JP2008116649A - Copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying machine which can shorten time required for double-side printing. <P>SOLUTION: After end of reading an original of a first page (Yes in a step S102) and after start of reading the original of a second page (step S103), the image based on the image data of the second page is first printed (step S104). During reading of the original of the second page or printing of the image based on the image data of the second page, the processing to rotate the image data of the first page is performed at need (step S106). As a result, the occurrence of the waiting time due to performing of the processing to rotate the image data can be prevented, and therefore the time required for double-side printing can be shortened without prolonging the time required for printing even when the double-side printing is performed by rotating the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a copying machine, and more particularly, to a copying machine capable of performing double-sided printing.

  In the copying machine, a two-page document is read, an image based on the image data of the first page is printed on the first side of the paper, and an image based on the image data of the second page is printed on the second side of the paper. There are some which can perform double-sided printing by printing (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  As an example of a copying machine that can perform such double-sided printing, there is one that can change the direction of an image to be printed on paper. In this type of copying machine, for example, when a plurality of sheets to be printed on both sides are bound in a booklet form with staples or the like, the user inputs the binding direction of the sheets to be printed, so that the sheets are printed according to the binding direction. The direction of the image to be printed on is automatically changed.

  In the case of binding a plurality of sheets into a booklet, generally, the left side is bound to the cover, “left binding”, the right side is bound to the cover, “right binding”, and the upper side is bound to the cover. There is "upper binding". As described above, when adopting a configuration in which the direction of the image is changed according to the binding direction input by the user, when the left binding or the right binding is designated, the first side and the second side of the sheet are specified. In both cases, the image is printed with one end of the paper facing upward, whereas when upper binding is designated, the image is printed on the first surface of the paper with one end facing upward, and on the second surface of the paper. The image is printed with the other end facing upward.

As described above, when the direction of the image on each side of the sheet is changed according to the conditions specified by the user, a process of rotating the image data of the read document is performed as necessary. In the above example, one of the image printed on the second side of the paper when left binding or right binding is specified and the image printed on the second side of the paper when upper binding is specified are the other The image is rotated 180 ° so as to be inverted upside down.
JP 2000-352917 A JP-A-8-111171

  When performing the process of rotating the image as described above, the process takes a certain amount of time. Therefore, until the process of rotating the image data of the read original is completed, the image based on the image data is used on the paper. The process to print cannot be started.

  As a processing mode at the time of duplex printing, after reading the first page of the document, an image based on the image data of the first page is printed on the first side of the paper, and the second page of the document is read. In general, an image based on the image data of the second page is printed on the second surface of the sheet after the printing of the eyes is completed. However, when the image data for the second page is rotated using a copying machine that performs double-sided printing in this manner, the image data for the second page is rotated after the printing of the first page is completed. May have to be done. In this case, printing of an image based on the image data of the second page cannot be started immediately, and there is a problem that the time required for double-sided printing becomes long.

  Also, the timing for starting printing of an image based on the image data of the second page may be different depending on whether or not the process of rotating the image data of the second page is performed. In this case, depending on whether or not to perform the process of rotating the image data of the second page, it is necessary to change the parameters of the printing means when printing the image, and there is a problem that the control mode becomes complicated . For example, a fixing device constituting a printing unit performs a fixing process on a paper on which a toner image is formed at a predetermined fixing temperature. This fixing temperature is appropriately determined depending on the timing at which printing is started. Since the temperatures are different, there is a need to change depending on whether or not to perform the process of rotating the image data of the second page.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a copying machine capable of reducing the time required for double-sided printing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine capable of simplifying the control mode during duplex printing.

  The copying machine according to the first aspect of the present invention is a continuous reading means for continuously reading a two-page original, an image data storage means for storing image data of the read original, and reading out image data from the image data storage means, A double-sided printing unit that prints an image based on the image data of the first page on the first side of the paper and prints an image based on the image data of the second page on the second side of the paper; Image direction designating means for designating the direction of the image on the surface, and rotation processing means for performing processing for rotating the image data stored in the image data storage means in the direction designated by the image direction designating means, After the double-sided printing unit has finished reading the first page of the original by the continuous reading unit and has started reading the second page of the original, An image based on the second image data is printed on the second surface, and then an image based on the first page image data is printed on the first surface. The image data of the first page is rotated in the direction designated by the image direction designating means while reading the image or printing the image based on the image data of the second page.

