JP2006094392A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and suitably perform a layout editing processing. <P>SOLUTION: By providing a page setting function for outputting image data corresponding to a pair of original page surfaces in a spread relation of respective originals so as to be reflected on the same page surface or the page surfaces in the spread relation of a recording medium in the case that a both-side output mode is set, the layout editing processing in the case that the both-side output mode is set is efficiently and suitably performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of layout editing for a plurality of document images.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus that enables so-called layout editing, in which an arrangement relationship of image data relating to a plurality of read original images is edited on a memory and then output (see Patent Document 1 below). .

  That is, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the layout mode is set, the document size detected on the document feeding means (feeder), the selected recording medium size, and the storage means are stored. The layout is determined by editing each document image based on the order of each document size, and the output order of each document image information read from the image memory is changed based on the layout determined thereby. The output is made to the output means.

JP-A-10-117273

  However, layout editing in the conventional image forming apparatus takes into account the case where the document is of a different size, but the output recording medium is premised on only one side, and there is a request for output on both sides. However, no consideration is given to the layout on both sides of the recording medium. For this reason, even if the original document image is arranged so as to assume a spread relationship, there is a possibility that the arrangement relationship is separated and broken on both sides.

  For example, when the original document is configured in the page order and size as shown in FIG. 4, if layout editing is performed with a conventional image forming apparatus and duplex output is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. It may become. That is, in the original document image according to FIG. 4, a pair of pages between alternate long and short dash lines is set as a spread page, and for example, the pages P4 and P5 are laid out so as to have a spread relationship. In some cases, these pages can be browsed without being turned. However, after layout editing with a conventional image forming apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the two pages that are in the above-described spread relationship are separated into the front and back of the recording medium. , It may be inconvenient that you have to bother to turn the page.

  Even if the spread relationship is considered, if layout editing is performed without considering the double-sided output mode, the number of pages of the recording medium to be used can be increased as shown in FIG. 11, for example. There is sex.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can suitably perform layout editing when the duplex output mode is set.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention temporarily stores each document image information read from a plurality of documents, and stores image data corresponding to each document image information on a selected recording medium. Is output to each page of the recording medium, the layout mode for expanding the image data in a layout area secured according to the size of the selected recording medium, and the recording In an image forming apparatus provided with a control unit that controls a double-sided output mode for outputting image data to both the front and back sides of a medium, the control unit includes: Image data corresponding to a pair of document page surfaces having a spread relationship is reflected on the same page surface of the recording medium or a page surface having a spread relationship. It has a page setting function for the force.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention having such a configuration, when layout editing is performed when the double-sided output mode is set, the spread relationship is achieved without increasing the number of pages of the recording medium to be used. Page setting is performed together with layout editing so that a pair of documents can be viewed without turning the pages.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the duplex output mode is set, the image data corresponding to the pair of document page surfaces in the spread relationship among the respective documents is stored on the same recording medium. Equipped with a page setting function that outputs the image so that it is reflected on the page surface or a page surface in a spread relationship, layout editing when the double-sided output mode is set can be suitably performed without waste. The reliability and usefulness of the apparatus can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Prior to that, the overall structure of the image forming apparatus will be outlined with a copying machine as an example.

  In FIG. 1, when a copy start key provided in an operation unit to be described later is pressed, a document placed on the document feeder 1 is fed onto the surface of the platen glass 2, the lamp of the scanner 3 is turned on, The scanner unit 4 moves to irradiate the original. Reflected light from the document passes through the lens 8 via the mirrors 5, 6, and 7 and is then input to the image sensor unit 9. The image input to the image sensor unit 9 is processed by a signal controlled by a main control unit 107 having a CPU or the like shown in FIG. 2 to be described later, and is directly input to the exposure control unit 10 or once described later. The image data is stored in the image memory 105, processed in the image memory, read again, and input to the exposure control unit 10.

  The CPU included in the main control unit 107 described above is configured to read out a necessary program from a storage device also included in the main control unit 107 and execute the program to realize various image forming operations. Has been. This also applies to the processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 3 described later.

