JP2007182081A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device with a printing function which enables easy viewing of an image and can respond to various requirements of the user. <P>SOLUTION: This imaging device can read an image described in a copy and print additional information, aside from the image, in a recording material, when the image is formed in the recording material. This device includes an input means which can set a printing position for the additional information in an optional site on the recording material, and a control means which forms the image in order to bind a plurality of the recording materials into a booklet format and executes the binding operation by controlling the printing position of the additional information to the recording material according to the described setting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, a copying machine that places or supplies an original on a platen glass (original glass) and copies an image such as a character string or a pattern drawn on the original or a combination thereof onto a transfer paper, For example, a printer that prints an image similar to the above created on a word processor of a personal computer on a transfer sheet, a facsimile that prints an image similar to the above transmitted via a communication line, and the like are provided. There is also known a so-called “multifunction machine” which is configured by providing all functions of a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile and the like in one apparatus.

  By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus, in addition to forming an image, an apparatus having a function of printing additional information related to date and time, a stamp, or a page is known. However, in the conventional printing function, for example, the printing position for a stamp printing or the like is predetermined and cannot be changed. For page printing, the pages are simply printed in the order of the read document. As described above, there is a problem in that it is easy to see and prints according to the user's request, such as having only a very simple function.

  For example, as the above-described problems, here, in particular, a chapter group of document groups will be described with reference to problems when a printing function related to a page is performed when an image is formed on transfer paper. To do. Here, the chaptered document group is, for example, a document that is separated when the number of document pages constituting “Chapter 1” is 6 pages, and the number of pages in “Chapter 2” is 8 pages. At this time, the total number of originals is 14 pages. When an image is formed on the transfer paper and the pages are printed at the same time, it is printed as “p1, p2,..., P14”. However, the relation between “chapter” and “page” is not taken, and page printing is difficult to see.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having a printing function that is easy to see and can meet various needs of users.

  The present invention takes the following means in order to solve the above problems.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is capable of reading an image described in a document and printing additional information on the recording material separately from the image when the image is formed on the recording material. In the image forming apparatus, an input unit capable of setting a print position of the additional information to an arbitrary position on the recording material, and printing of the additional information on the recording material based on the setting is performed on the recording material. And a control means for performing and performing image formation for binding a plurality of the above to a booklet format.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording material includes upper left, upper center, upper right, left middle, center, right middle, lower left, lower center, and lower right areas 9. The virtual area is divided into virtual areas, and the setting is performed by selecting one of the nine virtual areas.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the control unit includes the additional information except for the case where the selected area is an area that is not adjacent to a page adjacent to the booklet. The printing position with respect to the recording material is controlled so as to be in the vicinity of the edge of the recording material, which is separated from the central portion of the recording material, which is a bent portion of the booklet.

  According to a fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the control unit is configured such that the booklet is bound in a vertical direction, and the nine virtual regions are arranged. When the selection is made except for the upper center, center and lower center areas, the print position of the additional information with respect to the recording material is separated from the central portion of the recording material which is a bent portion of the booklet. The control is performed so as to be in the vicinity of the edge of the recording material (Claim 4), or when the booklet is bound horizontally, and the left middle of the nine virtual regions. When the selection is made except for the central and right middle areas, the recording position of the additional information with respect to the recording material is separated from the central portion of the recording material to be a bent portion of the booklet. It is controlled to be near the edge of the material. To (claim 5).

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, in the apparatus according to claim 2, when the control unit selects the central area from among the nine virtual areas, the additional information is provided. The printing position on the recording material is controlled so as to be in the vicinity of the edge of the recording material, which is separated from the central portion of the recording material, which is a bent portion of the booklet.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 is the same as the image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit selects the area on the center when the booklet is bound in a vertical direction. The print position setting is automatically changed to the upper left or the upper right in the case of the above, or to the lower left or the lower right when the lower center region is selected. Item 7), or when the booklet is bound horizontally and the left middle region is selected, the upper left or the lower left region, or the right middle region is selected. Automatically changes the setting of the print position to the upper right or the lower right, respectively.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the additional information is page information concerning the plurality of recording materials.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, additional information composed of a fixed stamp, page information, date / time information, etc., which is carried out together with image formation on a recording material, can be printed on any recording material. The position can be implemented and the adjustment can also be performed. In addition, as described above, the present invention can also perform page printing according to a booklet format, page printing according to chapters, page printing according to JOB, and the like in a format suitable for each.

  After all, according to the present invention, it is possible to print additional information including page printing in an easy-to-see manner and in accordance with the user's request.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a copying apparatus (image forming apparatus) according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, the copying apparatus is mainly composed of an image reading unit 10, an image writing unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a transfer paper transport unit 40, a transfer paper discharge unit 50, and a transfer paper reversing unit 60. An external paper feed means 41L and a post-copy processing section 70 are provided so as to be externally attached to the main body. Note that the “transfer sheet” in the present embodiment corresponds to the “recording material” in the present invention.

