JP2004096325A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus with a copy mode wherein a blank space is formed to a half of paper on which a comment can be written. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has a write blank space mode wherein a write blank space part is formed to the half area of paper by printing original images of a set number of pages on the half area of one-page paper as the copy mode. The image forming apparatus is provided with: a setting means to make a user set the write blank space mode as the copy mode; and an image forming means for printing the original images of the set number of pages to the half area of each page when the write blank space mode is set as the copy mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Some copiers have a function of printing two or more document images on one sheet of paper. Such a function is generally called an aggregation function. However, copying such as printing one original image on half of the paper, or printing multiple originals on half of the paper, forming a margin on half of the paper so that comments can be written Nothing has a mode.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having a copy mode in which a margin can be formed in half of a sheet and a comment can be written.
[0004]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a copy mode in which a margin can be formed in half of a sheet and a ruled line is printed in the margin.
[0005]
In addition, the present invention provides a method for collecting and printing a plurality of documents set in advance on one sheet in a combined mode in which a separator line is formed at the boundary of a document image on a sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a separator line from being inserted into a blank portion generated on a sheet when the number of documents to be printed is smaller than a preset number of sheets. And
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a copy mode, a set margin is formed in a half area of a sheet by printing a set number of document images in a half area of one sheet. Setting means for allowing a user to set a write margin mode as a copy mode in an image forming apparatus provided with a mode, and a half area of one sheet when a write margin mode is set as a copy mode And an image forming means for printing the set number of document images.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the setting unit is configured to allow the user to set whether or not to insert a page separation line on the sheet when the writing margin mode is set. The image forming unit includes a boundary between document images printed on a sheet and a sheet printed on the sheet when the writing margin mode is set as a copy mode and a setting for inserting a page separation line is performed. The printing apparatus further comprises means for printing a page separation line at a boundary between the document image and the writing margin.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the setting unit is configured to allow the user to set whether or not to insert a ruled line in the writing margin when setting the writing margin mode. The image forming means includes means for printing a ruled line on a write margin formed on a sheet when a write margin mode is set as a copy mode and a rule is set to insert a ruled line in the write margin. It is characterized by having.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the copy mode is an aggregation mode in which a plurality of preset documents are combined and printed on one sheet, and a separation line is formed at the boundary of the document image on the sheet. In the image forming apparatus, the printing area of one sheet is divided into a number of small areas corresponding to the set number of originals, and an aggregation mode in which an original image is printed for each of the small areas is provided. Is set, when the number of originals to be printed on one sheet is smaller than the preset number, two adjacent small areas in the print area of the paper are used for two adjacent small areas. Means for determining whether or not both small areas are blank; and, when it is determined that two adjacent small areas are both blank, do not insert a dividing line at the boundary between the two adjacent small areas. To Characterized in that it comprises a stage.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
[1] Description of configuration of digital copier
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a digital copying machine.
[0012]
The digital copying machine includes a scanner unit 10, a control unit 20, a hard disk (HDD) 30, an image forming unit 40, and a user operation unit 50. The scanner unit 10 includes a document feeder (DF) 11, a scanner 12, an image reading CCD 13, and the like. The control unit 20 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.
[0013]
The image forming unit 40 includes a laser scan unit (LSU) 41, an electrostatic copying mechanism including a photosensitive drum, and the like. The user operation unit 50 includes a key input unit 51 including numeric keys and various keys, a liquid crystal display unit 52, an LED display unit 53, and the like.
[0014]
A document fed onto a contact glass (not shown) by a document feeder (DF) 11 is optically scanned by a scanner 12 and a document image is read by an image reading CCD 13. The document image read by the image reading CCD 13 is stored in the HDD 30 via the control unit 20. The image data stored in the HDD 30 is sent to the LSU 41 via the control unit 20. The LSU 41 generates a laser beam according to the transmitted image data, modulates and deflects the laser beam, and forms an electrostatic latent image pattern on the photoconductor.
