JP2006154342A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing parallel recording by parallel feeding of paper and changing a recording output mode variously. <P>SOLUTION: In a wide sheet copying machine 1, a line memory in a data arranging part 69 is divided into memory blocks of which the number corresponding to the number of A4 or smaller sized papers to be fed to an image forming part 6 in parallel, and image data which is read by an image read part 8 and is temporarily stored in a hard disk 67 is expanded in parallel in the memory blocks as image data to be recorded in parallel on respective paper fed in parallel, and images are simultaneously recorded in parallel on papers fed in parallel, by the image forming part 6 on the basis of the expanded image data, and the papers are ejected. Consequently, a print speed can be increased, and as output form of papers after image formation can be variously changed while effectively utilizing the line memory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus in which sheets are fed in parallel and recorded in parallel, and the recording output mode can be variously changed.

  Wide image forming apparatuses (wide machines) having a paper size of A2, A0, etc. are mainly used for special purposes such as newspapers, newspaper advertisements, design drawings, etc., but they are A2 size or smaller than A0 size. It is also used for general documents of A3 size and A4 size.

  Even when an image is formed on a small-size sheet, the rate of increase in the image formation speed (hereinafter referred to as a print speed if necessary) is smaller than when an image is formed on a wide-size sheet.

  For example, in the case of an A2 size image forming apparatus, when the A2 size printing speed is 20 sheets per minute, the paper transport speed is constant for both large and small size papers. Therefore, assuming that the distance between papers is 50 mm apart (interval between papers is 50 mm), the printing speed of A4 size is about 34 sheets per minute from the following calculation result, and the printing speed is very high. Don't be.

20 × 594 (A2 longitudinal size) / (297 (A4 longitudinal size) +50 (distance between papers)) = 34.2 (sheets / minute)
In the case of the conventional image forming apparatus, when the image is formed by the print engine, the image data is expanded to a line memory having a capacity sufficient to capture data corresponding to the maximum paper width size, for example, A2 size, The developed image data is transferred to the print engine to form an image. For example, when an A2 size image forming apparatus prints out an A4 size image on an A4 size sheet, dummy data is inserted using only the A4 size of the A2 size line memory as an image use area. Since the area other than the A4 size is set as the image prohibited area, the image data is developed only in the A4 size image area, and the developed image data is transferred to the print engine to form an image. The image prohibited area other than the image area becomes an unused area, and the utilization efficiency of the line memory is poor.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that forms an image by feeding a plurality of sheets of paper in parallel has been proposed (see Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and the like).

  In an image forming apparatus that forms an image by feeding these conventional papers in parallel, for example, an image reading unit that reads an original and scans a left and right two-page original image of a book set in an open state in one scan. It is disclosed that image formation is performed simultaneously on two recording sheets taken in by a parallel sheet feeding unit that feeds a plurality of recording sheets in parallel during a single image formation, page by page. .

JP-A-5-17038 JP-A-7-307841

  However, in the above prior art, it is disclosed that images are simultaneously formed on sheets fed in parallel, but a detailed configuration of parallel feeding and images are simultaneously recorded on a plurality of sheets fed in parallel. However, there is no disclosure of how to use the line memory for this purpose, and there is a need for improvement in effectively using the line memory and appropriately performing parallel sheet feeding to increase the printing speed.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when the output image size is a small output image that is ¼ or less of the maximum outputable image size, paper of a small size corresponding to the output image size is simultaneously fed in parallel. In addition to performing simultaneous parallel writing processing on the paper fed in parallel, simultaneously developing a plurality of image data to be simultaneously written in the line memory, and changing the arrangement method of the image data, the print speed It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving usability by effectively changing the output form of an image-formed sheet while effectively utilizing a line memory.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that simultaneously conveys the sheets stored in parallel in the image forming section from a sheet feeding section having a sheet feeding tray for storing a plurality of sheets in parallel, and outputs the sheets. The image data developed in the memory is transferred to the image forming unit, and on the basis of the image data, the image forming unit records and outputs images simultaneously in parallel on the paper fed in parallel. An image forming apparatus that discharges the recorded and output sheets in parallel to a sheet discharge unit, wherein the output memory corresponds to the number of the plurality of sheets fed in parallel to the image forming unit The above-mentioned object is achieved by dividing the image data into the plurality of memory blocks and developing the image data to be recorded in parallel on the respective sheets in parallel.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the image forming apparatus temporarily stores input image data in an image data storage memory, and then expands the input image data in the memory block of the output memory. May be.

  In addition, for example, when the input image is recorded in a plurality of copies in parallel, the image forming apparatus sequentially develops the image data of the input image in the plurality of memory blocks in page order. A document order mode in which parallel recording output based on the developed image data is performed up to the last page of the input image, and the same processing is performed as many times as the number of output copies when one part of parallel recording output is completed. The process of sequentially expanding the plurality of memory blocks and performing parallel recording output based on the expanded image data is performed for the number of output copies, and then the remaining pages of the input image are sequentially expanded to the plurality of memory blocks in page order. A document page for performing parallel recording output based on the developed image data until recording output of all pages of the input image is completed. Mode, the image data of the first page of the input image is expanded to all the memory blocks, and parallel recording output is performed based on the expanded image data. Next, the image data of the next page of the input image is all Sort mode or the like that performs processing for performing parallel recording output based on the expanded image data in the memory block until recording output for all pages of the input image is completed until the number of output copies is recorded and output The parallel recording output in the various output modes may be variously changed in the order of developing the image data to the plurality of memory blocks of the output memory.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 4, the image forming apparatus develops image data of different input images in the plurality of memory blocks of the output memory and outputs the plurality of input images in parallel. It may be a thing.

