JP2012020488A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to manually staple a plurality of recording materials which are printed in a layout of instructed printing data at a position not to overlap with images of all the recording materials.SOLUTION: There is provided the image forming apparatus that prints the printing data of a plurality of pages instructed by the user on the plurality of printing materials for each page. When the user specifies a direction where the user desires to staple the plurality of printing materials at a printing instruction, based on the printing data of the plurality of the pages, the apparatus calculates margin length of all pages indicating a distance of a margin part from the end of the recording material to an image to be printed in the specified direction, determines the shortest margin length among the calculated margin length of all the pages, prints the printing data of the plurality of pages on the plurality of recording materials for each page and also prints a staple mark indicating a position to be stapled in a region fixed by the shortest margin length of the first page of the plurality of recoding materials.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material such as paper, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that supports a staple process performed on a plurality of recording materials after image formation.

  There is known an image forming apparatus that performs a staple process on a plurality of sheets (an example of a recording material) after image formation (printing). Such an image forming apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  When performing printing, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 moves an image or the like when an image (including characters) overlaps a staple position (a position at which stapling is performed) designated by a user on a sheet. Thus, the staple position and the image are not overlapped.

  However, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the image is moved, the layout of the original (print data instructed to be printed by the user) is changed on the printed paper. Therefore, it is not possible to satisfy the user's desire to perform stapling on paper that has been printed with the original layout.

  Further, there are cases where the user wants to manually perform the stapling process. In that case, there is a demand for the user to perform stapling on the paper after image formation at a position that does not overlap the images on all the papers (pages).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a position where the user does not overlap the images of all the recording materials with respect to a plurality of recording materials that have been printed with the layout of the print data instructed to be printed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of manually stapling.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that prints print data of a plurality of pages instructed to be printed by a user on a plurality of recording materials for each page. In this case, when the direction in which the user wants to staple is specified for a plurality of recording materials, the margin from the end of the recording material in the specified direction to the image to be printed based on the print data of the plurality of pages The margin length indicating the distance of the part is calculated for all pages, the shortest margin length is determined from the calculated margin lengths, and multiple pages of print data are printed on multiple recording materials for each page. A staple mark indicating a position where the staple is to be performed is printed in an area determined by the shortest margin length on the first page of a plurality of recording materials.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the thickness per recording material is stored in advance for each type of recording material, and the staple needle to be used for each thickness of a plurality of recording materials A plurality of records in which print data is printed based on information indicating the type of recording material included for each print data of a plurality of pages, which is stored in advance in association with the size of the sheet and the number of staples to be performed. The thickness of all the pages of the material is calculated, the size of the staple needle and the number of staples are determined based on the calculated thickness of all the pages of the plurality of recording materials, and the determined staple needle size and The number of staples is printed in the vicinity of the staple mark.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a reference margin length indicating the distance of the margin portion from the end of the recording material is stored in advance as a fixed value for each direction of the recording material, and stored in advance. When the margin length is larger than the standard margin length, instead of the shortest margin length, a staple mark is printed in an area determined by the standard margin length, and the determined minimum margin length is less than the standard margin length. In some cases, the staple mark is printed in an area determined by the shortest margin length.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a threshold value indicating the thickness of the recording material that can be manually stapled by the user is stored in advance, and the calculated thicknesses of all the pages of the plurality of recording materials are equal to or greater than the threshold value. In this case, the user is notified that manual stapling is impossible.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the minimum necessary margin length indicating the minimum margin portion distance when the user manually staples is stored in advance in association with each recording material direction. When the determined shortest margin length is equal to or less than the minimum necessary margin length, the user is notified that manual stapling is impossible.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the staple mark has a linear shape similar to the shape when the staple is stapled on the recording medium.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the area where the staple mark is printed is printed together with the staple mark.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, at least one of the staple mark and the area where the staple mark is printed is printed on another recording material instead of the first page of the plurality of recording materials. And

