JP2001328739A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device to improve productivity of a recording process when the direction of a recording paper is changed and rotational sorting is effected and perform a proper recording process according to selection of a user also after paper ending. SOLUTION: The image forming device uses a paper feed tray having a short transport distance from a paper feed to an image forming part when a plurality of utilizable paper feed tray in case of rotational sorting copying operation being carried out. The image forming device decides, in order, whether paper end display is effected or rotational sorting copying or copying in the same paper feed direction is effected according to a condition that other utilizable paper feed tray has the same paper size and the same paper feed direction as those of the paper feed tray where the recording paper runs out and setting by a user when one of the paper feed trays used in rotational sorting copying is brought into a paper end state, and whether the same paper feed direction recording process in which paper sheets classified by a part are inserted is carried out, and effects rotational sorting copying or the same paper feed direction recording process. (steps S101-S113).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to improving the productivity of a recording process when sorting by changing the direction of a recording sheet, and further improving the productivity of a user even after the paper end. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that appropriately performs a recording process according to a selection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, when a plurality of copies are to be made, recording paper on which an image has been formed is classified into a plurality of discharge stages and discharged. I have.

However, when a plurality of paper discharge stages are provided, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus becomes large, the mechanism becomes complicated, and the price increases.

Therefore, conventionally, there is provided a paper feed stage in which recording paper of the same paper size can be set in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The recording paper is conveyed to the image forming unit, and the direction of the image to be recorded is rotated by 90 ° or 270 ° in accordance with the direction of the recording paper to be conveyed, and the image is formed by the image forming unit. An image processing apparatus having a sort function has appeared.

[0005] In such a conventional image forming apparatus, when the rotation sort is set, there is no recording paper in the paper feed stage in the same direction as the direction of the recording object, or the recording paper is rotationally sorted and during recording output. When the recording paper runs out, the copying operation is interrupted, and when the recording paper is set in the paper feed tray, the copying operation is restarted. However, when the copying operation is interrupted, the availability of copying is reduced. From a bad point, the present applicant has previously provided a plurality of paper feed trays, and in a color image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring scanned document image data to paper stored in the paper feed tray, A storage detection unit that detects the size, storage direction, and absence of paper stored in the plurality of trays, an image memory that stores a plurality of scanned document image data, and an image memory that is stored in the image memory. An original image 0 degrees that, 90 degrees, 18
An image rotating unit for rotating the image by 0 or 270 degrees and reading the image, forming a plurality of images of the plurality of original images recorded in the image memory, and performing a sort sort operation on each of the formed image sections by executing a shift sort operation, and running out of paper during operation. Occurs, select a tray containing paper of the same size as the size of the document image being recorded, and set the document image direction to match the paper storage direction stored in the selected tray. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus including a control unit for controlling an image rotating unit to continue forming an image (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-127742). Further, in this image forming apparatus, when a staple to be closed is set for each copy, rotation readout of the image rotation unit for sorting is prohibited, and only control for the staple is performed.

[0006]