  The image reading unit 10 is a part that reads a character string or a picture described in the document S as light information by irradiation light of a light source, and converts it into electrical information.

  The document S is placed directly on the platen glass 11 such that the document surface (surface on which an image is formed) faces the surface of the platen glass (document glass) 11. The light source 12 projects light onto the placed document surface. The light that reaches the document surface becomes light (information) including the image information, reflects the surface, and reaches the mirror 13. The light source 12 and the mirror 13 are configured to be movable along the surface of the platen glass 11 so as to scan the entire document surface.

  In addition, the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an automatic duplex document feeder (RADF) 100 as an automatic document feeder. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic double-sided document conveying unit 100 separates one of the bundles of the documents S stacked on the document table 101 and feeds them by feeding rollers 100a and 100b. Is supplied onto the platen glass 11A. Under the platen glass 11A, a fixed light source 12A and a mirror 13A are installed. With these configurations, as described above, the document surface of a bundle of a plurality of documents S can be continuously read.

  In addition to the above, in the configuration of the automatic double-sided document conveyance unit 100 and the platen glass 11A shown in FIG. In this case, one surface is read by the light source 12A, and when the reading is completed, the document S is once sent to the right by the reversing roller 102, and then the reversing roller 102 is reversed to move the document S to the left in the diagram. While being conveyed in the direction, it is wound up by the roller 100c so that the other surface of the document S faces the surface of the platen glass 11A. The document S supplied from the automatic duplex document feeder 100 and read by the light source 12A is sequentially stacked on the sheet discharge tray 103.

  Now, as described above, the optical information relating to the original surface read by the light source 12 or 12A is repeatedly reflected by the mirrors 141, 142 or 151, 152, and is transmitted to the CCD image pickup device 17 via the imaging optical system 16. Reach. The CCD imaging device 17 has a photocathode (not shown) in which a plurality of pixels having a photoelectric conversion function are arranged, and optical information including image information on the original surface is received by the plurality of pixels. This is converted into electrical information.

  The image writing unit 20 irradiates (writes) a laser beam controlled on the basis of the electrical information obtained as described above onto a photosensitive drum 31 to be described later, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31. It is a site | part which forms.

  The electrical information including the image information obtained by converting the optical information related to the document surface is used for performing control related to a laser beam oscillated from a semiconductor laser (not shown). The laser beam controlled and oscillated based on the electrical information is applied to a polygon mirror 22 whose central portion is connected to the drive motor 21 to be rotatable, and the reflected laser beam passes through the reflection mirror 23. Then, the photosensitive drum 31 is irradiated. Here, when the polygon mirror 22 rotates while reflecting the laser beam, the laser beam is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 31 while being scanned in the axial direction. By this laser beam irradiation, an electrostatic latent image based on the electrical information is formed on the photosensitive drum 31.

  The image forming unit 30 is a part that forms an image on the transfer paper P based on the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31.

  As described above, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 31 by laser beam irradiation. As a precondition, the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 32. The developing unit 33 attaches charged toner particles to the electrostatic latent image to visualize it. In the transfer unit 34, the toner particles are transferred and adhered to the separately supplied transfer paper P surface, and a toner image is formed on the transfer paper P surface.

  Hereinafter, the separation unit 35 separates the transfer paper P adsorbed on the photosensitive drum 31 on the photosensitive drum 31, and the cleaning unit 36 cleans the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer operation. As a result, a clean surface appears, and the electrostatic charging image can be formed again by uniform charging by the charging unit 32 and laser beam irradiation. On the other hand, the transfer paper P is sent to the fixing unit 38 via the transport mechanism 37. The fixing unit 38 applies heat and pressure to the transfer paper P by the heat rollers 38a and 38b, and fixes the transferred toner image to form an image. Thereafter, the transfer paper P is discharged out of the copying apparatus through several rollers provided in the transfer paper discharge unit 50. At this point, the “copying” of the image on the original surface to the transfer paper P surface is completed.

  Incidentally, in the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the transfer of the toner image from the photosensitive drum 31 to the transfer paper P is not performed only on one surface of the transfer paper P, but on the other surface. Can also be implemented. In this case, the transfer paper P that has been subjected to single-sided copying is conveyed to the transfer paper reversing unit 60. The guide unit 61 switches the transfer path of the transfer paper P with respect to the transfer paper reversing unit 60 and the transfer paper discharge unit 50. When the guide unit 61 is switched so as to convey the transfer paper P downward in the drawing, the transfer paper P is carried out to the reversing unit 63 via the reversing roller 62. Next, in a state in which the transfer paper P is sent to the reversing unit 63 by a predetermined amount, the reversing roller 62 is reversed, and the transfer paper P is conveyed to the reverse conveying path 64. Thereafter, the transfer paper P passes through the path 64 and reaches the upstream side of the photosensitive drum 31 again. At this time, the transfer paper P surface facing the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is different from the surface transferred before passing through the transfer paper reversing unit 60. In general, when an image is actually formed on the transfer paper P reversed in this way, new image information is written on the photosensitive drum 31 by the image writing unit 20.

