JP2013195519A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire the most optimal image even in the case of printing images in a multiple-image printing mode for printing by multiply arranging images consisting of monochrome images and color (color point) images on a recording medium.SOLUTION: Upon input of a multiple-image printing mode instruction and information on the number of images, an image process part 102 generates image data for cutting-borderlines on the basis of sheet size information and information on the number of images, and, upon input of image position check mode instruction, outputs an image position-checking printed matter produced by causing a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 to print cutting-borderlines on a sheet of the size and causing an inkjet color point print device 20 to print a color image on the basis of the image data and color image data. Then, upon input of a printing instruction, multiply arranged images are printed and output, the images in which monochrome images are printed by the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 and color images are printed by the inkjet color point print device 20 in the individual zone sectioned by the cutting-borderlines of the second sheet, and thereafter, of the same as the aforementioned sheet on the basis of the image data consisting of the monochrome image and the color image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having two image forming units of different types.

Composite image formation having the following first image forming means (hereinafter also referred to as “electrophotographic image forming means”) and second image forming means (hereinafter also referred to as “inkjet image forming means”) as an image forming apparatus Apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “hybrid printing apparatus”).
The electrophotographic image forming unit forms an image (also referred to as “printing” or “printing”) on a sheet, which is a sheet-like recording medium, by an electrophotographic method.
The inkjet image forming unit forms an image by an inkjet method on a sheet on which an image is formed by the electrophotographic image forming unit.

In such a hybrid printing apparatus, it is possible to realize a function of a multi-sided mode in which the same image composed of a single color image and a color point image is arranged on multiple sides to form an image.
By the way, since business cards, tickets, distribution cards, and the like, which are printed products of the same image, are small in size, they are often printed on paper in a multi-sided state and cut into a predetermined size after printing.
For example, in the case of business cards, personal information such as name, address, phone number, and email address must be printed as a black (single color) image, and the corporate mark, etc., must be printed as an original color (color) image unique to the company. It is done.

For such business card printing, a color inkjet printer, which is an inkjet image forming means, may be used. However, since the character size is considerably small in the personal information portion of black characters, there is a problem that in the case of printing with inkjet ink, the small character portion blurs and becomes unclear on ordinary paper, making it difficult to read.
In this regard, electrophotographic copiers and laser printers print black characters clearly even on normal paper, so the personal information section is printed with a monochrome monochrome electrophotographic printer, which is an inexpensive electrophotographic image forming means, and is used for color corporate It is conceivable to print the mark portion with a color ink jet printer.
In a monochrome monochrome electrophotographic printer, a machine in which a paper feed port of an ink jet apparatus for printing a color mark is attached to the paper discharge port is convenient.

Patent Document 1 discloses a hybrid printer having a first image forming unit corresponding to an electrophotographic image forming unit and a second image forming unit corresponding to an inkjet image forming unit. A configuration is disclosed in which the position of the leading end portion of a recording sheet, which is a recording medium, is detected by a CCD sensor, and control is performed so that the position of the inkjet image becomes appropriate.
Patent Documents 2 to 4 disclose a composite image forming apparatus having a stencil printing unit corresponding to an electrophotographic image forming unit and an ink jet printing unit corresponding to an ink jet image forming unit. Points relating to printing (integrated printing) in the multi-chamfer mode as shown in the following (1) to (3) are disclosed.

(1) It is shown that the paper width direction position of the ink jet print image can be adjusted by the moving mechanism 36, and that the position adjustment in the paper transport direction is performed by the operation timing of the ink jet head.
(2) Keys to be operated and an input method when moving the position of the inkjet print image with respect to the paper on the operation panel are shown. In this input method, the movement amount can be input numerically.
(3) It is shown that an operator visually confirms a printed matter that has been test-printed and adjusts the image position based on the result.

