JP2004320581A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep an output image directed in a predetermined direction and further keep the output order of divided copies of a two-page spread manuscript as they are even when the manuscript is set in its direction to be directed upward, downward, left, and right. <P>SOLUTION: Either of set states B, C, D, and E (directed to upward, downward, left, and right) of the manuscript A is instructed by a key operation, and in response to an instruction valid read areas of a scanner corresponding to the two divided images are altered/set in the order of a first face A1 and a second face A2. In the case of the set states B, D, the manuscript is divided in a sub-scanning direction by reading the manuscript in the order of b1, b2/c1, c2 area, and in the case of D, E the manuscript is divided in a main scanning direction by reading the manuscript in the order of d1, d2/e1, e2 area. In order to alter all outputs in the direction of the manuscript A the outputs are subjected to image rotation by 180° in the case of C, and ±90° in the case of D, E. It is possible to obtain copy outputs directed in a predetermined direction without reversing a page order or making it impossible to divide the manuscript along an intermediate line of the two-page spread manuscript. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function of forming a divided image on an independent medium (paper) from a document having a plurality of image areas such as a two-page spread document (for example, a copier or a multifunction machine based on a copier). More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which the degree of freedom in the direction of a document set at a document reading position is increased, and the above-described division function can be applied to various documents.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines are rapidly switching from analog machines to digital machines, and examples of digital machines that are becoming more widespread include addition of functions such as image aggregation (image synthesis) and division. As you can see, many features unique to digital systems are also included.
The image division function has been conventionally proposed as a method intended to divide a two-page spread document. For example, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 can be exemplified.
2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional apparatus in which an original set on an original platen in a double-page spread state is divided and copied (continuous page copying), a method of dividing an area of the original in a sub-scanning direction by dividing a moving range of an image reading apparatus is generally used. An example can be seen in Patent Document 1. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-163873 discloses a means for giving an identification mark to a copy to indicate that the copy is a copy created in a two-page spread mode.
However, as described above, when the method of dividing the document area in the sub-scanning direction is adopted, a desired divided copy (continuous page copying) is obtained unless the direction of the document set on the document table is defined. Absent. Therefore, according to this method, a burden is imposed on the user to perform an appropriate operation, and the usability is not good.
In view of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-15064 discloses a method of setting not only a state in which a document area is divided in the sub-scanning direction (portrait) but also a divisional copy in either a portrait or landscape setting. Is adopted. In this example, the vertical and horizontal set states are detected by detecting the longitudinal direction of the document, and the scanning range of the main scan or the sub-scan is enabled according to each divided area according to each set state. are doing.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-350787
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-64-7060
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, even if the original is set in either the vertical or horizontal state, the image area can be copied with the image area properly divided. Therefore, depending on the set state, the direction of the output image and the order of the divided and output images change. Therefore, the user has a problem that a user obtains a copy in which an image is turned in an opposite direction, or in the case of a document having a fixed page order, a copy in which the page order is reversed. Is produced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art in an image forming apparatus having a function of forming a divided image on an independent medium (paper) from a document having a plurality of image areas such as a two-page spread document. An object of the present invention is to make the output image have a fixed direction and the output order of the divided images to be fixed regardless of whether the original is set in the vertical or horizontal direction.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having a document reading unit, a unit for instructing image formation of a divided region of a document, and a unit for forming an image of a designated divided region based on a read document image. Means for detecting the size of the document, means for designating the direction of the document to be set at the document reading position as a setting condition, and reading corresponding to each divided area according to the detected document size and the set direction of the document. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for designating an area; and means for rotating a document image read according to a set document direction so as to output the image as an image used for image formation.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising means for storing the read original image, wherein the means for rotating the original image is used when storing the image in the original image storage means. At least one of a means for rotating the image and a means for rotating the image signal when reading the image signal stored in the image storage means is used.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the directions instructed by the means for instructing the direction of the document as the setting conditions are up, down, left, and right directions. Is what you do.
[0007]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, when outputting data used for image formation, the originals set at the original reading position are opposite to each other. And means for reversing the output order of each original document divided area.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image forming apparatus further includes an image scaling unit that scales the original image at a set scaling factor. When a magnification is set, a means for instructing an optimum paper size to be used for image formation based on the detected original size and the set magnification is provided.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on the following embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Here, an embodiment of a copier as an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be exemplified. First, a description will be given of an apparatus configuration of a copying machine according to this embodiment and an outline of its operation and functions.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a copying machine as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
With reference to FIG. 1, a description will be given of an apparatus configuration of the apparatus and basic operations of the apparatus such as reading of an original and writing of an image, in accordance with an operation flow of an original copy process performed by the illustrated copying machine.
