JP2010001096A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of forming a punch hole of same arrangement pattern as a document on recording paper without troubling the hand of a user when punching treatment is also performed on the recording paper after copying of the document performed with punching treatment and it should be output. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device is provided with a reading means (reader part 400) for reading an image of the document; and an image forming means (printer part 401) for forming image data read by the reading means on the recording paper. Further, the device is provided with a punching means (posterior treatment device 300) for forming the punch hole on the recording paper imaged by the image forming means by any one of a plurality of arrangement patterns. Further, the device is provided with a pattern detection means (image treatment part 610) for detecting the arrangement pattern of the punch hole on the image data read by the reading means. Further, the device is provided with a determination means (CPU 600) for determining a punching treatment method which should be executed by the punching means according to a detection result of the pattern detection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a post-processing device.

  Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses have a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as stapling or punching on output recording paper, and the post-processing style and position are designated by a user operation. What you can do is known.

  By the way, when copying a document that has been punched, there are cases in which it is desired to perform punching on the copied recording paper at the same position as the document for output.

  In this case, it is necessary for the user to confirm the punch position of the document and specify the position of the document on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus so that the copied recording paper is punched at the same position.

  As a countermeasure, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes the following technique.

That is, in Patent Document 1, the document punch position is detected at the time of document feeding or reading, the document image data read is rotated as necessary, and the copied recording paper is aligned in the same direction as the document. Thus, a technique for easily performing punching has been proposed.
JP 2005-269173 A

  However, the above prior art has the following problems, although the punch position and orientation can be made the same as those of the original.

  That is, in the above prior art, when the punching styles such as the number of punch holes (2 holes, 30 holes, etc.) and the interval are different between the original and the post-processing unit, the same punching as the original is performed. Cannot be done on recording paper.

  Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to replace the post-processing unit with a punching style that is the same as that of the original, which is troublesome for the user. Moreover, cost will increase.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to punch holes having the same arrangement pattern as an original without bothering the user when it is desired to output the punched recording paper after the original has been copied. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of being formed on a recording sheet.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, a reading unit that reads an image of a document, an image forming unit that forms an image of image data read by the reading unit on a recording sheet, and the image Punch means for forming punch holes in any of a plurality of array patterns on a recording paper image-formed by the forming means, and pattern detection for detecting the array patterns of the punch holes on the image data read by the reading means And a determining means for determining a punching method to be executed by the punching means in accordance with a detection result of the pattern detecting means.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the punched recording paper is to be output after being punched, the same arrangement pattern as that of the original can be obtained without bothering the user. Punch holes can be formed on the recording paper.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a post-processing device 300, a reader unit 400 as a reading unit, a printer unit 401 as an image forming unit, and an ADF (automatic document feeder) 500.

  Hereinafter, the configuration will be described together with the operation.

  The ADF 500 feeds documents one by one. The reflected light from the fed document is imaged on the image sensor unit 409, whereby the document image is read. The exposure control unit 410 irradiates the photoconductor 411 with a light beam corresponding to the image data processed by the controller unit 420. The developing units 412 and 413 develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 411 with a light beam with a developer (toner) of a predetermined color.

  The recording sheets P stacked and stored in the recording sheet storage units 414 and 415 are separated one by one by the pickup rollers 421 and 431 and fed to the registration rollers 425 by the sheet feeding rollers 422, 432 and 433.

  Then, the recording paper P is sent to the transfer separation charger 416 by the registration roller 425 in synchronization with the leading edge of the image formed on the photoconductor 411. The transfer separation charger 416 transfers the toner image developed on the photoconductor 411 to the recording paper P, and then separates the recording paper P from the photoconductor 411.

  The fixing unit 417 fixes the toner image on the recording paper P sent from the transfer separation charger 416 by the conveyance belt 423. The main body discharge roller 418 conveys the recording paper P fixed by the fixing unit 417 to the post-processing device 300. The conveyance roller 301 and the paper discharge belt 302 of the post-processing device 300 discharge the recording paper P to the paper discharge tray 303.

  In the punch mode, the punching unit 304 performs punching processing on the recording paper P, and in the staple mode, stapling processing is performed on the recording paper P by the staple unit 305. . The timing sensor 306 detects the leading edge and the trailing edge of the recording paper P in order to take a timing when performing punch hole processing.

  FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the ADF 500 and the reader unit 400 in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the configuration will be described together with the operation.

  In the ADF 500, the uppermost document in the document bundle S set on the document tray 20 with the surface facing upward is fed out to the separation unit 2 by the pickup roller 1. The separation unit 2 is provided with a separation roller on the upper side and a separation pad on the lower side, and separates the uppermost paper when the originals are fed out.