  According to the present invention, a user can manually staple a plurality of recording materials that have been printed with the layout of the print data instructed to be printed at positions that do not overlap the images of all the recording materials. It becomes possible.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data for a plurality of pages printed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating determination of the shortest margin length and calculation of paper thickness for all pages in a basic operation example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a figure which shows the example of the margin length of each direction calculated with the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the left side margin length of each page calculated with the image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating determination of the staple needle size and the number of staples and determination of the staple position in a basic operation example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of staple positions determined by the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of staple marks and staple information printed by an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a left margin length and an upper margin length of each page calculated by an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and determined staple positions. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another modification of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments (embodiments) for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. Examples of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment include a multifunction machine and a printer. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an operation reception unit 11, a print data acquisition unit 12, a control unit 13, a printing unit 14, and a storage unit 15.

  The operation receiving unit 11 is a unit (user interface) that receives an operation (user operation) performed by a user. Examples of user operations include print execution instructions, designation of print conditions, and setting of staple conditions. The operation accepting unit 11 displays various screens for the user.

  The print data acquisition unit 12 is a unit that acquires print data. The print data is data of an image printed (image formation) on paper (an example of a recording material). The print data obtained by the print data obtaining unit 12 is vector data. Examples of the print data acquisition method include a method of scanning a document and a method of receiving from an external device that can communicate with the image forming apparatus.

  The control unit 13 controls the other units (the operation receiving unit 11, the print data acquiring unit 12, the printing unit 14, and the storage unit 15) according to the user operation received by the operation receiving unit 11, and the above-described embodiment. Executes the characteristic processing operation. Details of the processing operation will be described later using each flowchart.

  The printing unit 14 is a unit (plotter) that prints print data on paper. The print data when printed by the printing means 14 is raster data. The paper printed by the printing unit 14 is output to the outside of the image forming apparatus. In addition, when the staple is set, the printing unit 14 prints staple information indicating the staple position and staple information indicating the size and the number of staples on the paper.

  The storage means 15 is a means for storing various information. Details of various types of information will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described using a specific example.

  First, an example of a basic operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the operation example of FIG. 2, it is assumed that printing of a plurality of pages is instructed.

  First, when the operation accepting unit 11 accepts a user operation, the print data obtaining unit 12 obtains print data (S1). A specific example of S1 is as follows.

  The user performs a key operation or the like on the operation accepting unit 11 to perform an instruction to print a plurality of pages, specify printing conditions, and set stapling conditions. An example of print data for a plurality of pages instructed to be printed by the user is shown in FIG. The multi-page print data includes the first page shown in FIG. 3A (gas station image), the second page shown in FIG. 3B (building image), and the third page shown in FIG. (Shrine image). Each of the print data of the first to third pages is printed on one sheet of paper.

  The printing conditions designated by the user include, for example, the type of paper to be printed, the color density of the image to be printed, the color / monochrome designation of the image to be printed, and the reduction / For example, enlargement designation. In the present embodiment, the print condition does not include an instruction to change the layout of the print data (for example, an instruction to move or reduce / enlarge a part of an image on a predetermined page). . Therefore, the image printed on the paper by the printing unit 14 remains in the layout of the print data instructed to be printed by the user.

  The staple conditions set by the user include, for example, the staple position and the number of staples. Here, as an example, the staple position is set to “left direction (left side of paper)” and the number of staples is set to “arbitrary”. Suppose that As described above, in this embodiment, the user does not need to strictly specify the staple position and the number of staples as the staple condition. Therefore, the stapling position here indicates the direction in which the user wants to manually staple on the printed paper. When the user operation as described above is accepted, the print data acquisition unit 12 acquires the print data (vector data) of the first page to the third page shown in FIGS. This acquisition includes acquisition by scanning a document and acquisition by reception from an external device.

  Next, the control means 13 determines whether or not the staple condition accepted by the operation accepting means 11 is set (S2).