  Further, for example, the image forming apparatus includes the sheet feeding unit including the sheet feeding tray that stores the sheets in parallel, and the sheets fed in parallel from the sheet feeding unit. A plurality of parallel recording output mechanisms for executing parallel recording output such as the output memory having the image forming unit to be recorded and a plurality of the memory blocks in which image data corresponding to parallel recording in the image forming unit is respectively developed. However, they may be individually operable, and may perform an individual recording output operation in which the parallel recording output mechanisms of the plurality of columns are individually operated to perform recording output.

  Further, for example, the image forming apparatus detects the presence or absence of the paper discharged on the paper discharge unit where the paper output in parallel recording is discharged in parallel. A discharge paper detection unit, and based on the detection result of the discharge paper detection unit, discharges the discharged paper onto the paper discharge unit of the plurality of rows of parallel recording output mechanisms where the recorded paper is not discharged. The parallel recording output mechanism to be performed may be selected and the individual recording output may be performed.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the image forming apparatus may include a notification output unit that notifies and outputs whether or not the sheet remains on the paper discharge unit.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 8, the image forming apparatus may appropriately select and execute the parallel recording output processing and the individual recording output processing.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 9, the image forming apparatus temporarily stores the image data of the plurality of input images in the image data storage memory, and then stores each of the plurality of memory blocks in the output memory. Alternatively, the image data of the plurality of input images may be developed and recorded in parallel for each input image.

  Further, for example, when the image forming apparatus records and outputs a plurality of input images each consisting of a plurality of pages in parallel, the image forming apparatus records and outputs the same page order for each input image. There may be.

  Further, for example, in the image forming apparatus, the sheet feeding tray can independently store a wide sheet having a sheet size equal to or larger than a total size of the plurality of sheets stored in parallel. And the output memory develops image data having a width corresponding to the wide sheet using all the memory blocks, and the image forming unit determines that the wide sheet is based on the image data from the output memory. Alternatively, a single recording output for recording and outputting an image alone may be performed.

  Furthermore, for example, as described in claim 12, the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic image forming unit in which the image forming unit uses an LED array as an optical writing unit, and the LED array is It may be configured by a number of divided LED arrays corresponding to the number of parallel recordings, and each divided LED array individually performs an optical writing operation based on image data from each memory block of the output memory. .

  For example, as described in claim 13, the image forming apparatus may be capable of adjusting a resist for each of the divided LED arrays.

  Furthermore, for example, as described in claim 14, the image forming apparatus changes the pixel density by changing the number of lighting for all the divided LED arrays of the LED array or for each of the divided LED arrays. The single recording output or the parallel recording output may be executed.

  Further, for example, the image forming apparatus includes the sheet feeding unit including the sheet feeding tray that stores the sheets in parallel, and the sheets fed in parallel from the sheet feeding unit. A plurality of parallel recording output mechanisms for executing parallel recording output such as the output memory having the image forming unit to be recorded and a plurality of the memory blocks in which image data corresponding to parallel recording in the image forming unit is respectively developed. However, when performing the individual recording output operation of individually operating the plurality of columns of parallel recording output mechanisms to perform recording output, the divided LED arrays of the non-operating parallel recording output mechanism are It may be turned off.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the output image size is a small output image that is ¼ or less of the maximum outputable image size, the small size paper corresponding to the output image size is simultaneously arranged in parallel. Feeding paper, performing simultaneous parallel writing on the paper to be fed in parallel, simultaneously developing a plurality of image data to be simultaneously written in line memory, and changing the arrangement method of the image data Thus, it is possible to improve the usability by improving the printing speed and changing the output form of the paper on which the image is formed while effectively using the line memory.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 20 are views showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a wide copying machine 1 to which an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. is there.

  In FIG. 1, a wide copying machine 1 has a main body housing 2 in which a paper feed unit 3, a transport unit 4, a reversing unit 5, an image forming unit 6, a paper discharge unit 7, an image reading unit 8, and the like are housed. A manual feed tray 9 and a copy tray 10 are provided in a state protruding from the main body housing 2 to the side surface.

  The paper feed unit 3 is provided with three stages of A2 paper feed trays (paper feed trays) 11 to 13, and A2 size paper and A2 size paper or less are set in each of the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13. At the same time, as described later, A4 size paper is set in parallel. Further, paper is set on the manual feed tray 9 by manual feed.

  The reversing unit 5 includes a conveyance switching unit 14, a reversing conveyance unit 15, a duplex unit 16, an A3 paper feed tray 17, and the like. A3 size paper is set in the A3 paper feed tray 17.

