JP2003127509A - Imaging apparatus, its controlling method, storage medium readable by computer storing its control program, and host unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an imaging apparatus in which printing in tab sheet forming mode can be carried out conveniently. SOLUTION: At the time of setting a tab sheet forming mode, the number of tabs N (the number of sheets of a set of a plurality of tab sheets having different tab positions) is set by input of an operator and then it is stored (1003). Furthermore, the character information of a head to be printed on the tab is inputted by the operator and stored (1004, 1005). At the time of printing, print position of the tab of tab sheets being fed sequentially, sheet by sheet, to a print means is calculated based on the dimensions of the tab sheet and the tab, the stored number of tabs N, and the number of orders of the tab sheets in a set. Furthermore, the image data of characters of the head is generated based on the stored character information of the head and the print means is controlled (1009) to print the image of characters of the head by the image data at the calculated tab printing position of the tab sheet.

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 capable of printing a heading image on a tab of a tab sheet which is a cut sheet formed by protruding tabs on a part of a side edge as a print sheet, and a control method thereof. The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing the control program, and a host device for transmitting image data to the image forming apparatus for printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, tab sheets are sequentially fed one by one to an image forming section for printing an image so that a tab image of each tab sheet can be displayed. In the tab paper creation mode for printing, or while feeding regular cut sheets of regular size (hereinafter referred to as plain paper) to the image forming unit one by one and printing the image on the plain paper, it is specified in advance. When the order of the number of prints corresponding to the insertion position of the tab sheet is changed, the tab sheets are fed one by one to the image forming section, and the tab image of the tab is printed on the tab of the tab sheet. There is known a device adapted to do so. In the tab sheet insert mode, the tab sheet having the image of the heading printed on the tab is inserted at the tab sheet insertion position designated in advance in the bundle of sheets to be printed out, and the heading is added.
You can create a document that is divided into chapters.

Conventionally, in the image forming apparatus as described above, two methods have been adopted as a method for printing a heading image on a tab of tab paper.

In the first method, as an original image for printing on tab paper, an image of the same size as the main body portion excluding the tab of the tab paper as a whole, and an image of a portion corresponding to the portion along the tab is tabbed. It is the image of the heading you want to print on
This is a method in which a document image in which the image other than that portion is blank is prepared, and the document image is shifted in the protruding direction of the tab and printed on the tab sheet.

The second method is an image of a size including the tab portion of the tab sheet as a whole as a document image for printing the tab sheet, and an image of a portion corresponding to the tab is a heading image, This is a method in which a document image in which the image other than that portion is blank is prepared and the image is printed as it is on a tab sheet.

[0006]

However, the tab sheet is formed by stacking a plurality of tab sheets each having a different tab position, and stacking them in the same predetermined order (sequentially the tab positions are displaced). (Hereinafter, referred to as a set of tab sheets)
Is generally used.

Therefore, in the above-described two methods for preparing the document images for printing on the tab sheet, the document images in which the position of the image of the heading differs depending on the difference in the tab positions of the tab sheets are created. Have to prepare. And
For example, when it becomes necessary to change the heading of Chapter 2 to the heading of Chapter 3, the prepared original image for the tab sheet of Chapter 2 and the prepared tab sheet of Chapter 3 There were some inconveniences such as having to recreate the original image.

In addition, it is necessary for the user to adjust the size and position of the headline character in the document image each time according to the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the tab of the tab sheet, which is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to simplify printing when performing printing in the tab sheet creation mode or the tab sheet insert mode without preparing an original image for printing the tab sheet as in the conventional case. To be able to do it.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, it has a printing means for printing an image and a tab paper feeding means for feeding a tab paper to the printing means. , A plurality of tab sheets each having a different tab position are set in the tab sheet feeding means as a set and stacked in the same predetermined order for each set, and the tab sheets are sequentially printed one by one according to the order. An image forming apparatus configured to execute printing in a tab sheet creation mode for feeding an image of a heading to each tab sheet tab for printing in the tab sheet creation mode. A set number input means for the operator to input information about the number of sets of tab sheets set in the tab sheet feeding means, and a set number of tab sheets input by the set number input means. A group that stores information Number storage means, heading input means for the operator to input character information of a plurality of headings for printing in the tab sheet creation mode, and character information of a plurality of headings input by the heading input means Image data of the headline character based on the character information of the headline stored in the headline storage unit at the time of printing in the tab sheet creating mode, and the image of the character of the headline based on the image data is generated. The configuration of the image forming apparatus is adopted which has a control means for controlling the printing means so as to print at a position corresponding to the number of the tab sheets stored in the set number storage means.

Further, it has a printing means for printing an image, a cut sheet feeding means for feeding a normal cut sheet to the printing means, and a tab sheet feeding means for feeding a tab sheet. A plurality of tab sheets each having a different tab position are set in the paper feeding means as a set and stacked in the same predetermined order for each set, and the ordinary cut paper feeding means is set to the printing means by the cut paper feeding means. While the cut sheets are sequentially fed one by one and the image is printed on the cut sheets, the tab sheets are fed by the tab sheet feeding means every time the print sheet number order corresponding to the predetermined insertion position of the tab sheets is reached. An image forming apparatus configured to be capable of performing a tab sheet insert mode print for feeding a heading image to a tab of a tab sheet by feeding the sheets one by one according to the order. A set number input means for an operator a set of information of the number of said tab tab sheet is set to the paper feeding means for the insert mode printing is input,
A set number storage means for storing information about the number of one set of tab sheets inputted by the set number input means, and an operator for inputting character information of a plurality of headings for printing in the tab sheet insert mode. Heading input means, heading storage means for storing character information of a plurality of headings input by the heading input means, and headings stored in the heading storage means when printing on tab paper in the tab paper insert mode. Image data of the character of the headline is generated based on the character information of 1. and the image of the character of the headline based on the image data is printed at a position corresponding to the number of one set of tab sheets stored in the number-of-sets storage unit. In addition, the structure of the image forming apparatus having the control means for controlling the printing means is adopted.

Further, the control method of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the above configuration and the configuration of the computer readable storage medium storing the control program are adopted.

Further, the host device transmits the image data of the headline to the image forming apparatus configured to be able to execute the printing in the tab sheet making mode to perform the printing in the tab sheet making mode. Together with the same set number input means, set number storage means, heading input means, and heading storage means, at the time of printing in the tab sheet creation mode, based on the heading character information stored in the heading storage means, There is provided control means for generating image data, transmitting the image data to the image forming apparatus, and controlling so that the image of the character of the headline is printed at a position corresponding to the number of tab sheets stored in the number-of-sets storing means. The configuration of the host device was adopted.

Further, the image data for the ordinary cut sheet and the image data for the headline are transmitted to the image forming apparatus configured to be able to execute the printing in the tab sheet insert mode to perform the tab sheet insert mode printing. A host device capable of storing the number of sets, the number of sets storage unit, the index input unit, and the index storage unit similar to those described above, and stored in the index storage unit at the time of printing on the tab sheet in the tab sheet insert mode. Image data of the character of the headline is generated based on the character information of the indexed headline and transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the image of the character of the headline is sent according to the number of tab sheets stored in the number-of-sets storage unit. The configuration of the host device having the control means for controlling the printing at the different position is adopted.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the mechanical structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This device has a copying function, a printer function and a facsimile function.

In FIG. 1, a DF (automatic document feeder) 180 is mounted on the main body 100 of the image forming apparatus, and one document in the uppermost layer from a stack of documents set on the document holder 181. Are separated by a paper feed roller 182, and are conveyed by a paper feed roller 164 or the like onto a platen glass 101 serving as a document placing table on the upper surface of the main body 100. The document is scanned by the scanner 102 and then discharged onto the document discharge table 183 or returned onto the document table 181.