In the monochrome monochrome electrophotographic printer as described above, it is possible to position and print the image position with respect to the printing paper with substantially sufficient accuracy.
However, in the case of a print image by a color ink jet printer in which a paper feed port is attached to the paper discharge port of the monochrome monochrome electrophotographic printer, the reliability of the print image position accuracy is inevitably lowered. That is, image position deviation is likely to occur.

This is due to variations in the mounting position of the device. Originally, a single image data is divided into two parts, one is sent to a monochrome monochrome electrophotographic printer, and the other is sent to a color inkjet printer. This is also because the settings may be different. In addition, the setting of the ink ejection timing of the color ink jet printer needs to be matched with the machine.
In particular, in the case of an image in the multi-planar mode (multi-planar aggregated image), it is difficult to determine whether or not each of the divided and arranged images is printed at the correct position with respect to the divided frame line, which is likely to cause a problem.

FIG. 8 of Patent Document 2 shows a case of an image divided into four planes, and a cutting frame line at the time of cutting is described. However, when such a frame line is actually printed, Since there is a problem that the border line remains at the end portion of the business card due to the cutting position deviation, printing is performed without the border line. Then, there is a problem that it becomes more difficult to grasp the positional deviation of the color point image.
As described in Patent Document 2, it is troublesome and difficult to adjust the image position by visually confirming a test print, and if the target position is not well known, the direction in which the image is moved is easily misplaced or moved. There is also a problem that it is troublesome because the measurement is necessary for the numerical value input of the amount, and the movement numerical value input is easy to be mistaken.

Whether it is described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, the idea is to align the image position with reference to the edge of the paper. Since there are a number of color marks on one sheet, each position information can be seen from the end face. The idea of aligning the position of the color mark with respect to the cutting frame line is more appropriate and simple.
In the case of the one described in Patent Document 2, it is essential to visually check the test print, but if the inkjet image position is within a certain allowable range, a large number of images are automatically and continuously printed. It is desirable to give me.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. In an image forming apparatus having a first image forming unit (electrophotographic image forming unit) and a second image forming unit (inkjet image forming unit), An object of the present invention is to obtain an optimum image even when image formation is performed in a multi-cavity mode in which the same image composed of a single color image and a color point image is arranged in multiple sides on one recording medium to form an image. To do.

The present invention provides a first image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet-like recording medium by an electrophotographic method, and a first image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium on which an image has been formed by the first image forming unit. In order to achieve the above object, each of the units shown in the following (a) to (c) is provided.
(A) When an instruction of a multi-chamfer mode for forming an image by arranging multiple images of the same image consisting of a single color image and a color point image on one recording medium and information on the number of multi-chamfer planes are input Cutting boundary line image data generating means for automatically generating cutting boundary image data of a multi-sided image from the size information of the recording medium used for forming and the number of face information

(B) The cutting boundary line image data generated by the cutting boundary line image data generating means when the multi-point chamfering mode instruction and the number-of-surfaces information are input together with the color point image position confirmation mode instruction. And the image data of the color point image, the cutting boundary line by the first image forming unit and the color point image by the second image forming unit on the recording medium having the size information. Image position confirmation image forming control means for outputting only one image position confirmation recording medium on which image formation has been performed.

(C) Each region partitioned by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media having the same size as the recording medium when an image formation instruction is input after the recording medium for image position confirmation is output In addition, based on the same image data consisting of a single color image and the color point image, the first image forming means only displays the single color image, and the second image forming means determines the color point image. Multi-surface image forming control means for forming and outputting arranged images

  According to the present invention, even when the image forming apparatus executes image formation by the multi-sided capture mode in which the same image composed of a single color image and a color point image is arranged on multiple sides on one recording medium to perform image formation, An image can be obtained.

1 is a front view illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printed matter that is printed out by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a cutting boundary line when the printed material 303 illustrated in FIG. 3A is cut into eight sheets. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image position confirmation printed matter that is output only when one instruction for a color point image position confirmation mode is input by the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of input / output information for an image processing unit 102 and the like in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation panel 101 in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the position detection of the color corporate mark image on the image position confirmation printed matter 305 of FIG. 5 by the image position detection device 30 of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of user operation on the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 or the operation panel 101 shown in FIG. 2 and control in the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation. 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the control shown in FIG. 9.