  If the stapling condition is not set as a result of the determination in S2 (S2 / NO), the control means 13 rips (RIPs) the print data of all pages acquired by the print data acquisition means 12, and the printing means 14 The image data is subjected to image processing in accordance with the printing conditions designated by the operation accepting means 11, and then printed on a paper and output (S8). A lip is to interpret vector data and make it raster data. In this way, the paper on which the first to third pages shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C are printed is output from the image forming apparatus. That is, the paper on which the first page shown in FIG. 3A is printed, the paper on which the second page shown in FIG. 3B is printed, and the paper on which the third page shown in FIG. 3C is printed. Each is output.

  If the stapling condition is set as a result of the determination in S2 (S2 / YES), the control means 13 rips the print data of all pages acquired by the print data acquisition means 12 and determines the shortest margin length. In addition, the paper thickness for all pages is calculated (S3). Here, the details of S3 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, the control means 13 sets the initial value of the page i to be ripped, the shortest margin length mL, and the paper thickness D for all pages (S11). These initial values are i = 1 since the page to be ripped is the first page, and since the shortest margin length is not determined, mL = 0, and the paper thickness for all pages is not calculated, so D = 0. It becomes.

  Here, the margin length will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating examples of margin length images in the print data of the first page in FIG. The margin length is an image (hereinafter referred to as a print image) that is printed from the edge of the paper in a predetermined direction on the paper when the image of the predetermined page is printed on the paper based on the printing conditions specified by the user. Say the length (distance) of the margin. The predetermined direction of the paper is based on the staple position of the staple condition specified by the user. For example, when the user specifies the stapling position “left direction”, as shown in FIG. 5A, the length L from the left end of the paper to the print image (gas station image) is the margin length (left margin length). ) In the case of FIG. 5A, a rectangular area (shaded area in the figure) determined by the vertical length and margin length L of the paper is an area on the first page that can be stapled without overlapping the image ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as a stapleable area. In addition, the staple mark, the size of the staple needle, the number of staples, and the like are printed in the stapleable area. Similarly, for example, when the staple position “upward” is designated by the user, as shown in FIG. 5B, the length T from the upper end of the paper to the print image (building image) is the margin length (upper side). Margin length). In the case of FIG. 5B, a rectangular area (vertical line portion in the figure) determined by the horizontal length of the paper and the margin length T is a stapling possible area on the first page. Similarly, for example, when the user specifies the stapling position “right”, as shown in FIG. 5C, the length R from the right edge of the paper to the printed image (shrine image) is the margin length (right side). Margin length). In the case of FIG. 5C, a rectangular area (horizontal line portion in the figure) determined by the vertical length of the paper and the margin length R is the stapling possible area on the first page.

  Next, the control means 13 rips and holds the print data for the first page, performs image processing on the print data specified by the user based on the print conditions specified by the user, and then stores the print data. Based on this, the margin length is calculated as described above (S12). Here, since the stapling position is designated in advance as “leftward”, the control means 13 calculates the margin length L as shown in FIG. The calculated margin length L = 4x (x is a predetermined number). Since the margin lengths of the other pages are not calculated at this time, the control means 13 temporarily holds the calculated margin length L value 4x as the shortest margin length mL (mL = 4x). Note that the control means 13 retains the print data that has been subjected to image processing by ripping for later use in printing.

  Next, the control means 13 specifies the paper thickness of the first page to be printed based on the paper information included in the ripped print data (S13). The paper information is the type of paper to be printed (paper type, for example, A4, B5, etc.). Here, it is assumed that the sheet thickness value per sheet is associated with the storage unit 15 in advance for each sheet type. Therefore, the control means 13 refers to the storage means 15 and searches for the paper thickness corresponding to the paper type included in the ripped print data, and specifies the searched paper thickness as the paper thickness of the first page of paper. Since the paper thicknesses of the other pages are not specified at this time, the control unit 13 temporarily holds the specified paper thickness value as the paper thickness D for all pages.

  Next, the control means 13 adds 1 to the initial value i = 1, and proceeds to the processing of the second page (S14).

  The control unit 13 rips and holds the print data of the second page in the same manner as the first page, and performs image processing on the ripped print data based on the printing conditions specified by the user. After that, the margin length is calculated based on the print data (S15). The control means 13 calculates a margin length L = 2x (x is a predetermined number) as shown in FIG.