The scanner 102 includes a document illumination lamp 103.
And a scanning mirror 104 and the like, and is reciprocally moved in the left-right direction in the drawing by a motor (not shown).
Scan the document above 1. The image formed by the reflected light from the document by this scanning is the scanning mirrors 104 to 106 and the lens 10.
The image of the document is converted into an electric signal by being imaged on the CCD sensor 109, which is an image sensor, via 8. Note that the reader unit 1 that reads the image of the document is configured by the members 101 to 109.

Next, the main body 100 is provided with the following members constituting the printer unit 2 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) for printing an image on a sheet.

First, 120 is an exposure control section composed of a laser output section, a polygon scanner, etc., and a laser beam 129.
Is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 110 of the image forming unit 126.
The laser beam 129 is modulated based on an image signal that is a result of performing a predetermined image processing described below on the electric signal output from the CCD sensor 109.

In the image forming section 126, the primary charging device 112, the developing device 121,
A transfer charger 118, a separation charger 119, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided. The photoconductor drum 110 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure by a motor (not shown), and after being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, the laser beam 1 is emitted from the exposure controller 120.
29 is irradiated, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of the original is formed on the drum. The electrostatic latent image is developed and visualized as a toner image by the developing device 121.

On the other hand, from the upper cassette 131 to the lower cassette 132 to the pickup rollers 133 to 134.
The paper P is fed one by one by the paper feeding roller 135
The toner image visualized on the photoconductor drum 110 is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer charger 118.

After the transfer, the cleaning device 116 cleans the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 110, and the pre-exposure lamp 114 erases the residual charge.

The sheet after transfer is separated from the photoconductor drum 110 by a separation belt electric device 119, and is conveyed to the conveyor belt 130.
Is conveyed to the left in the figure by. Further, the toner image on the paper is recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, and then is pressed and heated in the fixing device 141 to be fixed on the paper.

The fixed paper is sent out from the fixing device 141 by the feed roller 142, and the conveyance path is switched by the paper discharge flapper 154 to the paper discharge path and the double-sided or multiple print path. When ejecting,
The paper is discharged to the outside of the main body 100 by the discharge roller 161 by switching to the path to the left in the drawing. During double-sided printing, after being sent to the lower reversing path 155, it is sent to the re-feed tray 156 via the lower carrying path 158. During multiplex printing, the sheet is sent to the re-feed tray 156 through the lower transport path 158 without passing through the reverse path 155. The paper on the re-feed tray 156 is fed to the path 16 by the feed roller 159.
Then, the registration roller 137 feeds the image forming unit 126 again.

The main body 100 is equipped with a multi-purpose manual feed 153 capable of setting about 100 sheets, and a paper feed deck 150 capable of storing, for example, about 4000 sheets can be connected. Therefore, it is possible to feed the sheet to the image forming unit 126 also from these sheet feeding stages.

In this apparatus, the paper P is stored in a specific paper feed stage, for example, the upper cassette 131 to the lower cassette 132.
As well as being able to set standard size plain paper, tab paper can also be set. In this way, it is possible to set tab sheets in a certain paper feed stage and set plain paper in another paper feed stage to selectively feed plain paper or tab paper to the image forming unit 126. .

On the paper discharge side of the main body 100, the main body 10
A paper discharge processing device 190 that performs paper discharge processing such as stapling and sorting for aligning and binding the paper discharged from 0 can be connected.

Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment.

In the configuration of the control unit 5 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU that controls the entire image forming apparatus, including a ROM 174 in which a control program is written and a CPU.
A RAM 175 used as a work area for the 171 to perform various processes and an input / output port 173 are connected by an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 173 has various load devices such as a motor and a clutch of a drive source (not shown) of each mechanism of the image forming apparatus controlled by the CPU 171, and various unillustrated devices that detect the position and presence / absence of a sheet or a document. The sensor is connected.

The CPU 171 sequentially controls input / output through the input / output port 173 according to the control program of the ROM 174, and executes an image forming (printing) operation.

An operation unit 172 is connected to the CPU 171, and the CPU 171 controls the display unit and the key input unit of the operation unit 172. Operator (user) of this device
Instructs the CPU 171 to switch the image forming operation mode or the display via the key input means, and the CPU 171 causes the display means to display the operation state of the image forming apparatus or the operation mode setting by key input.

Further, the CPU 171 is provided with C of the reader unit 1.
An image processing unit 170 that processes an electric signal corresponding to an image of a document output by the CD sensor 109, an image memory unit 3 that stores the image data of the processing result, and an image with an external host computer via a network. An external I / F (interface) processing unit 4 for performing data communication such as data and facsimile communication is connected, and is controlled by the CPU 171. These are connected to each other.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 which will be described later, the image memory unit 3 prints an image on a sheet, and the printer unit 2 having the above-described configuration in FIG. Are connected.

Next, the details of the image processing section 170, the image memory section 3, the external I / F processing section 4, and the operating section 172 will be described in order with reference to FIGS.

First, the image processing section 170 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the image of the original image formed on the CCD sensor 109 as described above is converted by the CCD sensor 109 into an analog electric signal corresponding to the brightness of black. The electric signal is input to an analog signal processing unit (not shown) of the image processing unit 170, where it is subjected to processing such as sample-and-hold and dark level correction, and then the analog / digital processing is performed by the A / D / SH processing unit 301. Shading correction (correction of variations in characteristics of the CCD sensor 109 and correction of variations in light distribution characteristics of the document illumination lamp 103) is performed on the converted and digitized signal.

After that, the signal is sent to the log converter 302. The log conversion unit 302 stores an LUT (look-up table) for converting an input luminance data signal into a density data signal. By outputting a table value corresponding to the input data, Convert brightness data to density data.

After that, the density data (image data) is subjected to image scaling processing at a desired magnification by the scaling processing section 303 and input to the γ correction section 304. When outputting the density data, the γ correction unit 304 performs conversion by the LUT in consideration of the characteristics of the printer unit 2 and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the operation unit 172.

Thereafter, the density data is sent to the binarizing unit 305. In the binarization unit 305, multi-valued, for example, 8-bit density data of “0” to “255” is set to “0” or “1”.
The 1-bit density data is binarized. This reduces the amount of image data stored in the memory. However, when the image data is binarized in this way, the number of gradations of the image is 2
Since there are two gradations from 56 gradations, the image deterioration of image data having many halftones such as a photographic image becomes remarkable. Therefore, the binarizing unit 305 performs a process for pseudo halftone expression by binary data such as an error diffusion method.

The image data thus obtained is sent to the image memory unit 3 and stored therein. In addition, external I / F
The host computer 11 input from the processing unit 4 (see FIG.
Since the image data from the reference) has already been processed as binary image data, it is sent to the image memory unit 3 as it is and stored.

The image memory unit 3 includes a page memory unit 401 capable of storing image data for a plurality (small number) of pages and a large-capacity hard disk capable of storing image data for a plurality (large number) of pages shown in FIG. It has 404. The image data for a plurality of pages stored in the hard disk 404 is output in the order according to the mode designated by the operation unit 172. For example, in the case of sorting, after the image data of each document of the document stack on the DF 180 read by the reader unit 1 is temporarily stored in the hard disk 404 in the reading order,
By repeating reading and outputting in the reading order a plurality of times, it is possible to play the same role as a sorter having a plurality of bins.

The image data output from the image memory unit 3 is sent to the smoothing unit 306 in the printer unit 2. The smoothing unit 306 interpolates the data so that the ends of the lines of the binarized image are smoothed, and then
The image data is output to the exposure control unit 120.

The exposure control unit 120 applies the laser light modulated based on the image data as described above to the photosensitive drum 110.
The electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the photoconductor 11
Form on 0. Hereinafter, as described above, the printer unit 2
The image is printed on paper with.