6 is a flowchart showing a second example of user operation on the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 or the operation panel 101 shown in FIG. 2 and control in the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation. 12 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the control shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a third example of user operation on the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 or the operation panel 101 shown in FIG. 2 and control in the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation. 6 is a flowchart showing a third example of user operation on the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 or the operation panel 101 shown in FIG. 2 and control in the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus.
This image forming apparatus 1 is a composite type image forming apparatus. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 which is a main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and a paper feed port at its discharge port. An ink-jet color point printing device 20 is provided, and an image position detection device 30 is provided with a paper feed port at the paper discharge port.

The monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 is a first image forming unit that forms an image on paper (also referred to as “printing”, “printing”, or “printing”). In this embodiment, paper is used, but other sheet-like recording media can also be used.
The monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 includes an optical writing unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, paper feed trays 14 and 15, paper feed rollers 16 and 16, and a registration roller pair 17 that is a positioning roller. And they constitute the electrophotographic engine part.

The optical writing unit 11 is constituted by an optical system including a light source such as a semiconductor laser and a polygon mirror which is a deflecting means, and the following operations are performed by these.
The light source is modulated and driven according to the image data, and a light beam such as a laser beam modulated according to the image data is emitted from the light source.
The light beam emitted from the light source is incident on and reflected by the reflecting surface of the polygon mirror that is bent by the cylinder lens and rotates at a constant speed.

The laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror is periodically deflected by the rotation of the polygon mirror.
Further, the laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror passes through the fθ lens, the dot pitch in the main scanning direction (same as the paper width direction) is equalized, reflected by the folding mirror, and the main scanning direction in the image forming unit 12. Are repeatedly scanned in the main scanning direction on the photosensitive member rotating in the sub-scanning direction (same as the paper transport direction) orthogonal to the image, and electrostatic images are written on the photosensitive member by a light beam.

The image forming unit 12 includes a photoconductor that is a drum-shaped or belt-shaped image carrier, and a charging unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and the like are disposed around the photoconductor.
In the image forming unit 12, the photoconductor is rotated at a predetermined speed by a motor, the surface of the photoconductor is uniformly charged by the charging unit, and the charged surface is exposed by the light beam from the optical writing unit 11. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed.
Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner from the developing unit, whereby a visualized toner image is formed.

On the other hand, the paper in the selected paper feed tray 14 or 15 is fed / conveyed by the corresponding paper feed roller 16 at a predetermined timing, and waits at a position where the leading end is nipped by the registration roller pair 17.
After that, the sheet is conveyed again in time with the photoreceptor in the image forming unit 12, and the toner image on the photoreceptor is electrostatically transferred onto the sheet by the transfer unit.
The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 13, where the toner image on the sheet is heated and fixed, and is discharged from the discharge port.

The ink jet type color point printing apparatus 20 is a second image forming unit that forms an image by an ink jet system on a sheet on which an image is formed by the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10.
The ink jet color point printing apparatus 20 is movable in a paper width direction (hereinafter referred to as “main scanning direction”) orthogonal to the paper transport direction (hereinafter referred to as “sub-scanning direction”) or at a predetermined position in the main scanning direction. A fixed line-type inkjet recording head 21 and a conveyor belt 22 are provided, and these constitute an inkjet engine section.

In the ink jet recording head 21, four ink jet heads are arranged at predetermined intervals in the paper transport direction in the order of four colors of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). In addition, the color order which arrange | positions each inkjet head is not restricted to this.
In the ink jet type color point printing apparatus 20, when a sheet on which an image is formed by the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 is conveyed, the following operation (a) or (b) is performed.

