JP2010206524A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing out an image in a blank space of a printed paper without complicating an apparatus structure. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus 10 having a function of printing out a document image read out by an image reading apparatus 21 on a printing paper, after a blank space is detected from an image acquired by reading a reused paper by the image reading apparatus to store its information (P1), the reused paper is set to a paper supplying tray 25 (P2). Based on the stored information of the blank space, the blank space of the reused paper is recognized, and the document image of the print target is scaled down so as to fall in the blank space of the reused paper to carry out printing (P3). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of reusing printed paper for printing.

  Recently, as countermeasures against environmental problems are called for in various fields, attention is paid to printing paper discharged in large quantities in a printing apparatus. The printing paper output from the printing apparatus is usually discarded when the utility value is lost. Even when an image is printed only on a part of the printing paper, the printing paper is similarly discarded. However, paper that is printed on only a part of this and has a blank area exceeding a certain level can be reused as printing paper by using the blank area.

  For example, there is an image forming apparatus that detects the density and area of an image present on a printed sheet and determines whether the sheet is suitable for printing (see Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, a sensor for detecting the density and area (printing rate) of the image on the paper is arranged in the middle of the paper feed conveyance path from the paper feeding tray to the image forming unit, and the printing rate and the printing density are equal to or higher than the threshold value. The paper is determined to be unsuitable for printing, and is discharged without executing image formation.

  In addition, a sensor for detecting a blank area of the paper is attached to the paper feed path so that whether the fed paper is a printed paper or not, and if it is a printed paper, a new original image fits in the blank area. There is an apparatus that prints the original image if it falls within the range, or prints the original image by performing a reduction process if it falls within a predetermined reduction range (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In addition, in order to prevent printing on printing paper that requires distinction between the top and bottom and the top and bottom, such as letterhead paper and postcard paper, it is added to the paper loaded in the paper tray. There is a printing apparatus that detects an IC tag that has been processed, and performs processing such as changing the orientation of the image or printing with the page order reversed depending on the location of the IC tag, so that printing is performed correctly. (For example, see Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-284467 JP 2006-297608 A JP 2004-284250 A

  In order to determine whether the paper is suitable for reusable printing, a dedicated sensor or the like that optically reads the image on the paper is provided in the middle of the paper feed path to the image forming unit, thus complicating the apparatus configuration. And the price of equipment will increase.

  In addition, in order to print an image in the margin area of the printed paper, it is necessary to reduce the image according to the size of the margin area. However, when printing a multi-page document, the reduction ratio is reduced for each page. For example, when a map is printed, the scale is different from page to page. Therefore, it is desirable to unify the reduction ratio on all pages.

  In the configuration in which the sensor is arranged in the middle of the paper feed conveyance path toward the image forming unit as in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, every time one sheet is fed, the margin area of the fed paper is detected. , The reduction ratio is calculated, and the process of printing the image reduced at the reduction ratio is printed in the blank area in the image forming unit, so the reduction ratio is set when printing a multi-page document. It is difficult to unify all pages.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image by reusing a blank area of printed paper without complicating the apparatus configuration. Is the first purpose. It is a second object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing all pages of a document in a blank area of a plurality of printed sheets with a uniform reduction ratio.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] In an image forming apparatus having a function of printing a document image read by an image reading apparatus on a print sheet,
An original image input section for inputting an original image;
A storage unit;
A control unit;
Have
The control unit detects margin area information, which is information relating to a margin area of a sheet image read by the image reading device, stores the margin area information in the storage unit, and also outputs the document image input by the document image input unit. An image forming apparatus that controls to print in a blank area of the sheet based on the blank area information stored in the storage unit.

  In the above invention, the image reading device used for the function of printing the document image read by the image reading device on the print paper (so-called copy function) is used to read the image for detecting the margin area of the paper. Is done. Compared with the case where a dedicated sensor is provided for detecting the blank area, the apparatus configuration is simplified.

  The paper that is read by the image reading apparatus and in which the margin area information is stored is set in a paper feed tray or the like and used for printing. At the time of printing, the control unit recognizes the blank area of the paper based on the blank area information stored in the storage unit, and controls printing so that the original image fits in the blank area.

[2] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the document image input unit inputs the document image from the image reading device.

  In the above invention, the document image input unit inputs the document image output from the image reading apparatus. That is, the image reading apparatus is used both for reading an image for detecting a margin area of a sheet and for reading a document image to be printed in the margin area of the sheet.

[3] The image forming apparatus according to [1], wherein the document image input unit inputs the document image from an external device via a network.

  In the above invention, the document image input unit inputs a document image from an external device via the network. For example, the document image input unit performs a document image input function by rasterizing print data input from an external device via a network and generating image data as a document image.

[4] The control unit detects and stores the margin area information for each page of a plurality of sheets read by the image reading device, stores the margin area information in the storage unit, and also inputs a plurality of input from the document image input unit. The margin area information stored in the storage unit is sequentially assigned to each page of a single document image, and control is performed so that each page of the document image is printed in a margin area indicated by the margin area information assigned to the page. The image forming apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein:

  In the above invention, the control unit detects the margin area information for each page of the plurality of sheets read by the image reading device, stores the margin area information in the storage unit, and stores each page of the input plurality of document images in the storage unit. Using the margin area information for a plurality of sheets stored in, control is performed to print in the margin area of each sheet.

[5] The control unit calculates, for each page of the document image, a reduction ratio at which the document image of the page fits in a margin area indicated by the margin area information allocated to the page. ] The image forming apparatus described in the above.

  In the above invention, for each page of a plurality of document images, the reduction ratio that fits in the margin area of the paper on which the page is printed is calculated.

[6] The control unit extracts the highest reduction ratio among the calculated reduction ratios, and reduces all pages of the document image with the extracted reduction ratio. Image forming apparatus.

  In the above invention, the highest reduction ratio among the calculated reduction ratios is extracted, and all pages of the original image are reduced at the extracted reduction ratio, so that the original image can be stored in the blank area on any page. . In addition, the reduction ratio is the lowest (close to the original size) reduction ratio that can be applied to all pages in a unified manner under the condition that the blank area fits.

[7] When the calculated reduction ratio exceeds a predetermined reduction ratio, the control unit does not use the blank area information assigned to the page, and does not print the paper corresponding to the blank area information. The image forming apparatus according to [5] or [6], wherein control is performed so that the paper is discharged to a predetermined tray.

  In the above invention, when the reduction ratio calculated so that the original image fits in the margin area indicated by the margin area information is higher than a predetermined value, the margin area information is not used, and the paper corresponding to the margin area information is printed. Not used for. For example, different margin area information is assigned to the document image.

[8] A detection unit that detects a set state of the paper read by the image reading device,
The control unit detects a set state of a sheet read by the image reading device when blank area information is detected by the detection unit, and stores set information indicating the detected set state in the storage unit, The set state of the paper fed at the time of the printing and the set state indicated by the set information stored in the storage unit are compared. Any one of [1] to [7] Image forming apparatus.

