JP2006208969A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which prints a document image on recording paper whose size is identical to that of a document without imposing work for designating the size of recording paper to be outputted on a user. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises: a document size setting section 28 for setting the size of the document being a reading object on the basis of operation commands inputted by the user via an operation part 14; a document image acquiring section 11 for acquiring a document image by reading the document; a magnification setting section 22 for setting the magnification of the document image on the basis of operation commands inputted by the user via the operation section 14; a recording paper selecting section 25 for selecting recording paper that has a size identical to the document size set by the document size setting section 28, and conveying the selected recording paper to a printing section 15; a document size altering section 23 for altering the size of the document image according to the magnification set by the magnification setting section 22; and a printing control section 27 for controlling the printing section 15 so that the document image subjected to the size alteration may be printed on the recording paper that has the size selected by the recording paper selecting section 25. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, there is a usage mode in which an original to be read is copied onto a recording paper having the same size as the original regardless of a set magnification. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically selecting a recording sheet having an optimum size according to a set magnification as a recording sheet to be output.
JP-A-1-161265

  However, according to the conventional technique, the recording paper having the optimum size is automatically selected as the recording paper to be output in accordance with the set magnification. Therefore, the original image is printed on the recording paper having the same size as the original to be read. In this case, the user needs to set the size of the recording paper to be output. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation burden on the user is large.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that prints a document image on a recording sheet having the same size as the document without imposing on the user an operation of specifying the size of the recording sheet to be output.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention sets and sets an image acquisition unit that acquires an original image by reading an original to be read, and a magnification of the original image printed on a recording sheet based on an operation command from a user. A size changing means for changing the size of the original image according to the magnification, an original size setting means for setting the size of the original to be read based on a user operation command, and a plurality of types of recordings having different predetermined sizes. Recording paper selecting means for selecting a recording paper for printing an original image from among the paper, and printing means for printing the original image whose size has been changed by the size changing means on the recording paper selected by the recording paper selecting means Based on the user's operation command, the original image is printed on the recording paper of the same size as the original regardless of the original image magnification set by the magnification setting means. Mode setting means for setting an operation mode to the same document size mode to be performed, and the recording paper selecting means is set by the document size setting means when the same document size mode is set by the mode setting means. The recording paper having the same size as the selected size is selected as the recording paper on which the original image is printed.

  Further, in the above configuration, the recording paper selecting unit is a recording unit that prints a document image on a recording sheet having a size closest to the size when there is no recording sheet having the same size as the document set by the document size setting unit. It is preferable to select it as paper.

  In the above configuration, the image processing apparatus further includes display means for displaying a preview image showing a state in which the original image whose size has been changed by the size changing means is printed on the recording paper selected by the recording paper selecting means before printing. Is preferred.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the size of the original is set by the user, the original image is printed on the recording paper having the same size as the set size. Therefore, the user sets the size of the recording paper separately. A document image can be printed on a recording sheet having the same size as the document without any work. Also, by setting the size of the original, it is possible to print the original image on a recording paper having a size different from that of the original that is actually read.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when there is no recording paper of the same size as the original size set by the user (when the paper has run out, or the paper feeding cassette for storing the recording paper of the size is installed. If the recording paper is not provided), the recording paper having the size closest to the size is selected as the recording paper on which the original image is printed. Therefore, the possibility that the original image is printed on the recording paper having a size that satisfies the user is increased. be able to.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the preview image indicating the state in which the original image with the magnification changed is printed on the recording paper is presented to the user before printing, the user can select which part of the original image is on the recording paper. It is possible to check in advance whether or not the image protrudes, and copy mistakes can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view mainly showing a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes a main body unit 200, a sheet post-processing unit 300 disposed on the left side of the main body unit 200, an operation unit 400 for a user to input various operation commands and the like, and an upper part of the main body unit 200. The document reading unit 500 disposed in the document reading unit 500 and the document feeding unit 600 disposed above the document reading unit 500.

  The operation unit 400 includes an operation panel 401, a start key 402, a numeric keypad 403, and the like. The operation panel 401 displays various operation screens and various operation buttons for the user to input various operation commands. The start key 402 is used for the user to input a print execution command and the like, and the ten key 403 is used for inputting the number of copies to be printed.

  The document feeding unit 600 includes a document placement unit 601, a document discharge unit 602, a paper feed roller 603, a document transport unit 604, a contact glass 605, document detection sensors 606 and 607, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner. 501 and the like. The paper feed roller 603 feeds out the original set on the original placement unit 601, and the original transport unit 604 transports the fed originals one by one on the scanner 501.

