JP2006240264A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can surely form an image at a suitable position of a recording material regardless of a placement state of the recording material placed on a predetermined tray. <P>SOLUTION: A device control part 8 detects a length in a transfer direction of an embossing paper and a position of an embossing region on the basis of detected signals from a sensor. Envelope patterns showing sizes of embossing papers, positions of embossing regions, directions of use, etc. are stored beforehand in an HD 12. The device control part 8 reads out the envelope pattern corresponding to the length in the transfer direction of the detected embossing paper and the position of the embossing region from the HD 12, and determines whether or not reversing of the embossing paper in order to make the paper agree with the read envelope pattern is necessary, and whether predetermined image processing is necessary or not. The device control part 8 transfers the embossing paper to a printing part 6b after reversing the paper if necessary, and also transfers image data passed through image processing according to the necessity from a memory 6a to the printing part 6b, thereby carrying out a printing process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material based on image data. Specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on an appropriate portion such as an embossed paper or an envelope.

  Document creation devices (word processors) are widespread, and document creation processing is actively performed using word processors. In addition, a printer connected to a word processor for printing a document created by the word processor is used. Such a printer is configured to be able to print characters having an appropriate content at an appropriate location on a standard paper such as a postcard and an envelope (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Also, such a printer has a simple structure that allows the user to know the relationship between the print surface of the paper and the print head. Therefore, when printing a document created by a word processor, the user sets the paper to be printed on the platen portion of the printer so that it can be printed, and then designates pre-input information to start printing. To do. Thereby, a predetermined content can be printed at a predetermined location on the sheet.

  On the other hand, in recent years, a word processor has been replaced with a personal computer, and the word processor function is used as one of various application software installed in a personal computer instead of a single word processor. In addition, a system in which a plurality of personal computers and a plurality of printers are connected via a network and a printer as a hardware resource is shared among a plurality of users is constructed and used.

There are various types of printers connected to the network, such as laser printers, inkjet printers, LED line printers, and the like. Each printer has a different printing speed and an internal structure such as a paper transport mechanism. Therefore, the user selects a printer that matches his or her intended purpose, sets paper on a predetermined tray of the selected printer, and then designates a pre-created document using the application software of the personal computer. To start printing. Thereby, a predetermined content can be printed at a predetermined location on the sheet.
JP-A 64-9744 JP-A-1-161524

  By the way, in an environment where a plurality of printers can be used from one personal computer, the user needs to accurately grasp the handling method of each printer. Specifically, for example, when printing on an envelope, it may be placed on a predetermined tray so that the surface of the envelope is up, or should it be placed so that the surface of the envelope is down, etc. The usage method differs depending on each printer. For this reason, each user uses the printer while feeling uneasy about whether or not the loaded state of the paper loaded by the user is correct.

  In addition, misprinting occurs when the loading state is incorrect, but misprinting on standard paper such as postcards and envelopes, especially on paper or envelopes that have been given added value by embossing, results in a large loss. There is a problem that the burden on the user is greater than when image formation is performed on paper.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to form an image after performing processing according to the conveyance state of a recording material having a non-image area where the image should not be formed. By performing the above, it is possible to reliably form an image at an appropriate position on the recording material regardless of the orientation of the recording material placed on a predetermined tray and the placement state such as the position of the non-image area. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reliably forming an image at an appropriate position excluding an embossed area on a recording material subjected to, for example, embossing. There is to do.

  Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a misprint by securing a processing time for detecting the conveyance state of the recording material and a processing time for image processing performed on the image data according to the detected conveyance state. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the occurrence of image formation and reliably form an image at an appropriate position of a recording material.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material based on received image data. A transport unit transported to the image forming unit, a length of the recording material transported by the transport unit in the transport direction and a detection unit for detecting the position of the non-image area, a length in the transport direction detected by the detection unit, and Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data in accordance with the position of the non-image area, and the image forming means is configured to perform image processing on the recording material based on image data on which the image processing means has performed image processing. It is comprised so that may be formed.

  According to the present invention, when an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material based on received image data conveys a recording material having a non-image area where image formation should not be performed, the recording material The length in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area are detected, the image data is subjected to image processing according to the detected length in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area, and based on the image data subjected to the image processing An image is formed on the recording material. Therefore, it is possible to detect the conveyance state of the recording material based on the length in the conveyance direction of the recording material and the position of the non-image area, and an image is formed by performing image processing according to the conveyance state. An image can be formed at an appropriate position of a recording material having a non-image area that should not be used.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the non-image area is an area where the recording material is embossed.

  According to the present invention, in an embossed recording material, an image is not formed in an area where an image should not be formed by being embossed, and an appropriate position excluding such an area is appropriate. An image can be formed.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the recording material is an envelope, and the detection unit is configured to detect a position of a non-image area on the front and back surfaces of the recording material, The recording material is configured to be turned upside down according to the position of the non-image area detected by the detecting means.

  According to the present invention, the recording material having a non-image area where an image should not be formed is an envelope, and when the envelope is conveyed, the position of the non-image area on each of the front and back surfaces together with the length in the conveyance direction of the envelope And the envelope is turned upside down according to the detected position of the non-image area. Therefore, it is possible to detect the conveyance state including the orientation of the front and back surfaces of the envelope, and by reliably inverting the front and back of the envelope as necessary, it is possible to reliably form an image at an appropriate position of the envelope having a non-image area. Is possible.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the detection unit includes a light source that irradiates light to the recording material and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the recording material, and the reflected light received by the light receiving unit is The length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area are detected on the basis of the reflectance from the non-image area and the other areas.