  In the above invention, the sheet setting state read by the image reading apparatus when the margin area information is detected is compared with the sheet setting state at the time of printing. Since the position of the blank area indicated by the blank area information corresponds to the paper set state when read by the image reading device, the paper set state when read by the image reading device and the set state during printing are set. If they are different, the blank area information cannot be used as it is. Therefore, by performing the above comparison, it is possible to determine whether printing is possible using the blank area information as it is.

[9] The image forming apparatus according to [8], wherein one of the items indicating the set state includes a paper direction.

  In the above invention, the direction of the paper is detected at the time of detecting the margin area information and at the time of printing, and these are compared.

[10] The image forming apparatus according to [8], wherein one of the items indicating the set state includes the front and back of a sheet.

  In the above invention, the front and back sides of the paper are detected when the blank area information is detected and printed, and these are compared.

[11] The detection unit detects a position of a mark added to a peripheral portion of the paper set in the image reading apparatus as the set state,
The image forming apparatus according to [10], wherein the control unit compares a position of a mark added to a sheet fed at the time of printing with a position of the mark indicated by the set information.

  In the above invention, the set state (direction and front / back) of the paper is recognized by detecting the position of the mark added to the periphery of the paper. The mark may be an optically read mark, or may be information that is read by wireless communication like an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag. The mark may be provided at least in one place on the sheet. When two or more places are provided, the types of marks may be different, or the positions of the marks may be asymmetric with respect to the center of the paper.

[12] The recording detection unit detects whether or not a mark is added to a predetermined position of the paper set in the image reading apparatus as the set state.
The control unit performs the comparison by detecting whether or not the mark is attached to a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the paper as a set state of the paper fed during the printing. [8] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [10].

In the above invention, if there is a mark at a predetermined position of the paper set in the image reading apparatus when the blank area information is detected and there is a mark at a predetermined position of the paper fed at the time of printing, the margin area information is detected and printed. It is determined that the paper setting state coincides with time.

[13] The image reading apparatus includes an automatic document feeder.
The detection unit detects a mark attached to the first sheet conveyed by the automatic document feeder;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of [8] to [12], wherein the control unit performs the comparison with respect to a mark added to a first sheet fed during the printing. apparatus.

  In the above invention, even for a plurality of sheets, it is only necessary to add and detect the mark only to the first sheet, so that the work and processing relating to the addition and detection of the mark are simplified.

[14] The control unit according to any one of [8] to [13], wherein if the set state is determined to be different as a result of the comparison, the control unit notifies the user and cancels printing. The image forming apparatus described in 1.

  In the above invention, if the paper set state does not match between the detection of the margin area information and the printing, the user is notified and printing is stopped.

[15] The control unit converts the margin area information so as to correspond to a set state of a sheet fed at the time of printing based on the comparison result. [8] ] To [13] The image forming apparatus according to any one of [13].

  In the above invention, when the paper setting state does not match between the detection of the blank area information and the printing, the blank area information is converted and used so as to correspond to the setting state at the time of printing.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a function of printing a document image read by an image reading apparatus on a printing paper, the margin area of the paper is detected using the image reading apparatus used in the function. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image in a blank area without complicating the configuration of the apparatus as compared with the case where a dedicated sensor for blank area detection is provided.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation procedure in reusable paper printing mode. It is a front view which shows an example of the mode setting screen which sets the printing conditions in the reuse paper printing mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a detection of a blank area | region. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a detection of an image area | region. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of calculating a reduction ratio for accommodating an image area of each page of a document image to be printed in a margin area of reused paper used for printing the page. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of allocation of reused paper when there is a page in which a calculated reduction rate is higher than a set allowable reduction rate. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when an image forming apparatus performs a copy job. It is explanatory drawing which shows the various instruction | indication screen displayed at the time of execution of reusable printing mode. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing when an image forming apparatus performs a print job. 11 is a flowchart showing margin detection processing (step S102 in FIG. 8 or step S202 in FIG. 10). It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a margin management table. 10 is a flowchart showing document reading processing (step S103 in FIG. 8). 11 is a flowchart showing details of reuse printing processing (step S104 in FIG. 8 or step S203 in FIG. 10). It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 14 (in the case of the automatic / reduction rate constant mode). FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a reduction rate calculation process. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the attachment position of the detection sensor which reads the mark of a dummy original and a dummy original. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a mark position detected at the time of reading and reuse printing and a setting state of reuse paper. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the case where the reuse paper was set upside down at the time of reading for margin area detection, and at the time of reuse printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of printing when a set state is normal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of reusable printing in the case of printing as it is in the blank area which blank area data shows without considering this when a set state is upside down. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the reuse printing by the method of (A) when a set state is upside down. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the reuse printing by the method of (B) when a set state is upside down. It is explanatory drawing which shows a set state in case the mark position detected at the time of reading and reusable printing differs 90 degree | times. It is explanatory drawing which shows that the page order at the time of the reading at the time of reading in the case of setting upside down and reusable printing is reversed. It is a flowchart which shows the margin detection process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the reuse printing process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the paper set confirmation process (step S901 of FIG. 28) in 2nd Embodiment.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 has a copy function for printing a copy image of a document on paper based on image information obtained by optically reading the document, and an image obtained by rasterizing print data received from an external terminal. The printer is configured as a so-called multi-function machine having a printer function for printing and printing a sheet on paper. In addition, a reusable paper printing mode is provided in which printing related to the copy function and the printer function is performed using the margin area of the printed paper.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that performs overall control of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, and a display. The unit 15, the operation unit 16, the image processing unit 17, the communication unit 18, the hard disk device 19, the image reading device 21, the automatic document feeder 22, and the printer unit 23 are connected.

  Various programs are stored in the ROM 12, and the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 are realized by the CPU 11 executing processes according to these programs. The RAM 13 is used as a work memory that temporarily stores various data when the CPU 11 executes a program, an image memory that temporarily stores image data, and the like. The non-volatile memory 14 is a rewritable memory that is stored without destroying the stored contents even when the power is turned off, and stores user information, various setting information, information on the detected blank area, and the like.

  The display unit 15 functions to display various operation screens, setting screens, selection screens, guidance screens, and the like. The operation unit 16 functions to receive various operations from the user. Here, a liquid crystal display (LCD ... Liquid Crystal Display) is used as the display unit 15. The operation unit 16 is formed on the display screen of the display unit 15 and includes a touch panel that detects a pressed coordinate position, a numeric keypad, a start button, various operation switches, and the like.

  The image processing unit 17 performs enlargement, reduction, rotation, clipping, and blank area detection. The communication unit 18 connects to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and performs a function of communicating with various devices such as an external terminal on the network. For example, it is used when print data is received from an external terminal. A hard disk device (HDD) 19 is a large-capacity nonvolatile storage device used for storing image data.