  According to such a configuration, after the reading of the first page of the original and after the reading of the second page of the original is started, an image based on the image data of the second page is displayed on the second surface of the sheet. The image data of the first page is rotated while reading the original of the second page or while printing the image based on the image data of the second page, and after the printing on the second surface is completed, the rotation processing is continued. An image based on the image data of the subsequent first page can be printed on the first surface.

  Therefore, after reading the first page of the original, an image based on the image data of the first page is printed on the first side of the paper, and the second page of the original is read, and after the first page is printed, the second page As in the configuration in which an image based on the image data of the second page is printed on the second side of the paper, after the printing of the first page is finished, the image data is rotated until the printing based on the image data of the second page is started. It is possible to prevent a waiting time from being generated. Thereby, even when image data is rotated to perform double-sided printing, the time required for printing does not become long, and the time required for double-sided printing can be shortened.

  Also, the timing of printing based on the image data of the second page and the timing of printing based on the image data of the first page performed thereafter are constant depending on whether or not the process of rotating the image data is performed. Can keep. As a result, it is not necessary to change the parameters of the printing means when printing an image such as a fixing device depending on whether or not to perform the process of rotating the image data, so the control mode during duplex printing is simplified. Can be

  The copying machine according to the second aspect of the present invention includes, in addition to the above configuration, binding direction input means for a user to input a binding direction of a sheet to be printed, and the image direction designating means is based on the input binding direction. The image orientation on each side of the paper to be printed on both sides is designated.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to specify the direction of the image on each side of the paper to be printed on both sides based on the binding direction of the paper input by the user, and to print the image on both sides of the paper in that direction. . At this time, even if it is necessary to perform processing for rotating the image data according to the binding direction, there is no waiting time due to the processing for rotating the image data, so the time required for duplex printing depending on the binding direction Can be prevented from changing. In addition, since it is not necessary to change the parameters of the printing unit when printing an image such as a fixing device in accordance with the binding direction, the control mode during duplex printing can be simplified.

  According to the present invention, since it is possible to prevent the waiting time due to the process of rotating the image data, the time required for printing becomes long even when performing double-sided printing by rotating the image data. The time required for double-sided printing can be reduced. Also, the timing of printing based on the image data of the second page and the timing of printing based on the image data of the first page performed thereafter are constant depending on whether or not the process of rotating the image data is performed. Since it can be maintained, the control mode at the time of duplex printing can be simplified.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a copying machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the copying machine 1, the printer mechanism 3 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data of the original read by the scanner 2, thereby realizing a copy function. The scanner 2 is a document reading unit that emits light toward a document and receives reflected light from the document to output a signal corresponding to the amount of light received.

  The copying machine 1 is provided with a transparent plate 4 on which a document is placed, and by moving the scanner 2 while irradiating light on the document placed on the transparent plate 4, Image data of the entire document can be generated. The copying machine 1 is provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF) 5 that automatically feeds one or more documents placed on the document tray 51 one by one. By sending a document from the automatic document feeder 5 to the stationary scanner 2, it is possible to read the image of the document.

  The printer mechanism 3 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data of the document read by the scanner 2. The printer mechanism 3 includes a paper feed roller 6, a registration roller 7, a photosensitive drum 8, a charger 9, an LED print head 10, a developing device 11, a transfer roller 12, a fixing device 13, a discharge roller 14, and the like. .

  The photoconductive drum 8 is a cylindrical drum having a photoconductive layer formed on the surface, and the surface of the photoconductive drum 8 is uniformly charged by the charger 9 during printing. The surface of the charged photosensitive drum 8 is irradiated with light based on the image data of the document from the LED print head 10, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8. The developing device 11 forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by attaching the toner.