Next, details of the image memory unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In the image memory unit 3, the memory controller unit 402 writes the binary image data from the external I / F processing unit 4 or the image processing unit 170 to the page memory unit 401 composed of DRAM, and then the Sent to the printer section 2 for
It is stored in the hard disk 404. Hard disk 4
When storing the image data in 04, the image data is LZ
The data is compressed in the compression / decompression unit 403 and written as compressed data in the hard disk 404. Also,
The memory controller unit 402 also reads the image data stored in the hard disk 404 to the page memory unit 401. In that case, the LZ compression / decompression unit 403 decompresses the compressed data read from the hard disk 404, and the decompressed image data is used as the page memory unit 401.
Write in. The memory controller unit 402 also generates a DRAM refresh signal for refreshing the page memory unit 401. It also arbitrates access from the external I / F processing unit 4, the image processing unit 170, and the hard disk 404 to the page memory unit 401. Furthermore, CPU
According to the instruction of 171, determination control of a write address to the page memory unit 401, a read address from the page memory unit 401, a read direction, and the like is performed.

As a result, the CPU 171 arranges and lays out a plurality of pages of original images on the page memory unit 401, outputs the images to the printer unit 2, cuts out a part of the image and outputs the image, and performs image rotation. It becomes possible to control the function.

Next, the details of the external I / F processing unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The external I / F processing unit 4 includes the image memory unit 3
Then, the image data of the document is read from the reader unit 1 via the image processing unit 170, and the image data is transmitted to an external host computer 11 or a facsimile (not shown) via a network or a telephone line. Also, the image data transmitted from the external host computer 11 or the facsimile via the network or the telephone line is received, and is output to the printer unit 2 via the image memory unit 3 to be printed.

The external I / F processing unit 4 includes a core unit 506, a facsimile unit 501, a hard disk 502 for storing communication image data of the facsimile unit 501, and a computer I / F unit 50 for connecting to the host computer 11.
3, formatter unit 504, and image memory unit 50
It consists of 5.

Facsimile section 501 is connected to a telephone line (public line) via a modem (not shown) and receives facsimile communication data from the telephone line and transmits facsimile communication data to the telephone line. In the facsimile section 501, fax image data stored in the hard disk 502 is used to perform fax transmission at a designated time, or image data is transmitted in response to an inquiry from a partner with a designated password. The facsimile function of is executed. As a result, once the image data is sent from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 501 via the image processing unit 170 and the image memory unit 3 and stored in the hard disk 502, the reader unit 1, the image processing unit 170, and the image memory unit 3 are stored. You can send a fax without using the fax function.

The computer I / F unit 503 is an interface unit for performing data communication with the host computer 11, and is a LAN (local area network) I / F.
F, serial I / F, SCSI-I / F, and centro I / F for data input of the printer. The states of the printer unit 2 and the reader unit 1 are notified to the host computer 11 via the computer I / F unit 503. Alternatively, the image data read by the reader unit 1 is transferred to the host computer 11 according to an instruction from the host computer 11.

Further, the computer I / F unit 503 receives image data for printing from the host computer 11. At this time, since the image data for printing received from the host computer 11 is described by a dedicated printer code, the formatter unit 504 converts it into raster image data that can be printed by the printer unit 2. The raster image data is the formatter unit 504.
Is expanded on the image memory unit 505 by.

The image memory unit 505 is used as a memory for expanding the raster image data of the formatter unit 504 in this way, and the image data from the reader unit 1 is sent to the host computer 11 via the computer I / F unit 503. It is also used when sending (image scanner function). That is, in that case, the image data sent from the image memory unit 3 is once expanded in the image memory unit 505, converted into the format of the data to be sent to the host computer 11, and then the computer I / F unit 503 sends the data to the host. Send to computer 11.

The core unit 506 includes a facsimile unit 501,
Computer I / F unit 503, formatter unit 504,
It controls and manages each data transfer performed between the image memory unit 505 and the image memory unit 3. As a result, even if a plurality of image output units are connected to the external I / F processing unit 4 and there is only one image data transfer path from the image memory unit 3, the core unit 506 manages them. Since the exclusive control and the priority control are performed, the image output is appropriately performed.

Next, the operation unit 172 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, 601, 604, 607, 61
Reference numeral 0 is a key for switching each function of the copy, fax, and printer of the image forming apparatus, and by pressing the key, the setting screen on the display panel 620 for setting each function is switched. FIG. 6 shows a copy setting screen. Regarding copy, two copy jobs can be set independently by using the copy A key 601 and the copy B key 604.

Reference numeral 613 is a power switch for turning on / off the power supply of the apparatus. A start key 614 is pressed to start the printing operation. A stop key 615 is used to stop the copying operation. Reference numeral 616 denotes a reset key, which is used to return the set numerical value such as the number of prints, the operation mode, the selected paper feed stage, and the like to default values.

Reference numeral 618 denotes a user setting key, and the user can change the setting of the image forming apparatus by pressing this key. The settings that can be changed by the user are the time until the settings are automatically cleared, the timer-related settings, the printer / copy common settings such as the settings of the dedicated tray, or the settings for all functions specific to each function. Further, as described later, it is possible to change the font type or size setting of the character string to be printed on the tab of the tab sheet in the tab sheet creation mode or the tab sheet insert mode.

Numeral 622 is a ten-key pad for the number of prints,
Used to set the number of copies and enter the mode setting. Also,
It is used to enter the telephone number on the fax setting screen. Reference numeral 623 denotes a clear key, which clears the numerical value input and set by the ten keys 622.

Reference numeral 620 is a display panel composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and the display contents are changed according to the setting mode so that detailed mode setting can be easily performed. In addition, the surface of the display panel is a touch panel, and the keys displayed on the display panel can be input. FIG. 6 shows a state where a copy operation mode setting screen is displayed on the display panel 620. In this case, the display panel 620
The keys 624 to 631 are displayed, and the touching of the display positions of these keys determines the depression of the keys, and the mode is set according to the keys.

A double-sided operation setting key 624 includes, for example, a "single-both mode" for outputting both sides from a single-sided original, a "double-both mode" for outputting both sides from a double-sided original, and two single-sided sheets for a double-sided original. Three types of double-sided mode of "double-sided mode" for outputting are set.

Reference numeral 625 denotes a sort key. By pressing this key, the operation mode of the paper discharge processing device 190, the output paper sorting mode using the image memory unit 3, and the like are set.

Reference numeral 626 denotes an application mode setting key. When this key is pressed, an application mode setting screen such as multiple operation, reduction layout mode, cover / interleaf mode, etc. is displayed on the display panel 620, and the setting screen is displayed. Each application mode can be set with, and the tab sheet creation mode and the tab sheet insert mode according to the present invention can be set. The details will be described later.

Reference numeral 627 denotes a paper feed tray selection key for feeding paper. When this key is pressed, the cassettes 131, 13 are pressed.
2. The display panel 620 displays a setting screen for setting whether to feed paper from the paper feed deck 150 or the manual feed tray 153.
Is displayed in. Reference numerals 628 to 631 are keys for setting the copy magnification of the copy operation.

On the upper part of the display panel 620, the contents set on the illustrated setting screen and the current operating state are displayed. Also, in the upper left of the screen, this display screen is copy A,
There is a display showing which setting screen of each function mode of B, fax and printer, and FIG. 6 shows the setting screen of copy A.

Next, the printing operations in the tab sheet creation mode and the tab sheet insert mode in this embodiment will be described.

In the printing in the tab sheet creation mode, the tab sheets are sequentially fed one by one to the image forming unit 126 of the printer unit 2 and the image of the character string of the heading is printed on the tab of each tab sheet. Further, in the tab sheet insert mode printing, the plain paper is sequentially fed to the image forming unit 126 one by one to print the image on the plain paper, and the print corresponding to the predetermined insertion position of the tab paper is performed. The image forming unit 126 one tab sheet at a time in the order of the number of pages (number of sheets).
Feed and print the image of the text of the heading on the tab of the tab paper.