  When reading an image on the front side with a single-sided document, the separated document is subjected to skew correction during separation and conveyance by the first registration roller 3, and then the first registration roller 3 to the second registration roller 4 and the second registration roller 4. It is conveyed by one conveying roller 5.

  Then, the image on the surface of the original is read while being conveyed at a reading position R that is a contact point between the reading roller 7 and the ADF platen 430. Thereafter, the originals are sequentially discharged from the second transport roller 6 to the paper discharge tray 8 on the paper discharge tray 21 with the surface of the original document facing downward.

  When reading both front and back images with a double-sided document, the separated document is subjected to skew correction during separation and conveyance by the first registration roller 3 and then from the second registration roller 4 to the first conveyance roller. 5, transported by the second transport roller 6.

  Then, the surface image of the original is read while being conveyed at the reading position R. Thereafter, the second conveying roller 6 to the paper discharge roller 8 temporarily convey the document edge onto the paper discharge tray 21, and the conveyance is stopped with the rear end of the reading being nipped by the paper discharge roller 8.

  After that, the document is conveyed back by switchback, and after the skew correction is performed again by the second registration roller 4, it is transported by the first transport roller 5 and the second transport roller 6, and transported again at the reading position R. The back side image is read while

  Thereafter, the conveyance is stopped with the rear end side of the reading being nipped by the paper discharge roller 8. Thereafter, the document is transported in a switchback manner and transported by the second registration roller 4, the first transport roller 5, and the second transport roller 6. Paper is ejected in order. However, even while the reading position R is being conveyed, the document image is not read during this period.

  The reader unit 400 optically reads a document image, photoelectrically converts it, and outputs it as image data.

  The reader unit 400 includes an ADF platen 430, a platen glass (book platen) 402, a scanner unit 404 on which a lamp 403 and a mirror 405 are mounted, mirrors 406 and 407, a lens 408, a CCD sensor 409, and the like.

  When reading a document image conveyed from the ADF 500, the reader unit 400 moves the scanner unit 404 below the ADF platen 430 and stops the image information while the document is conveyed on the reading position R. Read.

  Further, when reading an image of a document placed on the book platen 402, the scanner unit 403 is moved in a sub-scanning direction from a document set reference (not shown) to read the image information of the document (pressure plate mode scan).

  When reading image information, first, the lamp 403 is turned on to irradiate the original. Reflected light from the document is input to the CCD sensor 409 via mirrors 405, 406, 407 and a lens 408. Then, the reflected light from the document input to the CCD sensor 409 is subjected to electrical processing such as photoelectric conversion, and is subjected to normal digital processing.

  FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, a power switch 201 controls energization to the image forming apparatus 100. The reset key 202 operates as a key for returning to the standard mode during standby. The copy start key 203 starts a copy (copying) operation.

  A clear key 204 is used to clear a numerical value. The ID key 205 is used when inputting a personal identification number. A stop key 206 is used to interrupt or stop copying. Reference numeral 210 denotes a mode setting key for setting various copying modes, and includes a punch mode setting key for punching a sheet.

  Reference numeral 252 denotes a display that displays the state of the apparatus, the set copy mode, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the CPU 600 provided in the controller unit 420 in FIG. 1 includes the post-processing device 300, the reader unit 400, the printer unit 401, the ADF 500, and the image processing unit 610 according to the mode selected by the user on the operation unit 200. Take control.

  Here, the image processing unit 610 functions as a pattern detection unit that detects an array pattern of punch holes on the image data read by the reader unit 400 serving as a reading unit.

  Further, the CPU 600 functions as a control unit that determines a punching method for the recording paper in accordance with the detection result of the image processing unit 610 as a pattern detection unit.

  Further, the operation unit 200 functions as a selection unit for selecting in advance whether or not to automatically punch the recording paper in accordance with the punching method determined by the CPU 600 as the control unit.

  5 is an external perspective view of a puncher unit mounted on the post-processing apparatus in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the puncher unit in FIG.

  The puncher unit 304 has punch pins 501, 502, and 503. The punch pins 501, 502, and 503 are lowered when the recording paper P reaches a predetermined position, and the recording paper P has one of a plurality of arrangement patterns. To form punch holes. The recording paper P is conveyed from the right to the left in the figure.

  In this embodiment, the punch pins are arranged in three rows, and three types of punch processing methods of 30 holes, 3 holes, and 2 holes can be handled. As the cam shafts 511, 512, and 513 rotate, the punch pins 501, 502, and 503 are pushed and lowered. The puncher unit 304 is controlled by a command from the CPU 600.

  FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the post-processing apparatus in FIG.