  The exposure control unit 10 converts the light signal into an optical signal, modulates the light signal according to the image signal, and irradiates the photoconductor 11. The latent image formed on the photosensitive member 11 by this irradiation is developed by the developing device 12 or the developing device 13 and transferred to the transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassette 14 or 15 by the transfer charger 16. The toner image transferred to the transfer paper is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 17, passes through the paper discharge sensor 19, and is then discharged from the paper discharge unit 18 to the outside of the apparatus. In addition, the paper is conveyed by the flapper 21 to the double-sided conveyance units 22, 23, and 24 when double-sided.

  On the other hand, the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention employed in such a copying machine has an image reading unit 101 as shown in FIG. This image reading unit 101 converts an optical system that receives reflected light of a document image, a CCD that converts the reflected light from the optical system into an analog signal, and an analog signal received from the CCD into a digital signal (image data). The image data read from the original image by the image reading unit 101 is sent to the image processing unit 102. The image processing unit 102 is composed of a shading correction circuit, a light color density conversion circuit, and an image editing circuit that edits image scaling, movement, decoration, and the like based on a user instruction. The image data input from the reading unit 101 is corrected and edited, and then sent to the image recording unit 104 or the image memory 105 for image storage through the image data selector 103.

  At this time, the above-described image data selector 103 sends a path for sending the image data sent from the image processing unit 102 to the image recording unit 104 and sends the data sent from the image processing unit 102 to the image memory 105. A data bus switching circuit that switches paths according to an instruction from a main control unit 107 having a CPU or the like described later, image data sent from the image processing unit 102, and image data read from the image memory 105 It consists of a circuit that performs switching or composition. The image recording unit 104 has a function of recording (copying) an image on a recording sheet based on the density signal of the image data sent from the image data selector 103 described above.

  The main control unit 107 having the CPU and the like controls the entire apparatus, and stores a control program, an error processing program, a layout method, a page setting method determination program, and the like. A RAM used for the work area of the program, various timer control units, and the like are provided.

  Further, the operation unit 106 is provided with various key groups for instructing an image copying operation such as image editing content, the number of copies, a magnification ratio, and the like for the image processing unit 102 described above, a display unit for displaying the contents at the time of operation, and the like. Yes. The feeder 108 is provided in the document feeder 1 described above. When the feeder copy is selected, the feeder 108 feeds the placed document on the document table or transposes the document. And a function of sending a signal to the main control unit 107 having the CPU and the like described above.

  In this embodiment, a document mixed mode in which documents of different sizes are fed from the feeder 108 is set through the keys on the operation unit 106, the duplex output mode is set as the output mode, and a predetermined number of document images are set. Is set in a layout area secured in accordance with the size of the selected recording medium, the document provided in the feeder 108 is stored in the RAM of the main control unit 107 having the CPU and the like. The order of each document size detected by the detecting means and the order of output surfaces reflecting the image data are stored. Next, the main control unit 107 having the CPU or the like, based on the control program stored in the ROM, sets each document size detected by the feeder 108, the selected recording medium size, and each stored document size. The layout of each document image for a layout area set based on the order of the area and the image data output surface is determined based on a page setting function, and the image memory is based on the layout determined by such a page setting function. The reflection surface of the image data read from 105 is changed and output to the image recording unit 104.

  For example, if the reduced layout mode is set to the layout mode in which “copying a plurality of originals reduced to one” is set as the layout mode, and the standard size original is set to one sheet at this time, it is referred to as 4in1. As an embodiment, a page setting function for a case where a document group in which a document of a predetermined size and a document of a large size obtained by arranging two pages of the document are mixed is designated in the duplex output mode will be described. .

