JP2012093535A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for efficiently forming an image with an image size desired by a user on paper.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: an image information accepting section 91 accepting image information including the size of paper on which an image is formed; a first selection section 92 selecting second paper having the size of the integral multiple of the size when it is detected that first paper having the size is depleted; a determination section 93 determining whether or not the images are allocated on the whole area, when a plurality of images are sequentially allocated on the second paper, respectively; a second selection section 94 selecting third paper having the smallest size in the papers stored in a plurality of paper feed cassettes among the papers having the size larger than the size of the first paper, when the images are not allocated on the whole area or the second paper having the size of the integral multiple is not stored; and an image formation control section 95 controlling an engine unit 3 and a paper conveying unit 30, so as to form the image on the selected paper.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on an image forming medium such as paper.

  A printer as an example of an image forming apparatus is connected to a personal computer that generates image information, and constitutes an image forming system together with the personal computer. In the image forming system, the size of the paper included in the image information generated by the personal computer may not match the size of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette of the printer. In this case, for example, the image forming system performs editing for enlarging or reducing the image so that the size of the image based on the image information matches the size of the paper, and forms the edited image on the paper (Patent Literature). 1).

  Further, the printer may not be able to transport a sheet having a sheet size included in the image information from the sheet feeding cassette. In this case, for example, the printer selects the paper having the smallest size among the sizes larger than the size of the paper, and forms an image on the selected paper (see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-9-323457 JP 2001-347732 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the size of the paper included in the image information does not match the size of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette, the image is edited by enlarging or reducing the image. Is printed on the paper, the image cannot be formed on the paper with the size of the image desired by the user.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 2, an image based on image information is formed on each sheet having the smallest size larger than the size based on the size information of the sheet included in the image information. In this case, the invention described in Patent Document 2 cannot form an image efficiently on a sheet because a blank portion where an image is not formed on each sheet is generated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that efficiently forms an image on an image forming medium with an image size desired by a user.

  The present invention provides an engine unit that forms an image on an image forming medium, a plurality of storage cassettes that can store a plurality of types of image forming media of different sizes, and an image forming medium that is stored in the storage cassette. A size indicating the size of the image forming medium on which an image is formed, and a conveying unit that conveys the image forming medium one by one to the engine unit, an image forming medium detecting unit that detects that the image forming medium is no longer in the storage cassette An image information receiving unit that receives image information including information, and a first image forming medium serving as an image forming medium having a size based on the size information included in the image information received by the information receiving unit. In the case where an image based on image information is formed, the fact that the first image forming medium accommodated in the accommodating cassette is no longer used A first image forming medium, which is a second image forming medium serving as an image forming medium accommodated in the accommodation cassette and has a size that is an integral multiple of the size based on the size information when detected by the medium detection unit. When a plurality of images based on the selection unit and the image information are sequentially assigned to the second image forming medium, a second image forming medium in which no image is assigned to the entire surface of the second image forming medium is generated. A determination unit that determines whether or not a second image forming medium in which an image is not allocated to the entire surface of the second image forming medium is generated by the determination unit, or in the size information When the second image forming medium having a size that is an integral multiple of the base size is not accommodated in the accommodating cassette, a plurality of image forming media having a size larger than that of the first image forming medium are selected. A second selection unit that selects a third image forming medium as the image forming medium having the smallest size of the image forming medium accommodated in the accommodation cassette; and a second image formation by the first selection unit. When a medium is selected, the engine unit and the transport unit are controlled to perform image formation by allocating a plurality of images based on the image information to a second image forming medium, and the second selecting unit controls the second image forming medium. An image forming control unit that controls the engine unit and the conveying unit so as to form an image based on the image information on the third image forming medium when the third image forming medium is selected. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Further, the image forming apparatus includes a size detection unit that detects a size of the image forming medium accommodated in the housing cassette, a size of the image forming medium, and an integer multiple of the size of the image forming medium. A storage unit that stores a relationship with a size of the image forming medium, and the first selection unit determines the size detected by the size detection unit based on the relationship read from the storage unit. It is preferable to select a second image forming medium having a size that is an integral multiple of the size based on the size information, from among the image forming media having the image forming medium.

  Further, it is preferable that the second selection unit selects a third image forming medium from among the image forming media having a size detected by the size detection unit.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus may be configured such that any one or more of the sides constituting the outer edge of the image based on the image information is generated when the image is formed on the third image forming medium. It is preferable to coincide with any one or more of the sides constituting the outer edge of the forming medium.

  Further, the image formation control unit is configured to use a cutting line image used as a cutting guide on an outer edge of an image based on image information formed on each of the second image forming medium and the third image forming medium. It is preferable to control the engine unit so as to form

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can efficiently form an image on an image forming medium with an image size desired by the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a copier according to each embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the copier of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the paper on which the image was printed by the copy machine in 1st Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the copier in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the paper on which the image was printed by the copy machine in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the paper on which the image was printed by the copy machine in 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a copying machine according to first to third embodiments of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the copy machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a copier 1 according to each embodiment of the image forming apparatus.