  7, the post-processing apparatus 300 includes a timing sensor 306, a first punch motor 391 that drives the cam shaft 511, a second punch motor 392 that drives the cam shaft 512, and a third punch motor 393 that drives the cam shaft 513. Prepare.

  The post-processing apparatus 300 includes a transport motor 394, a staple unit 305, a paper discharge belt motor 396, and a tray motor 397. Each of these units is controlled by the CPU 600. Instead of the CPU 600, a configuration controlled by the CPU of the post-processing device 300 may be used.

  When punching 30 holes in the recording paper P, the timing sensor 306 should detect the leading edge or trailing edge of the recording paper P after image formation conveyed from the printer unit 401 to the post-processing device 300, and punch holes should be opened. The recording paper P is stopped at the position.

  The cam shaft 511 rotates to push down the punch pins 501, and the row of the lowered punch pins 501 forms 30 punch holes at a predetermined position of the recording paper P (see FIG. 8A). The punch pin 501 becomes the lower limit position when the cam shaft 511 is rotated by 180 °, and returns to the original position after one rotation.

  Further, when performing the punching process for three holes, the recording paper P is stopped at a predetermined timing based on the detection result from the timing sensor 306. Then, the cam shaft 512 rotates to push down the punch pins 502, and the row of the lowered punch pins 502 forms three punch holes at a predetermined position (see FIG. 8B).

  Similarly, when the punching process for two holes is performed, the recording paper P is stopped at a predetermined timing based on the detection result from the timing sensor 306. Then, the cam shaft 513 rotates to push down the punch pin 503, and the lowered punch pin 503 forms two punch holes at a predetermined position (see FIG. 8C).

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart during the punching operation in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  When the recording paper P after image formation is transported by the transport motor 394 and the timing sensor 306 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper P, the CPU 600 stops the transport motor 394 after a predetermined time and brings the recording paper P to the punch position. Stop.

  Then, the CPU 600 drives the punch motor (391, 392, or 393) to rotate the cam shaft (511, 512, or 513), and forms a punch hole in the recording paper P. Thereafter, the CPU 600 drives the transport motor 394 again and transports the recording paper P in the direction of the paper discharge tray 303 again.

  Next, the recognition processing operation for recognizing the feature of the document image will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a region for discriminating punch hole traces (array pattern) from the original image PPP read by the reader unit 400, and X and Y are two-dimensional representations of the read original image. Coordinates. In the present embodiment, either a case where a punch hole is formed in the document or a case where a mark of the punch hole is formed in the document may be used.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing an image of the document with punch holes in FIG. In FIG. 11, the case where the punch hole 111 is 3 holes is shown as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the read original image PPP is divided into (a) to (d) according to the direction of the original set on the ADF 500. Note that the conveyance direction in the figure is the direction in which the ADF is conveyed when the PPP is viewed as a document.

  The image processing unit 610 determines whether or not the punch hole traces of the punch holes 111 shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D exist in the hatched punch hole trace determination area shown in FIG. Determine. The punch hole is recognized based on detecting an image having a predetermined shape generated at the edge of the punch hole. Then, the positions and arrangement patterns of punch hole marks (2-hole type, 3-hole type, 30-hole type) are recognized, and the result is transmitted to the CPU 600.

  If the image data read by the reader unit 400 is shown in FIG. 11B or FIG. 11D, punching cannot be performed at the same position on the recording paper P as the original as it is. This is because the punch pin arrangement direction of the puncher unit 304 is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording paper P.

  Therefore, the image processing unit 610 rotates the image data so that the punch hole 111 can be formed in the direction of FIG. 11A when the position of the punch hole mark is FIG. 11B or 11D. Process.

  CPU 600 determines an operation mode of puncher unit 304 based on information from image processing unit 610. In the case of a three-hole punch, only the punch pin 502 is lowered at a predetermined timing to form three punch holes, and punch processing is performed at the same position as the punch holes provided in the document.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of punch hole mark discrimination processing executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. This process is executed under the control of the CPU 600 in FIG.

  First, the CPU 600 causes the reader unit 400 to read a document image and stores the document image in the RAM 630 in the image processing unit 610 (step S1201). Next, the CPU 600 extracts the image data of the punch hole determination area from the image data of the original stored in the RAM 630 (step S1202).

  As shown in FIG. 10, this punch hole mark discrimination area is an area that is normally punched (punched) inside each edge of the document. Next, the CPU 600 causes the image processing unit 610 to further subdivide the extracted image data and extract a pattern recognition area for comparison with a storage pattern to be described later (step S1203).