  When performing double-sided recording on the paper, the reversing unit 5 switches the paper on which image recording has been completed on one side by the image forming unit 6 to the reverse conveyance unit 15 by the conveyance switching unit 14 and conveys it into the double-side unit 16. Once stored. The reversing unit 5 reverses the recording surface of the paper stored in the duplex unit 16 by a switchback operation, and conveys the sheet from the duplex unit 16 to the image forming unit 6 again with the blank sheet side facing up. Then, an image is formed on the unrecorded surface and discharged to the paper discharge unit 7.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet feeding unit 3 includes both end portions in the width direction (short direction) of the sheet feeding side tray 11 for the A2 and the sheet side surface regulating member 21a. 21b, a wide A2 size paper (A2 paper) Pa is stored, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a paper size of A4 size or smaller (A4 size paper or less). ) Pb (A4 size is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) is stored in parallel with respect to the paper transport direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, and A4 or less paper Pb is placed in the A2 paper feed trays 11-13. In the case of storing, as shown in FIG. 4, the center of the sheet for providing a predetermined resist area between the A4 or less sheets Pb stored in parallel at the center in the short direction of the A2 sheet feeding trays 11-13. The regulating member 22 is an A2 paper feed tray 11-13. Detachably mounted in a state extending in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each of the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 has an A2 bottom plate 23 that is rotatable about a flange portion 24 and a sheet conveying rear end side upward by a predetermined angle at the center of the bottom surface. The A4 bottom plates 25a and 25b are located on the bottom surface of the A2 bottom plate 23 so as to partially overlap the both side portions of the A2 bottom plate 23. The rear end side for paper conveyance is centered on the flange portions 26a and 26b. It is attached to the upper part so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 have bottom plate pressure levers 27 extending from the lower side of the A2 bottom plate 23 to the A4 bottom plates 25 a and 25 b on both sides of the A2 bottom plate 23. The bottom plate pressure lever 27 is provided below the A2 bottom plate pressure lever portion 27a and the A4 bottom plates 25a and 25b. The bottom plate pressure lever portion 27b is connected by a shaft 27c.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the bottom plate pressure lever 27 is driven to rotate clockwise in FIGS. 7 and 8 by a drive unit such as a motor (not shown). 7 and 9, the A2 bottom plate 23 is pushed upward, the A2 bottom plate 23 pushes up the A4 bottom plates 25a and 25b, and the shaft 27c is not shown in the figure. 7 and 8, only the A4 bottom plates 25 a and 25 b are pushed upward as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. When the A2 paper Pa is placed on the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13, the A2 paper Pa is placed on both the A4 bottom plates 25 a and 25 b centering on the A2 bottom plate 23. When Pb is placed, A4 or less paper Pb is placed on the A4 bottom plates 25a and 25b with the paper center regulating member 22 shown in FIG. 4 interposed therebetween.

  The A3 paper feed tray 17 stores A3 size paper.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 11, the transport unit 4 includes parts for the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 and the A3 paper feed tray 17. A call roller 31, a paper feed roller 32, and a reverse roller 33 are provided, respectively. By rotating the call roller 31 by a call motor (not shown), the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 and the A3 paper feed tray are provided. 17, A2 paper Pa or A4 paper Pb or A3 paper in 17 is called, paper Pa or Pb or A3 paper is separated one by one with reverse roller 33, and one sheet separated by paper feed roller 32 is separated. A2 paper Pa or A4 or less paper Pb or A3 paper is sent out.

  In the transport unit 4, grip transport rollers 34 are disposed in the vicinity of the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 and the A3 paper feed tray 17, and each grip transport roller 34 is connected to each A2 paper feed tray 11. ˜13 and A3 paper Pa, A4 or lower paper Pb, and A3 paper fed from the A3 paper feed tray 17 are conveyed to the image forming unit 6 along the conveyance path.

  In particular, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the transport unit 4 in the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 can appropriately feed A4 or less paper Pb to A4 or less paper Pb. A calling roller 31, a paper feeding roller 32, and a reverse roller 33 are disposed in the vicinity of the front end portion of the paper Pb in the paper conveyance direction and at a position substantially in the center of the paper Pb in the short side direction. By rotating the calling roller 31 by a calling motor (not shown), the A2 paper Pa or A4 paper Pb or less in the A4 paper feed trays 11 to 13 is called, and the reverse roller 33 is used to call the A2 paper Pa or A4 paper Pb or less. Are separated one by one, and only one sheet of A2 sheet Pa or A4 or less sheet Pb separated by the sheet feeding roller 32 is separated.

  The transport unit 4 selectively selects the A2 paper Pa or the A4 or lower paper Pb stored in the A2 paper supply trays 11 to 13 and the A3 paper stored in the A3 paper supply tray 17 as shown in FIG. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, not only the image forming unit 6 but also the paper set on the manual feed tray 9 is conveyed to the image forming unit 6 as shown by the arrows in FIG.

  In particular, when the A4 paper trays 11 to 13 are stored in parallel in the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13, the transport section 4 transports the A4 paper sheets Pb stored in parallel to the image forming section 6 in parallel at the same time. To do.

  The image forming unit 6 includes an image forming unit 41, a fixing unit 42, and the like. From the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13, the A3 paper feed tray 17 or the manual feed tray 9 of the paper feed unit 3 by the transport unit 4. The image forming unit 41 forms an image on the upper surface of the paper Pa and Pb that has been conveyed and the timing of which is adjusted by the registration roller 43, and then is fixed by the fixing unit 42 and sent to the paper discharge unit 7 or the reversing unit 5. In particular, when the A4 or less paper Pb accommodated in parallel in the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 is transported in parallel by the transport unit 4, the image forming unit 6 applies the A4 or less paper Pb that has been transported in a row. Simultaneously form an image.

  The paper discharge unit 7 discharges and places the paper Pa and Pb on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 6 on the copy tray 10. In particular, the A4 or less paper Pb simultaneously image-formed on the A4 or less paper Pb fed in parallel by the image forming unit 6 is simultaneously discharged in parallel onto the copy tray 10 as it is.

  The image reading unit 8 irradiates a document set on the contact glass 51 with light from the light source 52, sequentially reflects the reflected light reflected on the document by the mirror 53, and the lens 54 serves as a photoelectric conversion element CCD. The light is condensed on (Charge Coupled Device) 55, photoelectrically converted by the CCD 55, and the image of the original is read.

  The wide copying machine 1 has a block configuration as shown in FIG. 12, and includes a base control unit (BCU) 61, a sensor 62, an operation load control unit 63, an image processing unit 64, an image reading unit 8, and an image forming unit 6. A controller 65, an operation unit 66, and a hard disk (HDD) 67 as an image data storage memory.