(A) If each inkjet head of the inkjet recording head 21 is movable in the main scanning direction, each inkjet head is supplied from each ink supply pipe (not shown) while being moved in the main scanning direction by a carriage (not shown). Each color ink is ejected onto the paper transported by the transport belt 22 to print a color point image.
(B) If each inkjet head of the inkjet recording head 21 is fixed at a predetermined position in the main scanning direction, the ink supplied from each ink supply tube from each inkjet head is conveyed by the conveyance belt 22. The color point image is printed by ejecting the paper to be printed.
Note that a full-line type ink jet recording head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a paper width direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction so as to be able to print over almost the entire width in the paper width direction may be used.

  The image position detection device 30 is disposed downstream of the ink jet type color point printing device 20 in the paper conveyance direction, and an image sensor 31 which will be described later on the image position formed on the paper conveyed from the ink jet type color point printing device 20. The image position detecting means for detecting by.

  On the other hand, a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”) 2 can communicate with an image processing unit (not shown) in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 via a network 3 such as a LAN (local area network). It is connected to the. Note that an information processing apparatus other than the personal computer 2 may be connected to be communicable. The image processing unit in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 and an information processing apparatus such as the personal computer 2 may be directly connected by an interface (direct interface) of the USB standard or the IEEE1394 standard.

The personal computer 2 generates document image data (described later) to be printed by the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 and the inkjet color point printing apparatus 20 by the operation of an input device such as a keyboard by a user, and generates the monochrome electrophotographic data. To the image processing unit in the image forming apparatus 10.
The image processing unit in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives document image data sent from the personal computer 2, and based on the document image data, the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 and ink jet color point printing. Image data necessary for printing by the apparatus 20 is generated.

The monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 and the ink jet color point printing apparatus 20 may each include an image processing unit. In that case, the personal computer 2 is communicably connected to each image processing unit.
In this case, the image processing unit in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives the document image data (in this case, image data of a single color image) sent from the personal computer 2, and based on the document image data, Image data necessary for printing in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 is generated. The image processing unit in the ink jet type color point printing apparatus 20 receives original image data (in this case, image data of a color point image) sent from the personal computer 2, and based on the original image data, the ink jet type color point is received. Image data necessary for printing by the printing apparatus 20 is generated.

Next, the control system of the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Here, the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 is a digital copying machine or a digital multifunction machine.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system.
The monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation panel 101, an image processing unit 102, a peripheral device I / F 103, and an engine unit 104.

  The operation panel 101 includes operation keys and a display for inputting an instruction such as an operation request to the engine unit 104, the inkjet engine unit 20a in the inkjet color point printing apparatus 20, and the image position detection device 30 by a user operation. ing. As operation keys, hard keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key are used to input the above instructions. As the display, for example, a liquid crystal display unit is used in order to display the operation status.

The image processing unit 102 includes a CPU 201, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 202, a RAM 203, a ROM 204, a network interface (hereinafter “interface” is abbreviated as “I / F”) 205, and an HDD 206.
The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that manages and controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 including the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 including the image processing unit 102, the inkjet color point printing apparatus 20, and the image position detecting apparatus 30. is there.

  The ASIC 202 is a multi-function device board including a CPU 201, a RAM 203, a ROM 204, a network I / F 205, an HDD 206, a peripheral device I / F 103, an engine unit 104, and a plurality of I / Fs for connecting the operation panel 101, respectively. . The ASIC 202 is an IC that supports sharing of devices to be controlled by the CPU 201 and supports high efficiency of development of application programs and the like from the viewpoint of architecture. The ASIC 202 includes hardware elements for image processing.

A RAM 203 develops a program executed by the CPU 201 and applies a work area when various processes are performed and original image data as print data to a sheet by the engine unit 104 and the inkjet engine unit 20 a in the inkjet color point printing apparatus 20. It is a readable / writable memory (storage means) used as an image memory used when generating image data for printing a visible image.
The ROM 204 is a read-only storage unit that stores a fixed program including a boot program, data, and the like.

