the image information of the half of the original for one side of the recording paper is stored, the other half of the data is set to 0, and the image information of the original and the white page as 0 data can be printed side by side. is there.

When the original read in this way is printed, the selecting means selects either the image information stored in the storage means or the image information of the original read by the automatic document feeder. Select whether to print.

Therefore, by the selection operation by the selection means, it is possible to print the image information of two originals which are half of one side of the recording paper first, and then store the two read originals. Therefore, it is possible to control the standby means described later.

As described above, in this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the original is the original 2
It suffices if there is enough capacity to store the image information of a sheet.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.

Further, according to the present invention, at the time of double-sided printing, after the recording paper after the one-sided printing is completed is temporarily retreated to the reversing path, the recording paper retreated to the reversing path during the printing of the next recording paper. There is provided a standby means for taking out the paper, transporting the paper to the sub-transport path, and waiting in the sub-transport path.

That is, in the case of double-sided printing, after the front side printing of the first recording sheet is completed, the sheet is retracted to the reversing path, and then the back side data of the first recording sheet is read and stored in the storage means. While reading the surface data of the second recording paper, the surface of the first recording paper is transported to the sub-transport path, and waits in the sub-transport path. Then, after the front side printing of the second recording sheet is performed first and the sheet is retracted to the reversing path, the back side printing of the first recording sheet waiting in the sub-conveying path is performed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, two sheets of recording paper can be transported simultaneously to the paper transport path.

As a result, it is possible to improve the printing processing speed when printing all the recording paper.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is arranged such that, in the image forming apparatus, the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the bundle of originals to be stacked is selected. Upper and lower original selection conveying means for sequentially conveying both the uppermost original and the lowermost original, or either the uppermost original or the lowermost original to the original reading section, and Based on the number of originals, the selective conveyance means selects either the uppermost original or the lowermost original first, or selects either the uppermost original or the lowermost original. Features.

According to the above-described invention, the automatic document feeder selects the highest-order document or the lowest-order document in the stack of stacked documents, and selects both the highest-order document and the lowest-order document, or the lowest-order document. An upper / lower document selecting / conveying means for sequentially conveying either the upper document or the lowermost document to the document reading unit is provided.

The upper / lower original selecting / conveying means may determine which one of the uppermost original and the lowermost original first, or which one of the uppermost original and the lowermost original, based on the number of originals. Select one or the other.

Therefore, regardless of the number of originals, the originals can be appropriately conveyed to the original reading section in any case where the image information is stored in the storage means and when the image data is directly printed by the upper and lower originals selecting and conveying means. Book binding printing can always be performed in the same process.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the above-described image forming apparatus, when the printing surface is double-sided, the upper / lower original selecting / conveying means has a remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by four. 0, 1, 2, or 3, wherein either the top document or the bottom document is selected first, and either the top document or the bottom document is selected. I have.

That is, in bookbinding printing of saddle stitching, printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper.

When the number of documents is 4n (n is an integer), for example, the last page and the first page of the document are printed in this order on the front surface of the recording paper, while the back surface of the recording paper is printed in this order. For example, the second page and one page before the last page are printed in this order.

However, the order of this printing is different when the number of originals is 4n-1, 4n-2, and 4n-3. Also, the order may be changed by inserting image information of a white page.

However, according to the present invention, the upper / lower original selecting / conveying means determines whether the remainder of dividing the number of originals by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, so that one of the uppermost original and the lowermost original is placed first. Select either the top document or the bottom document.

Therefore, when the remainder of the number of original documents divided by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, both of the uppermost original and the lowermost original in the original bundle of the automatic original feeder are both used. , Or one of the top document or the bottom document is selected, so when performing bookbinding printing of saddle stitching, the appropriate one of the top document or the bottom document in the document bundle It can be read by the reading unit.

As a result, it is possible to reliably take out the top document or the bottom document in the placed document bundle. In addition, the discharge of the original can always be performed in the page order.

[0109]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Embodiment 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a digital copier as an image forming apparatus will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, a multifunction peripheral including a digital copier or another image forming apparatus.

The digital copying machine of the present embodiment is similar to that of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a document table 31 as a document reading section made of transparent glass or the like is provided on the upper surface.

The automatic document feeder 10 is disposed above the document table 31, and the scanner optical system 30 is disposed below the automatic document feeder 10.

The scanner optical system 30 feeds the uppermost or lowermost document of the document bundle by the automatic document feeder 10 by the upper or lower half-moon roller of the sheet feeding mechanism, and is fed by the feeding belt to the specified position. And an exposure light source 32 for irradiating light to the original stopped by the scanner optical system 30 as shown by an alternate long and short dash line in FIG.
A photoelectric conversion element (hereinafter, referred to as a “CCD: Charge Coupled Device”) through an imaging lens 34 disposed therein.
, A plurality of reflection mirrors 33 leading to the light guide 35, the imaging lens 34 arranged in the optical path, and the CCD 35.

An image forming section 40 is provided below the scanner optical system 30.

In the image forming unit 40, the original image data read by the CCD 35 in the scanner optical system 30 is subjected to image processing, and is subjected to a laser output conversion unit (hereinafter referred to as "LSU: Laser Scanning Unit"). ) 74 irradiates the surface of the photoconductor 41 with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 41.

The photosensitive member 41 has a drum shape which is driven to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, which is the direction of the arrow. Around the photoreceptor 41, a developing device 42 for developing an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 exposed by the laser into a visible image with toner in a rotational direction of the photoreceptor 41 from a laser irradiation point,
A transfer charger 43 for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor 41 to the recording paper P, a cleaning device 44 for removing residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor 41, a main charger 45 for charging the photoconductor 41 to a predetermined potential, The LSU 74 and the like for irradiating the laser toward the laser irradiation point of the photoconductor 41 are sequentially provided.

The recording paper P is stored in a paper cassette 51. A recording paper half-moon roller 52 for feeding the recording paper P is disposed at the leading end of the paper cassette 51, and a registration for detecting the passage of the recording paper P toward the downstream side, which is the discharge side. A front detection switch 53, registration rollers 54 and 54 for aligning the toner image on the photoconductor 41 with the recording paper P based on the signal of the pre-registration detection switch 53, and recording the toner image on the photoconductor 41. The transfer charger 43 for transferring to the paper P, fixing rollers 55 for fixing the toner image on the recording paper P by heat, and a fixing unit (not shown) for detecting that the recording paper P has passed through the fixing rollers 55. Paper detection switch and discharge roller 5
A paper ejection detection switch (not shown) that detects that the recording paper P has passed before 6.56, and reversely conveys the recording paper P in the reverse direction when the rear end of the recording paper P passes the reversing selection claw 57. The reversing rollers 58, 58 and the paper discharge rollers 56 for discharging the recording paper P are arranged.

As a result, the recording paper P is discharged beside the image forming section 40. When reversing the recording paper P,
The reversing selection claw 57 moves as shown by the broken line in FIG. 3 with respect to the recording paper P that has passed through the fixing rollers 55 and the reversing selection claw 57 and has been retreated to the reversal escape path 59a as the recording paper switchback means. And reversing rollers 58
Are reversed, the recording paper P passes through the sub-conveying path 59b as recording paper switchback means, and the registration rollers 54.5
After the sheet P is conveyed to the position 4 and registered with the recording paper P by the registration rollers 54, the back surface of the recording paper P is printed by the transfer charger 43 and the fixing rollers 55, 55. Note that, in the drawing, while the recording paper P is being retracted in the reversing evacuation path 59a, a part of the recording paper P
It appears to be exposed from 56, but it does not matter whether or not it is exposed. The recording paper P on which both sides are printed is supplied to the reversing roller 58.
58 and the paper is discharged through the paper discharge rollers 56.

The control of the operation of the digital copying machine is performed by the control unit.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the control section 60 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 and an image memory 62 as storage means.
The CPU 61 performs various controls such as an automatic document feeder control 63, a scanner optical system control 64, a printing process control 65, a recording paper feed control 66, an image memory control 67, and an image data switching control 68.

In the automatic document feeder control 63, the scanner optical system control 64, the printing process control 65, and the recording paper feed control 66, the control of the document feeder 1 and the document discharger 11, which will be described later, and the aforementioned scanner Control for performing operations of the optical system 30 and the image forming unit 40 is performed.

The image memory control 67 is for performing control such as storing image information of the read original M in the image memory 62 when performing book binding copy as book binding printing. Reference numeral 68 denotes control for switching between printing image information in the image memory 62 or directly printing image information of the read original M when performing book binding copy, or a white page (hereinafter, referred to as a white image inserting means). The switching control of whether or not to insert “white data”) is performed. In addition,
As a method of inserting a white page, there is a method of separately storing white image information in an image memory 62 to be described later and printing the white image information. In addition, for example, the recording paper P is simply moved by the amount of the white page. There is also a way to do this.

Next, the configuration of the automatic document feeder 10 will be described in detail.

In the automatic document feeder 10 of the present embodiment, book binding copying can be performed with a minimum amount of image information of the document M by using a hardware mechanism.

That is, the automatic document feeder 10
As shown in FIG. 4, the uppermost original pickup roller 3 for extracting the uppermost original of the bundle of originals placed on the original feed tray 2 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 for extracting the lowermost original of the original bundle, When taking out the upper and lower originals M, an original feeder as an upper / lower original selecting / conveying means constituted by an upper separating plate 5 and a lower separating plate 6 for preventing a plurality of originals M of the original bundle from being overlapped and taken out. Paper 1
have.

FIG. 5A shows the operation of the document feeder 1.
As shown in (b), by taking out the originals M of the original bundle placed on the original feed tray 2 alternately from the lowermost position and the uppermost position, for example, the 2nd of the first page and the last page is obtained.
The sheets can be continuously conveyed to the document table 31 and read.

More specifically, the document M is stopped one by one by a PS (Paper Stop) roller 7 arranged to adjust the leading edge of the document and the image reading timing, and re-conveyed with the timing adjusted. Is conveyed by a belt 8 to a platen 31 made of platen glass, and as described above,
When the document M is irradiated by the exposure light source 32 of the scanner optical system 30 shown in FIG. 2, the frame is scanned at the same time, and the image information of the document M is read by the CCD 35 via the reflection mirrors 33 and the imaging lens 34. Can be

In this embodiment, the first read original M is stored in the image memory 62 of the control unit 60, while the second read original M is stored at the specified position of the original M. The image data is read and printed directly, and, following the printing, the first document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed.

As will be described later in detail, by performing such processing, the image memory 6 having a storage capacity of one document M can be obtained.
If there is 2, the book can be bound and copied.

On the other hand, the original M thus read
Are conveyed to an upper document discharge tray 13a and a lower document discharge tray 13b via a conveyance roller 12 in a document discharge unit 11 as a discharged document rearranging unit.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the automatic document feeder 10 according to the present embodiment includes an upper document discharge tray 13a and a lower document discharge tray 1 serving as two document discharge trays.
3b. This is because, in the present embodiment, a method is employed in which the originals M of the original bundle placed on the original feed tray 2 are taken out from the uppermost position and the lowermost position. A document discharge tray 13a and a lower document discharge tray 13b are provided.

Document discharge section 1 of automatic document feeder 10
1 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 6, the document discharge section 11 includes the document table 31, the belt 8, the belt driving roller 9, the document main transport path 14, the upper transport branch path 15a, and the lower transport branch path 15.
b, Switchback conveyance path 16 as switchback means, first conveyance path selection claw 17a, second conveyance path selection claw 1
7b, switchback transport rollers 18 and 18, upper discharge rollers 19a and 19a, lower discharge rollers 19b and 19b,
Document discharging half-moon roller 21 as switchback means,
And an upper document discharge tray 13a and a lower document discharge tray 13b.

The document discharge transport path is composed of a document main transport path 14, an upper transport branch path 15a, a lower transport branch path 15b, and a switchback transport path 16. Path selection claw 17a and second transport path selection claw 17
b is arranged.

As shown in the figure, the first conveyance path selection claw 17a is always urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction of the claw position indicated by the broken line, and the original main conveyance path 14 and the switchback When the document M is conveyed from the document table 31 into the conveyance path, the first conveyance path selection claw 1 is moved by the force of the conveyance of the document M.
7a is pushed open in the direction of the position indicated by the solid line, and the original M is transported through the original main transport path 14.

The second conveying path selecting claw 17b can be arbitrarily switched between a claw position shown by a solid line and a claw position shown by a broken line as shown in FIG. I have. In the case of the broken line position, the document main conveyance path 14 and the upper conveyance branch path 15a are opened, and in the case of the solid line position, the document main conveyance path 14 and the lower conveyance branch path 15b are opened.

At the rear end of the upper transport branch path 15a, there are provided upper discharge rollers 19a which rotate in the direction of discharging the document M from the upper transport branch path 15a to the upper document discharge tray 13a. The document M conveyed from the main conveyance path 14 into the upper conveyance branch path 15a is discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a by the rotation of the upper discharge rollers 19a.

On the other hand, at the rear end of the lower transport branch 15b,
Lower discharge rollers 19b, 19 whose rotation direction can be arbitrarily changed
b from the original main transport path 14 to the lower transport branch path 15
The original M conveyed into the lower discharge roller 19b
The document is discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b by the rotation of 19b. In addition, the lower document discharge tray 13b is provided with a document discharge half-moon roller 21 that rotates clockwise in the figure, and one by one from the upper side of the document bundle once discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b. The document can be sent out to the lower conveying branch path 15b. At this time, the lower discharge rollers 19b
b rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of paper discharge, and draws the document M from the lower document discharge tray 13b into the lower transport branch path 15b. The first transport path selection claw 17a is also operated by a solenoid (not shown), similarly to the second transport path selection claw 17b.
The nail position shown by a solid line and the nail position shown by a broken line may be arbitrarily switched. In the switchback transport path 16, switchback transport rollers 18, whose rotation direction can be freely changed, are arranged.

The document discharge mechanism in the document discharge section 11 will be described.

In the document discharge mechanism of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), an upper (last page) or lower (head page) is moved from a document bundle with the document surface down. Is selected, and the original M fed by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown) having a function of feeding the originals M one by one is moved to a predetermined position on the original table 31 by the belt 8 driven by the belt driving roller 9. And after the scanner optical system 30 performs image input processing on the document surface, as shown in FIG.
The document is conveyed by the belt 8 into the document discharge conveyance path.

In the document discharge conveyance path, the first conveyance path selection claw 1
7a is pushed open from the broken line position to the solid line position by the document M conveyed from the document table 31, and guides the document M to the document main conveyance path 14. Thereafter, the second conveyance path selection claw 17
According to b, the document M is sorted and transported to either the upper transport branch path 15a or the lower transport branch path 15b.

That is, the original M sent from the original platen 31 is an ascending original (first half original) from the first page or a descending original (second half original) from the last page. Since it can be known at the time of paper, the first half original is discharged to the lower original discharge tray 13b, and the second half original is discharged to the upper original discharge tray 13a.

For example, first, when the document M conveyed from the document table 31 to the document discharge conveyance path is the document M fed from the upper side by the paper feeding mechanism, the second conveyance path selection claw 17b
Is set at the position indicated by the broken line in FIG.
19a rotates in the direction of discharging the document M from the upper conveyance branch path 15a to the upper document discharge tray 13a, and discharges the document M to the upper document discharge tray 13a with the document surface facing upward.

Next, when the document M conveyed from the document table 31 to the document discharge conveyance path is the document M fed from below by the paper feeding mechanism, the second conveyance path selection claw 17b
The document M is set at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
b is the lower document discharge tray 13b
The document M is rotated in the direction in which the document M is discharged, and the document M is discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b with the document face up.

