JP2005257959A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for optimum punching and an instruction method in an apparatus using one sheet of paper copied with two images after cutting the paper. <P>SOLUTION: When the selection of a punch function is performed while selecting a double copying function or selecting the rotation double copying function, the side punch setting to perform the punching in the prescribed positions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the paper is automatically selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a composite apparatus having functions such as a copying machine, a facsimile, and a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of printing two images side by side on the same surface of a single sheet.

  Conventionally, the copy count is often set to the same price regardless of the paper size. For example, this is the same count number when copying on one sheet of A4 size paper and copying on one sheet of A3 size paper. As the prior art 1, when two copies are made on an A4 size sheet using an image forming apparatus having such a count setting, for example, 2 on the same side of one A3 size sheet. If one A4 size image is copied side by side and then cut in units of one image, the count is saved and the cost can be reduced (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

As the prior art 2, there is a technique in which when the paper is folded in half at the center of one sheet, four holes are punched as if the sides were folded (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).
JP 2002-281278 A JP 2002-68777 A

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 in which a copy of two images on one sheet is cut and used later, punching is not performed. For example, as a conventional punch processing instruction, as shown in the punch setting screen of FIG. 11A, a punch position with respect to a document image is selected, and punch processing is performed according to this instruction. As a processing procedure, first, in accordance with the document setting instruction on the right side of FIG. 11, either the “back” key or the “left” key is selected according to the position of the upper side of the document. Subsequently, from the result of automatically detecting the width and length of the document set on the document tray, it is determined whether the conveyance direction is the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and the selection state of these “back” key and “left” key is determined. Based on whether the document conveyance direction is horizontal or vertical, the table shown in Table 1 is used to determine whether the document is portrait or landscape. Next, a table shown in Table 2 based on the selection status of the “left” key, “right” key, and “up” key, which are instructions for hole positions on the right side of the screen, and whether the original is a portrait or landscape. Is used to process the punch hole position at a predetermined position corresponding to the document image. The distance from such a normal punch hole to the side of the paper is about 10 mm, and the diameter of the hole is about 5 to 6 mm. That is, the shortest distance between the outer periphery of the hole and the side of the paper is about 7 mm, but this is usually sufficient.

上記パンチ処理の技術と、集約の２イン１機能を併用した場合は、上記表２の代わりに表３に示すテーブルを用いてパンチ処理の穴位置が決定される。この表を見てわかるように、集約された画像を印字した１枚の用紙に対するパンチ処理がされるので、パンチ処理したものをあとで裁断して用いるということはできなかった。

When the punching technique and the intensive 2-in-1 function are used in combination, the hole position of the punching process is determined using the table shown in Table 3 instead of Table 2. As can be seen from this table, since punching is performed on a single sheet on which the aggregated images are printed, the punched one cannot be cut and used later.

そこで、上記特許文献１にある技術に、上記特許文献２を応用すれば、１つの用紙に２つの画像をコピーしたものをあとで裁断して用いるものにも、各々の用紙にパンチ処理がされることになるが、それでも、画像に対する位置関係などを指定する必要や、応用するための処理に工夫が必要である。本願発明の目的は、１つの用紙に２つの画像をコピーしたものをあとで裁断して用いるものにおいて、最適なパンチ処理の方法、および指示方法を提供することを目的とする。

Therefore, if the above-mentioned patent document 2 is applied to the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document 1, punching processing is performed on each sheet even when a copy of two images on one sheet is cut and used later. However, it is still necessary to specify the positional relationship with respect to the image and to devise processing for application. An object of the present invention is to provide an optimum punch processing method and an instruction method in a case where a copy of two images on one sheet is used after cutting.