  According to the present invention, the light source for irradiating the recording material with light and the light receiving unit for receiving the reflected light from the recording material, the non-image region of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit and the other region. The length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area are detected based on the reflectance from the recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the position of the non-image area of the recording material based on the difference in reflectance between the non-image area of the recording material having a non-image area that is commercially available or created, and the other areas. It becomes possible.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores recording material information indicating a size of the recording material, a position of a non-image area, and a use direction, and the image processing unit detects a conveyance direction detected by the detection unit. The image data is subjected to image processing such that the length and the position of the non-image area coincide with the recording material information stored in the storage means.

  According to the present invention, the recording material information indicating the size of the recording material, the position of the non-image area, and the use direction is stored in the storage means, and the detected length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area are stored. Then, the image data is subjected to image processing that matches the recording material information. Therefore, it is possible to form an image at a position corresponding to the position of the non-image area of the recording material registered in advance and the direction of use.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage processing unit that stores in the storage unit the length in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area detected by the detection unit.

  According to the present invention, since the length in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area detected from the recording material can be stored in the storage unit, the user is not limited to the standard paper and envelope, and the user can perform embossing and the like independently. Even when using applied paper, envelopes, and the like, an image can be formed at a previously registered position.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the storage processing unit is configured to erase the length in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area stored in the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, since the length in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area stored in the storage unit can be deleted, the unnecessary information is deleted depending on the frequency of use by the user. It is possible to reduce the storage area.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the detection unit is located at a position spaced apart from the conveyance position of the recording material conveyed by the conveyance unit to the image forming unit at a distance longer than the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction. It is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the recording material is conveyed, the detection means for detecting the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area is detected from the conveyance position of the recording material to the forming means for forming an image. The recording material is provided at a position spaced apart by a longer interval than the length in the conveyance direction. As a result, it is possible to secure processing time for detecting the conveyance state of the recording material and processing time for image processing performed on the image data according to the detected conveyance state, and to reduce the occurrence of misprinting. Become.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the detection unit includes a length detection unit that detects a length of the recording material in the conveyance direction, and a non-image area detection unit that detects a position of the non-image area of the recording material. The length detection unit is provided with a distance longer than the interval from the conveyance position of the recording material conveyed by the conveyance unit to the image forming unit to the non-image area detection unit. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, comprising: a length detection means for detecting the length of the recording material in the transport direction; and a non-image area detection means for detecting the position of the non-image area of the recording material, the length detection means, An interval longer than the interval from the recording material conveyance position to the image forming forming unit to the non-image area detection unit is provided apart from the conveyance position. This makes it possible to detect the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction earlier, and if the position of the non-image area is detected using the detection of the length in the conveyance direction as a trigger, the recording material conveyance state This makes it possible to easily control the recording material and to accurately detect the conveyance state of the recording material.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the conveyance unit includes a regulation unit that regulates a position in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the recording material to be conveyed, and the detection unit is at a position corresponding to the position of the regulation unit. It is configured to detect the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area.

  According to the present invention, it is provided with the restricting portion that restricts the position in the direction intersecting the recording material conveyance direction, and the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area at the position according to the position of the restriction portion Since the detection is performed, the detection location can be appropriately changed according to the width in the direction intersecting the recording material conveyance direction, and the detection accuracy of the recording material conveyance state can be improved.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a means for restricting execution of processing by the image processing means and the image forming means when the detection means cannot detect the position of the non-image area.

  According to the present invention, when the position of the non-image area of the recording material cannot be detected, by restricting the execution of various processes, image formation on the erroneously set recording material is prohibited and misprinting is prevented. It becomes possible to do.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes means for discharging the recording material without forming an image when the detection means cannot detect the position of the non-image area.

  According to the present invention, when the position of the non-image area of the recording material cannot be detected, it is possible to notify the outside that the wrong recording material has been set by discharging the recording material without forming an image. It becomes possible.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when transporting a recording material having a non-image area where an image should not be formed, the length of the recording material in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area are detected. The conveyance state of the recording material can be detected. In addition, by performing image processing according to the detected conveyance state and forming an image on the recording material, an image is not formed in the non-image area, and an appropriate image is formed except for the non-image area of the recording material. An image can be formed at the position. Thus, the user can place the recording material, for example, embossed, on a predetermined tray without being aware of the direction of the recording material and the position of the embossed region. It is possible to improve and prevent misprinting.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when conveying an envelope having a non-image area where an image should not be formed, by detecting the position of each non-image area on the front and back surfaces together with the length in the conveyance direction of the envelope, A conveyance state including whether or not the surface on which an image is to be formed is in an appropriate direction can be detected. In addition, by inverting the front and back of the envelope according to the detected position of the non-image area, an image can be reliably formed at an appropriate position of the envelope. Thus, the user only needs to place the recording material on a predetermined tray without being aware of the direction of the front and back surfaces, and the operability can be improved and misprinting can be reliably prevented.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording material is irradiated with light and the reflected light from the recording material is received. Based on the reflectance of the received reflected light from the non-image area and other areas, the recording material is detected in the conveyance direction length and the position of the non-image area. The position of the non-image area of the recording material having the non-image area can be detected with high accuracy. Thereby, the conveyance state of the recording material can be accurately detected.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, recording material information indicating the size of the recording material, the position of the non-image area, and the use direction is stored in the storage unit, and the detected length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the non-image area Image processing is performed on the image data so as to match the position with the recording material information. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately form an image at a position corresponding to the position of the non-image area and the use direction of the recording material registered in advance.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the length in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area detected from the recording material can be stored in the storage unit. Also when using paper and envelopes with the above-mentioned, images can be formed at positions registered in advance, and versatility can be improved.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the length in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area stored in the storage unit can be deleted. The storage area in the means can be reduced, and versatility can be further improved.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the recording material is transported, the detection means for detecting the length of the recording material in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area is transported to the forming means for forming the image. It is provided at a position spaced apart from the position by a distance longer than the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction. As a result, the processing time for detecting the conveyance state of the recording material and the processing time for image processing performed on the image data according to the detected conveyance state can be secured, and the occurrence of misprinting can be reduced. Can do.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a length detection unit that detects a length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and a non-image area detection unit that detects a position of a non-image area of the recording material, and the length detection unit Is spaced apart from the transport position by a distance longer than the distance from the transport position of the recording material to the forming means for forming an image to the non-image area detection means. As a result, the length in the conveyance direction of the recording material can be detected earlier, and when the position of the non-image area is detected with the completion of detection of the length in the conveyance direction as a trigger, the conveyance state of the recording material is changed. Control for detection becomes easy, and the conveyance state of the recording material can be accurately detected.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a restricting portion that restricts the position in the direction intersecting the recording material conveyance direction, and the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the non-image area at a position corresponding to the position of the restriction portion. Detect position. Thus, the detection location can be appropriately changed according to the width in the direction intersecting the recording material conveyance direction, and the detection accuracy of the recording material conveyance state can be improved.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the position of the non-image area of the recording material cannot be detected, by restricting the execution of various processes thereafter, image formation on an erroneously set recording material is prohibited and misprinting is performed. Can be prevented. In addition, when the user is notified that the set recording material is not a recording material having a non-image area, it is possible to confirm whether or not image formation on an incorrect recording material may be performed. .