  As shown in FIG. 4, the original document group is P1 on the first page, P2 and P3 are the second and third pages in the spread, P4 and P5 are the fourth and fifth pages in the spread, P6 and P7 Assume that there are document images up to P20 corresponding to the 20th page, such as the 6th page and the 7th page. And as mentioned above, the result processed by one Embodiment of this invention with respect to the request | requirement of 4 in 1 of a double-sided output mode is shown, for example in FIG. The procedure of the page setting function at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the original of the first page is read (step 1), the “image data of P1” is temporarily stored (step 1), and the original number counter Pori is incremented by 1 (step 2). At this time, since the size of the read original is equivalent to the reference size (A4 size), the point corresponding to the variable Pbuf into which the point is to be set is set as 1 point if the size of the original is equivalent to 2 points (A3 size) (step 2) ). Further, before setting a point in this Pbuf, a Pbuf point is set in advance in Pbef into which the previous point is to be set (step 2). Further, the point Pbuf of the already read size is added to the point total count Point (step 2).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned approximate integration count Point has reached the maximum reference point Max (4 points in 4 in 1) that can be accommodated in one page (step 3). In this case, since it has not been reached, it is determined whether the document image corresponding to the read data is an odd number or the last (last) document (step 4). In this case, since the original is an odd number (Pl), the stored image data is reflected in the area of the output target page Pcpy (Pagel) (step 5). This is because even if it is reflected as it is, a situation where it is separated from other document pages does not occur.

  At this time, since the final (last) document has not yet been reached, the process proceeds to the next processing (step 6), new image data (P2) is temporarily stored (step 1), and document count data Pori is counted up. (Step 2). Then, after the Pbuf value containing the point of the size read last time is moved to Pbef (step 2), the point of the next size read is put in Pbuf (step 2), and then the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter. Add to Point (step 2).

  Even at this point, since the maximum number of points Max has not yet been reached (step 3), the process proceeds to the next check. Since the original page at this time is an even number (P2), the reflection process is temporarily suspended. Then, the process proceeds to the next original page process (step 4). This is because the situation may be separated from the next manuscript page.

  When the image data of the next document (P3) is temporarily stored (step 1), the document number counter Pori is incremented in the same manner (step 2), and the point of Pbuf that contains the point of the size read last time. Is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the point of the next read size is put into Pbuf (step 2), and then the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). Since Point at this time has not reached Max, the process proceeds to the next process (step 3). Since the original page at this time is an odd number (P3), the data (P2 and P3) temporarily stored until the previous time is reflected in the area of the output target page Pcpy (Pagel) (step 5). As a result, the original pages P2 and P3 that are in a spread relationship are output to the same page without being separated from each other.

  On the other hand, since the final (last) original has not yet been reached at this point, the process proceeds to the next process (step 6), and new image data (P4) is temporarily stored (step 1). While counting up Pori (step 2), the value of Pbuf containing the point of the size read last time is moved to Pbef (step 2). Next, after the point of the read size is put in Pbuf (step 2), the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point.

  At this time, since the number is the same as the maximum point number Max (step 3 and step 7), it is determined whether the document page is even or odd (step 8). That is, since the original page is an even page (P4) at this time, if the page is reflected in the output target page, the spread pages (P4, P5) in the original may be distributed at the output destination. is there. Therefore, the reflection process is temporarily suspended and it is determined whether or not the output destination target page Pcpy is an even number (step 12).

  In this case, since the output destination target page is an odd page (Page1), it is considered that the page is separated from the next original page. Therefore, the output destination page Pcpy is counted up to Page2 (step 13). The reflection process is temporarily suspended. Then, Pbuf is set again to reset the integration count Point for the output destination page Pcpy (Page 2) (step 14). Also in this case, since it is not the final (last) document, the process proceeds to the next process (step 15).

  Again, the newly read image data (P5) is temporarily stored (step 1), the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), and the Pbuf containing the point of the size read last time is transferred to Pbef ( Step 2) Next, the point of the size read next is put in Pbuf (Step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (Step 2). Also at this time, since the maximum number of points Max has not been reached, the process proceeds to the next process (step 3).

  Since the original page at this time is an odd page (P5) (step 4), the image data (P4, P5) temporarily stored until then is reflected in the area of the output destination page Pcpy (Page2) ( Step 5). This is because these two manuscript pages are reflected on the same page without being separated. Even in this case, since it is not yet the final (last) document, the process proceeds to the next process (step 6).