  The scanner 501 sequentially reads the conveyed document, and the read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 602. In addition, when reading a document placed on the contact glass 605, the scanner 501 slides in the A direction to read the document. A plurality of document detection sensors 606 are arranged at regular intervals in the width direction of the recording paper (direction perpendicular to the paper surface). A plurality of document detection sensors 607 are arranged on the back surface of the contact glass 605.

  The main body 200 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 201, a plurality of paper feed rollers 202, a transfer roller 203, an intermediate transfer body roller 204, a photosensitive drum 205, an exposure device 206, and development for each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K, a fixing roller 208, a discharge port 209, a discharge tray 210, a recording paper transport unit 211, a remaining amount sensor 212, and the like are provided. In the present embodiment, each of the paper feed cassettes 201 stores recording sheets of different sizes. The remaining amount sensor 212 is disposed in each paper feed cassette 201 and detects whether or not recording paper is present in the paper feed cassette 201 (detects out of paper).

  The photosensitive drum 205 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 converts the modulation signal generated based on the image data of the original read by the original reading unit 500 into a laser beam and outputs it, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 205 for each color. The developing devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K supply each color developer to the photosensitive drum 205 to form a toner image for each color.

  The intermediate transfer roller 204 transfers the color toner images from the photosensitive drum 205, and forms a color toner image on the intermediate transfer roller 204.

  On the other hand, the paper feeding roller 202 pulls out the recording paper from the paper feeding cassette 201 in which the recording paper is stored, and the recording paper transport unit 211 transports the drawn recording paper to the transfer roller 203. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer roller 204 to the conveyed recording paper. The recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing roller 208 by the recording paper conveyance unit 211, and the fixing roller 208 heats and transfers the transferred toner image to the recording paper. Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge port 209 by the recording paper conveyance unit 211 and is carried into the paper post-processing unit 300. The recording paper is also discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.

  The paper post-processing unit 300 includes a carry-in port 301, a recording paper transport unit 302, a carry-out port 303, a stack tray 304, and the like. The recording paper transport unit 302 sequentially transports the recording paper carried into the carry-in port 301 from the discharge port 209 and finally ejects the recording paper from the carry-out port 303 to the stack tray 304. The stack tray 304 is configured to move up and down in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the number of recording sheets stacked from the carry-out port 303.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus includes a document image acquisition unit 11, an operation screen storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, a printing unit 15, and a control unit 20. The document image acquisition unit 11 includes a document reading unit 500 shown in FIG. 1 and reads an image of a document placed on the document placement unit 601 or the contact glass 605 to obtain a document image.

  The operation screen storage unit 12 stores various operation screens displayed on the display unit 13 when the user operates the image forming apparatus. The display unit 13 includes an operation panel 401 shown in FIG. The operation unit 14 includes the operation unit 400 shown in FIG. 1, and specifies an operation command for specifying the operation mode of the image forming apparatus, an operation command for specifying the magnification of the document image, and the size of the recording paper on which the document image is printed. Accepts operation commands to be performed.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores a control program, a RAM that is used as a work area for the CPU, and the like, and the CPU executes the control program, whereby the mode setting unit 21, the magnification setting unit 22, the document size It functions as a change unit 23, a document size detection unit 24, a recording paper selection unit 25, a display control unit 26, a print control unit 27, and a document size setting unit 28.

  The mode setting unit 21 selects one of the optimum size mode and the same document size mode as the operation mode of the image forming apparatus based on an operation command from the user for specifying the operation mode received by the operation unit 14. Set the mode.

  The optimum size mode is a mode in which an appropriate size recording paper is selected in accordance with the magnification designated by the user, and an original image is printed on the selected recording paper. The same document size mode is a mode in which a document image is printed on a recording sheet having the same size as the document regardless of the magnification designated by the user.

  The magnification setting unit 22 sets the magnification of the document image based on an operation command that specifies the magnification of the document image input by the user via the operation unit 14. The document size changing unit 23 changes the size of the document image acquired by the document image acquiring unit 11 according to the document image magnification set by the magnification setting unit 22.