First, with respect to document reading, the present apparatus enables a reading operation using an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) and a so-called pressure plate. In the operation of the ADF, a reading operation in two modes of a single-sided original and a double-sided original is performed. In the single-sided original mode, a bundle of originals to be read is placed on an original platen 120 of an automatic document feeder (hereinafter, referred to as "ADF") 101 with the image side of the original facing up, and a start key on an operation unit (see FIG. 2) is operated by an operator. When the user presses the button 205, the document is fed from the bottom document by the separation roller 126 by the feed belt 125, the pull-out roller 127, the auxiliary roller 128, and the paper discharge roller 129, and the reading unit 150 at the reading position 122 on the way. Read the image data of the document. The read original is discharged onto the discharge tray 123 by the discharge rollers 129. At this time, the inversion switching claw 130 is set to the OFF position so as not to act. Note that the size and direction of the original are detected by the original size detector 148 during the conveyance of the original.
In the double-sided document mode, the document is temporarily discharged to the reversing tray 121 by the reversing roller 132 by the action of the reversing switching claw 130 which has been switched to the ON position after reading one side by the same operation as described above. Then, the reversing switching claw 130 is turned off again, and the original inverted by the action of the switched claw 130 is sent again by the pull-out roller 127, the auxiliary roller 128, and the paper discharge roller 129, so that the other surface is read at the reading position 122. The image is read by the unit 150 and discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 123.
When the original set detection unit 193 detects that the next original is present on the original platen 102 after reading one original, it is possible to continuously perform the same reading operation as the previous original. . The document feed mechanism of the ADF 101 described above is driven by a transport motor (not shown).
Further, in the operation of the reading mode using the pressure plate without using the ADF, the ADF 101 can be freely opened by the hinge, and after the ADF is opened, the book document is placed on the contact glass 106 and the reading unit 150 is scanned. The reading operation is performed to read the original using the pressure plate. When reading the book document, the document size detector 149 detects the size and direction of the document.
[0009]
In the writing unit 157, the laser output of the laser output unit 158 is modulated by data converted and processed for writing based on the image data read by the reading unit 150, and laser writing is performed on the photoconductor 115. The electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 115 formed by writing passes through the developing unit 170 to form a toner image.
The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 108, the second tray 109, and the third tray 110 are fed by the first sheet feeding device 111, the second sheet feeding device 112, and the third sheet feeding device 113, respectively. After being transported by the vertical transport unit 114 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 115, the toner image on the photoconductor 115 is transferred onto paper while being transported by the transport belt 116 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 115. Thereafter, the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 117, discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge unit 118, and stored in the paper discharge tray 119.
[0010]
When forming an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the duplex paper supply unit 161 is used. In the double-sided mode, images are formed according to the above-described operation after paper is fed from each of the paper feed trays 108 to 110. However, after the image formation, the transfer paper is not guided to the paper discharge tray 119, and a double-sided branching claw for path switching is provided. By setting 162 on the upper side, the sheet is temporarily stocked in the duplex sheet feeding unit 161. Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper supply unit 161 transfers the toner image formed on the photoconductor 115 again. For this purpose, the sheet is fed again from the duplex sheet feeding unit 161. After the two-sided transfer, in the paper discharging process, the double-sided branching claws 162 for path switching are set on the lower side, and when the mode using the post-processing device 164 is set, the paper discharging port branching claw for path switching is set. By setting the 163 on the upper side, the transfer paper can be discharged to the post-processing device 164. In the case of the mode in which the post-processing device is not used, the sheet outlet branch branch claw 163 for switching is set to the lower side to guide the sheet to the sheet discharge tray 119.
[0011]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an operation unit in which a user inputs a command in the copying machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an LCD display unit in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit includes an LCD display unit (LCD touch panel) 201, numeric keys 202, an initial setting key 203, a mode clear key 204, a print key 205, and a clear / stop key 206. The LCD touch panel 201 has a display function and an operation key function. As shown in FIG. 3, the display of each mode function key 301 to 312, the number of sets 315, the number of copies 316, the magnification 317, and the state 314 of the image forming apparatus are shown. At the same time that a message or the like is displayed, a mode key operated to set or cancel each image forming mode by the touch panel method is arranged. Here, a division key 310 is arranged to use the function of forming a divided image on an independent medium (paper) from a document having a plurality of image areas, such as a two-page spread document, which is made possible by the present invention. This key is used to set the split copy mode.
[0012]
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a control device mainly including a main controller (MCU) 501 that controls the image forming operation of the copying machine according to the present embodiment. The MCU 501 controls the entire copying machine. The MCU 501 includes an operation unit 503 that performs input control according to display to the user and a function (mode) setting by a command (key input) of the user, control of the scanner, control of writing a document image in the image memory, and control of the image memory. An image processing unit (IPU) 502 for controlling image formation based on image data, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 507, and a distributed control device such as a sorter 508 as a post-processing control device are connected. I have. Each distributed controller and the MCU 501 exchange machine status and operation commands as necessary.
A main motor and various clutches necessary for paper conveyance and the like are also connected to the I / O board 506 and are controlled by the MCU 501.
[0013]
Next, the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment until the latent image of the image read from the document image is formed on the recording surface will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. Note that a latent image is a potential distribution generated by converting an image into optical information and irradiating the image on the photoconductor surface. Here, the operation will be described focusing on the operation in the reading unit 150 and the writing unit 157.
