JP2002232681A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the operation time to improve the business processing efficiency by avoiding the complication of operation even in the case that an arbitrary area of an arbitrary page should be left blank when copying a plurality of document pictures in parallel. SOLUTION: The plurality of document pictures are read by a picture read means, and the plurality of pictures read by the picture read means are stored by a picture storage means, and a single recording paper is divided into a plurality of areas to record the plurality of pictures, which are stored in the picture storage means, in these areas in a prescribed order by a picture output means, and a prescribed area out of these areas is added to the picture output order of the picture output means as a non-image forming area to form a blank part by a blank forming means. One of plural divided areas of the recording paper to be outputted is made blank by the blank forming means to easily secure a memorandum column.

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 printer, a facsimile, and a digital copying machine.
In particular, for example, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that reduces and resizes a plurality of read original images and outputs the reduced original images on one sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been proposed various image forming apparatuses having an integrated image forming function such as parallel copying called 2in1 mode, 2up or the like.

The integrated image forming function is a function that can copy a plurality of document images transferred from an automatic document feeder (ADF) and set on a document table to one sheet of paper. According to this function, for example, four B6 size original images are copied and arranged on one B4 size paper, two A4 size original images are copied in parallel on one A3 size paper, 2 original images can be reduced and scaled and copied in parallel on one A4 size sheet.

[0004] On the other hand, for example, when two or more A5 size originals are copied in parallel on A4 size paper by copying two or more A5 size originals, an arbitrary area, a half-length area or a half-width area is recorded depending on the page. Sometimes you want to leave a column blank. In particular, when performing parallel copying with reduction / magnification, the margins, line spacing, etc. become narrower than the original image,
A memo field is often required.

[0005]

However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, even when the aggregated image forming function is used, a plurality of original images can be simply aggregated and copied. A memo column and a memo page cannot be formed together with image formation on paper.

Therefore, for example, in a case where a plurality of A5 size originals are copied in parallel on A4 size paper in parallel for two sheets, an arbitrary area, a half-length area or a half-width area may be designated as a memo box depending on the page. If the user wants to leave a blank, the user sets the document image on the platen of the image forming apparatus, selects the size of the paper to be copied, sets a predetermined magnification, and executes the process. However, there is a problem in that the operation procedure is complicated, time is required for the operation, and the efficiency of office work is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is directed to a case where a plurality of original images are copied in parallel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding complexity of operation, shortening operation time and improving office work efficiency even when an arbitrary area of an arbitrary page is to be left blank. .

[0008]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading means for reading a plurality of original images, and an image storing means for storing the plurality of images read by the image reading means. An image output unit that divides a single recording sheet into a plurality of areas and records a plurality of images stored in the image storage unit in a predetermined order in the plurality of areas; And a blank forming unit that forms a blank portion by adding a predetermined area as a non-image forming area to the image output order of the output unit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of document images are read by the image reading means, and the plurality of images read by the image reading means are stored by the image storage means.
The single recording paper is divided into a plurality of areas by the image output means, and the plurality of images stored in the image storage means are recorded in the plurality of areas in a predetermined order. A blank area is formed by adding a predetermined area among the areas as a non-image forming area to the image output order of the output unit. With this blank forming means, any one of the plurality of divided areas of the output recording paper is left blank, so that a memo field can be easily secured. Therefore, a blank can be formed on the output recording paper without going through a complicated procedure, the operation processing time can be shortened, and the efficiency of office work can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes an area designating unit for designating an area for forming a blank portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes an area designating unit for designating an area where a blank portion is to be formed. And a blank portion can be easily formed at a necessary place. Further, since an area for forming a blank portion can be designated, a blank portion can be formed in the same region on all pages when outputting images of a plurality of pages. Furthermore, the area where the blank portion is formed can be different for each page, and the blank portion can be formed at the specified location without complicated procedures, thereby shortening the operation processing time and improving the efficiency of office work. Can be planned.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when outputting an image in which a plurality of pages are set as one job, a page designating unit that designates a page forming a blank portion. Is further provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, when outputting an image in which a plurality of pages are set as one job, a page designation for designating a page forming a blank portion By further providing the means, it is possible to form a blank portion only on a necessary page without going through complicated operations and procedures, and it is possible to reduce operation processing time and improve office work efficiency.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image output unit and the blanking unit output the image before executing image recording and blanking. It is characterized by further comprising display means for displaying an image.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, before the image output unit and the blank unit execute image recording and blank formation, By further providing a display means for displaying the output image, before forming an image on the recording paper, the image of the recording paper to be output can be grasped in advance, and operation can be prevented, and Office work efficiency can be improved. It should be noted that the image may be displayed only when a blank portion is formed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the magnification of the output image is changed based on the size of the original image and the size of the output image. It is characterized by further comprising a zooming means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the magnification of the output image is changed based on the size of the original image and the size of the output image. Since the image forming apparatus further includes a scaling unit that changes the size of the document image, for example, the size of the document image can be automatically changed and output.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes a display unit 10, an image data reading unit 12,
Image data storage unit 14, image data processing unit 16, image data output unit 18, image output medium ejection unit 20, ROM2
2, a RAM 24, a CPU 26, a communication control unit 28, and a system control unit 30. These units are connected via a bus 88, and can transmit and receive predetermined data to and from each other.

