JP2010076880A - Processing device, processing system, and processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deliver recording media common to a specified delivery destination. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: an acquisition means acquiring information specifying a delivery part delivering a recording medium, out of a plurality of delivery parts for delivering recording media; and a permission means permitting delivery of, from the specified delivery part, a sort of recording medium ready to be delivered, if the recording medium is ready to be delivered from the delivery part specified by the information acquired by the acquisition means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a processing apparatus, a processing system, and a processing program.

  In recent years, there are an increasing number of image forming apparatuses provided with a discharge stage having a sheet alignment mechanism.

  In some conventional image forming apparatuses, the size (paper size) and type (paper type) of paper that can be discharged are limited depending on the discharge destination. On the other hand, there is a case in which discharge of paper with size or paper quality restrictions or paper with different sizes is prohibited.

In addition, if the type of paper that can be discharged to the selected output section does not match the type of paper on which the image is recorded, another discharge that can discharge the same type of paper that has the image recorded on it An image recording apparatus has been proposed in which a sheet on which an image is recorded is ejected to the section (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 09-188455 A

  An object of the present invention is to discharge a type of recording medium common to a specified discharge destination.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is an acquisition unit that acquires information specifying a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units that discharge the recording medium; In the discharge unit designated from the information acquired by the acquisition means, when the recording medium is already discharged to the discharge unit, the specified discharge for the type of recording medium already discharged And permission means for permitting discharge from the section.

  In order to solve the above problem, the processing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 2 is configured to acquire information specifying a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units that discharge the recording medium; When a restriction is set on the type of recording medium to be ejected in the designated ejection section from the information acquired by the acquisition means, and the recording medium has already been ejected to the ejection section, And a permitting unit that permits the recording medium of a type that has already been ejected to be ejected from the designated ejecting unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, the permitting unit is configured to eject the discharge unit different from the designated discharge unit for the recording medium different from the type that is already discharged. It is characterized by permitting discharge from.

  In order to solve the above problem, the processing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 4 is configured to acquire information specifying a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units that discharge the recording medium; When the recording medium can be ejected from the ejection unit specified by the information obtained by the obtaining means, the storage means for storing the type of the recording medium, and the storage means stores the type of the recording medium. And a permitting unit that permits the stored type of recording medium to be ejected from the designated ejection unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the permission unit discharges a recording medium different from the type stored in the storage unit from a discharge unit different from the specified discharge unit. It is characterized by permitting.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, an image forming unit that performs image formation on the recording medium to be printed based on print data to be printed. It is characterized by having.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect further includes a reading unit that reads an image of a document, and the image forming unit converts the print data corresponding to the information read by the reading unit. Based on the above, image formation is performed on the recording medium to be printed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the processing system of the present invention according to claim 8 is an acquisition unit that acquires information specifying a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units that discharge the recording medium; In the discharge unit designated from the information acquired by the acquisition means, when the recording medium is already discharged to the discharge unit, the specified discharge for the type of recording medium already discharged And permission means for permitting discharge from the section.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the processing program of the present invention according to claim 9 includes an acquisition unit that acquires information specifying a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units that discharge the recording medium; In the discharge unit designated from the information acquired by the acquisition means, when the recording medium is already discharged to the discharge unit, the specified discharge for the type of recording medium already discharged And allowing the computer to execute permission means for permitting discharge from the section.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a recording medium of a common type to the specified discharge destination.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a recording medium of a type permitted by the designated discharge destination.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when outputting a recording medium of a common type to the designated discharge destination, it is possible to output a recording medium of a different type from the recording medium that has already been discharged.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a recording medium of a common type to the specified discharge destination.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a recording medium of a common type is output to the specified discharge destination, a recording medium of a different type from the recording medium that has already been discharged can be output.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a recording medium on which an image is printed can be output to a designated discharge destination.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a recording medium on which an image corresponding to an image of a document is printed to a designated discharge destination.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a recording medium of a common type to the specified discharge destination.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to output a recording medium of a common type to the designated discharge destination.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present specification, the recording medium means paper such as plain paper, cardboard, and slip paper, and an OHP (overhead projector) sheet. The type of recording medium includes the size, quality, and thickness of the recording medium. The quality of the recording medium means plain paper, thick paper, recycled paper, high-quality paper, thin paper, coated paper, OHP sheet, and the like. Here, when the recording medium is a sheet, the type of sheet (recording medium) includes the size of the sheet, the sheet quality, and the thickness. Examples of paper quality (recording medium quality) include plain paper, cardboard, recycled paper, high-quality paper, thin paper, and coated paper.

  FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  An image forming apparatus 1 as an example of a processing apparatus is connected to computers 2 and 3 via a communication line 4 such as a network. When a print request including print data from these computers 2 and 3 is received, A printing process (image forming process) is performed based on the print data.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image input unit 10, an image reading unit 20, a decomposer unit 30, an operation unit / display unit 40, a system control unit 50, an image storage unit 60, an image output device 70, and a paper discharge unit 80. ing.