As described above, the reading unit 150 of the present embodiment is capable of reading a book (pressing plate) document in addition to ADF reading. The reading unit 150 includes the contact glass 106 on which a book document is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 151, a first mirror 152, an imaging lens 153, a CCD image sensor 154, and the like. The exposure lamp 151 and the first mirror 152 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown). The mirror 155 and the third mirror 156 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are moved relative to the document surface at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. A mechanism for traveling along (sub-scanning) is used. This operation is performed by driving a scanner drive motor (not shown).
When performing ADF reading, the carriage is stopped at a fixed position corresponding to the ADF reading position 122 described above, and reading is performed.
In either case, the original image transmitted via the optical scanning system is read by the CCD image sensor 154 and output as an electrical image signal.
[0014]
The writing unit 157 includes a laser output unit 158, an imaging lens 159, and a mirror 160. Inside the laser output unit 158, there is provided a laser polygon as a laser light source and a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror) which rotates at a constant high speed by a motor. The laser light emitted from the laser output unit 158 is deflected by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 159, is turned back by a mirror 160, and condenses and forms an image on the surface of the photoconductor 115.
The deflected laser light is scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor 115 rotates, exposes the surface of the photoconductor 115, and outputs image signals output from a selector 711 of an image processing unit 502 described later. Record the line.
By repeating the main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed and the recording density of the photoconductor 115, an image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 115.
Although not shown, a beam sensor is disposed near one end of the photoconductor 115, and as described above, the scanning laser beam output from the writing unit 157 and applied to the photoconductor 115 of the image forming system irradiates the beam sensor, A main scanning synchronization signal is generated based on a beam detection signal from the sensor. Based on this main scanning synchronization signal, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting and outputting an image signal described later are performed.
[0015]
Next, the processing of image data centered on the image processing unit (IPU) 502 in the present example from generation of image data read by the reading unit 150 to generation of image data to be input to the writing unit 157 will be described in detail. .
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a circuit configuration of IPU 502 shown in FIG.
The light emitted from the exposure lamp 151 irradiates the original surface, and the reflected light from the original surface is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 154 by an imaging lens (not shown) to read the original image. . As shown in FIG. 6, an analog image signal received and photoelectrically converted by a CCD 601 (corresponding to the CCD image sensor 154 in FIG. 1) is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 602. The image signal converted into a digital signal is processed by a two-color separation / shading correction processing unit 603 and then processed by a correction / image processing unit 604 such as filter correction, scaling, color data expansion, and γ correction. Is done.
The conversion / image processing unit 605 switches the destination of the image signal to the image memory controller (MSU) 606 or the writing unit 610 (corresponding to the writing unit 157 in FIG. 1). The MSU 606 and the conversion / image processing unit 605 are configured to be able to bidirectionally input and output image signals.
[0016]
Although not specifically shown in FIG. 6, the IPU 502 includes image data supplied from the outside in addition to image data input from the reading unit 150 (for example, data output from a data processing device such as a personal computer). It has a function of selecting input / output of a plurality of data so that the data can be processed. As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 607 for setting the MSU 606 and the like and controlling the reading unit 150 and the writing unit 610 (corresponding to the writing unit 157 in FIG. 1), and its programs and data are stored in the IPU 502, as shown in FIG. A ROM 609 and a RAM 608 are provided. Further, the CPU 607 can write and read data in an image memory 803 described later via the MSU 606.
[0017]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal circuit configuration of the conversion / image processing unit 605 shown in FIG. 6 in more detail.
The conversion / image processing unit 605 reads color image data from the image correction processing unit 604 and performs a color conversion processing circuit 702 that performs color conversion according to a mode via a scanner mask 701 that masks an area. 703, the image data is unconditionally stored in the MSU 710 (corresponding to the MSU 606 in FIG. 6) through the bit inversion processing circuit 704 for image inversion and the print synthesis processing circuit 705 for printing and synthesizing pages, dates, special characters and the like. The print core 706 is a device that creates a page for page printing, extracts character codes such as stamp characters, creates a print, and generates print image data. The ROM 707 and the RAM 708 are memories that store data used by the print core 706 for the above operation.
The image data selection circuit 711 outputs the image data processed by the preceding processing circuits 701 to 705 to the image quality core 712 through the image data, outputs the image data from the MSU 710 to the image quality core 712, Under the control of 709, it is selected whether to output image data obtained by combining the image data processed by the processing circuits 701 to 705 with the image from the MSU 710 to the image quality core 712.
[0018]
8 and 9 are block diagrams showing the MSU 710 in FIG. 7 in detail. 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the MSU 710, which will be described later, that is, the operation of saving and reading data to and from the memory, respectively, and show the same circuit components although the data flow is different.
Referring to FIG. 8 (FIG. 9) showing the configuration of the MSU 710 in detail, the MSU 710 includes a primary compression circuit 801 / an expansion circuit 802, an image memory DRAM 803 (bank A 804, bank B 805) as a storage memory for primary image data, Secondary compression / expansion circuit 806, large-capacity HDD (hard disk drive) 807, scaling circuit 808 for changing the image magnification of the expanded registered image, rotation processing circuit for rotating the image after MSU synthesis or after scaling processing It has 800 blocks. The setting of control data in each block is performed by the CPU 607 (see FIG. 6).