  Here, the control means 13 compares the shortest margin length mL temporarily held with the margin length L calculated this time, and determines whether or not the margin length L calculated this time is smaller than mL. (S16). When the margin length L calculated this time is greater than or equal to mL (S16 / NO), the process proceeds to S18 described later. When the margin length L calculated this time is smaller than mL (S16 / YES), the process proceeds to S17 described later. Here, since the temporarily stored mL is 4x (the margin length L of the first page) and the margin length L calculated this time is 2x (the margin length L of the second page), the process proceeds to S17.

  Next, the control means 13 temporarily holds the margin length L calculated this time as mL (S17). That is, mL is updated. Here, instead of 4x, 2x is temporarily held as mL.

  Next, the control means 13 specifies the paper thickness of the second page to be printed based on the paper information included in the ripped print data in the same manner as the first page, and specifies the specified paper thickness. Is added to the paper thickness D of all the pages temporarily held (S18). Here, the paper thickness of the second page is added to the paper thickness of the first page to obtain a paper thickness D for all pages, and D is updated. Then, the control means 13 temporarily holds the paper thickness D for all the pages.

  Next, the control means 13 determines whether i has reached the total number of pages (S19). The total number of pages is the number of print data designated by the user. Here, it is the process of the second page, and since it has not reached all three pages (pages 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 3) (S19 / NO), the process returns to S14.

  Next, the control means 13 adds 1 to i = 2 and proceeds to the processing of the third page (S14), and rips the print data of the third page in the same manner as in the first and second pages. Image processing is performed on the held and ripped print data based on the print conditions specified by the user, and then the margin length is calculated based on the print data (S15). As shown in FIG. 6C, the control unit 13 calculates a margin length L = 3x (x is a predetermined number).

  Next, the control means 13 compares the shortest margin length mL temporarily held with the margin length L calculated this time, and determines whether or not the margin length L calculated this time is smaller than mL. (S16). Here, since the temporarily stored mL is 2x (the margin length L of the second page) and the margin length L calculated this time is 3x (the margin length L of the third page), S17 is skipped and S18 is skipped. Migrate to Therefore, mL is not updated here, and mL = 2x remains.

  Next, the control means 13 specifies the paper thickness of the third page based on the paper information included in the ripped print data, as in the case of the first and second pages, It is added to the paper thickness D for all pages temporarily held (S18). Here, the paper thickness of the third page is added to the sum of the paper thicknesses of the first and second pages to obtain a paper thickness D for all pages, and D is updated. Then, the control means 13 temporarily holds the paper thickness D for all the pages.

  Next, the control means 13 determines whether i has reached the total number of pages (S19). Here, the process is currently on the third page, and since it has reached all three pages (pages 1 to 3 shown in FIG. 3) (S19 / YES), the process in S3 is terminated.

  As described above, the shortest margin length mL = 2x (the margin length L of the second page) is determined, and the paper thickness D for all pages (the total value of the paper thicknesses for three pages) is calculated.

  Next, the control means 13 determines the size of staples and the number of staples based on the calculated paper thickness D for all pages (S4). Further, the control means 13 determines the staple position based on the determined shortest margin length mL and the reference margin length pL (S5). Here, details of S4 and S5 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, the control means 13 determines the size of staples and the number of staples based on the paper thickness D for all pages temporarily held (S21). The size of the staple needle is the length of the needle used for stapling (the length capable of stapling the paper thickness D for all pages). The number of staples is the number of staples. Here, it is assumed that the size of the staple needle and the number of staples are stored in the storage unit 15 in advance for each sheet thickness D for all pages. Therefore, the control unit 13 refers to the storage unit 15 to retrieve the staple needle size and the number of staples corresponding to the paper thickness D for all the pages temporarily held, and the retrieved staple needle size. The length and the number of staples are determined as staple information to be printed. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the size of the staple needle is determined to be 3 to 10 mm and the number of staples is two.