  The base control unit 61 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The base control unit 61 includes a sensor 62, an operation load control unit 63, and an image processing unit 64. Etc. are connected. The base control unit 61 controls each part of the wide copying machine 1 based on a program in the ROM, thereby controlling the entire wide copying machine 1.

  A sensor (discharged sheet detecting means) 62 detects the presence or absence of recorded sheets Pa and Pb discharged onto the copy tray 10. In particular, the copy tray 10 is stored in parallel in the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13, is transported in parallel by the transport unit 4, and is formed on the image tray 6 in parallel with the image forming unit 6. In order to be discharged in parallel, there are provided a first discharge space and a second discharge space where A4 or less sheets Pb are discharged in parallel, and the sensor 62 is on the copy tray 10 conveyed in parallel. The presence or absence of sheets in the first discharge space and the second discharge space is individually detected, and the detection result is output to the base control unit 61.

  The operation load control unit 63 controls the operation load of the wide copying machine 1 under the control of the base control unit 61.

  The image processing unit 64 includes an image processing unit 68 and a data arrangement unit 69, and the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 8 is digitally converted and input to the image processing unit 68. The image processing unit 68 performs necessary image processing on the image data input from the image reading unit 8, for example, shading correction processing, background removal processing, and the like, and transfers them to the controller 65.

  The controller 65 is connected to a plurality of processors and memories such as the image processing unit 64, the operation unit 66, and the hard disk 67, and controls the output timing of image data of the wide copying machine 1. In particular, the controller 65 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image processing unit 68 of the image processing unit 64 in the hard disk 67, takes out the necessary image data from the hard disk 67 according to the output timing of each image data, The data is transferred to the data arrangement unit 69 of the image processing unit 64.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the data arrangement unit 69 of the image processing unit 64 includes a line memory (output memory) 70 corresponding to the image writing width of the image forming unit 6, and is transferred from the controller 65 to the line memory 70. The image data that has been arranged is arranged according to the image area. The line memory 70 is a first-in first-out (FIFO) and transfers sequentially arranged image data to the image forming unit 6 in order from the top.

  The image forming unit 6 includes an optical device such as an LD (Laser Diode) for performing image writing and a driver IC for driving the optical device, and the image transferred from the data arrangement unit 69 of the image processing unit 64. The optical device is driven (flashing operation) according to the data to perform the writing operation.

  The operation unit 66 performs various operations such as setting the number of copies and setting the number of copies using various operation keys, and displays various commands input from the operation keys and various information notified to the operator from the wide copying machine 1. A display unit is provided.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The wide copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment can arrange a plurality of A4 or less sheets Pb in parallel on the A2 sheet feed trays 11 to 13, and simultaneously form images on the plurality of A4 or less sheets Pb arranged in parallel. Various development methods of the data arrangement unit 69 of the image data to the line memory 70 are changed to improve the utilization efficiency of the line memory 70 and perform various types of image output with good usability at high speed.

  That is, in the wide copying machine 1, a document is set on the contact glass 51 of the image reading unit 8, and copy conditions such as the number of copies, copy mode, and image quality are set and input by the operation unit 66, and the start key is pressed. Then, the document set on the contact glass 51 of the image reading unit 8 is read by the image reading unit 8 by performing main scanning / sub scanning. The image reading unit 8 digitally converts the read image data of the document and transfers the image data to the image processing unit 68 of the image processing unit 64. The image processing unit 68 receives the image data (input image) transferred from the image reading unit 8. Image data) is subjected to necessary image processing and transferred to the controller 65. The controller 65 temporarily stores the image data transferred from the image processing unit 68 in the hard disk 67.

  The controller 65 reads out image data from the hard disk 67 according to copy conditions such as the number of copies and copy mode input from the operation unit 66 and transfers them to the data arrangement unit 69 of the image processing unit 64. The data arrangement unit 69 transfers the image data. The received image data is arranged in the internal line memory 70.

  The data arranging unit 69 sequentially transfers the image data arranged in the line memory 70 to the image forming unit 6, and the image forming unit 6 performs a writing process based on the transferred image data to form an image on a sheet. .

  In such a series of image forming processes, when parallel output with an output image size of A4 size or larger is not performed, the data placement unit 69 provides the line memory 70 with a registration unit corresponding to the paper width or output image area. To place image data.

  On the other hand, when the output image is an A4 size or smaller image and the parallel feeding is performed, for example, when the A4 or smaller paper Pb is fed in parallel, the data arrangement unit 69 is as shown in FIG. In addition, the line memory 70 is divided into two memory blocks 70a and 70b from the center, and the image data is arranged separately in the front memory block 70a on the front end side of the line memory 70 and the rear memory block 70b on the rear side. Between the front memory block 70a and the rear memory block 70b, the paper center of the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 of A4 or less paper Pb fed in parallel from the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 to the image forming unit 6 A resist portion 70c having an interval corresponding to the width of the restricting member 22 is provided as an outside image area. For example, when four originals are copied, as shown in FIG. 14A, the data placement unit 69 stores the image data of the first original page in the preceding memory block 70a and the second original page in the subsequent memory block 70b. The image data is transferred to the image forming unit 6 and the image forming unit 6 is fed in parallel from one of the A2 paper supply trays 11 to 13 and the A4 or lower paper Pb. Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, a writing process is performed to form an image, and the data placement unit 69 stores the image data of the third original page in the former memory block 70a and the fourth original page in the latter memory block 70b. The image data of the eye is arranged, the arranged image data is transferred to the image forming unit 6, and the image forming unit 6 is A4 or less paper fed in parallel from one of the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13. Pb Performing write processing to the image formed. Then, the data arrangement unit 69 provides a registration unit 70c corresponding to the parallel interval of the A4 or less paper Pb fed in parallel between the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b of the line memory 70, thereby preventing out-of-images. Since it is an area, corresponding to the synchronous detection output indicating the leading edge of the image, the image data for one line in the rain memory 70 is transferred to the image forming unit 6 as it is, and the image forming unit 6 performs image writing processing. By doing so, it is possible to write the image of the former-stage memory block 70a, and to write the image of the latter-stage memory block 70b through the resist region.