However, in the image forming apparatus described in the above publication, if a paper end occurs during the rotation sort copy, the same size as the paper end of the paper in the other paper feed stage is required. If the same size paper is in the same direction or in the different direction, the copy operation is forced to continue, except for selecting the paper feed tray in the same direction due to the stapling operation restriction. Depending on the number of copies and the user, the user may want to interrupt the copy operation, set the paper, and then perform an appropriate rotation sort to record and output. Therefore, the copy operation is forcibly continued. If the paper to be copied is a special paper, and if the copy operation is forcibly continued, it is necessary to copy again on the special paper. There are, there is a risk of wasteful use of resources, it is necessary for improvement.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when forming a plurality of images of a plurality of pages, the image data stored in the image storage means is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 degrees for each copy. Among a plurality of paper feed stages in which paper of various paper sizes can be arbitrarily placed in the vertical and horizontal paper feed directions for each time, paper sheets of the same paper size and different paper feed directions are placed. The paper was fed from the paper feed stage by changing the paper feeding direction for each set in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the paper fed in the vertical and horizontal directions for each set was rotated in the paper feeding direction. An image is formed by an image forming unit based on image data, and when performing a rotation sort recording process of alternately vertically and horizontally discharging a sheet on which an image has been formed on a discharge tray, a plurality of copies of the image in the rotation sort recording process are provided. Use the same paper size and the same paper When there are a plurality of paper feed stages on which papers are placed, the transport time from the paper feed stage to the image forming unit is reduced by selecting the shortest paper feed stage to the image forming unit and forming an image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening and improving the productivity of the rotation sort recording process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the paper in the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording processing runs out during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, the paper size is the same as the lost paper size. If there is another paper feed tray on which paper in the same paper feed direction is placed, select whether or not to continue the rotation sort recording process using the paper from the other paper feed tray. If there is only a paper feed stage on which paper of the same paper size as the lost paper but of a different paper feed direction is placed, the paper of the same paper feed direction in all the units or 180 Depending on the result of the selection by the selection means for selecting whether or not to perform the same paper feed direction recording processing for recording an image rotated by degrees, the paper in the paper feed tray used in the rotation sort recording processing is selected. It disappears during the execution of the rotation sort recording process. By performing the rotation sort recording process or the same sheet feeding direction recording process, the rotation sorting recording process or the same sheet feeding direction recording process can be performed according to the setting of the user without forcibly continuing the copy operation as in the related art. Do
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus with good usability.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the paper in the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording processing is lost during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, and the same paper as the lost paper in the other paper feed stages is used. If only paper feed stages with different paper feed directions and different paper feed directions exist and the same paper feed direction recording process is selected, the paper of the preset paper feed stage is inserted as a set separation paper for each copy. By doing so, even when the function condition of the rotation sort is not satisfied in the same paper feed direction recording process, a separator sheet is inserted at the separator of the set to make it easier to understand the separator of the set, thereby further improving the usability. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of paper feed stages capable of arbitrarily placing paper of various paper sizes in vertical and horizontal paper feeding directions; Image storage means for storing image data, and an image for forming an image on the paper fed from one of the paper feed stages based on the image data stored in the image storage means Forming means for forming a plurality of images of a plurality of pages by rotating the image data stored in the image storage means by 90 degrees or 270 degrees for each copy; The paper is fed from the paper feed stage on which the papers of the same paper size and different paper feed directions are placed, by changing the paper feed direction for each set in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The paper is fed in the vertical and horizontal directions for each A control for performing a rotation sort recording process for causing the image forming unit to form an image on a sheet based on the image data rotated in the sheet feeding direction and alternately vertically and horizontally discharging the image-formed sheet on a discharge tray. Means, wherein the control means is configured to load the paper in the same paper direction in the same paper size that can be used for image formation of a plurality of copies in the rotation sort recording process. When there are a plurality of paper feed stages, the object is achieved by selecting the paper feed stage having the shortest transport distance to the image forming means and forming an image.

According to the above arrangement, when forming a plurality of copies of an image of a plurality of pages, the image data stored in the image storage means is rotated by 90 or 270 degrees for each copy, and various papers are printed for each copy. Among a plurality of paper feed trays that can arbitrarily place paper of the same size in the vertical and horizontal paper feed directions, from a paper feed tray on which paper of the same paper size and different paper feed directions are loaded is placed. The paper is fed by changing the paper feeding direction for each set in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and based on the image data rotated in the paper feeding direction for the paper fed in the vertical and horizontal directions for each set. Can be used for image formation of a plurality of copies in the rotation sort recording process when performing the rotation sort recording process of forming an image by the image forming means and discharging the image-formed paper on the discharge tray alternately vertically and horizontally. Paper loaded in the same paper direction with the same paper size When there are a plurality of paper feed stages, the paper feed stage having the shortest transport distance to the image forming means is selected and the image is formed, so that the transport time from the paper feed stage to the image forming means can be reduced, The productivity of the rotation sort recording process can be improved.

In this case, for example, in the image forming apparatus, the sheet of the paper supply stage used in the rotation sort recording processing is lost during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing. When there is another paper feed stage on which the paper is placed in the same paper size and the same paper feed direction as the lost paper size, the other paper feed stage is Selection of whether or not to continue the rotation sort recording process using paper, and only the paper feed tray on which the paper of the same paper size as the lost paper but in a different paper feed direction is placed Selecting means for selecting whether or not to perform the same paper feed direction recording process of recording an image rotated in the same direction or 180 degrees on the paper in the same paper feed direction in all the copies when the document exists. Wherein the control means comprises: When the paper in the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording processing runs out during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, the rotation sort recording processing or the same sheet feeding is performed based on the selection result of the selection unit. A direction recording process may be performed.