  The transfer paper transport unit 40 is a part that transports the transfer paper P to the above-described image forming unit 30, particularly the photosensitive drum 31.

  The transfer sheet P is stacked on a tray 42 provided in each of a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes (sheet feeding means) 41 (three sheet feeding cassettes 41 1, 41 2, and 41 3 in the figure) configured in a step shape.・ It is placed. These paper feed cassettes 41 are stored in the apparatus main body when the transfer paper P is sent to the image forming unit 30, that is, when an image is formed, and can be pulled out from the apparatus main body when the transfer paper P is replenished. It is configured as possible. For each of the paper feed cassettes 41 1, 412, and 413, for example, transfer papers P of different sizes such as “A4” for the first paper feed cassette 411 and “A3” for the second paper feed cassette 412 are used. The first paper cassette 411 stores A4 size thick paper, the second paper cassette 412 stores the same size thin paper, etc., corresponding to each paper type. It is possible to keep it.

  In this state, if there is a size specification or a paper type specification for the transfer paper P at the time of copying, the transfer paper P is fed out from the corresponding paper feed cassette accordingly, and a plurality of transport rollers shown in FIG. With this configuration, the transfer paper P is conveyed toward the image forming unit 30.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, as a means for feeding the transfer paper P in addition to the paper feed cassette 41 configured as described above, a manual feed tray 41H and a large amount of transfer paper P are provided. Is provided with an external paper feeding means 41L (so-called LCT). According to the former, it is possible to cope with a case where image formation is specially performed on special transfer paper or OHP, and in the latter case, it is possible to perform continuous image formation on a large amount of transfer paper P. .

  Although FIG. 1 shows the case where five paper feed cassettes 41H and external paper feed means 41L are provided in three paper feed cassettes, in the present invention, the number of paper feed means that can be provided is in principle. It is not limited to. That is, any number of sheet feeding means may be provided.

  Finally, the post-copy processing unit 70 passes through the transfer paper transport unit 40 and the image forming unit 30 (in the case of front and back double-sided copying, also passes through the transfer paper reversing unit 60), and the transfer paper on which the image is formed About P, it is a site | part which performs a process after that.

  More specifically, the post-copy processing unit 70 performs various processes such as sorting, stapling, and punching on the transfer paper P after the image is formed.

  Here, the sorting is a process in which the transfer sheets P that are continuously discharged are arranged in a desired order or stacked in accordance with the order. For example, when the automatic duplex document feeder 100 is used, the “multiple copies” of the transfer sheets P are arranged in a desired order so that the stacking order of the document bundles placed on the document table 101 is the same. This applies to the case of paper distribution. In such a case, the co-operation of the post-copy processing unit 70 is performed, such as performing processing that sequentially changes the paper discharge position.

  Further, stapling refers to an operation of providing a binding tool (not shown) at a predetermined position and binding the transfer paper P with respect to the image-formed transfer paper P in which a plurality of sheets are stacked. Further, punching is an operation of forming a “binding hole” for passing a binding string or the like at a predetermined position of a plurality of transfer sheets P stacked in place of providing a binding tool in the stapling. That's it.

  Next, an example of an electrical apparatus configuration relating to the copying apparatus having the above-described mechanical configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Various mechanisms in the image reading unit 10, the image writing unit 20, the image forming unit 30, the transfer paper transport unit 40, the transfer paper reversing unit 60, and the post-copy processing unit 70, as shown in FIG. (Control means) Controlled and controlled by C. The central control means C is provided with input means C1 and storage means C2.

  Here, as a specific configuration of the input unit C1, for example, a unit including a known touch panel 90 as shown in FIG. 3 may be employed. The user of the apparatus can change the copy density, the magnification, the output setting of the transfer paper P, and the like by pressing and pointing various windows shown on the touch panel 90 with a finger. In such a case, the input means C1 also serves as a display means for transmitting the setting status of the apparatus to the operator.

  The storage unit C2 is used when image information relating to the original surface read by the image reading unit 10 is temporarily stored. For example, in “image formation according to a booklet format” described below, before actual output (image formation) on the transfer paper P, image information about all document groups usually composed of a plurality of documents is It will be stored in the storage means C2.