A network I / F 205 is a communication unit for bidirectional communication with an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer 2 that is an external apparatus via the network 3 and functions as a reception unit.
The HDD 206 is mass storage means for storing various data including various programs and various setting contents.
Note that the image processing unit 102 includes storage means other than the HDD 206, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM or an EEPROM (not shown), and various data can be stored therein.

The peripheral I / F 103 is a communication unit for communicating with the ink jet color point printing apparatus 20 and the image position detection apparatus 30.
The engine unit 104 optically reads a document image (scanning unit) 104a and the document image data from the scanner unit 104a or the document image data generated by the image processing unit 102 on a sheet as a visible image. And an electrophotographic engine unit 104b for printing. When the document image data is image data such as PDL (Printer Description Language) received from the personal computer 2 or the like, it is necessary to convert the image data into image data for printing a visible image on paper. If the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 is a printer, the engine unit 104 is an electrophotographic engine unit.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 including the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above, the CPU 201 in the image processing unit 102 follows the boot loader in the ROM 204 connected to the CPU 201 via the ASIC 202 when the power is turned on. , Various programs including an operating system (OS) and application programs in the HDD 206 are read out and expanded in the RAM 203. Then, by selectively executing the various programs, input / output to / from various devices connected to the self through the ASIC 202 is controlled, and an ink jet type color point printing apparatus using the engine unit 104 or the peripheral unit I / F 103 20 and the communication with the image position detecting device 30 are controlled. Thereby, the printing process by the engine unit 104, the printing process by the ink jet color point printing apparatus 20, and the image position detection process by the image position detection apparatus 30 are controlled.

  Accordingly, the image processing unit 102 including the CPU 201, the ROM 204, and the RAM 203 includes a cutting boundary line image data generation unit, a color point image position confirmation mode instruction input unit, and an image position confirmation image formation control unit that are units related to the present invention. The image forming control means, the color point image position automatic check mode instruction input means, the image position automatic check image formation control means, the deviation amount calculating means, the warning means, and the positional relationship dimension calculating means. it can.

Hereinafter, the parts related to the present invention in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in a simple manner with reference to FIGS.
First, a printed matter printed and output in the multi-chamfer mode by the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and a document image used for the printing will be described.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the printed matter and the original image.

  In this embodiment, a surface on which a sheet of paper is printed (print target surface) is divided into eight areas (hereinafter also referred to as “areas”). Then, on each area surface, based on the data of the same image consisting of a monochrome image and a color point image, only the monochrome image is formed by the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10, and the color point image is printed by the ink jet type color point printing apparatus 20. Are printed (formed) and output.

  In this example, the individual information (hereinafter referred to as black) shown in FIG. 3B, which is a single color image by the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10, is applied to each area surface of one sheet 300 shown in FIG. An image 301 that is simply referred to as “principal information” and a corporate mark image 302 (hereinafter referred to as “color corporate mark”) that is an original color shown in FIG. Then, a printed material 303 on which images (8 business card images) arranged in multiple faces are printed is output.

This print output is repeated for the preset number of copies (required copies).
Each printed matter 303 printed out is cut into eight parts by a cutting device (not shown), so that a large number of business cards are completed.
The identity information corresponds to an address, name, company name, telephone number, e-mail address, and the like. Further, the personal information image 301 may be a single color image other than black. Further, the number of divisions of one sheet surface is not limited to eight.

  Original image data, which is basic image data for a business card, is sent from the personal computer 2 to the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 for processing. That is, the original image data is created on the personal computer 2 in advance as shown in FIG. 3 in the form of multi-sided image data (in this example, “8-sided”), which is image data arranged in eight area surfaces. The image is transmitted to the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the image processing unit 102 uses the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 to generate image data for printing generated based on the image data of eight personal information images among the eight-sided document image data received from the personal computer 2. A control method in which image data for printing generated based on the image data of the eight color corporate mark images is sent to the inkjet engine unit 20a in the inkjet color point printer 20 to the electrophotographic engine unit 104b in the printer. This is a control method.