  Next, the control means 13 reads the reference margin length pL from the storage means 15 (S22). The storage unit 15 stores a reference margin length in advance for each direction of the sheet. Examples of the reference margin length include pL as the length of the margin portion from the left end of the paper, pT as the length of the margin portion from the upper end of the paper, and pR as the length of the margin portion from the right end of the paper. Yes, these are stored in the storage means 15 as preset fixed values. The control means 13 reads the reference margin length in the corresponding direction based on the staple position designated by the user. Here, since the stapling position “left direction” is designated in advance, the control means 13 reads the reference margin length pL. Here, as an example, pL = 3x (x is a predetermined number).

  Next, the control means 13 compares the shortest margin length mL temporarily held with the read reference margin length pL to determine whether mL is larger than pL (S23). When mL is larger than pL (S23 / YES), the process proceeds to S24 described later. When mL is less than or equal to pL (S23 / NO), the process proceeds to S25 described later. Here, since mL is 2x and pL is 3x, the process proceeds to S25.

  Next, the control means 13 determines the staple positions for the number of staples determined in S21 within the stapleable area determined by the shortest margin length mL and the vertical length of the paper (S25). An example at this time is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8A, the stapling possible area is a rectangular area (halftone dot in the figure) determined by mL = 2x and the vertical length of the paper. The control means 13 determines the staple positions corresponding to the determined number of staples in the stapleable area shown in FIG. Where the stapling position will be located is determined in advance in the storage means 15 according to the number of staples. For example, when the number of staples is two, as shown in FIG. 8A, each staple position is an intermediate position (1x) of mL and a predetermined distance from the intermediate position of the vertical length of the sheet. It will be determined at a distant position.

  When the process proceeds to S24, the control unit 13 determines the staple positions corresponding to the number of staples determined in S21 within the stapleable area determined by the reference margin length pL and the vertical length of the sheet (S24). An example at this time is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8B, the stapling possible area is a rectangular area (halftone dot in the figure) determined by pL = 3x and the vertical length of the paper. The control means 13 determines the staple positions for the determined two staples in the stapleable area shown in FIG. The staple position is determined in advance according to the number of staples. For example, when the number of staples is two, as shown in FIG. 8B, each staple position is a predetermined position from the middle position of pL (1.5x) and the middle position of the longitudinal length of the paper. The position is separated by a distance.

  As described above, the size of staples, the number of staples (staple information), and the staple position are calculated.

  Next, the control means 13 sends the print data for all the pages held (the print data that has been ripped and subjected to image processing) to the printing means 14 to instruct printing. Upon receiving this instruction, the printing means 14 prints the print data for all pages on a sheet (S6). Here, the print data of the first to third pages shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C are printed.

  Next, the control unit 13 instructs the printing unit 14 to print the staple mark, the staple needle size, and the number of staples at the determined staple position. Upon receiving this instruction, the printing unit 14 prints the staple mark, the size of the staple needle, and the number of staples on the sheet (S7). Here, the details of S7 will be described with reference to FIG.

  There are two examples of stapling printing as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIG. 9A shows an example in which the staple mark is printed on the first page of the printed paper. In this example, as shown in FIG. 9A, on the first printed page, staple marks are printed at two staple positions determined in the stapleable area. Note that the stapling area may be printed or not printed. When the stapling area is printed, there is an effect that the user can grasp the stapling area other than the staple mark. The staple mark to be printed has a linear shape similar to the shape when the staple is stapled. The size of the staple mark is preferably based on the determined size of the staple needle. The reason is that when the staple mark is stapled, the staple mark and the staple needle are overlapped so that the staple mark cannot be seen. FIG. 9B shows an example in which staple marks are printed on a sheet (cover) different from the first to third pages of the printed sheet. In this example, as shown in FIG. 9B, a staple mark is printed on two staple positions determined in the stapleable area on a cover that is another sheet. The shape and size of the staple mark are the same as in the example of FIG. Further, the stapleable area may be printed or may not be printed. In the case of FIG. 9B, since the staple mark (and the stapling possible area) is printed on another sheet, the stapling mark (and the stapling possible area) is printed on the first to third pages of the printed paper. There is an effect of not remaining.