  In order to solve the above problems, the first invention of the present application is a double copy function selecting means for selecting a double copy function for printing two original image data side by side on the same side of one sheet, and a predetermined position on the sheet. Document image data is displayed on the first screen of the first side of the sheet on the condition that both the punch function selecting means for selecting a punch function for performing punch processing and the double copy function and the punch function are selected. Is selected in the first direction, and on the second screen of the first side of the paper, the rotary double copy function is selected to print the original image data in the second direction rotated 180 ° from the first direction. In addition, an image forming apparatus including a double copy function selection control unit that performs punching processing at predetermined positions on both ends of the sheet is used.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when punching is selected by the double copy function, the rotary double copy function is automatically selected, and the punch hole is opened near the side of the paper before being cut. , Not affected by the accuracy when cutting.

First, terms used in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. What is the first side of the paper?
It is defined as the front side of the paper to be printed. The first screen is one of the screens when the paper is divided into two in the longitudinal direction of the paper, and the second screen is the other screen. In the figure, the left screen is the first screen and the right surface is the second screen. The first direction is the direction of the original image on the paper. In the figure, the portrait “A” is correctly printed on the first screen in the vertical direction. In the second direction, which is a direction rotated by 180 ° from the first direction, the letter “B” is printed upside down in the portrait on the second screen.

  A composite apparatus that employs the present invention will now be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG. In the figure, the composite apparatus 1 is a composite apparatus having functions of a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. The CPU 2, the ROM 3, the RAM 4, the mail creating means 5, the printer controller 6, the printer unit 7, the post-processing apparatus I / F 8, Post-processing device 9, operation panel 10, scanner I / F 11, scanner unit 12, automatic document feeder 13, image storage means 14, bitmap memory 15, CODEC 16, modem 17, NCU 18, public line 19, network I / F 20 And the bus 21 and the like. The composite apparatus 1 is connected to a PC (24, 25) or a printer 23 via a network cable 22.

  Specifically, the CPU 2 controls each component of the image forming apparatus 1 and is connected to the ROM 3 storing various programs, the RAM 4 storing user choice data, setting information, total count data, various font data, and the like. Has been.

  The mail creating means 5 is used in the network scanner function, and is a means for creating an e-mail when the image data read by the scanner unit 12 is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to a destination registered in advance.

  The printer controller 6 analyzes the print command (PDL) and job information transmitted from the connected personal computer and stored in the reception area of the image storage means 14, and generates intermediate language information. This intermediate language information is stored in an intermediate language information storage area of the image storage means 14.

  The printer unit 7 sequentially sends the image data developed in the bitmap memory 15 to an optical device for writing a latent image such as LSU or LPH of the image forming unit of the printer unit 7, and the toner image is generated by this image forming unit. Are sequentially transferred from the paper feed cassette to the paper that is fed and transported, and is fixed and ejected.

  The post-processing device I / F 8 and the post-processing device 9 perform post-processing such as stapling and punching, sorting, grouping, and the like on the printed matter printed and discharged from the composite device 1. 9 and an interface and a cable for connecting this to the main body of the composite apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 10 includes an LCD display unit 101, which is a large LCD device, a start key 102, a stop clear key 103, a reset key 104 (all clear key), an initial setting key 105, a power saving key 106, and the like. It consists of a plurality of operation keys. Since this image forming apparatus is a composite apparatus, the operation display unit can switch a copy function screen, a printer function screen, a facsimile function screen, and a scanner function screen by a selection key on the left of the operation panel 10.

  In the copy function, the screen displayed on the LCD display unit 101 is a basic screen shown in FIG. 4 and a “user function screen” (function) when “user function” is selected from a plurality of tabs below this screen. One of the screens) is displayed. When the “function list” tab is further selected, a “function list screen” (one of the function screens) shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In addition, the screen can be switched to a printer function, network scanner function, or facsimile function screen.

  The scanner I / F 11 is an interface for controlling the scanner unit 12 and the automatic document feeder 13 by connecting to the scanner unit 12 placed on the multifunction apparatus 1 via a cable.