As a result, when the copying of all the originals M in the bookbinding copy is completed, as shown in FIG. 7, the latter half of the original original bundle is placed on the upper original discharge tray 13a with the original side up. The sheets are discharged in the normal order, and the lower document discharge tray 13
In b, the first half of the original document bundle is discharged in reverse order with the document surface up. That is, as shown in the drawing, the first half originals are sequentially discharged from the bottom to the lower original discharge tray 13b in order from the bottom, with pages 1 to N-1 pages facing up, and the upper originals are discharged. The second half documents are sequentially discharged from the top to the discharge tray 13a in ascending order with the document surface up from the (N + 1) th page to the last page.

However, in this state, even if the stack of the second half and the stack of the first half discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a and the lower document discharge tray 13b are taken out and overlapped, the entire document bundle is not changed. They are not in ascending or descending order.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the original M discharged to the lower original discharge tray 13b is again conveyed into the original discharge conveyance path, and is switched back to perform the upper original discharge tray 13b.
a.

The switchback operation will be described below.

First, as shown in the figure, the uppermost document M on the lower document discharge tray 13b is taken out. At this time,
At the time of the switchback operation, as shown in FIG. 6, the second conveyance path selection claw 17b is set to the position shown by the solid line,
The lower discharge rollers 19b rotate in a direction opposite to the direction in which the original is discharged, and the switchback transport rollers 18
The document M rotates in a direction to draw the document M from the document main transport path 14 into the switchback transport path 16.

By rotating the original discharge half-moon roller 21 clockwise with respect to the original bundle aligned in the lower original discharge tray 13b by an original arrangement mechanism (not shown), the original M is moved from above. One-sheet lower discharge roller 19b
The sheet is fed to 19b, guided to the switchback conveyance path 16 through the document original conveyance path 14, and pulled in by the switchback conveyance rollers 18.

Next, after the end of the conveyed document M has passed through the second conveyance path selection claw 17b, the rotation of the switchback conveyance rollers 18 is stopped, and the second conveyance path selection claw 17b is stopped.
b is switched to the position shown by the broken line, and the upper discharge roller 19a
Rotate 19a in the direction of discharging the original M, and rotate the switchback transport rollers 18 in the direction in which the switchback transport path 16 is transported from the switchback transport path 16 to the original document primary transport path 14; Upper transport branch 1 through 14
The sheet is guided to 5a, and is discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a by the upper discharge rollers 19a as shown in FIG.

As a result, the uppermost N-page document M of the lower document discharge tray 13b is transported into the switchback transport path 16, and the upper document discharge tray 13a is moved to the upper document discharge tray 13a by using the switchback function. It can be discharged to the top.
As a result, on the upper document discharge tray 13a, the documents M from the Nth page to the last page are arranged in ascending order from the upper side.

Then, the operation of discharging the original M discharged to the lower original discharge tray 13b to the upper original discharge tray 13a while switching back one sheet at a time is performed without the original M in the lower original discharge tray 13b. By repeating the above, as shown in FIG. 9, in the upper document discharge tray 13a,
Finally, a document bundle in ascending order with the document surface up from the first page to the last page in order from the upper side can be obtained.

Thus, by directly picking up the original bundle discharged to the upper original discharge tray 13a, it is possible to obtain the original bundle placed on the original feed tray 2 of the original discharge section 11.

Next, the automatic document feeder 1 of the present embodiment
The operation when performing book binding copy at 0 will be described. Here, the book-bound copy includes bag binding, saddle binding (weekly magazine binding), and right binding or left binding. The right binding is for pages in ascending order from the right, and the left binding is for pages in ascending order from the left. Note that the staple binding and the saddle stitching will be described in the following staple binding or saddle stitching book binding copy.

First, the case of performing the stapled copy will be described. Here, left binding will be described.

[0156] In the case of the left-bound binding copy, FIG.
As shown in (a), for example, in a book of A4 size, for example, the first page of A4 size is printed on the left page of the one-side spread page (for two pages) of the copied A3 size recording paper P, and the right page is printed. The second page of the A4 size is printed. Further, for example, the third page of the A4 size is printed on the left page of the single-sided double-page spread (two pages) of the A3 size recording paper P, and the fourth page of the A4 size is printed on the right page.

When the number of originals is an even number, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the N-th document M is printed on the right side of the last sheet of recording paper P, while when the number of documents is odd, as shown in FIG. The Nth document M is printed on the left side of the last sheet of P.

At this time, as for the printing direction, as shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B, on the first recording paper P, the second page is printed first, and then the first page is printed.
Therefore, the first read original M is printed side by side after the next read original M.

When book binding and copying are completed in this way, bookbinding can be performed by folding the center line of each recording sheet P and stacking them. Therefore,
In bag binding, the back side of the recording paper P is not printed, and book binding copying can be automatically performed by a digital copying machine having a single-sided printing function.

Here, in the present embodiment, in the case of left-bound binding, the first read original M is temporarily stored, and then the second original M is read.
After printing is performed at a prescribed position on the document table 31, the stored first document M is printed side by side.

The switching control between image storage and printing is performed as shown in FIG.

That is, as shown in the figure, the analog signal image data input to the CCD 35 by the reading operation of the scanner optical system 30 is converted into digital signal image data by the A / D converter 71. The digital image data (hereinafter, simply referred to as "image data")
Is subjected to image processing by an image processing unit 72 as a magnification printing unit, and is input to a data bus switching unit 73 as a selection unit.

In the image processing section 72, for example, when printing the read image information of one sheet of the original M, の of the length of the recording paper P in the transport direction is equal to the length of the original M in the transport direction. If they do not match, the image is printed at a variable magnification.

The data bus switching unit 73 includes a CPU 61
The image data of the original M to be read by the scanner is input to the image memory 62 and held, or the laser output converter (L)
(SU) 74 is selected by a select signal 80.

If the image data of the original M to be read is to be held in the image memory 62, the data bus 8
Select 2. In this case, the odd-numbered original M
Is stored in the image memory 62. At this time, the CPU 61
Indicates the write mode to the image memory 62 by the control signal 81.

In the case of image data to be output directly without holding the image information of the original M, the CPU 61 gives a select signal 80 to select the data bus 83. In this case, the even-numbered original M is directly printed. When the data bus 83 is selected, the data bus switching unit 73 directly outputs the image data of the document M read by the data bus 83 to the laser output conversion unit (LSU) 74 and the image forming unit 40 Select to print.

On the other hand, when outputting the image data held in the image memory 62, a read mode is instructed to the image memory 62 by the control signal 81 from the CPU 61, and the held image data is read. Accordingly, the data bus switching unit 73 selects the output data bus 84 from the image memory 62, outputs the image data to the laser output conversion unit 74, and performs the printing process in the image forming unit 40.

The operation for performing the above-described left-bound binding will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 to 15.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG.
Original M with image information written only on A4 size surface
However, it is assumed that a document bundle is placed downward on the document feed tray 2 from page 1 to END page as a document bundle.

First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, a page printing request for book binding copy processing is made to the digital copying machine (S1). In response to the print request, the number of prints, the print magnification, the recording paper size, and the like are set, and information on the number of originals to be read is also set. Based on the information, it is determined whether the number of originals to be read is an even number or an odd number. (S2).

According to this determination, when the number of originals is an even number, a two originals processing mode routine is performed (S3).
When the processing of the two originals is completed, it is determined whether or not the next original is present (S4).
The sheet processing mode routine is repeated.

In the two-document processing mode routine,
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, first, the lowest document of the document bundle is picked up as the first document M (S
11) Convey one lowermost document picked up by the lowermost document pickup roller 4 to a document table 31 serving as a document reading unit (S12). The transported document M is
It is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S
13) After being input to the CCD 35 and performing image processing,
Image information is stored in the image memory 62 of the control unit 60 (S14).

Next, the lowest document of the document bundle is picked up as the second document M (S15), and the lowest document picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S15). S16) Subsequently, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 is transported to the registration rollers 54 using the recording paper half-moon roller 52 (S17), and the lowest document transported to the original platen 31 is placed on the original platen. 31
(S18).

The original M is read by the scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S19), and the conveyance of the recording paper P and the timing of aligning the front end of the recording paper P with the front end of the image information input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing are performed. Direct printing is performed by irradiating image information on the photoconductor 41 (S20).

Next, the printing position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowermost document is called up at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the lowermost document is completed. Is performed (S21).

Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged through the reverse retreat path 59a via the discharge rollers 56 (S22).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, a book-bound copy of an even number of originals M in the left-bound binding is completed.

On the other hand, when the number of originals is odd,
In S2 shown in (2), it is determined that the number of originals is an odd number.
In the description, it is assumed that the number of originals M is at least three or more.

At this time, first, the above-described original two-sheet processing mode routine is performed (S5). Next, when the processing of the two originals is completed, it is determined whether or not the next original is the final original (S6). If the next original is not the final original, the original original processing mode routine is repeated.

If the next original is not the last original in S6, an odd-numbered final original processing mode routine is performed (S6).
7).

In the odd-numbered-final-document processing mode routine, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 15, first, the last document M is picked up by the lowest-order document pickup roller 4 (S31).
Then, the final document M picked up by the scanner is conveyed to a document table 31, which is a document reading unit (S32). The conveyed final document M is read by the scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S33), is input to the CCD 35, performs image processing, and stores image information in the image memory 62 of the control unit 60 (S34). ).

Next, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 is transferred to the registration rollers 54 using the recording paper half-moon roller 52.
(S35), the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowermost document is called at an optimal timing when the printing is completed when a white page is printed. Image irradiation is performed on the photoconductor 41 (S36).

Then, after the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P is fixed, the recording paper P is discharged through the reverse retreat path 59a via the paper discharge rollers 56 (S37).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 11A, a book-binding copy using an odd number of originals M in the left-binding bag binding is completed.

[0185] For book binding copy in right-bound bag binding, printing may be performed in the reading order of the document M.
At that time, since it is only necessary to adjust the timing so as to print in parallel, the description is omitted.

Next, a case where book binding copying of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding) will be described.

When book binding with saddle stitching (weekly magazine stapling) is performed, the double-sided copy mode is used. For example, in the case where book binding copy is performed on the A3 size recording paper P using the saddle-stitching left binding copy using eight A4 size originals M, each recording paper P is shown in FIG.
(B) As shown in (c) and (d), printing is performed.

Here, in the present embodiment, since the left binding copy is performed, the lowermost original M of the original bundle is read first, and the image information of the first read original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62. It is memorized. Then, the second original M
Is read from the top of the bundle of documents, printing is performed at a prescribed position on the document table 31, and the first document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed side by side. Then, when printing on the front side of the recording paper P is completed, the recording paper P is inverted, the uppermost original M of the original bundle is read, and the image information of the original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62. Then, the second document M is read from the lowest position of the document bundle, printed at a specified position on the document table 31, and the documents M stored in the image memory 62 are printed side by side.

By repeating this, FIG.
(B) Book binding copies shown in (c) and (d) are completed. Then, the printed A3 size recording paper P is overlapped by valley-folding the center of the surface thereof, and stopped by staples at the center position, thereby completing bookbinding by bookbinding of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding).

Here, in book binding copy of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding), A3-size originals M are printed side by side on the front and back sides of A3-size recording paper P, so that the above-described FIGS. (C) As shown in (c) and (d), in addition to the case where the number of originals M is printed on all pages of the recording paper P,
As shown in FIGS. 17 (a), (b), (c), and (d), when one white page is inserted, FIGS. 18 (a), (b), and (c)
As shown in FIG. 19D, when two white pages are inserted, three white pages may be inserted as shown in FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D.

The place where the white page is inserted is not limited to the above-mentioned one. When the book is bound and bound and bound, the white page cannot be combined on the last page side.

The order of printing is eight sheets.
1: 8 page, 2: 1 page, 3: 2 page, 4: 7 page, 5: 6 page, 6: 3 page, 7: 4 page,
8: 5 page. The printing order for 7 sheets is 1:
White, 2: 1 page, 3: 2 page, 4: 7 page, 5:
6 pages, 6: 3 pages, 7: 4 pages, and 8: 5 pages. The printing order for six pages is 1: white, 2: 1 page, 3: 2 page, 4: white, 5: 6 page, 6: 3 page, 7: 4 page, 8: 5 page. In the case of five sheets, the printing order is 1: white, 2: 1 page, 3: 2 page,
4: White, 5: White, 6: 3 pages, 7: 4 pages, 8: 5
Page.

On the other hand, in the case of performing these bookbinding copies, the feeding order of the document M is, for example, 8, 7, 6,
Table 1 shows the results for a bundle of five originals.

[0194]

[Table 1]

That is, when the number of documents is eight, the first: one page, the second: eight pages, the third: seven pages,
The fourth sheet is fed in the order of 2 pages, the 5th page is 3 pages, the 6th page is 6 pages, the 7th page is 5 pages, and the 8th page is 4 pages. Next, when the number of documents is seven, the first: one page, the second: seven pages, the third: two pages, the fourth: three
Pages are fed in the order of the fifth page: the sixth page, the sixth page: the fifth page, and the seventh page: the fourth page. If the number of originals is
In the case of a sheet, the first: one page, the second: two pages, the third: three pages, the fourth: six pages, the fifth: five pages,
Sixth: Paper is fed in the order of four pages. Finally, when the number of documents is five, the first: one page, the second: 42 pages, the third: three pages, the fourth: five pages, the fifth: four pages
Paper is fed in page order.

The double-sided printing on the A3-size recording paper P in the above-described order of feeding the A4-size original M is performed by using eight, seven, six or five originals M in FIG.
23 is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, when the number of the originals M is eight, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20, when the original M of the first page is fed first (S41), the image of the original M is displayed. The data is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S42). Next, the document M of the eighth page is fed second (S43), and the image data of the document M is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit (LSU) 74 (S43).
44) Then, the stored image data is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S45). Then, the two image data are arranged and printed on the surface of the first recording paper P (S46).

Next, returning to S41, the document M of the seventh page is fed third, the document M of the second page is fed fourth, and the first recording sheet is similarly processed. It is printed on the back of P. Similarly, returning to S41, the fifth to eighth steps
The document M is fed and printed.

As a result, the steps S41 to S46 are repeated four times, thereby completing the book binding copy when the number of originals M is eight.

Next, in the case where the number of originals M is seven, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21, when the original M of the first page is fed first (S51), the original M The image data is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S52). Next, the pre-stored white data is transferred to the laser output converter (LSU) (S53), and the stored image data is subsequently transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S54). Then, the white data and the image data of the original M are arranged and printed on the front surface of the first recording paper P (S5).
5).

Next, when the document M of the seventh page is fed second (S56), the image data of the document M is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S57). Then
Thirdly, the document M of the second page is fed (S58), the image data of the document M is read, and the laser output conversion unit 7 reads the image data.
4 (S59), and then the stored image data is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S60). Then, the two image data are arranged and printed on the back surface of the first recording paper P (S61).

Next, returning to S56 again, the third page original M is fed fourth, the sixth page original M is fed fifth, and the second recording sheet is similarly fed. It is printed on the surface of P. Similarly, returning to S56, the sixth to seventh
The third document M is fed and printed.

As a result, S51 to S55 and S5
By repeating the steps from 6 to S61 three times,
Book binding copy for seven originals M is completed.

Next, when the number of the originals M is six, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22, first, the original M of the first page is fed (S71), and the image data of the original M is read. Is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S
72). Next, the pre-stored white data is transferred to the laser output converter (LSU) (S73), and the stored image data is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S73).
74). Then, the white data and the image data of the original M are arranged and printed on the front surface of the first recording paper P (S7).
5).

Next, when the document M of the second page is fed second (S76), the image data of the document M is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S77). The white data is transferred to the laser output converter (S78). Then, the image data and the white data of the second page are arranged and printed on the back surface of the first recording paper P (S79).

Next, when the third page of the document M is fed (S80), the image data of the document M is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S81). Then
Fourth, when the document M of the sixth page is fed (S8
2), the image data of the original M is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S83), and the stored image data is subsequently transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S8).
4). Then, the two image data are arranged and printed on the surface of the second recording paper P (S85).