  When a plurality of four-page originals are copied, the process of recording and outputting each page in parallel for the number of copies may be sequentially repeated for each page. For example, when two copies are made, the image data of the first page of the document is arranged in the former-stage memory block 70a and the latter-stage memory block 70b. The process of arranging data in the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b to form an image is sequentially performed until the end of the original page.

  In this case, as described above, at least one of the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 stores the A4 or less paper Pb in parallel with the paper center regulating member 22 interposed therebetween, and the shaft 27c is shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 8, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, only the A4 bottom plates 25 a and 25 b have the upper surface of the front end portion in the sheet transport direction of the A4 or less sheet Pb at the calling roller 31, It is pushed upward until it contacts the paper feed roller 32. In this state, the wide copying machine 1 starts the parallel feeding of the A4 or less paper Pb from the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 in which the A4 or less paper Pb is stored in parallel to the return unit 4 and is parallel to the image forming unit 6. Then, the image forming unit 6 forms an image as described above.

  As described above, the wide copying machine 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment conveys paper in parallel from the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 that store a plurality of paper in the paper feed unit 3 in parallel to the image forming unit 6, thereby The image data developed in the memory 70 is transferred to the image forming unit 6, and images are simultaneously recorded and output on the sheets fed in parallel by the image forming unit 6 based on the image data. When the recorded and output sheets are discharged in parallel to the paper discharge unit 7, the line memory 70 includes a number of pre-stage memory blocks 70 a corresponding to the number of A4 or less sheets Pb fed in parallel to the image forming unit 6. The image data is divided into rear rear memory blocks 70b, and image data to be recorded in parallel on each sheet is developed in parallel in the front memory block 70a and rear rear memory block 70b.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the printing speed and to change the output form of the paper after the image formation while effectively using the line memory 70, thereby improving the usability.

  In the wide copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment, input image data is temporarily stored in the hard disk 67 and then expanded in the front memory block 70a and the rear memory block 70b on the rear side of the line memory 70.

  Accordingly, the image data can be easily and variably developed in the front memory block 70a and the rear memory block 70b on the rear side, and the sheet memory after image formation is output while effectively using the line memory 70. Usability can be further improved by further changing the form.

  Further, the wide copying machine 1 of the present embodiment can arbitrarily change the data expansion method to the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b of the line memory 70 of the data placement unit 69, and this preceding memory block 70a. The image output mode can be variously changed by variously changing the data development to the subsequent memory block 70b.

  For example, the image data of the document image is sequentially expanded in a page order in a plurality of memory blocks 70a and subsequent memory blocks 70b, and a process of performing parallel recording output based on the expanded image data is performed until the last page of the document image. When the parallel recording output of one part is completed, a document order mode in which the same processing is performed for the number of output copies, a document page mode in which each page of the document is imaged by the number of copies and sequentially output to the paper, and the image on the output sheet is output to the original There are sort modes that stack and output in page order.

  When outputting in the document order mode, for example, when there are four documents and the number of copies is four, as shown in FIG. 15A, the image data of the first page of the document is stored in the preceding memory block 70a. The image data of the second page of the document is arranged in the subsequent memory block 70b, the image data is transferred to the image forming unit 6, and only one copy is formed by the image forming unit 6. When one copy is completed, the image data of the third page of the document is arranged in the former memory block 70a, and the image data of the fourth page of the manuscript is arranged in the latter memory block 70b. This is performed by the forming unit 6. By repeating the above process for the number of copies (that is, 4 copies), as shown in FIG. 16A, it is possible to discharge the A4 or smaller sheet Pb on which the image is formed in the document order mode onto the copy tray 10. .

  Further, when outputting in the original page mode, for example, when there are four originals and the number of copies is four, as shown in FIG. 15B, the image data of the first page of the original is stored in the preceding memory block 70a. The image data of the second page of the document is arranged in the subsequent memory block 70b and transferred to the image forming unit 6 by the number of copies, and the image forming unit 6 forms an image by the number of copies (that is, four copies). When the fourth copy is completed, the image data of the third page of the document is arranged in the preceding memory block 70a, and the image data of the fourth page of the document is arranged in the subsequent memory block 70b. Image formation is performed by the image forming unit 6. By performing the above-described processing, as shown in FIG. 16B, the A4 or smaller sheet Pb on which an image is formed in the document order mode can be discharged onto the copy tray 10.

  Further, when outputting in the sort mode, for example, when there are four originals and the number of copies is four, as shown in FIG. 15C, the first page of the original is put in the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b. When the image data for the first page is transferred, the image data for one time is transferred to the image forming unit 6 and the image forming unit 6 forms the image only once, the image of the second page of the document is stored in the former memory block 70a and the latter memory block 70b. Similarly, the process of arranging the data and transferring the image data for one time to the image forming unit 6 to form the image is the same for the image data on the third page of the document and the image data on the fourth page of the document. To process. By performing the above processing, as shown in FIG. 16C, the A4 or smaller sheet Pb on which images are formed in the sort mode can be discharged onto the copy tray 10.

  In this way, while effectively using the line memory 70, the output form of the paper after the image formation can be changed in various ways, and the usability can be further improved.