  In the examples of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the staple needle size and the number of staples are printed as staple information on the left side of the staple mark. This example is shown in FIG. FIG. 9C is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the printed staple mark in the examples of FIGS. 9A and 9B. As shown in FIG. 9C, on the left side of the two staple marks, there are a character string “staple needle 3-10 mm” indicating the size of the staple needle and a character string “staple number 2” indicating the number of staples. And are printed respectively. These character strings are not limited to the left side of the staple mark, and may be printed near the staple mark.

  The paper printed in this way is output by the printing means 14. That is, in the case of FIG. 9A, the first page shown in FIG. 3A is printed and the paper on which the staple mark and the staple information are printed, and the second page shown in FIG. 3B is printed. And the paper on which the third page shown in FIG. 3C is printed is output. In the case of FIG. 9B, a sheet on which only staple marks and staple information are printed, a sheet on which the first page shown in FIG. 3A is printed, and a second page shown in FIG. The printed paper and the paper on which the third page shown in FIG. 3C is printed are output.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the staple mark is printed at a position (within the stapleable area) that does not overlap the print image on all pages, so that the user can use the staple mark as a mark. By performing stapling manually, stapling can be performed at a position that does not overlap images on all sheets. Further, according to the present embodiment, the positions that do not overlap the print image on all the pages are determined based on the layout of the print data that the user has instructed to print. Staples can be performed on paper that has been printed in the layout.

  According to the present embodiment, since the staple needle size and the number of staples are printed as staple information in the vicinity of the staple mark, when the user manually staples, the staple needle of any size is printed. And how many staples should be performed can be grasped in advance.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the shape of the staple mark to be printed is the same as the shape and size of the staple needle, the staple needle overlaps the staple mark when the user staples from above the staple mark. , Staple marks become inconspicuous.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the user instructs setting of the staple condition, the user need only specify the direction in which the user wants to staple, and does not need to specify the number of staples.

  According to the present embodiment, when the staple position is determined, if the shortest margin length is larger than the reference margin length, the staple position is determined in the stapleable area based on the reference margin length. . Thereby, even when the calculated shortest margin length is too large and the stapling area becomes wide, the optimum stapling position can be determined. For example, in the above description, when the shortest margin length mL is 8x (a value exceeding half of the horizontal length of the paper), the position where the stapling position is too much inside (the center of the paper) from the left edge of the paper. There is a risk of becoming. In such a case, the staple position can be determined as an appropriate position by adopting the reference margin length pL. Therefore, the standard margin length is preferably about 1 to 4 cm from each end of the paper.

  In the above description of the present embodiment, the staple information is printed together with the staple mark. However, only the staple mark may be printed. In the description of the present embodiment, both the staple needle size and the number of staples are printed as the staple information. However, only the staple needle size may be printed (the number of staples). Can be recognized by the number of staple marks).

  In the above description of the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the user designates the staple position as “left direction” as the staple condition setting, but the designated staple position is not limited to this. For example, “upward” or “right” may be designated. For example, a case where “upward” is designated will be described. In this case, mL and pL in FIGS. 4 and 7 may be replaced with mT and pT. As shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 13 calculates a margin length T in the print data of all pages, and determines the shortest margin length mT from the calculated margins. Then, the control unit 13 compares the determined shortest margin length mT with a reference margin length pT stored in advance, and adopts either one to determine the stapling possible region and the staple position. The same operation is performed when “right” is designated.