  The image input unit 10 includes an automatic document feeder 11, a platen glass 12, and a scanner 13.

  The automatic document feeder 11 automatically feeds a set document. Inside the automatic document feeder 11, a sensor (document detection sensor) (not shown) for detecting the size of the set document is arranged.

  A document is set on the platen glass 12. The platen glass 12 means a platen made of a transparent member, such as glass, that supports the original so as to be in contact with the reading surface (the surface on which the image to be read is formed).

  The document detection sensor (not shown) may be disposed at a preset position corresponding to the platen glass 12 in the image input unit 10.

  The scanner 13 scans a document sent from the automatic document feeder 11 or a document placed on the platen glass 12 to read the document, and outputs image data of the read document to the image reading unit 20.

  The image reading unit 20 includes an image capturing unit 21, a SCAN (scan) operation control unit 22, an image editing unit 23, and an image output unit 24.

  The SCAN operation control unit 22 detects the size of the document based on a detection result (ON signal or OFF signal) from a document detection sensor (not shown) of the document input unit 10, and uses the scanner 13 of the image input unit 10. Control the scanning operation. In other words, the scanner 13 performs scanning by controlling the scanning operation of the SCAN operation control unit 22.

  The image capturing unit 21 captures image data of a document (image data in units of pages) from the scanner 13 and passes this image data to the image editing unit 23.

  The image editing unit 23 performs image editing processing such as image enlargement processing or reduction processing, frame processing, half-cut processing (frame / deleting processing), and shift processing.

  The image output unit 24 outputs the image data after the image editing process is performed by the image editing unit 23 to the system control unit 50.

  The decomposer unit 30 includes an image receiving unit 31, an image processing unit 32, and a decomposer memory 33.

  The image receiving unit 31 receives a print request including print data from the computer 2 or the computer 3 via the communication line 4 and passes the print request to the image processing unit 32. The print data is, for example, data described in a page description language (hereinafter referred to as “PDL data”).

  The image processing unit 32 interprets the print data (PDL data) included in the print request passed from the image receiving unit 31, and develops it into raster data (bitmap data) based on the interpretation result.

  The decomposer memory 33 stores raster data developed by the image processing unit 32.

  When raster data is stored in the decomposer memory 33, the decomposer unit 30 outputs the raster data for each page to the system control unit 50.

  The operation unit / display unit 40 includes a machine administrator setting unit 41, a copy condition setting unit 42, an execution availability determination unit 43, a key input determination unit 44, and a setting content display unit 45.

  The machine administrator setting unit 41 includes a paper size setting unit 411, a paper quality setting unit 412, a discharge stage size setting unit 413, and a discharge stage paper quality setting unit 414.

  In the machine administrator setting unit 41, when the machine administrator is authenticated as a valid user (administrator) by user authentication using a user ID or a password, for example, in the administrator mode, each component 411 described above. The operation for ˜414 may be possible.

  The paper size setting unit 411 is for the machine administrator to set the paper size directly in the administrator mode, for example. For example, in a paper size detection unit 72 of the image output device 70 to be described later, based on a combination of detection results (ON signal or OFF signal) of a plurality of paper size sensors (not shown) provided corresponding to a paper feed stage. In the case of a standard size paper (recording medium) that cannot be detected, the machine administrator sets the paper quality in the administrator mode.

  The paper quality setting unit 412 is for the machine administrator to set the paper quality directly in the administrator mode, for example. This is because the paper quality cannot be automatically detected, and the machine administrator always sets the paper quality in the manager mode.

  The discharge stage size setting unit 413 prohibits the machine administrator from stacking sheets of different paper sizes corresponding to a specific discharge stage in, for example, the administrator mode (hereinafter referred to as “mix size prohibition”). .) For setting the effect. In addition, when the machine administrator wants the paper discharged to a specific discharge stage to be a paper of a specific paper size, the machine administrator operates the discharge stage size setting unit 413 to set the specific paper size, It may be set to prohibit the discharge of the paper of the paper size.

  The discharge corrugated paper quality setting unit 414 is for the machine administrator to set a specific paper quality corresponding to a specific discharge paper, for example, in the administrator mode.

  The copy condition setting unit 42 includes an automatic paper selection (ASP) setting unit 421, a paper feed stage setting unit 422, a discharge destination setting unit 423, a magnification setting unit 424, a display mode setting unit 425, and a slip sheet mode setting unit 426. ing.

  The automatic paper selection setting unit 421 is for a user to select and set an “automatic paper selection (APS) mode” in which a user automatically determines a paper feed stage during copying.

  By pressing the automatic paper selection setting unit 421, an “automatic paper selection (APS) mode” is set, and the “automatic paper selection mode” is notified to the system control unit 50 described later. That is, at the time of copying, the system controller 50 does not directly select an arbitrary paper source by operating the paper source setting unit 422 but presses the automatic paper selection setting unit 421 so that the system control unit 50 The paper feed stage is determined (selected) in accordance with the “automatic paper selection mode”.