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the position of the non-image area of the recording material cannot be detected, the recording material is discharged without forming an image to notify the outside that an incorrect recording material has been set. be able to.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings showing an embodiment applied to a digital multifunction peripheral. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 of the present embodiment has a scanner function for reading an image of an original, and a copy that forms an image on a recording material (hereinafter simply referred to as paper) such as copy paper or OHP film based on the read image. Functions, printer function to receive print data sent from outside and form an image on paper, filing function to temporarily store input image data, image transmission function to send image data to the outside, etc. Have.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes an image reading unit 2, an operation panel 4, an image forming unit 6, a device control unit 8, a communication unit 10 that is an interface for communicating with the outside, and a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as a non-volatile storage device). HD) 12, a management unit 14 and the like as main components.

  The management unit 14 is connected to the device control unit 8. The ROM stores a control program executed by the device control unit 8, the setting information set on the operation panel 4, and each component of the digital multifunction device 1. It consists of RAM etc. for memorizing setting information etc. regarding the operation. However, it may be a rewritable nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory or an EEPROM.

  The operation panel 4 is connected to the device control unit 8 and includes an input unit 4a that receives an operation instruction from the user and a display unit 4b that displays information to be notified to the user. The input unit 4a includes various operation keys for receiving an operation instruction by the user, and receives a function switching operation, setting value input for each function, a process execution start instruction, and the like. The display unit 4b includes a liquid crystal display, and displays the operation status of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, various setting values input through the input unit 4a, information to be notified to the user, and the like. In addition, a touch panel type software button configured to accept various selection operations is arranged in a part of the display unit 4b.

  The image reading unit 2 is connected to the image forming unit 6, and an image of the original is read by an optical image reading mechanism such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor 2 a (abbreviated as CCD in FIG. 1). read. The image data read from the document by the image reading unit 2 is sequentially stored in the memory 6a, which is a volatile storage device such as a RAM, for example, under the control of the device control unit 8, and is stored in the HD 12 in units of pages (units of one document). Remembered. Further, the number of pages (number of pages) read by the image reading unit 2 is stored in the management unit 14.

  The communication unit 10 is connected to the device control unit 8 and is connected to external devices PC1 and PC2 such as a personal computer via a network NW such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network) as a communication line. Data communication is performed between the apparatuses PC1 and PC2, for example, image data is transmitted and received. Although not shown, the communication unit 10 includes a modem and an NCU (Network Control Unit), and is configured to be capable of facsimile communication. The modem is connected to the public switched telephone network PSTN via the NCU. The NCU is hardware for performing line control operations for closing and opening a line with the analog public telephone exchange network PSTN, and connects a modem to the public telephone exchange network PSTN as necessary.

  The image forming unit 6 temporarily stores image data acquired by the image reading unit 2, image data developed from print data received by the communication unit 10, and the like, and images stored in the memory 6a. A printing unit (LSU: Laser Scanning Unit) 6b, which is an image forming unit that forms an image based on data on a sheet, is provided. In the present embodiment, the printing unit 6b is configured by an LSU (laser scanning unit), but may be a printer device such as an ink jet system. The image data stored in the memory 6a is transferred to a transfer destination according to the purpose in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 8. Specifically, when the image data is stored by the filing function, it is transferred to the HD 12, and when the printing process is performed, it is transferred to the printing unit 6b.

  The device control unit 8 includes a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores a control program, a RAM that temporarily holds data generated during the calculation of the CPU, and the like. The CPU of the device control unit 8 loads each control program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it, thereby executing hardware components such as the operation panel 4, the image forming unit 6, the communication unit 10, the HD 12, and the management unit 14. To control the operation.

  In addition, the device control unit 8 controls each hardware unit according to instructions or information input by the user by operating each key of the input unit 4a of the operation panel 4 to cause the entire apparatus to function as the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The information about the state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the information to be notified to the user are output to the display unit 4b. Further, the device control unit 8 controls the input of image data from the image reading unit 2, the input control of image data from the outside via the communication unit 10, and the input / output control of the input image data to the memory 6a and the HD 12. Then, output control of image data from the image forming unit 6 or the communication unit 10 is performed.

  The HD 12 is connected to the device control unit 8 and the image forming unit 6. The HD 12 is input from the image reading unit 2 or the communication unit 10 and image data to be formed by the image forming unit 6. Then, image data to be transmitted to the outside by facsimile communication or data communication is stored. In the present embodiment, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 having the HD 12 as a storage device for storing image data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is removed from the main body, the power is shut off. Even in the case of a non-volatile memory that can hold image data stored before that, a memory having a backup function, and other storage media using magnetic storage media, the same applies. can do.