The copier 1 includes a document transport unit 10, a document reading unit 20, a paper transport unit 30 (transport unit), an image forming unit 40, a transfer unit 50, and a fixing unit 60.
The document transport unit 10 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document placement unit 11, a first feed roller 12, a guide 13, a timing roller pair 14, and a document discharge unit 15. The first feed roller 12 supplies the document G placed on the document placement unit 11 to the timing roller pair 14 one by one in order. The timing roller pair 14 is a timing at which the original reading unit 20 reads an image of the original G and a timing at which the original G is supplied to a position where the image of the original G is read by the original reading unit 20 (position where the guide 13 is disposed). In order to match, the conveyance of the original G or the conveyance stop of the original G is performed. The guide 13 guides the conveyed document G to a first reading surface 21a described later. The document discharge unit 15 discharges the document G whose image has been read by the document reading unit 20 (passed through the guide 13) to the outside of the copier body 2.
A document stacking unit 16 is formed outside the copying machine main body 2 in the document discharge unit 15. In the document stacking unit 16, the documents G discharged from the document discharge unit 15 are stacked and stacked.

  The document reading unit 20 includes a first reading surface 21a and a second reading surface 22a. The first reading surface 21 a is formed along the upper surface of the first contact glass 21 disposed to face the guide 13 and serves as a surface for reading an image of the document G. The second reading surface 22a is disposed adjacent to the first reading surface 21a (in the case shown in FIG. 1, over the most right side of the first reading surface 21a). The second reading surface 22 a is used when reading an image of the document G without using the document transport unit 10. The second reading surface 22a is formed along the upper surface of the second contact glass 22 on which the document G is placed, and serves as a surface for reading an image of the document G.

  The document reading unit 20 includes an illumination unit 23, a first mirror 24, a second mirror 25, a third mirror 26, an imaging lens 27, and an imaging unit 28 inside the copier body 2. . The illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 move in the sub-scanning direction X, respectively. The second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are disposed on the left side of the illumination unit 23 and the first mirror 24 in FIG. Further, the second mirror 25 and the third mirror 26 are the first reading surface 21 a or the second reading surface 22 a through the first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, the third mirror 26, and the imaging lens 27. To the imaging unit 28 while moving in the sub-scanning direction X while keeping the distance (optical path length) constant.

  The illumination unit 23 is a light source that irradiates the original G with light. The first mirror 24, the second mirror 25, and the third mirror 26 are mirrors for guiding the light reflected by the document G to the imaging lens 27 while keeping the optical path length constant. The imaging lens 27 focuses the light incident from the third mirror 26 on the imaging unit 28. The imaging unit 28 is an imaging device for obtaining image data based on an imaged optical image by converting incident light into an electrical signal. For example, the imaging unit 28 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary). It is an image sensor such as Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

  The paper transport unit 30 (transport unit) includes a second feed roller 31, a third feed roller 32, a registration roller pair 33, and a paper discharge unit 34. The second feed roller 31 supplies the paper T (image forming medium) stored in the paper feed cassette 36 (storage cassette) to the transfer unit 50.

  In FIG. 1, the paper feed cassette 36 is composed of a plurality of paper feed cassettes 36 (the paper feed cassettes 36a, 36b, 36c in FIG. 1). The plurality of paper feed cassettes 36 are configured to accommodate a plurality of types of paper T (first paper T1, third paper T3, and second paper T2) having different paper sizes. For example, the A5 size paper T1 as the first paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 36a. A4 size paper T2 as the second paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 36c. The paper feed cassette 36b accommodates B5 size paper T3 as third paper.

  In the vicinity of each paper feed cassette 36, a paper detection unit 38 (image forming medium detection unit) and a paper size detection unit 39 (size detection unit) are provided. The paper detection unit 38 detects the presence or absence of the paper T in the paper feed cassette 36 and supplies information indicating that there is no paper to the control unit 90 described later. The paper size detection unit 39 detects the paper size of the paper T in the paper feed cassette 36 and supplies the second paper size information to the control unit 90.

  The number of paper feed cassettes 36 may be four or more. For example, A3 size paper, B3 size paper, etc. are accommodated in other paper feed cassettes (not shown). Also in this case, a paper detection unit 38 and a paper size detection unit 39 are provided in the vicinity of each paper feed cassette 36.

The third feed roller 32 supplies the paper T placed on the manual feed tray 37 to the transfer unit 50. The registration roller pair 33 carries the paper T or stops the conveyance of the paper T in order to match the timing at which the toner image is formed on the transfer unit 50 and the timing at which the paper T is supplied to the transfer unit 50. Further, the registration roller pair 33 performs skew (oblique feeding) correction of the paper T. The paper discharge unit 34 discharges the paper T on which the toner image is fixed to the outside of the copier body 2.
A paper discharge stacking unit 35 is formed outside the copier body 2 in the paper discharge unit 34. In the paper discharge stacking unit 35, the paper T discharged from the paper discharge unit 34 is stacked and stacked.