According to the above configuration, when the paper in the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording process runs out during the execution of the rotation sort recording process, the paper size is the same as the lost paper size and the same. When there is another paper feed tray on which paper in the paper feed direction is placed, a selection is made as to whether or not to continue the rotation sort recording process using paper from the other paper feed tray, If only paper feed trays that have paper of the same size but different paper feed directions are loaded, the paper in the same feed direction is rotated in the same direction or 180 degrees in all units. Depending on the result of the selection by the selection means for selecting whether or not to perform the same paper feed direction recording processing for recording the rotated image, the paper of the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording processing is rotated by the rotation. When running out of sort record processing, Since the reverse sort recording process or the same feed direction recording process is performed, the rotational sort recording process or the same feed direction recording process should be performed according to the setting of the user without forcibly continuing the copy operation as in the related art. Can be
Usability can be improved.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 3, the control means removes the sheet of the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording processing during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, If there is only a paper feed stage having the same paper size and a different paper feed direction as the lost paper in the other paper feed stages, and the same paper feed direction recording process is selected by the selection means, The paper of the preset paper feed stage may be inserted as a set separation paper for each copy.

According to the above configuration, the paper in the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording process is lost during the execution of the rotation sort recording process, and the same paper as the lost paper in the other paper feed stages is used. If only paper feed stages of different paper feed directions having different sizes exist and the same paper feed direction recording process is selected, the paper of the preset paper feed stage is inserted as a set separation sheet for each copy. Even in the case where the function condition of the rotation sort is not satisfied in the same sheet feeding direction recording process, a separator sheet can be inserted into a set separator to make it easier to understand the set separator, thereby further improving the usability. be able to.

[0016]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferable limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram.

In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 includes a control section 2, an image forming section main body 3, an image reading section 4, a document feeding section 5,
I / O port 6, four paper feed trays 7 to 10 from first to fourth, paper end sensors (PE sensors) 11 to 14 provided in each paper feed tray 7 to 10, image memory unit 15 The control unit 2 and main units are connected by a CPU bus 17. The image forming unit body 3 and the image reading unit 4 are connected to the image memory unit 15 by an image forming signal bus 18, and the control unit 2 and the image memory unit 15 are connected by a control signal line 19.

The control unit (control means) 2 includes a CPU (Centra
l Processing Unit) 20, RAM (Random Access Me)
mory) 21 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22. In the ROM 22, various programs such as a basic processing program as the image forming apparatus 1 and a sort copy control processing program to be described later are stored. Various data necessary to execute the various programs are stored. The control unit 2 has the CPU 20
Controls the respective units of the image forming apparatus 1 based on the program in the ROM 22 while using the RAM 21 as a work memory, executes a sequence as the image forming apparatus 1, and executes a sort copy control process described later.

The image forming section main body (image forming means) 3 uses, for example, an electrophotographic image forming section, operates under the control of the control section 2, and is transferred from the image memory unit 15. Based on the image data, the paper feed tray 7
An image is formed on the recording paper conveyed from any one of the paper trays and discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

The image reading section 4 is, for example, a CCD (Charge).
A scanner using a coupled device is used. Under the control of the control unit 2, an image of a document conveyed from the document feeding unit 5 is read at a predetermined resolution, and the image is read via an image forming signal bus 18. The image data is transferred to the image memory unit 15.

A plurality of originals are set in the original feeder 5, and the original feeder 5 stores the set originals in one.
The documents are separated one by one and conveyed to the reading position of the document reading unit 4.

The size of a document set in the document feeder 5 (hereinafter referred to as a document size) is detected by a document size sensor provided in the document feeder 5 or by the image reading unit 4 itself. Then, the control unit 2 is notified. The detection of the document size is performed only for the document that is first conveyed to the document reading unit 4 among the set documents.

In each of the first to fourth paper feed trays (paper feed trays) 7 to 10, recording paper of various paper sizes, for example, A4, A5, B4, B5, etc., is set in its setting direction. (Paper feed direction) can be set in any direction, and the paper end sensors 11 to 14
It detects whether or not the recording paper is set to 0 and whether or not the set recording paper is exhausted, and outputs the detection result to the CPU 20 of the control unit 2 via the I / O port 6. Although not shown, each of the paper feed trays 7 to 10 is provided with a paper size sensor for detecting the paper size and the set direction (paper feed direction) of the set recording paper. The paper size sensor detects a paper size and a setting direction of the recording paper set in each of the paper feed trays 7 to 10, and outputs a detection result to the CPU 20 of the control unit 2 via the I / O port 6. .

The recording paper set in each of the paper feed trays 7 to 10 is conveyed to the image forming unit main body 3 by a conveying mechanism (not shown) which operates under the control of the control unit 2, and
And an image is formed and discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown).