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 8 (FIG. 9), the primary storage device of the MSU 710 uses a memory that can be accessed at high speed, such as a DRAM 803, and writes data to a designated area of the memory or stores the data in an image when outputting an image. Data reading from a specified area can be performed substantially in synchronization with a data transfer rate required when inputting / outputting image data. Also, the DRAM 803 as the primary storage device is divided into a plurality of areas (bank A 804 and bank B 805 in this embodiment) depending on the size of the image data to be processed, so that input / output of image data can be executed simultaneously. It has a configuration (interface unit with the memory controller).
As shown in FIG. 8 (FIG. 9), the secondary storage device of the MSU 710 uses a large-capacity memory such as the HDD 807, and stores data for synthesizing and sorting the input images. To do. In the HDD 807 as the secondary storage device, similarly to the DRAM 803 as the primary storage device, writing / reading of data can be performed substantially in synchronization with a data transfer speed required at the time of image input / output.
[0020]
Here, an operation example of the image memory controller (MSU) 710 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[1] Image input (save to image memory) operation
Referring to FIG. 8, image data 8V1 processed by the conversion / image processing unit 605 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) at the preceding stage is unconditionally supplied to the MSU synthesizing circuit 709, and is already stored in the image memory and synthesized. If there is data set as power data, the data is combined with the data. When the image data processed by the MSU combining circuit 709 is instructed to rotate the image at the time of reading the original, the rotation processing circuit 800 rotates the image data to 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees. Thereafter, in order to save the rotated image data 8V2, data is compressed by the primary compression circuit 801 and the compressed data is written to the primary storage device DRAM 803, and further compressed by the secondary compression / expansion circuit 806. After performing, the data is stored in the HDD 807.
[0021]
[2] Image output (read from image memory) operation
This operation is a process of reading image data from the HDD 807, storing the image data in the image memory, and expanding and scaling the image data for output. The operation will be described with reference to FIG. The image data stored in the primary storage device DRAM 803 is read and an image is output. When the image to be output is stored in the primary storage device DRAM 803, the image data of the DRAM 803 is expanded by the primary expansion circuit 802, and the expanded data or the expanded data and the input data are compared. The data after image synthesis is output. At this time, the magnification of the expanded image can be changed by the scaling circuit 808. If there is an instruction to rotate the image data after writing (laser writing at the time of print output) for the image data after the magnification, the rotation processing circuit 800 rotates the image data to 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees. do. Thereafter, the MSU combining circuit 709 combines the image data 9V5 of the rotated DRAM 803 with the input data 8V1 (see FIG. 8) (has a function of adjusting the phase of the image data), and selects the output destination of the combined image data. (Image output, write-back to the DRAM 803, and simultaneous output to both output destinations) are performed.
If the image to be output is not stored in the primary storage device DRAM 803, the output target image data stored in the HDD 807 is expanded by the secondary compression / expansion circuit 806, and the expanded data is converted to the primary data. After writing to the storage device DRAM 803, the above-described image output operation is performed.
[0022]
Further, in the print mode described above, an arbitrary stamp image is configured so that the user can register it as needed. In the stamp image registration mode, the image from the scanner is registered in the HDD 807 described above. When the user selects a necessary stamp image, the stamp image data is read out from the HDD 807 and sent to the MSU synthesizing circuit 709. To be combined with the original image.
Originally, it is not necessary to store the image data in the image memory when the number of image formations is one for one document image, but it is necessary to scan each time when the number of image formations requested is plural. In the present embodiment, all the scanned and read images are temporarily stored in the image memory DRAM 803 and the HDD 807 in consideration of the absence of the document or the need to read the document again even when a transfer paper jam or the like occurs. It is supposed to do.
The division function (started by the instruction of the division key 310 shown in FIG. 3) provided as a function of the copying machine according to the present embodiment separates a divided image from a document having a plurality of image areas such as a two-page spread document. This function forms on a medium (paper), and separately creates image data to be used for forming each divided image from a document image. For this reason, when reading a document, a reading operation peculiar to division copying is performed in accordance with a division instruction. In addition, here, in the course of a storage operation in the MSU 710 for temporarily storing image data obtained by reading a document, By performing an image rotation process on the data and an operation of outputting the data according to a predetermined order (the processing of the dividing function is described in detail below), even if the original is set in a different direction, the output image can be output. The orientation is fixed, and the output order of the divided images is fixed.
[0023]
Next, an embodiment relating to the dividing function will be described in detail.
In the following, an example will be described in which a book document is targeted. For example, a 2-in-1 aggregate copy (a copy of two documents on one sheet) is used as a document to perform divided copying (ie, In the case of returning to the original reprinted state), the present invention can be applied to the divisional copy in the ADF reading mode. In this case as well, the output processing in a fixed direction and order is performed similarly to the following embodiment. can do.
First, a “document” to be subjected to image division processing and a “divided image” obtained as a processing result in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “document” to be divided, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “divided image” as a processing result.