  In this “automatic paper selection mode”, the system control unit 50 multiplies the detected document size by the magnification to calculate the input image size, and the minimum paper size that can be input without missing the image, and the paper supply. A paper tray will be selected.

  When the image input unit 10 reads a plurality of originals in which different size originals are mixed, as a result, the paper from the paper feed stage selected by the system control unit 50 is supplied to the image output device 70 for each original. The When the image forming process is performed on the sheet supplied by the image output device 70, the sheet as a result of the image forming process (image forming result) is discharged to the discharge stage.

  The paper feed stage setting unit 422 is a specific paper feed stage (paper feed means) that stores a sheet of paper that is to be formed into an image and output as a printed material from among a plurality of paper feed stages (paper feed means). ).

  The discharge destination setting unit 423 allows the user to set a specific discharge stage (discharge unit) from which a sheet on which an image is formed is to be discharged from among a plurality of discharge stages (discharge units) as discharge destinations. Is.

  The magnification setting unit 424 is for the user to set the magnification for the image of the document. If the magnification is not set by the user's operation of the magnification setting unit 424, the magnification = 100% (1 ×) is set as a default value.

  The cover mode setting unit 425 is for the user to select and set the “cover mode” when the user wants to attach a cover to the top of a sheet (for example, a copied sheet) as an image formation result. The “cover mode” is set when the cover mode setting unit 425 is pressed. The “cover page mode” refers to attaching a cover to the uppermost part and the lowermost part of the sheet as the image formation result.

  The user may designate a discharge stage different from the discharge stage as the discharge destination of the sheet as the image formation result related to the text as the cover discharge destination by operating the discharge destination setting unit 423.

  The slip sheet mode setting unit 426 is for the user to select and set the “slip sheet mode” when the user wants to perform image formation on the slip sheet (when he / she wants to insert a slip sheet). By pressing the slip sheet mode setting unit 426, the “slip sheet mode” is set. In this “interleaf mode”, it is possible to attach an interleaf as an image formation result.

  Note that the user may designate a discharge stage different from the discharge stage as the discharge destination of the sheet as the image formation result related to the text as the discharge destination of the slip sheet by operating the discharge destination setting unit 423. .

  The execution determination unit 43 determines whether the image forming process can be executed by the image output device 70 based on the contents set in the respective components 421 to 426 of the copy condition setting unit 42.

  The key input determination unit 44, for example, sets the setting contents (input contents) based on a signal corresponding to an input key (not shown) operated at the time of setting in each of the components 421 to 426 of the copy condition setting unit 42. judge.

  The setting content display unit 45 displays the setting content determined by the key input determination unit 44. Further, when the discharge stage as the designated discharge destination is switched, the setting content display unit 45 displays information indicating the discharge stage as the current discharge destination after switching.

  The system control unit 50 includes a process management unit 51 having an image processing control unit 510, a page memory 52, a system memory 53, and an image output unit 54.

  The page memory 52 stores image data in units of pages from the image reading unit 20 and raster data (image data) in units of pages from the decomposer unit 30.

  The system memory 53 stores data necessary for image forming processing, for example, page information generated by the image processing control unit 510, and page unit image data (raster data) read from the image storage unit 60 by the image processing control unit 510. To do. The page information includes information indicating the paper size, paper orientation, paper feed stage, text, slip sheet, and cover, respectively.

  The image output unit 54 outputs the page information and page unit image data (raster data) stored in the system memory 53 to the image output device 70.

  In the processing management unit 51, the image processing control unit 510 includes an image editing unit 511, a sheet information check unit 512, and a discharge destination determination unit 513.

  The image editing unit 511 performs image editing processing such as image rotation processing.

  The sheet information check unit 512 includes recording medium information (sheet information) such as information indicating a specific discharge stage designated as a discharge destination, information indicating a restriction on the type of recording medium set corresponding to the specific discharge stage. ) Is checked.

  A discharge destination determination unit 513 determines a discharge destination of a sheet (printed material) on which an image is formed.

  The image storage unit 60 stores image data and raster data in units of pages read from the page memory 52 by the image processing control unit 510.

  The image output device 70 includes a paper feed unit 71 and a paper size detection unit 72.

  The paper supply unit 71 stacks and stores standard paper sizes such as B5, A4, and A3 or non-standard paper sizes, and supplies the stored paper to the image output device 70. . As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed unit 71 includes a paper feed stage 711 (paper feed stage 1), a paper feed stage 712 (paper feed stage 2), a paper feed stage 713 (paper feed stage 3), and a paper feed stage 714. It is composed of one or more paper feed stages such as (paper feed stage 4), large capacity paper feed stage 715, and manual paper feed stage 716.

  Since a plurality of paper feed stages 711 to 714 and a large capacity paper feed stage 715 are provided with slidable paper guides (not shown), the user can place the paper guides in a stacked state. By sliding the sheet so as to be aligned with the side surface of the sheet accommodated in the above, the accommodated sheet (stacked sheet) is stabilized.