Image memory unit (image storage means) 15
Is composed of a large-capacity RAM or a hard disk or the like, stores image data of a document read by the image reading unit 4 under the control of the control unit 2, and stores the stored image data as it is or at 90 ° or 180 °. 270 °, read out, and transferred to the image forming unit main body 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit (selection means) 16 includes a numeric keypad 31, a clear / stop key 32, a start key 33, an interrupt key 34, a reset / preheat key 35, an initial setting key 36, and other operations. The display 37 is provided with keys, and a large liquid crystal display is used as the display 37, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the display 37 displays the state of the image forming apparatus 1 (in FIG. 3, a state in which copying is possible), and a paper selection state (FIG. 3,
A4 portrait, A4 portrait, A4 landscape, and A3 portrait of separator paper are set in the paper feed trays 7 to 10, indicating that the paper is in the automatic selection state. ), Copy magnification (in FIG. 3, equal magnification, paper designated magnification, A3 is A4 or B4 is B5
There are designated magnifications such as zooming to 93% and 93%, indicating that the same magnification is selected. ), Various kinds of information such as the state of single-sided copy and double-sided copy and the state in which the rotation sort is selected are displayed under the control of the control unit 2.

The display 37 has a touch sensor function, and when an information display area displayed as shown in FIG. 3 is touched, the display information can be selected. . For example, when the rotation sort display area shown in FIG. 3 is selected, the control unit 2 recognizes that the rotation sort function has been selected.

The image forming apparatus 1 stores the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 4 in the image memory unit 15 when copying a plurality of copies of a plurality of documents. Each time the forming unit 3 completes, the image is rotated 90 °, 270 °, or 180 ° clockwise to form the next part of the image on the recording paper, As the paper feeding direction, vertical paper passing and horizontal paper passing alternately, or vertical paper passing or horizontal paper passing continuously, and the image-formed recording paper on the paper output tray alternately vertically or horizontally or continuously vertically or horizontally. 180 for recording paper passed
It has a rotation sort function for recording and discharging images rotated by °. In the rotation sort function, when the control unit 2 reads out image data from the image memory unit 5,
Convert image data to 0 °, 90 °, 180 °, or 27 °
The image is read by rotating it by 0 °, transferred to the image forming unit main body 3, and the read image is formed on the image forming unit main body 3.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses the rotation sort function to change the direction of an image for each unit and record and output, or when recording and outputting with the rotation sort function,
The recording paper used in the rotation sort function is the feed tray 7 to
10 that the paper end sensors 11-1
When the number 4 is detected, it is characterized in that whether or not to perform the rotation sort output is determined according to the user's selection and the recording process is performed.

That is, the image forming apparatus 1 is
When the rotation sort display area of the display 37 is touched and the rotation sort is selected, the control unit 2 reverses the black and white display of the rotation sort display area of the display 37 to display that the rotation sort is in the selected state. .

Now, in the rotation sort, as a basic rotation sort, the direction of the recording paper of the same size for each copy is changed to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the recording paper is fed to the image forming unit main body 3 and stored in the image memory unit 15. The read image data is rotated by 0 ° and 270 ° clockwise for each set, read out, and transferred to the image forming unit main body 3. In the image forming unit main body 3, the recording paper fed alternately in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction for each of these sets has 0
The image data read out in a state of rotation of 270 ° and 270 ° is recorded and discharged onto a paper discharge tray. As a result of the image formation, the paper discharge tray is set in a state in which the orientation is alternately changed vertically and horizontally one by one. Discharge up.

More specifically, the A4 horizontal document is placed in the document feeder 5.
As shown in FIG. 3, when six copies are to be copied at the same size as shown in FIG. 3, the A4 landscape document is separated one by one by the document feeding unit 5 and conveyed to the reading position of the image reading unit main body 3, Detect document size. However, the detection of the document size is only the first one of the document bundles set in the document feeder 5. The detected document size data of A4 landscape is output to the control unit 2 via the CPU bus 17, and the control unit 2 determines whether the optimal paper feed tray Select 7 to 10.

Now, in FIG. 3, since the same size is selected, the control unit 2 selects the third-stage paper feed tray 9 containing the A4 landscape size, and selects the third paper feed tray 9 on the display 37. The display is inverted between black and white.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a document feeder 5
Are transported one by one to the image reading section main body 3, and the image data of the document read by the image reading section main body 3 is sequentially accumulated in the image memory unit 15. The image is sent to the image forming unit main body 3 without rotating the image, and all the originals set in the original feeding unit 5 are conveyed to the image forming unit main body 3, the images of all the originals are read, and the image data is read. It is stored in the memory unit 15.

When the image data of all the originals is stored in the image memory unit 15, the control unit 2 sequentially reads out the image data of the first original of the original read from the image memory unit 15 and transfers it to the image forming unit main body 3. Then, the image forming unit main body 3 conveys the recording paper from the third-stage paper feed tray 9 in which the recording paper of A4 width is set, and forms an image on the recording paper. At this time, the control unit 2 reads out the image data from the image memory unit 15 without rotating it, causes the image forming unit main body 3 to record and output the recording paper on the recording paper at the same magnification, and discharges the recording paper to a discharge tray (not shown). .