  Similarly, the newly read image data (P6) is temporarily stored (step 2), the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), and the Pbuf containing the point of the size read last time is transferred to Pbef. (Step 2) Next, the point of the size read next is put into Pbuf, and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (Step 2). At this time, since the maximum point Max is exactly the same, it is determined whether the document page is odd or even (step 8). That is, in this case, since the original is an even page (P6) (step 8), when this page (P6) is reflected in the output destination target page Pcpy, the spread pages (P6, P7 in the original) ) May be distributed on the output destination page.

  Therefore, it is determined whether the target page of the output destination is an even page (step 12). Since the target page of the output destination at this time is an even page (Page 2), the spread pages (P6, P7) are not separated. Therefore, the image data (P6) temporarily stored at that time is reflected in the area of the output destination page Pcpy (Page 2) (step 10). In that case, the integration counters Point and Pbuf are cleared (step 9), and the output destination page Pcpy is counted up (step 11). Even at this time, since it is not the final (last) document, the process proceeds to the next process (step 6).

  Similarly, the newly read image data (P7) is temporarily stored (step 2), the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), and then read. The point of the selected size is put in Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). At this point, since the maximum point Max has not yet been reached (step 3), the process proceeds to the next check. Then, the odd number and even number of the original page at that time are determined (step 4). In this case, since it is an odd number (P7), the image data temporarily stored at that time is output destination page Pcpy (Page 3). (Step 5). This is because a situation where the next original page (P8) is separated from each other cannot occur.

  Again, since it is not the final (last) document, the process proceeds to the next processing (step 6), and the newly read image data (P8) is temporarily stored in the same manner (step 2), and the document count data Pori is counted up. (Step 2), Pbuf is moved to Pbef (Step 2), the point of the next read size is put in Pbuf (Step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (Step 2). At this time, since the maximum point Max has not yet been reached (step 3), the process proceeds to the next check. Since the original page at this time is an even number (P8) and is not the final (last) original, the reflection process is temporarily suspended and the process proceeds to the next process (step 4). This is because if the page (P8) is reflected on the output target page, the spread pages in the document may be distributed at the output destination.

  Then, the next read image data (P9) is temporarily stored, the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the next read size point is put into Pbuf. The value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). At this time, since it is just the maximum point Max (steps 3 and 7), it is determined whether the document page is odd or even (step 8). Since the original page at this time is an odd page (P9), the image data (P8, P9) temporarily stored so far is reflected in the area of the output destination page Pcpy (Page3) (step 10). As a result, P8 and P9 that are in a spread relationship are output to the same page without being separated from each other.

  Also at this time, Point and Pbuf are cleared (step 9), the count of the output destination page Pcpy is increased (step 11), and the process proceeds to the next process because it is not the final (last) original (step 6). ).

  The image data (P10) of the next original is newly stored temporarily (step 2), the original count data Pori is counted up (step 2), the point Pbuf of the size read last time is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the next The point Pbuf of the size read in is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). Since Kotonoki has not reached the maximum point Max, the process proceeds to the next check (step 3). Since the original page is an even number (P10), the reflection process is temporarily suspended and is not the final (last) original. The process proceeds to the next process (step 4). This is because if the page (P10) is reflected on the output target page, the spread page in the document may be distributed at the output destination.

  Then, the image data (P11) of the next document is temporarily stored, the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), the Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the point of the next read size is stored in the Pbuf. (Step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). At this time, since the maximum point Max has not been reached, the process proceeds to the next process (step 3). Since the original page at this time is an odd number (Pll), the image data (P10, Pll) temporarily stored so far is reflected in the area of the output destination target page Pcpy (Page4) (step 5). As a result, P10 and P11 that are in a spread relationship are output to the same page without being separated from each other.

  Since it is not yet the final (last) document, the process proceeds to the next process (step 6), the newly read image data (P12) is temporarily stored (step 2), and the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2). Then, after moving Pbuf to Pbef (step 2), the next point of the read size is put in Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). At this point, since the maximum point Max is reached, it is determined whether the document page is odd or even (steps 7 and 8).

  Since the original page at this time is an even page (P12), if this page is reflected in the output destination target page Pcpy, the spread pages (P12, P13) in the original may be dispersed. is there. Therefore, it is determined whether the output destination page is an even number (step 12). Since the output destination page at this time is an even page (Page 4), the temporarily stored image data is reflected in the area of the output destination page Pcpy (Page 4) (step 10). This is because the spread pages in the manuscript are not distributed at the output destination.