  The operation of each part of the hardware when the digital multi-functional peripheral 1 configured as described above is used as a copying machine, a printer, a network scanner, and a facsimile machine will be described below. First, when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is used as a copying machine, the device control unit 8 temporarily stores image data sequentially read from the original by the image reading unit 2 in the memory 6a, and reading of the image data for one page is completed. If so, it is stored in the HD 12. When a plurality of (multiple pages) originals are read by the image reading unit 2, the device control unit 8 repeats the same reading and storing process by the number of originals (number of pages).

  Thereafter, the device control unit 8 sequentially reads out the image data stored in the HD 12, temporarily stores it in the memory 6a, transfers it to the printing unit 6b, and sets the density and paper set in advance by operating the operation panel 4. Printing processing is performed based on information such as size. Further, when printing a plurality of (multiple pages) image data stored in the HD 12, the device control unit 8 repeats the same reading and printing process for the number of originals to be imaged.

  Next, when the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is used as a printer, the device control unit 8 temporarily stores image data received from the external devices PC1 and PC2 connected to the network NW via the communication unit 10 in the memory 6a. This is stored in HD12. Further, the device control unit 8 sequentially reads out the image data stored in the HD 12 and temporarily stores it in the memory 6a, and then transfers it to the printing unit 6b. Printing processing is performed based on information such as size.

  When the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is used as a network scanner, the device control unit 8 temporarily stores image data sequentially read from an original by the image reading unit 2 in the memory 6a, and reading of image data for one page is completed. If so, it is stored in the HD 12. The device control unit 8 sequentially reads out the image data stored in the HD 12 and temporarily stores the image data in the memory 6a, transfers the image data to the communication unit 10, and sets the destination to a destination set in advance by operating the operation panel 4. After establishing communication via the network NW, the data is transmitted to the destination.

  Further, when performing facsimile transmission using the digital multi-function peripheral 1 as a facsimile apparatus, the device control unit 8 receives image data read from a document by the image reading unit 2 or image data received from the outside via the communication unit 10. Once stored in the memory 6a, it is stored in the HD 12. Further, the device control unit 8 sequentially reads out the image data stored in the HD 12, temporarily stores it in the memory 6a, transfers it to the communication unit 10, and makes a public telephone call with the destination facsimile apparatus set from the operation panel 4. After establishing a connection via the switching network PSTN, the transmission is made to the destination.

  Further, when facsimile reception is performed by the digital multi-function peripheral 1, image data received from an external facsimile apparatus connected to the public switched telephone network PSTN via the communication unit 10 is temporarily stored in the memory 6a and then stored in the HD 12. Let Further, the device control unit 8 sequentially reads out the image data stored in the HD 12 and temporarily stores it in the memory 6a, and then transfers it to the printing unit 6b. Printing processing is performed based on information such as size.

  Hereinafter, the internal configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 of the present embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to this embodiment. The digital multifunction device 1 is provided with a document reading unit 2 and an operation panel 4 (not shown in FIG. 2) at the top, and a printing unit 6b and a paper feeding unit (conveying unit) 5 are arranged below the document reading unit 2. Yes.

  The image reading unit 2 includes a document placing table 20 on which a document is placed face down, and a document pressing cover 21 attached to the document placing table 20 so as to be freely opened and closed. The image reading unit 2 opens the document pressing cover 21 and places the document on the document placing table 20, and then closes the document pressing cover 21 and reads the image data while the document is stationary on the document placing table 20. Do. The document pressing cover 21 may be provided with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) type scanner so that the document is automatically conveyed and read.

  An image reading mechanism including a CCD line sensor 2 a is arranged below the document placing table 20 in order to read an image of the document set at a predetermined position on the document placing table 20. In order to read an image recorded on the lower surface of the document, the image reading mechanism includes a light source unit 22 and a mirror unit 23 that reciprocally move in parallel along the lower surface of the document table 20, and an imaging lens 24 and a CCD line sensor 2a. Etc.

  The light source unit 22 includes an exposure lamp 22 a and a mirror 22 b, and condenses the reading illumination light emitted from the exposure lamp 22 a at an appropriate reading position on the document table 20. Further, the light source unit 22 is configured to change the optical path of the reflected light from the original by 90 ° by a mirror 22 b having a reflection surface set at 45 ° with respect to the original placing table 20 and to guide the light to the mirror unit 23.

  The mirror unit 23 includes a pair of mirrors arranged so that the reflecting surfaces are orthogonal to each other in order to further change the optical path of the light whose optical path is changed by 90 ° by the mirror 22b of the light source unit 22. . The light whose optical path is changed by the mirror unit 23 is imaged on the CCD line sensor 2 a by the action of the imaging lens 24. The CCD line sensor 2a converts the input light into an analog electric signal corresponding to the amount of light and outputs it.

  Further, the analog electrical signal output from the CCD line sensor 2a is converted into a digital signal by an AD converter (not shown), and corrections such as light distribution characteristics of the light source when reading a document and sensitivity unevenness of the CCD line sensor 2a are performed. And generated as image data. Further, the generated image data is output to and stored in the memory 6a of the image forming unit 6.

  The printing unit 6b includes a photosensitive drum 63 that is rotationally driven, a charger 65 that charges the photosensitive drum 63 to a predetermined potential, and an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 63 that is charged by emitting laser light in accordance with image data. A laser beam scanner unit 61 that writes an image, a developing device 62 that supplies toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 63 and develops the toner, and a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 63 is transferred onto a sheet. And an electrophotographic process unit including a cleaning unit 64 that removes toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 63, and an image is formed by conveying the sheet to the process unit.