  In the following, the operation and effect of the copying apparatus as an example of the above configuration will be described in accordance with the work procedure examples shown in FIGS. 4, 13, 16, and 19, with the role of the central control means C as the center. And

(Designation and adjustment of additional information print position)
This relates to the fact that when the image is formed on the transfer paper P, the print position can be freely set on the transfer paper P when additional information relating to the date, time, stamp, or page is printed. is there.

  First, as shown in step S1 of FIG. 4, for example, additional information to be printed is selected through an input screen (input means) as shown in FIG. As additional information in this embodiment, there are a fixed stamp, a page (page information), numbering, and date / time (date / time information) as shown in FIG. The input screen as shown in FIG. 5 may be configured to appear in the basic screen shown in FIG. 3 by, for example, instructing “application function”.

  Here, the “standard stamp” is a predetermined character string (= stamp) that can be frequently used, such as “urgent”, “confidential”, “confidential”, “COPY” (see FIG. 6). It is. In addition, “page” or “numbering” is a number that is sequentially and appropriately assigned to a plurality of transfer sheets P when image formation is performed on a plurality of transfer sheets P. The “date / time” is, for example, the current time when copying is performed.

  In FIG. 5, information to be printed is appropriately selected from such additional information by, for example, instructing with a finger. Considering the case where “standard stamp” is selected, a screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, for example, and a stamp to be printed (for example, “urgent”) is selected.

  Next, as shown in step S2 of FIG. 4, the printing position of the stamp to be printed on the transfer paper P is selected. In the selection of the print position, a print position selection area 91 shown in FIG. 6 is used. That is, in the present embodiment, the transfer paper P is “upper left”, “upper center”, “upper right”, “middle left”, “middle”, “middle right”, “lower left”, “lower center”, “ It is divided into a total of nine virtual areas “lower right”, and the print position can be set by selecting from the nine virtual areas (for example, “upper center”).

  When the above setting work is completed, as shown in step S3 of FIG. 4, image formation may be performed as usual. This makes it possible to print arbitrarily selected additional information at an arbitrary position on the transfer paper P.

  More specifically, in relation to the above configuration example, the central control means C directly connects the above-described image writing unit 20, particularly a semiconductor laser (not shown), based on the information set as described above. By controlling, the electrostatic latent image related to the image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 and the electrostatic latent image related to the additional information in a predetermined form are formed at a predetermined position on the transfer paper P. The additional information is printed on the screen.

  For the print positions of the additional information from the nine locations, it is convenient to set a “default value” in advance. In other words, immediately after starting up the copying apparatus, if there is a default value for the position to be printed, such as “upper right” for date / time and “lower center” for the page, the user can use it for operation. It will contribute to convenience.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, in addition to the function that the position can be selected / set from a total of nine positions, it is also possible to carry out a fine adjustment regarding the position after the position selection. (FIG. 4, steps S21 and S22). This is performed by pressing the adjustment button 92 shown in FIG. 6 to display an adjustment screen as shown in FIG. 7, for example. That is, for each of the nine positions shown in FIG. 6, a “reference point” is set in advance within each position range, but the direction button 93 and the number adjustment button 94 shown in FIG. 7 are used. Thus, fine adjustment from the “reference point” can be performed. In the figure, the movement adjustment of “15.0 mm in the upward direction” and “10.0 mm in the left direction” is performed from the reference point. By the way, this adjustment is preferably set so that it can be about 50 mm in each of the vertical and horizontal directions.

  With such a configuration, for example, when the image formation position and the print position of the additional information overlap, it is possible to avoid this by adjusting the print position of the additional information.

(Page printing related to booklet format)
This relates to trying to perform page printing performed together with image formation in a booklet format in a place where the print position is easily visible.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the “booklet format” is formed in the form of “booklet BL” by overlapping the folded transfer paper P and binding the bent portions PM. The image formation according to the format means image formation on each of a plurality of transfer sheets P constituting the booklet BL. This image formation also implies that two images are formed on one side (including the distinction between the front and back sides) of the transfer paper P as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG.

  Further, page printing for such a booklet format must be performed according to the rules shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. FIG. 9 shows the rule of the page printing method for the 12-page booklet BL format with left binding. The first page and the 12th page are on the first surface of the transfer sheet, and the second page is on the back side. The eleventh page should be (see figure below). FIG. 10 also shows the rule of the page printing method for the right-bound booklet BL.

  Further, unlike the case of the “vertically oriented booklet” shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, for example, the case of performing image formation for the “landscape booklet” as shown in FIG. Even in such a case, the fact that two images are formed on one side (including the distinction between the front and back sides) of the transfer paper P and that the rule of page printing exists is the same as in the case of FIG. 9 or FIG. It is the same.

