JP2009020257A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus with simple constitution capable of sorting a plurality of originals one by one in a short time period. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus capable of forming images for the plurality of originals includes a recording medium supply part supplying a recording medium and an image recording part recording the image on the recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply part. The recording medium supply part can supply the recording medium to the image recording part while switching the position between the first supply position and the second supply position offset from the first supply position in a main scanning direction by the unit of the original. When the image recording part records the image on the recording medium supplied at the second supply position, the image recording part records the image offset in the main scanning direction so that the relative printing position is not varied as compared with the case in which the recording medium is supplied at the first supply position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by supplying a recording medium from a recording medium supply unit to an image recording unit.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus capable of scaling (enlargement / reduction) copying, and an image forming apparatus configured to rotate a sheet in one sheet feeding cassette by 90 degrees in accordance with the scaling ratio. Disclose. According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133620, it is possible to form an image without exchanging cassettes for both variable magnification and equal magnification copies, eliminate image formation errors, and improve usability. .
JP-A-6-67495

  Here, in general, in an image forming apparatus, a document is often copied or printed in plural copies. At this time, if the direction or position of the sheet on which an image is formed and discharged is changed for each copy, it is convenient for the user to omit the operation of sorting the sheets for each copy.

  However, when the configuration of Patent Document 1 is used for sort copy or sort printing as described above, it is necessary to rotate or return the paper in the paper feed cassette by 90 degrees for each copy, and rotate each time one copy is printed. It took a lot of time for printing. Further, a mechanism for rotating the paper in the paper feed cassette is required, and it is difficult to simplify and compact the configuration of the image forming apparatus including the paper feed cassette.

  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 capable of sorting a plurality of copies in a single unit in a short time and having a simple configuration.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems and the effects thereof will be described.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having the following configuration capable of forming an image of a plurality of copies of a document. That is, the image forming apparatus includes a recording medium supply unit that supplies a recording medium, and an image recording unit that records an image on the recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply unit. The recording medium supply unit can supply a recording medium to the image recording unit while switching in units from a first supply position to a second supply position offset from the first supply position in the main scanning direction. is there. When the image recording unit records an image on the recording medium supplied to the second supply position, the print position does not change relative to the case where the recording medium is supplied to the first supply position. An image offset in the main scanning direction is recorded.

  As a result, by supplying the recording medium to the image recording unit while switching the supply position for each copy, it is possible to stack the recording media discharged through the image recording unit in different positions. it can. Therefore, the sorting function can be realized with a simple configuration. Further, when the recording medium is supplied to the second supply position, an image offset in the main scanning direction is recorded in the image recording unit, so that an image can always be formed at an accurate position on the recording medium.

  The image forming apparatus preferably has the following configuration. That is, the recording medium supply unit includes a first recording medium supply cassette and a second recording medium supply cassette. The first recording medium supply cassette is configured so that a recording medium can be set at a first set position corresponding to the first supply position. The second recording medium supply cassette is configured so that the recording medium can be set at a second set position offset in the main scanning direction from a position corresponding to the first supply position. The recording medium supply unit switches the recording medium supply source between the first recording medium supply cassette and the second recording medium supply cassette in units of copies.

  Thereby, the position of the recording medium supplied to the image recording unit can be made different by using two recording medium supply cassettes having different recording medium setting positions. Therefore, the recording medium supply position can be switched for each copy with a very simple configuration. In addition, the time required for sorting can be significantly shortened.

  In the image forming apparatus, the second recording medium supply cassette is configured such that a recording medium is set at a first setting position corresponding to the first supply position and a second set corresponding to the second supply position. It is preferable to be configured to be switchable between positions.

  Thereby, it becomes easy to use the second recording medium supply cassette other than the sorting function, and the usability is improved.

  The image forming apparatus preferably has the following configuration. That is, the second recording medium supply cassette includes a fixed guide that restricts one end of the recording medium in the width direction and a movable guide that restricts the other end. Then, a spacer is attached to and detached from the fixed guide so that the recording medium setting position can be switched between the first setting position and the second setting position.

  Accordingly, the second set position of the recording medium can be realized with a very simple configuration using a spacer. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The image forming apparatus is preferably configured as follows. That is, the second recording medium supply cassette includes an operation member. By operating the operation member, the recording medium setting position in the second recording medium supply cassette can be switched between the first setting position and the second setting position.

  Thereby, the setting position of the recording medium can be easily switched by operating the operation member, so that it is possible to realize a sorting function that is easier to use.

  The image forming apparatus preferably has the following configuration. That is, the recording medium set in the recording medium supply unit is moved between a first set position corresponding to the first supply position and a second set position corresponding to the second supply position. A switching drive unit is provided. The switching drive unit is driven so as to switch the position of the set recording medium between the first set position and the second set position in units.

  As a result, it is not necessary to manually switch the setting position of the recording medium, so that the sorting function can be used more easily. In addition, since the sorting function can be realized without using a plurality of recording medium supply cassettes, a compact image forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for forming a plurality of images of a document by supplying a recording medium from a recording medium supply unit to an image recording unit as follows. That is, the recording medium is supplied from the recording medium supply unit to the image recording unit while switching in units from a first supply position to a second supply position offset from the first supply position in the main scanning direction. To do. When the image recording unit records an image on the recording medium supplied to the second supply position, the print position does not change relative to the case where the recording medium is supplied to the first supply position. An image offset in the main scanning direction is recorded.

  As a result, the recording medium is supplied to the image recording unit while switching between the first supply position and the second supply position for each copy, so that the recording medium discharged through the image recording unit is positioned for each copy. Can be stacked differently. Therefore, the sorting function can be realized with a simple configuration. Further, when the recording medium is supplied to the second supply position, an image offset in the main scanning direction is recorded in the image recording unit, so that an image can always be formed at an accurate position.

  Next, embodiments of the invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a partial front sectional view showing the overall configuration of a copy facsimile multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The copy facsimile multifunction machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 10. The housing 10 includes a document reading unit 11, a paper feeding unit (recording medium supply unit) 12, an image recording unit 13, and a fixing unit 14. And a paper discharge unit (recording medium discharge unit) 15.