The image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, a cleaning unit 45, a toner cartridge 46, a primary transfer roller 47, and an intermediate transfer belt 48. And an opposing roller 49.
The photoconductor drum 41 (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) functions as a photoconductor or an image carrier in order to form toner images of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively. Around each photosensitive drum 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scanner unit 43, a developing device 44, A cleaning unit 45 is disposed. The charging unit 42 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The laser scanner unit 43 is arranged away from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 and scans and exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 based on image data relating to the original G read by the original reading unit 20. As a result, the exposed portion of the charge is removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 44 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The cleaning unit 45 removes toner and the like remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 after the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is neutralized by a static eliminator (not shown).
The toner cartridge 46 stores toner of each color supplied to the developing device 44. The toner cartridge 46 and the developing device 44 are connected by a toner supply path (not shown).

  The primary transfer rollers 47 (47a, 47b, 47c, 47d) are arranged on the opposite sides of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, respectively. The intermediate transfer belt 48 is a belt that passes through the image forming unit 40 and the transfer unit 50. A part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d and the primary transfer rollers 47a, 47b, 47c, and 47d, and the photosensitive drums 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d. The toner image formed on the surface is primarily transferred. The counter roller 49 is a drive roller that is disposed inside the annular intermediate transfer belt 48 and advances the intermediate transfer belt 48 in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG.

  The transfer unit 50 includes a secondary transfer roller 51. The secondary transfer roller 51 is disposed on the opposite side of the intermediate transfer belt 48 from the counter roller 49, and a part of the intermediate transfer belt 48 is sandwiched between the counter roller 49. Further, the secondary transfer roller 51 secondarily transfers the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 48 onto the paper T.

  The fixing unit 60 includes a heating rotator 61 and a pressure rotator 62. The heating rotator 61 and the pressure rotator 62 sandwich the paper T on which the toner image is secondarily transferred, melt and pressurize the toner, and fix the toner to the paper T.

Next, the functional configuration of the copy machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the copy machine 1 according to each embodiment.
The copier 1 includes the above-described components (the document transport unit 10, the document reading unit 20, the paper transport unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60). The paper transport unit 30, the image forming unit 40, the transfer unit 50, and the fixing unit 60 constitute an engine unit 3 that forms an image on the paper T. For this reason, the above-described paper transport unit 30 transports the paper T stored in the paper feed cassette 36 to the engine unit 3 one by one. During the conveyance, the above-described paper detection unit 38 detects that the paper T has run out of the paper feed cassette 36. Processing when the paper detection unit 38 detects that the paper T has run out of the paper feed cassette 36 will be described later.

The copier 1 includes an operation unit 70, a storage unit 80, and a control unit 90 in addition to the functional configuration described above.
The operation unit 70 includes a numeric keypad (not shown), a touch panel (not shown), a start key (not shown), and the like. The numeric keypad is operated to input numbers such as the number of copies to be printed. The touch panel displays a plurality of keys to which various functions (for example, a function for setting a print magnification and a function for allocating a plurality of pages to one sheet of paper T (such as 2 in 1)) are assigned. A key displayed on the touch panel is operated to cause the copier 1 to execute any of various functions. The start key is operated to execute printing. When any key is operated, the operation unit 70 supplies a signal indicating that this key has been operated to the control unit 90.

  The storage unit 80 includes a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 80 stores image information based on the document G read by the document reading unit 20. The image information includes first paper size information (paper size information) based on the paper size of the original G. Further, the storage unit 80 stores a control program used in the copier 1, data used by the control program, and the like.

  Based on the information indicating that the paper T obtained from the paper detection unit 38 is exhausted and the second paper size information obtained from the paper size detection unit 39, the control unit 90 performs the document conveyance unit 10 and the document reading unit. 20, the engine part 3, the operation part 70, the memory | storage part 80, etc. are controlled.

  In addition, the control unit 90 includes an image information receiving unit 91, a first selection unit 92, a determination unit 93, a second selection unit 94, and an image formation control unit 95.

The image information receiving unit 91 receives image information including paper size information indicating the first paper size of the paper T on which an image is formed.
Specifically, a plurality of original images sequentially read by the original reading unit 20, first paper size information indicating the paper sizes (A5 size, B5 size, A4 size) of the images, and other information necessary for image formation (For example, information such as color or monochrome, single-sided printing or double-sided printing, the number of printed sheets) is received as image information.