Referring to FIG. 10, a document A shown in FIG. 10 shows a book document in a state of being opened in a normal reading state, and the left side is A1 and the right side is A2 around the stitch, and each image plane is It is shown as having different symbols for identification. Here, each of the left and right sides of the two-page spread document is divided (that is, the document is divided into two at the binding line), and the two divided images are divided as shown in (I), (II), and (III) of FIG. Obtain the formed copy.
Since the illustrated original A is a book original, an operation in the pressure plate reading mode is performed when copying is performed. Therefore, the user can read the normal reading state (see FIG. The original is set upside down from the original A).
In the present embodiment, the degree of freedom of the set state is increased, and a state in four directions can be taken. Documents B, C, D, and E shown in FIG. 10 show four possible states of the document at the time of setting, and correspond to cases where the document is set upward, downward, left, and right, respectively.
[0024]
As described above, if the original setting state can be set to different states such as B, C, D, and E, the same surface, for example, the left surface A1 (the surface on which the image “T” is drawn) is scanned by a scanner. The effective reading area at the time of reading differs depending on the set state. This is caused by the correspondence with the scanner scanning performed in the fixed main / sub-scanning directions, as shown as [scanning direction] in FIG.
According to the present embodiment, the image output as a copy result is kept in a fixed direction regardless of whether the original is set up or down (B, C, D, or E in FIG. 10). Should be constant. That is, depending on how the original is set, the method of dividing the two-page spread original is changed in accordance with the set state, and output is performed in a predetermined direction as shown in, for example, (I) to (III) of FIG.
[0025]
By the way, in order to perform the above-described operation according to the direction in which the document is set, it is necessary to perform the setting. In the present embodiment, a mode setting for performing an operation according to the direction in which a document is set is performed by a user operation.
FIG. 4 shows an operation screen of key input for setting an operation mode when instructing divisional copying. The operation screen shown in FIG. 4 is a sub-screen of the LCD touch panel displayed when the division key 310 is pressed in the operation screen for setting the copy operation mode shown in FIG.
This sub-screen has a display function and operation key functions, and as shown in FIG. 4, as a mode function key for split copy, a double-sided single-sided mode key 411 for copying a double-sided original on one side, and a double-sided copy for a double-sided original. Left and right pages double-sided key 412, the first side of a two-page spread original is used as a front image, two-sided copy is performed on the second side and the second and subsequent two-page spread originals, and both sides are copied using the second side of the final original as a back image. A page double-sided key 413 is provided. At the same time as the setting of the mode keys 411 to 413 for the split copy, as a key for setting the setting direction when setting a double-page spread original on the scanner, a key 414 for setting “up”, and similarly a “down” A key 415, a left 416, and a right 417 are provided to enable a mode setting for performing an operation corresponding to the direction in which a document is set.
[0026]
As described above, the split copy mode can be set by the user's key operation. Therefore, when the user's operation indicates the orientation of the original and the split copy is set, the reading method by the scanner is changed according to the instruction. The division process is performed by making a change and performing an operation according to the method.
That is, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the effective reading area corresponding to the two divided images is changed in the order of the first surface (left surface) A1 and the second surface (right surface) A2 of the document A in accordance with the direction of the document. Set. By forming an image based on image data read by changing the setting of the reading area in this way, it is possible to perform copy output without reversing the page order or not being able to divide at the spread part. I do.
Also, since the original is reversed in the upper and lower (or the same applies to the left and right) original setting state, if the image read by the scanner is used for output as it is when the vertical setting is performed, the upper and lower sides are reversed. Therefore, an image is not formed in a fixed direction, and further, even if the size is the same, the setting state of the original (divided image) in the scanner does not match the setting state (vertical / horizontal) of the output transfer paper. In such a case, an appropriate image cannot be formed. Such a problem can be avoided by performing image rotation processing on an image in the course of a storage operation in a storage unit that temporarily stores read image data. Here, in order to prevent this problem, image rotation processing is applied, and in any of the original setting states B, C, D, and E, the copy output is as shown in (I), (II), and (III) of FIG. As shown respectively, the first side (left side) A1 and the second side (right side) A2 of the original document A are arranged in this order and the image direction is fixed, that is, when the transfer paper is in the horizontal setting state (see FIG. 11). (I), (III)), the orientation of the original A and the case where the transfer paper is in the vertical setting state ((II) in FIG. 11) are also determined as illustrated.
[0027]
The operation of the divided copy mode for the document set states B, C, D, and E (see FIG. 10) will be specifically described.
"Document setting state B"
Here, for example, a case is shown in which a two-part copy output (for example, (I) or (III) in FIG. 11) is performed in a state where a two-page spread document A is turned upside down and a document B is set.
The split copy is performed by setting operations on a double-sided single-sided mode key 411 for copying a double-page spread original on one side and a key 414 for setting the set direction to “up” on an operation screen (FIG. 4) for setting the split copy mode. Be instructed. The present embodiment also shows a divided copy mode corresponding to a case where a magnification mode with a designated magnification is instructed by an input operation on the “magnification” key 308 on the initial screen (FIG. 3) of the copy setting at the same time.