Now, as shown in FIG. 3, six copies are set as the number of copies, and the rotation sort is selected, so that the first copy, the third copy, and the fifth copy have one copy. Similarly to the eyes, the control unit 2 reads out the image data from the image memory unit 15 without rotating the image data as it is, and transfers the A4 horizontal recording paper conveyed from the third paper feed tray 9 by the image forming unit main body 3. At the same size and output to a discharge tray (not shown).

For the second, fourth, and sixth copies, the control unit 2 stores the image data in the image memory unit 1.
5, the image data is read by rotating the image data by 270 ° in the clockwise direction, and the recording paper is conveyed to the image forming unit main body 3 from the first-stage paper feed tray 7 in which the A4 vertical recording paper is set. Then, the image forming section main body 3 is caused to record and output the image data rotated by 270 ° on the A4 vertical recording paper, and to discharge it onto a discharge tray (not shown).

Now, as shown in FIG. 3, the A4 vertical recording paper is set in both the first-stage paper feed tray 7 and the second-stage paper feed tray 8. In order to emphasize productivity, a paper feed tray having a shorter transport distance from the paper feed to the image forming unit main body 3 is selected. In this embodiment, the first paper feed tray 7 is selected.

As described above, the odd-numbered copy is recorded and output without rotating the image data, and the even-numbered copy is rotated and recorded and output the image data, so that the odd-numbered copy is recorded on the discharge tray. The rotation sort output is performed in which the recording paper on which the image discharged to the printer is recorded is sorted in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction for each copy. In the examples of FIGS. 10 to 10 and FIG. 3, when the recording sheets in the sheet feed tray 7 and the sheet feed tray 9 run out, the rotation sort process is performed as shown in FIG.

In the rotation sorting process, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can select and set a rotation sorting processing method when the recording paper runs out in advance. Pressing the initial setting key 36 (see FIG. 2) of the operation unit 16 to select the processing method of the rotation sort processing causes the screen of “Rotation sort: rotation paper continuation setting” as shown in FIG. 16
Is displayed on the display 37. In this display,
"Settings" and "Cancel" for setting and canceling the selection items of the rotation sort copy operation when the paper end of "Continue without rotation", "Continue with rotation", and "Do not continue" The operation specification item of is displayed. For the selection setting of the selection item, press the item to be selected and set among the selection items of "Continue without rotating", "Continue with rotation", "Do not continue", and then press the operation specification item of "Setting" Do it by doing.

"Continue without rotation" of this selection item
When the recording paper in one of the vertical and horizontal paper feed trays 7 to 10 reaches the paper end during the execution of the rotation sort copy, the recording is performed in the same paper size as that of the paper trays 7 and 10 in the paper end and in different directions. If there are other paper feed trays 7 to 10 containing paper, paper is fed from the paper feed trays 7 to 10, and the same paper feed direction in which copying is performed without changing the paper feed direction and rotating image data The recording process is performed, and “rotate and continue” means, for example, that one of the feed trays 7 to 10
When the recording paper of the first paper end reaches the paper end, if any of the paper trays 7 to 10 having the same paper size and the same paper direction as the paper trays 7 to 10 at which the paper end has been reached is supplied, The rotation sort copy operation is continued by feeding paper from the paper trays 7 to 10. "Do not continue" means that the rotation sort copy is not continued until the recording paper is replenished to the paper feed trays 7 to 10 which have reached the paper end without being continued.

When the "continue without rotation" is selected, a paper end occurs in the paper feed trays 7 to 10 used in the rotation sort copy operation, and other paper feed trays are output. If only recording papers in different paper feeding directions are contained in paper feeding trays 7 to 10 which have the same paper size as paper feeding trays 7 to 10 in the same paper feeding direction, the same paper feeding direction recording processing is performed. You can no longer rotate. Therefore, if “continue without rotation” is selected and set in “rotation sort: rotation paper continuation setting” in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 2 displays “Continue without rotation: Separator paper insertion setting screen” on the display 37, and when it is not possible to switch the recording paper having a different orientation for each copy and rotate it. The user is prompted to select whether or not to insert a recording sheet serving as a separator between “Yes” and “No”. FIG.
When “Yes” is selected and “Setting” is pressed on the screen of “”, the control unit 2 displays, for each set of sets, the set of sheet set sheets in FIG. Paper tray 10
Insert the recording paper. Further, when “NO” is selected and “SET” is pressed on the screen of FIG. 6, the control unit 2 performs the same sheet feeding direction recording processing without inserting a set separation sheet for each set separation. I do. In addition, the paper separating tray can be set arbitrarily. In the example of FIG. 3, the paper feed tray 10 in which the A3 paper size is set is set, but the paper separating paper is set as the paper type. Paper size may be any size.