  The scanner unit 12 feeds one sheet at a time by the automatic document feeder 13 or applies light to a document placed on a contact glass with a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp and reads the reflected light with a CCD sensor. An analog signal is converted into a digital signal by A / D conversion, image processing is performed by the image processing unit, and the image is expanded in the subsequent bitmap memory 15. In the copy function, the image expanded in the bitmap memory 15 is converted by the CODEC 16. It is encoded and stored in the image storage means 14. In addition to the image data from the scanner unit 12, the bit map memory 15 includes intermediate language information generated by analyzing the print command transferred from a personal computer connected via a network or the like by the printer controller 7. The image data sent from the counterpart facsimile 26 via the public line 19, the NCU 18, and the modem 17 is decompressed by the CODEC 16 as necessary, and is expanded and held as full bit map image data. The CODEC 16 is also used for decoding the encoded image data included in the print data.

  The image storage means 14 encodes and stores the image data read by the scanner unit 12 with the CODEC 16 when performing normal facsimile memory transmission and reserved transmission in addition to the above-described copy function, received image area, and intermediate language area. To do. When the scanner function is used, the image data read by the scanner unit 12 can be read from an external personal computer encoded by the CODEC 16, and similarly, the facsimile polling function can be read from the other party's facsimile. Is also possible. In recent years, an image memory is often used as an image memory using a relatively large capacity hard disk for storing image data.

  The modem 17 converts an analog signal transmitted from the public line 19 into a digital signal, and conversely converts the digital signal into an analog signal and transmits it through the public line, and performs modulation and demodulation. Or receiving only HDLC frames. The NCU 18 performs connection to a public line, switching between facsimile and telephone, transmission of an on-hook signal to the line, ring detection, and the like.

  The network I / F 20 is an interface that connects the composite apparatus 1 to the network. Here, it is connected via a network cable 22 to a personal computer (24, 25), a printer 23, and other connection devices not shown.

  The bus 21 is a bus for exchanging data and signals of each configuration described above. Although there are buses for image data and buses for control signals, they are represented by one for short here.

  Next, a display for setting the double copy function and the rotating double copy function in the composite apparatus employing the present invention will be described. First, when the “double” key on the right of the second row from the top in the figure is selected from the plurality of function selection keys on the function list screen in FIG. 5, the screen switches to the double copy function setting screen in FIG. . In this display state, the double copy function is not selected, and when the “double” key of the three keys arranged on the left side of the screen is selected on this display screen, the display is switched to the display of FIG. A double copy function similar to the one is selected. When the “rotation double” key is selected, the display is switched to the display of FIG. 8 and the rotation double copy function is selected.

  The double copy function is a technique described in the prior art 1, and as shown in FIG. 9A, two original images are printed side by side on one sheet, and the printed sheet is printed at the center in the longitudinal direction. Cut and use. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, the rotating double copy function prints document image data in the first direction on the first screen of the first side of the paper, and the first of the paper. The original image data is printed on the second screen of the surface in the second direction rotated by 180 ° from the first direction, and the printed paper is cut at the center in the longitudinal direction and used. The position of the cut edge with respect to the image is the same throughout the sheet bundle.

  In FIGS. 7 and 8 above, selecting the “double” or “rotation double” selection key and selecting the upper two keys to the right of the selection key causes the same image to be printed side by side on one sheet. When the key is selected, images of pages 1 to N are printed on the first screen from the first sheet to the Nth sheet of the P page, and the second to the first to Nth sheets. The screen is in a mode in which an image of N + 1 to P pages (when P is an odd number, the Nth second screen is blank) is printed. Further, a key for printing a mark for cutting is provided on the right side, and a key for selecting an image direction and a set direction of the document is provided on the right side of the screen.