After the split copy operation mode is set by the above-described operation, the spread document A is set at the reading position in the state of the document B, and the copy start key 205 is pressed to start the scanner reading. When reading is performed by the scanner in a set state such as the original B, in order to read the first surface A1 (the surface on which the image “T” is drawn), scan as indicated by an arrow b1 in FIG. Then, half of a two-page spread original is determined from the original size and direction detected by the original size detector 149 (or 148), and a half original size is obtained based on the result.
[0028]
The result of obtaining the half size of the original is the first surface (the image “T” is drawn) together with the original setting direction (set by the “up” key 414 in the screen of FIG. 4) input by the setting operation. Plane) is used to determine an effective reading area.
If the magnification is set, the optimum transfer paper size that can accommodate the divided image is determined from the result of obtaining the half original size and the set magnification.
The original is scanned by the arrow b1 in FIG. 10 and image data corresponding to the first surface (the surface on which the image “T” is drawn) determined as an effective reading area is read. To generate page image data. At this time, if the magnification setting is instructed, the magnification processing is performed by the magnification circuit 808 (see FIG. 9) according to the set magnification.
Next, the generated page image data is output as an image forming (writing) signal in the image forming process, and the image forming (image forming) process is performed in the image forming process by this signal. The result is output as a one-side divided copy result (A1- (I), A1- (III) in FIG. 11).
On the second side of the document, the remaining half of the two-page spread document is determined as an effective reading area, that is, the document is read by scanning a range indicated by an arrow b2 in FIG. On the second side, processing necessary for copy output from document reading to image formation (image formation) processing in the image forming process can be performed in the same manner as the first side, and the result of the divided copy on the second side (FIG. 11) A2- (I), A2- (III)).
[0029]
"Document setting state C"
Next, for example, a case will be described in which a two-part copy output (for example, (I) or (III) in FIG. 11) is performed in a state where a two-page spread document A is turned upside down and a document C is set.
The split copy is performed by setting operations on a double-sided single-sided mode key 411 for copying a double-page spread original on one side and a key 415 for setting the set direction to “down” on an operation screen (FIG. 4) for setting the split copy mode. Be instructed.
After the split copy operation mode is set by the above-described operation, the spread document A is set at the reading position in the state of the document C, and the copy start key 205 is pressed to start the scanner reading. At this time, the same scanning operation as in the above-described embodiment (document setting state B) is performed to obtain a half document size.
Receiving data of the obtained half original size and the original setting direction (set by the “down” key 415 in the screen of FIG. 4) input by the setting operation, the valid reading area is indicated by an arrow c1 in FIG. And reads the image data corresponding to the first surface (the surface on which the image “T” is drawn). In this way, when the document setting direction is indicated as “down”, by setting valid reading areas suitable for each case separately from the case of “up”, the output order is kept constant, that is, One surface (the surface on which the image “T” is drawn) can be output first. Conventionally, the operation is set to one under the assumption that the document is always set in the document setting state B. Therefore, if the user mistakenly sets the document as in the document setting state C, the page order is out of order. Although the result has been obtained, in the present embodiment, such a defect can be eliminated.
[0030]
When a double-page spread original is set in an upside-down original set state like original C, as described above, the output order is kept constant, that is, the first side (the side on which the image “T” is drawn) is placed first. The output can be dealt with by changing the setting of the effective reading area. However, since the original image is upside down, the orientation of the output image is not constant (the original state of the spread original A).
Therefore, the following method is used in order to output the original in the original state of the two-page spread document A. This method solves this problem by applying a function of rotating the output image by 180 degrees and outputting the image read in an upside-down original setting state like the original C. As specific means, in the process of generating page image data based on the read image data, when inputting to the storage means (DRAM 803 and HDD 807 in FIGS. 8 and 9) for temporarily storing the scanner read image, or When the image is output from the printer, an image is set in response to a 180-degree rotation instruction to a rotation circuit 800 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) which receives data of the original setting direction (set by the "down" key 415 in the screen of FIG. 4). Perform rotation processing.
The scaling process performed in the process of generating the page image data and the image forming process performed based on the generated page image data are performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment (document setting state B).
On the second side of the document, the remaining half of the double-page spread document is determined as an effective reading area, that is, the document is read by scanning a range indicated by an arrow c2 in FIG. On the second side, the processing necessary for copy output from document reading to image formation (image formation) processing in the image forming process can be performed in the same manner as the first side, and the output image is included in the processing. An image rotation process similar to that described above, which is output by rotating by 180 degrees, is included.
[0031]
"Document setting state D"
Next, for example, a case will be described in which a two-part copy output (for example, (I) or (II) in FIG. 11) is performed in a state where an original A is turned upside down and an original D is set. This division mode setting is performed in an original setting state such as original D, which is assumed when an A3-size original can be read both vertically and horizontally, as in a copier capable of reading an A2-size original. Is intended to divide a document image in the main scanning direction.
The split copy is performed by setting operations on a double-sided single-sided mode key 411 for copying a double-page spread original on one side and a key 416 for setting the set direction to “left” on an operation screen (FIG. 4) for setting the split copy mode. Be instructed.