In the present embodiment, as described above, tab papers that are generally set in any mode of printing, that is, a plurality of tab papers each having a different tab position are set as one tab paper.
As a set, a set in which the sets are stacked in the same predetermined order (the order in which the tab positions are sequentially shifted) is used, and the sets are set in an arbitrary sheet feeding stage such as the cassette 131 and used. The tab sheets are sequentially fed one by one to the image forming unit 126 according to the stacking order.

In the present embodiment, when printing in the tab sheet creation mode or the tab sheet insert mode, the user (operator) first sets the tab sheet creation mode or the tab sheet on the setting screen of the display panel 620 of the operation unit 172. Various settings relating to the paper insert mode are performed, and the printing operation in each mode is performed according to the settings. The setting operation will be described below with reference to FIGS.

When the application mode setting key 626 is pressed on the display screen of the display panel 620 shown in FIG.
The setting screen of each application mode of (a) is displayed, and each application mode can be set. When the tab sheet mode key 701 is pressed on this screen, the screen of FIG. 7B is displayed,
By pressing the tab sheet creation mode setting key 702 or the tab sheet insert mode setting key 703 and then the OK key 704 on this screen, the tab sheet creation mode or the tab sheet insertion mode according to the present invention is set. Also in the case of, the screen of FIG. 7C is displayed next.

The screen of FIG. 7C is a setting screen for setting the paper feed stage of tab paper. In this screen, the paper feed tray in which tab paper is set is limited, and here it is shown that only the third paper feed tray and the fourth paper feed tray are candidates for the tab paper feed tray. The icon is shaded to indicate that the paper tray cannot be set. Here, by pressing the third sheet feeding stage key 705 or the fourth sheet feeding stage key 706, the sheet feeding stage can be set as the tab sheet feeding stage. Then, when the "close" key 711 is pressed, the screen of FIG. 7D is displayed in the tab sheet creation mode, but in the tab sheet insert mode, the tab sheet setting is performed in FIG. 7C. A plain paper feed tray setting screen that overlaps the bottom of the screen is displayed. If the plain paper feed tray is set on this screen and the OK key 707 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. The screen is displayed.

FIG. 7 (d) is a screen for the user to set the number of tab sheets set in the tab sheet feed stage set on the screen of FIG. 7 (c) by the user. . Here, the number of tab sheets in a set is referred to as "the number of tabs" displayed on the screen. Generally, there are tab sheets of about 1 to 20 tabs, but here, in the screen of FIG. 7D, the- (decrement) key 7
By pressing the 08 or + (increment) key 709, an arbitrary number of tabs from 2 tabs to 11 tabs can be set. By setting the number of tabs, it is possible to perform a calculation process for calculating the print position of each tab in one set of tab sheets described later.

When the OK key 710 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 7D, the number of tabs set at that time is fixed. The screen of FIG. 8B is displayed in the tab sheet creation mode, while the screen of FIG. 8A is displayed in the tab sheet insert mode.

The screen of FIG. 8A is a screen for setting the insertion position in the order of the number of pages (number of sheets) to insert the tab sheet in the bundle of sheets to be printed out in the tab sheet insert mode.
By operating the up key 801, the down key 802, and the ten key 622 of the operation unit 172 on this screen, it is possible to set the respective insertion positions of the tab sheets of an arbitrary insertion number. Of course, the number of inserted sheets can be arbitrarily set regardless of the number of tabs set in FIG. 7D. Set the tab sheet insertion position in this way and press the OK key 8
When 03 is pressed, the setting is confirmed, and then FIG.
The screen of (b) is displayed.

FIG. 8B shows an input screen for the user to input the character information of the headline to be printed on the tab of the tab sheet in the tab sheet creation mode and the tab sheet insert mode. In the tab sheet creation mode, Input fields 804 corresponding to the number of tabs in one set of tab sheets set on the screen of FIG. 7D are displayed, and in the tab sheet insert mode, FIG.
An input field 804 for the number of tab sheet insertion positions set on the screen, that is, the number of inserted tab sheets is displayed. Next to each input field 804, a tab character input number key 805 indicating the tab number (the sequence number in the print order of tab paper having the tab) on which the image of the text of the headline input in the input field is printed Is displayed. In the illustrated example, five input fields 8
04 is displayed, and the character string of the input headline is displayed in the input fields 804 of the input numbers 1 and 2 which have already been input.

Here, a tab character input number key 805 beside the unentered input field 804, for example, No. When the key 3 is pressed, a character input screen for inputting the characters of the tab heading shown in FIG. 8C is displayed. It is possible to input a character string of a headline by using a group of input keys such as a group of alphabetic character keys displayed on this screen. And O
When the K key 807 is pressed, the input is confirmed, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 8B, and the character string of the input headline is displayed in the input field 804 that was the input target. When the tab character input number key 805 next to the input field 804 that has not been input is pressed again, the character input screen of FIG. 8C is displayed, and the character string of the headline can be input. When the input of the character string of the heading to all the input fields is completed by repeating this, by pressing the OK key 806 on the screen of FIG. 8B, the input is confirmed and the setting is completed, and the screen of FIG. 6 is displayed. Return to.

Here, in addition to the font of the character to be printed on the tab, that is, the font type or size used when generating the image data of the character string of the headline input by the above-mentioned setting is set to the default. When the user wants to set, the user setting key 618 described above is pressed.

As a result, the printer shown in FIG.
The common copy function setting screen is displayed. On this screen, a key 901 for transitioning to a screen for setting the font type or size of the character to be printed on the tab is displayed. By pressing this key 901, as shown in FIG.
The screen of (b) is displayed. By pressing the font selection key 902 or the size selection key 903 on this screen, the user can set the font type or size of the character to be printed on the tab to a desired one.

The tab sheet feed tray, the number of tabs, the tab sheet insertion position (only in the tab sheet insert mode), the tab heading character string, and the font type set by the above input from the user. Information such as size is stored in the RAM 175.

After the settings relating to the tab sheet creation mode or the tab sheet insert mode and the setting of the tab sheets thus set into the paper feed stage are completed as described above, the operation unit 172 is operated.
When the start key 614 is pressed, the printing operation in the tab sheet creation mode or the tab sheet insert mode is started. In the case of copying in the tab sheet insert mode, it goes without saying that the original of the image to be copied on plain paper is set in the DF 180 before pressing the start key 614.

Before describing the details of the printing operation in the tab sheet creation mode and the tab sheet insert mode, the calculation method in the tab print position calculation process performed by the CPU 171 in the operation will be described with reference to FIG. . That is, in the present embodiment, since the tab sheets in the above-described set are used, the tab position of the tab sheet is different for each print of the tab sheet in both the tab sheet creating mode and the tab sheet insert mode. Although the print position for printing the image of the character string of the heading on the tab is different, the CPU 171 calculates the print position for the tab in order to perform the printing.

Here, as the tab paper, for example, the LTR size tab paper in which the tabs are formed on the LTR size paper is used in the above group. For convenience of explanation, the order of stacking one set of tab papers in that set is such that when the tab papers are placed vertically (the longitudinal direction is the vertical direction), the tabs are sequentially stacked from top to bottom. Is shifted in the vertical direction from the upper side to the lower side, and the shift amount is an amount corresponding to the vertical dimension of the tab.

Of course, depending on the actual use, one of tab paper
It is also possible to use the order of stacking the sets in the reverse order to the above, that is, the order in which the tabs are sequentially shifted from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction from the lower side to the upper side.

For convenience of explanation, as a reference point for determining the print position of the tab, the point at the upper left corner when the LTR size tab paper is placed vertically is used as the reference point, and this is the origin and the X direction and the Y direction. The direction, that is, the horizontal and vertical positions x and y of the tab sheet are obtained. The print position of the tab is the position of the area in which the image of the character string of the heading is printed, but here, as shown in FIG. 10, the starting point of the print position, that is, the first character of the character string of the heading is printed. A method of calculating the positions x and y will be described by using the position of the upper left corner of the (printing) portion as a representative of the printing position.