  The document reading unit 11 is provided on the upper portion of the housing 10. The document reading unit 11 includes a flat bed scanner and an auto document feed scanner, and is configured to read a document.

  An operation panel 18 is provided on the front side of the apparatus from the document reading unit 11. The user can instruct the copy facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 by operating the operation panel 18. The operation panel 18 includes an unillustrated display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display). This display unit can display the status of the copy facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 including the status of paper trays 21 and 22 described later.

  The paper feed unit 12 includes an upper paper tray (first recording medium supply cassette) 21 and a lower paper tray (second recording medium supply cassette) 22.

  Each of the paper trays 21 and 22 is disposed so as to face the flapper 31, a box-shaped tray main body 25 having an open top, a flapper 31 swingably provided on the inner bottom surface of the tray main body 25, and the flapper 31. And a paper feed roller 32.

  Each of the paper trays 21 and 22 is configured to be set on the flapper 31 in a state in which the papers 2 as recording media are stacked. Further, each of the paper trays 21 and 22 can be pulled out by sliding to the front side of the apparatus. By pulling out the paper trays 21 and 22, the user can replenish the paper 2 and replace it with paper of a different size.

  A fan-shaped paper feed roller 32 is provided above the flapper 31 of each paper tray 21, 22. The flapper 31 is provided with an unillustrated biasing spring, and is configured to press the paper 2 placed on the flapper 31 toward the upper paper feed roller 32.

  With the above configuration, when one of the two paper trays 21 and 22 is driven in the paper feeding unit 12, one sheet of the uppermost layer of the paper 2 set in the paper trays 21 and 22. Is carried and conveyed to a paper conveyance path 16 formed inside the housing 10.

  The sheet conveyance path 16 is formed in a curved shape, and is configured to reach the paper discharge unit 15 from the paper supply unit 12 via the image recording unit 13 and the fixing unit 14.

  The sheet 2 fed from the upper sheet tray 21 is directly conveyed to the sheet conveyance path 16. On the other hand, the sheet 2 fed from the lower sheet tray 22 is transported to the sheet transport path 16 via a merging path 26 formed in the upper sheet tray 21.

  A transport roller 33 and a registration roller 34 are provided on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 32 in the document transport direction. The conveyance roller 33 and the registration roller 34 nip the paper 2 between the driven roller disposed opposite to the conveyance roller 33 and convey the paper 2 downstream.

  The image recording unit 13 includes a photosensitive drum 41 as a toner carrier, a charging brush 42 as a charging unit, an LED head 43 as an exposure unit, a developing device 44 as a developing unit, and a transfer roller 45 as a transfer unit. And.

  The photosensitive drum 41 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a photoconductive film made of an organic photoreceptor is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The charging brush 42 has a configuration in which a conductive brush is planted on the surface of a metal shaft, and the conductive brush 42 is disposed so as to contact the photosensitive drum 41. The charging brush 42 rotates so as to rub the outer peripheral surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 41 in a reverse direction in a state where a predetermined bias voltage is applied. As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is uniformly charged.

  The LED head 43 is configured by arranging a large number of minute light emitting diodes (LEDs) in the main scanning direction. This LED head 43 is used for facsimile received originals received via a telephone line, copy originals read by the original reading unit 11, or print data received from a personal computer as a host device to which the multifunction device 1 is connected. In response, light is selectively emitted. As a result, the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is selectively exposed, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by eliminating the charge energy of the exposed portion.

  The developing device 44 includes a toner container 61 that stores toner, and a developing roller 64 that can hold the toner on its outer peripheral surface. The developing roller 64 is close to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 41 in a state where a predetermined bias voltage is applied. As a result, the toner on the developing roller 64 moves to the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 only at a portion corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed by the LED head 43, and toner development is performed.

  The transfer roller 45 is disposed on the opposite side across the photosensitive drum 41 and the paper transport path 16. A predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 45, whereby the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 can be transferred to the paper 2 by the electric field attraction force. The sheet 2 to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 14 on the downstream side.

  The fixing unit 14 includes a heat roller 71 with a built-in heater, and a press roller 72 disposed to face the heat roller 71. The press roller 72 is biased so as to be pressed against the heat roller 71 by an unillustrated biasing spring. In addition, the fixing unit 14 includes a separation claw 73, which prevents the paper 2 from sticking to the heat roller 71 and winding it.

  The heat roller 71 rotates while the paper 2 is nipped between the heat roller 71 and the press roller 72. The toner image is fixed on the paper 2 by the heat and pressure. The fixed sheet 2 is conveyed toward the paper discharge unit 15.

  The paper discharge unit 15 includes a paper discharge roller 79 and a paper discharge tray 80 for stocking the paper 2 after image formation. The sheet 2 that has passed through the fixing unit 14 is conveyed by a sheet discharge roller 79 and discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 80.

  Next, the configuration of the upper sheet tray 21 in the sheet feeding unit 12 will be described. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper paper tray.

  The upper sheet tray 21 includes one side guide (movable guide) 27 and one end guide 28 on the inner bottom surface of the tray body 25.

  The side guide 27 contacts the edge of one end in the width direction of the paper 2 set in the upper paper tray 21 (the direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction and the main scanning direction). The end guide 28 abuts on the edge of the rear end of the paper 2 to be set in the paper conveyance direction. As a result, the sheets 2 stacked on the flapper 31 can be guided to be aligned.

  In the upper paper tray 21, the paper 2 is set in a state where the edge of one end opposite to the side guide 27 is in contact with a wall portion (fixed guide) 29 formed vertically in the tray main body 25. Hereinafter, this position is referred to as a normal set position (first set position). The position at which the paper 2 is supplied to the image recording unit 13 when the paper 2 in the normal setting position is fed by the paper feed roller 32 and transported through the paper transport path 16 is referred to as a normal position.