Note that “Rotation sort: Rotational sheet continuation setting” in FIG. 5 and “Continuation without rotation: Separation sheet insertion setting” in FIG. During the operation, a screen may be displayed so as to make a selection, but a preset setting allows the process to be performed more quickly.

Then, as shown in FIG. 4, during the rotation sort copy operation, the image forming apparatus 1 controls the first one of the sheet feeding trays 7 to 10 used for the rotation sort copy.
When the paper end sensor 11 of the paper feed tray 7 of the lower stage detects the paper end and a paper end signal of the detection result is input to the control unit 2 via the I / O port 6 and the CPU bus 17 (step S101), control unit 2
5, when there is another paper feed tray 8 to 10 containing recording paper (paper) of the same size as the paper feed tray 7 of the first stage in the rotary paper feed continuation setting of FIG. It is determined whether or not the setting is to be performed (step S102). If “do not continue” is selected and the rotation sorting is not continued, the control unit 2 sets “1st” as the paper end display.
Set A4 portrait paper in the column! Is displayed on the display 37 of the operation unit 16, and the rotation sort copy operation is interrupted until the recording paper is supplied to the first-stage paper feed tray 7 (step S103).

In step S102, if "continue without rotation" or "continue with rotation" is set in the rotation paper continuation setting, the control unit 2 determines that the paper tray has reached the paper end. Paper trays 8 to other than paper tray 7
10 (actually, the feed tray 8 and the feed tray 10 are used because the feed tray 9 is used for performing the rotation sort copy), and the feed trays 8 to 10 is searched (step S104), and it is checked whether all the other paper feed trays 8 to 10 are at the paper end (step S105).

In step S105, if all of the other paper feed trays 8 to 10 are at the paper end, the control unit 2 displays "paper A4 lengthwise paper in the first row!" Is displayed on the display 37 of the operation unit 16, and the rotation sort copy operation is
The operation is interrupted until the paper is supplied to the paper feed tray 7 (step S
106), in step S105, the other paper feed trays 8 to 1
When 0 is not all the paper end,
It is checked whether there are any other paper feed trays 8 to 10 having the same paper size (A4 size) as the paper feed tray 7 at the paper end (step S107).

In step S107, when there are no other paper feed trays 8 to 10 having the same paper size (A4 size) as the paper feed tray 7 at the paper end, the control unit 2 displays "1st paper end" as the paper end display. "Please set A4 lengthwise paper in the column!" Is displayed on the display 37 of the operation unit 16, and the rotation sort copy operation is performed on the first recording paper.
The operation is interrupted until the paper is supplied to the paper feed tray 7 (step S
108), in step S107, the paper feed trays 8 to 8 having the same paper size as the paper
When there is another paper feed tray 10, a paper feed tray 8 in the same paper feed direction (vertical direction) as the paper feed tray 7 that has become the paper end
It is checked whether or not there are 10 to 10 (Step S10)
9).

In step S109, when there are the paper feed trays 8 to 10 in the same paper feed direction (vertical direction) as the paper feed tray 7 which has reached the paper end, the control unit 2 determines that the paper feed tray has reached the paper end. 7, a paper feed tray in the same paper feed direction, in this embodiment, the recording paper in the second paper feed tray 8 is selected, and the recording paper in the paper feed tray 8 is selected. When the image data is fed to the image forming unit main body 3, the image data is read out from the image memory unit 15 after being rotated by 270 °, and the rotation sort copy operation is continued, and the rotation sort copy operation for all copies is performed, the rotation sort copy operation is performed. The process ends (step S110).

In step S109, if there is no paper feed tray 8 to 10 in the same paper feed direction (vertical direction) as the paper end tray 7 that has reached the paper end, the control unit 2 sets "rotational paper feed continuation" It is checked whether or not “continue without rotation” is set (step S111). If “continue without rotation” is not set, it is necessary to rotate and continue. Since there is no paper end display, "Please set A4 lengthwise paper in the first row!"
And the rotation sort copy operation is suspended until the recording paper is replenished to the first-stage paper feed tray 7 (step S1).
12).