  Furthermore, the wide copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment uses only one of the mechanisms for parallel paper feeding, parallel image formation, and parallel paper discharge to form an image with an A4 size or smaller. It can be carried out.

  In this case, in the wide copying machine 1, as shown in FIG. 17A, the data placement unit 69 places the image data of the original only on one side of the line memory 70, for example, the preceding memory block 70a, For example, there is no data (blank paper) in the subsequent memory block 70b. The image data in the line memory 70 is transferred to the image forming unit 6 and is conveyed from any of the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 of the paper feeding unit 3 only to the side where the image data is arranged. Thereafter, an image is formed on the paper Pb.

  In this way, input images such as a plurality of document read images can be output at the same time, and the usability can be further improved.

  In this case, it is detected whether the A4 or lower paper Pb discharged from any of the parallel discharge positions on the copy tray 10 capable of parallel discharge is placed and output to the base control unit 61. The base control unit 61 then discharges A4 or less discharged to the side of the copy tray 10 where the A4 or less sheet Pb is placed among the A4 or less sheets Pb stored in parallel in the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13. In order to prevent the paper Pb from being fed, the A4 bottom plate pressure lever portions 27a and 27b on the side where the A4 or lower paper Pb on that side is stored are lowered, and the A4 bottom plates 25a and 25b are lowered. At the same time, the A4 or lower paper Pb of the copy tray 10 is placed in the former memory block 70a and the latter memory block 70b of the line memory 70. The side issues a command to the memory arrangement unit 69 so as to place the image data in the memory blocks 70a, 70b corresponding to the opposite side.

  For example, if the output A4 or less paper Pb remains at the output position on the front memory block 70a side of the copy tray 10 and the next A4 size image data comes, the base control unit 61 sends the image to the rear memory block 70b. A command is issued to the memory arrangement unit 69 to arrange data, and the A4 bottom plate of the A4 or less paper Pb on the rear memory block 70b side among the A4 or less paper Pb stored in parallel in the A2 paper feed trays 11 to 13 is provided. Only 15b is operated upward, A4 or less paper Pb on the latter memory block 70b side is conveyed to the image forming unit 6, and image formation is performed using only the latter memory block 70b.

  In this way, while effectively using the line memory 70, the output form of the paper after the image formation can be changed in various ways, and the usability can be further improved. In particular, based on the detection result of the sensor 62 that detects the presence or absence of the paper ejected on the copy tray 10 which is a paper ejection unit in which the A4 or less paper Pb output in parallel is output in parallel, a plurality of rows are output. When the parallel recording output mechanism that discharges paper onto the copy tray 10 on which the recorded paper is not discharged is selected and the individual recording output is performed, the recorded paper is forgotten to be placed on the copy tray 10. Even in the case of being recorded, the recorded paper that has been forgotten to be taken out can be recorded and output while preventing the newly recorded paper from being mixed, and the usability can be further improved.

  In this case, when the sensor 62 detects that the paper tray is forgotten to be removed from the copy tray 10, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 66 serving as a notification output unit, or a loud sound is output. May be notified. In this way, when the recorded paper is forgotten to be taken on the copy tray 10, it is possible to take a precaution such as removing the forgotten recorded paper in advance. Usability can be further improved.

  Further, the wide copying machine 1 not only develops the image data of the same page of the same document or the image data of different pages on the divided line memory 70 and outputs them in parallel, but also outputs different document groups simultaneously in parallel. can do.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 18, when the original group A and the original group B are output in parallel, the original group A and the original group B are sequentially read by the image reading unit 8 and temporarily stored in the hard disk 67. The image data of the first page of the document group A and the image data of the first page of the document group B are read and arranged in the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b of the line memory 70, respectively. The image data of the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b are transferred to the image forming unit 6 and recorded in parallel. By sequentially processing the above processing for the image data of the same page of the document group A and the document group B, the document group A and the document group B can be output in parallel as shown in FIG.

  For example, when the number of copies of the document group A is 5 and the number of copies of the document group B is 20, when the document group A and the document group B are simultaneously output in parallel, the copy operation of the document group A is naturally performed. However, at this time, the outputs of the remaining document group B are simultaneously output in parallel using the side that was used for the output of the document group A. Specifically, the image data of the document group A is expanded in the preceding memory block 70a, the image data of the document group B is expanded in the subsequent memory block 70b, and the parallel output is performed. The remaining image group B image data is arranged using the former memory block 70a used for developing the document group A.

  Further, when the original group A and the original group B are sorted and output, for example, for the first copy, the image data of the original group A is developed in the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b, and the first sheet ends. After that, the second sheet can be realized by repeatedly performing the process of developing the first sheet image data of the document group B into the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b.

  In the above description, the LD is taken as an example of the optical device of the image forming unit 6, but the optical device is not limited to the LD, and, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) may be used.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 19B and 20B, the A2-sized optical device 80 includes an inexpensive A4-sized front LED array (divided LED array) 80a and a rear LED array (divided LED array). ) By connecting the two 80b, an A2 size optical device 80 can be configured at low cost. The two front LED arrays 80a and the rear LED arrays 80b are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the paper output direction (conveyance direction) and have a length corresponding to the resist region 70c of the line memory 70 during parallel output. The LED arrays 80a and 80b are arranged so as to overlap each other, and can be lit independently.

  The LED arrays 80a and 80b are controlled by a PCB board called VDB, and image data read from the image reading apparatus and subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 68 is input to the VDB and passed from the VDB to the LPH. It is. Then, the LED arrays 80a and 80b perform an image writing operation by executing a lighting operation by a trigger signal for image writing or the like based on the transferred image data.