  The side guide 27 is configured to be movable, and is configured to be movable along a linear slide groove 35 formed along the width direction of the paper 2. The end guide 28 is also configured to be movable, and is configured to be movable along a linear slide groove 36 formed along the conveyance direction of the sheet 2. With this configuration, the paper 2 of various sizes can be set on the upper paper tray 21 by appropriately moving the side guide 27 and the end guide 28.

  On the inner bottom surface of the tray body 25, a size scale display unit 37 is installed in the vicinity of the side guide 27, and a size scale display unit 38 is installed in the vicinity of the end guide 28.

  The size scale display unit 37 displays the position of the side guide 27 according to a predetermined size of the paper 2 (for example, A4 size, B5 size of Japanese Industrial Standard). Similarly, the size scale display unit 38 displays the position of the end guide 28 according to a predetermined size of the paper 2.

  When changing the size of the paper 2 set on the upper paper tray 21, the user moves the side guide 27 and the end guide 28 so as to match the scales of the size scale display portions 37 and 38. Thereby, the side guide 27 and the end guide 28 can be easily adjusted to the position corresponding to the target paper size.

  The paper feed roller 32 is fixed to a paper feed shaft 51 installed along the width direction of the paper 2. The paper feed shaft 51 is rotatably supported by the tray body 25, and a coupling 52 is attached to one end of the paper feed shaft 51 so as not to be relatively rotatable and to be axially slidable.

  On the other hand, a drive unit (not shown) is provided on the main body side of the multifunction machine 1, and this drive unit includes a paper feed clutch. The coupling 52 is connected to the paper feeding clutch when the upper paper tray 21 is mounted on the housing 10. As a result, the drive unit can drive the paper feed roller 32 via the paper feed clutch.

  Next, the lower paper tray 22 will be described. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the lower paper tray, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the side guide and size scale display portion of the lower paper tray.

  The lower paper tray 22 includes a side guide 27, an end guide 28, a paper feed roller 32, slide grooves 35 and 36, a paper feed shaft 51, a coupling 52, and the like. Since the configuration of these members is the same as that of the upper paper tray 21, description thereof will be omitted. The lower paper tray 22 is configured so that the paper 2 having the same size as the upper paper tray 21 can be set in the same direction.

  The lower paper tray 22 includes a detachable spacer 53. The spacer 53 can be mounted at a position corresponding to the end portion on the side opposite to the side guide 27 in the width direction of the sheet 2.

  When the spacer 53 is not attached, the sheet 2 is set at a position where one end in the width direction is in contact with the side wall of the tray body 25. At this time, the paper 2 is arranged at the same position as the paper 2 setting position (the first setting position) in the upper paper tray 21. In the present specification, also in the lower paper tray 22, a position where one end in the width direction of the paper 2 is brought into contact with the side wall of the tray body 25 is referred to as a normal set position (first set position) P1.

  When the spacer 53 is mounted, the sheet 2 is set at a position where one end in the width direction is in contact with the spacer 53. At this time, the sheet 2 is arranged at a position offset from the normal position by a predetermined distance in the sheet width direction (direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction). In this specification, the position of the sheet 2 is referred to as a shift set position (second set position) P2. The position at which the paper 2 is supplied to the image recording unit 13 when the paper 2 at the shift set position is fed by the paper feed roller 32 and conveyed through the paper conveyance path 16 is referred to as a shift position.

  The size scale display portion 37x that displays the position of the side guide 27 in the lower paper tray 22 is different from the display of the size scale display portion 37 in the upper paper tray 21. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a chain line circle in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the position corresponding to a predetermined paper size is shown in the size scale display portion 37x both when the spacer 53 is not attached and when the spacer 53 is attached.

  In the size scale display part 37x, the position of the side guide 27 when the spacer 53 is mounted (that is, in the case of the shift set position) is shown in a form with a predetermined display next to the character describing the paper size. Yes. In the present embodiment, this display is a mark in which the letter “S” indicating that the sheet is shifted is surrounded by a white arrow. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other display formats may indicate that the sheet 2 is set at the shift position.

  The multifunction machine 1 includes a guide position sensor (not shown) that detects the positions of the side guide 27 and the end guide 28. This guide position sensor is connected to an image formation control unit described later.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the multifunction machine.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the multifunction machine 1 includes an image formation control unit 85. The image formation control unit 85 is configured as a microcomputer and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The multifunction device 1 includes a printer interface 83 and is configured to be able to communicate with a host device such as a personal computer connected to the multifunction device 1. The printer interface 83 is connected to the image formation control unit 85.

  The multi-function device 1 includes a facsimile unit 84 that can perform facsimile transmission / reception via a telephone line or the Internet. The facsimile unit 84 is connected to the image formation control unit 85.

  The image forming control unit 85 is connected to the document reading unit 11 for reading a copy document and the operation panel 18 for instructing a copy operation and the like.

  The multifunction machine 1 includes a guide position sensor 92 that detects the positions of the side guide 27 and the end guide 28 in the upper sheet tray 21. The guide position sensor 92 is connected to the image formation control unit 85.

  The multifunction machine 1 also includes a paper empty sensor 93 that detects the presence or absence of the paper 2 in the upper paper tray 21. The sheet empty sensor 93 is connected to the image formation control unit 85.

  Further, as described above, the multifunction machine 1 includes the paper feed clutch 91 that connects and disconnects the driving force to the paper feed roller 32 of the upper paper tray 21. The paper feed clutch 91 is connected to the image formation control unit 85.

  Similarly for the lower paper tray 22, the multifunction machine 1 includes a guide position sensor 95, a paper empty sensor 96, and a paper feed clutch 94. The guide position sensor 95, the paper empty sensor 96, and the paper feed clutch 94 are connected to the image forming control unit 85.

  The image formation control unit 85 includes a page data generation unit 81 and a print unit control unit 82. The page data generation unit 81 generates raster format page data based on predetermined document data. The original data is print original data received from the personal computer via the printer interface 83, copy original data read by the original reading unit 11, and facsimile original data received by the facsimile unit 84.

  The print unit control unit 82 is connected to the page data generation unit 81 and is configured to perform image formation based on the page data generated by the page data generation unit 81 while controlling each unit.