The display unit 10 has a display screen such as an LCD and a CRT. The display unit 10 displays various function setting screens such as an N-up function setting screen (see FIGS. 2 and 5). It displays operation buttons for setting, selecting, changing, and the like of various copying functions such as a size designation, a magnification designation, a copy number designation, a double-sided copying function, and a parallel copying function. In addition, a message is displayed to the user about the set contents and the processing after or during the execution. Then, the user operates the display unit 1
By performing an operation such as pressing a button or the like displayed at 0, a desired execution condition can be set, and a message can be checked to understand the processing status.

The image data reading section 12 functions as an image reading means, and reads an original image set on an original plate such as a contact glass. Image data storage unit 14
Functions as an image storage unit, and the image data reading unit 12
, And image data transmitted from another module (not shown) such as a personal computer.

The image data processing section 16 performs predetermined image processing on the image data stored in the image data storage section 14 in accordance with instructions from the display section 10 such as density designation, magnification designation, and parallel copy function selection. Do. The image data processing unit 16 also functions as a blank forming unit, and forms a blank portion as a memo column in a predetermined area of a recording sheet on which an image is to be recorded.

The image data output unit 18 functions as an image output unit, divides a recording sheet for image output into a plurality of areas based on the image data processed by the image data processing unit 16, and A plurality of images are recorded in a predetermined order. Specifically, for example, charging, exposure, development,
After a predetermined process such as transfer and fixing, the image is recorded and output in a predetermined order on a predetermined area of the recording paper.

The image output medium discharge unit 20 is, for example, a paper tray, a sorter, or the like, sorts and discharges paper on which images are recorded according to a predetermined instruction.

The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs, data, parameters, and the like necessary for executing predetermined processing such as forming an image in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The ROM 22 stores a program related to an N-up function, that is, an integrated image forming function such as parallel copying. In this program,
One sheet is divided into two areas and two original images are
"2 up" for outputting (copying) one sheet of paper, "4 up" for outputting (copying) four original images on one sheet by dividing one sheet into four areas, and one sheet of paper Is divided into eight areas and eight original images are output (copied) to one sheet of paper, and "8 up" can be selected.

The RAM 24 is a volatile memory for storing, for example, the setting contents when the magnification is specified, the selection contents when the parallel copying function is selected, and the like for each process. CP
The U 26 performs an arithmetic process such as reading a predetermined program from the ROM 22.

When a module such as a personal computer is connected to an image forming apparatus, the communication control section 28 transmits and receives data between the personal computer and the image forming apparatus, and controls the data. Also,
The system control unit 30 drives and controls each unit included in the above-described image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
An operation flow when the N-up function is set and the image forming process is performed in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

In step 100, the image data reading section 1
The CPU 26 determines whether or not to use the N-up function when outputting the image read in step 2, that is, whether or not the N-up function is selected. In this judgment, when a negative judgment is made, that is,
If the N-up function is not selected, step 1
The process proceeds to step 20 (step 120 and subsequent steps will be described later). When a positive determination is made in this determination, that is, when it is determined that the N-up function has been selected, the CPU 26 reads a predetermined program from the ROM 22 and proceeds to step 102.

In step 102, the N-up function setting screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 10 in accordance with the program read from the ROM 22, and the user selects the no-designation button 40 and the 2-up specification screen displayed on this screen. A desired function can be selected by pressing a button for a desired function from the button 42, the 4-up designation button 44, and the 8-up designation button 46. FIG.
Then, the 2 up button 42 is pressed. Display unit 10
Receives information on the selection of “2 up” in response to the depression of the 2 up button 42 via the bus 88
26.