  The laser beam scanner unit 61 includes a semiconductor laser element that emits dot light modulated according to image data, a deflecting device for deflecting laser light from the semiconductor laser element in the main scanning direction, and laser light deflected by the deflecting device. Is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 63. The laser beam scanner unit 61 receives image data stored in the memory 6a in units of pixel signals.

  The paper feeding unit 5 is disposed upstream of the printing unit 6b as described above, and includes a paper feeding cassette 51 that accommodates recording materials (paper) such as recording paper or OHP (Over Head Projector) film, 52, 53. The paper feed cassettes 51, 52, and 53 have call-in rollers 51a, 52a, and 53a in the vicinity of the leading ends of the stacked sheets, and the sheets separated one by one by the call-in rollers 51a, 52a, and 53a. It is taken into the conveyance path 50.

  The paper feed unit 5 includes a manual feed tray 54 on the right side surface of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and paper that cannot be set in the paper feed cassettes 51, 52, 53, such as paper, cardboard, postcards, envelopes, and the like are set. . The manual feed tray 54 is also provided with a drawing roller 54a for separating and feeding the stacked sheets one by one. The sheets separated one by one by each of the attracting rollers 51a, 52a, 53a, 54a are conveyed by a plurality of conveying rollers provided at appropriate positions in the conveying path 50 and taken into the printing unit 6b.

  The sheet conveyed through the conveyance path 50 is temporarily held by a registration roller 55 provided at an upstream position of the transfer device 66. The registration roller 55 aligns the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 63 with the leading edge of the image forming area of the sheet to be conveyed, and then starts rotating at a predetermined timing to rotate the photosensitive drum 63. At the same time, the paper is conveyed to the process section. A toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 63 is transferred by the transfer device 66 to the sheet conveyed to the position facing the photosensitive drum 63.

  The sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 66 is conveyed to the fixing unit 67 by the conveyance belt 56. The fixing device 67 includes a heat roller and a pressure roller. The fixing roller 67 is rotated by sandwiching the sheet on which the toner image is transferred by these two rollers, and the toner image is heated and fixed on the sheet by the heat of the heat roller. The sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 67 is conveyed to the switching gate 57, switched in two directions by the switching gate 57, and conveyed to the switchback conveying path 58 or the discharge roller 59. The sheet conveyed to the discharge roller 59 is discharged onto the discharge trays 60 and 60 attached to the left side surface of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 by the discharge roller 59.

  The switchback conveyance path 58 is a conveyance path used when performing duplex printing. The paper taken in from the switching gate 57 to the switchback conveyance path 58 is conveyed to the switchback roller 58a, once gripped by the switchback roller 58a, and then turned upside down by the switchback roller 58a rotated in the reverse direction. Then, it is conveyed to the conveyance path 50 through the conveyance path 58b. The sheet that is turned upside down by the switchback transport path 58 is transported to the registration roller 55 again, and image formation is performed on the back side of the sheet in the printing unit 6b.

  Here, the digital multi-functional peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment can also form an image on a commercially available paper or envelope that has been embossed and a paper or envelope that has been arbitrarily embossed by a user. It is. When an image is formed on an embossed paper or envelope (hereinafter collectively referred to as an embossed paper), the user appropriately operates the input unit 4a of the operation panel 4 to emboss the paper as an image forming paper. The paper is selected, and the embossed paper to be processed is placed on the manual feed tray 54 instead of the paper feed cassettes 51, 52, 53. It should be noted that the direction and orientation of the embossed paper placement surface on the manual feed tray 54 are not particularly concerned. This is because, as will be described in detail later, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment automatically detects the orientation of the embossed paper placed on the manual feed tray 54 and reverses the embossed paper as necessary. This is because the image processing is performed on the image data.

  Further, the embossed paper or envelope is, for example, a paper on which a pattern is formed on the surface by unevenness, a paper on which the design or characters printed on the surface are lifted, or a paper on which braille is added Etc. Furthermore, the embossing may be formed at any position on the front and back surfaces of the paper or envelope. Usually, an embossed area on the embossed paper (hereinafter also referred to as an embossed area) is a non-image area where an image should not be formed.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration around the manual feed tray 54. On the manual feed tray 54, movable guide members (regulators) 71 and 71 for regulating the position in the direction intersecting the transport direction of the paper 70 to be placed are provided. As a result, when the paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 is taken into the conveyance path 50 by the calling roller 54a (not shown in FIG. 4), it is prevented from being conveyed in an inclined state with respect to the conveyance direction. can do.

  Further, five light reflecting sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, 73 are provided between the manual feed tray 54 and the calling roller 54a. These sensors 72 a, 72 b, 72 c, 72 d, and 73 each have a light emitting unit (light source) that emits light to the paper 70 that is placed on the manual feed tray 54 and conveyed to the conveyance path 50, and the light emitting unit And a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the paper 70 of the irradiated light. Further, the sensors 72a, 72b, 73 are arranged so as to irradiate light on the upper surface of the conveyed paper 70, that is, the surface having the embossed area 70a in the embossed paper 70 shown in FIG. 72d is arranged to irradiate light to the lower surface of the embossed paper 70 to be conveyed.

  The sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d are configured to move according to the movement of the guide members 71, 71, and the scanning position is changed according to the width of the paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54. The Accordingly, regardless of the width of the paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54, any of the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, and 72d can appropriately scan the embossed area 70a. The sensors 72 a, 72 b, 72 c, 72 d, and 73 may perform a predetermined process when an object on which an image is formed by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is the embossed paper 70. For example, the user may input the input unit 4 a of the operation panel 4. Is operated only when embossed paper 70 is selected as the paper on which image formation is performed.