Next, returning to S80, the fifth page of the document M is fed fifth, the sixth page of the document M is fed sixth, and the second recording sheet is similarly fed. It is printed on the back side of P (S85).

As a result, S71 to S79 and S8
By repeating the steps from 0 to S85 twice, a book-bound copy for six originals M is completed.

Next, when there are five originals M, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 23, first, the original M of the first page is fed (S91), and the image data of the original M is read. Is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S
92). Next, the previously stored white data is transferred to the laser output conversion unit (LSU) (S93), and the stored image data is subsequently transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S93).
94). Then, the white data and the image data of the document M of the first page are arranged and printed on the front surface of the first recording paper P (S95).

Next, when the document M of the second page is fed second (S96), the image data of the document M is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S97). The white data is transferred to the laser output converter (S98). Then, the image data and the white data of the second page are arranged and printed on the back surface of the first recording sheet P (S99).

Next, when the third page of the original M is fed (S100), the image data of the third page is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S101).
Next, the white data stored in advance is converted into the laser output converter 7.
4 (S102), and then transfers the stored third page image data to the laser output converter 74 (S102).
103). Then, the white data and the image data of the third page are arranged and printed on the surface of the second recording paper P (S
104).

Next, when the fourth page of the document M is fed (S105), the image data of the fifth page is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S106).
Next, when the fifth page of the document M is fed (S107), the image data of the fourth page is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S108), and the stored fifth page M is read. Is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S109). Then, the two image data are arranged and printed on the back surface of the second recording paper P (S110).

[0213] Thus, book binding copy when the number of originals M is five is completed.

When the above-mentioned original M is 8, 7, 6, or 5
Generally, when performing bookbinding copy of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding) according to each flowchart, the method of reading the bundle of documents from the top or bottom is determined by the number of documents M Is a multiple of 4 or a multiple of 4 minus 1 or 4
It can be seen that there are four types: multiple of −2 and multiple of −3.

That is, in the case of performing book binding copy of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. (S201) When the number of originals is set (S202), it is first determined whether the number of originals M is a multiple of 4 (S203), a multiple of 4 minus 1 (S204), or a multiple of 4 minus 2. (S205). As this calculation method, a division circuit is provided inside the digital copying machine, and this circuit divides the number of documents by 4 to calculate 4na, where quotient is n and remainder is a, and the remainder is determined by a. It is possible.

If the number of originals M is a multiple of four, 4n processing is performed (S206). If the number of originals M is a multiple of four, 4n-1 processing is performed (S207).
If the number of images is a multiple of 4-2, 4n-2 processing is performed (S
208), if the number of originals M is a multiple of 4-3, 4n-
Three processes are performed (S209).

In the 4n process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 25, first, the lowest order of the original bundle is picked up (S211), and then the highest order of the original bundle is picked up (S212).

Next, the uppermost part of the original bundle is picked up (S213), and then the lowermost part of the original bundle is picked up (S214).

Next, it is determined whether or not the document M remains (S215). If the document M remains, the process returns to S211 and the processes from S211 to S215 are repeated until the document M runs out.

In the 4n-1 processing, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26, first, the lowest order of the document bundle is picked up (S221), and then the highest order of the document bundle is picked up (S222).

Next, the lowest order of the original bundle is picked up (S223), and it is determined whether or not the original M remains (S224).

If the original M remains, the above 4n processing is performed (S225), and the 4n processing is continued until the original M is exhausted.
Repeat the process.

In the 4n-2 process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 27, first, the lowest order of the original bundle is picked up (S231), and then the lowest order of the original bundle is picked up (S232).

Next, it is determined whether or not the original M remains (S233).
The processing is performed (S234).
n process is repeated.

Further, in the above 4n-3 processing, FIG.
As shown in the flowchart of (1), first, the lowest order of the document bundle is picked up (S241), and then the lowest order of the document stack is picked up (S242).

Next, the lowest position of the document bundle is picked up (S243), the highest position of the document bundle is picked up (S244), and the lowest position of the document bundle is picked up (S245).

Next, it is determined whether or not the original M remains (S246).
The processing is performed (S247).
n process is repeated.

By reading each of the originals M, saddle-stitched book-stitched copying becomes possible.

Here, regarding the method of feeding the original M, the processing is 4n processing, 4n-1 processing, 4n-2 processing,
The reason why the processing is different from the n-3 processing will be described.

For example, when the number of originals is 12, when the processing is completed, the state of the discharge tray of the recording paper P is changed to the state shown in FIG.
It becomes what is shown in.

At this time, if 4n processing is performed without using different processing depending on the number of originals, if the number of originals is 11, an original for printing on the surface 7 shown in FIG. Even if the document 10 is to be fed from the document feed tray 2, the document M to be fed is not left on the document feed tray 2, so the surface 7 shown in FIG.

Similarly, when the number of originals is ten, FIG.
When the original M to be printed on the surfaces 6 and 7 shown in FIG. 9 is to be fed from the original feed tray 2, the original M to be fed is not left on the original feed tray 2. Surfaces 6 and 7 shown in 29 are white surfaces.

Similarly, when the number of originals is nine, FIG.
When the original M to be printed on the surfaces 6, 7, and 8 shown in FIG.
Are not left on the document feed tray 2, the surfaces 6, 7, and 8 shown in FIG.

When these are bound in a book, a white page unnecessary for the user is formed on the way, and the center is shifted.

Here, the above 4n processing, 4n-1 processing,
When the 4n-2 processing and the 4n-3 processing are selectively used according to the number of originals, when the number of originals is 11, 12 shown in FIG.
The automatic document feeder 10 feeds the document M from the document feed tray 2 by 4n-1 processing so that the surface of the document becomes white. Similarly, when the number of documents is ten, the automatic document feeder 10 moves the document M from the document feed tray 2 by the 4n-2 process so that the surfaces 11 and 12 shown in FIG.
Feed. Similarly, when the number of documents is nine, FIG.
4n so that the surfaces 10, 11, and 12 shown in FIG.
The automatic document feeder 10 feeds the document M from the document feed tray 2 by the process-3.

When this is book-bound, the white pages that are unnecessary for the user are all in the second half, so that the center is not shifted.

By using the method described above, the original M can be transferred to the original feed tray 2 of the automatic original feeder 10.
, It is possible to realize sheet feeding by the automatic document feeder 10 for creating a book-bound copy without the user setting the document M each time.

The specific control operations of the above-described four patterns of the automatic document feeder 10 in the bookbinding copy of the saddle-stitching and left-stitching will be described throughout.

Here, assuming that n = 3, the original M is 12 sheets in the 4n processing, and the original M is 11 sheets in the 4n-1 processing.
-2 processing: 10 originals, 4n-3 processing: original M
Is described as nine.

In each of these cases, the number of recording papers P is three, but when the number of originals M subjected to the 4n process is twelve,
As shown in FIG. 30, the images of the four originals M are copied on the recording paper P, two images on each side, over a total of four surfaces.

Here, the black triangular arrow in the figure indicates the leading direction of the recording paper P. That is, the recording paper P1 shown in FIG.
Taking the front side and the back side of the recording paper P1 as an example, the recording paper P1 fed from the paper cassette 51 passes through the paper main transport path 59c, and the first and twelfth pages are firstly printed on one side by the photoconductor 41. Printed. After that, the recording paper P
1 is temporarily evacuated to the reverse evacuation path 59a. Next, when printing is performed on the back surface of the recording paper P1, the recording paper P1 is conveyed through the sub-conveying path 59b, and this time, the recording paper P1 is printed on the back surface of the first printing surface.
The page and the eleventh page are printed. After that, the recording paper P1 is discharged to the paper discharge tray through the reversal escape path 59a.

Thereafter, the recording paper P2 front surface and the recording paper P2 back surface, the recording paper P3 front surface and the recording paper P3 back surface are similarly printed, and a series of copying processes is completed.

A substantially similar copying process is performed for other copying patterns.

That is, if the original M subjected to the 4n-1 processing is 1
In the case of one sheet, as shown in FIG. 31, the twelfth page of the document M is blank. The original M which is 4n-2 processing
32, the twelfth and eleventh pages of the document M are blank as shown in FIG. Further, when the number of the originals M subjected to the 4n-3 processing is nine, the twelfth, eleventh, and tenth pages of the original M are blank as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, a process for realizing these copy patterns will be described in detail. It is assumed that the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment includes some means for counting the number of documents M. The document counting means is provided on the document table 3 of the automatic document feeder 10.
1 may be provided with a document counting mechanism, or an input device for a user to input the number of documents may be provided.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, the process flow chart after the number of originals is determined is 4n processing when the number of originals is divided by 4 and the remainder is 0 according to the remainder. 4n-1 processing, 4n-2 processing when the remainder is 2, 4n-3 processing when the remainder is 3
The processing is executed. Hereinafter, with respect to these copying processes, a detailed description will be given of a procedure for realizing each copying process of bookbinding binding of saddle stitching and left stitching from A4 size document to A3 size recording paper P.

First, the 4n-sheet document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

As shown in the figure, first, the first original M
And picks up the lowermost document in the document bundle (S30).
1) The one lowermost document picked up by the lowermost document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to a document table 31 which is a document reading unit (S302). The transported document M is
It is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S
303), input to the CCD 35, and after performing image processing, image information is stored in the image memory 62 of the control unit 60 (S304).

Next, the uppermost original of the original bundle is picked up as the second original M (S305), and the uppermost original picked up by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 is transported to the original table 31 (S305). S306) Then,
The recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 is transferred to the recording paper half-moon roller 52.
Is transported to the registration rollers 54 by using (S30).
7), the lowest document conveyed to the platen 31 is stopped at a specified position on the platen 31 (S308). The original M is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S309), and the conveyance of the recording paper P and the transfer of the image information are performed at the timing when the front end of the image information input to the CCD 35 and subjected to the image processing is aligned with the front end of the recording paper P. Direct printing is performed by irradiating the photosensitive member 41 with an image (S31).
0).

Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowermost document is called up at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the uppermost document is completed. (S31)
1).

After the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P is fixed, the recording paper P is guided to the reversal escape path 59a (S
312).

Next, the uppermost original of the original bundle remaining in the original feed tray 2 is picked up as the third original M (S313), and the uppermost original picked up by the separating roller is placed on the original platen. 31 (S31)
4). The conveyed document M is read by the scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S315), input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing, and then processed by the image memory 6 of the control unit 60.
The image information is stored in 2 (S316).

Next, as the fourth document M, the lowest document in the document bundle on the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S31).
7) The lowermost document picked up by the lowermost document pickup roller 4 is transported to the document table 31 (S318), and stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 (S319).

Then, the recording sheet P guided and evacuated by the reversal retreat path 59a is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 via the sub-conveyance path 59b (S320). The lower document is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S321), and the lower
The recording paper P is conveyed and the image of the image information is radiated to the photoconductor 41 at the timing when the leading edge of the image information that has been input to the image processing unit 35 and subjected to the image processing is aligned with the leading edge of the recording paper P.
Then, direct printing is performed (S322).

The printing position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowermost document is called at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the uppermost document is completed, and the image on the photosensitive member 41 is read. Irradiation is performed (S32
3).

Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray (S3).
24).

With this series of operations, predetermined printing on the front and back of the recording paper P is completed. Further, an operation for setting n-1 to a new n is performed (S325), and it is determined whether or not the document M exists in the document feed tray 2 (S326).
If there is a document M, the desired page printing can be performed by repeating the process from S301 again until there is no document bundle in the document feed tray 2.

In the series of printing processes, the original size and the recording paper size are reduced by using the automatic scaling function and the image rotation function provided as standard functions in the digital copying machine and the multifunction peripheral. Are different.

Next, the 4n-1 document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the subroutine flowcharts shown in FIGS. 35 and 36.

When the number of originals is 4n-1, FIG.
First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
As a result, the lowest document in the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S401), and the single lowest document picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 serving as a document reading unit (S40).
2). The transported lowermost document is stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 and is read by scanning by the scanner optical system 30 (S403), input to the CCD 35, and subjected to image processing. Image information is stored in 62 (S404).

Subsequently, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 in the image forming section 40 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 using the recording paper half-moon roller 52 (S405), and the white paper P stored separately in the image memory 62 is stored in advance. The image information of the data is called, and the conveyance of the recording sheet P and the image irradiation of the image information of the white data onto the photosensitive member 41 are performed at the timing when the leading end of the image information of the white data and the leading end of the recording sheet P are matched (S4).
06).

Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowermost document is called out at the optimal timing when the printing of the image information of the white data is completed. Irradiation is performed (S407).

After the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P is fixed, the recording paper P is guided to the reversal escape path 59a (S
408).

Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 36, the uppermost original of the original bundle remaining in the original feed tray 2 is picked up (S409), and the uppermost original picked up by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 is picked up. Manuscript 1
The sheet is transported to the document table 31 (S410). The conveyed document M is read by the scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S411), input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing, and then image information is stored in the image memory 62 of the control unit 60 (S412).

Next, the lowest document in the document bundle on the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S413), and the single lowest document picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S414). Then, the document is stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 (S415).

Next, the recording sheet P guided and evacuated by the reversing / retracting path 59a is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 via the sub-conveying path 59b (S416). Is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S417), and the transport of the recording paper P and the photoconductor of the image information are performed at the timing when the leading edge of the image information input to the CCD 35 and subjected to the image processing is aligned with the leading edge of the recording paper P. Image irradiation is performed on the recording paper P to perform direct printing on the recording paper P (S418). The print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of the uppermost document stored in the image memory 62 is called out at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the lowermost document is completed. Image irradiation is performed (S419).

After the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P is fixed, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S420).

With this series of operations, the printing on the front and back sides of the recording paper P in which the last page is white data is completed.

Next, since 4n originals M should remain in the original feed tray 2, the operation of the 4n original processing mode routine based on the above-described flowchart is performed (S421).

Thus, the bookbinding copy of the saddle-bound and left-bound binding in which the last page is white data is completed.

Next, the 4n-2 document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the subroutine flowcharts shown in FIGS. 37 and 38.

When the number of originals is 4n-2, FIG.
First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
As a result, the lowermost document of the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S501), and one lowermost document picked up by the lowermost document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31, which is a document reading unit (S50).
2). The conveyed lowermost document is stopped at a prescribed position on the document table 31 and is read by scanning by the scanner optical system 30 (S503), input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing. Image information is stored in 62 (S504).

Subsequently, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 in the image forming section 40 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 using the recording paper half-moon roller 52 (S505), and the white paper P stored separately in the image memory 62 is stored in advance. The image information of the data is called, and the conveyance of the recording sheet P and the image irradiation of the image information of the white data onto the photoconductor 41 are performed at the timing when the leading edge of the image information of the white data and the leading edge of the recording sheet P are matched (S5).
06).

Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and at the optimal timing when the printing of the image information of the white data is completed, the stored image information of the lowermost document is called and the image on the photosensitive member 41 is read. Irradiation is performed (S507).

Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is guided to the reversal escape path 59a (S
508).

Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 38, the lowest document of the document bundle remaining in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S509), and the lowest document picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is picked up. Manuscript 1
The sheet is conveyed to the document table 31 (S510) and stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 (S511).

Next, the recording sheet P guided and evacuated by the reversing / retracting path 59a is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 via the sub-conveying path 59b (S512), and the lowermost original being conveyed onto the original table 31 is transferred. Is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S513), the recording paper P is conveyed and the recording paper P is transported and synchronized at the timing when the leading edge of the image information of the lowermost document that has been input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing is aligned with the leading edge of the recording paper P The image information of the lower-order document is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41 to perform direct printing on the recording paper P (S51).
4). Further, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of the white data separately stored in the image memory 62 is called out at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the image information of the lowermost document is completed. Image irradiation is performed on S41 (S515).

Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S516).

With this series of operations, the printing on the front and back sides of the recording paper P, in which the last page and the immediately preceding page are white data, is completed.