  As described above, the guide position sensors 92 and 95 and the sheet empty sensors 93 and 96 are connected to the image formation control unit 85. Accordingly, the image forming control unit 85 receives the signals from the guide position sensors 92 and 95 of the paper trays 21 and 22, and the size of the paper 2 set in each paper tray 21 and 22 and the setting position of the paper 2 (normally Whether the set position or the shift set position) can be detected. Further, the image formation control unit 85 can detect whether or not the paper 2 is set in each of the paper trays 21 and 22 based on signals from the paper empty sensors 93 and 96 of the paper trays 21 and 22.

  Based on the detection results of the above sensors, the image formation control unit 85 displays information on the paper 2 in each of the paper trays 21 and 22 on a display unit provided in the operation panel 18.

  An example of information displayed on the display unit is shown in FIG. In this display example, two upper and lower rectangles are drawn on the lower side of the figure 70 simulating the main body of the multifunction machine 1, and these represent the upper paper tray 21 and the lower paper tray 22. In the rectangle, the size of the paper 2 in the paper tray and the remaining amount of the paper 2 (whether or not the paper 2 is set) are displayed.

  In this display example, in the lower paper tray 22, a mark ("S" surrounded by a white arrow) indicating that the paper 2 is set at the shift position beside the character "A4" indicating the paper size. ) Is displayed.

  Here, the multifunction device 1 according to the present embodiment sorts each copy when printing a plurality of copies according to an instruction from the personal computer and when copying a plurality of copies according to an instruction from the operation panel 18. The sheet 2 can be discharged to the discharge tray 80 in the form. Hereinafter, the control on the page data generation unit 81 side in the first control example for realizing this will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the flow of FIG. 7, when printing or copying specifying a plurality of copies is started, the page data generation unit 81 acquires the contents of the page currently being processed from the personal computer or the document reading unit 11 ( S101). In the case of printing from a personal computer, this content is a page description language (PDL) generated by the personal computer. On the other hand, in the case of copying, the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 11 is used. Then, the page data generation unit 81 creates a page image based on the content data and stores it in an unillustrated image memory (S102).

  Next, it is determined whether the creation and storage of page images for all pages is completed (S103). If not completed, the processing target is set to the next page (S104), and the process returns to S101. As described above, the processing of S101 to S103 is repeated for each of all pages.

  If it is determined in S103 that the creation and storage of page images for all pages have been completed, the process proceeds to S105. In S105, it is determined whether the current print target is an odd-numbered or even-numbered copy.

  If it is an odd-numbered copy (first copy, third copy, etc.), it is specified that paper is fed from a normal tray during image formation (S106). Also, the page images of all pages are read from the image memory and transmitted to the print unit control unit 82 (S107).

  On the other hand, if it is an even-numbered copy (second copy, fourth copy, etc.), it is designated to feed paper from the shift tray during image formation (S108). Further, the page images of all pages are read from the image memory, offset in the main scanning direction, and transmitted to the print unit control unit 82 (S109).

  Here, the “normal tray” refers to a paper tray in which the paper 2 is arranged at the normal setting position. On the other hand, the “shift tray” refers to a paper tray in which the paper 2 is arranged at the shift set position. Here, an example will be described in which the paper 2 is set at the normal setting position in the upper paper tray 21 and the spacer 53 is mounted in the lower paper tray 22 and the paper 2 is set at the shift setting position. Accordingly, in this case, the upper tray 21 corresponds to the normal tray, and the lower tray 22 corresponds to the shift tray.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether the transmission of the page image has been completed for all the units (S110). If not completed, the processing target is shifted to the next part (S111), and the process returns to S105. As described above, the processes of S105 to S109 are repeated for each of a plurality of copies to be printed or copied. If it is determined in S110 that the transmission of the page image has been completed for all the copies, the printing is terminated.

  Next, the control on the print unit controller 82 side will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates a process that is repeated every time a page image for one page is received.

  When the page image is received from the page data generator 81, the print unit controller 82 first checks whether the normal tray (upper paper tray 21) and the shift tray (lower paper tray 22) can be used for sorting (S201). . This determination is made based on signals from the guide position sensors 92 and 95 and the like. Here, the state that can be used for sorting means that the paper 2 of the same size is set in the same direction in the two paper trays 21 and 22, and is shifted to the normal setting position in one paper tray and shifted in the other paper tray. The state where it is set at the set position.

  If it is determined in S201 that the paper trays 21 and 22 are not ready for sorting, for example, an error message “Please set paper properly in the tray” is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 18. For example, the user is notified (S202).

  Thereafter, the print unit controller 82 checks whether or not at least one of the size and the setting position of the paper 2 set in the paper trays 21 and 22 has been changed (S203). If it is determined in S203 that the change has been made, the process returns to S201. If it is determined in S203 that neither the paper size nor the position has been changed, it is checked whether or not a print cancel operation has been performed from the operation panel 18 (S204). If it is determined that an operation to cancel printing has been performed, the print unit control unit 82 stops printing. If it is determined that the cancel operation has not been performed, the process returns to S203.

  If it is determined in S201 that the paper trays 21 and 22 are available for sorting, the process proceeds to S205. In S205, the specification of the tray included in the header portion of the page image is checked to determine whether the normal tray is specified.

  If it is determined in S205 that the normal tray (upper paper tray 21) is designated, the print unit control unit 82 checks the paper empty sensor 93 of the normal tray and checks for the presence of the paper 2 (S206). When the sheet 2 is set on the normal tray, the sheet feeding clutch 91 on the normal tray side is connected, and the sheet 2 is supplied from the normal tray to the sheet conveyance path 16 (S207).

  If it is determined in S205 that the normal tray is not designated, the print unit control unit 82 checks the paper empty sensor of the shift tray (lower paper tray 22) and checks for the presence of the paper 2 (S208). If the paper 2 is set on the shift tray, the paper feed clutch 94 on the shift tray side is connected, and the paper 2 is supplied from the shift tray to the paper transport path 16 (S209).