  The sensors 72 a, 72 b, 72 c, 72 d, and 73 are connected to the device control unit 8 and output detection signals corresponding to the reflected light received by the respective light receiving units to the device control unit 8. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of detection signals output from the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, and 73. FIG. 4A shows detection signals from the sensors 72a, 72b, 73 provided on the upper surface side of the embossed paper 70 conveyed in the conveyance direction indicated by the white arrow, and FIG. ) Indicate detection signals from the sensors 72c and 72d provided on the lower surface side of the embossed paper 70 conveyed in the conveyance direction indicated by the white arrows, and broken lines in the figure indicate the sensors 72a, 72b, and 72c. , 72d, 73 are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the sensor 73 continues to output a predetermined signal while the paper 70 passes through the light irradiation position by the light emitting unit. As a result, the device control unit 8 operates as a length detection unit that detects the length of the paper 70 in the transport direction based on the time during which the predetermined signal is continuously acquired from the sensor 73. Specifically, the device control unit 8 determines the length of the sheet 70 in the conveyance direction based on the time when the predetermined signal is acquired from the sensor 73 and the conveyance speed of the sheet 70 conveyed to the conveyance path 50 by the calling roller 54a. Can be detected.

  It should be noted that by preparing a table in which the time for acquiring the predetermined signal from the sensor 73 and the length corresponding to each time are prepared in advance, the length of the sheet 70 can be easily specified by the table reference process. it can. Further, the sensor 73 is not limited to the light reflection type, and for example, a sensor with an actuator or a sensor combining a reduction optical system and a color CCD can be used.

  Further, the device control unit 8 can detect irregularities formed on the embossed paper 70 based on detection signals from the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, and detects the position of the embossed area 70a of the embossed paper 70. It operates as a non-image area detecting means. In order to detect the position of the embossed area 70a of the embossed paper 70, it is necessary to provide a sensor 72a for scanning the embossed area 70a as shown in FIG. 4A. When a plurality of sensors are provided, The position of the embossed region 70a can be detected with higher accuracy. Further, by providing a plurality of sensors so as to scan the upper and lower surfaces of the embossed paper 70, the embossed areas 70a formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the embossed paper 70 can be detected.

  In addition, threshold information indicating whether the detection signals output from the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d are detection signals when scanning the unevenness formed on the embossed paper 70 is set in advance. The unevenness formed in the embossed area 70a in the embossed paper 70 can be easily detected. Furthermore, the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c and 72d are not limited to the light reflection type, and for example, a sensor combining a reduction optical system and a color CCD can be used.

  Here, the HD (storage means) 12 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 stores an envelope pattern (recording material information) indicating the use state such as the size of the embossed sheet 70, the position of the embossed area 70a, and the use direction. Then, as described above, the device controller 8 determines the length in the transport direction of the embossed paper 70 to be processed and the position of the embossed region 70a detected based on the detection signals from the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, 73. , And operates as image processing means for performing image processing to match the envelope pattern stored in the HD 12.

  Specifically, the device control unit 8 performs image processing on the image data stored in the memory 6a so as to form an image on the embossed paper 70 as necessary, and switches back the paper feeding unit 5. The embossed paper 70 is turned upside down via the conveyance path 58. Below, the process which the apparatus control part 8 performs according to the mounting state of the embossed paper 70 mounted on the manual feed tray 54 is demonstrated. In the following, a case where the embossed paper 70 shown in FIG. 3 is placed in an appropriate placement state will be described as an example.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the embossed paper 70 is placed on the manual feed tray 54. In the drawing, white arrows indicate the transport direction of the embossed paper 70, and show the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 as viewed from above. When the embossed paper 70 is conveyed in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the device control unit 8 executes normal printing processing, transfers the image data stored in the memory 6a to the printing unit 6b, and performs manual feed. The embossed paper 70 placed on the tray 54 is conveyed to the printing unit 6b.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the embossed paper 70 is conveyed with the embossed paper 70 shown in FIG. 5A rotated by 180 °, the device control unit 8 stores the image stored in the memory 6a. The image processing for rotating the data by 180 ° is performed and then transferred to the printing unit 6b, and the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 is conveyed to the printing unit 6b as it is. When the embossed paper 70 is conveyed in the state shown in FIG. 5C, the device control unit 8 transfers the image data stored in the memory 6a to the printing unit 6b and is placed on the manual feed tray 54. The embossed paper 70 is once turned upside down via the switchback conveying path 58 and then conveyed to the printing unit 6b.

  When the embossed paper 70 is conveyed in the state shown in FIG. 5D, the device control unit 8 performs image processing for rotating the image data stored in the memory 6a by 180 ° and then transfers the image data to the printing unit 6b. At the same time, the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 is once turned upside down via the switchback conveying path 58 and then conveyed to the printing unit 6b. When the embossed paper 70 is conveyed in the state shown in FIG. 5E, the device control unit 8 performs image processing for rotating the image data stored in the memory 6a by 90 ° counterclockwise. Later, the image is transferred to the printing unit 6b, and the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 is conveyed to the printing unit 6b as it is.

  When the embossed paper 70 is conveyed in the state shown in FIG. 5F, the device control unit 8 performs image processing for rotating the image data stored in the memory 6a by 90 ° in the clockwise direction, and then the printing unit. Then, the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 is conveyed to the printing unit 6b as it is. When the embossed paper 70 is conveyed in the state shown in FIG. 5G, the device control unit 8 performs image processing for rotating the image data stored in the memory 6a by 90 ° clockwise. In addition to transferring to the printing unit 6 b, the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 is once turned upside down via the switchback conveyance path 58 and then conveyed to the printing unit 6 b.