  In the case of performing punch processing, when the “sort / sort” key at the lower left of the figure is selected from the plurality of function selection keys on the function list screen of FIG. 5, the sort / sort function shown in FIG. Switch to the setting screen. Select whether or not to sort with the selection key on the leftmost side of the screen, and on the right side, select not sorting / per copy / per page. On the screen, sorting or not sorting is selected. Further, to the right is a “staple setting” key. When this key is operated, a “staple setting screen” (not shown) is displayed. Further, to the right is a “Punch setting” key. When this key is operated, in a normal state in which the double copy function or the rotation double copy function is not selected, FIG. 11A described as the prior art is used. The punch setting screen shown is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the punch function is set in a state where the double copy function or the rotary double copy function is selected, when the “punch setting” key in FIG. 10 is operated, the punch setting screen shown in FIG. Is displayed. It hasn't been set here. When the “2-hole (4-hole)” key on the right of this screen is operated, when the double copy function is set, the screen is switched to the punch setting screen shown in FIG. In accordance with the original setting instruction on the right side of this display screen, select either the “Back” key or the “Left” key according to the position of the upper side of the original, and then automatically detect the original placed on the original tray. It is then determined whether the direction of conveyance is horizontal or vertical, and the table shown in Table 1 is used based on the selection state of these “back” key and “left” key and whether the conveyance direction of the document is horizontal or vertical. To determine whether the manuscript is portrait or landscape. Next, a table shown in Table 4 is selected based on the selection status of the “left” key, “right” key, and “up” key, which are instructions for hole positions on the right side of the screen, and whether the original is a portrait or a landscape. Is used to process the punch hole position according to the document image. In the table, a frame with a triangle cannot be selected if it can only process two holes at the same time.

一方、回転ダブルコピー機能が選択された状態でパンチ設定を行おうとすると
ダブルコピーのときと同じように、表４の代わりに表５に示すテーブルを用いて、この原稿画像に応じたパンチ穴位置の処理が行われるようにしてもよい。

On the other hand, if the punch setting is made with the rotary double copy function selected, the punch hole position corresponding to this document image is used by using the table shown in Table 5 instead of Table 4 as in the case of double copy. These processes may be performed.

しかし、この表５をみてわかるように、原稿がポートレートの場合は左右の穴の指示ができるが、原稿がランドスケープであれば、一義的に画像の上位置にパンチがされる処理しかできない。そこで、回転ダブルコピーのパンチ設定は、図１４、１５に示すようなパンチ設定画面にし、パンチ穴の位置の指示は、「サイド」キー、または「センター」キーのいずれかを選択して行い、この選択状態と、上記原稿がポートレートまたはランドスケープであるかに基づき、表６に示すテーブルを用いて、この原稿画像に応じたパンチ穴位置の処理が行われる。

However, as can be seen from Table 5, if the original is a portrait, the left and right holes can be designated, but if the original is a landscape, only the process of uniquely punching the upper position of the image can be performed. Therefore, the punch setting of the rotation double copy is made on the punch setting screen as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and the position of the punch hole is instructed by selecting either the “side” key or the “center” key. Based on the selected state and whether the original is a portrait or a landscape, punch hole position processing corresponding to the original image is performed using the table shown in Table 6.

しかし、ここでセンターパンチ設定を行った場合には注意を要するケースがある。たとえば、図１６の（ａ）に示すようなセンター近辺にパンチ穴を開けたものを裁断するときに、ひどく斜めに裁断した場合や、図１６の（ｂ）に示すように、大きくセンターから外れた位置を裁断した場合は、パンチ穴と裁断された辺の距離が短くなることによる冊子の強度不足が発生することがある。このことから、センターパンチを用いる場合は、裁断するときの位置精度を要することに注意を払う必要がある。または、図１７に示すように、サイドパンチ機能における、用紙の両端からパンチ穴の距離よりも、センターパンチ機能における用紙のセンターからパンチ穴への距離を大きくとるなどの工夫をするのもよい。図中では、サイドパンチ機能を選択した状態では用紙端部から各々１０ｍｍの位置にパンチに穴処理がされ、センターパンチ機能を選択した状態では用紙センターから各々１２ｍｍの位置にパンチに穴処理がされる。この場合はセンターパンチ機能を選択した状態であっても、多少なりとも裁断する位置がセンターとずれたとしてもは許容できる。