  Then, the print unit control unit 82 develops a page image from the data received from the page data generation unit 81, and controls the image recording unit 13 to perform printing on the supplied paper 2 according to the development data (S210). .

  Here, as shown in S105 to S107 of FIG. 7, when printing the odd-numbered copies, the normal tray is specified, and the page image is created without offsetting the print contents / copy contents. On the other hand, as shown in S105, S108, and S109, a shift tray is designated during printing of even-numbered copies, and a page image is created with the print content / copy content offset by a predetermined distance.

  Accordingly, in the case of odd-numbered printing, in the process of S210 in FIG. 8, print contents / copy contents that are not offset are printed on the paper 2 fed from the normal tray (upper paper tray 21). On the other hand, in the case of printing of even-numbered copies, the offset print content / copy content is printed on the paper 2 fed from the shift tray (lower paper tray 22) in the process of S210.

  In this way, the normal content is printed on the sheet 2 fed from the upper sheet tray 21 as the normal tray, and the sheet 2 fed from the lower sheet tray 22 as the shift tray is printed. Print the offset content. Therefore, regardless of the paper trays 21 and 22 that are fed, the relative print position with respect to the paper 2 is kept constant.

  The printed paper 2 is toner-fixed by the fixing unit 14 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 15. The paper 2 supplied from the upper paper tray 21 (normal setting position P1) to the normal position of the image recording unit 13 is conveyed straight as it is and discharged to a normal position on the paper discharge tray 80. On the other hand, the sheet 2 supplied from the lower sheet tray 22 (shift set position P2) to the shift position of the image recording unit 13 is conveyed straight and discharged to a position shifted from the normal position on the sheet discharge tray 80. Accordingly, by switching the supply source of the paper 2 between the upper paper tray 21 and the lower paper tray 22 in units of copies, the paper 2 after image formation is discharged on the paper discharge tray 80 in different positions. This makes it easy for the user to sort. Thus, the output for one page is completed, and the print unit control unit 82 waits until the next page image is received.

  As described above, the copy facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be capable of image formation of a plurality of copies of a document. The multifunction machine 1 also includes a paper feeding unit 12 that supplies the paper 2 and an image recording unit 13 that records an image on the paper 2 supplied from the paper feeding unit 12. The paper feeding unit 12 can supply the paper 2 to the image recording unit 13 while switching the normal unit and the shift position offset from the normal position in the main scanning direction. When the image recording unit 13 records an image on the sheet 2 supplied to the shift position, the image recording unit 13 is arranged in the main scanning direction so that the print position does not change relative to the case where the sheet 2 is supplied to the normal position. Record the offset image.

  As a result, the paper 2 is supplied to the image recording unit 13 while switching the supply position for each copy between the normal position and the shift position, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 80 through the image recording unit 13. The sheets 2 can be stacked at different positions in units of copies. Therefore, the sorting function can be realized with a simple configuration. When the paper 2 is supplied to the shift position, the image recording unit 13 records an image offset in the main scanning direction, so that an image can always be formed at an accurate position on the paper 2.

  In the present embodiment, the paper feeding unit 12 includes an upper paper tray 21 and a lower paper tray 22. The upper paper tray 21 is configured so that the paper 2 can be set at a normal setting position corresponding to the normal position. On the other hand, the lower paper tray 22 is configured so that the paper 2 can be set at a shift set position offset in the main scanning direction from a position corresponding to the normal position. The paper feed unit 12 is configured to switch the supply source of the paper 2 between the upper paper tray 21 and the lower paper tray 22 in units of copies.

  Accordingly, the position of the sheet 2 supplied to the image recording unit 13 can be varied using the upper sheet tray 21 and the lower sheet tray 22 in which the sheet 2 is set differently. Therefore, the supply position of the sheet 2 can be switched in units of copies with a very simple configuration. Further, since only the paper trays 21 and 22 need be switched, the time required for sorting can be remarkably shortened.

  In the present embodiment, the lower paper tray 22 can switch the position for setting the paper 2 between a normal setting position P1 corresponding to the normal position and a shift setting position P2 corresponding to the shift position. It is configured.

  As a result, the lower sheet tray 22 can be used for purposes other than the sorting function, so that it is possible to provide the multifunction device 1 that is easier to use.

  In the present embodiment, the lower paper tray 22 includes a wall portion 29 of the tray body 25 that restricts one end of the paper 2 in the width direction, and a side guide 27 that restricts the other end. Further, the lower paper tray 22 is configured such that the setting position of the paper 2 can be switched between the normal setting position P1 and the shift setting position P2 by attaching / detaching a spacer 53 to / from the wall portion 29.

  Thereby, the shift set position P2 of the paper 2 can be realized with a very simple configuration using the spacer 53. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The page data generation unit 81 can also be configured to perform the following control. Hereinafter, a modification of the first control example will be described with reference to FIG.

  When printing or copying is started in this modification, the page data generation unit 81 first determines whether the current print target is an odd-numbered or even-numbered copy (S121). If it is an odd-numbered portion, the offset value is set to zero, and it is designated to feed from the normal tray (upper sheet tray 21) (S122). On the other hand, if it is an even-numbered copy, the offset value is set to a predetermined value that is not zero, and the sheet is specified to be fed from the shift tray (lower sheet tray 22) (S123).

  Subsequently, the contents of the current page are acquired from the personal computer or the document reading unit 11 (S124). Then, the contents of the page are expanded while being offset by the offset value to create a raster-format page image (S125). Here, since the offset value is zero in the case of the odd-numbered part (S122), a normal page image is created in the process of S125. On the other hand, since the offset value is not zero in the case of the even-numbered portion (S123), an offset page image is created in the processing of S125.

  The page data generation unit 81 appropriately compresses the created page image and transmits it to the print unit control unit 82 (S126). At this time, the tray data designated in the processing of S122 or S123 is also transmitted in a form to be included in the header portion of the page image data. Next, it is determined whether transmission of page images for all pages is completed (S127). If not completed, the process proceeds to the next page (S128), and the process returns to S124. As described above, the processes of S124 to S126 are repeated for each of all pages.