[0015]
[2] Description of write margin mode
This digital copying machine is provided with a write margin mode in which a space (write margin) for writing a comment on a copied sheet can be created as a copy mode.
[0016]
The write margin mode is roughly divided into a first write margin mode for creating a write margin when copying one document image on one sheet, and copying two document images on one sheet. There is a second write margin mode in which a write margin is created.
[0017]
In the first write margin mode, there are four types of layouts as shown in FIGS.
[0018]
FIG. 2A shows a layout in which a vertically long document image is printed on the left half of a horizontally long recording sheet (referred to as a first vertically long image layout). FIG. 2B shows a layout in which a horizontally long document image is printed on the upper half of a vertically long recording sheet (referred to as a first horizontally long image layout). FIG. 2C shows a layout in which a vertically long document image is printed on the right half of a horizontally long recording sheet (referred to as a second vertically long image layout). FIG. 2D shows a layout in which a horizontally long document image is printed on the lower half of a vertically long recording sheet (referred to as a second horizontally long image layout).
[0019]
In the first write margin mode, it is possible to select whether or not to insert a page break line at a position indicated by a broken line in FIGS. In addition, when inserting a page separation line, a line type (solid line or dotted line) can be selected. In the first writing margin mode, the page separation line is placed at the boundary between the original image and the writing margin.
[0020]
Further, it is possible to select whether or not to insert a ruled line in the margin for writing. When inserting a ruled line, a horizontal ruled line and a vertical ruled line can be selected. 3 (a) to 3 (d) show ruled lines printed in the write margin when a horizontal ruled line is selected, and FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d) show write ruled lines when a vertical ruled line is selected. Shows the ruled lines printed on the.
[0021]
In the second write margin mode, there are eight types of layouts as shown in FIGS. Of the two document images, the first document image to be read is the first document image, and the next document image to be read is the second document image. In addition, the four parts obtained by dividing the recording sheet into halves both vertically and horizontally are referred to as four divided parts.
[0022]
FIG. 5A shows that a vertically long first document image is printed on the upper left of the four divided portions of the vertically long recording paper, and a vertically long second document image is printed on the upper right of the four divided portions of the recording paper. (The first layout for portrait images). FIG. 5 (b) shows an example in which a horizontally long first document image is printed on the upper left of the four divided portions of the horizontally long recording paper, and a horizontally long second document image is printed on the upper right of the four divided portions of the recording paper. (A first layout for landscape images).
[0023]
FIG. 5C shows a vertically long first document image printed on the upper right of the four divided portions of the vertically long recording paper, and a second vertically long document image printed on the upper left of the four divided portions of the recording paper. (A second layout for portrait images). FIG. 5D shows a state in which a horizontally long first document image is printed on the upper right of the four divided portions of the horizontally long recording paper, and a horizontally long second document image is printed on the upper left of the four divided portions of the recording paper. (A second layout for landscape images).
[0024]
FIG. 5E shows that the first vertically long document image is printed on the upper left of the four divided portions of the vertically long recording paper, and the second vertically long document image is printed on the lower left of the four divided portions of the recording paper. (A third layout for portrait images). FIG. 5 (f) prints a horizontally long first document image on the upper left of the four divided portions of a horizontally long recording sheet, and prints a horizontally long second document image on the lower left of the four divided portions of the recording sheet. (The third layout for landscape images).
[0025]
FIG. 5 (g) shows that a vertically long first document image is printed on the upper right of the four divided portions of the vertically long recording paper, and a vertically long second document image is printed on the right of the four divided portions of the recording paper. This is a layout to be printed below (referred to as a fourth layout for a portrait image). FIG. 5H shows that the first horizontally long document image is printed on the upper right of the four divided portions of the horizontally long recording paper, and the second horizontally long document image is printed on the right side of the four divided portions of the recording paper. This is a layout that is printed below (referred to as a fourth layout for landscape images).