Under the above premise, as shown on the left side of FIG. 10, the start point X of the print position of the tab 7a of the tab paper 7 is indicated.
The position x in the direction is the size of the tab sheet 7 in the X direction X1 and the tab 7
It is calculated as a position of a length obtained by subtracting a print margin (minimum margin amount at the edge of the tab 7a) Xm from the length of the a plus the dimension Xt in the X direction. That is, x = X1 + Xt-Xm.

At this time, the print margin Xm may be defined according to the performance of the print engine of the printer unit 2 that performs printing, or may be defined not depending on the engine performance, or the display panel 620 of the operation unit 172. It may be set by the user's input on a setting screen (not shown). Also,
It goes without saying that the position x is the same even if the position of the tab 7a 'is different, as in the tab sheet 7'shown on the right side of FIG.

Further, as for the position y in the Y direction of the starting point of the print position of the tab, the size of the tab sheet in the Y direction is Y1, and FIG.
The number of tabs of one set of tab sheets (the number of one set) set on the setting screen is set to N, and the print margin in the Y direction determined by the shape of the tabs is set to Ym.

Y = (Y1 / N) * (n-1) + Ym Here, n is the stacking order (feeding order) of the tab sheet whose tab print position is to be calculated in the above-mentioned set of tab sheets. 10 is the ordinal number within one set of which tab sheet corresponds to, and is shown as "tab No." in FIG. That is, in FIG. 10, the tab number n of the tab sheet 7 on the left side is 1 and the tab number n of the tab sheet 7'on the right side is n.
Is 2. Therefore, y = (Y1 / N) * (1-1) + Ym = Ym for the left tab sheet 7 and y = (Y1 / N) * (2-1) + Ym = for the right tab sheet 7 '. (Y1 / N) + Ym.

In this way, the tab print position (start point position) x, y can be calculated.

In the above calculation method, X of the tab is
The dimension Xt in the direction and the print margin Ym in the Y direction are set to predetermined lengths, and the length in the Y direction (Y1 / N) is obtained from the number N of tabs of one set of tab paper set by the user. It may be set by a user input on a setting screen (not shown) of the display panel 620 of the operation unit 172.

Next, details of the printing operation in the tab sheet creation mode and the tab sheet insert mode according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the control procedure of the CPU 171 at the time of printing in the tab sheet creation mode, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are control programs corresponding to the respective control procedures stored in the ROM 174. It is executed by the CPU 171. The ROM 174 corresponds to an embodiment of a computer-readable storage medium that stores a control program for the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

First, the printing operation in the tab sheet creation mode will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, first, in step 1001, the setting of the tab sheet creation mode by the setting screens of FIGS. 7A and 7B described above is started.

Next, in step 1002, as shown in FIG.
On the setting screen of (c), it is set which paper feed tray is the tab paper feed tray in which tab paper is set or is scheduled to be set. RAM for the setting information of the set tab paper feed tray
175.

Next, in step 1003, the number N of tabs of tab sheets to be used from now on, that is, the number of tabs in one set is set on the setting screen of FIG. 7D. Information on the set tab number N is stored in the RAM 175.

Next, in step 1004, the input of the character string of the heading to be printed on each of the tabs of the number N of tabs set in step 1003 is performed as shown in FIG.
The input screen of (c) is used. The information (character code) of the input character string is stored in the RAM 175.

Next, at step 1005, it is judged whether or not the input of the character string of the heading for the number N of tabs is completed,
If not completed, the process returns to step 1004 to continue inputting the character string, but if completed, the process proceeds to step 1006.

In step 1006, the start command for the print job in the tab sheet creation mode set as described above is waited for. The start command is issued by the user pressing the start key 614 of the operation unit 172, or is received from the host computer 11 via the computer I / F unit 503. If there is a start command, the process proceeds to step 1007. Note that if the setting screens of FIGS. 9A and 9B have been input at this stage, the type or size of the font used when generating the image data of the character of the tab heading is set accordingly. To do. If there is no input, the setting is left as the default setting.

At step 1007, the output copy number S which has been set at the start of the present print job is determined, and at the same time, the variable s of the current output copy number for managing the output copy number in a series of printing processes which starts after this is set. Substitute 1 That is, the variable s of the output section number is initialized.

Subsequently, in step 1008, when printing the tab sheet to be started thereafter, 1 is set in the variable n for managing which tab sheet in the set of tab sheets is currently processed. Is substituted. That is, the tab number variable n, which is the ordinal number within one set of tab sheets described above, is initialized.

Next, in step 1009, the RA input in step 1004 is entered in accordance with the tab number variable n.
From the information (character code data) of the n-th character string in the character strings of the tab number N stored in M175,
The image data of the nth character string is generated using the font data whose type and size have already been set, and the tab print position of the tab sheet of the tab number nth is calculated by the calculation method described above with reference to FIG. Is calculated, and the printer unit 2 is controlled so that the image of the character string of the heading based on the image data is printed at the calculated print position of the tab. At this time, one tab sheet (n-th tab sheet in one set) is fed from the tab sheet feeding stage set in step 1002 to the image forming unit 126, and the tab sheet is printed. Of course.

Next, in step 1010, the variable n of the tab number is incremented by 1, and the value is substituted for n.

Next, in step 1011, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable n of the current tab number is equal to the tab number N + 1, that is, whether or not the printing of a set of tab sheets of the tab number N is completed. And it is not completed (n = N
If it is not +1), the process returns to step 1009 to repeat the processing of steps 1009 to 1011 and continue printing a set of tab sheets. If n = N + 1, that is, if printing of one set of tab sheets is completed, the process proceeds to step 1012.

In step 1012, the variable s of the output section number for managing the number of output sections is incremented by 1, and the value is substituted for s.

Next, at step 1013, it is judged whether or not the value of the variable s of the output copy number at present is equal to the set output copy number S + 1, that is, whether the print output of the copy number S is completed. When it is determined that the processing is not completed (s = S + 1 is not satisfied), step 100 is performed.
Returning to step 8, the processes of steps 1008 to 1013 are repeated to print out the next copy (a set of tab sheets). If it is determined in step 1013 that s = S + 1, that is, if the print output of the number of copies S is completed, this print job is ended in step 1014.

Next, the printing operation in the tab sheet insert mode will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13. Note that the control flow is assumed to be continuous between the portions marked with A in FIG. 12 and FIG. The print operation here is a print operation for copying an image read from a document on plain paper. However, similarly to this operation, it is of course possible to perform an operation of printing an image received from the host computer on plain paper in the tab paper insert mode.

In printing (copying) in the tab sheet insert mode, first, in step 1101 of FIG.
The setting of the tab sheet insert mode is started on the setting screens of (a) and (b).

Next, at step 1102, the setting screen of FIG. 7C is used to set which paper feed tray is the tab paper feed tray in which tab paper is set or is to be set. RAM for the set tab paper feed tray information
175.

Next, in step 1103, the tab number N of tab sheets to be used, that is, the number of tabs in one set is set on the setting screen of FIG. 7D. Information on the set tab number N is stored in the RAM 175.

Next, in step 1104, the tab sheet insertion position, that is, the position in the order of the number of pages (the number of sheets) in which the tab sheet is inserted in the bundle of plain sheets printed out by this print job is shown in FIG. Set on the setting screen of. Information on the set tab sheet insertion position is stored in the RAM 175.

Subsequently, in step 1105, the input of the character string of the heading to be printed on each tab of the tab sheet inserted in the tab sheet insertion position set in step 1104 is performed on the input screens of FIGS. 8B and 8C. By. The information (character code) of the input character string of the headline is RAM1.
Store in 75.