If "continue without rotation" is set in step S111, the paper tray having the same paper size as the paper tray 7 at the paper end and having a different paper feeding direction (horizontal direction) is set. When the recording paper is fed to the image forming unit main body 3 from 9 and the image data is read out from the image memory unit 15 without rotating (as it is at 0 °), the copy operation is continued, and copying of all copies is performed. Then, the rotation sort copy operation ends (step S113). In this case, the image data is rotated by 180 °, read out from the image memory unit 15, and read out from the image forming unit main body 3.
May be used to form an image on recording paper.

When the copy operation is continued without rotating, the control unit 2 controls whether or not to insert a separator sheet for each copy according to the setting state of the separator sheet insertion setting in FIG. When “insert paper” is set, the fourth-stage paper feed tray 10
Is conveyed onto the discharge tray through the image forming unit main body 3 between the sets, and the separating paper is inserted between the sets.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment converts the image data stored in the image memory unit 15 into 90-degree or 270- Among the plurality of paper feed trays 7 to 10 that can be arbitrarily rotated and that can arbitrarily place recording paper of various paper sizes for each set in the vertical and horizontal paper feeding directions, The recording paper is fed from the paper feed trays 7 to 10 in which the recording papers of different directions are placed, with the paper feeding direction being changed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction for each set, and the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are set for each set. The image forming unit main body 3 forms an image on recording paper fed to the paper feeding direction based on the image data rotated in the paper feeding direction, and discharges the image-formed recording paper alternately vertically and horizontally on a discharge tray. When performing the sort recording process, the When there are a plurality of paper feed trays 7 to 10 on which recording papers of the same paper size and the same paper feed direction are available for forming several copies of an image, the transport distance to the image forming unit main body 3 becomes the shortest. The image is formed by selecting the short paper feed trays 7 to 10.

Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time required for transporting the paper from the paper feed trays 7 to 10 to the image forming section main body 3, and to improve the productivity of the rotation sort recording process.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment
When the recording sheets in the paper feed trays 7 to 10 used in the rotation sort recording process run out during the execution of the rotation sort recording process, when the paper size is the same as the lost paper size and in the same feed direction. When there is another paper feed tray 7 to 10 on which recording paper is placed, a selection is made as to whether or not to continue the rotation sort recording process using the recording paper of the other paper feed tray 7 to 10. If there are only paper feed trays 7 to 10 on which recording paper of the same paper size as the lost recording paper but of a different paper feeding direction is placed, all the units have the same paper feeding direction. According to the selection result of the operation unit 2 for selecting whether or not to perform the same paper feeding direction recording processing for recording an image rotated in the same direction or 180 degrees on the recording paper, the rotation sheet is used in the rotation sort recording processing. Paper tray 7
When the ten recording papers run out during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, the rotation sort recording processing or the same paper feed direction recording processing is being performed.

Therefore, it is possible to perform the rotation sort recording process or the same paper feed direction recording process according to the setting of the user without forcibly continuing the copying operation as in the related art, thereby improving the usability. it can.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment
Are the paper feed trays 7 to 7 used in the rotation sort recording process.
10 recording papers are lost during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, and only the paper feed trays having the same paper size as the lost recording papers and different paper feeding directions are present in the other paper supply trays 7 to 10. If the same sheet feeding direction recording process is selected, the recording sheets in the preset sheet feeding trays 7 to 10 are inserted as copy sheets for each set.

Therefore, even when the function condition of the rotation sort is not satisfied in the same sheet feeding direction recording process, a separator sheet can be inserted into the separator of the set, so that the separator of the set can be easily understood, and further utilization is possible. Performance can be improved.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

[0060]

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, when forming a plurality of copies of an image of a plurality of pages, the image data stored in the image storage means for each copy is converted to 90 ° or 270 °. Paper feed trays of the same paper size and different paper feed directions among a plurality of paper feed stages that can be arbitrarily loaded and paper sheets of various paper sizes can be arbitrarily placed in the vertical and horizontal paper feed directions for each set. The paper is fed from the paper feed stage where the paper is loaded, with the paper feeding direction changed vertically and horizontally for each set, and the paper fed vertically and horizontally for each set is The image forming unit forms an image based on the image data rotated in the paper direction, and performs the rotation sort recording process of alternately vertically and horizontally discharging the image-formed paper on the paper output tray. The same paper size that can be used for forming multiple copies If there are a plurality of paper feed stages on which paper in the paper feed direction is placed, the paper feed stage having the shortest conveyance distance to the image forming means is selected and an image is formed. Can be shortened, and the productivity of the rotation sort recording process can be improved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the paper in the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording processing runs out during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, the lost paper size is displayed. When there is another paper feed tray having the same paper size and paper of the same paper feed direction placed thereon, the rotation sort recording process is continued using the paper of the other paper feed tray. If there is only a paper feed tray on which paper of the same paper size as the lost paper but of a different paper feed direction is placed, and all sheets have the same paper feed direction, It is used in the rotation sort recording process according to the selection result by the selection unit for selecting whether or not to perform the same paper feed direction recording process for recording an image rotated in the same direction or 180 degrees on a sheet. The paper in the paper feed stage is When it is out of line, the rotation sort recording process or the same paper feed direction recording process is performed, so that the rotation sort recording process or the same feeding Paper direction recording processing can be performed, and usability can be improved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, the paper in the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording processing is lost during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, and the paper is removed to another paper supply stage. If there is only a paper feed tray of the same paper size and a different paper feed direction as the lost paper, and if the same paper feed direction recording process is selected, the paper of the preset paper feed tray When the function of rotation sorting is not satisfied in the same paper feed direction recording process, a separator sheet can be inserted at the separator of the set to make it easier to understand the set separator. , The usability can be further improved.