  The paper size detection unit 72 is housed in a state of being stacked on the paper feed stage of each paper feed stage, that is, a plurality of paper feed stages 711 to 714 and a large capacity paper feed stage 715. A plurality of sensors (paper size sensors) (not shown) are configured so that the paper size of a standard paper such as B5, A4, and A3 can be detected.

  When each paper feed stage is slid so that a paper guide (not shown) is aligned with the side of the paper stored in a stacked state, a plurality of paper size sensors (not shown) corresponding to the paper feed stage are displayed. Z) outputs an ON signal or an OFF signal as a detection result.

  Further, an ON signal or an OFF signal, which is a detection result of each of the plurality of paper size sensors for each paper feed stage, is output from the image output device 70 (the paper size detection unit 72) to the system control unit 50. It has become.

  Therefore, the system control unit 50 (a plurality of paper sizes) based on the detection results (ON signal or OFF signal) of a plurality of paper size sensors for each paper feed stage from the image output device 70 (the paper size detection unit 72). Based on the combination of the ON signal and OFF signal of the sensor), the paper size of the paper stored in the paper feed stage is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge unit 80 includes an uppermost discharge stage 81, a large-capacity discharge stage 82, and a finisher 83.

  In the uppermost discharge stage (hereinafter referred to as “uppermost discharge stage”) 81, paper (printed matter) as an image formation result is discharged when designated as a discharge destination. The uppermost discharge stage 81 is a discharge unit provided at a preset uppermost position of the paper discharge unit 80 among discharge stages as discharge destinations provided in the paper discharge unit 80. is there.

  When designated as a discharge destination, the large-capacity discharge stage 82 discharges paper (printed material) as an image formation result. Compared with the case of the uppermost discharge stage 81, the large-capacity discharge stage 82 is configured to discharge more sheets as a result of image formation.

  The large-capacity discharge stage 83 can discharge any sheet having a sheet size within a specific range. However, in the large-capacity discharge stage 83, when sheets of different paper sizes are stacked and stacked, the paper capacity deteriorates. Therefore, the machine administrator operates the discharge stage size setting unit 413 to operate the large-capacity discharge stage. Corresponding to 83, “mix size prohibition” is set. In addition, when the discharger size setting unit 413 is operated by the machine administrator and the discharged paper is limited to the paper of a specific paper size corresponding to the large-capacity paper discharge stage 83 (for other paper sizes of paper) There are cases where discharge is prohibited).

  Further, the large-capacity discharge stage 83 can discharge paper having a certain thickness (basis weight). If the machine administrator wants to limit the paper quality of the paper discharged to the large-capacity discharge stage 83 to a specific paper quality, the machine administrator operates the discharge cardboard quality setting unit 414 to provide a large capacity as a specific discharge stage. Corresponding to the discharge stage 83, a specific paper quality is set.

  The finisher 88 performs processing such as a punch hole for a file and a staple. The finisher 88 performs post-processing (processing) such as file punch holes and staples on paper (printed material) on which an image is printed, and outputs (discharges) the post-processed printed material. It is.

  The image forming apparatus 1 described above includes a sheet alignment mechanism that aligns discharged sheets, and also includes a mechanism (OFFSET (offset) mechanism) that shifts the discharge position of the sheets by several tens of millimeters in the main scanning direction.

  In the embodiment, the uppermost discharge stage 81 and the large-capacity discharge stage 82 each have the functions of the discharge unit described above, and the image processing control unit 510 has the functions of the acquisition unit and the permission unit described above. 53 has the function of the storage unit described above, the image input unit 12 has the function of the image reading unit, and the image output device 70 has the function of the image forming unit.

  Next, document reading processing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the document reading process.

  When the user sets a document to be copied on the automatic document feeder 11 or the platen glass 12 of the image input unit 10, the document is detected by a document detection sensor (not shown) disposed on the automatic document feeder 11 on which the document is set. As a result, an ON signal or an OFF signal is output toward the image reading unit 20.

  In the image reading unit 20, the SCAN operation control unit 22 detects the size of the document (document size) based on the detection result (ON signal or OFF signal) from the document detection sensor (not shown) of the document input unit 10. (Step S101).

  The document size information detected by the SCAN operation control unit 22 in this way is output to the system control unit 50. Further, in the automatic paper selection (ASP) setting unit 421, paper feed stage setting unit 422, discharge destination setting unit 423, magnification setting unit 424, display mode setting unit 425, and slip sheet mode setting unit 426 of the copy condition setting unit 42. The set setting information is output to the system control unit 50.

  The system control unit 50 receives the document size information and the setting information, and the image processing control unit 510 of the processing management unit 51 determines whether or not the “automatic paper selection mode” is set based on the received setting information. (Step S102).

  Here, when the setting information includes information indicating “automatic paper selection mode”, it is determined that it is “automatic paper selection mode”.

  If the image processing control unit 510 determines that the “automatic paper selection mode” is set in step S102, the image processing control unit 510 sets the image size based on the document size information from the SCAN operation control unit 22 and the magnification information included in the setting information. Then, the paper size of the paper in which the area of the obtained image size enters is selected (step S103).