However, there are cases where caution is required when the center punch is set here. For example, when cutting a punched hole in the vicinity of the center as shown in FIG. 16 (a), when cutting severely obliquely, or as shown in FIG. When the cut position is cut, the strength of the booklet may be insufficient due to a short distance between the punched hole and the cut side. Therefore, when using the center punch, it is necessary to pay attention to the need for positional accuracy when cutting. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17, it may be devised such that the distance from the center of the paper to the punch hole in the center punch function is larger than the distance from the both ends of the paper in the side punch function. In the figure, when the side punch function is selected, holes are punched at positions 10 mm from the edge of the paper, and when the center punch function is selected, holes are punched at positions 12 mm from the paper center. The In this case, even if the center punch function is selected, even if the cutting position is shifted from the center, it is acceptable.

  When both the double copy function and the punch function are selected, a process for switching to the rotation double function and punching holes in the side to be cut will be described. In this case, when performing the punch setting in a state where either the double copy function or the rotation double copy function is selected, the punch setting screen shown in FIG. 18 is displayed, and the original set on the right side of the display screen is displayed. According to the instruction, select either the “Back” key or the “Left” key according to the position of the top edge of the document, and then automatically detect the document set on the document tray and set the transport direction to horizontal or vertical. Judging whether the document is portrait or landscape using the table shown in Table 1 based on the selection state of these “back” key and “left” key and whether the document transport direction is horizontal or vertical. To do. Next, a table shown in Table 7 is displayed based on the selection status of the “left” key, “right” key, and “up” key, which are instructions for the hole positions on the right side of the screen, and whether the document is a portrait or a landscape. Is used to process the punch hole position according to the document image.

この表７のテーブルでは、必ず裁断する辺の近辺にパンチ穴の処理がされるようになっており、このテーブルに応じて原稿画像データを回転させて印字する。通常はパンチ穴の処理がされた辺は、冊子として綴じられるときに背表紙となるので、この本願発明を用いた場合の印刷物を綴じて作られる冊子は、裁断された辺が複数積載されて形成される裁断面が多少ギザギザになった場合であっても、これが背表紙となるので許容される。また、このテーブルでは、ポートレートで上パンチ処理や、ランドスケープで左右パンチ処理などのや、設定が不可能な場合は設定が不可である旨をユーザーに知らせる。

In the table of Table 7, punch holes are always processed in the vicinity of the side to be cut, and the original image data is rotated and printed in accordance with this table. Normally, the side where the punch holes have been processed becomes a spine when bound as a booklet, so a booklet made by binding printed matter when using the present invention has a plurality of cut sides stacked. Even if the cut surface to be formed is somewhat jagged, it is allowed because it forms a spine. Also, in this table, the user is informed that the setting is impossible when the setting is impossible, such as the upper punching process for portrait and the left / right punching process for landscape.

  However, when this technology is used, there is a problem that the booklet lacks in strength due to a shortened distance between the punched hole and the cut edge, as with the problem with the center punch function. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the need for positional accuracy when cutting.

  The present invention is used to solve such a problem. In the process of the present invention, when performing punch setting in a state where either the double copy function or the rotation double copy function is selected, the punch setting screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed, and the original on the right side of the display screen is displayed. According to the setting instruction, select either the “Back” key or the “Left” key according to the position of the top side of the document, and then automatically detect the document set on the document tray, and the direction of conveyance is horizontal. Whether the document is portrait or landscape using the table shown in Table 1 based on the selected state of these “back” key and “left” key and whether the document transport direction is horizontal or vertical. Is determined. Next, a table shown in Table 8 is displayed based on the selection status of the “left” key, “right” key, and “up” key, which are instructions for hole positions on the right side of the screen, and whether the document is a portrait or a landscape. If the punch hole position processing corresponding to the original image is performed using, the distance between the side of the paper and the punch hole can be surely secured, so that the above problem is solved. However, in this case, the advantage of using the cut surface of the booklet as the back cover is lost.