Next, since 4n originals M should remain in the original feed tray 2, the operation of the 4n original processing mode routine based on the above-described flowchart is performed (S517).

Thus, the bookbinding copy of the saddle stitch and the left stitch in which the last page and the immediately preceding page are white data is completed.

Next, the 4n-3 original processing mode routine will be described with reference to the subroutine flowcharts shown in FIGS. 39 and 40.

When the number of originals is 4n-3, FIG.
First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
As a result, the lowermost document of the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S601), and one lowermost document picked up by the lowermost document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 which is a document reading section (S60).
2). The conveyed lowermost document is stopped at a prescribed position on the document table 31 and read by scanning by the scanner optical system 30 (S603), input to the CCD 35, and subjected to image processing. Image information is stored in 62 (S604).

Subsequently, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 in the image forming section 40 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 using the recording paper half-moon roller 52 (S605), and the white paper stored separately in the image memory 62 in advance. The image information of the data is called, and the conveyance of the recording sheet P and the image irradiation of the image information of the white data onto the photoconductor 41 are performed at the timing when the leading end of the image information of the white data and the leading end of the recording sheet P are matched (S6).
06).

Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowermost document is called at the optimum timing when the printing of the image information of the white data is completed. Image irradiation is performed (S60
7).

After the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P is fixed, the recording paper P is guided to the reversal escape path 59a (S
608).

Next, the lowest document in the document bundle remaining in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S609), and the lowest document picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is transported to the document table 31. (S610),
It is stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 (S611).

Next, the recording sheet P guided and evacuated by the reversing / retracting path 59a is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 via the sub-conveying path 59b (S612), and the lowermost document being conveyed onto the document table 31 is transferred. Is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S613), the recording paper P is conveyed and re-recorded at the timing when the leading edge of the image information of the lowermost document that has been input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing is aligned with the leading edge of the recording paper P. The image information of the lower-order document is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41 to perform direct printing on the recording paper P (S61).
4). Further, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of the white data separately stored in the image memory 62 is called out at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the image information of the lowermost document is completed. Image irradiation is performed on S41 (S615).

Then, after the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P is fixed, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S616).

With this series of operations, the printing on the front and back of the recording paper P, in which the last page and the immediately preceding page are white data, is completed.

Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 40, the lowest document of the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S617), and the lowest document picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is picked up. The document is conveyed to the document table 31, which is a document reading unit (S61).
8). The conveyed lowermost document is stopped at a prescribed position on the document table 31 and read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S619), input to the CCD 35, and subjected to image processing. Image information is stored in 62 (S620).

Subsequently, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 in the image forming section 40 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 using the recording paper half-moon roller 52 (S621), and the white paper stored separately in the image memory 62 in advance. The image information of the data is called, and the conveyance of the recording sheet P and the image irradiation of the image information of the white data onto the photoconductor 41 are performed at the timing when the leading end of the image information of the white data and the leading end of the recording sheet P are matched (S6).
22).

Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowermost document is called up at the optimum timing when the printing of the image information of the white data is completed. Irradiation is performed (S623).

After the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P is fixed, the recording paper P is guided to the reversal escape path 59a (S
624).

Next, the uppermost original of the original bundle remaining in the original feed tray 2 is picked up (S625), and the uppermost original picked up by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 is conveyed to the original table 31. Yes (S62
6). The conveyed top document M is the scanner optical system 3
0 (S627), CCD
After the image data is input to the controller 35 and subjected to image processing, the image information is stored in the image memory 62 of the controller 60 (S628).

Next, the lowermost document of the document bundle on the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S629), and the lowest document picked up by the lowermost document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S630). Then, it is stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 (S631).

Next, the recording paper P guided and evacuated by the reversing / retracting path 59a is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 via the sub-conveying path 59b (S632), and the lowermost original being conveyed on the original table 31 is transferred. Is read by the scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S633), and the conveyance of the recording paper P and the photoconductor of the image information are performed at the timing when the leading end of the image information which has been input to the CCD 35 and subjected to the image processing is aligned with the leading end of the recording paper P. Image printing is performed on the recording paper P to perform direct printing (S634). The print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of the uppermost document stored in the image memory 62 is called out at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the lowermost document is completed. Image irradiation is performed (S635).

After fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S636).

By this series of operations, printing on the front and back of the second recording paper P, in which the last two pages are white data, is completed.

Next, since 4n originals M should remain in the original feed tray 2, the operation of the 4n original processing mode routine based on the above-described flowchart is performed (S637).

As a result, the bookbinding copy of the saddle-bound and left-bound binding in which the last page, one page before the last page, and two pages before the last page becomes white data is completed.

According to the above-described flowchart, the book binding copy of saddle stitching and left stitching can be appropriately performed by turning the image information of the white data to the end regardless of the number of the originals M.

In the above description, the bookbinding copy is saddle-bound and left-bound. However, the bookbinding copy may be saddle-bound and right-bound. However, in this case, the image data of the read original M may be sequentially printed without being stored, and the uppermost and lowermost orders and the insertion position of the image information of the white data may be considered as described above. It can be performed in substantially the same flow. Therefore, the description is omitted.

In the series of printing processes, the original size and the recording paper size are reduced by using the automatic scaling function and the image rotation function provided as standard functions in the digital copying machine and the multifunction peripheral. Are different.

As described above, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the original M is supplied by using the automatic document feeder 10, the image information of the original M is read, and one-sided printing or two-sided printing is performed on the recording paper P. be able to.

The digital copying machine is provided with an image memory 62 for storing image information of one read original M, and
The image information of the document M is directly printed on the first half or the second half of the transport direction of the recording paper P, or the image information of the document M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62 and the first half of the transport direction of the recording paper P is stored. Alternatively, there is provided a data bus switching unit 73 for selecting whether to print the image information printed in the second half.

[0307] That is, in book binding copy of bag binding or saddle binding, the page arrangement on the recording paper P is important, so that the read original M may not be printed immediately.

At this time, in the present embodiment, since the image memory 62 for storing the image information of one read original M is provided, it is possible to temporarily store the read original M. it can.

For such an original M to be read, the image information of the original M is directly printed on the first half or the second half of the transport direction of the recording paper P, or the image information of the original M is stored in the image memory. The data bus switching unit 73 selects whether to temporarily store the information in the image information 62 and to print it in parallel with the image information printed in the first half or the second half in the transport direction of the recording paper P.

Therefore, as described above, the image information of the first original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62, the read original M is printed first, and then the first read operation is performed. Then, the stored image information of the document can be printed side by side. As a result, it is possible to print on the recording paper P having a page layout suitable for bookbinding copy.

In this printing method, the storage capacity of the image memory 62 for storing the image information of the document M is sufficient as long as the image information of one document can be stored.

As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing book binding copy.

In the digital copying machine of this embodiment, when the printing surface is only one side, the data bus switching unit 7
3 prints the image information of the document M directly in the first half or the second half of the transport direction of the recording paper P, or stores the image information of the document M in the image memory 62, depending on whether the number of documents is odd or even. A selection is made as to whether the image data is stored once and is arranged and printed with the image information printed in the first half or the second half in the transport direction of the recording paper P.

That is, in book-binding copying with bag binding, it is sufficient to print on one side of the recording paper P. And
In this case, when reading the original M, the original bundle may be conveyed to the original platen 31 in order from either the top or the bottom of the bundle. That is, it is not necessary to take alternately.

Here, in book-binding copying with bag binding, there are right binding and left binding, and the page arrangement on the recording paper P is important, so that the read original M may not be printed immediately.

At this time, in the present embodiment, since the image memory 62 for storing the image information of one read original M is provided, it is possible to temporarily store the read original M. it can.

On the other hand, in the case of book-binding copy with bag binding, if the number of documents is an odd number, it is necessary to perform an operation so that the last page of bookbinding becomes a white page.

However, even in such a case, in the present embodiment, the data bus switching unit 73 determines whether or not the number of originals is an odd number or an even number, so that the image information of the original M in the first half in the transport direction of the recording paper P is transferred. The image information of the original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62, and is printed side by side with the image information printed on the first half or the second half of the recording paper P in the transport direction. Make a selection.

Therefore, by the selection operation by the data bus switching unit 73, the image information of the first original is first stored in the image memory 62, and for example, the image information of the white page separately stored in advance is printed first. Thereafter, the stored image information of the document M can be printed side by side. As a result, it is possible to print on the recording paper P with the page arrangement appropriate for the bookbinding copy of the bag binding.

In this printing method, the storage capacity of the image memory 62 for storing the image information of the original M includes a capacity for storing the image information of one original, and a white page image which is separately stored in advance. It is enough if there is enough information.

As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of preventing the number of originals from being limited by the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing book-binding copying with bag binding.

On the other hand, in bookbinding copying with saddle stitching, for example, the first page and the last page of the document M are printed side by side on one side of the recording paper P.

Therefore, it is necessary to read the document M from both the uppermost position and the lowermost position of the document bundle.

At this time, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the automatic document feeder 10 selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be placed and sequentially places the document on the platen. A document feeder 1 that conveys the document to the document feeder 31 is provided.

For this reason, the document feeder 1 selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the document bundle to be placed and sequentially transports the document to the document table 31.

Therefore, conventionally, it has not been possible to select either the uppermost document M or the lowermost document M in the placed document bundle and sequentially convey it to the document table 31. First, it is necessary to read and memorize all the originals M.

However, in the present embodiment, even when, for example, the first page and the last page of the original M are printed side by side on one side of the recording paper P, the original M Can be read, so that the storage capacity can be reduced.

As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of preventing the number of originals from being limited by the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing bookbinding copying of saddle stitching.

In bookbinding with saddle stitching, printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper P.

When the number of originals is 4n (n is an integer), for example, the last page and the first page of the original M are printed on the surface of the recording paper P in this order, as described above. On the back side of the recording paper P, for example, a second page and a page before the last page are printed in this order.
However, this printing order is such that the number of documents is 4n-1.
, 4n-2 sheets and 4n-3 sheets. Also, the order may be changed by inserting image information of a white page.

However, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, the document feeder 1 selects either the highest-order document or the lowest-order document M in the document bundle to be placed based on the number of documents. .

Accordingly, since the document feeder 1 selects either the topmost document M or the bottommost document M in the document bundle placed based on the number of documents, the bookbinding copy of saddle stitching is performed. When performing the operation, an appropriate one of the uppermost document M or the lowermost document M in the document bundle can be fetched and read on the document table 31.

As a result, it is easy to take out the uppermost or lowermost document M of the placed document bundle.

In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, when the printing surface is double-sided, the data bus switching unit 73
Is to print the image information of the original M directly on the first half or the second half in the conveying direction of the recording paper P, depending on whether the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, or
Is temporarily stored in the image memory 62, and a selection is made as to whether to print the image information arranged in the first half or the second half of the recording paper P in the conveyance direction.

That is, in bookbinding with saddle stitching, printing must be performed on both sides of the recording paper P.

Here, in bookbinding copying with saddle stitching, right stitching and left stitching are available, and the page arrangement on the recording paper P is important, so that the read original M may not be printed immediately.

At this time, in this embodiment, since the image memory 62 for storing the read image information of one document M is provided, it is possible to temporarily store the read document M. it can.

On the other hand, in the bookbinding copy of saddle stitching, when the number of originals is 4n (n is an integer), for example, the last page of the original M and the first The pages are printed in this order, while, for example, the second page and one page before the last page are printed in this order on the back surface of the recording paper P. However, the order of this printing is that the number of originals is 4n-1, 4n-2, 4n
-3 shots are different. Also, the order may be changed by inserting image information of a white page.

However, in the present embodiment, when the printing surface is double-sided, the data bus switching unit 73 determines that the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and that the image information of the document is Is directly printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper P in the transport direction, or the image information of the original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62, and is printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper P in the transport direction. Select whether to print in line with the image information.

Therefore, when the printing surface is double-sided, the image information of the first original M is first stored in the image memory 6 based on the number of originals by the selection operation of the data bus switching unit 73.
2, the image information of the white page previously stored separately is printed first, and then the stored image information of the document M can be printed side by side.

As a result, it is possible to print on the recording paper P with the page arrangement appropriate for the saddle-stitched bookbinding copy.

In this printing method, the storage capacity of the image memory 62 for storing the image information of the original M includes the capacity for storing the image information of one original, and the image of the white pages separately stored in advance. It is enough if there is enough information.

As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of preventing the number of originals from being limited by the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing bookbinding copy of saddle stitching.

In the digital copying machine of this embodiment, the CPU 61 causes the image data switching control 68 to insert white page image information instead of the read original M based on the number of originals.

Therefore, in book binding copy,
For example, if you want to make the last page a white page,
A white page can be easily inserted by the image data switching control 68 of U61.

By the way, when the original M is taken out from the uppermost and lowermost positions of the original bundle placed on the original feed tray 2, if there is only one discharge place, the printing is completed. Since the document bundle is sometimes not arranged in the page order, it is necessary to rearrange the documents M in ascending or descending order, which is rather troublesome.

However, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, the automatic original feeder 10 selects and reads either the uppermost original M or the lowermost original M in the bundle of originals to be placed. The original M is temporarily separated into two, that is, the uppermost original M and the lowermost original M, and one of the discharged original bundles is again taken out one by one, and the other is discharged. A document discharge unit 11 is provided for stacking and discharging the document bundle in ascending or descending order.

Therefore, the document discharge unit 11 first selects either the top document M or the bottom document M in the document bundle placed on the document feed tray 2 and reads the document M read. Is once divided into two, that is, the uppermost original M and the lowermost original M. Next, the document discharge section 11 takes out the discharged document bundle of the one lower document discharge tray 13b one by one again, and ascends or descends the discharged document bundle of the other upper document discharge tray 13a. Stack and discharge along the line.

Therefore, when the re-discharge of the original M is completed, the discharged original bundles are arranged in ascending order. In addition,
It is also possible to arrange in descending order.

As a result, even after printing is completed, the discharged original bundle can be taken out in a state where the original original bundle is arranged in the page order.

As described above, the document feed tray 2
When the original M is taken out from the top and bottom of the bundle of originals, the originals arranged in ascending order from the first original and the originals arranged in descending order from the last original are alternately ejected. The original M is not in the original sequence.

However, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the original discharge section 11 separates the read original M into two, that is, the uppermost original and the lowermost original, and discharges the original M once. Upper document discharge tray 13a, lower document discharge tray 13b, and upper or lower document discharge tray 13a
Alternatively, the original M discharged to the lower original discharge tray 13b is taken out and switched back to another lower original discharge tray 13b.
Alternatively, it comprises a switchback transport path 16 for discharging the document to the upper document discharge tray 13a and a document discharging half-moon roller 21.

Therefore, the original M on which printing has been completed is composed of the original M from the beginning and the original M from the end.
Upper document discharge tray 13a and lower document discharge tray 13
b, and once all printing is completed, the document M is discharged from the lower document discharge tray 13b to the upper document discharge tray 13a by the switchback transport path 16 and the document discharge half-moon roller 21. As a result, it is possible to finally discharge the original M in the original order in which the page order is aligned.

As a result, even after printing is completed, the discharged original bundle can be reliably taken out in the page order of the original original bundle.

In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, when printing the read image information of one document M, the length of the recording paper P in the transport direction is がIf the length does not match, the image processing section 72 prints the image at a variable magnification.

Therefore, when printing on the recording paper P,
Even if the scale of the document M is different, it is possible to print on the recording paper P with the same size.

Further, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, after printing on the front side of the recording paper P, the recording paper P is reversed and printed on the back side of the recording paper P in order to support double-sided printing. A reverse retreat path 59a and a sub-transport path 59b are provided. Further, when performing book-bound double-sided printing, based on the number of documents, direct printing for directly printing the image information of the document M on the recording paper P and temporarily storing the image information of the document M in the image memory 62, The image information of the two originals M is printed on the surface of one sheet of recording paper P in combination with the memory printing for printing on the recording paper P. The back side is printed on the recording paper P in the same manner.