  Here, the image size is obtained by calculating “original size based on original size information” × “magnification based on magnification information”.

  After completing step S103, the image processing control unit 510 selects a paper feed stage in which the paper size selected in step S103 is set (contains paper of the selected paper size) (step S104).

  The image processing control unit 510 determines the document reading size based on the paper size of the paper size selected in step S103 and the information on the paper feed stage selected in step S104 (step S105).

  Information on the document reading size determined by the image processing control unit 510 in this way is notified to the SCAN operation control unit 22 of the image reading unit 20.

  When the SCAN operation control unit 22 controls the image input unit 10 based on the document reading size information notified from the image processing control unit 510, the image reading unit 20 reads the document (step S106).

  That is, when the image input unit 10 scans a document according to the control of the SCAN operation control unit 22 and outputs the scanned result (image data) to the image reading unit 20, the image reading unit 21 in the image reading unit 20 The image data from the image input unit 10 is captured and passed to the image editing unit 23.

  The image editing unit 23 performs image editing processing such as enlargement processing or reduction processing, frame / deletion processing, and shift processing according to the setting contents (step S107), and the image data after the image editing processing is sent to the system control unit 50. Output toward.

  The system control unit 50 stores the image data from the image editing unit 23 of the image reading unit 20 in the page memory 52.

  Further, in the system control unit 50, when the orientation of the original image is different from the paper orientation of the paper stored in the selected paper feed tray, the image editing unit 511 reads the image data (original reading) stored in the page memory 52. Image rotation is performed on the image data from the image editing unit 23 of the unit 20 (image editing processing is performed) (step S107).

  The image processing control unit 510 receives the image data stored in the page memory 52, that is, the image data from the image editing unit 23 of the document reading unit 20 or the image editing process (image rotation process) by the image editing unit 511. Are stored in the image storage unit 60 (step S108).

  The image processing control unit 510 displays the setting information set by the copy condition setting unit 42 that has already been received, that is, information such as paper size, paper orientation, paper type, paper feed stage, text, slip sheet, and cover page. The generated page information is stored in the system memory 53 (step S109).

  The image processing control unit 50 receives detection information of a document detection sensor (not shown) located on the automatic document feeder 11 of the image input unit 10 received via the image reading unit 20 or the received information received from the display unit / operation unit 40. Based on the selection information of a “no next document button” (not shown) input from the display / operation unit 40, it is determined whether or not “no next document is present (no next document)” (step S110).

  In step S110, if it is determined that the next document exists, the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the next document does not exist, this process ends.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the mode is not the “automatic paper selection mode”, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the image processing control unit 510, based on the paper feed stage information and the paper size information set corresponding to the paper feed stage among the setting information set in the copy condition setting unit 42. Determine the document reading size.

  Next, an image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus 1 (when a paper size limit is set in the large capacity discharge stage) will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the image forming process.

  Here, an image forming process when the large-capacity discharge stage 82 is designated as the discharge destination and a specific size (standard sheet size) is set corresponding to the large-capacity discharge stage 82 will be described.

  Now, as described with reference to FIG. 3, when the document reading process is completed and the image data to be subjected to the image forming process is stored in the image storage unit 60, the system control unit 50 includes the image processing control unit 510. The flag value of the switching flag is initialized to OFF and the number of copies = 0, and then image data is read from the image storage unit 60 (step S201), and page information is read from the system memory 53 (in step S109 in FIG. 3 to the system memory 53). The stored page information is read (step S202).

  Next, the image processing control unit 510 determines whether or not the discharge stage = the large capacity discharge stage (step S203).

  In step S203, the image processing control unit 510 that has determined that the discharge stage = large-capacity discharge stage determines whether a specific size is set (size setting) corresponding to the large-capacity discharge stage ( If it is determined in step S204 that a specific size is set, it is determined whether or not “the specific size set corresponding to the large-capacity discharge stage ≠ paper size” (step S204). Step S205).

  In step S205, the image processing control unit 510 checks not only the paper size of the paper but also the paper orientation.

  The image processing control unit 510 that has determined that “specific size symbol ≠ paper size” in step S205 designates the discharge destination (discharge stage) of only the paper corresponding to the current page as the discharge destination. The large-capacity discharge stage 82 is switched to the uppermost discharge stage 81 (step S206), the flag value of the switching flag is changed from OFF to ON (step S207), and then the sheet is discharged to the uppermost discharge stage 81. Is displayed on the setting content display unit 45 of the operation unit / display unit 40 (step S208).

  On the other hand, the image processing control unit 510 that has determined in step S205 that “specific size symbol ≠ paper size” is not satisfied (determined that the specific size symbol = paper size) sets the flag value (ON or OFF) of the switching flag. A check is made (step S209), and if the flag value of the switching flag is ON, it indicates that the paper corresponding to the previous page has been discharged to the uppermost discharge stage 81, so the paper discharge position is set in the main scanning direction. An instruction to shift by several tens of millimeters (OFFSET = offset) is output to the image output apparatus 70 (step S210), and then the flag value of the switching flag is changed from ON to OFF (step S211).