  Here, the Point and Pbuf are cleared (step 9), and the count of the output destination page Pcpy is increased (step 11). Then, since it is not the final (last) original, the process proceeds to the next process (step 6). .

  Then, the newly read image data (P13) is temporarily stored (step 2), the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the size of the next read size is read. The point is put in Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). Since the maximum point Max has not yet been reached (step 3), the process proceeds to the next process to determine whether the document page is odd or even (step 4). Since the original page at this time is an odd number (P13), the temporarily stored data is reflected in the area of the output target page Pcpy (Page 5) (step 5). This is because the spread pages in the manuscript are not distributed at the output destination.

  Since it is not the final (last) original, the process proceeds to the next process (step 6), the newly read image data (P14) is temporarily stored (step 2), and the original count data Point is counted up (step 2). Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), the next point of the read size is put into Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). At this time, since the maximum point Max has not been reached, the process proceeds to the next process to determine whether the document page is odd or even (step 4). Since the original page at this time is an even number (P14), the reflection process is temporarily suspended, and the process proceeds to the next process because it is not the final (last) original (step 4). This is because if the page is reflected on the output target page, the spread pages in the document may be distributed at the output destination. The output destination page of the image data corresponding to the P14 original is Page 6 instead of Page 5 together with the image data corresponding to the P15 original, as will be described below.

  That is, the next read image data (P15) is temporarily stored (step 2), the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), the Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the next read size is read. The point is put in Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). At this time, since the maximum point Max is exceeded (step 3), the reflection process is temporarily suspended, and it is determined whether the output destination page is odd or even (step 7 and step 16). If an even number is not specified as the output destination page at this time, the page spread on the document side may be dispersed.

  Since the output destination page at this time is an odd page (Page 5), the output destination target page Pcpy is counted up to page 6 (step 20), and it is determined whether the document page is odd or even (step 21). Since the manuscript page at this time is an odd number (P15), after confirming that it is not the last (last) manuscript (step 23), the integrated count Point for the output destination page is calculated again (step 25). The image data (P14, P15) temporarily stored so far is reflected in the area of the output destination page Pcpy (Page 6) (step 26).

  On the other hand, since the point at this time is Max (step 27), the output destination page Pcpy is counted up to page 7 (step 28), and after clearing the integration counters Point and Pbuf (step 29), a new one is newly created. The read image data (P16) is temporarily stored (step 2). Correspondingly, the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the point of the next read size is put into Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter. Add to Point (step 2).

  At this time, since the maximum point Max has not yet been reached (step 3), it is checked whether the document page is odd or even (step 4). Since the original page at this time is an even number (P16), the reflection process is temporarily suspended, and the process proceeds to the next process because it is not the final (last) original (step 4). This is because if the page is reflected on the output target page, the spread pages in the document may be distributed at the output destination.

  Then, the next read image data (P17) is temporarily stored (step 2), the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the next read size is read. The point is put in Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). At this time, since the maximum point Max has not yet been reached (step 3), it is checked whether the document page is odd or even (step 4). Since the original page at this time is an odd number (P17), the image data (P16, P17) temporarily stored so far is reflected in the area of the output destination page Pcpy (Page 7) (step 5). As a result, P16 and P17 that are in a spread relationship are output to the same page without being separated from each other.

  Further, since it is not the final (last) original, the process proceeds to the next process (step 6), the newly read image data (P18) is temporarily stored (step 2), and the original count data Pori is counted up (step 2). ), Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), the point of the next read size is put into Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration counter Point (step 2). At this time, since the maximum point Max has not yet been reached (step 3), it is checked whether the document page is odd or even (step 4). Since the original page at this time is an even number (P18), the reflection process is temporarily suspended, and the process proceeds to the next process because it is not the final (last) original (step 4). This is because if the page is reflected on the output target page, the spread pages in the document may be distributed at the output destination. The output destination page of the image data corresponding to P18 of the original is Page 8, not Page 7, together with the image data corresponding to P19 and P20 of the original, as will be described next.