Next, in step 1106, it is judged whether or not the character string of the headline has been input by the total number of tab sheet insertion positions set in step 1104, that is, by the total number of tab sheet insertions, and the total number has been input. If not, the process returns to step 1105 to continue inputting the character string of the headline. When all the minutes have been performed, the process proceeds to step 1107.

In step 1107, it is determined whether or not a start command has been issued for the print job in the set tab sheet insert mode. If not, the start command is awaited. The start command is issued by the user pressing the start key 614 of the operation unit 172, which is to copy here. In the case of the printer function, it is transmitted from the host computer 11.

When a print start command is issued in step 1107, the flow advances to step 1108 to determine the output copy number S that has been set at the start of this print job, and at the same time, manage the output copy number in a series of printing processes that start thereafter. 1 is substituted into the variable s of the current output unit number for That is, the variable s of the output section number is initialized.

Next, in step 1109, DF1
After reading all the images of the original set in 80 (images printed on plain paper instead of tab paper) and storing the image data in the hard disk 404 of the image memory unit 3, the page of the image of the original based on the image data is read. The number (the number of sheets) and the total number of the tab sheet insertion positions set in step 1104 (the number of tab sheet insertions) are determined as the total number of pages (sheets) P per copy in this print job. In the case of the printer function, the image data received from the host computer 11 and stored in the hard disk 404 is used.

Subsequently, in step 1110 of FIG. 13, 1 is substituted into the variable p of the output page number for managing the page currently being processed within the number of pages P per copy. That is, the variable p is initialized.

Next, in step 1111, a tab number variable n for managing which tab sheet within the number N of tabs at the time of print output to the tab of the tab sheet is managed. Substitute 1 for. That is, the variable n is initialized.

Next, in step 1112, it is judged whether or not the output page number p currently being processed corresponds to any one of the tab sheet insertion positions set in step 1104, and if so, the process proceeds to step 1113. move on.

In step 1113, step 1105
From the character string information (character code data) corresponding to the tab sheet insertion position of the current page number p among the character strings of the heading for the number of tab sheet insertion positions input by The image data of the character string is generated using the font data for which the size is set, and the tab number n is calculated by the calculation method described above with reference to FIG.
The printer unit 2 calculates the print position of the tab of the th tab sheet and prints the image of the character string of the heading based on the image data at the calculated print position of the tab.
To control. At this time, one tab sheet (n-th tab sheet in one set) is fed from the tab sheet feeding stage set in step 1102 to the image forming unit 126, and the tab sheet is printed. Of course.

Next, in step 1114, the variable n of the tab number is incremented by 1, and the value is substituted for n. afterwards,
Proceed to step 1116.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 1112 that the current output page number p does not correspond to the tab sheet insertion position, the process proceeds to step 1115, and one plain paper is fed from the plain paper feed stage to the image forming unit 126. Of the original image data stored in the hard disk 404, the image data of the page corresponding to the current output page number p is output to the printer unit 2, and the image based on the image data is changed to plain paper. Control to print. Then, it progresses to step 1116.

At step 1116, 1 is added to the current output page number p and the value is substituted for p.

Next, at step 1117, it is judged whether the output page number p is equal to the total page number P + 1 of one copy, that is, whether the print output of all pages of one copy is completed, and p ≠ P + 1. If it is determined that the processing is not completed, the process proceeds to step 1118.

At step 1118, it is judged whether the value of the variable n of the tab number at present is equal to the tab number N + 1, that is, whether the printing of a set of tab sheets having the tab number N is completed, and n ≠ N + 1. If it is determined that it has not ended, the process returns to step 1112 to perform the processing of step 1112 and subsequent steps. However, if it is determined that n = N + 1 and one set of tab paper has been printed, the process returns to step 1111 and the tab number is set. Initialize variable n to 1, then step 1
The processing of 112 and below is performed.

By repeating the processing from step 1112, the image of the original is printed on the plain paper or the image of the character string of the heading is printed on the tab of the tab paper.

When it is determined in step 1117 that the variable p of the output page number is equal to the total number of pages P + 1, and the print output of one copy of all pages is completed, step 1
In step 119, the variable s of the output part number for managing the number of output copies is incremented by 1, and the value is substituted for s.

Then, in step 1120, it is determined whether the value of the variable s of the output copy number at that time is equal to the output copy count S + 1 determined in step 1108, that is, whether the printing of the output copy count S is completed. When it is determined that s ≠ S + 1 and the process is not completed, the process returns to step 1110 and the processes of step 1110 and subsequent steps are repeated to print out the next copy.

In step 1120, s = S +
If it is 1 and it is determined that the print output of the number of output copies S is completed, the present print job is ended in step 1121.

As described above, printing in the tab sheet creating mode and printing (copying) in the tab sheet insert mode
Is done. In any mode of printing, CPU1
71 calculates the tab print position of the tab sheet based on the tab sheet and the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the tab, the number of tabs N, the tab number n, and the tab print margin, and the characters of the heading that are input and stored in advance. Image data of the character of the headline is generated from the information (character code), and the printer unit 2 is controlled so that the image based on this image data is printed at the calculated print position of the tab on the tab sheet. Therefore,
The user does not need to prepare a document image for printing on a tab sheet as in the prior art, and only needs to input the number of tabs N and the character information of the heading, which makes printing in both modes very easy. Can be done.

By the way, the CPU of the host computer 11 performs the same control as the print control in the tab sheet creation mode and the tab sheet insert mode described in FIGS. 11 to 13 to the tab sheet creation mode. Printing in the tab sheet insert mode may be performed. That is, on the display of the host computer 11, the tab sheet feed stage, the number of tabs, the tab sheet insertion position setting, the input of the character information of the heading, and the font type or size setting are performed as shown in FIGS. The CPU of the host computer 11 calculates the print position of the tab of the tab sheet according to the setting and input in each similar setting screen, and generates the image data of the character of the heading from the character information of the heading, and the image data May be transmitted to the image forming apparatus together with the calculated print position data, and the image forming apparatus may be controlled so that the image of the character of the header based on the image data is printed at the calculated print position of the tab. .

[0127]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, when printing is performed on the tab sheet in the tab sheet creating mode or the tab sheet insert mode, the tab sheet is input and stored in advance. Image data of the text of the headline is generated from the text information of the text of the headline, and the image based on this image data is printed at a position corresponding to the number of tab sheets that have been input and stored in advance. The (operator) does not need to prepare a document image for printing on a tab sheet as in the conventional case, but only needs to input the character information of the headline and the information of the number of tab sheets. The excellent effect that printing in both modes can be performed very easily is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the same device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration inside and around an image processing unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration inside and around an image memory unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration inside and around an external I / F processing unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an operation unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an application mode, tab sheet mode, sheet feed stage, and tab number setting screen displayed on the display panel of the operation unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a tab sheet insertion position setting screen and a heading character input screen displayed on the display panel of the operation unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a tab character font setting screen and a font type and size setting screen displayed on the display panel of the operation unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for calculating a print position of a tab in the same apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a print control procedure in a tab sheet creation mode by the CPU of the apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a print control procedure in a tab sheet insert mode by the CPU of the apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of printing in the tab sheet insert mode which is continuous with FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Reader section 2 Printer section 3 Image memory section 4 External I / F processing unit 5 control unit 7,7 'Tab paper 7a, 7a 'tab 11 Host computer 100 Image forming apparatus main body 110 photoconductor drum 120 Exposure control unit 121 developer 126 Image forming unit 141 Fixer 170 Image processing unit 171 CPU 172 Operation unit 174 ROM 175 RAM 180 DF (Automatic document feeder) 401 page memory section 404 hard disk 614 Start key 620 display panel 622 numeric keypad