  The image reading device 21 performs a function of optically reading a document and acquiring a document image. The automatic document feeder 22 has a function of feeding and feeding the documents set on the document table one by one from the top one by one, passing the reading position of the image reading device 21 and discharging it. Further, the automatic document feeder 22 has a function of reversing the front and back of the document whose front side is read and feeding it again to the reading position. As a result, the image reading device 21 can read both the front and back sides of the document.

  The image reading device 21 includes a light source that irradiates light on a document, a line image sensor that reads the document for one line in the width direction, and a lens and a mirror that guides reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image. It consists of an optical path. The image reading device 21 can optically read a stationary document placed on the platen glass by moving the reading position in units of lines along the back surface of the platen glass. Also, a reading position is fixed to one end of the platen glass and the like, so-called a sink that reads a document as a two-dimensional image by repeating a reading operation in units of lines for the document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 22. Reading in reading format can be performed.

  The printer unit 23 performs a printing function of forming and outputting an image corresponding to input image data on a sheet. The printer unit 23 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 24 and 25 that store paper used for printing, a transport unit 26 that sequentially feeds and transports paper one by one from the paper feed tray selected as a paper source, The image forming unit 27 includes an image forming unit 27 that forms an image on a sheet conveyed by the conveying unit 26. The paper feed trays 24 and 25 include a normal paper feed tray 24 that stores normal paper and a reusable paper feed tray 25 that stores paper used in the reusable paper printing mode. The reuse paper feed tray 25 may be a manual feed tray.

  The image forming unit 27 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and the like, and forms an image on a sheet by a so-called electrophotographic process. Is configured to do. The image forming unit 27 may be another image forming method.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic procedure when printing related to the copy function and the printer function is performed in the reusable paper print mode using the blank area of the printed paper. The user sets printed paper (hereinafter referred to as “reused paper”) to be reused for printing in the automatic document feeder 22. Upon receiving the instruction to complete the setting, the image forming apparatus 10 sequentially reads one or a plurality of reused sheets set in the automatic document feeder 22 to detect the blank area, and for each page read, The page number (reading order) of the page and margin area data indicating information (position, shape, size, etc.) regarding the margin area detected from the page are stored in association with each other. Further, the number of read reused sheets is stored (P1). Such information is stored in the nonvolatile memory 14, for example.

  The user sets the reused paper that has been detected by the image reading device 21 and has detected the blank area in the reused paper feed tray 25 (P2), and then instructs execution of printing using the reused paper. To do. Upon receiving the instruction, the image forming apparatus 10 determines the margin area of each page of the reused paper stored in the reuse paper feed tray 25 based on information such as the margin area data stored in the nonvolatile memory 14. Recognize, reduce the original image to fit in the margin area, and print on the reused paper (P3).

  For example, when printing related to the copy function is performed in the reuse paper print mode, the margin of the reuse paper that reads the original to be printed by the image reading device 21 and feeds the image from the reuse paper feed tray 25. Reduce the size so that it fits in the area. When printing related to the printer function is performed in the reuse paper print mode, the image obtained by rasterizing the print data to be printed fits in the margin area of the reuse paper fed from the reuse paper feed tray 25. Reduce to print.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a mode setting screen 30 for setting printing conditions in the reuse paper printing mode. The mode setting screen 30 displays a document area setting field 31 that receives a setting operation related to a document area (setting of a document area mode) and a reduction ratio setting field 32 that receives a setting operation related to a reduction ratio. In the manuscript area setting column 31, either the full area mode in which the entire page of the manuscript is a manuscript area to be printed on reused paper or the image area mode in which only an image area in which an image exists is selected is selected.

  The reduction rate setting field 32 accepts selection of whether to set the reduction rate to automatic mode setting or manual mode setting. Further, when the automatic mode is selected, the selection of the variable mode in which the reduction ratio is variable for each page and the automatic / constant reduction ratio mode in which the same reduction ratio is applied to all pages is accepted. In the automatic mode, an allowable reduction ratio can be set, and automatic reduction to a reduction ratio higher than the set allowable reduction ratio is limited. In the manual mode, the reduction ratio desired by the user can be set.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of detecting a blank area from the reused paper. Here, in each page of the reused paper 40, a rectangular area that can be secured most from an area without an image is detected as a margin area 41 of the page.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of image area detection. Here, in each page of the document image 45 to be printed, the minimum rectangular area that can include the entire image existing in the page is extracted as the image area 46 of the page. Note that the image region 46 may be extracted by excluding images considered to be noise such as isolated points.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of calculating the reduction ratio for storing the image area 46 of each page of the document image 45 to be printed in the margin area 41 of the reuse paper 40 used for printing the page. The reduction ratio of 100% is the original size, and the smaller the reduction ratio, the smaller the image is reduced. Here, it is expressed that the smaller the reduction ratio value, the higher the reduction ratio, and the closer to 100%, the lower the reduction ratio. The reduction ratio for each page of the document image 45 is calculated as the lowest reduction ratio within a range that fits in the margin area 41 of the corresponding reuse paper.

  When printing a plurality of pages of the document image 45 using a plurality of sheets of reusable paper 40, each page of the plurality of pages of the document image 45 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 in a one-to-one correspondence. Margin area data is allocated. In the first embodiment, margin area data is assigned to each page in order from the first page of the document image 45 to be printed in order from the first sheet of reused paper 40 read at the time of margin area detection. When both the front and back sides of the reused paper 40 are used for reusable printing (used in the duplex printing mode), the first sheet → the first sheet → the second sheet → the second sheet They are assigned in the order of the back side.

  When the variable mode is set on the mode setting screen 30, each page of the document image 45 is reduced at a reduction rate calculated for the page. When the automatic / constant reduction ratio mode is set, the highest reduction ratio (numerically small) is extracted from the calculated reduction ratios, and the reduction ratio is applied to all pages. . In the example of FIG. 6, a reduction rate of 65% is applied to all pages.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a case where there is a page in which the calculated reduction ratio is higher (numerically smaller) than the allowable reduction ratio set on the mode setting screen 30. In the example of FIG. 7, the allowable reduction rate is 58%. If the third page of the original image 45 is assigned to the third sheet of the reuse paper 40, the reduction ratio is 50%, which is higher than the allowable reduction ratio. Therefore, the original image is not assigned (not used) to the third margin area data of the reuse paper 40 in which the calculated reduction ratio is higher than the allowable reduction ratio, and the next (fourth) reuse paper. Forty blank area data are assigned to the third page of the document image 45.

  The reuse paper 40 corresponding to the blank area data skipped without being assigned to the original image 45 is discharged without being printed. The reused paper is discharged to a different paper discharge tray from the reused paper on which the document image is printed. Further, in the example of FIG. 7, even when the fifth page of the original image 45 is assigned to the sixth sheet of the reuse paper 40, the reduction ratio becomes higher than the allowable reduction ratio, so the margin of the sixth reuse paper No original image is assigned to the area data, and the fifth page image of the original image 45 is printed with the seventh reuse paper assigned.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in the reuse paper printing mode will be described based on a flowchart.