  This pattern recognition area is an area size that can include image data for one punch hole trace. Then, the CPU 600 causes the image processing unit 610 to extract the extracted pattern recognition area and a punch hole storage pattern (an array pattern of 30 holes, 3 holes, and 2 holes) stored in the ROM 620 in the image processing unit 610 in advance. ). Then, CPU 600 determines whether or not both match (step S1204).

  If it is determined that the pattern recognition area does not match any storage pattern, the process proceeds to step S1206 and subsequent steps. On the other hand, if it is determined that they match, the CPU 600 recognizes that the pattern recognition area is a punch hole mark.

  Then, the CPU 600 obtains the recognized center position of the punch hole trace as center position coordinate data in the X direction and the Y direction shown in FIG. 10, and stores them in the RAM 630 (step S1205).

  Next, the CPU 600 determines whether or not the pattern recognition area to be compared is the final area of the punch hole determination area extracted in step S1202 (step S1206), and has compared all the punch hole determination areas. If it is determined, the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the area is not the final area, the CPU 600 sequentially shifts the pattern recognition area in the X direction or the Y direction (step S1207), and performs step S1204 to step S1207 for pattern comparison processing until the final area is reached. repeat.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image forming processing including punch processing executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. This process is executed under the control of the CPU 600 in FIG.

  First, the CPU 600 checks whether or not a document is set on the ADF 500 or the platen glass 402 (step S1301), and determines whether or not the copy start key 203 is pressed when the document is set (step S1302).

  When the copy start key 203 is pressed, the CPU 600 causes the reader unit 400 to execute an image reading operation (step S1303). Thereafter, the CPU 600 causes the image processing unit 610 to determine whether or not there is a punch hole mark in the document image, and determines whether or not the document has a punch hole mark (step S1304). If there is a punch hole trace, the arrangement pattern is also determined to determine the punch processing method.

  When the punch hole trace is recognized, the CPU 600 displays a selection screen as to whether or not to perform punch processing at the same position as the document on the display unit 252 of the operation unit 200 (step S1305). The CPU 600 waits for a selection input by the user (step S1306), and executes the image forming operation when the punch processing is selected (step S1307).

  Thereafter, the CPU 600 causes the puncher unit 304 to perform punch processing on the recording paper P after image formation by the determined punch processing method (step S1308), and ends the processing. In the punch processing in step S1308, the CPU 600 rotates any of the cams 511 to 513 at a predetermined timing according to the output of the sensor 306 and the determined punch processing method.

  If it is determined in step S1304 that there is no punch hole mark in the document image, the CPU 600 performs an image forming operation (step S1309) and ends the process without performing the punch process.

  Even if there is no punch hole in the document, if an instruction to perform punch processing is set in advance from the operation unit 200, punch processing is performed on the recording paper P by the punch processing method selected by the operation unit 200.

  Further, the operation unit 200 may be set in advance so that the punching process is automatically executed by the determined punching method without performing the display in step S1305.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when a document that has been punched is copied and it is desired to perform punching on recording paper, the document is not bothered by the user. Punch holes having the same arrangement pattern as can be formed on the recording paper. Further, at that time, the recording paper can be output in accordance with the user's intention by providing a selection means for performing punch processing on the recording paper.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a detailed block diagram of ADF and a reader part in FIG. FIG. 2 is a layout diagram of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is an external appearance perspective view of the puncher unit mounted in the post-processing apparatus in FIG. It is a block diagram of the puncher unit of FIG. It is a control block diagram of the post-processing apparatus in FIG. It is a figure which shows the mode of the punch process by the puncher unit of FIG. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram during a punching operation in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows the punch hole trace discrimination | determination area | region which can be discriminate | determined by the leader part in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document with punch holes fed from an ADF in FIG. 1. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of punch hole mark discrimination processing executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image forming processing including punch processing executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 4.

Explanation of symbols

111 Punch hole 200 Operation unit 300 Post-processing device 304 Puncher unit 305 Staple unit 400 Reader unit 401 Printer unit 420 Controller unit 600 CPU
610 Image processing unit 620 ROM
630 RAM

Claims (4)

Reading means for reading an image of a document;
Image forming means for forming an image of the image data read by the reading means on a recording paper;
Punch means for forming punch holes in any of a plurality of arrangement patterns on the recording paper image-formed by the image forming means;
Pattern detecting means for detecting the arrangement pattern of the punch holes on the image data read by the reading means;
Determining means for determining a punch processing method to be executed by the punch means according to the detection result of the pattern detecting means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pattern detecting unit detects the number and position of the punch holes as the array pattern.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the punching unit performs punching on the recording paper after image formation by the punching method determined by the determining unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit configured to select whether or not to perform punch processing on the recording paper after image formation by the punch processing method determined by the determination unit.