Therefore, when performing book-bound double-sided printing, appropriate printing can be performed on the surface of the recording paper P so that the memory capacity can be reduced. Appropriate printing can be performed on the back surface of the recording paper P, which is reversed by the sub-transport path 59b, so that the memory capacity can be reduced.

As a result, the memory capacity can be reduced, and the work of reversing the recording paper P by an external manual operation is omitted, and the burden on the user for reversing the recording paper is reduced.

In the digital copying machine of this embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0,
The image information of the document M read first is input to the image memory 62, and the image information of the document M read second is printed directly as the leading end, and then stored in the image memory 62. The printed image information of the original M is printed at the rear end.

As a result, a book binding mechanism can be realized regardless of the number of placed originals in either one-sided printing or two-sided printing.

In the present embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 1, the image information of the document M read first is input to the image memory 62 and is stored in the image memory 62. After the image information of the white page stored separately is read and the image information of the white page is set as the first half of the recording paper P, the image information of the document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed at the rear end.

As a result, in double-sided printing, book-bound copying in which image information of white pages is arranged at the end regardless of the number of placed originals can be realized regardless of the number of placed originals.

In this embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 1, the image information of the document M read second is input to the image memory 62, and the third is read. The read image information of the document M is directly printed on the first half of the recording paper P, and thereafter, the image information of the document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed on the second half of the recording paper P. ing.

Thus, in double-sided printing, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 is 1, book-bound copying can be appropriately performed on the back surface of the first recording paper P regardless of the number of originals placed. It becomes possible.

In the present embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 2, the image information of the document M read first is input to the image memory 62 and After reading the separately stored white page image information and setting the white page image information to the first half of the recording paper P, the original M stored in the image memory 62 is read.
Is printed on the latter half of the recording paper P.

Thus, in double-sided printing, a book binding mechanism in which image information of white pages is arranged at the end regardless of the number of placed originals can be realized.

In the present embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 2, the image information of the second read document M is printed directly at the leading end and stored in the image memory 62. The image information of the white page stored separately is read out, and the image information of the white page is printed on the latter half of the recording paper P.

Thus, in double-sided printing, it is possible to realize a book binding mechanism in which image information of a white page is arranged on the last one page regardless of the number of placed originals.

In the present embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 3, the image information of the document M read first is input to the image memory 62 and is stored in the image memory 62. After reading the separately stored white page image information and setting the white page image information to the first half of the recording paper P, the original M stored in the image memory 62 is read.
Is printed on the latter half of the recording paper P.

Thus, in double-sided printing, a book binding mechanism in which image information of white pages is arranged at the end regardless of the number of placed originals can be realized.

In the present embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 is 3, the image information of the original M read second is printed directly on the first half of the recording paper P. Thereafter, the image information of the white page separately stored in the image memory 62 is read, and the image information of the white page is printed on the latter half of the recording paper P.

As a result, in double-sided printing, book-bound copying in which image information of a white page is arranged in the last one page regardless of the number of placed originals can be realized.

In the present embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 3, the image information of the document M read third is input to the image memory 62 and is stored in the image memory 62. After reading the separately stored white page image information and setting the white page image information to the first half of the recording paper P, the original M stored in the image memory 62 is read.
Is printed on the latter half of the recording paper P.

As a result, in double-sided printing, book-bound copying in which image information of a white page is arranged in the last two pages regardless of the number of placed originals can be realized.

In the present embodiment, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 3, the image information of the document M read fourth is input to the image memory 62 and the image information of the document M read fifth is The read image information of the document M is printed directly on the first half of the recording paper P, and thereafter, the image information of the document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed on the second half of the recording paper P.

Thus, in double-sided printing, a book-bound copy can be appropriately realized on the back surface of the second recording sheet P when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 3 regardless of the number of placed documents. Becomes

In this embodiment, when printing the image information of the white page and the image information of the read original M on the recording paper P, the address can be changed according to the printing procedure. I have.

Thus, the image information of the original stored in the image memory 62 following the image information of the white page, and the image information of the white page subsequent to the image information of the original stored in the image memory 62 are printed. In addition, there is no need to switch addresses depending on the first half or the second half of the recording paper P.

Also, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the rotation operation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original supply section 1 for reading the original M is performed in the original supply tray 2. Is set based on the number of originals M placed on the document.

Thus, when performing book binding copy, the automatic document feeder 10 is used to collect unnecessary white pages in the latter half of bookbinding without shifting the center due to the number of documents M. Can be performed.

Also, in the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotation operation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original feeder 1 for reading the original M is determined when double-sided printing is performed. Is determined by an integer multiple of four, and the remainder of dividing the number of documents by four is zero, one, two, and three, and the rotation operation of the top document pickup roller 3 and the bottom document pickup roller 4 Are different.

In this way, when performing double-sided book-bound copy, the automatic document feeder 10 performs processing for collecting white pages unnecessary for the user in the latter half of bookbinding without shifting the center due to the number of documents. It is possible to perform using.

In the present embodiment, the number of originals for which the rotation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original feeder 1 for reading the original M is set is one-sided printing. When the number of originals is divided by 2, the rotation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 differs depending on whether the remainder is 0 or 1 when the number of originals is divided by 2.

In this manner, when performing bookbinding copy of single-sided printing, the automatic document feeder 10 performs processing of collecting unnecessary white pages in the latter half of bookbinding without shifting the center due to the number of documents. It is possible to perform using.

In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotation operation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original feeder 1 for reading the original M is determined when double-sided printing is performed. Is determined by an integer multiple of 4, while the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 0, and when the document M is placed with the document surface facing down, the lowermost document pickup roller 4, the lowermost original M is conveyed, and then the uppermost original pickup roller 3 conveys the uppermost original.

Thus, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, the front side printing on the recording paper P in the book binding copy of the double-sided printing can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10. Can be.

In this embodiment, in the above case, after the read image information of the original M is printed on the front surface of the recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper P. The uppermost original pickup roller 3 is used to transport the next uppermost original M, and then the lowermost original pickup roller 4 is used to transport the next lowermost original M.

Thus, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, the back side printing on the recording paper P in the book binding copy of the double-sided printing can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10. Can be.

Also, in this embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotation operation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original feeding section 1 for reading the original M is determined when double-sided printing is performed. Is determined by an integral multiple of 4, while when the remainder is obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4, and when the document M is placed with the document surface facing down, the first document M The lowermost document M is conveyed by the lowermost document pickup roller 4, and the document M and image information of a white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.

With this configuration, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by four is one, the first surface printing on the recording paper P in the book binding copy of double-sided printing can be performed without shifting the center depending on the number of originals. The process of collecting white pages unnecessary for the user at the end of bookbinding can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10.

In the present embodiment, in the above case, after the read image information of the original M is printed on the front surface of the recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper P. The uppermost original pickup roller 3 is used to convey the next uppermost original M, and then the lowermost original pickup roller 4 is used to convey the next lowermost original M to print side by side.

With this configuration, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by four is one, the back side printing on the first recording paper P in the book binding copy of the two-sided printing is performed by the automatic document feeder 1.
0 can be used appropriately.

Also, in this embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original feeder 1 for reading the original M is determined when double-sided printing is performed. Is determined by an integer multiple of 4, while the remainder is obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4, and when the document M is placed with the document surface facing down, the first document M The lowermost document M is conveyed by the lowermost document pickup roller 4, and the document M and image information of a white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.

With this, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 is 2, the front side printing on the first recording paper P in the book binding copy of double-sided printing can be performed without shifting the center by the number of originals. The process of collecting white pages unnecessary for the user at the end of bookbinding can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10.

In this embodiment, in the above case, after the read image information of the original M is printed on the front surface of the recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper P. Then, the next lowermost document M is conveyed using the lowermost document pickup roller 4, and then the document M and image information of a white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.

Thus, when the remainder is obtained by dividing the number of originals by four, the back side printing on the first recording paper P in the book binding copy of duplex printing is performed by the automatic original feeder 1
0 can be used appropriately.

In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotation operation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original feeder 1 for reading the original M is determined when double-sided printing is performed. Is determined by an integral multiple of 4, while when the number of originals is divided by 4, the remainder is three, and when the original M is placed with the original surface facing down, the first original M The lowermost document M is conveyed by the lowermost document pickup roller 4, and the document M and image information of a white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.

Thus, when the remainder of the number of originals divided by 4 is three, the first surface printing on the recording paper P in the book binding copy of the double-sided printing can be performed without shifting the center by the number of originals. The process of collecting white pages unnecessary for the user at the end of bookbinding can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10.

In this embodiment, in the above case, after the read image information of the original M is printed on the front surface of the recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper P. Then, the next lowermost document M is conveyed using the lowermost document pickup roller 4, and then the document M and image information of a white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.

Thus, when the number of originals divided by 4 is three and the remainder is three, the first side printing on the recording paper P in the bookbinding copy of double-sided printing is performed by the automatic original feeder 1.
0 can be used appropriately.

In the present embodiment, in the above case, the read image information of the original M is stored in the first recording paper P.
When printing the next image information on the front side of the second recording paper P after printing on the back surface of the second sheet of paper, the lowest-order next original M is conveyed using the lowest-order original pickup roller 4, and then, The original M and the image information of the white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the second recording paper P.

[0403] With this arrangement, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by four is three, the center of the front side printing on the second recording paper P in the book binding copy of double-sided printing is shifted by the number of originals. Instead, the process of collecting unnecessary white pages at the end of bookbinding can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10.

In this embodiment, in the above case, the read image information of the document M is printed on the front surface of the second recording sheet P, and then the next image information is printed on the back surface of the second recording sheet P. When the image information is printed, the uppermost original pickup roller 3 is used to convey the next uppermost original M, and then,
The next lowermost original M is conveyed using the lowermost original pickup roller 4 and printed side by side.

With this, when the remainder obtained by dividing the number of original documents by four is three, the reverse side printing on the second recording sheet P in the double-sided book binding copy is performed using the automatic original feeder 10. Can be done properly.

Also, in the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotation operation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original feeding section 1 for reading the original M is determined when double-sided printing is performed. Is determined by an integer multiple of four, and the remainder of dividing the number of documents by four is zero, one, two, and three, and the rotation operation of the top document pickup roller 3 and the bottom document pickup roller 4 After the processing of the image information of each white page, the processing is performed such that the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 0.

[0407] Thus, in the case of book binding copy of double-sided printing, after inserting the image information of each white page, the processing of arranging the remaining original M is appropriately performed by using the automatic original feeder 10. It can be carried out.

In this embodiment, the number of originals for which the rotation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 in the original feeder 1 for reading the original M is set is one-sided printing. When the number of originals is divided by two, the remainder is 0, and the rotation of the uppermost original pickup roller 3 and the lowermost original pickup roller 4 varies depending on the number of originals. After the processing of the image information described above, the processing is performed such that the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 2 is zero.

Thus, at the time of single-sided book binding copy, after inserting the image information of the white page,
The process of arranging the remaining originals M can be appropriately performed using the automatic original feeder 10.

In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the document discharge trays for discharging the read document M using the document main transport path 14 are provided in two upper and lower stages.

[0411] Therefore, the original M sent to the original main transport path 14 is arbitrarily separated and separated into separate upper original discharge trays 1.
3a or the lower document discharge tray 13b.

In this embodiment, the upper document discharge tray 13a is provided with the document feed tray 2 in the document feeder 1.
The original M which is placed downward and is conveyed by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 is discharged.

For this reason, the original M fed by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 is selected from the originals M conveyed alternately by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 or the lowermost original pickup roller 4, and Paper can be discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a.

[0414] As a result, the original M fed by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 is turned upside down.
Since the originals are ejected in the normal order, the original M fed from the original original bundle
Can be selected and the trouble of correcting the arrangement of the document M can be saved.

In this embodiment, the lower document discharge tray 13b is provided with the document feed tray 2 in the document feeder 1.
The original M which is placed downward and is conveyed by the lowest original pickup roller 4 is discharged.

For this reason, the original M fed by the lowest original pickup roller 4 is selected from the originals M conveyed alternately by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 or the lowest original pickup roller 4, and The paper can be discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b.

[0417] As a result, the original M fed by the lowermost original pickup roller 4 is turned upside down.
Since the paper is discharged in reverse order, the original M fed from the bundle of originals
Can be selected and the trouble of correcting the arrangement of the document M can be saved.

In this embodiment, a document discharge half-moon roller 21 serving as a pickup roller for switching back the document M for which reading has been completed, and the switchback conveyance path 16 are provided.

For this reason, the lower document discharge tray 13b is
Can be sent again into the original main transport path 14 and the switchback transport path 16 using the original discharge half roller 21.

Thus, the original M once discharged can be transported to the original main transport path 14 and the switchback transport path 16 for switchback.

In this embodiment, the original M, which has been read and has been divided and discharged in the upper and lower stages, receives the original discharge half-moon roller 21 as a pickup roller, the original main transport path 14, the switchback transport. The originals M conveyed by the lowermost original pickup roller 4 at the time of paper feeding are sequentially transferred to the uppermost original by the first conveying path selecting claw 17a and the second conveying path selecting claw 17b which are separation pawls in the path 16 and the conveying path. The original can be placed on the original M conveyed and discharged by the pickup roller 3.

For this reason, among the originals M divided and discharged in the upper and lower stages, the original M fed by the lowest original pickup roller 4 is ejected in reverse order with the original surface up. The originals are fed one by one from the upper side to the switchback conveyance path 16 by the original discharging half-moon roller 21. Then, the original M fed by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 can be discharged to the upper original discharge tray 13a where the original M is discharged.

Thus, all originals can be discharged to one upper original discharge tray 13a in the normal order with the original surface facing upward.

In this embodiment, the upper discharge rollers 19a, which are the original transport rollers disposed in the discharge transport path.
19a, lower discharge rollers 19b and 19b and switchback conveyance rollers 18 and 18 can be reversibly rotated.

[0425] Thus, the switchback mechanism can convey the document conveyed to the conveyance path in the reverse direction.

In the present embodiment, the first transport path selecting claw 17a and the second transport path selecting claw 17b, which are separation claws disposed in the transport path, use a solenoid or spring to guide the transport path for guiding the document M. The document M can be selected and the document M can be discharged and the document M can be switched back.

Therefore, the conveyance route of the original M can be arbitrarily selected. Thus, when the transport path branches into a plurality of transport paths, the document M can be guided to an arbitrary transport path.

In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the read image information of the original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62.
Memory printing means for retrieving the image information of the original M from the image memory 62 when printing is necessary, and printing after performing image processing, and direct printing for printing the read image information of the original M after image processing. Means.

Thus, by using both memory printing and direct printing in the order in which the originals M are picked up, desired page printing can be performed in one process.

In this embodiment, page printing is
The uppermost original M of the original bundle placed on the original feed tray 2
And the lowermost document M are sequentially read, and the image forming unit 40
Thus, printing using the image memory 62 is performed in the first half and the second half of the recording paper P in the conveying direction.

[0431] Thus, by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order in which the originals are picked up, desired page printing can be performed in one process.

In this embodiment, the uppermost original M in the bundle of originals to be placed is the uppermost original pickup roller 3 for picking up the uppermost original M in the original bundle.
Feeding, transporting, and reading are performed by a take-up transport mechanism provided with an upper separating plate 5 and a lower separating plate 6.

Thus, by using both memory printing and direct printing in the order in which the originals are picked up, desired page printing can be performed in one process.

In this embodiment, the lowermost original M of the bundle of originals to be placed is the lowermost original pickup roller 4 for picking up the uppermost original M of the original bundle.
Feeding, transporting, and reading are performed by a trade-in transport mechanism including an upper separating plate 5 and a lower separating plate 6.

Thus, by using both memory printing and direct printing in the order in which the originals are picked up, desired page printing can be performed in one process.