  If it is determined in step S127 that the transmission of page images for all pages has been completed, it is determined whether the transmission of page images for all units has been completed (S129). If not completed, the process proceeds to the next unit (S130), and the process returns to S121. As described above, the processes of S121 to S128 are repeated for each of a plurality of copies to be printed or copied. If it is determined in step S129 that the transmission of the page image has been completed for all the copies, the printing is terminated.

  The control of the page data generation unit 81 shown in FIG. 9 can be combined with the control of the print unit control unit 82 described in FIG. This control example can be referred to as control for sequentially transmitting page data for each page, instead of collectively transmitting page data for all pages as shown in FIG. Therefore, this control is suitable, for example, when the capacity of the image memory is small and data for all pages of the original cannot be stored in the image memory.

  Next, a second control example will be described. In this second control example, printing is offset in the main scanning direction by generating different reference points (origins) when recording the contents of the page data on the paper instead of generating offset page data. It is the structure to make.

  FIG. 10 shows control of the page data generation unit 81 in the second control example. Note that the processing of S301 to S305 in FIG. 10 is the same as S101 to S105 in FIG.

  In the process of S305 in FIG. 10, when the current copy is an odd copy, a normal tray is designated (S306). On the other hand, if the current copy is an even copy, a shift tray is designated (S307). Thereafter, in any case, the page images of all pages are transmitted to the print unit controller 82 (without offset) (S308).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether the transmission of the page image has been completed for all the units (S309). If not completed, the process proceeds to the next unit (S310), and the process returns to S305. As described above, the processes in S305 to S308 are repeated for each of a plurality of copies to be printed or copied. If it is determined in step S309 that the transmission of the page image has been completed for all the copies, the printing ends.

  FIG. 11 shows the control of the print unit controller 82 in the second control example. In FIG. 11, the print unit controller 82 first determines whether or not both the normal tray (upper paper tray 21) and the shift tray (lower paper tray 22) can be used for sorting, such as guide position sensors 92 and 95. Is determined based on the signal (S401).

  If it is determined in S401 that the paper trays 21 and 22 are not ready for sorting, an error message is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 18 to notify the user (S402). Thereafter, the print unit control unit 82 checks whether at least one of the size and the setting position of the paper 2 set in the paper trays 21 and 22 has been changed (S403). If it is determined in S403 that the change has been made, the process returns to S401.

  If it is determined in S403 that neither the paper size nor the position has been changed, it is checked whether or not a forced printing operation has been performed from the operation panel 18 (S404). If it is determined that the forced printing operation has not been performed, it is further checked whether a print cancel operation has been performed from the operation panel 18 (S405). If it is determined that an operation to cancel printing has been performed, the print unit control unit 82 stops printing. If it is determined that the cancel operation has not been performed, the process returns to S403.

  If it is determined in S401 that the paper trays 21 and 22 are available for sorting, the process proceeds to S406. In S406, the specification of the tray included in the header portion of the page image is checked to determine whether the normal tray is specified.

  If it is determined in S406 that the normal tray (upper paper tray 21) is designated, the print unit control unit 82 checks the paper empty sensor 93 of the normal tray and checks for the presence of the paper 2 (S407). If the paper 2 is set on the normal tray, the paper feed clutch 91 on the normal tray side is connected, and the paper 2 is supplied from the normal tray to the paper transport path 16 (S408). Further, when the image is recorded on the paper 2, the origin serving as a reference for the printing position is reset to zero (S 409).

  On the other hand, if the normal tray is not specified in the determination in S406, the print unit control unit 82 checks the paper empty sensor of the shift tray (lower paper tray 22) and checks whether or not the paper 2 is present (S410). If the paper 2 is set on the shift tray, the paper feed clutch 94 on the shift tray side is connected, and the paper 2 is supplied from the shift tray to the paper transport path 16 (S411). Further, the origin for recording an image on the paper 2 is set to a predetermined value which is not zero (S412).

  Then, the print unit control unit 82 develops a page image from the data received from the page data generation unit 81 and controls the image recording unit 13 to perform printing on the supplied paper 2 according to the development data (S413). .

  At this time, the origin set in the processing of S409 or S412 is used as the origin serving as the reference for the print position. Therefore, when the normal tray is designated, printing is performed with reference to the normal origin (the zero-reset origin) in the process of S413. When the shift tray is designated, printing is performed with reference to the origin shifted from the normal in the processing of S413.

  Therefore, in the odd-numbered printing, in the process of S413 in FIG. 11, print contents / copy contents that are not offset are printed on the paper 2 fed from the normal tray (upper paper tray 21). On the other hand, in the printing of even-numbered copies, in the process of S413, the offset print contents / copy contents are printed on the paper 2 fed from the shift tray (lower paper tray 22). Therefore, the relative printing position with respect to the paper 2 is kept constant regardless of the tray fed.

  The printed paper 2 is toner-fixed by the fixing unit 14 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 15. This completes the output for one page.

  FIG. 12 shows control of a modification of the second control example. S321 to S330 in FIG. 12 are almost the same as S121 to S130 in FIG. 9, and control for sequentially transmitting page data of each page is performed. However, the flow of FIG. 12 differs from FIG. 9 in that the offset value is not set to zero in the process of S322 and the offset value is not set to a predetermined value in the process of S323. The control of this modification can be combined with the control of the print unit control unit 82 described with reference to FIG.

  The lower paper tray 22 can switch the setting position of the paper 2 between the normal setting position and the shift setting position even by a configuration other than the spacer 53. FIG. 13 shows a modified lower paper tray 22a.

  In the lower paper tray 22 a, movable side guides 27 and 27 are provided on both ends in the width direction of the paper 2. A rack 55 is fixed to each side guide 27, 27, and these racks 55, 55 are connected to each other via a pinion 56. Thereby, even if the size of the paper 2 is changed, the center in the width direction can always be maintained at a fixed position.