The first selection unit 92 forms an image based on the image information on the first sheet T1 as the sheet T having the sheet size based on the first sheet size information included in the image information received by the image information receiving unit 91. In this case, when the paper detection unit 38 detects that the first paper T1 stored in the paper feed cassette 36 is lost, the paper size has an integral multiple of the paper size based on the paper size information. The second paper T2 as the paper T stored in the other paper feed cassette 36 is selected.
Specifically, the first selection unit 92 is an A5 size sheet (first sheet) having a sheet size based on the first sheet size information included in the image information received by the image information receiving unit 91. ) When an image based on the image information is formed on T1, when the paper detection unit 38 detects that the A5 size paper T1 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36a is lost, it is based on the paper size information. The A4 size paper (second paper) T2 is selected as the paper T accommodated in the other paper feed cassette 36c having a size that is an integral multiple (2 times) of the paper size. Note that instead of the A4 size paper T2, a larger integer multiple paper T2 accommodated in a paper feed cassette (not shown) can be selected. Hereinafter, the A4 size paper T2 and the larger integer multiple paper T2 are collectively referred to as “A4 size paper”.

The determination unit 93 determines whether or not a second sheet T2 in which no image is allocated is generated on the entire surface of the second sheet T2 when a plurality of images based on the image information are sequentially allocated to the second sheet T2. .
Specifically, when the determination unit 93 sequentially assigns a plurality of A5 size images based on the image information to a sheet (second sheet) T2 of A4 size or the like that is a sheet that is an integral multiple of the A5 size, the A4 size is determined. It is determined whether or not a paper T of A4 size or the like that cannot be assigned to the entire surface of the paper T2 is generated. For example, two pages of A5 size images can be assigned to the entire surface of one sheet of A4 size. Also, images of four pages of A5 size can be allocated on the entire surface of two sheets of A4 size paper or one sheet of A3 size paper. However, an image for one page of A5 size cannot be assigned to the entire surface of A4 size or A3 size paper, and in any case, useless margin of A5 size is generated.

The second selection unit 94 determines that the determination unit 93 determines that a second sheet on which the image is not allocated is generated on the entire surface of the second sheet T2, or an integer multiple of the sheet size based on the first sheet size information. When the second paper T2 having a size of 2 is not accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36, the paper accommodated in the plurality of paper feed cassettes 36 among the papers T having a paper size larger than the first paper T1. The third paper T3 as the paper T having the smallest paper size of T is selected.
Specifically, the second selection unit 94 assigns a plurality of A5 size images based on the image information to the A4 size paper (second paper) T2 that is an integral multiple of the A5 size. When it is determined that a sheet of A4 size or the like that cannot be produced is generated, the sheet size of the sheet accommodated in the plurality of sheet feed cassettes 36 is the largest among the sheets T having a sheet size larger than the sheet of A5 size. A B5 size paper (third paper) T3 is selected as the small paper T. Alternatively, the second selection unit 94 uses the A5 size paper even when the A4 size paper having an integer multiple of the paper size based on the first paper size information is not stored in the paper feed cassette 36. Also, among the paper T having a large paper size, a B5 size paper (third paper) T3 as the paper T having the smallest paper size stored in the plurality of paper feed cassettes 36 is selected.

When the second sheet T2 is selected by the first selection unit 92, the image formation control unit 95 assigns a plurality of images based on the image information to the second sheet T2 so as to form an image. When the third paper T is selected by the second selection unit 94 by controlling the paper transport unit 30 and the engine unit 3 and the paper transport so as to form an image based on the image information on the third paper T3. The unit 30 is controlled.
Specifically, when the first selection unit 92 selects a sheet (second sheet) T2 such as an A4 size that is an integral multiple of the A5 size, the image forming control unit 95 selects a sheet T2 such as an A4 size. The engine unit 3 and the paper transport unit 30 are controlled so as to perform image formation by assigning a plurality of images based on the image information to the B5 size paper (third paper) T3 by the second selection unit 94. In this case, the engine unit 3 and the paper transport unit 30 are controlled to form an image based on the image information on the B5 size paper T3.
In each embodiment, “forming” an image on the paper T mainly means “printing” the image on the paper T.

  Next, the operation of the copy machine 1 in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which an image is printed by the copier according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the copying machine 1. As in the specific example described above, the three paper feed cassettes 36a, 36b, and 36c shown in FIG. 1 have A5 size paper T1 as the first paper T and B5 as the third paper T, respectively. A size paper T3 and a second paper T, A4 size paper T2, are accommodated.

  As described above, the paper size detection unit 39 detects the second paper size information indicating the presence / absence of the paper T having the paper sizes A5, B5, and A4 of each paper feed cassette 36. In order to detect the paper size of the paper T accommodated in each paper feed cassette 36, the paper size detector 39 is disposed near the end of the paper T of each size accommodated as shown in FIG. The

  In step ST1 of FIG. 4, for example, the image information receiving unit 91 receives image information of an A5 size document from the document reading unit 20, and the paper T stored in each paper feed cassette 36 from the paper size detection unit 39. The second paper size information is received.