  FIG. 8 shows a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 when a job related to the copy function (copy job) is performed. In the copy job input operation, the image forming apparatus 10 displays a print mode selection screen 50 as shown in FIG. 9A on the display unit 15 and selects whether or not to perform the job in the reuse paper print mode. Accept operation from user. When the normal printing button 51 is operated and normal printing is selected (FIG. 8, step S101; N), normal printing processing (step S105) is performed, and the operation related to the job is ended (END). In the normal printing process in this case, an operation is performed in which the document is read by the image reading device 21 and the image is printed on the paper set in the normal paper feed tray 24 by the printer unit 23.

  When the reuse paper print button 52 is operated on the print mode selection screen 50 in FIG. 9A to select the reuse paper print mode (FIG. 8, step S101; Y), the blank area of the reuse paper is set. A margin detection process (step S102) to be detected is performed, and a document reading process for reading a document to be printed by the image reading device 21 is performed (step S103), and an image of the entire document image or an image region portion obtained by the reading is obtained. The reuse printing process (step S104) for printing on the reused paper set in the reused paper feed tray 25 is performed, and the operation is ended (END).

  FIG. 10 shows a flow of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 when a job (print job) related to the printer function is performed. Information indicating ON / OFF of the reuse paper print mode is added to the print job data received from the external terminal. If the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 does not have this information or indicates that the reuse paper printing mode is off (step S201; N), the CPU 11 performs the normal printing process (step S204) and ends the operation of the job. (End). In the normal printing process in this case, the received print job data is rasterized, and the image generated by the rasterization is printed on the paper set in the normal paper feed tray 24 by the printer unit 23. .

  When the reuse paper printing mode is on (step S201; Y), a margin detection process (step S202) for detecting the margin area of the reused paper is performed, and the document obtained by rasterizing the data related to the received print job A reusable printing process (step S203) is performed to print the entire surface of the image or the image area portion on the reusable paper set in the reusable paper feed tray 25, and the operation ends (end). Before executing the reusable printing process, the original image obtained by rasterizing the data related to the print job is stored in the hard disk device 19 in association with the page number. In the reusable printing process, the original image is stored. A document image is read and printed.

  FIG. 11 shows the flow of the margin detection process (step S102 in FIG. 8 or step S202 in FIG. 10). The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays an instruction screen 53 as shown in FIG. 9B including a message indicating that the start button is pressed after setting the reuse paper on the automatic document feeder 22 or the platen glass. It is displayed on the section 15 (step S301) and waits for the start button 54 of the screen 53 to be pressed (step S302; N).

When the start button 54 is pressed (step S302; Y), the following operation is performed on each set of reused paper. That is, when the reusable paper is set in the automatic document feeder 22, one of the sheets is fed out by the automatic document feeder 22 and read by the image reading device 21 (step S303). If it is set on the platen glass, one set of reused paper is read by the image reading device 21 (step S303). Next, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 causes the image processing unit 17 to detect the blank area of the read image (step S304), creates blank area data from the detection result, associates it with the page number, and stores it in the nonvolatile memory 14. (Step S305). If there is reused paper for the next page (step S306; Y), the process returns to step S303 and continues.
If there is no next page (step S306; N), for example, an instruction screen 56 as shown in FIG. 9C is displayed on the display unit 15, and the reused paper that has been read is placed in the reused paper feed tray 25. The user is instructed to set (step S307), and the process is terminated (return).

  Here, in order to manage margin area data and the like, a margin management table 60 shown in FIG. 12 is created and stored in the nonvolatile memory 14. The margin management table 60 associates the page number of the reused paper, the margin area data representing the detected margin area with coordinate information, and the unused flag in the reading order of the reused paper from the beginning. The end code is registered after the last page number. The unused flag is set to 0 when the margin management table 60 is created. When the nonuse flag = 1, the margin area data is not used (not assigned to the document image).

  FIG. 13 shows the flow of the document reading process (step S103 in FIG. 8). The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays an instruction screen 58 as shown in FIG. 9D including an instruction message to press the start button after setting the print document on the automatic document feeder 22 or the platen glass. Displayed on the display unit 15 (FIG. 13, step S401), and waits for the start button 59 on this screen 58 to be pressed (step S402; N).

  When the start button 59 is pressed (step S402; Y), when a document is set on the automatic document feeder 22, the document is conveyed by the automatic document feeder 22 and one page of the document is read by the image reading device 21. If it is read on the platen glass or is set on the platen glass, one page of the set original is read by the image reading device 21 (step S403). Next, the CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 stores the read document image (image data) in the hard disk device 19 in association with management information such as a page number (step S404). If there is a document for the next page (step S405; Y), the process returns to step S403 to continue the process, and if there is no next page (step S405; N), the process is terminated (return). When the double-sided reading mode is selected, after reading the front page of the document, the back side page is continuously read.

  14, 15, and 16 show details of the reuse printing process (step S104 in FIG. 8 or step S203 in FIG. 10). When the automatic / constant reduction ratio mode in which the reduction ratios of all pages are the same is not selected on the mode setting screen 30 (step S501; N), the following processing is performed from the beginning of the document image to be printed. This is repeated one page at a time until the page.

  First, it is checked on the mode setting screen 30 whether or not the full mode for printing the entire surface of the original image is selected. If the full mode is selected (step S502; Y), the paper size (full size) of the original image is set to the original size (size of the print target area) (step S506), and step S507 in FIG. Migrate to

  When the image area mode in which only the image area where the image exists is selected as the print target area (Step S502; N), the original image (for one page) stored in the hard disk device 19 is read (Step S502). In step S503, the image area is cut out and stored in the hard disk device 19 (step S504). The size of the cut out image area is set as the document size (step S505), and the process proceeds to step S507 in FIG.

  In step S507, it is checked whether or not unchecked blank area data exists (step S507; Y), and blank area data for one page is read (step S508). Reading of the blank area data is performed in the order in which the reused paper is read by the image reading device 21 when the blank area is detected. Here, the margin management table 60 is read in order from the top, and the read-out is deleted from the margin management table 60 or is checked.

  Based on the size of the margin area indicated by the read margin area data and the document size, a reduction ratio for storing the print target area indicated by the document size in the margin area is calculated (step S509). Next, it is determined whether or not the manual mode has been selected on the mode setting screen 30 (step S510). When the manual mode is not selected (step S510; N), the calculated reduction ratio is set to the set allowable reduction. It is determined whether it is higher than the rate (numerical value is equal to or less than the allowable reduction rate) (step S511). When the calculated reduction ratio is lower than the allowable reduction ratio (numerically calculated value ≧ allowable reduction ratio) (step S511; N), the calculated value is determined as the reduction ratio for the page (step S512) and the process proceeds to step S516. Transition.

  If the calculated reduction ratio is higher than the allowable reduction ratio (calculated value <allowable reduction ratio as a numerical value) (step S511; Y), the blank area data is not used, and reuse corresponding to the blank area data is performed. The paper is discharged without being used for printing (step S515).