[0063]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a state in which a display of FIG. 2 in a copy enabled state is being performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a rotation sort copy process performed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which a rotating paper feed continuation setting screen at the time of rotating sorting of the display of FIG. 3 is displayed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the display of FIG. 4 is rotated to display a separator sheet insertion setting screen at the time of continuous setting.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Control part 3 Image forming part main body 4 Image reading part 5 Document feeding part 6 I / O port 7-10 Paper feeding tray 11-14 Paper end sensor 15 Image memory unit 16 Operation part 17 CPU bus 18 Image Forming signal bus 19 Control signal line 20 CPU 21 RAM 22 ROM 31 Numeric keypad 32 Clear / Stop key 33 Start key 34 Interrupt key 35 Reset / preheat key 36 Initial setting key 37 Display

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 378 G03G 21/00 378 5C076 15/36 H04N 1/00 108L 9A001 H04N 1/00 108 1 / 387 1/387 G03G 21/00 382 F term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AQ06 AS02 HJ03 HK06 HK07 HL01 HN17 2H027 DB09 DB10 DC19 DC20 EC20 ED17 EE07 EE08 EF06 FD00 FD08 3F107 AA01 AB01 AC02 BA02 CA03 MB03 MC03 MA02 5C062 AA05 AB21 AB30 AB35 AB42 AC11 AC22 AC24 AE02 5C076 AA24 BA02 BA04 9A001 HH24 HH34 JJ35 KZ42

Claims (3)

[Claims] A plurality of paper feed stages capable of arbitrarily placing sheets of various paper sizes in vertical and horizontal paper feed directions; image storage means for storing image data; Image forming means for forming an image on the paper fed from one of the paper feed trays based on the image data stored in the image storage means; and Rotating the image data stored in the image storage means by 90 degrees or 270 degrees for each copy, and setting the same paper size and different paper feed directions among the plurality of paper feed stages for each copy. The paper is fed from the paper feed stage where the paper is loaded by changing the paper supply direction in each set in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the paper is fed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in each set. Based on the image data rotated on the paper in the paper feeding direction A control unit for performing a rotation sort recording process for causing the image forming unit to form an image and alternately vertically and horizontally discharging the sheet on which an image is formed on a discharge tray, the control unit comprising: If there are a plurality of paper feed stages in which the papers of the same paper size and in the same paper supply direction can be used for image formation of a plurality of copies in the rotation sort recording process, there are a plurality of paper feed stages up to the image forming means. An image forming apparatus, wherein an image is formed by selecting the sheet feeding stage having the shortest conveying distance. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the paper in the paper feed stage used in the rotation sort recording processing runs out during the execution of the rotation sort recording processing, the same sheet size as the lost paper size is used. If there is another paper feed tray of the same size and with the same paper feed direction on which the paper is placed, the rotation sort recording process is continued using the paper of the other paper feed tray. And whether there is only the paper feed tray on which the paper of the same paper size as the lost paper but of a different paper feed direction is placed, and the same A selection unit for selecting whether or not to perform the same paper supply direction recording process for recording an image rotated in the same direction or 180 degrees on the paper in the paper supply direction; The paper feed stage used in processing 2. The rotation sort recording process or the same sheet feeding direction recording process is performed based on a selection result of the selection unit when the paper runs out during the execution of the rotation sort recording process. Image forming apparatus. 3. The control means according to claim 2, wherein said sheet in said sheet supply tray used in said rotation sort recording processing is lost during execution of said rotation sort recording processing, and said sheet lost in another sheet supply tray. Are the same paper size and only paper feed stages in different paper feed directions exist, and if the same paper feed direction recording process is selected by the selection unit, the paper of the preset paper feed stage is 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is inserted as a sheet for each set.