  After completing step S208 or step S211, the image processing control unit 510 instructs the image output apparatus 70 to perform image forming processing (step S212).

  If the image processing control unit 510 determines in step S203 that “discharge stage = large-capacity discharge stage” is not established, or if it is determined in step S204 that a specific size is not set, the switching flag in step S209. When it is determined that the flag value is OFF, the process proceeds to step S212.

  By the way, the image processing control unit 510 that has finished step S212 determines whether or not the next image data (image data related to the next page) exists in the image storage unit 60 (step S213). When it is determined that there is no image data (when it is determined that there is no next image), the number of copies is updated (step S214), and then it is determined whether or not the preset number of copies has been completed (step S215). .

  In step S215, when the number of copies updated in step S214 reaches a preset number of copies, it is determined that the preset number of copies has been completed.

  The image processing control unit 510 that has determined that the next image data exists (determined that there is a next image) in step S213 updates the page index (page index), and then proceeds to step S201.

  The image processing control unit 510 that has determined that the preset number of copies has not been completed in step S215 initializes the page index (page index), and then proceeds to step S201.

  If the image processing control unit 510 determines that the preset number of copies has been completed in step S215, the image processing control unit 510 ends this processing.

  Next, the image forming process will be described with a specific example.

  As a precondition, for example, a specific paper size corresponding to the large-capacity discharge stage 82 designated as the discharge destination is set to be limited to the A4 size. Assume that discharging to the stage 82 is prohibited.

Also, consider two types of patterns when the paper size based on the paper size information included in the page information is A4 size and A3 size.
(1) When paper size = A4 size

  First, the image processing control unit 510 relates to the current image data read out in step S201, based on the paper size information and paper orientation information included in the page information read out in step S202. Assume that the orientation is the same as the paper orientation.

  Next, in step S203, the image processing control unit 510 determines that the discharge stage = large-capacity discharge stage 82 based on the above precondition, and in step S204, corresponds to the large-capacity discharge stage 82 based on the above precondition. It is determined that a specific paper size = A4 size is set.

  Subsequently, in step S205, the image processing control unit 510 “A4 size set corresponding to the large capacity discharge stage” = “paper size based on the paper size information included in the page information read in step S202 = It is determined that the size is “A4 size”, and the process proceeds to step S209.

  Further, when the image processing control unit 510 confirms that the flag value of the switching flag is OFF in step S209, the image processing control unit 510 does not switch the discharge destination. In this case, the A4 size paper after the image forming process is discharged to the large capacity discharge stage 82 designated as the discharge destination.

On the other hand, if the image processing control unit 510 confirms that the flag value of the switching flag is ON in step S209, the image processing control unit 510 does not switch the discharge destination, but outputs an instruction of OFFSET = offset to the image output device 70. Thereafter, the flag value of the switching flag is changed from ON to OFF.
(2) When paper size = A3 size

  First, the image processing control unit 510 relates to the current image data read in step S201, based on the paper size information and the paper orientation information included in the page information read in step S202, the paper size = A3 size, and the image Assume that the orientation is the same as the paper orientation.

  Next, in step S203, the image processing control unit 510 determines that the discharge stage = large-capacity discharge stage based on the above precondition, and in step S204, specifies the corresponding to the large capacity discharge stage 82 based on the precondition. Sheet size = A4 size is set.

  Subsequently, in step S205, the image processing control unit 510 “A4 size set corresponding to the large-capacity discharge stage” ≠ “paper size based on the paper size information included in the page information read in step S202 = "A3 size" is determined, and the process proceeds to step S206.

  Further, the image processing control unit 510 switches the discharge destination (discharge stage) of only the paper corresponding to the current page from the large-capacity discharge stage 82 designated as the discharge destination to the uppermost discharge stage 81, and sets the switching flag. The flag value is changed from OFF to ON, and then the setting content display unit 45 displays that the sheet is discharged to the uppermost discharge stage 81. In this case, the A3 size paper after the image forming process is discharged to the uppermost discharge stage 81 as a discharge destination.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the paper quality restriction is set corresponding to the large-capacity discharge stage, the image processing control unit 510 determines in step S204 and step S205 that the paper quality is replaced with the paper quality instead of the paper size. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on both the paper size and the paper quality.

  Next, image forming processing (when mix size prohibition is set in the large-capacity discharge stage) by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the image forming process.

  The flowchart in FIG. 5 is a processing procedure in which steps S204 and S205 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 are replaced with steps S304 and 305.

  That is, the image processing control unit 510 executes steps S201 to S203, and when it is determined that “discharge stage = large capacity discharge stage” in step S203, the mix size prohibition is corresponding to the large capacity discharge stage. It is determined whether or not the setting is set (step S304). If it is determined in step S304 that prohibition of the mix size is set, it is determined whether or not “the size of the first page ≠ the size of the current page”. (Step S305).

  In step S305, the image processing control unit 510 checks not only the paper size of the paper but also the paper orientation.