  In the case of the manual mode (step S510; Y), the calculated reduction ratio is compared with the reduction ratio (set value) set by the user on the mode setting screen 30, and the calculated reduction ratio is lower than the set value. If (the calculated value is a calculated value ≧ the set value) (step S513; N), the set value is determined as the reduction ratio for the page (step S514), and the process proceeds to step S516. When the calculated reduction ratio is higher than the set value (calculated value <set value as a numerical value) (step S513; Y), the margin area data is not used, and the recycled paper corresponding to the margin area data is not used. The paper is discharged without being used for printing (step S515).

  In step S516, it is determined whether the setting on the mode setting screen 30 is the document area mode, the entire surface mode, or the image area mode. If the entire surface mode is selected (step S516; Y), the document image is read (step S518). In the mode (step S516; N), the cutout image cut out and stored in step S504 is read (step S517). Then, the image (print target image) read in step S517 or step S518 is reduced at the reduction rate determined in step S512 or step S514 (step S519), and the reduced image is arranged in the blank area indicated by the blank area data. Image data is created (step S520). Then, an image based on the image data is printed on the reused paper fed from the reused paper feed tray 25 (step S522), and the process proceeds to step S523. Note that the alignment may be performed so that the center of the margin area matches the center of the image printed in the margin area.

  If there is no unchecked margin area data (step S507; N), since no more reused paper exists in the reused paper feed tray 25, the paper feed source is switched to the normal paper feed tray 24, and the original The image is read (step S521), the image is printed on the normal paper fed from the normal paper feed tray 24 (step S522), and the process proceeds to step S523.

  In step S523, it is determined whether or not there is a document on the next page. If there is a next page (step S523; N), the process returns to step S502 to continue the processing. If the document ends on this page (step S523; Y) End the process (return).

  When the automatic / constant reduction ratio mode is set to make the reduction ratios of all pages the same (step S501; Y), as shown in FIG. 16, the reduction ratio for calculating the reduction ratio applied to all pages of the document. Calculation processing (step S601) is performed.

  FIG. 17 shows the flow of the reduction ratio calculation process. It is checked whether or not the full mode for printing the entire surface of the original image is selected. If the full mode is selected (step S701; Y), the paper size of the original is set to the original size (size of the print target area). After setting (step S705), the process proceeds to step S706.

  When the image area mode is selected (step S701; N), the original image (for one page) stored in the hard disk device 19 is read (step S702), and the image area is cut out and stored in the hard disk device 19 (Step S703), the size of the clipped image area is set to the document size (Step S704), and the process proceeds to Step S706.

  In step S706, it is checked whether or not unchecked blank area data exists (step S706; Y), and blank area data for one page is read (step S707). Reading of the blank area data is performed in the order in which the reused paper is read by the image reading device 21 when the blank area is detected. Here, it is assumed that the margin area data at the position indicated by the read pointer is read out. First, the read pointer is set at the head of the margin management table 60, and thereafter the read pointer is advanced to the next reading position every time the margin area data is read out. .

  From the margin area size indicated by the read margin area data and the document size, a reduction ratio for storing the print target area indicated by the document size in the margin area is calculated (step S708). It is determined whether or not the calculated reduction ratio is equal to or greater than the allowable reduction ratio (numerical value is equal to or less than the allowable reduction ratio) (step S709), and the calculated reduction ratio is higher than the allowable reduction ratio (the numerical value is calculated value <allowable reduction ratio). ) (Step S709; Y), it is determined that the blank area data is not used, the corresponding non-use flag is set to 1 (step S712), and the process proceeds to step S706.

  If the calculated reduction ratio is lower than the allowable reduction ratio (numerically calculated value ≧ allowable reduction ratio) (step S709; N), this reduction ratio is stored (step S710). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a document on the next page (step S711). If there is a document on the next page (step S711; N), the process returns to step S702 to continue the processing. If the document ends on this page (step S711; Y), the highest reduction among the reduction ratios stored. The rate (the smallest value as the numerical value) is set to a reduction rate common to all pages (step S713), and the process is terminated (return). When returning from the reduction ratio calculation process, the read pointer is initialized to the head of the margin management table 60.

  Returning to FIG. 16, the description will be continued. After performing the reduction ratio calculation process, it is checked whether or not unchecked blank area data exists (step S602). If there is unchecked blank area data (step S602; Y), one page's worth of data is checked. The blank area data and the non-use flag corresponding to the blank area data are read (step S603). If the read unused flag value is 1 (step S604; Y), the reusable paper corresponding to the margin area data is not used for printing, but is discharged to a paper discharge tray (step S605), and step Returning to S602, the processing is continued.

  When the non-use flag is 0 (step S604; N), it is determined whether the setting on the mode setting screen 30 is the document area mode or the full mode. If the full mode is set (step S606; Y), the original image is displayed. (Step S608), and in the case of the image area mode (step S606; N), the clipped image cut out and stored in step S703 of FIG. 17 is read (step S607). Then, the image (print target image) read in step S607 or step S608 is reduced at a reduction ratio common to all pages determined in the reduction ratio calculation process (step S609), and the reduced area is replaced with blank area data. Image data arranged at the margin position shown is created (step S610). Then, an image based on the image data is printed on the reused paper fed from the reused paper feed tray 25 (step S612). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a document on the next page. If there is a next page (step S613; N), the process returns to step S602 to continue the processing. If the document ends on this page (step S613; Y). End processing (return).

  If there is no unchecked margin area data (step S602; N), since there is no reuse paper in the reuse paper feed tray 25 any more, the paper source is switched to the normal paper feed tray 24, and the original image Is read (step S611), and this image is printed on normal paper fed from the normal paper feed tray 24 (step S612). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a document on the next page. If there is a next page (step S613; N), the process returns to step S602 to continue the processing. If the document ends on this page (step S613; Y). End processing (return).

  As described above, since the reusable paper is read using the image reading device 21 used for reading the original image by the copy function and the margin area is detected, a dedicated sensor is provided for the margin area detection. In comparison, the apparatus configuration is simplified. Also, even when printing a multi-page document image, before starting the reuse printing process, the margin detection process for the reused paper for a plurality of pages is completed and the margin area data is stored, so printing starts. You can assign a reuse paper to each page of the document before, calculate the reduction ratio, and apply the highest reduction ratio to all the pages, and reuse all the pages of the document with the same reduction ratio Can be printed in the margins.

  Further, if the reduction ratio becomes higher than the allowable reduction ratio when the original image is reduced to fit in the margin area of the allocated reuse paper, the reuse paper (margin area data) is discharged without being used for printing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the original image from being reduced and printed at a high reduction rate exceeding the allowable level.

  In addition, the user can select various modes such as automatic mode and manual mode, full-screen mode and image area mode, variable mode and automatic / constant reduction mode, so that it can be reused under the printing conditions desired by the user. Printing on paper can be performed.