  When the embossed paper 70 is transported in the state shown in FIG. 5 (h), the device control unit 8 performs printing after performing image processing for rotating the image data stored in the memory 6a by 90 ° counterclockwise. At the same time, the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 is once turned upside down via the switchback conveying path 58 and then conveyed to the printing unit 6b. As described above, the embossed sheet 70 is manually inserted by performing appropriate processing according to the transport direction of the embossed sheet 70 and the position of the embossed area 70a specified based on the detection signals from the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, and 73. An image can be formed at an appropriate location on the embossed paper 70 excluding the embossed region 70a regardless of the state of being placed on the tray 54.

  The embossed paper 70 is commercially available in various sizes, and is further created and used according to the user's application and purpose. Therefore, the enlargement process or the reduction process may be performed on the image data to be formed according to the size of the embossed paper 70 specified based on the detection signals from the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, and 73. Good. The embossed paper 70 having a smaller size has a smaller area where an image can be formed than the embossed paper 70 having a larger size. Therefore, by forming an image by reducing part or all of the image data, an image can be reliably formed. Misprinting can be prevented. Further, when forming an image on the large embossed paper 70, it is possible to form an image that is easier to see by enlarging a part or all of the image data.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to an embossed paper 70 having a plurality of embossed areas 70a. When an image is formed on such an embossed sheet 70 by the digital multifunction peripheral 1, an envelope pattern indicating the length of the embossed sheet 70 in the conveyance direction, the position of each embossed area 70a and the direction of use is registered in the HD 12 in advance. deep. Specifically, the device control unit 8 once transports the embossed paper 70 to be image formed on the transport path 50 by the paper feed unit 5 and scans the embossed paper 70 by the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, 73. . Then, the device control unit 8 stores in the HD 12 the length in the transport direction of the embossed paper 70 detected based on the detection signals from the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, 73 and the position of each embossed region 70a. Acts as a means.

  Accordingly, an image can be formed at an appropriate position according to the registered envelope pattern, and versatility can be further improved. When a new envelope pattern is registered in the HD 12, each envelope pattern can be easily identified by inputting the name of the envelope pattern to be registered, registration information, and the like from the operation panel 4. Such input processing can also be performed from the external devices PC1 and PC2 connected via the communication unit 10.

  Further, the device control unit 8 can erase the envelope pattern once registered in the HD 12 according to an instruction from the user via the operation panel 4. Thereby, unnecessary information can be erased depending on the frequency of use by the user, so that versatility is improved and a memory area of the HD 12 can be secured.

  Here, in the digital multi-functional peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment, the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, and 72d are selected even though the embossed paper 70 is selected as the paper on which image formation is performed from the input unit 4a of the operation panel 4 by the user. , 73, when the device control unit 8 cannot detect the position of the embossed region 70a, the subsequent processing is limited. Specifically, the device control unit 8 does not perform the printing process by the image forming unit 6 and displays a message such as “The presence or absence of the embossed area of the embossed paper cannot be detected. Execution of the printing process is stopped.” It is displayed on the display unit 4b of the operation panel 4. Note that this message may be transmitted to the external apparatus that has requested the printing process via the network NW and displayed on the display unit of the external apparatus.

  In addition, the device control unit 8 executes only the conveyance process of the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 by the paper feeding unit 5 and discharges the blank embossed paper 70 without performing the printing process by the image forming unit 6. It is discharged to the tray 60. As described above, during the execution of the image processing on the embossed paper 70, when it is detected that the paper set on the manual feed tray 54 is not the embossed paper 70, the image processing is interrupted, thereby causing the occurrence of misprinting. Can be suppressed. In addition, the user can be notified early that the printing process on the embossed paper 70 has failed.

  Hereinafter, an image forming process on the embossed paper 70 by the digital multi-functional peripheral 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image forming processing by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 of this embodiment. Note that the following processing is executed by the device control unit 8 controlling the above-described hardware units in accordance with the ROM built in the device control unit 8 and the control program stored in the management unit 14.

  When a user prints a document edited on the external device PC1 onto the embossed paper 70 using the digital multifunction peripheral 1, the user sets the embossed paper 70 on the manual feed tray 54 and performs image formation processing from the external device PC1 to the embossed paper 70. Is instructed to execute. The user need not consider the orientation of the embossed paper 70 when setting the embossed paper 70 on the manual feed tray 54.

  When receiving an image forming process execution instruction via the network NW, the device control unit 8 temporarily stores the image data to be formed in the memory 6a (S1), and sets the embossed paper 70 set on the manual feed tray 54. The conveyance is started by the sheet feeding unit 5 (S2). The scanning process by the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, 73 is started simultaneously with the start of the conveyance process by the paper feeding unit 5, and the device control unit 8 is based on the detection signals from the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, 73. Then, the length of the embossed paper 70 in the transport direction and the position of the embossed area 70a are detected (S3).

  The device control unit 8 determines whether or not the embossed area 70a of the embossed paper 70 has been detected in step S3 (S4). If detected (S4: YES), the device control unit 8 determines whether the detected embossed paper 70 is in the transport direction. It is determined whether the envelope pattern corresponding to the length and the position of the embossed area 70a is stored in the HD 12 (S5). Here, when the device control unit 8 determines that the corresponding envelope pattern is stored (S5: YES), the detected length in the transport direction of the embossed paper 70 and the position of the embossed region 70a are used as the envelope pattern. In order to match, it is determined whether or not the embossed paper 70 needs to be reversed (S6). If necessary (S6: YES), the embossed paper is passed through the switchback conveyance path 58 of the paper supply unit 5. 70 is reversed (S7). Note that if the front / back inversion is not necessary (S6: NO), the device control unit 8 skips the process of step S7.