After the split copy operation mode is set by the above-described operation, the spread document A is set at the reading position in the state of the document D, and the copy start key 205 is pressed, to start the scanner reading. When reading is performed by the scanner in a set state such as the original D, the first surface is the first surface A1 (the surface on which the image “T” is drawn. In this case, the image is divided into two in the main scanning direction). In order to read one side of the original, the original is scanned as indicated by an arrow d1 in FIG. 10 and half of a two-page spread original is determined from the original size and direction detected by the original size detector 149 (or 148). Based on the result, a half original size is obtained. For example, if the document is an A3 size document, an A3 landscape document is detected based on the size detected by scanning, and the first side is recognized as A4 portrait because the document is a two-page spread document.
[0032]
The result of obtaining the half size of the original is the first surface (image "T" is drawn) together with the original setting direction (set by the "left" key 416 in the screen of FIG. 4) input by the setting operation. Plane) is used to determine the effective reading area. In the effective reading area, one of the two areas in the main scanning direction is designated according to the document setting direction.
The original was scanned by the arrow d1 in FIG. 10, and the image data corresponding to the first surface (the surface on which the image “T” was drawn) defined as one of the effective reading regions divided in the main scanning direction was read. Thereafter, page image data is generated based on the read image data.
Next, the generated page image data is output as an image forming (writing) signal in the image forming process, and the image forming (image forming) process is performed in the image forming process according to this signal. This is output as a one-side divided copy result (A1- (II) in FIG. 11).
On the second side of the document, the remaining half of the two-page spread document is determined as an effective reading area, that is, the document is scanned by scanning a range indicated by an arrow d2 in FIG. On the second side, processing necessary for copy output from document reading to image formation (image formation) processing in the image forming process can be performed in the same manner as the first side, and the result of the divided copy on the second side (FIG. 11) A2- (II)).
[0033]
By the way, in the above-described copy output, the setting state of the transfer paper (the vertical setting state in FIG. 11 (II)) with respect to the original setting state D matches, and it is possible to perform an appropriate output using the image read by the scanner as it is. The operation when possible was shown.
However, when the set state of the transfer sheet with respect to the original set state D is not matched, that is, when the transfer sheet is in the horizontal set state as shown in FIG. The state does not match the set state of the transfer paper to be output, and a problem occurs that an appropriate image cannot be formed.
Therefore, by applying a function of rotating the output image by 90 degrees and outputting the image read in the original setting state D, this inconvenience is prevented. Specifically, in the process of generating the page image data based on the read image data, when inputting to the storage means (DRAM 803, HDD 807 in FIGS. 8 and 9) for temporarily storing the scanner read image, or from the storage means. At the time of output, the image is rotated by an instruction of a 90-degree rotation to a rotation circuit 800 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) which is performed in response to data of a document setting direction (set by a “left” key 416 in the screen of FIG. 4). Processing is performed to generate data for image formation, and the data is output as divided copy results (A1- (I) and A2- (I) in FIG. 11) for the first and second surfaces.
[0034]
"Document setting state E"
Next, for example, a case will be described in which a two-page copy output (for example, (I) or (II) in FIG. 11) is performed in a state where a two-page spread original A is turned over and an original E is set.
The split copy is performed by setting operations on a double-sided single-sided mode key 411 for copying a double-page spread original on one side and a key 417 for setting the set direction to “right” on an operation screen (FIG. 4) for setting the split copy mode. Be instructed.
After the split copy operation mode is set by the above-described operation, the spread document A is set at the reading position in the state of the document E, and the copy start key 205 is pressed to start the scanner reading. At this time, the same scanning operation as in the above-mentioned "document setting state D" is performed to obtain a half document size.
Receiving data of the obtained half original size and the original setting direction (set by the "right" key 417 in the screen of FIG. 4) input by the setting operation, the valid reading area is indicated by an arrow e1 in FIG. And reads the divided image data corresponding to the first surface (the surface on which the image “T” is drawn, in this case, one of the surfaces divided into two in the main scanning direction). In this way, when the document setting direction is instructed to be “right”, separately from the case of “left”, by setting an effective reading area suitable for each, the output order is kept constant, that is, One surface (the surface on which the image “T” is drawn) can be output first.
[0035]
As described above, in order to make the output order constant, that is, to output the first side (the side on which the image “T” is drawn) first, it is possible to respond by changing the setting of the effective reading area. Is set in the original setting state opposite to the original D like the original E, the orientation of the output image is not constant because the original image is upside down.
Therefore, the following method is used to output the image with the orientation of the image fixed (state (II) in FIG. 11). This method solves this problem by applying a function of rotating an output image by 180 degrees and outputting the image read in an upside-down original setting state E.
Specifically, in the process of generating the page image data based on the read image data, similarly to the above, when inputting to the storage means for temporarily storing the scanner read image, or when outputting from the storage means, An image rotation process is performed in response to a 180-degree rotation instruction to a rotation circuit 800 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) performed in response to data of a document setting direction (set by the “right” key 417 in the screen of FIG. 4).
[0036]
If the vertical and horizontal setting of the transfer paper with respect to the original setting state E do not match, that is, if the transfer paper is in the horizontal setting state as shown in FIG. 2) does not match the set state of the transfer paper to be output, and an inadequate image can not be formed.