  In addition, guidance and instructions relating to operations that the user intervenes such as setting of reusable paper at the time of margin detection, setting of reusable paper after the margin detection to the reusable paper feed tray 25, setting of a print document, etc. are displayed on the screen. Even inexperienced users can print in the reuse paper printing mode without making a mistake in the procedure.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment, it is necessary to set the reused paper in the reused paper feed tray 25 in the orientation when the margin is detected. That is, if the orientation of the reused paper changes when it is put in the reused paper feed tray 25, the position of the margin area indicated by the margin area data stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 and the reused paper that has been fed. There is a possibility that the position of the margin area differs from the position of the print target image in the margin area.

  For this reason, the user must remember the orientation of the reused paper at the time of margin detection and set the reused paper in the reused paper feed tray 25 with the same orientation as this. . In addition, if the orientation is set incorrectly, an image may be printed in an area that is not a margin area, and the reused paper and color materials such as toner, energy consumption, and work time are wasted. End up.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the setting state of the reused paper in the reading at the time of margin detection (at the time of margin detection reading) is detected and stored, and the reuse set in the reused paper feed tray 25 is performed. The paper set state (set state at the time of reusable printing) is compared with the stored set state at the time of detecting the margin, and if they are different, a predetermined response is taken to prevent occurrence of a printing error. It is like that.

  To detect the set state of the reused paper, a predetermined mark is added to a specific position in the peripheral part of the reused paper 40 or a specific position in the peripheral part of the dummy document used over the reused paper 40. This is done by detecting the position. Here, as shown in FIG. 18, one or a plurality of reused papers 40 are sandwiched between the front and back of a dummy document 70 to which a mark 71 is added. A detection sensor 72 for detecting the mark 71 is attached to the automatic document feeder 22 (or the image reading device 21) and the reuse paper feed tray 25 (or the paper feed path).

  It is desirable that the peripheral part is a part where an image is not printed as an upper, lower, left, and right margin. Further, in the peripheral portion, a position deviated from the center of the long side and the short side of the paper is good, and preferably a corner or a vicinity of the corner is good.

  As the mark 71, a non-contact IC tag such as an RFID, an optically read code (for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional barcode), or the like can be used. When a non-contact type IC tag is used, a non-contact type IC tag reader is attached as the detection sensor 72. When an optically readable code is used, the image reading device 21 can be used as a detection sensor for detecting a mark during margin detection reading. The configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment is a configuration in which a sensor for detecting a paper setting state is attached to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 19 shows the relationship between the position of the mark 71 and the set state of the reuse paper 40 at the time of margin detection reading and reuse printing. In the case where the mark 71 is detected at the upper right of the dummy original 70 at the time of margin detection reading as shown in FIG. 9A, and the mark 71 is detected at the upper left of the dummy original 70 at the time of reuse printing as shown in FIG. It can be seen that the reusable paper 40 at the time of reusable printing is in a reverse set state with respect to the time of margin detection reading. If the mark 71 is detected at the lower left of the dummy document 70 as shown in FIG. 10C during the reusable printing while the margin detection reading is in the state shown in FIG. It can be seen that the paper 40 is set upside down with respect to the margin detection reading. If the mark 71 is detected at the lower right of the dummy original 70 as shown in FIG. 6D when the margin detection reading is in the state shown in FIG. It can be seen that the used paper 40 is set upside down and upside down with respect to the margin detection reading.

  FIG. 20 illustrates a case where the reuse paper 40 is set upside down at the time of margin detection reading (FIG. 20A) and at the time of reuse printing (FIG. 20B). When the reusable paper 40 is set upside down at the time of reusable printing (the same figure (b)) with respect to the margin detection reading (the same figure (a)), the margin area 41 of the actual reusable paper 40 is set. Is present at a position rotated by 180 degrees compared to the blank area indicated by the blank area data stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 as shown in FIG. Therefore, if the margin area data stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 is used as it is, a situation occurs in which the document image does not properly fit in the margin area.

  As described above, when the set state is different between the margin detection reading and the reusable printing, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment performs the following processing according to the setting of the user or the administrator. It has become. (1) A warning that there is an abnormality in the set state is displayed, and printing on recycled paper is stopped. (2) Reuse printing by compositing images according to the difference in the set state. Further, when performing reusable printing, there are the following methods (A) and (B).

(A) The margin area data is converted so that the position of the margin area indicated by the margin area data is rotated by 180.fwdarw.The original image is reduced according to the size of the margin area. The margin indicated by the margin area data after conversion. The reduced image is arranged in the area and printed on the recycled paper whose set state is upside down.
(B) Reduce the original image in accordance with the size of the margin area → create an image for one page in which the reduced image is arranged in the margin area indicated by the margin area data → rotate the entire one page image by 180 degrees → Print the rotated one-page image on reused paper with the set state upside down.

  FIG. 21 shows a print example when the set state is normal. FIG. 22 shows a case where printing is performed as it is in the blank area indicated by the blank area data without considering this when the set state is upside down. The original image 45 shown in FIG. 22A is reduced so that it fits in the margin area 41 indicated by the margin area data shown in FIG. b)). When the reduced image 45b is printed on the reused paper 40 that is set upside down without converting the margin area data, the reduced original image portion becomes the actual margin area as shown in FIG. Will be printed at different locations, resulting in overlapping images.

  FIG. 23 shows the flow of reusable printing by the above method (A) (method for converting margin data) when the set state is upside down. In the upside down set state, as shown in FIG. 23 (b), the blank area 41 indicated by the blank area data and the actual blank area are upside down, so that the blank area shows the position reversed 180 degrees. Convert region data. FIG. 5C shows the position of the blank area indicated by the blank area data after conversion. The original image 45 (FIG. 23A) is reduced and arranged so as to fit in the margin area indicated by the converted margin area data (FIG. 23D). Then, when the reduced image 45c in FIG. 23D is printed on the reusable paper upside down, the reduced original image portion is printed in the margin area of the reusable paper as shown in FIG. The same printing result as that in the normal case of FIG. 21 is obtained.

  FIG. 24 shows a flow of reusable printing by the method (B) when the set state is upside down. In FIG. 24, when the set state is upside down, the case where printing is performed as it is in the blank area indicated by the blank area data without considering this and the reusable printing by the method (B) are shown in contrast. is there. The former is a white arrow path ((a) → (b) → (c) → (d)), and the latter is a shaded arrow path ((a) → (b) → (e) → ( c) → (f)).

  In the method (B), the original image 45 ((a) in the figure) is reduced so as to fit in the blank area 41 indicated by the blank area data before conversion in (c) in the figure, and reduced by one page of paper. An image 45b is created ((b) in the figure). The reduced image 45b is rotated 180 degrees in accordance with the reusable paper 40 upside down ((e) in the figure). Then, when the reduced image 45c rotated 180 degrees is printed on the reuse paper upside down, the reduced original image portion is printed in the margin area of the reuse paper as shown in FIG. The same printing result as that in the normal case of FIG. 21 is obtained.