  Incidentally, when the image formation according to the booklet format is to be carried out, the central control means C “assumes” the situation as shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, or FIG. Here, “assumed” specifically refers to, for example, when image formation according to a booklet format according to FIG. 9 is performed, after storing image information relating to a plurality of documents in the storage means C2, the entire image information is stored. In relation to this, it means that “preparation” is performed to perform control such as copying the first and twelfth image information of the document on the first sheet surface of the transfer sheet P. The user of the apparatus informs the central control means C that the image formation according to such a booklet format is to be performed (including whether the booklet is “vertically oriented booklet” or “landscape booklet”). Can be set via

  In the present embodiment, for the page printing according to such a booklet format, it is possible to set and adjust the printing position in the same manner as the above-described work for setting the printing position of the additional information. is there. That is, if the page button 95 is selected in FIG. 5, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 12 appears, and the page is displayed by using the print position selection area 91 similar to FIG. 6 on the right side of FIG. The printing position (= additional information) can be selected or set. That is, in this case, the page printing is performed in accordance with the adjustment value from the area selected as “upper left” or the reference point, for example, in the same flow as the flowchart shown in FIG. Become. However, it goes without saying that the page printing is performed in accordance with the “determination” shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, or FIG.

  Here, in the present embodiment, it is also possible to perform page printing in the “outer print mode” described below. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, when the “outside printing mode” is set in advance, the selection of additional information (step S1) and the position selection (step S2) in FIG. As shown in step T1, in the print position selection area 91, each area of “upper center”, “center” and “lower center” (in the case of “vertically oriented booklet” shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10), or When each region of “middle left”, “center” and “middle right” (in the case of “landscape booklet” shown in FIG. 11) is selected, that is, a region not adjacent to the page adjacent to the booklet BL is selected. Except for the case, when any area is selected, the following page printing is performed.

  For example, when image formation according to the “vertical booklet” format as shown in FIG. 10 is performed and “lower left” is selected, the central control means C determines the print position of the page. Control is performed as indicated by reference numeral V3 shown in FIG. That is, on the surface of the first sheet of the transfer paper P, the page printing relating to the left half surface (first page) of the transfer paper P is “lower left”, and the right half surface (page 12) is “lower right”. become.

  In this respect, if the setting of “lower left” is simply followed, page printing for “lower left” will be performed consistently as indicated by reference numeral F shown in FIG. However, in such a case, if the transfer sheet P on which an image has been formed is bound, as shown in FIG. 8, the page printed in the vicinity of the bent portion PM is very difficult to see (for example, the second page). Or 4th page, in this case, even numbered pages).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, if the page is difficult to see when the booklet BL format is used if the designated page print position is followed as it is, the print position is changed to the folding position of the booklet BL. It is automatically changed and set to the vicinity of the edge of the transfer paper P that is separated from the central portion of the transfer paper P that becomes the curved portion PM (step T2 in FIG. 13). In other words, the printing position is changed so as to be positioned “outside” of the transfer paper P when the booklet BL is spread.

  In this case, in addition to the “lower left” and the “lower right”, “middle left” and “middle right” (see the reference symbol V2 in FIG. 14), “upper left” and “upper right” (reference symbol V1 in FIG. 14). However, the same control is performed. Further, when the selected or set printing position is “upper center”, “middle”, and “lower center”, in FIG. 14, as indicated by the symbol R in the drawing showing the surface of the first sheet of transfer paper. In addition, printing is performed according to the setting (step T1 in FIG. 13 is the same for the second and subsequent transfer sheets).

  Further, the above-described page printing control is applied in the same manner to the case of the “landscape booklet” shown in FIG. However, in this case, unlike the case of “vertical booklet”, when any region except “middle left”, “middle” and “middle right” is selected in step T1 in FIG. As shown in step T2 in the figure, the page print position is changed and set for each of “upper left” and “lower left”, “upper center” and “lower center”, “upper right” and “lower right”. become. For example, when “upper center” is selected, control as indicated by reference symbol W2 in FIG. 15 is performed. The same applies to the other cases (see symbols W1 and W3 in FIG. 15). When “left middle”, “center”, and “right middle” are selected, the page is printed as set (step T1 in FIG. 13) as in the case of “vertical booklet”.

  By doing so, it is possible to easily check the printed page even after the image-formed transfer paper P is bound in the form of a booklet BL.

  In addition, when the “outer print mode” is set, the “other than center / outer print mode” can be set instead. That is, in this case, the determination in step T1 in FIG. The flowchart is as shown in FIG.

  In this “non-center / outside printing mode”, “vertical booklet” and “top center” or “bottom center” are selected, or “landscape booklet” and “left center” ”Or“ middle right ”is selected, it has a different feature from FIG. 13.

  First, in the case of “vertical booklet”, for example, when “upper center” is selected, when the page printing is executed according to the setting, the printing positions as indicated by reference numerals R1 and R2 in FIG. 17 are obtained. However, in the “non-center / outside printing mode”, the page printing position indicated by the symbol R1 is changed to “upper left”, and the page printing position indicated by the symbol R2 is changed to “upper right”.