In step 104, it is determined whether or not the N-up designation has been made in step 102. That is, based on the information from the display unit 10, the CPU 26
It is determined whether an N-up designation has been made. If it is determined in this determination that the N-up designation has not been made, the process proceeds to step 120.

If it is determined that the N-up designation has been made, the process proceeds to step 106, and
, The N-up designation is determined, and the routine proceeds to step 108.
Here, it is determined that “2 up” has been selected in response to the information that “2 up” has been selected, and the selection has been confirmed.
The information about that is selected is stored in the image data processing unit 1.
6 is transmitted.

In step 108, it is determined whether or not the layout has been designated by the CPU 26.
If the layout has not been specified, the process proceeds to step 112, where information indicating that the layout is to be stored in advance is transmitted to the image data processing unit 16 via the bus 88, the CPU 26, or the like, and the process proceeds to step 114. I do.
If the layout is specified, the process proceeds to step 110, where information about the layout specified by the user is transmitted to the image data processing unit 16 via the bus 88, the CPU 26, and the like, and the process proceeds to step 114.

The layout is designated by pressing the layout designation buttons 50 and 52.
In the example of FIG. 2, a layout in which the first image is formed on the left and the second image is formed on the right is selected.

In step 114, when image formation is to be performed, it is determined whether or not an instruction has been given as to whether or not a memo box should be created on paper output by the CPU 26. The memo column is created by selecting the memo column creation selection button 6
This is performed by pressing any one of 0 and 62. If it is determined that there is no instruction to create a memo column, the process proceeds to step 118, and an instruction not to create a memo column on output paper is sent to the image data processing unit via the bus 88, the CPU 26, or the like. Then, the process proceeds to step 120.

If it is determined that an instruction to create a memo column has been issued, the process proceeds to step 116, and an instruction to create a memo column on all pages is displayed via the bus 88 and the CPU 26. The data is transmitted to the data processing unit 16, and the process proceeds to step 120. In the present embodiment,
When memo column creation is selected, a memo column is created uniformly on all pages (see FIG. 4).

At step 120, it is determined whether or not the CPU 26 has instructed the execution of the processing.
The operation of 0 is repeated. When it is determined by the CPU 26 that the instruction to execute the process has been issued, information indicating that the instruction to execute the process has been transmitted to the image data processing unit 16 via the bus 88, and the image data processing unit 16 Storage unit 1
4, read out the image data, and instruct the read-out image data on the N-up received so far,
The image processing is performed according to the instructions for the layout and the instructions for creating the memo box, and the process proceeds to step 122.

In step 122, the image data processing unit 1
6 receives the processing execution instruction, transmits the processed image data to the image data output unit 18, and the image data output unit 18 forms an image on a predetermined sheet and forms an image on the image output medium discharge unit 20. Eject paper.

If the user wants to refer to the image of the output image before executing the process, that is, before forming the image, the user can depress a predetermined button to display the image on the display unit 10. (See FIG. 4).

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the N-up function is set and the image forming process is executed, that is, the image forming process is performed using the aggregated image forming function such as parallel copying. Even in this case, the memo column can be formed in any area of the sheet on which the image is formed without performing a complicated procedure by performing a predetermined setting operation. Therefore, the time required for processing can be reduced, and the efficiency of office work can be increased.

(Second Embodiment) The configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the above-described image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The description is omitted.

Hereinafter, the flow of the operation in the case where the N-up function is set and the image forming process is performed in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

From step 200 to step 214, as in the flow of the operation in the first embodiment, whether or not to use the N-up function when outputting the image read by the image data reading unit 12 is determined. When it is determined that the N-up function has been selected through the determination of the above, the CPU 26 reads out a predetermined program from the ROM 22, and the N-up function setting screen shown in FIG. .

Next, when any one of the two-up designation button 42, the four-up designation button 44, and the eight-up designation button 46 is pressed, the pressed button is selected. If it is determined that the N-up designation has been made through the determination of whether or not the designation has been made, the N-up designation is determined.

Further, if the layout is not specified after judging whether or not the layout has been specified, a predetermined layout stored in advance is used. In accordance with the layout specified by the user, an instruction to process the image data is issued. The layout is designated by pressing the layout designation buttons 50 and 52. In the example of FIG. 5, a layout in which a first sheet is formed on the left side and a memo column is formed on the right side is selected.

Then, in step 214, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction as to whether or not to create a memo column on the paper on which the image is formed and output. Note that the creation of the memo column is designated by pressing one of the memo column creation selection buttons 60 and 62. If it is determined that there is no instruction to create a memo column, the process proceeds to step 218, and an instruction not to create a memo column on output paper is sent to the image data processing unit via the bus 88, the CPU 26, or the like. 16
And the process proceeds to step 228.