[0026]
In the second write margin mode, it is possible to select whether or not to insert a page break line at the position indicated by a broken line in FIGS. When inserting a page break line, a line type (solid line or dotted line) can be selected. In the second writing margin mode, the page separation line is placed at the boundary between two document images and at the boundary between the document image and the writing margin. Therefore, even when the mode for inserting a page separation line is selected, as shown by the broken lines in FIGS. 6A to 6H, the page separation line is not inserted in the write margin. This is because if a page break line is inserted in the write margin, comments become difficult to write.
[0027]
Further, it is possible to select whether or not to insert a ruled line in the margin for writing. When inserting a ruled line, a horizontal ruled line and a vertical ruled line can be selected. 6 (a) to 6 (h) show ruled lines printed in a write margin when a horizontal ruled line is selected, and FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (h) show write margins when a vertical ruled line is selected. Shows the ruled lines printed on the.
[0028]
[3] Description of selection operation of write margin mode
FIG. 8 shows the user operation unit 50.
[0029]
The user operation unit 50 includes a liquid crystal display unit 52, a numeric keypad 101, a start button 102, a clear stop button 103, a reset button 104, and the like. The liquid crystal display unit 52 is configured by a touch panel type liquid crystal display device. For example, a screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 52 as a basic screen.
[0030]
The basic screen includes paper size selection keys 201 and 202 for manually selecting a paper size, an automatic paper key 203 for automatically selecting paper, a manual feed key 204 operated when using manual paper, Density adjustment keys 205 and 206 for adjusting the density, an automatic magnification key 207 for automatically selecting the magnification, an equal-magnification key 208 for equalizing the magnification, and a reduction / enlargement key 209 for changing the magnification. , A basic key 210 for returning the screen to the basic screen, a user function key 211 for displaying the user function screen, a function list key 212 for displaying the function list screen, a program key 213, and the like. On this basic screen, the user sets paper size, density, magnification, and the like.
[0031]
When selecting the write margin mode, the user presses the function list key 212 on the basic screen to display the function list screen on the liquid crystal display unit 52. FIG. 9 shows an example of the function list screen. The function list screen includes a screen for a plurality of pages. By operating the scroll keys 221 and 222 on the function list screen, the display page of the function list screen can be switched.
[0032]
The user operates the scroll keys 221 and 222 on the function list screen to display a screen including the write margin key 223 as shown in FIG. Then, the user presses the write margin key 223.
[0033]
When the write margin key 223 is pressed, a first layout selection screen as shown in FIG. The first layout selection screen is a screen for allowing the user to select the first writing margin mode or the second writing margin mode.
[0034]
On the first layout selection screen, a no-setting key 231, a layout A key 232 for selecting the first writing margin mode, a layout B key 233 for selecting the second writing margin mode, and the like are displayed.
[0035]
The user presses the layout A key 232 to select the first write margin mode, and presses the layout B key 233 to select the second write margin mode.
[0036]
When the layout A key 232 is pressed, a second layout selection screen as shown in FIG.
[0037]
On the second layout selection screen, in addition to the no setting key 231, the layout A key 232, and the layout B key 233, two layout selection keys 234, 235, three keys 236, 237, 238 relating to ruled lines, a page separator line Are provided, and three keys 242, 243 for confirming the position of the upper side of the document are provided.
[0038]
One layout selection key 234 is a key for selecting the first layout for a portrait image in FIG. 2A or the first layout for a landscape image in FIG. 2B, and is used when this key is pressed. The layout mode will be referred to as a first layout mode. The other layout selection key 235 is a key for selecting the second layout for the portrait image in FIG. 2C or the second layout for the landscape image in FIG. 2D, and is used when this key is pressed. The layout mode is referred to as a second layout mode.
[0039]
The first key 236 related to a ruled line is a key that is selected when a ruled line is not inserted. By default, this key is selected. As shown in FIG. 3, the second key 237 related to the ruled line is a key selected when a horizontal ruled line is to be inserted in the margin for writing. The third key 238 related to the ruled line is a key selected when a vertical ruled line is to be inserted in the write margin as shown in FIG.