  That is, the image data (P19) of the next document is temporarily stored (step 2), the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2), Pbuf is moved to Pbef (step 2), and the next read size is read. The point is put in Pbuf (step 2), and the value of Pbuf is added to the integration count Point (step 2). However, since the maximum point Max is exceeded at this point (step 3), the reflection process is temporarily suspended, and it is determined whether the output destination page is odd or even (steps 7 and 16). This is because if the even number is not designated as the output destination page at this time, the page spread on the document side may be dispersed.

  On the other hand, since an odd page (Page 7) is designated as the output destination page at this time (step 16), the output destination target page Pcpy is counted up to Page 8 (step 20), and then the odd / even of the original page Is determined (step 21). Since the manuscript page at this time is an odd number (P19), after confirming that it is not the last (last) manuscript (step 23), an integration counter Point for the output destination page is calculated again (step 23). Step 25) The image data (P18, Pl9) temporarily stored so far is reflected in the area of the output destination target page Pcpy (Page8) (Step 26). As a result, P18 and P19 that are in a spread relationship are output to the same page without being separated from each other.

  Since the point at this time does not reach Max, the process proceeds to the next processing, and the newly read image data (P20) is temporarily stored (step 2), and the document count data Pori is counted up (step 2). 2) Move Pbuf to Pbef (step 2), put the point of the next read size into Pbuf (step 2), and add the value of Pbuf to the integration counter Point (step 2).

  At this time, since it is just the maximum point Max (step 3, step 7), it is determined whether the document page is odd or even (step 8). Since the original page at this time is an even number (P20), it is checked whether the output destination page Pcpy is an even number (step 8). Since it is an even page (Page 8), Point and Pbuf are cleared (Step 9), and the temporarily stored image data is reflected in the output destination page Pcpy (Page 8) (Step 10). Then, the count of the output destination page Pcpy is increased to Page 9 (step 11), but since it is the final (last) original at this point (step 6), the process is exited here (end). The result of the layout process and the page setting process as described above is shown in FIG.

  Next, considering the case where “cover” is attached to the first page for the same setting as in the first embodiment, layout processing and page setting processing are performed according to the flow of FIG. As a result, an output result as shown in FIG. 6 is obtained.

  In addition, when the first page of the document is a cover page, there is a case where it is desired that only the first page is “the first page of the document” on the output page side. When the layout process and the page setting process are performed, an output result as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

  Furthermore, when chapters are switched at the number of pages of a manuscript, there is a case where a so-called slip sheet is to be inserted into which colored paper is inserted, and such manuscript is processed according to the flow of FIG. As a result, an output result as shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.

  Furthermore, there may be a case where data is reflected from the back of the slip sheet according to the above-described embodiment. However, when layout processing and page setting processing are performed according to the flow of FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. Results are obtained.

  As described above, according to each embodiment of the present invention, when a document size is mixed and a 4-in-1 double-sided output mode is designated as an output, a spread page in the document is output. The state is preferably reflected in the output destination without being dispersed.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Not too long.

  For example, in the present invention, when a plurality of sizes of originals are mixed, each size is a combination of “a predetermined size as a reference” itself and “a size in which two pages of reference size originals are arranged”. Even if there is not, the same control can be used when the size when outputting to the output paper is handled with one as a reference size and the other as a size in which the reference size is arranged in two pages. .

  In the above-described embodiment, control is performed to reflect the temporarily held image data in the area of the output destination page Pcpy. However, information on the corresponding output destination page is secured together with the image data. The reflection control to the area of each page may be performed at a timing convenient for processing.

  Further, although the above-described embodiment is an application of the present invention to a copying machine, any embodiment can be applied as long as an apparatus for feeding a sheet-like recording material is employed. is there.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be widely applied to various image forming apparatuses that enable page setting processing in layout editing, including copying machines.