以上説明したとおり、本願発明を用いると、１つの用紙に２つの画像をコピーしたものをあとで裁断して用いるものにおいて、最適なパンチ処理の指示方法を提供することができる。

As described above, when the present invention is used, an optimum punching instruction method can be provided in the case where a copy of two images on one sheet is cut and used later.

It is the schematic for demonstrating the term of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a composite apparatus and peripheral devices that employ the present invention. 3 is an operation panel of a composite apparatus that employs the present invention. It is a basic screen displayed on the LCD display part of the operation panel of the composite apparatus employing the present invention. It is a function list screen displayed on the LCD display part of the operation panel of the composite apparatus which employ | adopts this invention. It is a screen for setting the double copy function displayed on the LCD display part of the operation panel of the composite apparatus adopting the present invention (in a state where it is not set). FIG. 5 is a screen for performing settings relating to a double copy function displayed on an LCD display unit of an operation panel of a composite apparatus employing the present invention. FIG. FIG. 10 is a screen for performing settings relating to a rotating double copy function displayed on an LCD display unit of an operation panel of a composite apparatus employing the present invention. It is the schematic for demonstrating a double copy function and a rotation double copy function. It is a screen for setting sorting and sorting displayed on the LCD display section of the operation panel of the composite apparatus adopting the present invention. It is a screen for setting punch holes displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel of the composite apparatus. On the screen for setting punch holes (not set) displayed on the LCD display section of the operation panel with the double copy function or the rotary double copy function selected in the compound apparatus employing the present invention. is there. FIG. 10 is a screen for setting punch holes displayed on the LCD display unit of the operation panel in a state where the double copy function is selected in the composite apparatus employing the present invention. FIG. FIG. 10 is a screen for setting punch holes on the side of a sheet displayed on the LCD display portion of the operation panel in a state where the rotary double copy function is selected in the composite apparatus using the technology related to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a screen for setting punch holes on the side of a sheet displayed on the LCD display portion of the operation panel in a state where the rotary double copy function is selected in the composite apparatus using the technology related to the present invention. It is an outline in the case of cutting a sheet that has been punched using the center punch function of the technology related to the present invention and lacks the accuracy of the cutting position. It is the outline of the hole position of a side punch function, and the hole position of a center punch function. FIG. 10 is a screen for setting punch holes displayed on the LCD display portion of the operation panel in a state where the double copy function or the rotary double copy function is selected in the composite apparatus employing the technology related to the present invention. When punching is performed with the double copy function or the rotating double copy function selected in the composite apparatus employing the invention of the present application, for setting punch holes displayed on the LCD display section of the operation panel of the composite apparatus It is a screen. This is an outline of a multi-function apparatus that employs the present invention, in which a sheet that has been punched in a state where the double copy function or the rotary double copy function is selected is cut without the accuracy of the cutting position.

Explanation of symbols

1; Compound device 2; CPU
3; ROM
4; RAM
5; Mail creation means 6; Printer controller 7; Printer unit 8; I / F for post-processing device
9; Post-processing device 10; Operation panel 11; Scanner interface 12; Scanner unit 13; Automatic document feeder 14; Image storage means 15; Bitmap memory 16;
17; modem 18; NCU
19; Public line 20; Network I / F
21; bus 22; network cable 23; printers 24 and 25; PC
26;

Claims (1)

A double copy function selecting means for selecting a double copy function for printing two original image data side by side on the same side of a sheet of paper, and a punch function selecting means for selecting a punch function for performing punch processing at a predetermined position on the paper. On the condition that both the double copy function and the punch function are selected, the original image data is printed in the first direction on the first screen of the first side of the paper, and the first On the second screen of the side, a rotating double copy function for printing original image data in a second direction rotated 180 ° from the first direction is selected, and punch processing is performed at predetermined positions on both ends of the paper. An image forming apparatus comprising a double copy function selection control means.

Images