  When the document to be copied is placed on the document placement unit 601, the document size detection unit 24 measures the time from when the document detection sensor 606 detects the leading edge of the recording paper until the trailing edge is detected. Then, the size of the document in the conveyance direction is calculated by multiplying the measured time by a predetermined document conveyance speed, and the size of the calculated conveyance direction and the plurality of document detection sensors 606 arranged in the width direction of the recording paper are calculated. Among them, the size of the original is detected by determining to which standard size the original corresponds to A3, A4, B3, etc. from the detection pattern of the original detection sensor 606 that has detected the original.

  In addition, when the document is placed on the contact glass 605, the document size detection unit 24 detects the document from the document detection sensor 607 that has detected the document among the plurality of document detection sensors 607 arranged on the back surface of the contact glass 605. The size of the original is detected from the detection pattern.

  When the optimum size mode is set, the recording paper selection unit 25 selects a recording paper having a size with the smallest margin area with respect to the original image whose size has been changed by the original size changing unit 23. Is selected as the recording paper for printing. In addition, when the same document size mode is set, the recording sheet selecting unit 25 selects a recording sheet having the same size as the document set by the document size setting unit 28 as a recording sheet for printing a document image. To do.

  The display control unit 26 reads out various operation screens stored in the operation screen storage unit 12 and causes the display unit 13 to display them. The print control unit 27 controls the printing unit 15 so that the document image whose size has been changed by the document size changing unit 23 is printed on the recording paper. The operation unit 14 and the document size setting unit 28 set the size of a document to be read in accordance with a user operation command input via the operation unit 14.

  In the present embodiment, the document image acquisition unit 11 corresponds to the image acquisition unit, the operation unit 14, the magnification setting unit 22, and the document size change unit 23 correspond to the size change unit, and the document size setting unit 28 sets the document size. The recording paper selection unit 25 corresponds to the recording paper selection unit, the printing control unit 27 and the printing unit 15 correspond to the printing unit, the mode setting unit 21 corresponds to the mode setting unit, and the display unit 13 corresponds to the setting unit. The display control unit 26 corresponds to display means.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus. In step S1, when the operation unit 14 receives an operation command for designating the operation mode of the image forming apparatus as the same document size mode (YES in S1), the mode setting unit 21 sets the operation mode to the same document size mode. (S2). On the other hand, when the operation unit 14 does not accept an operation command for designating the operation mode of the image forming apparatus as the original document size mode, but accepts an operation command for designating another operation mode (NO in S1), Processing is terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen displayed on the display unit 13 when the user sets the operation mode to the same size mode. The operation screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed through the following procedure. First, when a system button (not shown) disposed on the operation unit 14 is pressed by the user, the display control unit 26 causes the display unit 13 to display the operation screen shown in FIG.

  The operation screen shown in FIG. 7 displays various operation buttons for performing various settings for the image forming apparatus. When the “copy initial setting” button is pressed on the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 7, the display control unit 26 causes the display unit 13 to display the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 8.

  A plurality of setting items and setting values for each setting item are displayed on the operation screen shown in FIG. In the setting item column, items such as paper selection, automatic paper selection setting, paper type designation, and the like are displayed. Further, on the right side of the operation screen shown in FIG. 8, a button with an up arrow mark and a button with a down arrow mark are displayed. The user can select one of the setting items displayed in the setting item column by pressing both buttons. Then, in a state where the setting item is selected, the user presses a button with a setting value change displayed at the lower right of the screen. Then, the operation screen shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display unit 13 by the display control unit 26.

  The operation screen shown in FIG. 5A displays five types of setting items and setting values for each setting item. As shown in the first row of FIG. 5A, the optimum size setting value is set for the setting item of the automatic paper selection setting, and the operation mode of the image forming apparatus is currently set to the optimum size mode. I understand that. When the button labeled “setting value change” on the right side of the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 5A is pressed, the display control unit 26 causes the display unit 13 to display the operation screen illustrated in FIG.

  In the operation screen shown in FIG. 5B, a title “Automatic paper selection setting” is attached, and a button B1 “optimum size” and a button B2 “same as document size” are displayed in the center of the screen. It is displayed. When the user presses the button B1, the operation unit 14 receives an operation command for setting the operation mode to the optimum size mode. As a result, the mode setting unit 21 sets the operation mode to the optimum size mode. On the other hand, when button B2 is pressed by the user, operation unit 14 accepts an operation command for setting the operation mode to the same document size mode. As a result, the mode setting unit 21 sets the operation mode to the same size mode.