1 is a side explanatory view showing a schematic structure of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a control system employed in the copying machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the layout process and page setting process concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a plane explanatory view showing an example of a mixed original. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating an embodiment of an output state after processing the original shown in FIG. 3 according to the present invention. It is a typical plane explanatory view showing other embodiments of the output state after performing page setting processing by the present invention. It is a typical plane explanatory view showing other embodiments of the output state after performing page setting processing by the present invention. It is a typical plane explanatory view showing other embodiments of the output state after performing page setting processing by the present invention. It is a typical plane explanatory view showing other embodiments of the output state after performing page setting processing by the present invention. It is a typical plane explanatory view showing the output state after processing by conventional layout control. It is typical plane explanatory drawing showing the output state after processing in consideration of the relation of spread by conventional layout control.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Document feeder 2 Document glass 3 Scanner 4 Scanner unit 5, 6, 7 Mirror 9 Image sensor unit 10 Exposure control unit 11 Photoconductor 12, 13 Developer 14, 15 Paper feed cassette 16 Transfer charger 17 Fixing unit 18 Paper discharge unit 22, 23, 24 Double-sided conveyance unit 101 Image reading unit 102 Image processing unit 103 Image data selector 104 Image recording unit 105 Image memory 106 Operation unit 107 Main control unit having a CPU and the like 108 Feeder

Claims (8)

Each document image information read from a plurality of documents is temporarily stored, and image data corresponding to each document image information is output to each page of the recording medium for the selected recording medium. Because
Control means for controlling a layout mode for expanding the image data in a layout area secured in accordance with the size of the selected recording medium, and a double-sided output mode for outputting image data to both the front and back surfaces of each recording medium In an image forming apparatus comprising:
When the double-sided output mode is set, the control means outputs the image data corresponding to a pair of document page surfaces in the spread relationship among the respective documents to the same page surface or spread relationship of the recording medium. An image forming apparatus, comprising a page setting function for outputting to reflect on a page surface. A document feeding means capable of sequentially feeding a plurality of documents of different sizes mixedly loaded to a reading position;
Document detection means for detecting the number of documents and the document size fed from the document feeding means;
Image reading means for reading a document fed from the document feeding means;
First storage means for storing document image information read by the image reading means;
Image recording means for outputting an image to a recording medium based on each document image information stored in the first storage means;
First setting means for setting a layout mode for developing a predetermined number of document images stored in the first storage means in a layout area secured in accordance with the size of the selected recording medium;
Second setting means for setting a document mixed mode for feeding originals of different sizes from the original feeding means;
Third setting means for setting a double-sided output mode for outputting image data to both the front and back sides of each recording medium;
The output size order corresponding to the document size detected by the document detection unit is stored when the document mixture mode, the layout mode, and the duplex output mode are set by the first, second, and third setting units. Second storage means for
Third storage means for storing the order of output surfaces reflecting image data;
Each document size detected by the document detection means, the size of the selected recording medium, the order of each document size stored in the second storage means, and the image data stored in the third storage means Determining means for determining a layout of each document image for the set layout area based on the order of the output surface;
A control unit having a page setting function for changing a reflected output arrangement of each document image information read from the first storage unit and outputting to the image output unit based on the layout determined by the determination unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to perform control switching by determining whether an order of output image planes is an even number or an odd number.   The control means is configured to determine whether or not the document to be read can be arranged on the image plane of the output destination with a specific gravity of 1 and a specific gravity of 2 corresponding to a page twice the predetermined size. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The control means is configured to perform processing determination according to whether the order of documents at the timing of the determination is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page of the spread document when the arrangement on the image surface of the output destination is just filled. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:   The control means determines whether the image plane of the output destination is even or odd when the order of the originals is even, and if it is odd, reflects the image data in the area of the image plane of the output destination. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to determine whether or not the document is a final document.   The control means determines whether the order of the output image planes is even or odd when the arrangement on the output image plane overflows, and if it is even, the image data is output to the output image plane. In the case of an odd number, the order of the output destination image plane is advanced, and it is determined whether the order of the originals at the determination timing is an even number and not the final original, or the output destination image plane is renewed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to change the process according to the determination of the arrangement in the image. The control means includes a fourth storage means for recording correspondence information at the time when determination of the corresponding surface of the stored image data is determined, and the image data is reflected in the corresponding area at an appropriate timing of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured as described above.

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