  The sheets used for printing are stored in a sheet cassette 15, and are fed one by one from the sheet cassette 15 by the sheet feeding roller 6. The paper sent out from the paper cassette 15 is sent to the photosensitive drum 8 side through the conveyance path 16 from the paper feed roller 6 to the discharge roller 14, and is temporarily stopped when the leading end reaches the registration roller 7. The Then, the registration roller 7 sends out the paper in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 8, so that the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 8 is formed on the paper passing between the photosensitive drum 8 and the transfer roller 12. Transcribed.

  The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred passes through the fixing device 13 and is then discharged from the discharge roller 14 onto the discharge tray 17. In the fixing device 13, the toner on the paper is fixed by performing a fixing process in which the paper on which the toner image is transferred is heated and pressed at a predetermined fixing temperature.

  In the copying machine 1, double-sided printing can be performed by printing images on both sides of a sheet. In order to realize this double-sided printing, the copying machine 1 branches from the conveyance path 16 between the fixing device 13 and the discharge roller 14, and returns to the conveyance path 16 between the paper feed roller 6 and the registration roller 7. A branch path 18 to be coupled is formed. At the time of duplex printing, a sheet on which an image is formed on the first surface by being sent out from the sheet cassette 15 through the conveyance path 16 and passing through the registration roller 7, the photosensitive drum 8, the transfer roller 12, and the fixing device 13, The rear end portion is temporarily stopped with the discharge roller 14 sandwiched therebetween, and the discharge roller 14 rotates backward to be sent back from the rear end side.

  A branching claw (not shown) is provided at a branching portion between the transporting path 16 and the branching path 18 for switching whether the paper fed back from the discharge roller 14 is guided to the transporting path 16 or the branching path 18. . By switching the branch claw, the sheet returned from the rear end side by the discharge roller 14 is turned upside down by being returned to the transport path 16 between the paper feed roller 6 and the registration roller 7 through the branch path 18 and again. It passes through the registration roller 7, the photosensitive drum 8, the transfer roller 12, and the fixing device 13. As a result, the paper after duplex printing on which the image is formed also on the second surface of the paper is discharged from the discharge roller 14 onto the discharge tray 17.

  Here, when reading is performed by sequentially placing the document on the transparent plate 4 so that each image faces a certain direction at the time of reading the first page and at the time of reading the second page of the document, Alternatively, when the original document is sequentially sent from the automatic document feeder 5 to the scanner 2 so that each image is directed in a certain direction, the arrangement direction of the image on each page of the document and the reading direction of the image are matched. Can do. In this case, as described above, when printing on the first surface, the sheet is fed from the leading end side, and when printing on the second surface, the sheet is fed back from the trailing end side. The direction of the image printed on the paper differs by 180 °.

  On the other hand, when reading is performed by sequentially placing the document on the transparent plate 4 so that the images are directed in different directions by 180 ° when reading the first page and when reading the second page of the document. Or, when the originals are sequentially sent from the automatic document feeder 5 to the scanner 2 so that the respective images are directed in different directions by 180 °, the image arrangement direction and the image reading direction on each page of the document are determined. It can be varied by 180 °. In this case, as described above, when printing on the first surface, the sheet is fed from the leading end side, and when printing on the second surface, the sheet is fed back from the trailing end side. The direction of the image printed on the paper matches.

  The automatic document feeder 5 is provided with a mechanism that allows the scanner 2 to read the images on both sides of the document by reversing one sheet of the document and feeding it sequentially to the scanner 2. As such a mechanism, in the present embodiment, a document is sent from the leading end side to the scanner 2 at the time of reading the first surface, and the scanner 2 from the trailing end side at the time of reading the second surface by the same configuration as the printer mechanism 3. To be sent to.