In this embodiment, one of the two paper discharge trays is placed on the upper document discharge tray 13a sequentially from the last page of the discharged document M.

[0437] Thus, even if the order of picking up the originals M is disturbed in the trade-in and trade-in, the trade-in originals and the trade-in originals are discharged to separate discharge trays and discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a. By placing the originals M in order from the last page, the order of the originals M can be kept constant.

Also, in this embodiment, the lower original discharge tray 13b of the two-stage discharge tray is placed sequentially from the first page of the discharged original M, and all the originals are read. Then, the original M is moved to the upper original discharge tray 13a placed from the last page by the switchback means sequentially from the finally read original M, and the pages are aligned.

Thus, even if the order in which the originals M are picked up is disturbed by trade-in and trade-in, the trade-in originals and the trade-in originals can be discharged to separate discharge trays. Also,
The upper original discharge tray 1 is picked up from the uppermost original M of the lower original discharge tray 13b placed sequentially from the first page.
By sequentially placing the originals on the sheet 3a, the order of the originals can be restored.

In this embodiment, when the number of originals is an odd number, the original is not conveyed, but is printed by the image forming section 40 as white page image information.

Thus, in the case of a book-bound copy in the case where the number of documents is an odd number, the last page must be blank, so that it is possible to forcibly create a situation in which printing is not performed.

In this embodiment, when the number of originals is even, the originals M are sequentially conveyed and printed by the image forming section 40.

Thus, when the number of originals is even, by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order in which the originals are picked up, desired page printing can be performed in one process.

In the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, the memory printing or the direct printing is selected by performing direct printing in the first half of the recording paper P in the transport direction on one recording paper P and transporting the recording paper P. The printing in the latter half of the direction is memory printing.

As a result, the order of downloading image data to be printed on the recording paper P is standardized, and the printing process procedure is standardized for any number of originals.

In the present embodiment, memory printing or direct printing is selected in the case of double-sided printing, where the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is selected as 0, 1, 2, or 3. In the case of single-sided printing, the remainder obtained by dividing by 2 is selected as 0 or 1.

Thus, the data selection method of the direct print data or the memory print data is defined according to the number of originals, thereby enabling the book binding copy process in which the discharged originals are always arranged in page order. Note that the data selection of the memory print data includes both document data output and white data output.

In this embodiment, memory printing or direct printing is selected when the number of originals divided by 4 is 0 when performing double-sided printing or 2 when performing single-sided printing. If the remainder is 0, image data is output in both the first half and the second half of the front surface of the first recording paper P in the transport direction. Image data is output for both the first half and the second half of the rear surface in the transport direction.

[0449] Thus, in the case of double-sided printing, the number of originals is four.
If the number of originals is multiple, and if the number of originals is an even number in the case of single-sided printing, the book binding copy process can always be performed by the same printing process, including the data output sequence to the photoconductor 41 regardless of the number of originals. Become.

Also, in the present embodiment,
If the remainder after dividing the number of originals by 4 when performing double-sided printing is 1 or if the remainder after dividing the number of originals by 2 when performing single-sided printing is 1, conveyance on the surface of the first recording paper P In the first half of the direction, image data is output, and in the second half, image information of white data is output. In the case of double-sided printing, both the first half and the second half in the transport direction on the back surface of the first recording paper P are printed. Output data.

Thus, in the case of double-sided printing, the number of originals is 4
In the case of a multiple of -1 sheet, and in the case of single-sided printing, if the number of originals is an odd number, book binding copy processing is always performed by the same printing process, including the data output sequence to the photoconductor 41, regardless of the number of originals. Becomes possible.

Also, in the present embodiment,
If the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 when performing double-sided printing is 2, the first half of the front surface of the first recording sheet P in the transport direction outputs image data, and the second half thereof outputs image data of white data. The first half of the back side of the first recording sheet P in the transport direction outputs image data of white data, and the second half outputs image data.

[0453] Thus, in the case of double-sided printing, the number of originals is 4
In the case of a multiple of −2, the book binding copy process can always be performed by the same printing process including the data output sequence to the photoconductor 41 regardless of the number of documents.

Also, in the present embodiment,
If the remainder of the number of original documents divided by 4 when performing double-sided printing is 3, the first half of the surface of the first recording paper P in the transport direction outputs image data, and the second half thereof outputs white image data. The first half of the back surface of the first recording paper P in the transport direction outputs image information of white data, the second half outputs image data, and the second recording paper P The first half of the surface in the transport direction outputs image data, and the second half outputs image information of white data.
Image data is output in both the first half and the second half in the transport direction on the back surface of the second recording sheet P.

[0455] Thus, in the case of double-sided printing, the number of originals is 4
In the case of a multiple of -3, the book binding copy process can always be performed by the same printing process, including the data output sequence to the photoconductor 41, regardless of the number of documents.

Also, in the present embodiment,
If the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 0, 1 or 2, the first sheet of recording paper P is discharged, and if the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 3, the second recording is performed. If the original M to be subjected to book binding copy still remains after the paper P is discharged, the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 when performing double-sided printing is 0.
The processing in the case of is performed.

Thus, when performing double-sided printing in book binding copy, book binding copy of the third and subsequent sheets of recording paper P by the same printing process is always performed, including the data output sequence to the photoconductor 41. Processing becomes possible.

In the present embodiment, the image forming section 40 serving as a printing unit, the sub-conveyance path 59b, the reversal evacuation path 59a,
The recording paper P on which book binding printing has been performed by using the paper discharge rollers 56 serving as recording paper discharge means is discharged in a state where the page order is aligned.

[0459] Thus, the user can always receive the discharged recording paper P arranged in the page order, and the bookbinding operation by the simple operation of bending the discharged recording paper P from the central portion becomes possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the image memory 62 stores the image information read by the CCD 35 as it is.
Therefore, in order to further reduce the storage capacity of the image memory 62, it is possible to compress the image information when storing the image information in the image memory 62, for example.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 41, the data compression section 7 as compression means
6, the data read by the CCD 35 is compressed and stored in the image memory 62. The image memory 62
In the subsequent stage, a data decompression unit 77 is provided.
Is transferred to the LSU 74 while decompressing the data read from the.

As described above, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the data compression section 76 for compressing the read image information of one document M before storing it in the image memory 62. .

For this reason, since the image information of one document M can be compressed and stored in the image memory 62,
Further, the storage capacity can be reduced.

As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of further preventing the number of originals from being limited by the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing book binding copy.

In this embodiment, the relationship between the document size length A and the printing paper length B is 2 × A = B (for example, A4
In the case of the original M of the size and the recording paper P of the A3 size), the original is printed at the same magnification, and when the left expression is not established, the magnification is automatically changed at the time of the original reading or the printing process.

Thus, by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order in which the originals are picked up, desired page printing can be performed in one process.

[0467] Also, by combining with automatic zooming,
It is possible to cope with page printing in which the document size and the recording paper size are different.

In this embodiment, it is possible to rotate the image as needed in order to align the leading edge of the read image information with the leading edge of each page when performing the page printing.

Thus, it is possible to cope with page printing of different document sizes and recording paper sizes by a combination of automatic scaling and image rotation.

[Second Embodiment] The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 42 to 51. For the sake of convenience, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Further, it is assumed that various features of the first embodiment can be applied in combination with the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic document feeder 10 of the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment is configured to transfer the uppermost or lowermost document M of the document bundle to the upper or lower half-moon roller of the paper feeding mechanism. The document M is fed, and the document M sent by the belt 8 and stopped at the specified position can be irradiated with light.

Specifically, the automatic document feeder 10 includes
As shown in FIG. 4, an uppermost original pickup roller 3 for extracting the uppermost original of the bundle of originals placed on the original feed tray 2 and a lowermost original pickup roller 4 for extracting the lowermost original of the bundle of originals. A document feeder as an upper / lower document selecting / conveying means constituted by an upper separating plate 5 and a lower separating plate 6 for preventing a plurality of originals M of the original bundle from being picked up when the originals M are taken out. 1 is provided.

Here, the document feeder 1 of the present embodiment is
Select the top document or the bottom document in the stack of documents to be loaded, and select both the top document and the bottom document,
Alternatively, one of the uppermost document and the lowermost document is sequentially conveyed to the document table 31.

That is, in the present embodiment, the document feeder 1 in the automatic document feeder 10 can transport and place two documents M on the document table 8 at the same time.

The two originals M are simultaneously placed on the original platen 8
The structure which can be sent to the computer is described in, for example, JP-A-5-6052.
For example, the first document M
Is conveyed to a prescribed position on the document table 31, and then the second document M is taken out and positioned at the rear end of the first document M, for example, by a stopper driven by an electromagnetic plunger. The first document M and the second document M can be read side by side so that they do not overlap.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the control section 60 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 and an image memory 62 as storage means.
The CPU 61 performs various controls such as an automatic document feeder control 63, a scanner optical system control 64, a printing process control 65, a recording paper feed control 66, an image memory control 67, and an image data switching control 68.

In the present embodiment, the image memory 62 can store image information for two sheets of the document M.

On the other hand, as described above, the image forming section 40 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a paper transport path 59 for transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor 41 to the recording paper P.
c, a reversal evacuation path 59a as a reversal path for reversing the recording paper P at the time of double-sided printing, and a halfway path until the recording paper P retracted in the reversal evacuation path 59a is again conveyed to the main paper conveyance path 59c. And a sub-transport path 59b.

[0479] Here, the recording paper P on which one side is printed is temporarily retracted in the reversal retreat path 59a in order to perform double-sided printing. In the present embodiment, the recording paper P after the one-sided printing is completed. Is temporarily retracted to the reversing evacuation path 59a, and then, while printing the next recording paper P, the recording paper P after the above-described one-sided printing is completed is taken out from the reversing evacuation path 59a and is conveyed to the sub-conveyance path 59b; The sub-transport path 59b is made to stand by.

In the sub-conveying path 59b, the recording paper P is made to stand by by the recording paper conveyance control 66 as a standby means in the CPU 61 shown in FIG.

Also, in the present embodiment, whether to print the image information stored in the image memory 62 or to directly print the document M read by the automatic document feeder 10 is determined in FIG. As shown, the data bus switching unit 73 as a selection unit performs the operation.

In FIG. 41, the data compression unit 7
6 and the data decompression unit 77 are provided, but are not necessarily required in the present embodiment.

In the digital copying machine having the above-described configuration, specific control operations of the four patterns of the automatic document feeder 10 in the bookbinding copy of saddle stitching and left stitching will be described throughout.

Here, assuming that n = 3, the original M is 12 sheets in the 4n processing and the original M is 11 sheets in the 4n-1 processing.
-2 processing: 10 originals, 4n-3 processing: original M
Is described as nine.

In these cases, the number of recording papers P is three, but if the number of originals M subjected to the 4n processing is twelve,
As shown in FIG. 30, the images of the four originals M are copied on the recording paper P, two images on each side, for a total of four surfaces.

Here, the black triangular arrow in the same figure indicates the leading direction of the recording paper P. That is, the recording paper P1 shown in FIG.
Taking the front side and the back side of the recording paper P1 as an example, the recording paper P1 fed from the paper cassette 51 passes through the paper main transport path 59c, and the first and twelfth pages are first printed on one side by the photoconductor 41. Is done. Then, the recording paper P1
Is temporarily evacuated to the reversal evacuation path 59a.

Next, when printing is performed on the back surface of the recording paper P1, the recording paper P1 is conveyed through the sub-transport path 59b, and the second and eleventh pages are printed on the back surface of the first printing surface. After that, the recording paper P1 is discharged to the paper discharge tray through the reversal escape path 59a.

Here, in the present embodiment, the reversal evacuation path 5
The recording paper P1 once retracted to 9a is conveyed to the sub-transport path 59b. At this time, printing is performed on the surface of the recording paper P2 in the paper main conveyance path 59c. Therefore, until the printing on the front surface of the recording paper P2 is completed, the recording paper P1 is in a standby state in the sub-transport path 59b.

[0489] Thereafter, printing is similarly performed on the front surface of the recording paper P2 and the back surface of the recording paper P2, the front surface of the recording paper P3, and the back surface of the recording paper P3, and a series of copying processes is completed.

A substantially similar copying process is performed for other copying patterns.

That is, if the original M subjected to the 4n-1 processing is 1
In the case of one sheet, the twelfth page of the document M is blank as shown in FIG. When the number of the originals M to be processed by the 4n-2 process is ten, as shown in FIG.
The twelfth and eleventh pages are blank. Further, when the number of originals M subjected to the 4n-3 processing is nine,
As shown in FIG. 33, as shown in FIG.
The page and the tenth page are blank.

Hereinafter, a process for realizing these copy patterns will be described in detail. It is assumed that the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment includes some means for counting the number of documents M. The document counting means is provided on the document table 3 of the automatic document feeder 10.
1 may be provided with a document counting mechanism, or an input device for a user to input the number of documents may be provided.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, the process flowchart after the number of originals is determined is 4n processing when the number of originals is divided by 4 and the remainder is 0 when the remainder is 1, and when the remainder is 1, 4n-1 processing, 4n-2 processing when the remainder is 2, 4n-3 processing when the remainder is 3
The processing is executed. Hereinafter, with respect to these copying processes, a detailed description will be given of a procedure for realizing each copying process of bookbinding binding of saddle stitching and left stitching from A4 size document M to A3 size recording paper P.

First, the 4n-sheet document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 42 and 43.

First, as shown in FIG. 42, the uppermost document and the lowermost document on the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the document table 31, and the image information of the document M is read by the scanner optical system 30 (S701). To S704). Note that, to be precise,
First, the original M of the first page of the lowermost original is sent to the original table 31, and then the original M of the twelfth page of the uppermost original is sent. Since which one has priority is described in the first embodiment, the present embodiment will be described using this expression.

This image information is written to the photosensitive member 41 by the LSU 74 at the timing when the printing position on the recording paper P is optimized through the direct transfer path, that is, when the head position of the document data coincides with the head position of the recording paper P. Is executed (S706). Then, the image of the original M is transferred from the leading end position of the first recording paper P. Thereby, one side of the first A3 recording sheet (hereinafter referred to as “front side”)
) Is completed.

The first sheet of recording paper P printed on the front side is retracted to the reversal escape path 59a (S707). In the meantime, the top document and the bottom document remaining on the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the platen 31 (S708, S70).
9) The read data is stored in the image memory 62 as an A3 size memory (S710, S711).

During this time, the first sheet of recording paper P in the reversing / retracting path 59a is conveyed to the sub-conveying path 59b (S71).
2).

[0499] Here, n is counted down (S71).
3), it is determined whether or not n = 0 (S71).
4). Here, if n = 0, 1 on the sub-transport path 59b
The first recording paper P is conveyed to the registration rollers 54, 54 (S715), and the first A3-size recording paper P is transferred.
Is printed on the other side (hereinafter, referred to as the "back side"), and the process ends (S716, S717).

If n ≠ 0 in S714, as shown in FIG. 43, the uppermost document and the lowermost document remaining in the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the document table 31 (S718, S719). The read data is printed on the surface of the second recording paper P, and this recording paper P is
9a (S720 to S724).

Further, the first sheet of recording paper P is transported from the sub-transport path 59b to the transfer position of the photosensitive member 41 by the registration rollers 54 (S725), and the image memory 6
After the data stored in the A3 size memory of No. 2 is printed on the back side (S726), the data is discharged to the paper discharge tray (S72).
7).

Subsequently, the uppermost document and the lowermost document remaining in the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the document table 31 (S
728, S729), and the read data is stored in the image memory 62.
(S730, S731).

Next, n is counted down (S73).
2) A determination is again made as to whether n = 0 (S73).
3).

If n = 0, the flow shifts to S715 in FIG. 42, where the second recording sheet P on the sub-transport path 59b is transferred by the registration rollers 54, 54 onto the transfer portion of the photosensitive member 41. And the contents of the image memory 62 are printed on the back side, and a series of processes is completed (S716, S71).
7).