If it is determined that an instruction to create a memo column has been given, the process proceeds to step 216, where it is determined whether or not to specify a page for creating a memo column. Note that whether or not to specify a page is determined by pressing one of the page specification selection buttons 70 and 72 in FIG.

If it is determined that a page is not to be designated in this determination, the process proceeds to step 222, and in step 222, an instruction to create a memo column on all pages is sent to the image data via the bus 88 and the CPU 26. The data is transmitted to the processing unit 16, and the process proceeds to step 228. If it is determined in this determination that a page is to be specified, the process proceeds to step 220, and in step 220, the display unit 1
A page designation setting screen is displayed at 0 (see FIG. 6), and the process proceeds to step 224.

In step 224, it is determined whether the page designation setting has been completed. In the page specification, a page for which a memo column is created is specified by pressing a numeric key provided on the image forming apparatus while the page specification setting screen of FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 10.
To cancel the page specification, the user presses a cancel button 80. To determine and end the page specification, the user presses a determination button 82.

If it is determined in step 224 that page designation has not been completed, step 2
The operation of step S24 is repeated, and if it is determined that the page designation has been completed, the process proceeds to step 226. Step 22
6, an instruction to create a memo column on the specified page is issued via the bus 88 and the CPU 26 to the image data processing unit 1.
Send to 6.

In step 228, it is determined whether or not an instruction to execute the process has been issued by the CPU 26. If it is determined that the instruction to execute the process has not been issued, the process proceeds to step 22.
8 is repeated. When it is determined by the CPU 26 that the instruction to execute the process has been issued, information indicating that the instruction to execute the process has been transmitted to the image data processing unit 16 via the bus 88, and the image data processing unit 16 Storage unit 1
4, read out the image data, and instruct the read-out image data on the N-up received so far,
Image processing is performed in accordance with an instruction for layout and an instruction for creation of a memo box, and the process proceeds to step 230.

In step 230, the image data processing unit 1
6 receives the processing execution instruction, transmits the processed image data to the image data output unit 18, and the image data output unit 18 forms an image on a predetermined sheet and forms an image on the image output medium discharge unit 20. Eject paper.

If the user wants to refer to the image of the output image before executing the process, that is, before forming the image, a predetermined button is pressed to display the image on the display unit 10. (See FIG. 8).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the N-up function is set and the image forming process is executed, that is, the image forming process is performed using the aggregated image forming function such as parallel copying. Even in this case, the memo column can be formed in any area of the sheet on which the image is formed without performing a complicated procedure by performing a predetermined setting operation. Therefore, the time required for processing can be reduced, and the efficiency of office work can be increased. Also, since page designation can be performed as necessary, creation of a memo column can be avoided for pages for which creation of a memo column is unnecessary.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation is complicated even when a plurality of original images are copied in parallel and an arbitrary area of an arbitrary page is to be left blank. This has an excellent effect that the operation time can be shortened and the efficiency of office work can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an N-up function setting screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation when setting an N-up function in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image forming image displayed on a display unit when performing a two-up function in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an N-up function setting screen displayed on a display unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a page designation setting screen in a case where a N-up function is to be set in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention and a page is designated.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow when an N-up function setting is performed in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image forming image displayed on a display unit when performing a two-up function in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 display unit 12 image data reading unit 14 image data storage unit 16 image data processing unit 18 image data output unit 20 image output medium ejection unit 30 system control unit 88 bus

(72) Inventor Daisuke Watashi AA17 AA21 AA22 AA36 AA37 BA06 CA02 CA09 CB02

Claims (5)

[Claims] An image reading unit configured to read a plurality of document images; an image storage unit configured to store a plurality of images read by the image reading unit; a single recording sheet divided into a plurality of areas; An image output unit that records a plurality of images stored in the image storage unit in a predetermined order in each of the regions; and an image output order in the output unit, wherein a predetermined region among the plurality of regions is set as a non-image forming region. And a blank forming means for forming a blank portion in addition to the above. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an area designating unit for designating an area for forming a blank portion. 3. The image according to claim 1, further comprising a page designating unit for designating a page forming a blank portion when outputting an image in which a plurality of pages are regarded as one job. Forming equipment. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display an output image before the image output unit and the blank unit execute image recording and blank formation. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a scaling unit that changes a magnification of the output image based on a size of the document image and a size of the output image. Image forming apparatus.