  Also, the original image data for one area surface is sent from the personal computer 2 to the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10, and the image processing unit 102 uses the information instructed from the operation panel 101 by a user operation. The document image data is automatically divided into eight divided parts. In this reduction 8 division, 8 images obtained by reducing the image data to 1/8 size are generated so that the image based on the original image data is arranged in multiple areas on each of the 8 divided areas. It is a process to do. From the image data divided into eight parts, the image data of the black monochromatic image and the image data of the color point image are identified and their image positions are calculated, and the images based on the respective image data are appropriately shared with appropriate positions. Control to be printed. A series of these control methods is the second control method.

  In FIG. 3, the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 is reliable in terms of the accuracy of the black image position with respect to the paper 300 used for printing, and usually does not require special confirmation. That is, even when the paper surface is divided by multi-cavity, it may be considered that the position of the personal information image 301 is printed almost correctly as calculated.

However, in the case of the ink jet type color point printing device 20 in which the paper feeding port is mounted on the paper discharge port of the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10, the reliability of the image position with respect to the paper 300 used for printing is low. There are the following needs because it is worrisome if the position is not confirmed in advance by dividing the paper surface into 8 parts. That is, for example, even when printing output of 20 sheets is desired, there is a need to confirm the image position of the color corporate mark image 302 for only one printed matter.
The control according to the present invention in this embodiment meets such needs.

Next, a cutting boundary line (also referred to as a “cutting frame line”) when cutting one printed matter 303 shown in FIG. 3A into eight sheets will be described.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the cutting boundary line.
In actual printing, as shown in FIG. 3A, the cutting boundary 401 in FIG. 4 is not printed. This is because there is a variation in the position of the cutting boundary line 401 and a variation in the actual cutting position. Even if the cutting boundary line 401 is printed, the cutting boundary line 401 remains at the end of the cutting boundary line 401 that is actually cut. It is because it becomes a malfunction.

However, in the case where the printing position (formation position) of the color corporate mark image 302 is confirmed in the state of being divided into eight as described above, such a cutting boundary line 401 is very convenient and position confirmation is possible. It becomes easy to do.
Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment enables the following inputs and operations.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image position confirmation printout that is output only when one instruction for the color point image position confirmation mode is input by the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 uses a dedicated image position confirmation mode for confirming the printing position of the color corporate mark image 302 on the paper 300. It is possible to input a color point image position confirmation mode instruction.

  Then, when the color point image position confirmation mode is instructed, based on the generated image data of the cutting boundary line and the image data of the color corporate mark image which is the image data of the color point image, the following Take control. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the boundary line 401 for cutting is printed on the sheet 300 having the size information obtained by the electrophotographic engine unit 104b in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Only one image position confirmation printed matter (image position confirmation recording medium) 305, on which each color corporate mark image 302, which is a color point image, is printed (image formation) by the inkjet engine unit 20a in the apparatus 20 is output.

The user confirms the printing position of the color corporate mark image 302 with respect to the cutting boundary line 401 with reference to the image surface of the output printed matter 305, and if the result of the confirmation is OK (OK), it will be described later. By pressing the start key (or confirmation OK key), the printed material 303 as shown in FIG.
This makes it possible to easily confirm the printing position of the color corporate mark image 302 with respect to the cutting boundary line 401. The personal information image 301 shown in (b) of FIG. 3 may or may not exist. Of course, since this is for confirmation, there is no problem even if there is a cutting boundary 401.

Next, input / output information for the image processing unit 102 and the like in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 and control (including processing) of the image processing unit 102 based on the input information will be described.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the input / output information.
The image processing unit 102 can input document image data 601 from the personal computer 2 or the scanner unit 104 a which is an external device of the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10. Document image data 601 sent from the personal computer 2 is image data such as image information, character information, color information indicating the color of an image or character, position information indicating the position of an image or character, or the like. Document image data 601 sent from the scanner unit 104a is bitmap image data.