  In the present embodiment, the designated stapling position is not limited to one direction such as “left direction”, “upward direction”, and “right direction” described above. For example, the designation of staple positions in two directions such as “upper left direction” and “upper right direction” may be handled. For example, a case where “upper left direction” is designated will be described. In this case, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, in addition to the processes related to mL and pL, the processes related to mT and pT similar to those processes may be performed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the control unit 13 calculates the margin length L and the margin length T in the print data of all pages, and calculates the shortest margin lengths mL and mT from the calculated ones. decide. For example, in the example of FIGS. 10A to 10C, the shortest margin length mL is 2x shown in FIG. 10B, and the shortest margin length mT is 2y shown in FIG. For example, the control means 13 determines the number of staples as one based on the paper thickness D for all pages. Then, the control means 13 compares the determined shortest margin length mL with the reference margin length pL stored in advance, and adopts one of them. Here, as an example, the shortest margin length mL (2x) is adopted. Further, the control means 13 compares the determined shortest margin length mT with a reference margin length pT stored in advance, and adopts either one. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the shortest margin length mT (2y) is adopted. Based on mL and mT thus adopted, the control means 13 determines a stapling possible area as shown in FIG. Then, the control means 13 determines one staple position within the determined stapling possible area, as shown in FIG. This staple position is, for example, an intermediate position of mL and an intermediate position of mT. The staple mark and the staple information are printed at the staple position in the same manner as described above. The same operation is performed when “upper right direction” is designated.

  Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the modification of the present embodiment. FIG. 11 has the same basic flow as FIG. 2, but differs in that S31 and S32 are inserted between S5 and S6. Hereinafter, this different point will be described (other steps are the same as those in FIG. 2 and will not be described).

  In FIG. 11, after S5, the control means 13 compares the calculated paper thickness D for all pages with the threshold value a, and determines whether the paper thickness D for all pages is smaller than the threshold value a (S31). ). The threshold value a is a predetermined fixed value and is stored in the storage unit 15. The threshold value a is a value indicating the maximum paper thickness that can be stapled manually by the user.

  If the paper thickness D for all pages is smaller than the threshold value a as a result of the determination in S31 (S31 / YES), the control means 13 proceeds to S6, assuming that the user can manually staple.

  As a result of the determination in S31, if the paper thickness D for all the pages is equal to or greater than the threshold value a (S31 / NO), the control unit 13 proceeds to S32 because the user cannot manually staple.

  The control means 13 notifies the user that manual stapling is impossible (S32). There are the following two examples of the notification method. One is a method in which the operation accepting unit 11 displays on the screen that stapling is impossible. That is, the control unit 13 acquires a message indicating that stapling is not possible, which is stored in advance in the storage unit 15, and causes the operation reception unit 11 to display the message on the screen. The other is a method in which the printing unit 11 outputs a paper on which stapling is impossible. That is, the control unit 13 acquires a message indicating that stapling is impossible, which is stored in the storage unit 15 in advance, and causes the printing unit 14 to print the message on paper and output the message. In any of the above two notification methods, the timing of notification may be before or after the print data is printed on the paper.

  Thus, according to this modification, it is determined whether the calculated paper thickness for all pages is a thickness that can be stapled manually by the user, and if manual stapling is impossible, this is indicated. By notifying the user, the user can grasp in advance that stapling is impossible for the paper group being printed.

  In FIG. 11, the series of processes is terminated after S32, but the processes of S6 and S7 may be performed after S32.

  In the above-described modification, an example in which whether or not manual stapling is possible is determined based on the paper thickness for all pages has been described. However, whether or not manual stapling is possible is determined based on the determined shortest margin length. Also good. Another modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 has the same basic flow as FIG. 7 except that S41 to S43 are inserted between S21 and S22. Hereinafter, this different point will be described (other steps are the same as those in FIG. 27, and thus description thereof will be omitted).

  In FIG. 12, after S21, the control means 13 reads the minimum necessary margin length IL from the storage means 15 (S41). The minimum necessary margin length is the length (distance) of the margin portion that is minimum required when the user manually staples. The storage unit 15 stores in advance the minimum required margin length for each direction of the paper. Examples of the minimum required margin length include IL as the length of the margin portion from the left end of the paper, IT as the length of the margin portion from the upper end of the paper, and IR as the length of the margin portion from the right end of the paper, These are stored in the storage means 15 as preset fixed values. The control means 13 reads the minimum necessary margin length in the corresponding direction based on the staple position designated by the user. In the example of FIG. 12, it is assumed that the stapling position “left direction” is designated in advance. The control means 13 reads the minimum necessary margin length IL. Note that IL is a value smaller than pL.