[0040]
The first key 239 related to a page break line is a key that is selected when a page break line is not inserted. By default, this key is in a selected state. A second key 240 related to a page break line is a key selected when a page break line is inserted as a solid line. A third key 241 related to a page break line is a key selected when a page break line is inserted by a broken line.
[0041]
One key 242 for confirming the position of the upper side of the original is a key that is selected when the upper side of the original is located behind when viewed from the front of the copier in a state where the original is set in the original feeder 11. is there. The other key 243 for confirming the orientation of the original set is a key to be selected when the upper side of the original is on the left as viewed from the front of the copier in a state where the original is set in the original feeder 11. .
[0042]
The user selects a layout mode on the second layout selection screen shown in FIG. 11, and performs settings related to ruled lines and page break lines. Also, the position of the upper side of the document is confirmed. Then, when the start button 102 is pressed, the copy processing in the write margin mode is started.
[0043]
When the layout B key 233 is pressed on the first layout selection screen shown in FIG. 10, a third layout selection screen as shown in FIG.
[0044]
On the third layout selection screen, in addition to the no setting key 231, the layout A key 232, and the layout B key 233, four layout selection keys 251, 252, 253, 254, and three keys 236, 237, 238 related to ruled lines are displayed. , Three keys 239, 240, 241 for the page separation line, two keys 242, 243 for confirming the position of the upper side of the document, and the like.
[0045]
The three keys 236, 237, 238 relating to the ruled line, the three keys 239, 240, 241 relating to the page separation line and the two keys 242, 243 for confirming the position of the upper side of the original are displayed on the second layout selection screen of FIG. This is the same as that described above.
[0046]
The layout selection key 251 is a key for selecting the first layout for the portrait image in FIG. 5A or the first layout for the landscape image in FIG. 5B, and the layout mode when this key is pressed. Is referred to as a first layout mode. A layout selection key 252 is a key for selecting the second layout for a vertically long image in FIG. 5C or the second layout for a horizontally long image in FIG. 5D, and a layout mode when this key is pressed. Is referred to as a second layout mode.
[0047]
The layout selection key 253 is a key for selecting the third layout for a vertically long image in FIG. 5E or the third layout for a horizontally long image in FIG. 5F, and a layout mode when this key is pressed. Is referred to as a third layout mode. You. The layout selection key 254 is a key for selecting the fourth layout for a vertically long image in FIG. 5G or the fourth layout for a horizontally long image in FIG. 5H, and a layout mode when this key is pressed. Is referred to as a fourth layout mode.
[0048]
The user selects a layout mode on the third layout selection screen in FIG. 12, and also performs settings related to ruled lines and page break lines. Also, the position of the upper side of the document is confirmed. Then, when the start button 102 is pressed, the copy processing in the write margin mode is started.
[0049]
[4] Description of copy processing procedure in write margin mode
FIG. 13 shows a copy processing procedure in the write margin mode.
[0050]
When the start button 102 is pressed after the setting regarding the write margin mode is performed, the document image is read (step 1). The read document image is stored in the HDD 30.
[0051]
It is determined whether the mode is the first write margin mode or the second write margin mode (step 2). This determination is made based on the keys 232 and 233 selected on the first layout selection screen in FIG. If the mode is the first write margin mode, the layout type is determined in the first write margin mode (step 3). That is, a process for determining which of the layouts (a) to (d) in FIG. 2 is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0052]
If the mode is the second write margin mode, the layout type is determined in the second write margin mode (step 4). That is, a process for determining which of the layouts (a) to (h) in FIG. 5 is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0053]
In step 5, a process for determining the presence / absence of a page separation line and the line type is performed. This determination is made based on the presence / absence and line type of the page separation line selected on the second layout selection screen of FIG. 11 or the third layout selection screen of FIG. 12 (page separation selected by keys 239, 240, 241). Line presence / absence and line type).
[0054]
Next, the presence / absence of ruled lines and the type of ruled line are determined (step 6). This determination is made based on the presence / absence of a ruled line selected on the second layout selection screen in FIG. 11 or the third layout selection screen in FIG. 12 and the type of the ruled line (the presence / absence of a ruled line selected by the keys 236, 237, 238). And the type of ruled line).