  In step ST2, the engine unit 3 sequentially forms images corresponding to the first paper T1. For example, the engine unit 3 sequentially forms a plurality of images corresponding to the A5 size paper T1 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36a.

  In step ST3, the first selection unit 92 determines whether or not the first sheet T1 has run out during image formation. That is, the first selection unit 92 determines whether or not the A5 size paper T1 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 23a is exhausted based on the information sent from the paper detection unit 38. If the first sheet T1 is stored (No), the process proceeds to step ST4.

  In step ST4, the first selection unit 92 selects the first sheet T1. That is, since the paper detection unit 38 detects that the A5 size paper T1 is stored in the paper feed cassette 36a, the first selection unit 92 selects the A5 size paper T1.

  In step ST5, the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 and the sheet conveyance unit 30 so as to form an image on the first sheet T1, that is, the A5 size sheet T1 accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette 36a. .

  In step ST6, the image formation control unit 95 determines whether or not the formation of all images based on the image information received by the image information receiving unit 91 is completed. If an image to be formed still remains after the image is formed on the A5 size paper T conveyed from the paper feed cassette 36a (No), the process returns to step ST3. As long as it is determined in step ST3 that the first sheet T1 is stored in the sheet feeding cassette 36a (No) and it is determined in step ST6 that an image to be formed still remains (No), step ST3 The loop process of step ST6 is repeatedly executed.

  If the first selection unit 92 determines in step ST3 that the first sheet T1 has run out based on the information supplied from the sheet detection unit 38 during this loop process (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST7. Proceed to

  In step ST <b> 7, the first selection unit 92 determines whether or not the second paper T <b> 2 having an integral multiple paper size is stored in the paper feed cassette 36. That is, the first selection unit 92 determines whether or not the A4 size paper T2 having a paper size twice as large as the A5 size is stored in the paper feed cassette 36c. If the second paper having an integral multiple paper size is stored in the paper feed cassette 36 (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST8.

  In step ST8, the first selection unit 92 selects the second sheet T2. That is, the first selection unit 92 selects the A4 size paper T2 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36c.

  In step ST <b> 9, the determination unit 93 determines whether there is a second sheet T <b> 2 to which a plurality of images are not allocated when the images are sequentially allocated to the second sheet T <b> 2. That is, when the determination unit 93 sequentially assigns two pages of A5 size to the A4 size paper T2 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36c, the determination unit 93 cannot assign an image of two pages to the entire surface. It is determined whether or not the sheet T2 is present. If the image I for two pages of A5 size can be assigned to the entire surface of the A4 size paper T2, the process proceeds to step ST10.

  In step ST10, the image formation control unit 95 forms an image for two pages on the second sheet T2, that is, the A4 size sheet T2 accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette 36c, and the engine unit 3 and the sheet conveying unit. 30 is controlled. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3A, an image I for two pages of A5 size is formed on the entire surface of the A4 size paper T2.

  In step ST6, the image formation control unit 95 determines whether or not the formation of all images based on the image information received by the image information receiving unit 91 is completed. If the image to be formed still remains after the image is formed on the A4 size paper T2 (No), the process returns to step ST3.

  In step ST3, when the first selection unit 92 determines that the first A5 size paper T1 in the paper feed cassette 36a has run out (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST7.

  In step ST7, the first selection unit 92 determines whether or not the A4 size paper T2 that is twice the A5 size paper T1 is stored in the paper feed cassette 36c. If the first selection unit 92 determines that the A4 size paper T2 is stored in the paper feed cassette 36c (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST8.

  In step ST8, the first selection unit 92 selects the A4 size paper T2 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36c.

  In step ST <b> 9, the determination unit 93 determines whether there is a second sheet T <b> 2 to which a plurality of images are not allocated when the images are sequentially allocated to the second sheet T <b> 2. In other words, the determination unit 93 determines whether or not there is an A4 size sheet T2 to which a plurality of images are not allocated when an A5 size image is allocated to the A4 size sheet T2. For example, when the remaining image to be formed is an image for one page, if the image is assigned to the A4 size paper T2, a useless margin for the A5 size is generated on the A4 size paper T2. There is A4 size paper T2 to which a plurality of images are not assigned on the entire surface. As described above, when there is the second sheet T2 to which a plurality of images are not assigned on the entire surface (Yes), the process proceeds to step ST11.

  In step ST11, the second selection unit 94 selects the first paper T as the paper T having the smallest paper size stored in the plurality of paper feed cassettes 36 among the papers T having a paper size larger than the first paper T1. 3 paper T3 is selected. That is, the second selection unit 94 sets the paper T having the smallest paper size among the papers T accommodated in the plurality of paper feed cassettes 36 among the papers T having a paper size larger than the A5 size paper T1. The B5 size paper T3 in the paper feed cassette 36b is selected.