  In step S305, the paper size of the first paper in the process is compared with the size of the current page. When a plurality of papers are stacked, the paper is first discharged to the designated discharge destination. The paper size of the printed paper is compared with the size of the current page.

  When the image processing control unit 510 determines in step S305 that “the size of the first page ≠ the size of the current page”, the process proceeds to step S206, while “the size of the first page ≠ the current page”. If it is determined that it is not “the size of the page” (when it is determined that the size of the first page = the size of the current page), the process proceeds to step S209.

  If the image processing control unit 510 determines that the prohibition of mix size is not set in step S305, the image processing control unit 510 proceeds to step S212.

  Since the processing after step S206 or the processing after step S209 is the same as the case of the image forming processing shown in FIG. 4, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

  Next, an example of the result of the image forming process when the paper size limit is set for the large-capacity discharge stage, or the result of the image forming process when the mix size prohibition is set for the large-capacity discharge stage, As shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a sheet arrangement of output sheets (sheets) when processing including A4 size sheets (sheets) and A3 size sheets (sheets) is executed.

  FIG. 6B shows a discharge destination based on the result of the image forming process when the paper size limit is set in the large-capacity discharge stage 82 or the mix size prohibition is set in the large-capacity discharge stage 82. The state of the discharge state is shown.

  Incidentally, A4 size sheets indicated by reference numerals 821, 823 and 825 are discharged to the large capacity discharge stage 82 in an OFFSET (offset) state. Further, the uppermost discharge stage 81 shows a state in which an A3 size sheet indicated by reference numerals 822, 824, and 826 is discharged in an OFFSET (offset) state.

  In this case, the processing in the case where the A3 size sheet (A3 size sheet indicated by reference numeral 826) at the right end in FIG. 6A starts, or the A4 size sheet (reference number 821) in the left end of FIG. 6A. Any of the processes in the case where the left sheet in the A3 size sheet indicated by (1) is the head is the result of the example shown in FIG. 6B.

  6C shows an A4 size sheet in the state of FIG. 6B, that is, an A4 size sheet discharged in an OFFSET (offset) state in the large capacity discharge stage 82, and a state of FIG. 6B. The result of manually merging the A3 size sheet, that is, the A3 size sheet discharged in an OFFSET (offset) state at the uppermost discharge stage 81, is shown.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 110, a storage device 120, a ROM 130, a RAM 140, an operation panel 150, an image input device 160, an image output device 170, a paper discharge device 180, and a communication interface (hereinafter “communication I”). / F ") 190.

  Each of the above components 110 to 170 and 190 is connected to the system bus 100. Note that the storage device 120, the image input device 160, and the image output device 170 are connected to the system bus 100 via corresponding interfaces (not shown).

  The storage device 120 is configured by a hard disk, for example, and implements the functions of the system control unit 50 excluding the image reading unit 20, the image processing unit 32 of the decomposer unit 30, the page memory 52, and the system memory 53 shown in FIG. 1. For example, a program corresponding to the above-described document reading processing procedure (see FIG. 3), a program corresponding to the above-described image forming processing procedure (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and the like.

  The storage device 120 has the function of the image storage unit 60 shown in FIG.

  Here, a program corresponding to the above-described image forming processing procedure (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is defined as a processing program.

  This processing program 120A includes at least the following processing steps (1) and (2).

  (1) An acquisition process for acquiring information specifying a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units for discharging the recording medium.

  (2) When the recording medium specified by the information acquired in the above acquisition process is in a state where the recording medium is already discharged to the discharging section, the type of recording medium that is already discharged A permission process for permitting discharge from the designated discharge section.

  The ROM 130 is a read-only memory and stores parameters and data necessary for performing the image forming process.

  The RAM 140 is a read / write memory as needed, a program read from the storage device 120, parameters and data read from the ROM 130, setting information set by the operation unit / display unit 40, and image formation processing by the image processing control unit 510. Memorize intermediate results and final results.

  The RAM 140 corresponds to a work memory (working area) required when the decomposer memory 33, the page memory 52, the system memory 53, and the image processing control unit 510 shown in FIG. A storage area is allocated. Such a RAM 140 has the function of the storage means described above. In this example, the storage areas respectively corresponding to the four memories are allocated to one RAM, but for example, four RAMs corresponding to the four memories may be prepared.

  The operation panel 150 has the functions of the operation unit / display unit 40 shown in FIG. 1, and has operation units (input keys, input buttons, etc.) having functions of a machine administrator setting unit 41 and a copy condition setting unit 42, It has a display part (liquid crystal panel etc.) which has a function of setting contents display part 45, and a processing part which has a function of execution feasibility judgment part 43 and key input judgment part 44.

  The image input device 160 is a means for reading an image of a document, and has the function of the image input unit 10 shown in FIG. The image input device 160 has the above-described reading unit function.

  The image output apparatus 170 is a means for performing image forming processing on a supplied recording medium (paper) based on image data that has been subjected to image processing such as color conversion, gradation correction processing, and halftone processing (screen processing). Yes, it has the function of the image output device 70 shown in FIG. The image output device 170 has the above-described image forming unit function.