[0055]
Then, based on the determination result of the layout type in step 3 or step 4, the presence / absence and line type determination result of step 5 in step 5, the presence / absence and rule type determination result of step 6 in step 6, and the paper size set in advance. Then, image processing and printing processing are executed (step 7).
[0056]
That is, based on the layout type determination result and the read document image, a print document image having a position, size, and orientation corresponding to the layout type is generated. In addition, it is determined whether or not to insert a page break line based on the presence or absence of the page break line and the line type determination result. Generate an image for the separator line. Furthermore, it is determined whether or not a ruled line is to be inserted based on the presence / absence of a ruled line and the result of the ruled line type determination. Based on this, a ruled line image is generated. Then, an image for printing is generated by synthesizing the image of the printing document, the image of the page separation line, and the image of the ruled line.
[0057]
FIG. 14 shows a procedure for determining the layout type in the first write margin mode.
[0058]
It is determined whether the layout mode selected by the user is the first layout mode or the second layout mode (step 11). This determination is performed based on the layout mode selected on the second layout selection screen in FIG. 11 (the layout mode selected by the layout selection keys 234 and 235).
[0059]
The processing when it is determined in step 11 that the first layout mode has been selected will be described.
[0060]
The orientation of the document is determined (step 12). The direction of the original when the original is fed from the long side of the original by the original feeder is called "transverse", and the direction of the original when the original is sent from the short side of the original by the original feeder is " I will call it "longitudinal." In order to determine the orientation of the original, for example, a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence or absence of the original are arranged at predetermined plural positions, and the original is once irradiated with light before reading the original image. And the determination in step 12 is performed based on the result of the determination.
[0061]
If the orientation of the document is "transverse", it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 13). This determination is made based on the position of the upper side of the document selected on the second layout selection screen in FIG. 11 (the position of the upper side of the document selected by keys 242 and 243). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the first layout for the portrait image in the first writing margin mode shown in FIG. 2A (step 14). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the first layout for a horizontally long image in the first writing margin mode shown in FIG. 2B (step 15).
[0062]
If the orientation of the document is "portrait" in step 12, it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 16). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the first layout for the portrait image in the first writing margin mode shown in FIG. 2A (step 17). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for landscape images in the first writing margin mode shown in FIG. 2B (step 18).
[0063]
A process when it is determined in step 11 that the second layout mode is selected will be described.
[0064]
The orientation of the document is determined (step 19). If the orientation of the document is "transverse", it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 20). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for the portrait image in the first writing margin mode shown in FIG. 2C (step 21). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for a horizontally long image in the first writing margin mode shown in FIG. 2D (step 22).
[0065]
In step 19, if the orientation of the original is "portrait", it is determined whether the position of the upper side of the original is deep or left (step 23). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for the portrait image in the first writing margin mode shown in FIG. 2C (step 24). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for a horizontally long image in the first writing margin mode shown in FIG. 2D (step 25).
[0066]
FIG. 15 shows a procedure for determining the layout type in the second write margin mode.
[0067]
It is determined whether the layout mode selected by the user is any of the first to fourth layout modes (step 31). This determination is made based on the layout mode selected on the third layout selection screen in FIG. 12 (the layout mode selected by layout selection keys 251 to 254).
[0068]
A process when it is determined in step 31 that the first layout mode is selected will be described.
[0069]
The orientation of the document is determined (step 32). If the orientation of the document is "transverse", it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 33). This determination is made based on the position of the upper side of the document selected on the third layout selection screen in FIG. 12 (the position of the upper side of the document selected by keys 242 and 243). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the first layout for the portrait image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5A (step 34). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the first layout for the horizontally long image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5B (step 35).
[0070]
In step 32, if the orientation of the document is "portrait", it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 36). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the first layout for the portrait image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5A (step 37). If the position of the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the first layout for the horizontally long image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5B (step 38).
[0071]
A process performed when it is determined in step 31 that the second layout mode is selected will be described.