  The 180-degree rotation corresponds to converting the blank area data so as to correspond to the set state in the upside down direction. Note that the reduced document image may be rotated, or may be moved without being rotated, so that only the arrangement is accommodated in the position indicated by the blank area data after conversion.

  Also, if it is determined from the paper size information that the reused paper is rotated 90 degrees, for example, reading at the time of margin detection is performed with the paper size A4LEF (Long Edge Feed), and this reused paper is used at the time of reuse printing. When the A4SEF (Short Edge Feed) is set in the reuse paper feed tray 25, if the image data is rotated 90 degrees and printed, the same printing as described above is performed. At this time, it can be determined from the position of the mark 71 which side should be rotated 90 degrees to the left or right. For example, as shown in FIG. 25A, when A4LEF and the mark 71 are set in the upper right at the time of margin detection reading, as shown in FIG. 25B, the A4SEF paper feed tray is used during reusable printing. If the mark 71 is in the upper left set state, it is rotated 90 degrees to the left. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the mark 71 is set at the lower right, it may be rotated 90 degrees to the right.

  Paper size information at the time of margin detection reading is detected by a sensor provided in the automatic document feeder 22. Paper size information at the time of reusable printing is detected by a sensor provided in a paper feed tray that stores reusable paper.

  When the recycled paper is set upside down, the processing differs depending on whether the recycled paper is used on both sides or on one side. Hereinafter, each case will be described.

<When using both sides>
When the set state is reversed, as shown in FIG. 26, the page order in the reusable printing (FIG. (B)) is compared with the page order in the margin detection reading (FIG. (A)). Is reversed. Therefore, if the blank area data stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 is used in order from the last page to the top, printing can be performed correctly. For example, to use in reverse order:
(C) The margin management table 60 is read and used in reverse order from the END side toward the top.
(D) The order of the margin area data in the margin management table 60 is rearranged in reverse order, and the rearranged margin management table 60 is read from the top.
There are two methods.

<When using one side>
In the case of single-sided use, the surface opposite to that at the time of margin detection reading is facing upward, and if printing is performed as it is, printing will be performed on the surface opposite to the surface where the blank area is detected. Therefore, first, as in the case of using both sides, the blank area data stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 is sequentially read from the last page toward the top and used (or the above method (D)). In addition, the recycled paper is transported by the same transport path as in double-sided printing, and at this time, printing is performed only on the back surface without printing on the front surface. As a result, printing is performed on a surface that matches the blank area data stored in the nonvolatile memory 14.

  Next, an operation performed by the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment in the reuse paper printing mode will be described based on a flowchart. A description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  FIG. 27 shows margin detection processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment. The CPU 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays a screen on the display unit 15 for instructing the user to press the start button after setting the reusable paper with the dummy document 70 added first and last to the automatic document feeder 22 ( Step S801) waits for the start button on this screen to be pressed (step S802; N).

  When the start button is pressed (step S802; Y), the first sheet set in the automatic document feeder 22 is fed out (step S803), and the mark 71 on the sheet is detected (step S804). If there is no mark 71 (step S804; N), the process returns to step S801. At this time, a warning that the dummy document 70 is added as the first page may be displayed.

  When the mark 71 is detected (step S804; Y), the position of the mark 71 is detected and stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S805). This mark position may be stored with information indicating that it is the first mark position.

  Next, one sheet of reused paper is fed out and conveyed by the automatic document feeder 22, and the image of the reused sheet is read by the image reading device 21 (step S806). The blank area of the read image is detected by the image processing unit 17 (step S807), blank area data is created from the detection result, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 in association with the page number (step S808).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step S809). If there is a next page (step S809; Y), the process proceeds to step S812. If there is no next page (step S809; N), a warning that the dummy document 70 is not added to the last page is displayed (step S810). The warning is continued until the next page is set (step S811; N). When the next page is set (step S811; Y), the process proceeds to step S812.

  In step S812, the automatic document feeder 22 feeds the next page and detects the mark 71 on the paper. If there is no mark 71 (step S813; N), the process returns to step S806 and continues.

  If there is a mark 71, it is the last dummy document 70, so the mark position is detected and stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 (step S814). This mark position may be stored with information indicating that it is the last mark position. Thereafter, the user is instructed to set the reused paper 40, which has been read, to the reused paper feed tray 25 with the dummy paper 70 added at the beginning and end (step S815), and the process ends (step S815). return).

  If the last mark position is different from the first mark position, a warning is displayed and the user is instructed to correct the orientation of the last dummy document 70 so that it is the same as the first mark position. When an operation is received from the user, the last mark position stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 may be corrected to be the same position as the first mark position.

  FIG. 28 shows the reuse printing process. First, a paper set confirmation process is performed (step S901). After that, step S902 is performed. Before that, details of the paper set confirmation processing will be described.

  FIG. 29 shows details of the paper set confirmation processing (step S901 in FIG. 28). The first paper set in the reuse paper feed tray 25 is fed and the presence / absence of the mark 71 is detected (step S1001). If there is no mark 71 on the sheet (step S1002; N), an error display is performed and a selection operation to retry or cancel printing is accepted from the user (step S1003). If a print cancel operation is received (step S1004: print cancel), a series of processing (job) is terminated (end).

  When the mark 71 is detected (step S1002; Y), the position of the mark 71 is detected (step S1005), and the detected mark position and the mark position at the time of margin detection reading stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 are determined. Compare (step S1006). If the mark positions match (step S1007; Y), this process ends (return). If they do not match (step S1007; N), the margin area data is converted according to the content of the mark position difference (step S1008). Here, in the case of upside down, the position of the margin area is converted to the position when the entire page is rotated 180 degrees (according to the above-described method (A)). The above-mentioned method (C) corresponds to the reverse side. For this reason, conversion of the blank area data for reversing the front and back is not performed.

  In the case of reverse, the front / back reverse flag is set to 1 (step S1009) and the process is terminated (return). The front / back reverse flag is “1” to indicate that the front / back is reversed, and “0” indicates that the front / back is not reversed. The front / back reverse flag is stored in the nonvolatile memory 14. In the present embodiment, the setting state of the reused paper is determined by the dummy document 70 fed to the first sheet at the time of reuse printing, so that it is possible to deal with the case where the paper is set upside down. A dummy document 70 is added to the beginning and end of the reused paper, and reading is performed when a margin is detected.

  Returning to FIG. 28, the description will be continued. In step S902, substantially the same processing as the processing shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 (steps S501 to S523) is performed. The differences are as follows. In step S508 of FIG. 15, when the front / back reverse flag = 0, the blank area data is read and used in order from the head of the blank management table 60. When the front / back reverse flag = 1, the margin management table 60 is headed from the end to the head. The blank area data is read out and used in reverse order. If the reverse side flag = 1 and single-sided use is used, in “printing” in step S522, the paper is turned upside down and fed using the double-sided printing pass.

  In addition, if it is determined that the paper is set upside down as a result of the paper set confirmation, the image may be placed upside down when performing the processing of step S520 “reduced image placement at the margin position”. .