  That is, in this case, even the “upper center” printing position printed according to the setting in FIG. 13 or FIG. 14 is separated from the central portion of the transfer paper P that becomes the folded portion PM of the booklet BL. It is automatically changed and set near the edge of the transfer paper P (step T2 ′ in FIG. 16). The change is made so that the printing position is positioned “outside” of the transfer paper P when the booklet BL is “spreading”. Note that when “bottom center” is selected (reference symbols R3 and R4 in FIG. 17), the page print position is changed (reference symbol V3 in FIG. 17) in the same manner as described above.

  In the case of “landscape booklet”, for example, when “middle left” is selected, the print positions as indicated by reference numerals M1 and M2 in FIG. “Lower left” (reference numeral W1 in FIG. 18). The same applies to the case where “middle right” is selected (in FIG. 18, from the symbols M3 and M4 to the print position indicated by the symbol W3).

  Note that when “center” is selected, or when a region other than those described above is selected, the processing is exactly the same as in FIG. 13, FIG. 14, or FIG.

  In such a case, it is clear that the same effect as described above can be obtained. That is, even after the image-formed transfer paper P is bound in a booklet BL shape, the printed page can be easily confirmed.

  Note that FIGS. 13 and 16 show only a flow relating to “page printing” for convenience of explanation, but it is natural that “image formation” is also performed at the same time. Incidentally, in FIG. 19 described later, the flow for only “page printing” is shown, but the image formation is performed at the same time as in the case of FIGS. 13 and 16.

(Page printing for chapters)
This is because, for example, when a chapter is already set for a group of documents composed of a plurality of documents, or a new chapter is set for a plurality of transfer sheets when an image is formed on a plurality of transfer sheets regarding a certain group of documents. In such a case, the present invention relates to an attempt to perform easy-to-read page printing corresponding to the chapter chapter.

  In this case, first, as shown in step U1 of FIG. 19, “chapter setting” related to the “document group” as described above (or according to the contents of the document surface of each document) has a plurality of transfer sheets P. It is assumed that this is done. This “chapter setting” may be performed as follows, for example.

  If the document group is composed of n documents, (1 ≦) n1 <n2 <n3 <... (≦ n) (in the middle of reading) n1, n2, n3,. A “chapter setting mode” is prepared. Then, at the time of actual reading of the document group by the automatic duplex document feeder 100 and each designation of n1, n2, n3,..., A process of changing the “chapter number” is performed.

  That is, in this example, in this mode, with respect to the n original group to be read from now on, the chapter number is “1” (= Chapter 1) from the n1 th page to the n2 th page, and the n2 th to n3 th page. In general, the chapter number is “2” (= Chapter 2) etc. until the less than the eyes, and in general, a small bundle of nq-1 or more and less than nq is separated, and each chapter number is assigned as a unit. (By the way, when n1 ≠ 1, regarding a small bundle of documents corresponding to 1 or more and n1 or less, this is recognized as, for example, “cover” or “preface”) Is possible).

  It should be noted that the image information relating to the “already read (that is, read in batch)” original document group is temporarily stored in the storage means C2 instead of the “read from now” original document group. It is obvious that the above method can be applied as it is if the number n1, n2, n3,.

  Further, according to the above-described method, even when the document group has already been chaptered, or when a new chapter is created for a plurality of transfer sheets P to be copied (especially for the document group) Even if the chapter is not set up), the “chapter setting” can be performed by the same method.

  When the page is to be printed after such “chapter setting” is performed, the following effects are obtained in the present embodiment.

  First, since “printing a page” is not different from the above-described additional information printing, the basic operation is “page printing” as additional information to be printed from the selection screen shown in FIG. "Is selected, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (see steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 19). Then, in order to implement the function related to “chapter setting”, the chapter page button 96 is further selected from FIG.

  After that, by performing normal image formation, page printing on the transfer paper P is performed in a format corresponding to the chapter chapter or in a format according to the chapter chapter. Specifically, when the first chapter is composed of 6 pages, for example, “1-1, 1-2,..., 1-6” is printed, and the second chapter is composed of 8 pages. In some cases, pages are printed as “2-1, 2-2,..., 2-8”.

  It goes without saying that such an operation is realized in conjunction with the above-mentioned number designation n1, n2, n3,. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that n1 = 1 (n2 and n3 are arbitrary) and the above “interlocking” is described sequentially with reference to FIG. 19 as follows.

  First, printing from the first sheet (= n1 sheet) to the (n2-1) sheet starts from “1-1” to “1 (chapter)-(n2-1) (page)”. According to FIG. 19, this corresponds to the repetition of steps U4 and U5 (including the steps U2 and U3, the initial value of p is “0”). However, the value of x in the figure is 2.