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Hidenori Sunada, inventor             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Tadaaki Saita             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Yuichiro Maeda             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Nobuo Sekiguchi             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AP04 AQ06 AR03 AS02                       HH03 HJ06 HK15 HK23 HL05                       HN02                 2H027 DA32 DB01 DC19 DE04 DE07                       DE09 EA02 EC06 EC07 EC18                       EC20 ED06 ED17 ED18 EE02                       EE08 EF06 EF09 FA27 FA35                       FD03 FD10 GA23 GA34 GA43                       GA45 GA47 GA54 ZA07                 5C062 AA05 AB08 AB20 AB22 AB42                       AC07 AC60 AF07 BA00

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of tabs each having a printing unit for printing an image and a tab sheet feeding unit for feeding a tab sheet to the printing unit, each tab sheet feeding unit having a different tab position. A set of sheets of paper is set in the same predetermined order for each set, and the tab sheets are sequentially fed one by one to the printing means in the above order, and the image of the caption is displayed on the tab of each tab sheet. An image forming apparatus configured to execute printing in a tab sheet creation mode for printing, wherein a number of sheets of a set of tab sheets set in the tab sheet feeding means for printing in the tab sheet creation mode is set. A set number input means for the operator to input information, a set number storage means for storing information on the number of one set of tab sheets input by the set number input means, and a print in the tab sheet creation mode. Compound for Heading input means for the operator to input character information of a number of headings, heading storage means for storing character information of a plurality of headings input by the heading input means, and when printing in the tab sheet creation mode, Image data of the character of the headline is generated based on the character information of the headline stored in the headline storage means, and the image of the character of the headline based on the image data is stored in the group number storage means of one set of tab sheets. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the printing unit to print at a position corresponding to the number of sheets. 2. The control means, when printing in the tab sheet creation mode, sets tab print positions of tab sheets that are sequentially fed to the printing means by the tab sheet feeding means one by one. The size of the paper and the tab, the number of tab sheets stored in the set number storage means, and the order number of the tab sheets in the set are calculated, and the image of the character of the heading is calculated. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit is controlled to print at the calculated print position of the tab on the tab sheet. 3. A tab having a printing unit for printing an image, a cut sheet feeding unit for feeding a normal cut sheet to the printing unit, and a tab sheet feeding unit for feeding a tab sheet. A plurality of tab sheets each having a different tab position are set in the paper feeding means as a set and stacked in the same predetermined order for each set, and the ordinary cut paper feeding means is set to the printing means by the cut paper feeding means. While the cut sheets are sequentially fed one by one and the image is printed on the cut sheets, the tab sheets are fed by the tab sheet feeding means every time the print sheet number order corresponding to the predetermined insertion position of the tab sheets is reached. An image forming apparatus configured to execute printing in a tab sheet insert mode in which a heading image is printed on tabs of tab sheets by feeding the sheets one by one in the order described above. A set number input means for the operator to input information on the number of sets of tab sheets set in the tab sheet feeding means for printing in the saart mode, and a tab input by the set number input means. Set number storage means for storing information on the number of sheets of one set of paper, index input means for the operator to input character information of a plurality of indexes for printing in the tab sheet insert mode, and the index input means A heading storage means for storing character information of a plurality of headings input by, and when printing on a tab sheet in the tab sheet insert mode, based on the heading character information stored in the heading storage means Image data is generated, and an image of the character of the heading based on the image data is printed at a position corresponding to the number of tab sheets stored in the set number storage means. Image forming apparatus characterized by comprising control means for controlling said printing means. 4. When printing in the tab sheet insert mode, the control means causes the tab sheet feeding means to print one sheet at a time in the order of the number of print sheets corresponding to the insertion position of the tab sheet. The print position of the tab of the tab sheet to be fed, the size of the tab sheet and the tab, the number of tab sheets stored in the set number storage means, and the order of the tab sheet in the set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing unit is controlled so that the image of the character of the index is printed at the calculated print position of the tab on the tab sheet. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a dimension input unit for an operator to input vertical and horizontal dimension information of the tab. 6. The control means determines the tab print position of the tab sheet, the tab sheet and tab size, the number of tab sheets stored in the set number storage means, and the number of tab sheets within the set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the tab sheet is calculated based on the ordinal number of the tab sheet and the minimum margin amount of the edge portion of the tab. 7. A font size input means for an operator to input a font size used when generating image data of the characters of the headline based on the character information of the headline stored in the headline storage means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means generates image data of the character of the headline by using a font having a size input by the font size input means. 8. A font type input means for an operator to input a font type used when generating image data of a character of a heading based on character information of the heading stored in the heading storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the control means generates image data of the character of the heading by using a font of a type input by the font type input means. 9. A plurality of tabs, each having a printing means for printing an image and a tab paper feeding means for feeding a tab paper to the printing means, wherein the tab paper feeding means have different tab positions respectively. A set of sheets of paper is set in the same predetermined order for each set, and the tab sheets are sequentially fed one by one to the printing means in the above order, and the image of the caption is displayed on the tab of each tab sheet. A control method of an image forming apparatus configured to execute printing in a tab sheet creation mode for printing, wherein a set of tab sheets set in the tab sheet feeding means for printing in the tab sheet creation mode. The information of the number of sheets is input and stored by the operator, and the character information of a plurality of headings is input and stored by the operator for printing in the tab sheet creation mode. Image data of the character of the headline is generated based on the stored character information of the headline, and the image of the character of the headline based on the image data is printed so as to be printed at a position corresponding to the number of stored sets of tab sheets. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, characterized by controlling a means. 10. When printing in the tab paper creation mode, the tab print position of the tab paper fed one by one to the printing means by the tab paper feeding means is set to the tab paper and the tab size. And the calculated number of tab sheets stored in the set and the ordinal number of the tab sheets in the set, and the image of the character of the heading is set to the tab print position of the tab sheet calculated. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing unit is controlled so as to print. 11. A tab sheet feeding means for feeding an ordinary cut sheet to the printing means, a cut sheet feeding means for feeding an ordinary cut sheet to the printing means, and a tab sheet feeding means for feeding the tab sheet. A plurality of tab sheets each having a different tab position are set in the paper feeding means as a set and stacked in the same predetermined order for each set, and the ordinary cut paper feeding means is set to the printing means by the cut paper feeding means. While the cut sheets are sequentially fed one by one and the image is printed on the cut sheets, the tab sheets are fed by the tab sheet feeding means every time the order of the number of prints corresponding to the predetermined insertion position of the tab sheets is reached. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus configured to be capable of performing tab sheet insert mode printing in which a heading image is printed on tabs of tab sheets by feeding the sheets one by one in the order described above, Information for one set of tab sheets set in the tab sheet feeding means for the tab sheet insert mode printing is input and stored by the operator, and a plurality of pieces are stored for the tab sheet insert mode printing. The character information of the heading is stored by being input by the operator, and when printing on the tab paper in the tab sheet insert mode, image data of the character of the heading is generated based on the stored character information of the heading, and the image A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the printing means is controlled so that an image of a character of a heading based on data is printed at a position corresponding to the number of stored sets of tab sheets. 12. A tab that is fed one by one to the printing means by the tab paper feeding means every time the printing is performed in the tab paper insert mode in the order of the number of prints corresponding to the insertion position of the tab paper. The print position of the tab of the paper is calculated based on the size of the tab sheet and the tab, the number of stored sets of the tab sheet, and the ordinal number of the tab sheet within the set, and the character of the heading is calculated. 12. The printing means is controlled so as to print the image of the image at the print position of the calculated tab on the tab sheet.
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to item 1. 13. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the operator is made to input information on vertical and horizontal dimensions of the tab. 14. The print position of the tab of the tab sheet is set to
Together with the tab sheet and the tab size, the number of stored sets of the tab sheet, and the order number of the tab sheet within the set,