  Next, the control means 13 compares the shortest margin length mL temporarily held with the read minimum required margin length IL to determine whether mL is greater than IL (S42). When mL is larger than IL (S42 / YES), the process proceeds to S22. When mL is less than or equal to IL (S42 / NO), the process proceeds to S43.

  Since the process of S43 is the same as S32 of FIG. 11 mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted. Thereafter, print data is printed by the printing means 14 in S6, and a series of processing is terminated by skipping S7.

  Thus, according to this modification, it is determined whether or not the determined minimum margin length is a length that can be stapled manually by the user. By notifying the user, the user can grasp in advance that stapling is impossible for the paper group being printed.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, it is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

  For example, the operation in the above-described embodiment can be executed by hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  When executing processing by software, a program in which a processing sequence is recorded may be installed and executed in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Or you may install and run a program in the general purpose computer which can perform various processes.

  For example, the program can be recorded in advance on a hard disk or a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, the program is stored on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), an MO (Magneto Optical) disc, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a magnetic disc, and a semiconductor memory. It is possible to store (record) temporarily or permanently. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software.

  The program may be wirelessly transferred from the download site to the computer in addition to being installed on the computer from the removable recording medium as described above. Or you may wire-transfer to a computer via networks, such as LAN (Local Area Network) and the internet. The computer can receive the transferred program and install it on a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  In addition to being executed in time series in accordance with the processing operations described in the above embodiment, the processing capability of the apparatus that executes the processing, or a configuration to execute in parallel or individually as necessary Is also possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Operation reception means 12 Print data acquisition means 13 Control means 14 Printing means 15 Storage means

JP 2001-171195 A

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that prints print data of a plurality of pages instructed to be printed by a user on a plurality of recording materials for each page,
When the user designates a direction in which the user wants to staple with respect to the plurality of recording materials at the time of the printing instruction, based on the print data of the plurality of pages, the recording material in the designated direction is specified. The margin length indicating the distance of the margin portion from the edge to the printed image is calculated for all pages, the shortest margin length is determined from the calculated margin length for all pages,
The print data of the plurality of pages is printed on the plurality of recording materials for each page, and the position where the stapling should be performed within the region determined by the shortest margin length with respect to the first page of the plurality of recording materials. An image forming apparatus that prints a staple mark. For each type of recording material, the thickness per recording material is stored in association with each other,
For each of the thicknesses of the plurality of recording materials, the size of the staple needle to be used and the number of staples to be executed are associated with each other and stored in advance.
Based on the information indicating the type of the recording material included for each print data of the plurality of pages, calculate the thickness for all pages of the plurality of recording materials on which the print data is printed,
Based on the calculated thickness of all the pages of the plurality of recording materials, the size of the staple needle and the number of staples are determined,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determined size of the staple needle and the number of staples are printed in the vicinity of the staple mark. For each direction of the recording material, as a fixed value, a reference margin length indicating a distance of a margin portion from the end of the recording material is associated and stored in advance.
If the determined shortest margin length is larger than the reference margin length, instead of the shortest margin length, the staple mark is printed in an area determined by the reference margin length,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determined shortest margin length is equal to or less than the reference margin length, the staple mark is printed in an area determined by the shortest margin length. . A threshold value indicating the thickness of the recording material that can be manually stapled by the user is stored in advance;
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the calculated thicknesses of all the pages of the plurality of recording materials are equal to or greater than the threshold value, the user is notified that manual stapling is impossible. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 3. For each direction of the recording material, the minimum necessary margin length indicating the distance of the margin portion required at the minimum when the user manually staples is associated and stored in advance.
5. The user is notified that manual stapling is impossible when the determined shortest margin length is less than or equal to the minimum necessary margin length. 6. 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the staple mark has a linear shape similar to a shape when a staple is stapled on the recording medium.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an area where the staple mark is printed is printed together with the staple mark.   8. At least one of the staple mark and the area on which the staple mark is printed is printed on another recording material instead of the first page of the plurality of recording materials. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

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