  In other words, the original is sequentially sent from the automatic document feeder 5 to the scanner 2 so that the images are directed in different directions by 180 ° when reading the first side and when reading the second side of the original. Therefore, the image arrangement direction and the image reading direction on each side of the document can be different from each other by 180 °. Therefore, when the images on both sides of the document are read using such a double-sided reading mechanism, the paper is fed out from the leading end when printing on the first side as described above, and the trailing edge when printing on the second side as described above. In the case of the configuration in which the image is sent back from the side, the directions of the images printed on the paper on the first surface and the second surface are the same.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the copying machine 1. The copying machine 1 is provided with an operation unit 20, an image memory 22 and a page memory 23 in addition to the scanner 2, the automatic document supply unit 5 and the printer mechanism 3, and these operations are performed by a control unit comprising a processor. 30 is controlled.

  The image memory 22 and the page memory 23 are constituted by a RAM (Random Access Memory). The image data of the original read by the scanner 2 is stored in the image memory 22 and read out to the page memory 23 for each page of image data. Then, based on the image data read to the page memory 23, the printer mechanism 3 prints an image on a sheet, thereby printing one page at a time. At the time of duplex printing, the image data of the original for two pages is sequentially read from the image memory 22 to the page memory 23, and images based on the image data are printed on the first and second surfaces of the paper, respectively.

  The operation unit 20 is input means for a user to perform an input operation, and includes a binding direction input key 21. The binding direction input key 21 is used by the user to input the binding direction of printed sheets when binding a plurality of sheets to be printed on both sides in a booklet form with staples or the like. By operating the binding direction input key 21, the user binds the left side of the cover with “left binding”, the right side of the cover with “right binding”, the top of the cover with “upper binding”, and the like. One of the binding directions can be input from among the items.

  Here, when double-sided printing is performed in such a manner that the directions of the images printed on the first side and the second side of the paper are different by 180 °, if top binding is specified, both sides are printed as usual. By printing, images can be printed on both sides of the paper in a direction suitable for top binding. On the other hand, when left binding or right binding is specified, in order to print an image on both sides of the paper in a direction suitable for the binding direction, an image printed on the first side and the second side is printed. It is necessary to rotate the image printed on one of the first side and the second side by 180 ° so that the directions are the same.

  On the other hand, when performing double-sided printing in such a manner that the directions of images printed on the first side and the second side of the paper match, when left binding or right binding is specified, By performing double-sided printing as usual, images can be printed on both sides of the paper in a direction suitable for the binding direction. On the other hand, when top binding is specified, in order to print an image on both sides of the paper in a direction suitable for top binding, the direction of the image printed on the first side and the second side is 180 °. To be different, it is necessary to rotate the image printed on one of the first side or the second side by 180 °.

  For example, when the images on both sides of the document are read using the double-sided reading mechanism of the automatic document supply unit 5, the directions of the images printed on the first side and the second side of the paper coincide with each other. Alternatively, it is not necessary to rotate the image when the right binding is specified, but it is necessary to rotate the image by 180 ° when the upper binding is specified.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the control unit 30. The control unit 30 stores the image data of the original read by the scanner 2 in the image memory 22, reads the image data page by page to the page memory 23, prints it, and binds the binding input by the binding direction input key 21. Depending on the direction, the image data read from the image memory 22 is rotated. The control unit 30 includes a reading control unit 31, a data reading unit 32, a print control unit 33, an image direction specifying unit 34, and a rotation processing unit 35. These functional blocks are executed by a computer program executed by the control unit 30. Realized.

  The reading control unit 31 controls the operation of the scanner 2 and stores the image data of the original read by the scanner 2 in the image memory 22. At the time of duplex printing, the scanner 2 and the reading control unit 31 function as continuous reading means by continuously reading a two-page document with the scanner 2. At this time, two documents are continuously sent out from the automatic document feeder 5 toward the scanner 2, or one document is turned upside down using the double-sided reading mechanism and continuously sent out. The document on the page can be read continuously. In this case, in addition to the scanner 2 and the reading control unit 31, the automatic document supply unit 5 also functions as a continuous reading unit.

  The image data stored in the image memory 22 is read page by page by the data reading unit 32, and the image read to the page memory 23 by the print control unit 33 controlling the printer mechanism 3. An image based on the data is printed on paper. At the time of duplex printing, the operation of the printer mechanism 3 is controlled in the above-described manner, whereby an image based on the image data of the first page is printed on the first surface of the paper, and an image based on the image data of the second page Is printed on the second side of the paper. At this time, the data reading unit 32, the print control unit 33, and the printer mechanism 3 function as a double-sided printing unit for printing an image on both sides of the paper.