  When the reading up to the n2th sheet is completed (“p = nx” in step U4 in FIG. 19), the fact is transmitted from the image reading unit 10 (especially the automatic double-sided document conveying unit 100) to the central control means C. In response to this, the central control means C controls the image writing unit 20 (especially a semiconductor laser) to print from “2-1” from the next transfer. That is, the steps U4 and U5 in FIG. 19 are repeated again. However, the value of x in the figure becomes 3 by step U6.

  Thereafter, this is repeated until the reading is completed (see steps U2 and U3 in FIG. 19). Note that the processing example shown in FIG. 19 is merely an example, and is not intended to limit the present invention.

  Incidentally, in order to realize the “interlocking” with respect to the original document group temporarily stored in the storage unit C2, for each stored content of the original (including the distinction between the front and back surfaces) of the original in the storage unit C2. Information or an attribute regarding the number of sheets in the entire document group is added or an attribute is provided, and a check means for confirming this attribute is provided, and the central control means C receives a transmission from the check means. , N1, n2, n3,... Can be determined.

  By performing page printing in a format corresponding to such chapter chapters, it is possible to print pages that are easier to view.

(Page printing related to JOB)
This relates to an attempt to perform easy-to-read page printing corresponding to each JOB with respect to a group of documents that can be classified as “JOB”.

  Here, “JOB” refers to image information relating to a certain bundle of documents and operating environmental conditions (required for driving the copying apparatus (this apparatus)) when performing image formation relating to the bundle of documents. The unit for carrying out image formation, defined as “one unit” by the setting information) (see FIG. 3).

  The image information relating to the original bundle is the contents (characters, designs, etc.) described on the original surface of each original constituting the original bundle. In other words, the operating environment condition is a control condition regarding the copying apparatus when the image information is output. Specifically, distinction relating to the size of A4 / B5 etc. regarding the original or transfer paper P, distinction relating to the paper type (type) such as thick paper / thin paper, and transfer after image formation such as stapling execution / non-execution Information such as distinction related to paper processing is included. At the time of actual output related to the JOB, for example, regarding the type of the transfer paper P, by performing the selection control of the paper feed cassette 41 on which the transfer paper P of the corresponding paper type is loaded, the staple is performed. / For non-execution, the control mode of the post-copy processing unit 70 is changed to correspond to the above. More specifically, for example, assuming that the original group is separated into three original bundles, the “strong operating environment” includes image formation for “A4 color paper” for the first job, and “A4 thick paper” for the second job. For example, “A4 plain paper / double-sided copy” may be set differently for the image formation and the third JOB.

  When image formation using this “JOB” is to be performed and page printing is to be performed, for example, the document group has relevance in terms of content. As will be clear when assuming “separate”, printing pages with “JOB” as “chapter” makes it easy to organize transfer paper P after image formation, etc. It becomes printing.

  That is, when the first JOB is composed of 6 pages, “1-1, 1-2,..., 1-6” and when the second JOB is composed of 8 pages, “2-1, When each page is printed as “2-2,..., 2-8”, it is convenient to know at a glance what number the image is formed by JOB.

  In order to realize such page printing, control similar to the above-described “page printing according to chaptering” may be performed.

  However, in this case, “JOB setting” is performed instead of “chapter setting” in step U1 of FIG. Here, “JOB setting” means, for example, that the document reading button 97 shown on the rightmost and lowermost side in FIG. 3 is instructed to read each of a plurality of document bundles, and the input means C1 is used for each of these. If “Confirm” is executed, the setting work is completed while each JOB is given its own JOB number attribute such as the first JOB, the second JOB,... Will go.

  Further, instead of the determination “p = nx?” In step U4 in FIG. 19, if the above-mentioned JOB number is Pjob, the process relating to “numerical confirmation of Pjob” is replaced, and “page printing” in step U5 in FIG. Instead of “(x-1) -1,..., (Nx-1)” ”,“ page printing “Pjob-1, 2,. Here, it is needless to say that “m” is the number of documents grasped in one JOB number Pjob. In this “page printing related to JOB”, steps U2 and U3 in FIG. 19 are not necessary.

(Page printing with display of the total number of pages)
This is related to an attempt to perform easy-to-read page printing by simultaneously printing each page as well as displaying the total number of documents (total number of pages) constituting the document group.

  The present embodiment is characterized in that the implementation of this function is accompanied by a restriction that the reading of the document group is limited to “collective” reading. That is, for example, when there are 35 document groups, it is preferable to be able to perform page printing with display of the total number of pages only when reading about the 35 sheets is performed at once. In this way, when the above function is performed when it is uncertain how many originals will be printed, page printing is performed based on reliable information without incurring a problem such as some error. can do.