13. The control method of the image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the calculation is performed based on the minimum margin amount of the edge portion of the tab. 15. An operator is made to input the size of the font used when generating the image data of the character of the heading based on the stored character information of the heading, and the character of the heading is used by using the font of the input size. 12. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image data is generated. 16. An operator is made to input a font type used when generating image data of a heading character based on the stored character information of the heading, and the heading character is used by using the font of the input type. 12. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image data is generated. 17. A plurality of tabs each having a printing means for printing an image and a tab paper feeding means for feeding a tab paper to the printing means, each tab sheet feeding means having a different tab position. A set of sheets of paper is set in the same predetermined order for each set, and the tab sheets are sequentially fed one by one to the printing means in the above order, and the image of the caption is displayed on the tab of each tab sheet. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a control program of an image forming apparatus configured to execute printing in a tab sheet creation mode for printing, the tab sheet feeding for printing in the tab sheet creation mode. The operator is made to input and store information on the number of sheets of the tab sheet set in the means, and the character information of a plurality of headings is given to the operator for printing in the tab sheet making mode. When the tab sheet creation mode is printed, image data of the character of the headline is generated based on the stored character information of the headline, and the image of the character of the headline based on the image data is stored in the tab sheet. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling the printing means so as to print at a position corresponding to one set of sheets. 18. When printing in the tab sheet creation mode, the tab print positions of the tab sheets fed one by one to the printing means by the tab sheet feeding means are set to the tab sheet and the tab size. And the calculated number of tab sheets stored in the set and the ordinal number of the tab sheets in the set, and the image of the character of the heading is set to the tab print position of the tab sheet calculated. The storage medium according to claim 17, wherein a control program for controlling the printing unit to print is stored. 19. A tab unit for feeding an image, a cut sheet feeding unit for feeding a normal cut sheet to the printing unit, and a tab sheet feeding unit for feeding a tab sheet. A plurality of tab sheets each having a different tab position are set in the paper feeding means as a set and stacked in the same predetermined order for each set, and the ordinary cut paper feeding means is set to the printing means by the cut paper feeding means. While the cut sheets are sequentially fed one by one and the image is printed on the cut sheets, the tab sheets are fed by the tab sheet feeding means every time the print sheet number order corresponding to the predetermined insertion position of the tab sheets is reached. A control program of an image forming apparatus configured to execute printing in a tab sheet insert mode for feeding a heading image to a tab of a tab sheet by feeding the sheets one by one in the order described above is stored. A computer-readable storage medium, which stores information by allowing an operator to input information about the number of tab sheets set in the tab sheet feeding means for printing in the tab sheet insert mode. The character information of a plurality of headings is input and stored by the operator for printing in the tab paper insert mode, and when printing on tab paper in the tab paper insert mode, based on the stored character information of the heading, A control program for generating image data of a character of a headline and controlling the printing means to print an image of the character of the headline based on the image data at a position corresponding to the number of stored sets of tab sheets. A storage medium characterized by being stored. 20. When printing in the tab sheet insert mode, the tabs are fed one by one to the printing means by the tab sheet feeding means each time the number of prints corresponding to the insertion position of the tab sheet is changed. The print position of the tab of the paper is calculated based on the size of the tab sheet and the tab, the number of stored sets of the tab sheet, and the ordinal number of the tab sheet within the set, and the character of the heading is calculated. 20. The storage medium according to claim 19, further comprising a control program for controlling the printing unit so that the image of is printed at the calculated print position of the tab on the tab sheet. 21. The storage medium according to claim 18, further comprising a control program for causing an operator to input information on vertical and horizontal dimensions of the tab. 22. The print position of the tab of the tab sheet is set to
Together with the tab sheet and the tab size, the number of stored sets of the tab sheet, and the order number of the tab sheet within the set,
21. The storage medium according to claim 18, wherein a control program for calculating the minimum margin amount of the edge portion of the tab is stored. 23. The size of the font used when generating image data of the characters of the heading based on the stored character information of the heading is input by the operator, and the characters of the heading are used by using the font of the input size. 20. The storage medium according to claim 17, which stores a control program for generating the image data of the above. 24. An operator inputs a font type used when generating image data of a heading character based on the stored heading character information, and the heading character is used by using the input type font. 20. The storage medium according to claim 17, which stores a control program for generating the image data of the above. 25. A plurality of tabs each having a printing means for printing an image and a tab paper feeding means for feeding a tab paper to the printing means, wherein the tab paper feeding means respectively have different tab positions. A set of sheets of paper is set in the same predetermined order for each set, and the tab sheets are sequentially fed one by one to the printing means in the above order, and the image of the caption is displayed on the tab of each tab sheet. A host device for transmitting the image data of the headline to an image forming apparatus configured to execute printing in a tab sheet creation mode for printing, and performing printing in the tab sheet creation mode,
Set number input means for the operator to input information on the number of sets of tab sheets set in the tab sheet feeding means of the image forming apparatus for printing in the tab sheet creation mode, and the set number. Set number storage means for storing information on the number of one set of tab sheets inputted by the input means, and a heading input for the operator to input character information of a plurality of headings for printing in the tab sheet making mode. Means, headline storing means for storing character information of a plurality of headlines input by the headline inputting means, and a headline based on the character information of the headline stored in the headline storing means at the time of printing in the tab sheet creation mode. The image data of the character is generated and transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the image of the character of the headline is printed at a position corresponding to the number of one set of tab sheets stored in the set number storage means. A host device having control means for controlling the above. 26. The tab means of the tab paper which is sequentially fed to the printing means by the tab paper feeding means in the image forming apparatus at the time of printing in the tab paper making mode. The print position is calculated based on the size of the tab sheet and the tab, the number of tab sheets stored in the set number storage means, and the order number of the tab sheet in the set. The data of the print position of the tab is transmitted to the image forming apparatus together with the image data of the character of the headline, and the image of the character of the headline is controlled to be printed at the calculated print position of the tab on the tab sheet. The host device according to claim 25. 27. A printing unit for printing an image, a cut sheet feeding unit for feeding a normal cut sheet to the printing unit, and a tab sheet feeding unit for feeding a tab sheet. A plurality of tab sheets each having a different tab position are set in the paper feeding means as a set and stacked in the same predetermined order for each set, and the ordinary cut paper feeding means is set to the printing means by the cut paper feeding means. While the cut sheets are sequentially fed one by one and the image is printed on the cut sheets, the tab sheets are fed by the tab sheet feeding means every time the print sheet number order corresponding to the predetermined insertion position of the tab sheets is reached. For the image forming apparatus configured to be able to perform the printing in the tab sheet insert mode in which the images of the headings are printed on the tabs of the tab sheet by feeding the sheets one by one to the printing unit according to the order, A host device for transmitting image data for a printing sheet and image data for the heading to perform the printing in the tab sheet insert mode, wherein the tab sheet feeding of the image forming apparatus is performed for the printing in the tab sheet insert mode. Tab paper 1 set in the feeding means
A set number input means for an operator to input information about the number of sets, a set number storage means for storing information about the number of one set of tab sheets input by the set number input means, and the tab sheet insert Heading input means for an operator to input character information of a plurality of headings for mode printing, heading storage means for storing character information of a plurality of headings input by the heading input means, and the tab sheet At the time of printing on the tab sheet in the insert mode, the image data of the character of the index is generated based on the character information of the index stored in the index storage means and transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the image of the character of the index is set to the group. A host apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling to print at a position corresponding to the number of tab sheets stored in the number storage unit. 28. When printing in the tab sheet insert mode, the control means causes the tab sheet feeding means to cause the tab sheet feeding means to print the image in the printing sheet number order corresponding to an insertion position of the tab sheet in the image forming apparatus. The print position of the tab of the tab sheet fed one by one to the tab sheet, the size of the tab sheet, the number of tab sheets stored in the set sheet number storage means, and the position within the set. Calculated based on the ordinal number of the tab sheet, the data of the calculated print position of the tab is transmitted to the image forming apparatus together with the image data of the character of the headline, and the image of the character of the headline is calculated on the tab sheet. 28. The host device according to claim 27, wherein the host device is controlled to print at the print position.