  A pinion shaft 57 fixed to the center of the pinion 56 is inserted into a long hole 58 formed in a penetrating manner on the bottom surface of the tray body 25. A switching lever (operation member) 59 is rotatably attached to the bottom surface of the tray main body 25 of the lower paper tray 22a. A long hole 60 is formed in the switching lever 59, and the pinion shaft 57 is inserted into the long hole 60.

  Therefore, by rotating the switching lever 59, the pinion 56 slides along the paper width direction, and the side guides 27, 27 on both sides connected to the pinion 56 via the racks 55, 55 also slide. Thereby, the sheet 2 can be switched between the normal set position P1 and the shift set position P2 offset from the normal set position P1 in the main scanning direction.

  FIG. 14 shows another example of a lower sheet tray 22b. In the lower paper tray 22b, a slide tray 65 is installed at the inner bottom of the tray body 25. On the slide tray 65, a flapper 31, a side guide 27, an end guide 28, a paper feed roller 32, and the like are provided. The slide tray 65 is configured to be slidable with a predetermined stroke in the main scanning direction.

  A through hole 67 is formed on the bottom surface of the tray body 25. On the other hand, a pin 66 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the slide tray 65, and the pin 66 is inserted into the long hole 67. The pin 66 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the tray body 25.

  A switching lever 59 is rotatably attached to the bottom surface of the tray body 25 of the lower paper tray 22b. A slot 60 is formed in the switching lever 59, and the pin 66 is inserted into the slot 60.

  Therefore, by rotating the switching lever 59, the slide tray 65 slides along the paper width direction together with the flapper 31, the side guides 27 and 27, the end guide 28, and the like. Thereby, the sheet 2 can be switched between the normal set position P1 and the shift set position (not shown) offset from the normal set position P1 in the main scanning direction.

  As described above, the lower paper trays 22a and 22b of the configuration shown in FIGS. By operating the switching lever 59, the setting position of the paper 2 in the lower paper trays 22a and 22b can be switched between the normal setting position and the shift setting position.

  Thereby, the setting position of the sheet 2 can be easily switched by operating the switching lever 59. Therefore, it is possible to realize a sorting function that is easier to use.

  FIG. 15 shows a paper tray 23 that can automatically switch the position of the paper 2. The paper tray 23 includes a slide tray 65 on the inner bottom surface of the tray body 25, and a rack 78 is fixed to the slide tray 65. On the other hand, a switching shaft 75 is rotatably supported on the tray body 25. A worm gear 77 is fixed to one end of the switching shaft 75, and the worm gear 77 meshes with the rack 78. On the other hand, a coupling 76 is attached to the other end of the switching shaft 75 so as not to be relatively rotatable and to be axially slidable.

  On the other hand, an unillustrated switching drive motor (switching drive unit) is provided on the main body side of the multifunction machine 1. The coupling 76 is connected to the switching drive motor when the paper tray 23 is mounted on the housing 10. By driving the switching drive motor in this state, the slide tray 65 can be slid with a predetermined stroke. As a result, the sheet 2 can be switched between the normal set position P1 and the shift set position (not shown) offset from the normal set position P1 in the main scanning direction.

  Note that the paper tray 23 in FIG. 15 can automatically switch the position of the paper 2 while it is set in the housing 10, so that it is possible to perform sorting in units of units. When this automatic shift switching type paper tray 23 is used, as the control of the page data generation unit 81, for example, the control described in FIG. 7 can be used. However, this time, instead of designating the normal tray in S106 of FIG. In addition, instead of designating the shift tray in S108, it is designated that there is a paper shift.

  A control example of the print unit controller 82 in the above case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, the print unit controller 82 first determines whether or not the current automatic shift switching type paper tray 23 is usable based on an appropriate sensor (S501).

  If it is determined in S501 that the paper tray 23 is not usable, an error message is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 18 to notify the user (S502). Thereafter, the print unit controller 82 checks whether or not the paper tray 23 is set (S503). If it is determined in S503 that it has been set, the process returns to S501.

  If it is determined in S503 that the paper tray 23 has not been set, it is checked whether a print cancel operation has been performed from the operation panel 18 (S504). If it is determined that an operation to cancel printing has been performed, the print unit control unit 82 stops printing. If it is determined that the cancel operation has not been performed, the process returns to S503.

  If it is determined in S501 that the paper tray 23 is in a usable state, it is checked in S505 whether the paper 2 is set in the automatic shift switching tray. Thereafter, the print unit control unit 82 checks whether there is a paper shift designation in the header portion of the page image (S506).

  If it is determined in S506 that there is no shift designation, the switching drive motor is driven to slide the slide tray 65 of the paper tray 23, and the shift of the paper 2 is reset to zero (S507). That is, the paper 2 is moved to the normal setting position P1. On the other hand, if it is determined in S506 that there is a shift designation, the switching drive motor is driven to slide the slide tray 65 of the paper tray 23 to shift the paper 2 by a predetermined distance (S508). That is, the paper 2 is moved to the shift set position P2.

  After the movement is completed, a paper feed clutch is connected and paper is fed from the paper tray 23 (S509). Then, the page image received from the page data generation unit 81 is developed and printed (S510). Thus, the output for one page is completed.

  As the control of the page data generation unit 81 when the automatic shift switching type paper tray 23 is used, for example, the control described with reference to FIG. 10 can be used. However, instead of designating the normal tray in S306 of FIG. 10, it is designated that there is no paper shift. In addition, instead of designating the shift tray in S308, it is designated that there is a paper shift.

  A control example of the print unit controller 82 in the above case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, the processing of S601 to S604 is the same as the processing of S501 to S504 of FIG.

  If it is determined in S <b> 604 that the operation for canceling printing has not been performed, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a forced printing operation on the operation panel 18. If it is determined that forced printing has not been performed, the process returns to S603.

  If it is determined in S601 that the paper tray 23 is usable, the presence / absence of paper in the paper tray 23 is checked (S606). Thereafter, the print unit control unit 82 checks whether there is a paper shift designation in the header portion of the page image (S607).