  When a button described as closing at the upper right of the operation screen shown in FIG. 5B or a button described as returning to the original is pressed, the display control unit 26 displays the operation screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed.

  In step S3 shown in FIG. 3, when the operation unit 14 receives an operation command from the user for setting the size of the document to be read (YES in S3), the document size setting unit 28 determines the size of the document to be read. Is set to the size of the original received by the operation unit 14 (S4).

  On the other hand, in step S3, when the operation unit 14 does not accept an operation command from the user for setting the size of the document to be read (NO in S3), the document size setting unit 28 uses the document detection sensors 606 and 607. The detected size of the original is set as the size of the recording paper (S12), and the process proceeds to step S5.

  In this case, the display control unit 26 causes the display unit 13 to display the operation screen shown in FIG. 6 for setting the document size. The operation screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed as follows. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a default operation screen displayed on the display unit 13. In the operation screen shown in FIG. 4, when a button attached with a function list arranged at the bottom is pressed, the display control unit 26 is arranged with various buttons for performing various settings for the image forming apparatus. An unillustrated operation screen is displayed on the display unit 13.

  On the operation screen (not shown), a button with a document size setting is arranged. Then, the user presses a button attached with the document size setting. Then, the operation screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 13 by the display control unit 26.

  The operation screen shown in FIG. 6 displays five buttons A4, B5, A3, B4, and A5. For example, when the operation unit 14 receives an operation command from a user who presses the A4 button, the document size setting unit 28 sets the size of the document to be read to A4. Thus, the user sets the size of the document to be read by pressing any one of these five buttons.

  In step S5, the recording paper selection unit 25 selects the recording paper having the same size as the original set by the original size setting unit as the recording paper to be output. Here, if the document is placed on the document placement unit 601 or the contact glass 605 before the process of step S5 is executed, the document size detection unit 24 detects the size of the document. In this embodiment, the size of the document set by the user is selected as the size of the recording paper to be output.

  In step S6, when the operation unit 14 receives an operation command from the user for designating the magnification of the document image (YES in S6), the magnification setting unit 22 displays the magnification indicated by the operation command received by the operation unit 14. Is set as the magnification of the document image (S7), and the operation unit 14 does not accept an operation command from the user for designating the magnification of the document image (NO in S6), the process proceeds to step S9. . In this case, the magnification is set to 1.

  In step S8, the document size changing unit 23 changes the size of the document image with the magnification set in step S7. In step S <b> 9, the display control unit 26 displays a preview for notifying the user of the state in which the original image whose size has been changed by the original size changing unit 23 is printed on the recording paper selected by the recording paper selection unit 25. An image is generated and displayed on the display unit 13. In step S10, when the operation unit 14 receives an operation command for permitting printing from the user (YES in S10), the recording paper selection unit 25 selects the paper supply cassette 201 that stores the recording paper of the selected size. The paper roller 202 is driven to convey the recording paper to the printing unit 15, and the print control unit 27 performs printing so that the original image whose size has been changed by the original size changing unit 23 is printed on the conveyed recording paper. The unit 15 is controlled (S11). On the other hand, when the operation unit 14 accepts an operation command that does not permit printing in step S10 (NO in S10), the process returns to step S3.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus when the user sets the magnification of the document after placing the document on the document placing unit 601 or the contact glass 605. First, in step S21, when the operation unit 14 receives an operation command for designating the operation mode of the image forming apparatus as the same document size mode (YES in S21), the mode setting unit 21 sets the operation mode to the same document. The size mode is set (S22). On the other hand, when the operation unit 14 does not accept an operation command for designating the operation mode of the image forming apparatus as the original document size mode, but accepts an operation command for designating another operation mode (NO in S21), Processing is terminated.

  In step S23, when the user places a document on the document placement unit 601 or the contact glass 605 and the document size detection unit 24 detects the size of the placed document (YES in S23), the process proceeds to step S24. When the user does not place a document on the document placement unit 601 or the contact glass 605 and the document size detection unit 24 does not detect the size of the placed document (NO in S23). The process is returned to step S23. In step S24, the document image acquisition unit 11 reads the document placed on the document placement unit 601 or the contact glass 605 and obtains a document image.

  In step S25, when the operation unit 14 receives an operation command from the user for designating the magnification of the document image (YES in S25), the magnification setting unit 22 displays the magnification indicated by the operation command received by the operation unit 14. Is set as the magnification of the document image (S26), and the operation unit 14 does not accept an operation command from the user for designating the magnification of the document image (NO in S25), the process proceeds to step S29. . In this case, the magnification setting unit 22 sets the magnification of the document image to 1.