In S733 shown in FIG. 43, if n ≠ 0, the process returns to the start point of the printing process on the second recording paper P in the above process, that is, S718, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed. Is done.

The above is an example of the printing process on one side of the recording paper P by the direct printing and the memory printing.

In the above flow chart, the procedure for starting the memory printing from the image memory 62 is calculated from the end time of the direct printing and the rotation speed of the photoconductor 41. Alternatively, a method in which the time when the leading edge of the recording paper P reaches the registration rollers 54 is used as a starting point to calculate the elapsed time is possible.

The above process will be described again with an example of 12 originals. First, the original data of the first page and the twelfth page are conveyed to the original platen 31, and the read data is transmitted through the direct transfer path to the first recording paper. It is printed on the surface of P. The first sheet of recording paper P on which printing has been completed is withdrawn to the reversal escape path 59a, during which the second and eleventh pages of the original M are sent to the original platen 31 and read therefrom.
Is stored.

Here, the number of originals 4n counted in advance is
N of -a (n = 3, a: 0) is decremented, and thereafter, the determination of n = 0 is executed.

Since the current decremented value of n is 2, the process is continued. Subsequently, the second sheet of recording paper P is conveyed by the registration rollers 54 to the printing portion by the photoconductor 41, and the original read data of the third and tenth pages are printed on the surface of the second sheet of recording paper P. Is done.

[0511] The second recording paper P on which printing has been completed is retracted to the reversal retreat path 59a, and the first recording paper P on the sub-conveyance path 59b is printed by the registration rollers 54, 54 by the photoreceptor 41. Transported to Then, the document data of the second page and the eleventh page stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the back surface of the first recording sheet P, and the first recording sheet P is discharged to a discharge tray. .

Subsequently, the original M on the fourth and ninth pages
Is read on the document table 31 and then stored in the image memory 62. Here, the value of n is decremented again, and thereafter, the second determination of n = 0 is performed. Where n =
Therefore, the process is further executed by one loop.

[0513] The originals M of the fifth and eighth pages are transported from the automatic original transporter 10 to the original platen 31, and the read data is printed on the surface of the third recording paper P. here,
As in the preceding paragraph, the third recording sheet P is retracted to the reversal escape path 59a, and the fourth and ninth pages stored in the image memory 62 are stored on the back surface of the second recording sheet P in the sub-transport path 59b.
The document data of the page is printed.

[0514] Thereafter, the second recording paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray, and the 6th page and 7th page document M remaining in the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the document table 31. The read data is stored in the image memory 62. Where n
Is decremented, and then the determination of n = 0 is performed. At this time, since n is 0, no new recording paper P is fed, and the recording paper P in the sub-transport path 59b is transported by the registration rollers 54 to the printing portion by the photoconductor 41, After the document data of the sixth page and the seventh page in the image memory 62 are printed, the document data is discharged to a paper discharge tray, and a series of copying processes is completed. Thereby, a set of recording paper P as shown in FIG. 30 can be formed. The above is the procedure for executing the 4n processing.

Next, the process flow in the case of the 4n−1 processing will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 44 and 45.

In the case of the 4n-1 processing, as shown in FIG. 43, in the 4n processing, the first loop (S802-S80
This is realized by controlling the original M conveyed to the original table 31 in 5).

First, it is determined whether or not it is after the second loop (S801). If it is the first loop, only the top document is transported to the document table 31 as the first loop step (S802 to S805). 43) and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, by executing the same processing as in the case of the 4n processing, a set of recording paper P as shown in FIG. 31 can be formed. The above is the procedure for executing the 4n-1 processing.

Next, the process flow in the case of the 4n-2 processing will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

In the case of the 4n-2 processing, as shown in FIG. 46, in addition to the 4n-1 processing, by controlling the conveyance procedure of the original M for printing on the back surface of the first recording paper P, This can be realized (S811, S812).

That is, in the processing of the first sheet of the recording paper P, the processing on the front surface of the recording paper P is performed in the same manner as the 4n-1 processing (S801 to S805, S705 to S70).
7) In the back side processing, after it is determined whether or not it is the second loop or later (S810), if it is the first loop, only the top + 1st document data of the automatic document feeder 10 is placed on the document table 31. The document is conveyed (S811, S812), and as shown in FIG. 47, the data of the original is stored in the first half of the image memory 62, and 0 is stored in the second half (S710 to S71).
1). Next, as shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, the storage data is printed on the back surface of the first recording sheet P (S712 to S714, S718 to S727), and thereby, as shown in FIG.
2, a set of recording paper P can be formed. The above is the procedure for executing the 4n-2 processing.

[0521] Finally, the process flow in the case of the 4n-3 processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figs.

In the case of the 4n-3 processing, as shown in FIG. 51, in addition to the 4n-2 processing, it is realized by the conveyance control of the original M printed on the surface of the recording paper P in the second loop (S83).
1 to S834).

That is, as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, after the completion of the first loop of the 4n−2 processing, as shown in FIG. 51, it is determined whether or not it is the third or later loop (S83).
0), only the third page of document data is transferred from the automatic document feeder 10 to the platen 31 (S831 to S834);
This is printed on the surface of the second recording paper P (S722,
S723). Thereafter, the same processing as the 4n processing is repeatedly executed (S724 to S733, S7
18 to S733, S715 to S717), and a set of recording paper P shown in FIG. 33 can be formed. The above is the procedure for executing the 4n-3 processing.

As described above, each copying process can be realized by adding a judgment condition to the basic 4n processing procedure. In this way, in the copying process conventionally performed by the memory for one document, the memory capacity is expanded to two documents, whereby two sheets of recording paper P can be simultaneously transported in the process. As a result, the execution time of the copying process for the entire bookbinding copy is reduced.

As described above, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the original M is supplied by using the automatic document feeder 10, the image information of the original M is read, and one-sided printing or two-sided printing is performed on the recording paper P. be able to.

In this digital copying machine, when performing double-sided printing, the main paper transport path 5 in the paper transport path 59 is used.
After the one-sided printing of the recording paper P is completed in 9c, the recording paper P is temporarily retracted to the reversal escape path 59a in the paper transport path 59, and thereafter, the sub-transport path 59 in the paper transport path 59.
The print is performed on the back side in the paper main transport path 59c after passing through (b).

Here, the digital copying machine of the present embodiment is provided with an image memory 62 for storing image information for one side of the recording paper P, and this image memory 62 While one side of the recording paper P or half the image information of one side of the recording paper P can be stored, the image information stored in the image memory 62 and the image of the document M read by the automatic document feeder 10 are used for printing. A data bus switching unit 73 for selecting which one of the information is to be printed, and in the double-sided printing, after the recording paper P after the one-sided printing is completed is once retracted to the reversal escape path 59a, the next recording is performed. A recording paper transport control 66 is provided to take out the recording paper P retracted to the reversal retreat path 59a while printing the paper P, transport the recording paper P to the sub-transport path 59b, and wait in the sub-transport path 59b.

[0528] That is, in bookbinding copy of bag binding or saddle binding, the page arrangement on the recording paper P is important, so that the read original may not be printed immediately.

At this time, in the present embodiment, an image memory 62 for storing image information for one side of the recording paper P is provided, and this image memory 62 stores one side of the recording paper P for the original M to be read. Since the image information can be stored for one minute or one half of the recording paper P, the read original M can be temporarily stored.

That is, since the image memory 62 can store image information for one side of the recording paper P, the recording paper P
Of one side can be stored for two originals.
Further, since the image memory 62 can store image information for one side of the recording paper P or half of the one side of the recording paper P for the original M to be read, only the half of the original M for one side of the recording paper P can be stored. Can also be stored. This means that the image information of the half of the original M for one side of the recording paper P is stored, the other half of the data is set to 0, and the image information of the original M and the white page as 0 data can be printed side by side. It is shown.

The original M read in this manner is
On the other hand, when printing, the data bus switching unit 73
A selection is made as to which of the image information stored in the image memory 62 and the image information of the document M read by the automatic document feeder 10 is to be printed.

Therefore, by the selection operation by the data bus switching section 73, it is possible to first print the image information of two originals corresponding to half of one side of the recording paper P, and then store the two read originals M. It is. Therefore, the control of the recording paper conveyance control 66 described later becomes possible.

As described above, in this printing method, the storage capacity of the image memory 62 for storing the image information of the document M is sufficient as long as the image information of two documents can be stored.

As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.

In this embodiment, in the case of double-sided printing, after the recording paper P after the one-sided printing has been completed is once retracted to the reversal evacuation path 59a, the reversal evacuation path is printed while the next recording paper P is printed. A recording paper transport control 66 is provided to take out the recording paper P retracted to 59a, transport it to the sub-transport path 59b, and wait in the sub-transport path 59b.

That is, in the case of double-sided printing, after the front side printing of the first sheet of recording paper P is completed, it is retracted to the reversal evacuation path 59a, and then the back side data of the first sheet of recording paper P is read to read the image memory. 62, and while reading the surface data of the second recording paper P, the front surface of the first recording paper P is transported to the sub-transport path 59b and is made to stand by in the sub-transport path 59b. Then, after the front side printing of the second recording sheet P is performed first, the sheet P is retracted to the reversing escape path 59a, and then the back side printing of the first recording sheet P waiting in the sub-transport path 59b is performed. .

[0537] Therefore, in this embodiment, two recording sheets P can be conveyed to the sheet conveying path 59 at the same time.

As a result, it is possible to improve the print processing speed when printing all the recording papers P.

In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of originals to be loaded is selected in the automatic document feeder 10, and the uppermost document and the lowermost document are selected. A document feeder 1 is provided for sequentially transporting both of the originals or one of the uppermost original or the lowermost original to the original platen 31.

[0540] Also, based on the number of originals, the original feeder 1 sends either the highest-order original or the lowest-order original first, either the highest-order original or the lowest-order original. Select one or the other.

Therefore, regardless of the number of originals, the original feeder 1 properly stores the image information in the image memory 62 and properly prints the original M
Can be conveyed to the document table 31, so that bookbinding printing can be always performed in the same process.

In the digital copying machine of this embodiment, when the printing surface is double-sided, the document feeder 1 determines that the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, Either the top document or the bottom document is selected first, and either the top document or the bottom document is selected.

In other words, in bookbinding printing of saddle stitching, printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper P. When the number of originals is 4n (n is an integer), the surface of the recording paper P
For example, the last page and the first page of the original M are printed in this order, while the second side of the recording paper P is, for example, a second page.
The page and one page before the last page are printed in this order.

However, the order of this printing differs depending on the number of originals being 4n-1, 4n-2, and 4n-3. Also, the order may be changed by inserting image information of a white page.

However, in the present embodiment, the document feeder 1
Means that the remainder of the number of documents divided by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, so that either the top document or the bottom document is first, both the top document or the bottom document Select one of

Accordingly, the remainder obtained by dividing the number of original documents by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, so that either the uppermost original document or the lowermost original document in the original document bundle of the automatic document feeder 10 is used first. Since either the top document or the bottom document is selected, when performing bookbinding printing with saddle stitching, take in the appropriate one of the top document or the bottom document in the bundle of documents. Platen 31
You can read at.

As a result, it is possible to reliably take out the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the placed document bundle. In addition, the discharge of the document M can be always performed in the page order.

[0548]

As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is provided with the storage means for storing the image information of one read original, while the image information of the original is stored in the read original. Is directly printed on the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the image information of the document is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the image information printed on the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction is used. There is provided a selection means for selecting whether to print in a row.

Therefore, since the storage means for storing the read image information of one document is provided,
The read original can be stored.

As described above, the image information of the first document is first stored in the storage device, the read document is printed first, and then the stored document is printed. Image information can be printed side by side. As a result, it is possible to print on recording paper having a page layout suitable for bookbinding printing.

In this printing method, the storage means for storing the image information of the document only needs to have a capacity capable of storing the image information of one document.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above-described image forming apparatus, when the printing surface is only one side, the selecting unit directly prints the image information of the document on the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction depending on whether the number of documents is odd or even. Or to temporarily store the image information of the original in the storage means, and to print the image information arranged in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction.

[0555] Therefore, in the bookbinding printing of the bag binding, the image information of the first original is first stored in the storage means by the selection operation by the selection means. The information can be printed first, and then the stored image information of the document can be printed side by side. As a result, it is possible to perform printing on recording paper having a page arrangement suitable for bookbinding printing of bag binding.

[0555] In this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the document includes a capacity capable of storing the image information of one document, and a capacity of the image information of the white pages separately stored in advance. It is enough if there is capacity.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of originals due to the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing with bag binding.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above image forming apparatus, the automatic document feeder is provided with upper / lower document selection / conveyance means for selecting either the top document or the lowest document in the document bundle to be placed and sequentially conveying the selected document to the document reading unit. It is what is being done.

Therefore, even when, for example, the first page and the last page of a document are printed side by side on one side of the recording paper, the document can be read from above and below the placed document bundle. The storage capacity can be reduced.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing bookbinding printing with saddle stitching.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above image forming apparatus,
Based on the number of originals, either the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the set of originals to be placed is selected.

Therefore, since the upper and lower original selecting / conveying means selects either the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the bundle of originals to be placed based on the number of originals, bookbinding printing of saddle stitching is performed. In this case, an appropriate one of the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the document bundle can be captured and read by the image reading unit.

As a result, there is an effect that it is easy to take out either the uppermost document or the lowermost document of the placed document bundle.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention has
In the above-described image forming apparatus, when the printing surface is two-sided,
When the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, the image information of the document is directly printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper in the transport direction, or the image of the document is The information is temporarily stored in the storage means, and a selection is made as to whether the information is to be printed side by side with the image information printed in the first half or the second half in the transport direction of the recording paper.

[0564] Therefore, when the printing surface is two-sided, the image information of the first document is first stored once in the storage device based on the number of documents, and separately stored in advance by the selection operation by the selection device. First print the image information of the white page,
Thereafter, the stored image information of the document can be printed side by side.

As a result, it is possible to print on recording paper having a page arrangement appropriate for bookbinding printing with saddle stitching.

[0566] In this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the document includes a capacity capable of storing the image information of one document and a capacity of the image information of the white pages separately stored in advance. It is enough if there is capacity.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing bookbinding printing with saddle stitching.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above-described image forming apparatus, a white image insertion unit for inserting white page image information in place of a read original based on the number of originals is provided.

Therefore, in book binding printing, for example, when it is desired to change the last page to a white page, it is possible to easily insert a white page by the white image inserting means.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above-described image forming apparatus, the automatic document feeder includes a document read by selecting either the top document or the bottom document in the bundle of documents to be placed, and temporarily reads the top document and the bottom document. The discharged originals are separated into two parts and discharged, and the discharged one original bundle is again taken out one sheet at a time, and the other discharged original bundle is stacked and discharged in ascending or descending order. An organizing means is provided.

[0571] Therefore, the discharged original rearranging means is configured to re-divide one of the discharged original bundles into one sheet again for the original once divided into the uppermost original and the lowermost original. The stacks are ejected one by one and stacked and discharged in ascending or descending order of the other discharged original bundle. Therefore, when the re-discharge of the document is completed, the discharged document bundle is arranged in ascending or descending order.

As a result, there is an effect that even after printing is completed, the discharged original bundle can be taken out in a state in which the original original bundle is arranged in the page order.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above-described image forming apparatus, the discharged original rearranging means includes an upper and lower two-stage original discharge tray for temporarily separating the read original into two, that is, an uppermost original and a lowermost original, and A switchback means for taking out a document discharged to one of the document discharge trays, switching back the document, and discharging the document to another document discharge tray.

Therefore, the printed original is divided into two original discharge trays, one from the top and the other from the end, and is discharged once. By ejecting the document from one document ejection tray to the other document ejection tray by the means, it is possible to finally eject the document in the original order in which the page order is aligned.