  When image formation is performed using the optical device 80, as shown in FIG. 19A, the image data is larger than the A4 size and is image data that is developed using the line memory 70 without being divided. In FIG. 19B, one page of image data is transferred from the line memory 70 in a state where both the front LED array 80a and the rear LED array 80b are used, as shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the front LED array 80a and the rear LED array 80b are lit and written based on the one image data to form an image. Further, when parallel output is performed with image data of A4 size or smaller, as shown in FIG. 20A, image data for one page of document is stored in each of the preceding memory block 70a and the succeeding memory block 70b of the line memory 70. And the image data of each of the preceding-stage memory block 70a and the succeeding-stage memory block 70b are transferred to the preceding-stage LED array 80a and the following-stage LED array 80b, respectively, and as shown in FIG. 20B, the preceding-stage LED array 80a and the following-stage LED array The array 80b is turned on and writing is performed based on the page-unit image data individually transferred, thereby forming an image on a sheet as shown in FIG.

  In this manner, the image forming unit 6 is an electrophotographic image forming unit using the LED array 80 with the optical writing unit, and the LED array 80 is divided into a number of divided LED arrays 80a and 80b corresponding to the number of parallel recordings. When the optical writing operation is individually performed based on the image data from the memory blocks 70a and 70b of the line memory 70 with the divided LED arrays 80a and 80b, it can be made inexpensive and small. Various image forming methods can be easily changed by variously changing the development method of the image data to the memory blocks 70a and 70b of the line memory 70, and the usability can be further improved at a low cost. .

  In the optical device 80, each of the front LED array 80a and the rear LED array 80b can be driven independently, so that the horizontal registration of the image and the registration adjustment of the output can be set according to the copy conditions of each output. It becomes possible. This can be easily realized by setting a mask area until writing, and the scaling factor of the image can be similarly dealt with.

  Further, as described above, in the case of single-side single output, the other LED arrays 80a and 80b that are not used are turned off. In this way, power consumption can be reduced.

  Further, the pixel density can be changed by changing the number of LEDs lit in the LED arrays 80a and 80b. For example, normal copying is performed at 600 dpi, and output of a facsimile received image with a low pixel density can be realized easily and with reduced power consumption by reducing the number of LEDs.

  However, such a change in pixel density is caused by the rotation of a polygon motor that rotationally drives the polygon mirror when an LD (laser diode) is used as an optical device and laser light emitted from the LD is scanned by the polygon mirror. It is necessary to respond by changing the speed, and a high-precision control circuit is required and the size of the device is increased, resulting in high cost. However, when an LD array is used, as described above, the pixel is inexpensive, small, and easily The density can be changed.

  In addition, when the LED arrays 80a and 80b are used, there is no movable part such as a polygon mirror of the LD scanning method, high reliability is required, and a large format print output such as A0 width is required. An optical space for scanning the light beam in the main scanning direction is unnecessary, and it is possible to cope by arranging an LED head (light emitting element array unit) in which an optical element such as an LED array and a Selfoc lens is integrated. Thus, the entire wide copying machine 1 can be reduced in size.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be applied to wide image forming apparatuses such as wide copying apparatuses such as A0 and A2.

1 is a schematic front view of a wide copying machine to which an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the back surface of the A2 paper supply tray of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1 when storing A2 paper. FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the A2 paper is stored in the A2 paper supply tray portion of the paper supply unit of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the back side of the A2 paper feed tray of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1 when storing A4 paper. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the A2 paper supply tray portion of the paper supply unit of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1 when storing A4 paper. FIG. 2 is a plan view clearly showing a bottom plate of an A2 paper feed tray of the paper feeding unit of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where both the A2 bottom plate and the A4 bottom plate of the A2 paper supply tray of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1 are pushed upward. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state where only the A4 bottom plate of the A2 paper feed tray of the paper feeding unit of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1 is pushed upward. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state where both the A2 bottom plate and the A4 bottom plate of the A2 paper supply tray of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1 are pushed upward. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state where only the A4 bottom plate of the A2 paper feed tray of the paper feeding unit of the wide copying machine of FIG. 1 is pushed upward. The front view of the conveyance part of the wide copying machine of FIG. The block block diagram of FIG. The top view of the line memory with which the data arrangement part of FIG. 12 is provided. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a memory block configuration (a) and an image output (b) to paper when the line memories in FIG. 12 are fed in parallel. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an arrangement (a) of image data when outputting the document order mode in the line memory of FIG. 12 and an arrangement (b) of image data when outputting the document page mode. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a paper output example (a) when outputting a document order mode using parallel feeding, a paper output example (b) when outputting a document page mode, and a paper output example (c) when outputting a sort mode. Explanatory drawing of the arrangement | positioning (a) of the image data of the line memory at the time of image formation using only one side of parallel feeding, and the image output (b) to a paper. Explanatory drawing in the case of outputting two edge row groups in parallel. To the line memory image data arrangement (a), LED array arrangement configuration diagram (b), and paper when A2 size image data is output using two LED arrays as the optical device of the image forming unit in FIG. Explanatory drawing of image output (c). The arrangement of the image data in the line memory (a) and the arrangement of the arrangement of the LED arrays (b) when A4 size image data is fed and output in parallel using two LED arrays as the optical devices of the image forming unit in FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of image output (c) to paper.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wide copying machine 2 Main body housing | casing 3 Paper feed part 4 Conveyance part 5 Inversion part 6 Image formation part 7 Paper discharge part 8 Image reading part 9 Manual feed tray 10 Copy tray 11-13 A2 paper feed tray 14 Conveyance switching part 15 Inversion Transport unit 16 Double-sided unit 17 A3 paper feed tray 21a, 21b Paper side surface regulating member Pa A2 paper Pb A4 paper 23 A2 bottom plate 24 Flange portion 25a, 25b A4 bottom plate 26a, 26b Flange portion 27a A2 bottom plate pressure lever portion 27b A4 bottom plate pressure lever portion 27c Shaft 31 Call roller 32 Feed roller 33 Reverse roller 34 Grip transport roller 41 Image forming unit 42 Fixing unit 43 Registration roller 51 Contact glass 52 Light source 53 Mirror 54 Lens 55 CCD
61 Base control unit (BCU)
62 sensor 63 operation load control unit 64 image processing unit 65 controller 66 operation unit 67 hard disk (HDD)
68 Image processing unit 69 Data arrangement unit 70 Line memory 70a Pre-stage memory block 70b Subsequent memory block 70c Registration unit 80 Optical device 80a Pre-stage LED array 80b Subsequent LED array