  In step S27, the document size changing unit 23 changes the size of the document image with the magnification set in step S24. In step S28, the recording paper selection unit 25 selects the size of the recording paper on which the original image whose size has been changed is printed. Here, since the same document size mode is set, the recording sheet selecting unit 25 selects a recording sheet having the same size as the document detected by the document size detecting unit 24 as the recording sheet on which the document image is printed.

  In step S29, the display control unit 26 provides a preview for informing the user of the state in which the original image whose size has been changed by the original size changing unit 23 has been printed on the recording paper selected by the recording paper selection unit 25 before printing. An image is generated and displayed on the display unit 13. In step S30, when the operation unit 14 receives an operation command for permitting printing from the user (YES in S30), the recording paper selection unit 25 supplies the paper corresponding to the paper feed cassette 201 that stores the recording paper of the selected size. The paper roller 202 is driven to convey the recording paper to the printing unit 15, and the print control unit 27 performs printing so that the original image whose size has been changed by the original size changing unit 23 is printed on the conveyed recording paper. The unit 15 is controlled (S31). On the other hand, when the operation unit 14 accepts an operation command not permitting printing in step S30 (NO in S30), the process returns to step S23.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus, when the size of the original is set by the user, the original image is printed on the recording paper having the same size as the set size. It is possible to print an original image on a recording paper having the same size as the original without performing the operation of setting. Also, by setting the size of the document, it is possible to print the document image on a recording paper having a desired size, which is different from the actually read document.

  In this embodiment, a mode in which a preview image is displayed and a manuscript image is printed on recording paper when an operation command for permitting printing is input is adopted. The original image may be printed on the recording paper without being displayed and without causing the user to input an operation command permitting printing. In this case, the operation burden on the user can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the recording paper selection unit 25 has the same size of recording paper that has run out of paper or does not include a paper feed cassette that stores the same size of recording paper (the original is a standard size). In this case, the recording paper having a size closest to the size of the original may be selected as the recording paper on which the original image is printed. Here, the recording paper selection unit 25 receives the detection signal output from the remaining amount sensor 212, and determines whether or not the sheet has run out from the level of the received detection signal. Alternatively, the area of the document may be obtained and a recording sheet having a size closest to the area may be selected. Alternatively, a recording sheet having a size larger than the area of the document may be selected.

1 is a schematic side view mainly showing a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is the figure which showed the operation screen displayed on a display part, when a user sets an operation mode to the same size mode. It is the figure which showed the operation screen displayed on a display part, when a user sets an operation mode to the same size mode. An operation screen displayed on the display unit when the user sets the size of a document to be read in the same size mode is shown. It is drawing which showed an example of the operation screen. It is drawing which showed an example of the operation screen. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Document image acquisition part 12 Operation screen memory | storage part 13 Display part 14 Operation part 15 Printing part 20 Control part 21 Mode setting part 22 Magnification setting part 23 Original size change part 24 Original size detection part 25 Recording paper selection part 26 Display control part 27 Print control unit 28 Document size setting unit

Claims (3)

Image acquisition means for acquiring a document image by reading a document to be read;
A size changing means for setting a magnification of a document image to be printed on recording paper based on an operation command from a user, and changing a size of the document image according to the set magnification;
A document size setting means for setting a size of a document to be read based on a user operation command;
A recording paper selecting means for selecting a recording paper for printing a document image from a plurality of types of recording papers having different predetermined sizes;
Printing means for printing the original image whose size has been changed by the size changing means on the recording paper selected by the recording paper selecting means;
A mode setting that sets an operation mode to the same document size mode for printing a document image on a recording sheet having the same size as the document, regardless of the magnification of the document image set by the magnification setting unit based on a user operation command Means and
The recording paper selecting means, when the same document size mode is set by the mode setting means, uses a recording paper having the same size as the size set by the original size setting means as a recording paper for printing an original image. An image forming apparatus selected.   The recording paper selecting means selects a recording paper having a size closest to the size of the original set by the original size setting means as a recording paper for printing an original image when there is no recording paper having the same size as the original set by the original size setting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The apparatus further comprises a display means for displaying a preview image showing a state in which the original image whose size has been changed by the size changing means is printed on the recording paper selected by the recording paper selecting means before printing. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2.

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