  If it is determined in S607 that there is no shift designation, the switching drive motor is driven to slide the slide tray 65 of the paper tray 23, and the shift of the paper 2 is reset to zero (S608). That is, the paper 2 is moved to the normal setting position P1. Then, the paper is fed from the paper tray 23 (S609), and the origin that is the reference for the printing position when an image is recorded on the paper 2 is reset to zero (S610).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S607 that there is a shift designation, the switching drive motor is driven to slide the slide tray 65 of the paper tray 23 to shift the paper 2 by a predetermined distance (S611). That is, the paper 2 is moved to the shift set position P2. Then, the paper is fed from the paper tray 23 (S612), and the origin for recording an image on the paper 2 is set to a predetermined value other than zero (S613).

  Then, the page image received from the page data generation unit 81 is developed and printed (S510). Thus, the output for one page is completed.

  If it is determined in S605 that the forced printing operation has been performed, if there is a (normal) tray other than the paper tray 23 in the housing 10, paper is fed from that tray (S615). Then, the process proceeds to S610, and after resetting the origin to zero, the received page image is developed and printed (S614). As a result, even if the paper tray 23 becomes unusable, it is possible to print on the paper in a normal tray in an emergency evacuation, which is advantageous.

  As shown above, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 15, the multifunction device 1 includes a switching drive motor (not shown), and the switching drive motor moves the paper 2 on the paper tray 23 between the normal set position and the shift set position. It is possible to move with. Then, the switching drive motor is driven so as to switch the position of the set paper 2 between the normal set position and the shift set position in units of copies.

  Thereby, since it is not necessary to switch the setting position of the paper 2 manually, the sorting function can be used more easily. Further, since a sorting function can be realized independently without using a plurality of paper cassettes, a compact image forming apparatus can be provided.

  Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be modified as follows, for example.

  It is possible to change to a configuration in which the paper 2 is set at the shift set position on the upper paper tray 21 side instead of the lower paper tray 22. Further, three or more paper trays can be provided instead of the case where two paper trays are provided as shown in FIG.

  Instead of the switching lever 59 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, an arbitrary operation member such as a switching rod and a switching wheel can be provided.

  In the configuration of FIG. 15, instead of changing the position of the sheet 2 by the worm gear 77 and the rack 78 driven by the switching drive motor, an appropriate actuator such as a cylinder and a solenoid can be used.

  The configuration exemplified above can be applied not only to the multifunction machine 1 but also to a facsimile machine, a copier, a printer, and the like.

1 is a partial front sectional view showing an overall configuration of a copy facsimile multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top view which shows an upper stage paper tray. The top view which shows a lower paper tray. The enlarged plan view which shows the mode of the side guide and size scale display part of a lower paper tray. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which a state of a paper tray is displayed on a display unit of an operation panel. The flowchart which shows control of a page data generation part in the 1st control example. 9 is a flowchart illustrating control of a print unit control unit in the first control example. The flowchart which shows the modification of control of the page data generation part of a 1st control example. The flowchart which shows control of a page data generation part in the 2nd control example. 9 is a flowchart illustrating control of a print unit control unit in a second control example. The flowchart which shows the modification of control of the page data generation part of a 2nd control example. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a lower sheet tray that can change the sheet setting position by a switching lever. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a lower sheet tray that can change the sheet setting position by a switching lever. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an automatic shift switching type paper tray. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control by a print unit control unit when an automatic shift switching type paper tray is used. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of control by the print unit control unit when an automatic shift switching type paper tray is used.

Explanation of symbols

1 Copy facsimile machine (image forming device)
2 Paper (recording medium)
12 Paper feed unit (recording medium supply unit)
13 Image recording unit 21 Upper paper tray (first recording medium supply cassette)
22 Lower paper tray (second recording medium supply cassette)
53 Spacer 59 Switching lever (operating member)
P1 Normal set position (first set position)
P2 Shift set position (second set position)

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus capable of forming images of a plurality of copies of a document,
A recording medium supply unit for supplying the recording medium;
An image recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply unit;
With
The recording medium supply unit can supply the recording medium to the image recording unit while switching in units between a first supply position and a second supply position offset in the main scanning direction from the first supply position. And
When the image recording unit records an image on the recording medium supplied to the second supply position, the print position does not change relative to the case where the recording medium is supplied to the first supply position. An image forming apparatus for recording an image offset in a main scanning direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The recording medium supply unit includes a first recording medium supply cassette and a second recording medium supply cassette,
The first recording medium supply cassette is configured to set the recording medium at a first set position corresponding to the first supply position,
The second recording medium supply cassette is configured to be able to set the recording medium at a second set position offset in a main scanning direction from a position corresponding to the first supply position.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a recording medium supply source is switched between the first recording medium supply cassette and the second recording medium supply cassette in units of copies. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The second recording medium supply cassette switches a position for setting the recording medium between a first set position corresponding to the first supply position and a second set position corresponding to the second supply position. An image forming apparatus characterized by being configured. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The second recording medium supply cassette includes a fixed guide that regulates one end in the width direction of the recording medium, and a movable guide that regulates the other end.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a set position of the recording medium can be switched between the first set position and the second set position by attaching / detaching a spacer to / from the fixed guide. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The second recording medium supply cassette includes an operation member, and by operating the operation member, a recording medium set position in the second recording medium supply cassette is determined between the first set position and the second set position. An image forming apparatus characterized in that it can be switched between. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The recording medium set in the recording medium supply unit can be moved between a first set position corresponding to the first supply position and a second set position corresponding to the second supply position. Equipped with a switching drive
The image forming apparatus, wherein the switching drive unit is driven so as to switch the set position of the recording medium between the first set position and the second set position in units of copies. In an image forming method of forming a plurality of images of a document by supplying a recording medium from a recording medium supply unit to an image recording unit,
Supplying the recording medium from the recording medium supply unit to the image recording unit while switching in units from a first supply position to a second supply position offset from the first supply position in the main scanning direction;
When the image recording unit records an image on the recording medium supplied to the second supply position, the print position does not change relative to the case where the recording medium is supplied to the first supply position. An image forming method, wherein an image offset in the main scanning direction is recorded.

Images