JP2007202198A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accomplish more convenient and variable functions by linking and processing a plurality of data. <P>SOLUTION: Desired ones of different data stored in a hard disk are selected and given serial numbers in the order of selection. By setting the output order of the selected data, the data selected are linked and then outputted in any desired order without regard to the other in which they were written to the hard disk. In this case, the linked data are dealt with as a single job and printed on papers/OHP films at a time. Further, post-processing such as stapling/punching is performed as needed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, and more particularly to a digital image forming apparatus.

JP-A-7-307841

  2. Description of the Related Art In image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, printers, and facsimiles, apparatuses that perform image formation based on digital image information are well known. In recent years, in order to enable handling of a large amount of data or to realize various functions, an increasing number of digital image forming apparatuses are provided with storage means such as a memory and a hard disk.

  Equipped with storage means, proxy reception in facsimile (memory reception when paper runs out) and rotating copy in copier (when the orientation of the original and paper is different, rotate the image forming device according to the orientation of the paper Various extended functions can be realized.

  However, in a conventional digital image forming apparatus including a storage unit, data accumulated in the storage unit is basically processed as a single data, and a process for connecting a plurality of data is not performed.

  The composite copy in the digital copying machine is to process a plurality of data in association with each other. However, this function reads two originals into a storage unit and superimposes and copies the images. If there are images at the same position, the images overlap, and the output obtained is not practical.

  The present invention relates to a digital image forming apparatus having a storage means, which effectively utilizes the merit of the storage means and realizes more convenient and diverse functions by connecting and processing a plurality of data. It is an issue to provide.

  According to the present invention, the above-described problem is solved by being able to process a plurality of data accumulated in the storage means in an arbitrary order in a digital image forming apparatus provided with a storage means capable of storing data.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes that the plurality of data to be connected and processed can be selected from the data stored in the storage means.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that the data that can be connected and processed includes image data created in advance.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that the data that can be connected and processed includes image data read using an image reading function.
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention proposes that the connection process includes a post-process for an image-formed recording material.

  According to the digital image forming apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of documents (data) accumulated in the storage means can be connected in an arbitrary order and processed as one job, so that the merit provided with the storage means can be effectively utilized. It is possible to realize more convenient and diverse functions.

In addition, since a plurality of data to be connected and processed can be selected from the data stored in the storage means, only necessary data can be extracted and processed.
Furthermore, since the data that can be connected and processed includes image data created in advance, a high-quality file in which image data is added to document data can be obtained.

  Furthermore, by including data that can be processed in conjunction with image data that has been read using the image reading function, paper-based materials can be easily combined with a document, resulting in a higher quality file. it can.

  Furthermore, by including the post-processing for the recording material on which the image has been formed, the labor for post-processing of the connected files can be saved and the productivity can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of a digital image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The overall configuration of the document reading unit, image forming unit, paper feeding unit, and the like of the image forming apparatus main body is the same as that of a conventionally known electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and thus description thereof is omitted. The explanation is centered. Note that the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be an apparatus having each function of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer, or a complex function type image forming apparatus having duplicate functions. Here, description will be made as a multifunction peripheral having a copying machine and a printer function.

  In the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a microprocessor for executing a program of the image forming apparatus, reference numeral 2 is an address, data and control bus of the microprocessor 1, and reference numerals 3, 4, and 5 are microbuses through the bus 2, respectively. A read-only memory (ROM), a read / write memory (RAM), and a nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) connected to the processor 1. Reference numeral 6 denotes an input / output port connected to the microprocessor 1 through the bus 2, to which an output load such as a motor and a solenoid in the image forming apparatus and an input signal such as a sensor are connected. Reference numeral 7 denotes a serial communication control unit, which exchanges signals with the operation display unit 8.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an operation unit provided in the multifunction machine according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the operation unit 8 includes a numeric keypad (enter key) 81, a start key 82, a clear / stop key 83, a program key 84, a reset / residual heat key 85, an interrupt, with a screen (display screen) 80 as the center. Each part such as a key 86, a trial copy key 87, and a setting key 88 is provided.

  On the screen 80, an operation state and a message are displayed. The numeric keypad (enter key) 81 has both a numeric keypad for inputting a numeric value such as the number of copies and an enter key function for confirming the inputted numeric value. A start key 82 is pressed to start copying. The clear / stop key 83 is used for canceling an input numerical value, or interrupting or canceling copying. The program key 84 is a key for registering and recalling frequently used settings. The reset / residual heat key 85 cancels the set contents, and puts the machine into a residual heat state when pressed for about 1 second or longer. With the trial copy key 87, it is possible to confirm the finish of one copy of a completed copy in order to prevent miscopying. The setting key 88 is a key for changing an initial setting value or an operation condition in accordance with a use condition.