  The image direction designating unit 34 designates the image direction on each side of the paper to be printed on both sides based on the binding direction of the paper designated by the user with the binding direction input key 21. That is, when left binding or right binding is specified, the image layout direction is specified so that an image is printed with one end of the paper facing upward on both the first and second sides of the paper. When the upper binding is designated, the image is arranged so that an image is printed on the first surface of the sheet with one end side upward, and the image is printed on the second surface of the sheet with the other end side upward. The direction is specified.

  The rotation processing unit 35 performs a process of rotating the image data in the direction specified by the image direction specifying unit 34 on the image data read from the image memory 22 to the page memory 23. More specifically, the image data can be rotated by storing the image data read into the page memory 23 again in the image memory in an order different from the read order. For example, when the image data is rotated by 180 °, the image data read to the page memory 23 is stored again in the image memory 22 in the reverse order of the read order, so that when the image data is printed on paper. Image data in which the image arrangement direction is rotated by 180 ° can be generated.

  In the present embodiment, the directions of the images printed on the first side and the second side of the paper coincide with each other as in the case of reading the images on both sides of the document using the duplex reading mechanism of the automatic document feeder 5. In this case, when the left binding or the right binding is designated, the image can be printed on both sides of the paper in a direction suitable for the binding direction without performing the process of rotating the image data. Therefore, in this case, the processing by the rotation processing unit 35 is not performed. On the other hand, when the upper binding is specified, the rotation processing unit 35 performs a process of rotating the image data by 180 ° in order to print images on both sides of the sheet in a direction suitable for the upper binding.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the control unit when performing duplex printing, and illustrates a case where images on both sides of a document are read using the duplex printing mechanism of the automatic document feeder 5. When the user operates the binding direction input key 21 to input the binding direction of the paper and then performs processing for starting double-sided printing, first, the original is sent from the automatic document feeder 5 to the scanner 2. Reading of the first page of the document is started (step S101). The image data of the original read by the scanner 2 is stored in the image memory 22, and when the first page is read (Yes in step S102), the original is reversed so that the second page is read continuously. Start (step S103).

  The image data of the second page of the document is read out to the page memory 23 by the data reading unit 32 in parallel with being stored in the image memory 22, and is based on the image data of the second page read into the page memory 23. The image is printed on the second surface of the paper in the printer mechanism 3 (step S104). At this time, if the binding direction of the sheet designated by the user is the top binding (Yes in step S105), the image data of the first page of the document already read is read from the image memory 22 to the page memory 23, and the image A process of rotating the data by 180 ° and storing it in the image memory 22 is performed (step S106).

  Thereafter, when the printing of the image on the second surface of the paper based on the image data of the second page is completed (Yes in step S107), the image based on the image data of the first page is subsequently printed on the first surface of the paper. (Step S108). At this time, if the binding direction of the paper designated by the user is the top binding, the image based on the first page of image data is printed on the first surface of the paper based on the image data rotated 180 ° as described above. On the other hand, if the binding direction of the designated sheet is the left binding or the right binding (No in step S105), the image data of the first page stored in the image memory 22 is read into the page memory 23 as it is. Then, an image based on the image data is printed on the first surface of the paper. When the document has three pages or more, double-sided printing can be performed continuously by performing the control as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, after the reading of the first page of the original and after the reading of the second page of the original is started, an image based on the image data of the second page is printed first. During the reading of the original document or during the printing of the image based on the image data of the second page, a process of rotating the image data of the first page can be performed as necessary. That is, when the time required for the process of rotating the image data of the first page is relatively short, the image data of the first page can be rotated within the reading period of the document of the second page, which is necessary for the above process. Even when the time is relatively long, the image data of the first page can be rotated within a period that combines the reading period of the original of the second page and the printing period of the image based on the image data of the second page. .