[0072]
The orientation of the document is determined (step 39). If the orientation of the document is "transverse", it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 40). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for the portrait image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5C (step 41). If the position of the top side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for landscape images in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5D (step 42).
[0073]
If the orientation of the document is "portrait" in step 39, it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 43). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for the portrait image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5C (step 44). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the second layout for landscape images in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5D (step 45).
[0074]
A process when it is determined in step 31 that the third layout mode is selected will be described.
[0075]
The orientation of the document is determined (step 46). If the orientation of the document is "transverse", it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 47). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the third layout for portrait images in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5E (step 48). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left side, it is determined that the layout is the third layout for landscape images in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5F (step 49).
[0076]
If the orientation of the original is "portrait" in step 46, it is determined whether the position of the upper side of the original is deep or left (step 50). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the third layout for portrait images in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5E (step 51). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the third layout for a horizontally long image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5F (step 52).
[0077]
A process when it is determined in step 31 that the fourth layout mode is selected will be described.
[0078]
The orientation of the document is determined (step 53). If the orientation of the document is "transverse", it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 54). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the fourth layout for a vertically long image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5G (step 55). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the fourth layout for landscape images in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5H (step 56).
[0079]
If the orientation of the document is "portrait" in step 53, it is determined whether the position of the top side of the document is deep or left (step 57). If the position of the upper side of the document is on the left, it is determined that the layout is the fourth layout for the portrait image in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5G (step 58). If the upper side of the document is located at the back, it is determined that the layout is the fourth layout for landscape images in the second writing margin mode shown in FIG. 5H (step 59).
[0080]
[5] Description of Modification
2. Description of the Related Art Some copiers have an aggregate copy function of reducing a plurality of originals and consolidating them on one recording sheet. In such an aggregated copy, it is possible to delimit a boundary line (separation line) between a plurality of document images printed on recording paper by a solid line, a dotted line, or the like.
[0081]
For example, in an aggregation mode (4 in 1 aggregation mode) in which four original images are aggregated on one recording sheet, and when a dividing line is inserted, the number of originals is not a multiple of 4, for example, six. In such a case, a blank portion having no original image is formed on the final recording sheet.
[0082]
For example, in a 4-in-1 consolidation mode in which four original images are recorded in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of the four divided portions of the recording sheet, the number of originals is, for example, six. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, a blank portion is formed in the lower left portion and the lower right portion of the four divided portions of the final recording sheet.
[0083]
In the case where a dividing line is provided, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 16, the dividing line is also included in the blank portion of the final recording sheet. In this modified example (embodiment), in such a case, as shown in FIG. 17, a blank line portion of the final recording paper is prevented from entering a separation line. The order in which the document images are printed on the four divided portions of the recording paper can be set by the user.
[0084]
FIG. 18 illustrates a procedure for determining a place where a dividing line is to be inserted when setting for inserting a dividing line is performed in the 4-in-1 aggregation mode.
[0085]
First, as shown in FIG. 19, the four divided portions of the recording paper are defined as areas 1 to 4. That is, the upper left part of the four divided parts is defined as area 1, the upper right part of the four divided parts is defined as area 2, the upper right part of the four divided parts is defined as area 3, and the four divided parts are defined. Is defined as area 4.
[0086]
A determination is made as to whether both areas 1 and 4 are blank (whether there is no document to be printed in both areas) (step 101). It is determined whether or not a blank portion is present (step 102), whether or not both portions of area 2 and area 3 are blank portions (step 103), and whether both portions of area 3 and area 4 are blank portion. (Step 104) is sequentially determined.
[0087]
If it is determined in the determination processing of step 101 that both the area 1 and the area 4 do not become blank sections, it is determined that a dividing line is to be inserted at the boundary between the area 1 and the area 4 (step 105). If it is determined in the determination process of step 102 that both the area 1 and the area 2 do not become blank, it is determined that a dividing line is to be inserted at the boundary between the area 1 and the area 2 (step 106).