  In this way, even if the first selection unit 92 once selects the second sheet T2 (A4 size sheet T2 in the sheet feeding cassette 36c) in step ST8, the second selection unit 94 in step ST11 Instead of the second paper T2, the third paper T3 (B5 size paper T3 in the paper feed cassette 36b) is selected. That is, the selection of the second selection unit 94 has priority over the selection of the first selection unit 92.

  In step ST12, the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 and the paper transport unit 30 so as to form an image on the third paper T3. That is, the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 and the sheet conveyance unit 30 so as to form an image on the B5-sized sheet T3 accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette 36b.

  In step ST6, the image formation control unit 95 determines whether or not the formation of all images based on the image information received by the image information receiving unit 91 is completed. If the image formation control unit 95 determines that there are still images to be formed (No), the process returns to step ST3.

  In step ST3, if the first selection unit 92 determines that the first A5 size paper T1 in the paper feed cassette 36a has run out (No), the process proceeds to step ST7. In step ST7, when the first selection unit 92 determines that the A4 size paper T2 as the second paper T2 having an integral multiple paper size is not accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36 (No), The process proceeds to step ST13.

  In step ST13, the second selection unit 94 selects the B5-sized paper T3 stored in the paper feed cassette 36b as the third paper T3.

  In step ST14, the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 and the sheet conveyance unit 30 so as to form an image on the third sheet T3, that is, the B5 size sheet T3 accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette 36b. .

  In step ST6, the image formation control unit 95 determines whether or not the formation of all images based on the image information received by the image information receiving unit 91 is completed. If all the images have been formed (Yes), the process ends.

As described above, according to the copying machine 1 of the first embodiment, the following effects are produced.
In other words, the copying machine 1 according to the first embodiment has a first paper housed in the paper feed cassette 36 when an image based on image information is formed on a first paper T1 as a paper T having a paper size. When it is detected that the paper T1 has run out, the first selection unit 92 is controlled to select the second paper T2 having an integral multiple of the paper size, and the entire surface of the second paper T2 is selected. The determination unit 93 determines whether or not the second sheet T2 to which no image is allocated is generated, and when it is determined that the second sheet T2 to which no image is allocated is generated or an integer multiple of the sheet size. When the second paper T2 having the size of the first paper T2 is not stored in the paper feed cassette 36, the second selection unit 94 is controlled so that the second paper T2 is larger than the first paper T1. The smallest paper size Select the third sheet T3, and controls the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 and the paper transport unit 30 to form an image based on image information on the selected paper T.

  Thereby, according to the copier 1 of the first embodiment, the image can be efficiently formed on the paper T with the size of the image desired by the user.

  In the copying machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the paper size detection unit 39 detects the paper size of the paper T stored in the paper feed cassette 36. Specifically, the paper size information is detected by detecting the paper sizes of the A5 size paper T1, the B5 size paper T2, and the A4 size paper T3 respectively stored in the paper feed cassettes 36a, 36b, and 36c. This is supplied to the control unit 90.

  The storage unit 80 stores the relationship between the paper size detection unit 39 and the paper size of the paper T and the paper size of the paper T that is an integral multiple of the paper size of the paper T. Specifically, the A5 size paper T accommodated in the paper feed cassettes 36a, 36b, and 36c, the B5 size paper T3 that is approximately 1.5 times larger than the A5 size, and twice the A5 size, respectively. A4 size paper T2 of the size is stored.

  Based on the relationship read from the storage unit 80, the first selection unit selects an integer multiple of the paper size based on the paper size information from the paper T having the paper size detected by the paper size detection unit 39. A second sheet T2 having a thickness is selected. Specifically, when an image corresponding to A5 size paper T1 is formed and the A5 size paper T1 is not in the paper feed cassette 36a, the first selection unit is accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36c. A4 size paper T2 is selected.

  Thus, according to the copier 1 of the first embodiment, when forming an image of a certain paper size, based on the relationship between the image to be formed and the paper size of the paper T that is an integral multiple of the paper size. Thus, the image can be quickly formed on the paper T with the image size desired by the user.

  In the copier 1 according to the first embodiment, the second selection unit selects the third paper T3 from the paper T having the paper size detected by the paper size detection unit 39. Specifically, the second selection unit assigns a plurality of A5 size images based on the image information to A4 size paper (second paper) T, which is a multiple of the A5 size, by the determination unit 93. When it is determined that a sheet of A4 size or the like that cannot be printed occurs, or when a sheet of A4 size or the like having an integral multiple of the sheet size based on the surface size information is not accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36 Among the paper T having the paper size detected by the paper size detecting unit 39, the paper size of the paper stored in the plurality of paper feed cassettes 36 among the paper T having a paper size larger than the A5 size paper. B5 size paper (third paper) T as the smallest paper T is selected.