  Further, the device control unit 8 needs to perform image processing on the image data stored in the memory 6a in order to match the detected length in the transport direction of the embossed paper 70 and the position of the embossed area 70a with the envelope pattern. If it is necessary (S8: YES), the corresponding image processing is executed (S9). Specifically, image processing such as 90 ° clockwise, 180 °, or 90 ° counterclockwise is performed on the image data stored in the memory 6a. If it is not necessary to execute the image processing (S8: NO), the device control unit 8 skips the process of step S9.

  As described above, the device control unit 8 conveys the embossed paper 70 that has been turned upside down as necessary in step S7 to the printing unit 6b, and also receives the image data that has undergone image processing as necessary in step S9. The data is transferred from the memory 6a to the printing unit 6b, and printing processing is executed (S10). Thereby, it is possible to form an appropriate image at an appropriate location excluding the embossed area 70a on the embossed paper 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 without considering the placement direction and the like.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the embossed area 70a of the embossed paper 70 cannot be detected (S4: NO), or if it is determined in step S5 that there is no corresponding envelope pattern (S5: NO), the device control unit 8 Thereafter, the subsequent process, that is, the printing process is interrupted (S11). Further, the device control unit 8 notifies the user by displaying a message indicating that the printing process is interrupted on the display unit 4b (S12), and performs the printing process on the embossed paper 70 set on the manual feed tray 54. Without being carried out as it is to the discharge tray 60 (S13). Thus, when the image forming process on the embossed paper 70 fails, the user can be notified of that.

  In the embodiment described above, the sensor 73 for detecting the length in the transport direction of the paper (embossed paper) 70 placed on the manual feed tray 54 and transported, and the position of the emboss area 70a of the embossed paper 70 are detected. The sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, and 72d for doing so are arranged at the locations shown in FIG. 3, but are not limited thereto. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the configuration from the manual feed tray 54 to the photosensitive drum 63, and shows a part of FIG. 2 in an enlarged manner. As shown in FIG. 7, the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, and 73 may be provided inside the digital multi-function peripheral 1 main body rather than the attracting roller 54a, or may be provided outside and necessary. It can be changed accordingly.

  7A to 7C, the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d, and 73 convey the embossed paper 70 (not shown in FIG. 7) on the manual feed tray 54 to the photosensitive drum 63. The length in the conveying direction of the embossed paper 70 from the registration roller 55 is L, and the distance from the registration roller 55 to the sensors 72a, 72b, 72c, 72d is S, and the registration roller 55 is provided upstream of the registration roller 55. When the distance from the sensor 73 to the sensor 73 is Q, it is necessary to arrange at a position where L <S and L <Q. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a processing time for detecting the length of the embossed paper 70 being conveyed to the registration roller 55 in the conveying direction and the position of the embossed area 70a, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of misprinting. .

  Further, when L <S <Q, the length of the embossed sheet 70 in the transport direction can be detected earlier, and the position of the emboss area 70a is triggered by the completion of detection of the length in the transport direction. Is detected, the control for detecting the transport state of the embossed paper 70 is facilitated, and the transport state of various recording materials having an embossed region can be detected with high accuracy. Therefore, the sensors 72 a, 72 b, 72 c, 72 d, 73 may be disposed at any location between the manual feed tray 54 and the registration rollers 55 as long as the above-described conditions are satisfied.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration around a manual feed tray. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the detection signal from a sensor. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a state in which embossed paper is placed on a manual feed tray. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image formation processing by the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification of the configuration from the manual feed tray to the photosensitive drum.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital MFP (image forming device)
2 Image reading unit 4 Operation panel 5 Paper feed unit (conveyance unit)
6 Image forming section 6a Memory 6b Printing section (image forming means)
8 Device control unit (image processing means, storage processing means, length detection means, non-image area detection means)
10 communication unit 12 HD (storage means)
14 Manager 71 Guide member (Regulator)

Claims (12)

In an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material based on received image data,
A transport unit for transporting a recording material having a non-image area where image formation should not be performed to the image forming unit;
Detection means for detecting the length of the recording material conveyed in the conveyance unit and the position of the non-image area;
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data according to the length in the transport direction detected by the detection means and the position of the non-image area,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit is configured to form an image on the recording material on the basis of image data on which the image processing unit has performed image processing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-image area is an area where the recording material is embossed. The recording material is an envelope;
The detection means is configured to detect the positions of the non-image areas on the front and back surfaces of the recording material,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit is configured to reverse the recording material according to the position of the non-image area detected by the detection unit.   The detection means includes a light source that irradiates light to the recording material and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the recording material, and the reflected light received by the light receiving unit from the non-image region and other regions. 4. The image according to claim 1, wherein the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area are detected based on the reflectance of the recording material. 5. Forming equipment. Storage means for storing recording material information indicating the size of the recording material, the position of the non-image area, and the use direction;
The image processing means is configured to perform image processing on the image data so as to match the length in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area detected by the detection means with the recording material information stored in the storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a storage processing unit that stores the length in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area detected by the detection unit in the storage unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage processing unit is configured to erase the length in the transport direction and the position of the non-image area stored in the storage unit.   The detection unit is provided at a position spaced apart from a conveyance position of the recording material conveyed by the conveyance unit to the image forming unit at a distance longer than a length in the conveyance direction of the recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The detection means includes
A length detection means for detecting the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction;
A non-image area detecting means for detecting the position of the non-image area of the recording material,
The length detection unit is provided with a distance longer than the distance from the conveyance position of the recording material conveyed by the conveyance unit to the image forming unit to the non-image area detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The transport unit includes a regulation unit that regulates a position in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the recording material to be transported,
10. The detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured to detect the length of the recording material in the conveyance direction and the position of the non-image area at a position corresponding to the position of the restricting portion. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that restricts execution of processing by the image processing unit and the image forming unit when the detection unit cannot detect the position of the non-image area. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that discharges the recording material without forming an image when the detecting unit cannot detect the position of the non-image area. .

Images