  The screen 80 is a liquid crystal display with a touch panel, and is composed of a touch panel that allows key input by touching the panel surface and a display LCD. The touch panel key detection circuit and the coordinate detection method are well known and will not be described.

FIG. 3 shows a basic display (initial screen) of the screen 80 when the copy function is used.
In the basic display shown in FIG. 3, when a display area 80a for displaying the contents for selecting the document type, copy density, and special document feed, a display area 80b for displaying the operation status and message, and a connected unit are set. Displays the linked copy (displays the remaining memory capacity if no linked unit is set), displays the number of originals read, the number of copies set (number of copies), and the number of copies (number of copies) displayed in memory Display area 80d for display, display area 80e for displaying contents for selecting sort / stack / staple / punch, display area 80f for displaying the contents of registered functions, display area 80g for displaying function items such as scaling and editing copy, etc. There are areas.

  If this screen 80 is classified from the viewpoint of copying operation, a first display unit (display area 80a) related to the operation on the original, a second display unit related to the operation such as paper size / magnification, etc. It is classified into a third display section (display area 80e) related to post-processing. However, the display area 80d displays the number of originals, the number of sheets set (number of copies), and the number of copies (number of copies), and is not suitable for this classification. The classifications of the first to third display units are merely for convenience, and the liquid crystal display screen 80 can display across the display units.

  FIG. 4 is a document selection screen of the operation unit screen 80 when storage file printing is designated. Accumulated file printing prints data (files) stored in the data storage means (hard disk in this embodiment) of the multifunction device, and is designated by the host machine connected to the multifunction device. Belongs to the printer function.

  In the document selection screen of FIG. 4, a document reading key 31 for instructing document reading is displayed on the first display unit. The message display area at the top of the second display unit is the same as the display area 80b of the copy function screen shown in FIG. 3 (the displayed contents are different), but the lower part contains the storage means. An accumulated data display area 32 that can display up to five accumulated data simultaneously is provided. For each piece of data, user ID, document name, number of pages, time, and output order data information can be displayed. In FIG. 4, data information is displayed in the uppermost column of the accumulated data display area 32, and a state where one data is accumulated is shown.

  A print condition key 33 for setting print conditions is displayed on the third display section on the right side of the screen. As in the case of the copy function screen of FIG. 3, the uppermost portion of the third display section is provided with a display area 80d for displaying the number of originals read, the number of sheets set (number of copies), and the number of copies (number of copies). .

  When merging paper-based attachments with the accumulated document data, when the document reading key 31 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 4, the display on the screen 80 is changed to the document reading screen shown in FIG. It is also possible to read a manuscript by making necessary designations on this screen and store the read data in the hard disk.

  In the digital image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of data stored in the storage unit can be connected in an arbitrary order and processed as one job. This concept is illustrated in FIG. In the present embodiment, a plurality of documents (files and data) stored on the hard disk are connected and output in an arbitrary order regardless of the stored order by setting the output order of each data on the document selection screen of FIG. can do. In this case, it is possible to process a plurality of concatenated data as one job, print them together on recording paper, an OHP film, and the like, and further perform post-processing such as stapling and punching. As data to be connected, it is possible to process document files and image data created by the host machine, and paper-based manuscripts / materials / pictures / photos read by the multifunction machine.

Specific operations will be described on the operation unit screen.
FIG. 7 shows a portion relating to the accumulated data of the document selection screen of the operation unit screen 80. As shown in this figure, three data are stored in the hard disk, of which “P-17187” and “P-17190” are document data created by the host machine. The data “SCAN-01” is image data read by the multifunction machine. The screen 80 displays data in the order in which they are stored on the hard disk. That is, in FIG. 7, “P-17187” at the top is the oldest data, and “SCAN-01” at the bottom is the most recently stored data (refer to the storage date of each data).

  In this embodiment, the stored data can be displayed only for five items at a time, but it is of course possible to store more than six items of data. When six or more pieces of data are stored, the scroll keys 34 and 35 are used. For example, when 8 data items are registered in the hard disk, the “return” key 35 is used to display the 6th and subsequent data from the state in which the first 5 items (from the oldest to the 1st to 5th) are displayed. By pressing, the displayed data can be scrolled to display the accumulated data. When displaying the previous (previously registered) data, the display is scrolled by pressing the “Previous” key 34. Further, when deleting data from the displayed data list, it can be deleted by selecting the data to be deleted and pressing the “delete from list” key 36. The data is selected by pressing (touching) the information display column of each data displayed on the screen which is a touch panel.