  Thereby, according to the copying machine 1 in the first embodiment, even when images of a certain paper size cannot be allocated to a paper T that is an integral multiple of the paper size, a paper size larger than that of the paper size. By forming an image on the paper T having the smallest paper size among the large paper T, the image is efficiently printed on the paper so that useless margins are minimized with the size of the image desired by the user. T can be formed.

  In the copying machine 1 according to the first embodiment, any one or more of the sides constituting the outer edge of the image based on the image information is the outer edge of the third paper T3 when the image is formed on the third paper T3. Coincides with one or more of the sides constituting. Specifically, in FIG. 3B, the left side and the upper side of the image I corresponding to the A5 size paper indicated by the dotted line coincide with the left side and the upper side of the B5 size paper T3, respectively.

  Thereby, according to the copying machine 1 in the first embodiment, when the paper T on which the image is formed is cut and processed into a paper having a desired image size, the cutting portion is minimized. Can be.

  In the copier 1 in the first embodiment, the image formation control unit 95 is used as a cutting guide on the outer edge of the image based on the image information formed on each of the second paper T2 and the third paper T3. The engine unit 3 is controlled to form a cutting line image. Specifically, the image formation control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 so that, as shown in FIG. 3A, adjacent outer edges of two A5 size images I formed on A4 size paper T2. In addition, an image of a cutting line L used as cutting guidance is formed. Further, the image forming control unit 95 controls the engine unit 3 and uses it as a cutting guide on the outer edge of the A5 size image I formed on the B5 size paper T3 as shown in FIG. 3B. An image of the cutting line L to be formed is formed.

  Thereby, according to the copying machine 1 in the first embodiment, when the paper T on which the image is formed is cut and processed into a paper having a desired image size, the cutting is performed very easily. Can do.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an example of a sheet on which an image is printed by the copier according to the second embodiment. The operation of the copier 1 in the second embodiment will be described with the aid of the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the operation of the copier 1 in the second embodiment, the processes of steps ST1 to ST8 and step ST10 in FIG. 4 are executed. However, in the process of determining whether or not the second sheet having an integral multiple of the sheet size is stored in the sheet feed cassette in step ST7, the second sheet is stored when the second sheet is stored (Yes). For example, not only the A4 size paper T2 but also the A3 size paper is selected as the paper.

  In step ST7 of FIG. 4, if the second sheet having an integral multiple of the sheet size is not stored in the sheet cassette (No), error processing (print cancellation) is executed.

  That is, in the copier 1 in the second embodiment, when the A5 size paper T1 (first paper T1) in the paper feed cassette 36a runs out, the first selection unit 92 first selects the paper feed cassette 36c. A4 size paper T2 is selected. Further, when the A4 size paper T2 in the paper feed cassette 36c runs out, the first selection unit 92 selects the A3 size paper in the other paper feed cassette.

  For example, when an image for three pages is formed, if the A5 size paper T1 (first paper T1) in the paper feed cassette 36a runs out, first, as shown in FIG. Two images I are formed on the first A4 size paper T2, and an image of a cutting line L used as a cutting guide is formed on adjacent outer edges of the two images I. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, one image I is formed on the second A4 size paper T2, and an image of a cutting line L used as a cutting guide on the outer edge of the image I. Form.

  Further, when forming an image for three pages, not only the A5 size paper T1 (first paper T1) of the paper feed cassette 36a but also the A4 size paper T of the paper feed cassette 36c is lost. As shown in FIG. 6, three images I are formed on one A3 size paper T, and two cutting lines L used as cutting guides are formed on adjacent outer edges of the three images I. Form an image.

As described above, according to the copying machine 1 of the second embodiment, the following effects are produced.
That is, the copier 1 of the second embodiment is configured such that the first paper accommodated in the paper feed cassette 36 when an image based on the image information is formed on the first paper T1 as the paper T having the paper size. When it is detected that the paper T1 has run out, the first selection unit 92 is controlled to select an arbitrary second paper T2 having an integral multiple of the paper size, and the image formation control unit 95 is controlled. Then, the engine unit 3 and the sheet conveying unit 30 are controlled so as to form an image based on the image information on the selected sheet T.

  Thereby, according to the copying machine 1 of the second embodiment, the image can be efficiently formed on the paper T with the size of the image desired by the user, and the image is cut without being formed. The paper portion can be reused.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, in the process of determining whether or not the second sheet having an integral multiple of the sheet size is stored in the paper feed cassette, the second sheet is stored (step ST7 in FIG. 4). In the case of Yes), the user is made to select the A4 size paper T or the A3 size paper T to be used as the second paper.

  For example, when an image for three pages is formed, if the A5 size paper T (first paper T1) in the paper feed cassette 36a runs out, the image formation shown in FIG. 6 makes the user select whether to form the image shown in FIG. When prompting this selection, for example, “A4 size” and “A3 size” are displayed on the display surface of the touch panel provided in the operation unit 70, and the user can operate the cursor switch, the start switch, or the stop switch. Accordingly, either A4 size or A3 size is selected, or printing stop is selected. In this case, illustrations or the like that simulate FIGS. 5 and 6 may be displayed at the same time.