  Here, regarding “batch reading”, for example, such a “mode” (hereinafter referred to as “batch reading mode”) may be prepared in advance so as to be realized. More specifically, in the above-described “image formation according to booklet format”, it is usually convenient to read all the manuscripts necessary for composing the booklet BL and output them. In such a case, the reading target in the “batch reading mode” may be used. In addition, it can be said that the “collective reading mode” method is appropriate even when the process includes a step of copying the contents of a plurality of documents on a single transfer sheet P.

  Regarding the original group read through the above-described “batch reading mode”, when page printing is performed at the time of image formation, the following is performed. First, since “page printing” is not different from the above functions, as a basic operation, “page” is selected as additional information to be printed from the selection screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. Then, in order to implement the function relating to “page printing with display of the total number of pages”, the total page number display accompanying page button 98 is further selected from FIG.

  After that, by performing normal image formation, page printing on the transfer paper P is performed in a form accompanied by display of the total number of pages. That is, when the total number of documents is n, page printing of “1 / n, 2 / n,..., N / n” is sequentially performed from one page.

  For this reason, easy-to-read page printing can be performed based on definitive total page number information.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific structural example of the input means which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a work procedure which implements the printing position designation | designated and adjustment of additional information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of an additional information selection screen. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a screen that appears when “standard stamp” is selected in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a screen that appears when an “adjustment button” is selected in FIG. 5. It is a schematic diagram explaining the form of a booklet. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of image formation and page printing which concern on the booklet shown in FIG. 8, Comprising: It is related with the case where the said booklet is a structure of 12 pages of left binding. It is explanatory drawing similar to FIG. 9, Comprising: It is related with the case where the said booklet is a structure of 12 pages of right binding. Unlike FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, it is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the image formation and page printing which concern on a landscape booklet, Comprising: It is related with the case where the said booklet is a structure of 12 pages. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a screen that appears when a “page button” is selected in FIG. 5. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a work procedure for performing page printing according to a booklet format in “outside printing mode”. In the case of FIG. 13, it is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of control of the page printing with respect to a portrait orientation booklet. In the case of FIG. 13, it is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of control of the page printing with respect to a landscape booklet. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a work procedure for performing page printing according to a booklet format in “other than center / outside printing mode”. In the case of FIG. 16, it is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of control of the page printing with respect to a portrait orientation booklet. In the case of FIG. 16, it is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of control of the page printing with respect to a landscape booklet. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a work procedure which implements the page printing which concerns on chaptering.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image reading part 20 Image writing part 30 Image formation part 40 Transfer paper conveyance part 50 Transfer paper discharge part 60 Transfer paper inversion part 70 Copying post-processing part C Central control means (control means)
P Transfer paper (or wide paper)

Claims (9)

In an image forming apparatus capable of reading an image described on a document and printing additional information on the recording material separately from the image when the image is formed on the recording material.
An input means capable of setting a print position of the additional information at an arbitrary position on the recording material;
An image forming system comprising: a control unit configured to perform an image forming operation for binding a plurality of the recording materials in a booklet format with respect to the print position of the additional information based on the setting on the recording material. apparatus.   The recording material is divided into nine virtual areas in the upper left, upper center, upper right, middle left, middle, right middle, lower left, lower center and lower right areas, and the setting is the nine virtual areas. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is selected by selecting one of the following. The control means includes
Except when the selected area is an area that is not adjacent to the next page of the booklet,
The printing position of the additional information with respect to the recording material is controlled so as to be in the vicinity of an edge of the recording material, which is separated from a central portion of the recording material that is a bent portion of the booklet. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 2. The control means includes
In the case where the booklet is bound in a vertical orientation and the selection is made to exclude the upper center, center and lower center areas of the nine virtual areas,
The printing position of the additional information with respect to the recording material is controlled so as to be in the vicinity of an edge of the recording material, which is separated from a central portion of the recording material that is a bent portion of the booklet. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 2. The control means includes
In the case where the booklet is bound sideways and the selection is made except for the left middle, center and right middle areas among the nine virtual areas,
The printing position of the additional information with respect to the recording material is controlled so as to be in the vicinity of an edge of the recording material, which is separated from a central portion of the recording material that is a bent portion of the booklet. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 2. The control means includes
When selection is made to exclude the central area from the nine virtual areas,
The printing position of the additional information with respect to the recording material is controlled so as to be in the vicinity of an edge of the recording material, which is separated from a central portion of the recording material that is a bent portion of the booklet. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 2. The control means includes
When the booklet is bound vertically,
When the upper center area is selected, the upper left or the upper right area, or when the lower central area is selected, the lower left or the lower right area,
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the print position settings is automatically changed. The control means includes
When the booklet is bound sideways,
When the left middle region is selected, the top left or the bottom left, or when the right middle region is selected, the top right or the bottom right,
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the print position settings is automatically changed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is page information relating to the plurality of recording materials.

Images