Therefore, a function of rotating the output image by 90 degrees and outputting the image read in the document setting state E is applied to make the orientations of the images coincide with each other so that this inconvenience does not occur. As a specific method, an image rotation process similar to that used to make the direction of the image constant is performed, and the data is output as data for image formation. Note that this image rotation performed to match the vertical / horizontal set state of the transfer paper with the original set state is rotated by 90 degrees between the original set state E and the original set state D. The direction of rotation is reversed.
On the second side of the document, the remaining half of the two-page spread document is defined as an effective reading area, that is, the document is scanned by scanning a range indicated by an arrow e2 in FIG. On the second surface, the processing necessary for copy output from document reading to image formation (image formation) processing in the image forming process can be performed in the same manner as the first surface.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
(1) Effects corresponding to the first and third aspects of the invention
In an image forming apparatus such as a copier capable of forming an image of a divided area of a document, a reading area corresponding to each divided area is designated according to a document size and a set direction of the document, and reading is performed according to a set direction of the document. By rotating the original document image and outputting it as an image used for image formation, even if the original is set in a plurality of directions (up and down, left and right), the output image is regarded as a normal divided image. In addition, since it is possible to discharge the paper in a certain direction, it is possible to improve the function and convenience of the image forming apparatus.
(2) Effects corresponding to the second aspect of the invention
Since the rotation of the document image is performed in the course of the writing / reading operation to the storage means, the effect (1) can be realized by simple means.
[0038]
(3) Effects corresponding to the invention of claim 4
By reversing the output order of each divided image for a document whose document setting state is opposite to each other, even if the document setting state in a plurality of directions (up and down, left and right) is taken, a fixed order (the document (In the order of pages), and the convenience can be improved.
(4) Effects corresponding to the invention of claim 5
Since it is possible to perform processing corresponding to the case where the divided image and the magnification are instructed at the same time, the effects (1) to (3) can be realized in the magnification mode, and the performance of the image forming apparatus can be improved. Can be planned.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation unit for a user to input a command to the copying machine shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows an input screen of a liquid crystal touch panel when a mode is set in the operation unit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows an input screen of a liquid crystal touch panel when a division mode is set in the operation unit of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a control device centering on a main controller (MCU) of a copying machine as an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an image processing unit (IPU) shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conversion / image processing unit 605 shown in FIG. 6 in more detail.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an image memory controller (MSU) and an image input operation thereof.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of an image memory controller (MSU) and an image output operation thereof.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a spread original A to be divided and originals B, C, D, and E in a set state.
11 is a diagram showing each form of divided copy results (I), (II), and (III) of a two-page spread document A (FIG. 10).
[Explanation of symbols]
101: automatic document feeder (ADF), 106: contact glass,
115: photoreceptor, 116: transport belt,
117: fixing unit, 118: paper discharge unit,
119: paper output tray, 120: platen,
121: reversing tray, 122: reading position,
123: paper ejection tray, 104: feeding belt,
130: reversing switching claw, 148, 149: document size detector,
150: reading unit, 151: exposure lamp,
152: first mirror, 153: lens,
154: CCD image sensor 155: Second mirror
156: third mirror, 157: writing unit,
158: laser output unit, 159: imaging lens,
160: mirror, 161: duplex paper feed unit,
162: double-sided branching claws, 163: discharge port branching claws,
164: post-processing device, 170: developing unit,
193: document set detecting means 201: LCD touch panel
202: numeric keypad, 203: initial setting key,
205: print (start) key, 206: clear / stop key,
310: split key, 411: double-sided single-sided mode key,
412: left and right page duplex mode key, 413 ... front and back page duplex mode key,
414: "up" set direction instruction key, 415 ... "down" set direction instruction key,
416: "left" set direction instruction key, 417 ... "right" set direction instruction key,
501: Main controller (MCU),
502: Image processing unit (IPU) 506: I / O board
507: Automatic Document Feeder (ADF),
606, 710: Image memory controller (MSU).

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a document reading unit; a unit that instructs image formation of a divided region of a document; and a unit that forms an image of a designated divided region based on a read document image. Means for detecting, means for instructing the direction of the document set at the document reading position as a setting condition, means for indicating a reading area corresponding to each divided area according to the detected document size and the direction of the set document, An image forming apparatus comprising: means for rotating a document image read according to a set document direction so as to output the image as an image used for image formation. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit configured to store the read document image, wherein the unit configured to rotate the document image includes a unit configured to rotate the image when storing the image in the document image storage unit. An image forming apparatus, wherein at least one of the means for rotating the image signal when reading the image signal stored in the image storage means is used. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the directions instructed by the means for instructing the direction of the document as the setting conditions are up, down, left, and right. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when outputting data used for image formation, each original divided area corresponds to an original set at an original reading position in a direction opposite to the original. An image forming apparatus comprising means for reversing the output order of the image forming apparatus. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image scaling unit configured to scale an original image according to a set scaling factor, wherein a scaling factor is set for a spread original image. An image forming apparatus, comprising means for designating an optimum paper size to be used for image formation based on the detected original size and a set scaling factor.

Images