As a result, there is an effect that even after the printing is completed, the discharged original bundle can be reliably taken out in the page order of the original original bundle.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above image forming apparatus, when printing the read image information of one document, the length of the recording paper in the transport direction is set to one.
If / 2 does not match the length of the document in the transport direction, a variable magnification printing means for performing magnification and printing is provided.

[0577] Therefore, when printing on recording paper, even if the scales of the originals are different, it is possible to print with the same size.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above-described image forming apparatus, a compression unit that compresses the read image information of one document before storing the image information in the storage unit is provided.

Therefore, since the image information of one document can be compressed and stored in the storage means, the storage capacity can be further reduced.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus which can further prevent the number of originals from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention has
In the above-described image forming apparatus, recording paper switchback means for printing the front surface of the recording paper and then inverting the recording paper to print on the back surface of the recording paper is provided to cope with double-sided printing, while book binding is performed. When performing double-sided printing, both direct printing, which prints the image information of the document directly on the recording paper based on the number of documents, and memory printing, which temporarily stores the image information of the document in the storage means and then prints it on the recording paper, are used in combination. The image information of two originals is printed on the front surface of one recording paper, and the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means, and then the reverse side is printed on the recording paper in the same manner.

Therefore, when performing book-bound double-sided printing, it is possible to perform appropriate printing that can reduce the memory capacity on the surface of the recording paper, and then the printing surface of the recording paper is changed by the recording paper switchback means. Inverted, appropriate printing can be performed on the back surface of the recording paper so that the memory capacity can be reduced.

As a result, the memory capacity can be reduced, and the operation of reversing the recording paper by an external manual operation can be omitted, so that the burden on the user for reversing the recording paper can be reduced.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention has
A storage means for storing image information for one side of the recording paper is provided, and this storage means can store image information for one side of the recording paper or half of the one side of the recording paper for a document to be read. A printing unit for selecting which of the image information stored in the storage unit and the image information of the document read by the automatic document feeder is to be printed. After the recording paper after the completion of the recording paper is temporarily retracted to the reversing path, the recording paper retracted to the reversing path is taken out while printing the next recording paper, is conveyed to the sub-conveying path, and And a waiting means for waiting.

Therefore, a storage means for storing image information for one side of the recording paper is provided, and this storage means stores an image of one side of the recording paper or half of the one side of the recording paper for the original to be read. Since the information can be stored, the read original can be temporarily stored.

That is, since the storage means can store image information for one side of the recording paper, half of the one side of the recording paper can be stored for two originals. Also,
Since this storage means can store the image information of one side of the recording paper or half of the one side of the recording paper for the document to be read, it is also possible to store only the half of the original of one side of the recording paper. . This means that the image information of the half of the original for one side of the recording paper is stored, the other half of the data is set to 0, and the image information of the original and the white page as 0 data can be printed side by side. is there.

[0587] Further, by the selecting operation by the selecting means, it is possible to print the image information of two originals which are half of one side of the recording paper first, and then store the two read originals. Therefore, it is possible to control the standby means described later.

As described above, in this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the original is the original 2
It suffices if there is enough capacity to store the image information of a sheet.

As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the number of documents from being limited by the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.

According to the present invention, in double-sided printing, after the recording paper after the one-sided printing is completed is temporarily retracted to the reversing path, the recording paper retreated to the reversing path during the printing of the next recording paper. There is provided a standby means for taking out the paper, transporting the paper to the sub-transport path, and waiting in the sub-transport path, so that two recording sheets can be simultaneously transported to the paper transport path.

As a result, there is an effect that the printing processing speed when printing all the recording paper can be improved.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention has
In the above image forming apparatus, the automatic document feeder selects the top document or the bottom document in the bundle of documents to be stacked, and selects both the top document and the bottom document, or the top document. Alternatively, there is provided upper and lower original selecting and conveying means for sequentially conveying one of the lowermost originals to the original reading unit, and the upper and lower original selecting and conveying means is configured to output the uppermost original and the lowermost original based on the number of originals. Either one of the originals is selected first, and either the uppermost original or the lowermost original is selected.

Therefore, no matter what the number of originals is, the original can be appropriately conveyed to the original reading section in any case where the image information is stored in the storage means and when the image is directly printed by the upper and lower original selecting and conveying means. There is an effect that book binding printing can always be performed in the same process.

As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
In the above-described image forming apparatus, when the printing surface is two-sided,
The upper / lower original selecting / conveying means determines whether the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 is 0, 1, 2 or 3, so that either the uppermost original or the lowermost original first, or the uppermost original Alternatively, one of the lowermost documents is selected.

Therefore, the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, so that either the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the bundle of originals of the automatic original feeder is used first. Since either the top document or the bottom document is selected, when performing bookbinding printing with saddle stitching, take in the appropriate one of the top document or the bottom document in the bundle of documents. It can be read by the image reading unit.

As a result, it is possible to reliably take out the top document or the bottom document from the placed document bundle. In addition, there is an effect that the discharge of the document can always be performed in the page order.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an entire configuration of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a document feeder of the automatic document feeder in the digital copying machine.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing a state of feeding a bundle of documents placed on a document feed tray in a document feeder of the automatic document feeder, wherein FIG. (B) shows a state in which the top document of the document bundle is taken out.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a document discharge unit of the automatic document feeder in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a document discharge section of the automatic document feeder;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the Nth page of the original bundle discharged to the lower original discharge tray is re-discharged onto the (N + 1) th original of the original bundle arranged in the upper original discharge tray; .

FIG. 8 is a view showing a document discharge section of the automatic document feeder;
Explanatory drawing showing a state in which the document of the (N-1) th page of the document bundle discharged to the lower document discharge tray is re-discharged onto the document of the Nth page of the document bundle arranged in the upper document discharge tray. It is.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a document discharge section of the automatic document feeder;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which all originals discharged to the lower original discharge tray are re-discharged one sheet at a time to the upper original discharge tray, and the originals are arranged in ascending order in the upper original discharge tray. is there.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing a printing method in left-side bound bag-binding copying when the number of documents is an even number; FIG. 10A shows an arrangement state of each page recorded on recording paper;
Indicates the printing direction when printing on recording paper in the arrangement state of each page shown in FIG.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing a printing method in bag-binding copying with left binding when the number of documents is an odd number, where FIG. 11A shows the arrangement state of each page recorded on recording paper, and FIG.
Indicates the printing direction when printing on recording paper in the arrangement state of each page shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a document is placed downward on a document feed tray in the document feeder of the automatic document feeder.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an operation in the case of performing left-bound binding in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a two-document processing mode subroutine operation in the case where left-sided binding is performed by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an odd-numbered-final-document processing mode subroutine operation in a case where the digital copying machine performs left-bound binding.

16A and 16B are explanatory diagrams showing the page arrangement of each recording sheet in a case where the left stapling copy for saddle stitching is performed on eight originals by the digital copying machine. FIG. 16A is a front view of the first recording sheet. (B) shows the state of the back side of the first recording paper, (c) shows the state of the front side of the second recording paper, and (d) shows the state of the back side of the second recording paper.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams showing the page arrangement of each recording paper in the case where the left binding copy for saddle stitching is performed on seven originals by the digital copying machine; FIG. (B) shows the state of the back side of the first recording paper, (c) shows the state of the front side of the second recording paper, and (d) shows the state of the back side of the second recording paper.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams showing the page arrangement of each recording sheet in a case where the left binding copy for saddle stitching is performed on six originals by the digital copying machine; FIG. 18A is a front view of the first recording sheet; (B) shows the state of the back side of the first recording paper, (c) shows the state of the front side of the second recording paper, and (d) shows the state of the back side of the second recording paper.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are explanatory diagrams showing the page arrangement of each recording sheet in the case where the left stapling copy for saddle stitching is performed on five originals by the digital copying machine, and FIG. (B) shows the state of the back side of the first recording paper, (c) shows the state of the front side of the second recording paper, and (d) shows the state of the back side of the second recording paper.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a state of feeding of each original when a left stitch copy for saddle stitching is performed on eight originals by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a state of feeding of each original when the center copying is performed on seven originals by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a state of feeding of each original when the left stitching copy for saddle stitching is performed on six originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a state of feeding of each original when the left stitching copy for saddle stitching is performed on five originals by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation in the case where the left stapling copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 25 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n processing operation in a case where left binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 26 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-1 processing operation in the case where left binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 27 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-2 processing operation in the case where left binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 28 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-3 processing operation in a case where left binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 29 is a side view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left stitched copy for saddle stitching is printed on recording sheets by using 12 digital documents by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 30 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is printed on recording sheets of 12 originals by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 31 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is printed on recording sheets of 11 originals by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 32 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is printed on recording sheets of 10 originals by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 33 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left stitch copy for saddle stitching is printed on recording sheets by nine originals by the digital copying machine.

FIG. 34 is a subroutine flowchart showing all steps of a 4n-sheet processing operation in the case where the left stapling copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 35 is a subroutine flowchart showing all steps of a 4n-1 sheet processing operation in a case where left binding copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 36 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a subroutine flowchart showing all steps of a 4n-2 sheet processing operation in a case where left binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 38 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a subroutine flowchart showing all steps of a 4n-3 sheet processing operation in a case where left binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 40 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating control when compression is performed before the image data is stored in the image memory.

FIG. 42 shows another embodiment of the digital copying machine according to the present invention, in which two originals are supplied to an original platen and left-side binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals. 4 is a subroutine flowchart showing the 4n-sheet processing operation.

FIG. 43 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-1 sheet processing operation in a case where two originals are supplied to an original platen and a left stitch copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine. .

FIG. 45 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-2 sheet processing operation in a case where two originals are supplied to an original platen and a left stitch copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine; .

FIG. 47 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-3 sheet processing operation in a case where two originals are supplied to an original platen and a left stitch copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine; .

FIG. 50 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 50;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 Document feeder (upper / lower document selection / conveyance means) 2 Document feed tray 3 Top document pickup roller 4 Lowest document pickup roller 5 Upper disc 6 Lower disc 11 Document discharge section (discharged document rearranging means) 13a Upper document discharge tray (document discharge tray) 13b Lower document discharge tray (document discharge tray) 14 Document main transport path 15a Upper transport branch path 15b Lower transport branch path 16 Switchback transport path (switchback means) 17a First conveyance path selection claw 17b Second conveyance path selection claw 18 Switchback conveyance roller 19a Upper discharge roller 19b Lower discharge roller 21 Document discharge half-moon roller (switchback means) 31 Document table (document reading unit) 32 Exposure Light source 40 Image forming unit 41 Photoreceptor 43 Transfer charger 56 Discharge roller 59 Paper transport path 59a Reverse retreat path Recording paper switchback means, reversing path, paper conveyance path) 59b Sub conveyance path (recording paper switchback means, paper conveyance path) 59c Paper main conveyance path (paper conveyance path) 61 CPU (white image insertion means) 62 Image memory ( Storage means) 66 Recording paper transport control (standby means) 68 Image data switching control (white image insertion means) 72 Image processing section (magnification printing means) 73 Data bus switching section (selection means) 74 Laser output conversion section 76 Data compression Section (compression means) 77 Data expansion section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 15/00 107 G03G 15/00 107 3F343 21/00 370 21/00 370 5C062 H04N 1/00 108 H04N 1 / 00 108M 5C076 (72) Inventor Takahiro Omichi 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture (72) Inventor Hitoshi Hirohata 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Yosuke Konishi 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi F-term in Sharp Corporation (reference) 2H027 DB08 ED12 ED19 ED29 EE02 EE06 EF09 FA27 FA30 FD02 FD08 2H028 BA06 BA09 BA16 BB02 BB04 BB06 2H076 A58 BA20 BA55 BA82 BA83 BA85 BB01 3F100 AA03 BA17 EA12 EA13 EA14 3F107 AA02 AB01 AC02 CA03 3F3 43 FA03 GA02 GB01 GB02 GC01 GD01 HC30 5C062 AA05 AB20 AB22 AB30 AB42 AC04 AC11 AC22 AC60 AF07 BD01 5C076 AA17 AA19

Claims (14)

[Claims] An original is fed using an automatic document feeder,
In an image forming apparatus capable of reading image information of the original and performing single-sided printing or double-sided printing on recording paper, storage means for storing image information of one read original is provided. The image information of the document is directly printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the image information of the document is temporarily stored in the storage means, and is stored in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a selection unit for selecting whether to print in line with printed image information. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the image information of the document directly on the first half or the second half of the recording paper in the conveying direction depending on whether the number of the documents is odd or even. Or temporarily storing the image information of the original in the storage means, and selecting whether to print the image information arranged in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1. 3. The automatic document feeder is provided with an upper / lower document selecting / conveying means for selecting either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the stack of documents to be stacked and sequentially conveying the selected document to a document reading section. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. An image according to claim 3, wherein the upper / lower original selecting / conveying means selects either the uppermost original or the lowermost original in the original bundle based on the number of originals. Forming equipment. 5. When the printing surface is two-sided, the selection means determines whether the remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3.
The image information of the document is directly printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the image information of the document is temporarily stored in the storage means, and is stored in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a selection is made as to whether to print the information in line with the printed image information. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising white image insertion means for inserting image information of a white page in place of a read original based on the number of originals. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 7. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the document read by selecting either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be placed is temporarily replaced with the uppermost document and the lowermost document. While re-discharging the discharged document bundles, taking out one of the discharged document bundles one by one again, and stacking and discharging the other discharged document bundles in ascending or descending order The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a unit. 8. An output document rearranging means, comprising: an upper and lower two-stage document discharge tray for temporarily separating the read original into two, that is, an uppermost original and a lowermost original; 8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising switchback means for taking out the document discharged to the document discharge tray, switching back the document, and discharging the document to another document discharge tray. . 9. When printing the read image information of one document, if 1/2 of the length of the recording paper in the transport direction does not match the length of the document in the transport direction, the image is scaled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a variable-size printing unit that performs printing. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising compression means for compressing the read image information of one document before storing the image information in the storage means. Image forming device. 11. In order to cope with double-sided printing, a recording paper switchback means for printing the front side of a recording paper and then inverting the recording paper to print on the back side of the recording paper is provided. When printing, based on the number of documents,
A combination of direct printing, in which the image information of the original is directly printed on the recording paper, and memory printing, in which the image information of the original is temporarily stored in the storage means and then printed on the recording paper, is used together to print two originals on the surface of one recording paper. The image information is printed, and after the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means, the reverse side is printed on the recording paper in the same manner.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10. 12. An original document is supplied using an automatic document feeder, image information of the original document is read, and one-sided printing or double-sided printing can be performed on recording paper. After the single-sided printing of the recording paper is completed, the recording paper is temporarily retracted to the reversing path in the paper transport path, and then the reverse side of the paper transport path is printed. In the apparatus, storage means for storing image information for one side of the recording paper is provided, and this storage means stores image information for one side of the recording paper or half of the one side of the recording paper for a document to be read. On the other hand, when printing, there is provided a selection means for selecting which of the image information stored in the storage means and the image information of the original read by the automatic document feeder is to be printed. In the above two-sided printing, after the recording paper after the one-sided printing is completed is once retracted to the reversing path, the recording paper retreated to the reversing path is taken out while printing the next recording paper, and the sub-conveying path is taken out. An image forming apparatus, wherein a standby means for transporting the paper to the printer and waiting in the sub-transport path is provided. 13. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the stack of documents to be stacked is selected.
An upper / lower original selecting / conveying means is provided for sequentially conveying both the uppermost original and the lowermost original, or one of the uppermost original or the lowermost original, to the original reading section. The means, based on the number of documents, selects either the highest-order document or the lowest-order document first, or selects either the highest-order document or the lowest-order document. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: 14. When the printing surface is double-sided, the upper / lower original selecting / conveying means determines whether the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3 to determine which of the uppermost original and the lowermost original 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein both of them are selected first, or one of the top document and the bottom document is selected.