  The output order when concatenating and outputting a plurality of data is determined in the order in which the data displayed on the screen 80 is selected. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, “SCAN-01” is selected first (the selected data is displayed in black and white inversion), and the output order “1” is displayed at the rightmost position of the data information. . Next, if “P-17187” is selected, “P-17187” becomes the output order “2”, and if “P-17190” is selected lastly, “P-17190” becomes the output order “3”. FIG. 8 shows a state where three data items are selected in the selection order, and the data are output in the order of “SCAN-01”, “P-17187”, and “P-17190”.

  After selecting the data as shown in FIG. 8, pressing the print condition key 33 on the third display section shown in FIG. 4 brings up a screen for setting the necessary printing conditions. In that screen, post-processing such as stapling and punching is performed. Can also be set. After the necessary settings are made, the number of copies is designated with the numeric keypad 81 of the operation section, and the printing is started when the start key 82 is pressed.

  In order to change or cancel the output order once set, it is necessary to cancel the selected state by pressing the selected data again (or pressing the mode clear key 83). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, after “SCAN-01” is set to the output order “1”, the output order of “P-17187” is “1”, “SCAN-01” is the output order “2”, “ When changing “P-17190” to output order “3”, (1) “SCAN-01” is pressed again to deselect (output order “1” disappears), (2) “P- Select "17187" (output order "1" is displayed), (3) Press "SCAN-01" to select (output order "2" is displayed), (4 ) The procedure is to select by pressing “P-17190” (output order “3” is displayed).

  As described above, in the MFP according to the present embodiment, a plurality of documents (data) stored in the hard disk can be connected in an arbitrary order and processed as one job. It can be used and more convenient and diverse functions can be realized.

  The data to be connected is not limited to document data, and may be image data created by a personal computer or the like, or data obtained by reading a paper-based manuscript, document, picture, or the like.

Furthermore, the storage means for storing data is not limited to a hard disk, and any means such as a semiconductor memory or a DVD-RAM can be employed.
The present invention has been described above by taking the operation unit of a multifunction machine having a copier function and a printer function as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and each function of the copier, printer, and facsimile is independent. The present invention can also be applied to a multifunctional image forming apparatus having a combination of functions other than the present embodiment. For example, in a multi-function machine having the functions of a copier, a facsimile machine, and a printer, received data and a document file created on a manuscript material may be connected and processed.

In the following, as another embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the data output order in the concatenation process of a plurality of data is set by a method different from that described above will be described.
In FIG. 7, three data are stored in the hard disk. In order to change the output order of the accumulated data, two output order change keys (triangular arrow buttons) 34 or 35 on the right side of the accumulated data display area 32 are used. If there is data that does not require output in the accumulated data, the delete button 36 is used. For example, if five pieces of data are stored and there are two pieces of data that do not need to be output, they can be selected and deleted from the output list by the delete button 36.

  In FIG. 7, “SCAN-01” of the three data is selected and highlighted (indicated by white letters in the figure). In order to set this data in the output order “2”, the upward triangular arrow button 34 is pressed. Then, the output order of the accumulated data is changed, and a display as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. In the screen display of FIG. 9, the data “SCAN-01” is located between “P-17190” and “P-17191”, and the output order of each data is displayed at the right end of the information display column of each data. Is done.

  When outputting in the order shown in FIG. 9, all three data are selected on the screen of FIG. The data is selected by pressing (touching) the information display column of each data displayed on the screen which is a touch panel. After selecting the data, pressing the print condition key 33 on the third display section shown in FIG. 4 brings up a screen for setting necessary print conditions, and post-processing such as stapling and punching can be set on the screen. After the necessary settings are made, the number of copies is designated with the numeric keypad 81 of the operation section, and the printing is started when the start key 82 is pressed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an overall control system for an image forming apparatus including an operation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the operation part of this embodiment. It is a top view which shows the basic display of the operation part screen at the time of a copy function. It is a top view which shows the document selection screen of the operation part screen at the time of accumulation file printing. It is a top view which shows the original reading screen in the case of accumulating the read data. It is a schematic diagram explaining the concept of the connection process of multiple data in this invention. It is explanatory drawing which takes out and shows the part concerning the accumulation | storage data of a document selection screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the accumulation | storage data were selected and the output order was set. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating another example of accumulation data output order setting.

Explanation of symbols

1 Microprocessor 6 I / O port 7 Serial communication control unit 8 Operation section (operation display section)
32 Accumulated data display area 34, 35 Scroll key or output order change key 36 Delete button 80 screen (display screen)
80a-g Display area 81 Numeric keypad / Enter key 82 Start key 83 Clear / Stop key

Claims (5)

A digital image forming apparatus including a storage unit capable of storing data, wherein the plurality of data stored in the storage unit can be connected and processed in an arbitrary order. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of data to be connected and processed can be selected from data stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data that can be connected and processed includes image data created in advance. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data that can be connected and processed includes image data read using an image reading function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting process includes a post-process for a recording material on which an image is formed.

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