  The paper discharge device 180 is a means for discharging the recording medium (paper) after the image forming process from the image output device 170, and has the function of the paper discharge unit 80 shown in FIG.

  The communication I / F 190 is an interface that communicates with an external device such as the computers 2 and 3 (see FIG. 1) via the communication line 4 (see FIG. 1) such as a network. The communication I / F 190 has the function of the image receiving unit 31 of the decomposer unit 30 shown in FIG.

  The CPU 110 reads the program including the processing program 120 </ b> A from the storage device 120 into the RAM 140 and executes it, whereby the image reading unit 20, the image processing unit 32 of the decomposer unit 30, the page memory 52, and the system memory 53 shown in FIG. 1. Each function of the system control unit 50 except the above is realized, and the above-described image forming process (see FIGS. 4 and 5) is performed.

  The CPU 110 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.

  In the specification of the present application, the program (processing program) indicating the processing procedure of the image forming process has been described as an embodiment recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium. However, the processing program is provided as follows. May be.

  That is, the processing program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

The processing program may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), or flexible disk. In this case, after the image forming apparatus installs the program recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the program. As an installation destination of this program, there is a memory such as a RAM or a storage device such as a hard disk. The image forming apparatus loads the program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.
Furthermore, the image forming apparatus is connected to a computer such as a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the image forming apparatus downloads the processing program from the server apparatus or the computer, The program may be executed. In this case, the download destination of the program includes a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk. Then, the image forming apparatus loads the program stored in the storage device into the main storage device and executes it as necessary.

  In the following, still another embodiment will be described. However, some of these embodiments are included in the embodiments described above.

  In one aspect of the embodiment, the processing apparatus offsets a subsequent recording medium when discharged from a discharge unit different from the designated discharge unit. According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the user's merging work when manually merging different types of recording media as compared with the case without this configuration.

  In one aspect of the embodiment, the processing apparatus further includes display means for displaying information relating to the different discharge section when the discharge apparatus is discharged from the discharge section different from the designated discharge section. According to this embodiment, it is possible to easily know different discharge destinations by referring to the display contents of the display means, as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that processes at least one of a monochrome image and a color image.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a paper feed stage and a discharge stage of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of document reading processing according to the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image forming processing according to the embodiment (when a paper size limit is set in a large-capacity discharge stage). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image formation process which concerns on embodiment (when mix size prohibition is set to the high capacity | capacitance discharge | emission stage). It is a figure explaining an example of the result of the image formation process which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Image input part 20 Image reading part 30 Decomposer part 40 Operation part / display part 50 System control part 53 System memory 60 Image storage part 70 Image output device 80 Paper discharge part 81 Topmost discharge stage 82 Large capacity discharge Stage 120A Processing program 510 Image processing controller

Claims (9)

Acquisition means for acquiring information specifying a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units for discharging the recording medium;
In the discharge unit designated from the information acquired by the acquisition means, when the recording medium is already discharged to the discharge unit, the specified recording medium of the type already discharged is specified. Permission means to permit discharge from the discharge section;
A processing apparatus comprising: Acquisition means for acquiring information specifying a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units for discharging the recording medium;
When a restriction is set on the type of the recording medium to be ejected in the designated ejection section from the information acquired by the acquisition means, and the recording medium is already ejected to the ejection section Permitting means for permitting the recording medium of the type already ejected to be ejected from the designated ejection section;
A processing apparatus comprising:   3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the permission unit permits the recording medium different from the type in the already ejected state to be ejected from the ejection unit different from the designated ejection unit. apparatus. Acquisition means for acquiring information specifying a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units for discharging the recording medium;
Storage means for storing the type of the recording medium when the recording medium can be discharged from the discharge portion specified by the information acquired by the acquisition means;
Permission means for permitting discharge of the stored type of recording medium from the designated discharge section when the type of recording medium is stored by the storage means;
A processing apparatus comprising:   The processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the permission unit permits a recording medium different from the type stored in the storage unit to be discharged from a discharge unit different from the specified discharge unit. Image forming means for performing image formation on the recording medium to be printed based on print data to be printed;
The processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Reading means for reading an image of the document,
The image forming unit includes:
Image formation is performed on the recording medium to be printed based on print data corresponding to information read by the reading unit;
The processing apparatus according to claim 6. Acquisition means for acquiring information specifying a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units for discharging the recording medium;
In the discharge section designated from the information acquired by the acquisition means, when the recording medium is already discharged to the discharge section, the specified recording medium of the kind that has already been discharged is specified. Permission means to permit discharge from the discharge section;
A processing system comprising: Acquisition means for acquiring information specifying a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium from a plurality of discharge units for discharging the recording medium;
In the discharge unit designated from the information acquired by the acquisition means, when the recording medium is already discharged to the discharge unit, the specified recording medium of the type already discharged is specified. Permission means to permit discharge from the discharge section;
A processing program for causing a computer to execute.