  As described above, the setting state of the reused paper at the time of margin detection reading is compared with the setting state of the reused paper at the time of reusable printing. Since the data is converted and printed, the user can easily set the reused paper in the reused paper feed tray 25 without paying attention to the orientation and front / back of the paper, which improves convenience.

  Note that, when the above-described method (D) is used as a countermeasure when set upside down, in step S1008 of FIG. 29, in the case of upside down, the arrangement order of the blank area data in the blank management table 60 is changed. Reverse. When the method (D) is used, the margin management table 60 may be read and used in order from the top irrespective of the value of the front / back reverse flag in step S508 of FIG.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiments, and there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Is included in the present invention.

  For example, when printing is performed on a margin area, the printed portion is surrounded by a frame, a boundary line is printed between the area previously printed on the reuse paper and the margin area, and is printed on the reuse paper in advance. Processing such as hatching may be performed on the area. It becomes easy to distinguish between the portion printed in the reuse paper printing mode and the original printed portion.

  Further, the reuse paper feed tray 25 may be a fixed paper feed tray, and is configured such that an arbitrary paper feed tray or manual feed tray can be selected as the reuse paper feed tray 25 from a plurality. Also good. When an RFID tag is used as the mark 71, an RFID reader as a sensor for detecting a set state during reusable printing is provided in the paper feed tray, and the mark 71 is positioned at any of the four corners of the paper in the paper feed tray. If it is possible to detect whether or not the dummy document 70 exists, it is not necessary to add the dummy document 70 to both the first and last of the reused paper, and only one of them may be used.

  If a sensor for detecting the mark 71 is provided in the paper feed path portion through which the paper fed from each paper feed tray passes in common, only one sensor is required for the plurality of paper feed trays. Is simplified.

  In the second embodiment, the position of the mark 71 is detected. However, whether or not the mark 71 is present at a predetermined position (for example, upper right) is detected. If it is not detected, an error is detected. It may be configured to. For example, at the time of margin detection reading, if the first sheet is not a dummy document 70 with a mark 71 added to the upper right (predetermined position), a selection of whether to stop reading or to retry or stop reading is selected. To. In the case of reusable printing, if the first sheet is not the dummy document 70 with the mark 71 added to the upper right (predetermined position), it is possible to select whether to cancel printing, retry, or printing as an error. It may be configured as follows.

  In the second embodiment, the margin area data is converted when there is a mismatch in step S1007. However, the printing may be stopped. At this time, it is preferable that an error display is performed as in steps S1003 and S1004 so that the user can select whether to cancel printing or retry.

  The margin area 41 and the image area 46 are rectangular areas, but are not limited to the rectangular area, and may be, for example, a shape along the margin or the outer edge of the image portion.

  The configuration of the margin management table 60 is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 12. For example, if the registration order from the top of the margin management table 60 indicates a page number, there is no need to provide a page number column. Further, header information may be provided in the margin management table 60, and set information indicating a set state at the time of margin detection reading may be stored in the header information.

  Further, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of detection sensors 72 are provided so that the dummy document 70 can be set in an arbitrary direction even when margin detection is read. When the set position is limited, the detection sensor 72 may be provided only at a position corresponding to the set position. For example, in FIG. 18, the detection sensor 72 is provided in the vicinity of both ends in the width direction of the fed paper. However, the detection sensor 72 may be provided only at one end.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image forming apparatus 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Nonvolatile memory 15 ... Display part 16 ... Operation part 17 ... Image processing part 18 ... Communication part 19 ... Hard disk device (HDD)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Image reading device 22 ... Automatic document feeder 23 ... Printer part 24 ... Normal paper feeding tray 25 ... Reuse paper feeding tray 26 ... Conveying part 27 ... Image forming part 30 ... Mode setting screen 31 ... Original area setting column 32 ... Reduction ratio setting field 40 ... Reuse paper 41 ... Margin area 45 ... Original image 45b ... Reduced image 45c ... Reduced image rotated by 180 degrees 46 ... Image area 50 ... Print mode selection screen 51 ... Normal print button 52 ... Reuse Paper print button 53 ... Instruction screen 54 ... Start button 56 ... Instruction screen for setting reused paper in the reused paper feed tray 58 ... Document setting instruction screen 59 ... Start button 60 ... Margin management table 70 ... Dummy document 71 ... Mark 72 ... Detection sensor

Claims (15)

In an image forming apparatus having a function of printing a document image read by an image reading apparatus on a print sheet,
An original image input section for inputting an original image;
A storage unit;
A control unit;
Have
The control unit detects margin area information, which is information relating to a margin area of a sheet image read by the image reading device, stores the margin area information in the storage unit, and also outputs the document image input by the document image input unit. An image forming apparatus that controls to print in a blank area of the sheet based on the blank area information stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document image input unit inputs the document image from the image reading device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document image input unit inputs the document image from an external device via a network. The control unit detects the margin area information for each page of a plurality of sheets read by the image reading device, stores the margin area information in the storage unit, and also inputs a plurality of documents input by the document image input unit. The margin area information stored in the storage unit is sequentially assigned to each page of an image, and each page of the original image is controlled to be printed in a margin area indicated by the margin area information assigned to the page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The control unit according to claim 4, wherein, for each page of the document image, the control unit calculates a reduction ratio at which the document image of the page fits in a blank area indicated by the blank area information allocated to the page. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit extracts the highest reduction ratio among the calculated reduction ratios, and reduces all pages of the document image with the extracted reduction ratio. . When the calculated reduction ratio exceeds a predetermined reduction ratio, the control unit does not use the blank area information assigned to the page, and does not print the paper corresponding to the blank area information without printing a predetermined tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled to discharge the paper. A detection unit that detects a set state of the paper read by the image reading device;
The control unit detects a set state of a sheet read by the image reading device when blank area information is detected by the detection unit, and stores set information indicating the detected set state in the storage unit, The image according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a set state of a sheet fed at the time of printing is compared with a set state indicated by the set information stored in the storage unit. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of the items indicating the set state includes a paper direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one of the items indicating the set state includes a front and back side of a sheet. The detection unit detects a position of a mark added to a peripheral part of a sheet set in the image reading apparatus as the set state,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit compares a position of a mark added to a sheet fed at the time of printing with a position of a mark indicated by the set information. The detection unit detects whether a mark is added to a predetermined position of the paper set in the image reading device as the set state,
The control unit performs the comparison by detecting whether or not the mark is attached to a position corresponding to the predetermined position of the paper as a set state of the paper fed during the printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The image reading apparatus has an automatic document feeder,
The detection unit detects a mark attached to the first sheet conveyed by the automatic document feeder;
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the control unit performs the comparison with respect to a mark added to a first sheet fed during the printing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein if the set state is determined to be different as a result of the comparison, the control unit notifies the user and stops printing. apparatus. The control unit converts the margin area information based on the comparison result so as to correspond to a set state of a sheet fed at the time of printing, and uses the margin area information. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

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