Claims (15)

  The paper stored in parallel in the image forming unit is simultaneously transported in parallel from the paper supply unit having a paper supply tray for storing a plurality of papers in parallel, and the image data developed in the output memory is formed as the image forming unit. The image forming unit records and outputs images in parallel on the paper fed in parallel by the image forming unit based on the image data, and the paper on which the image is recorded is output in parallel to the paper discharge unit. The output memory is divided into a number of memory blocks corresponding to the number of sheets fed in parallel to the image forming unit, and the memory blocks are divided into the memory blocks. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image data to be recorded in parallel on a sheet is developed in parallel.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus stores input image data in an image data storage memory and then expands the input image data in the memory block of the output memory.   When the image forming apparatus outputs a plurality of copies of the input image in parallel, the image forming apparatus sequentially expands the image data of the input image in the plurality of memory blocks in page order and performs parallel recording output based on the expanded image data. A document order mode in which the same processing is performed as many times as the number of output copies when one part of the parallel recording output is completed after the last page of the input image is completed, and the input image is sequentially expanded in the plurality of memory blocks in page order. A process for performing parallel recording output based on data is performed for the number of output copies, and then the remaining pages of the input image are sequentially expanded in the plurality of memory blocks in page order, and parallel recording output based on the expanded image data is performed. The original page mode in which the recording and output of all the pages of the input image are completed, and the first page image of the input image Data is expanded to all the memory blocks, and parallel recording output is performed based on the expanded image data. Next, the image data of the next page of the input image is expanded to all the memory blocks and expanded. Parallel recording output in various output modes such as a sort mode in which processing for performing parallel recording output based on image data is performed until recording output for the number of output copies is performed until recording output of all pages of the input image is completed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus executes the image data by changing the development order of the image data to the plurality of memory blocks of the output memory.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus develops image data of different input images in the plurality of memory blocks of the output memory and records and outputs the plurality of input images in parallel. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus includes: the sheet feeding unit including the sheet feeding tray that stores the sheets in parallel; the image forming unit configured to perform parallel recording on sheets fed in parallel from the sheet feeding unit; and the image forming unit. A plurality of columns of parallel recording output mechanisms that execute parallel recording output such as the output memory having a plurality of the memory blocks in which image data corresponding to parallel recording is developed can be individually operated, and the plurality of columns 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an individual recording output operation for individually recording and outputting the parallel recording output mechanism is performed.   The image forming apparatus includes discharge sheet detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet being discharged onto the discharge unit where the sheets output in parallel recording are discharged in parallel, and detects the discharged sheet Based on the detection result of the means, the parallel recording output mechanism that discharges paper onto the paper discharge unit where the recorded paper is not discharged is selected from the plurality of parallel recording output mechanisms, and the individual recording is performed. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein output is performed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a notification output unit configured to notify and output whether or not the sheet remains on the paper discharge unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus appropriately selects and executes the parallel recording output process and the individual recording output process.   The image forming apparatus temporarily stores the image data of the plurality of input images in the image data storage memory, and then expands the image data of the plurality of input images for each of the plurality of memory blocks of the output memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image is recorded and output in parallel.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the plurality of input images each composed of a plurality of pages are recorded and output in parallel, the image forming apparatus records and outputs the input images in the same page order.   In the image forming apparatus, the paper feed tray can individually store a wide paper having a paper size equal to or larger than a total size of the paper sizes of the plurality of papers stored in parallel, and the output memory includes all the memory blocks. The image data of the width corresponding to the wide paper is developed using the image, and the image forming unit performs the single recording output for recording and outputting the image independently on the wide paper based on the image data from the output memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   In the image forming apparatus, the image forming unit is an electrophotographic image forming unit using an LED array as an optical writing unit, and the LED array includes a number of divided LED arrays corresponding to the number of parallel recordings. 12. The image according to claim 1, wherein each of the divided LED arrays individually performs an optical writing operation based on image data from each of the memory blocks of the output memory. Forming equipment.   13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image forming apparatus is capable of adjusting a resist for each of the divided LED arrays.   The image forming apparatus executes the single recording output or the parallel recording output by changing the pixel density by changing the number of lighting for all the divided LED arrays or for each of the divided LED arrays of the LED array. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes: the sheet feeding unit including the sheet feeding tray that stores the sheets in parallel; the image forming unit configured to perform parallel recording on sheets fed in parallel from the sheet feeding unit; and the image forming unit. A plurality of columns of parallel recording output mechanisms that execute parallel recording output such as the output memory having a plurality of the memory blocks in which image data corresponding to parallel recording is developed can be individually operated, and the plurality of columns 13. The separate LED array of the non-operating parallel recording output mechanism is turned off when performing the individual recording output operation for individually recording and outputting the parallel recording output mechanism. Item 15. The image forming apparatus according to Item 14.

Images