[0088]
If it is determined in the determination processing of step 103 that both the area 2 and the area 3 do not become blank, it is determined that a dividing line is to be inserted at the boundary between the area 2 and the area 3 (step 107). If it is determined in the determination process of step 104 that both the area 3 and the area 4 do not become blank portions, it is determined that a dividing line is to be inserted at the boundary between the area 3 and the area 4 (step 108).
[0089]
Therefore, if all of the areas 1 to 4 do not become blank sections, a dividing line is formed at all of the boundaries of the adjacent areas. Further, even when only one of the areas 1 to 4 is a blank area, a dividing line is formed at all boundaries between adjacent areas. Further, even when only one set of two areas on the diagonal line between area 1 and area 3 and two areas on the diagonal line between area 2 and area 4 is blank, the boundary between adjacent areas is Everything will have a separator line.
[0090]
Then, in the two areas adjacent to each other in the left-right direction or the up-down direction, when the two areas are both blank sections, a boundary line between the adjacent areas cannot be inserted.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a copy mode in which a margin can be formed in half of a sheet and a comment can be written.
[0092]
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus having a copy mode in which a margin can be formed in half of a sheet and a ruled line is printed in the margin.
[0093]
Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of documents set in advance are combined into one sheet and printed, and a combining mode in which a separator line is formed at the boundary of the original image on the sheet is formed on one sheet. On the other hand, when the number of originals to be printed is smaller than a preset number, it is possible to prevent a separation line from being inserted in a blank portion generated on a sheet due to the number of originals.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital copying machine.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating types of layouts in a first write margin mode.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state where horizontal ruled lines are inserted in each layout of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state where vertical ruled lines are inserted in each layout of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing types of layouts in a second write margin mode.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state where a horizontal ruled line is inserted in each layout of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which vertical ruled lines are inserted in each layout of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a user operation unit 50.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a function list screen.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a first layout selection screen.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a second layout selection screen.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a third layout selection screen.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a copy processing procedure in a write margin mode.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of determining a layout type in a first write margin mode.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining a layout type in a second write margin mode.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional print result when setting to insert a separator line is performed in the 4 in 1 aggregation mode.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a print result in the embodiment (modification) in a case where a setting for inserting a dividing line is performed in the 4-in-1 aggregation mode.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining a place to insert a dividing line when setting to insert a dividing line is performed in the 4 in 1 aggregation mode.
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing four divided portions of a recording sheet.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Scanner section
20 control unit
30 Hard Disk
40 Image forming unit
50 User operation unit

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus having a write margin mode in which a set number of document images are printed in a half area of one sheet to form a write margin in a half area of the sheet as a copy mode. So,
Setting means for allowing a user to set a write margin mode as a copy mode, and image formation for printing the set number of document images on a half area of one sheet when a write margin mode is set as a copy mode means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The setting means includes means for allowing the user to set whether or not to insert a page separation line in the paper when setting the writing margin mode,
When the writing margin mode is set as the copy mode and the setting for inserting a page separation line is performed, the image forming unit is configured to write the boundary between the original images printed on the paper and the original image printed on the paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that prints a page separation line at a boundary with the margin. The setting means includes means for allowing a user to set whether or not to insert a ruled line in a writing margin portion when setting the writing margin mode,
The image forming means includes means for printing a ruled line in a write margin formed on a sheet when a write margin mode is set as a copy mode and a ruled line is set in a write margin. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The copy mode is an aggregation mode in which a plurality of documents set in advance are aggregated on one sheet and printed, and a separator line is inserted at the boundary of the original image on the paper. Is divided into a number of small areas corresponding to the set number of documents, and an image forming apparatus provided with an aggregation mode in which a document image is printed for each small area,
When the aggregation mode is set, if the number of originals to be printed on one sheet is smaller than a preset number, the adjacent two small areas in the print area of the paper are combined with each other. Means for determining whether two matching small areas are both blank, and, if it is determined that two adjacent small areas are both blank, a dividing line is formed at the boundary between the two adjacent small areas. Means to keep out,
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images