As described above, according to the copying machine 1 of the third embodiment, the following effects are produced.
In other words, the copying machine 1 according to the third embodiment has a first paper housed in the paper feed cassette 36 when an image based on image information is formed on a first paper T1 as a paper T having a paper size. When it is detected that the paper T1 has run out, the first selection unit 92 is controlled to present a plurality of second papers T2 having a size that is an integral multiple of the paper size, and depending on the operation, The second sheet is selected, and the image forming control unit 95 is controlled to control the engine unit 3 and the sheet conveying unit 30 so as to form an image based on the image information on the selected sheet T.

  As a result, according to the copying machine 1 of the second embodiment, the image can be efficiently formed on the paper T with the size of the image desired by the user, and when the user runs out of paper, An image can be formed reflecting the intention.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can implement with a various form.

  The copier 1 of the first to third embodiments is a color copier, but is not limited to this form, and may be a monochrome copier.

  In the copying machine 1 of the present embodiment, the toner image is transferred to the paper T via the intermediate transfer belt 48 (indirect transfer method). However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and is formed on the photosensitive drum. The transferred toner image may be directly transferred to the paper T (direct transfer method).

  The copier 1 of the present embodiment is configured to print one side of the paper T, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to print both sides of the paper.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the copying machine 1 described above. In other words, the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a multi-function machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function, or may be a printer.

  The image forming medium on which the toner image is formed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the paper T, and may be a film sheet such as an OHP (overhead projector) sheet. In this case, a film sheet transport unit is used instead of the paper transport unit 30 as the transport unit. In addition, a film sheet detection unit is used instead of the paper detection unit 38 as the image forming medium detection unit.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the single use (stand alone) copying machine 1 described above. For example, the image forming apparatus may be connected to a plurality of terminal devices such as personal computers via a wireless or wired communication line.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copy machine (image forming apparatus), 3 ... Engine part, 30 ... Paper conveyance part (conveyance part), 38 ... Paper detection part (image formation medium detection part), 39 ... Paper size detection part, 80 ... Memory | storage part 91 ... Image information receiving unit, 92 ... First selection unit, 93 ... Judgment unit, 94 ... Second selection unit, 95 ... Image formation control unit, T ... Paper (image forming medium)

Claims (5)

An engine unit for forming an image on an image forming medium;
A plurality of storage cassettes each capable of storing a plurality of types of image forming media of different sizes;
A transport unit configured to transport the image forming medium stored in the storage cassette to the engine unit one by one;
An image forming medium detection unit for detecting that the image forming medium is no longer in the housing cassette;
An image information receiving unit that receives image information including size information indicating a size of an image forming medium on which an image is formed;
In the case where an image based on the image information is formed on a first image forming medium serving as an image forming medium having a size based on the size information included in the image information received by the image information receiving unit. When the image forming medium detection unit detects that the first image forming medium stored in the storage cassette is lost, the image forming medium has a size that is an integral multiple of the size based on the size information. A first selection unit that selects a second image forming medium as an image forming medium accommodated in the accommodation cassette;
When sequentially assigning a plurality of images based on the image information to the second image forming medium, whether or not a second image forming medium in which no image is assigned to the entire surface of the second image forming medium is generated. A judgment unit for judging;
When the determination unit determines that a second image forming medium in which no image is allocated to the entire surface of the second image forming medium is generated, or has an integer multiple of the size based on the size information When the second image forming medium is not stored in the storage cassette, the image forming medium stored in the plurality of storage cassettes among the image forming media having a size larger than that of the first image forming medium. A second selection unit that selects a third image forming medium as the image forming medium having the smallest size;
When the second image forming medium is selected by the first selection unit, the engine unit and the transport so as to perform image formation by allocating a plurality of images based on the image information to the second image forming medium. The engine unit and the transport so as to form an image based on the image information on the third image forming medium when the second selecting unit selects the third image forming medium. An image formation control unit for controlling the unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising: A size detector for detecting the size of the image forming medium stored in the storage cassette;
A storage unit that stores a relationship between the size of the image forming medium and the size of the image forming medium that is an integral multiple of the size of the image forming medium;
The first selection unit is an integer multiple of the size based on the size information among the image forming media having a size detected by the size detection unit based on the relationship read from the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second image forming medium having a thickness is selected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second selection unit selects a third image forming medium from among the image forming media having a size detected by the size detection unit. Any one or more of the sides constituting the outer edge of the image based on the image information constitutes the outer edge of the third image forming medium when the image is formed on the third image forming medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus matches one or more of the sides. The image forming control unit forms an image of a cutting line used as a cutting guide on an outer edge of an image based on image information formed on each of the second image forming medium and the third image forming medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engine unit is controlled so as to perform the operation.

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