  Thus, after the first page of the original is read, an image based on the image data of the first page is printed on the first side of the paper, and the second page of the original is read, and then the second page is printed after the first page is printed. A process of rotating image data after printing of the first page is started until printing based on the image data of the second page is started, as in a configuration in which an image based on the image data of the second eye is printed on the second side of the paper. It is possible to prevent a waiting time due to performing. Thereby, even when image data is rotated to perform double-sided printing, the time required for printing does not become long, and the time required for double-sided printing can be shortened.

  Also, the timing of printing based on the image data of the second page and the timing of printing based on the image data of the first page performed thereafter are constant depending on whether or not the process of rotating the image data is performed. Can keep. Accordingly, there is no need to change the parameters of the printing unit when printing an image such as the fixing device 13 depending on whether or not the process of rotating the image data is performed. It can be simplified.

  For example, the fixing temperature of the fixing device 13 which is an example of a printing unit parameter will be described. The fixing temperature in the fixing device 13 when performing double-sided printing is normally printed later than the fixing temperature for the surface to be printed first. The fixing temperature for the surface to be applied is set lower. This is because the temperature of the paper rises when printing on the front side, and the fixing process can be performed better if the fixing temperature when printing on the rear side is lowered.

  As described above, the fixing temperature in the fixing device 13 needs to be set to an appropriate value in accordance with the temperature of the sheet. The first page and the second page are displayed depending on whether the image data is rotated or not. In the case of a configuration in which the printing timing based on the eye image data is changed, it is necessary to change the fixing temperature according to the timing, so that the control mode becomes complicated. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which it is not necessary to change the fixing temperature of the fixing device 13 depending on whether or not to perform the process of rotating the image data, the control mode at the time of duplex printing can be simplified. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the images on both sides of the document are read using the double-sided reading mechanism of the automatic document supply unit 5 is described. While reading the original of the eye or printing the image based on the image data of the second page, the image data of the first page can be rotated as necessary based on the binding direction designated by the user. . In other words, depending on the reading mode of the document, the first page when the top binding is designated between the case where the directions of the images printed on the first side and the second side of the paper coincide with each other and 180 ° differs. It is only necessary to select whether to rotate the image data or to rotate the image data of the first page when the left binding or the right binding is designated.

  In the above embodiment, during printing based on the image data for one page, the image data for another page is read into the page memory 23 and the image data is rotated. Must have a capacity of 2 pages or more. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and a configuration in which the page memory 23 has a capacity of one page or more and less than two pages may be used. In this case, the image data of the first page may be read into the page memory 23 and the image data may be rotated within the reading period of the second page of the document.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of the copying machine. It is the functional block diagram which showed one structural example of the control part. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control unit when performing duplex printing, and illustrates a case where images on both sides of a document are read using a duplex printing mechanism of an automatic document feeder.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 2 Scanner 3 Printer mechanism 5 Automatic document supply part 20 Operation part 21 Binding direction input key 22 Image memory 23 Page memory 30 Control part 31 Reading control part 32 Data reading part 33 Print control part 34 Image direction designation part 35 Rotation process Part

Claims (2)

Continuous reading means for continuously reading a two-page document;
Image data storage means for storing image data of the read original;
The image data is read from the image data storage means, an image based on the image data of the first page is printed on the first side of the paper, and an image based on the image data of the second page is printed on the second side of the paper. Double-sided printing means;
Image orientation designating means for designating the orientation of the image on each side of the paper to be printed on both sides;
Rotation processing means for performing processing for rotating the image data stored in the image data storage means in the direction designated by the image direction designation means,
The double-sided printing unit outputs an image based on the image data of the second page after the reading of the first page of the original by the continuous reading unit and after reading of the second page of the original starts. Printing on two sides, then printing an image based on the image data of the first page on the first side,
The rotation processing means sets the image data of the first page in the direction designated by the image direction designating means while reading the original of the second page or printing an image based on the image data of the second page. A copier characterized by rotating. Comprising a binding direction input means for the user to input the binding direction of the paper to be printed;
2. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the image direction designating unit designates the direction of the image on each side of the sheet to be printed on both sides based on the input binding direction.

Images