  Further, when the user operates the operation panel 101, the user information image 301 (single color image) and the color corporate mark image 302 (color point image) are displayed on the single sheet 300 shown in FIG. It is possible to input a multi-chamfer mode instruction (multi-chamfer mode instruction) 602 for forming an image by arranging the same image in multiple planes. Note that it is possible to enable input (reception) of the multi-planning mode instruction 602 from the personal computer 2 by an operation on the personal computer 2. The multi-chamfer mode instruction 602 includes information on the number of faces (information indicating “eight faces” in the example of FIG. 3). Good.

  Further, in order to confirm the printing position of the color corporate mark image 302, an operation of the color point image position confirmation mode which is a dedicated image position confirmation mode (color point) is performed from the operation panel 101 by an operation on the operation panel 101 by the user. (Image position confirmation mode instruction) 603 can also be input. This function is a function as color point image position confirmation mode instruction input means. Instead of the instruction 603 for the color point image position confirmation mode or separately from the instruction, an instruction for the automatic color point image position check mode (color point image position automatic check mode instruction) may be input. This function is a function as color point image position automatic check mode instruction input means. Note that it is possible to input a color point image position confirmation mode instruction 603 or a color point image position automatic check mode instruction from the personal computer 2 by an operation on the personal computer 2.

  Furthermore, the size information (paper size information) 604 of the paper 300 used for printing from the operation panel 101, that is, the paper 300 fed from the paper feed cassette 14 or 15 in FIG. Input is also possible. Note that the paper size information 604 may be input by detecting the size of the paper 300 used for printing by a size detection sensor which is a size detection means arranged on the paper feed path. Alternatively, the paper size information 604 may be input from the personal computer 2 by an operation on the personal computer 2.

When the multi-processing mode instruction (including the number-of-surfaces information) 602 and the paper size information 604 are input, the image processing unit 102 sets the multi-processing mode, the number-of-surfaces information, and the paper size.
Then, image data (data indicating dimensions and positions) of the boundary line for cutting a multi-faced image is automatically generated by calculation from the set number-of-surfaces information and the paper size. This function is a function as a cutting boundary line image data generation unit.
When document image data 601 is input, the document image data 601 is converted into document image data for printing. That is, the document image data for printing is generated from the document image data 601.

That is, if the input document image data 601 is language information such as PDL, the color information is extracted from the document image data 601, and the document image data 601 is converted into the image data of the personal information image and the color based on the color information. It is identified with the image data of the corporate mark image.
At the same time, each position information, character information, and image information of each image data is extracted.
Then, the character information and position information extracted from the image data of the personal information image are used as image data for printing, and the color information, image information, and position information extracted from the image data of the color corporate mark image are used as image data for printing. Each can be used. These image data can be regarded as generated.

  If the input document image data 601 is bitmap-like image data, an image of the personal information image from the document image data 601 using character recognition software such as OCR (optical character recognition) or image recognition software. Recognize data and image data of color corporate mark images. At this time, color information is generated by recognizing the color, and based on the recognition result, the document image data 601 is identified as image data of the personal information image and image data of the color corporate mark image.

At the same time, each position of each image data is obtained (calculated) by calculation, and each position information is generated. In addition, character information and image information are generated by recognizing characters and images.
Then, the character information and position information recognized and generated from the image data of the personal information image is used as image data for printing, and the color information, image information and position information generated by recognition from the image data of the color corporate mark image are used. Each can be used as image data for printing. These image data can also be regarded as generated.

An electrophotographic engine writing control unit that controls the electrophotographic engine unit 104b in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 uses the generated image data of the cutting boundary line (consisting of dimension information and position information). 701 is sent out.
In addition, an ink jet engine writing control unit that controls the ink jet engine unit 20a in the ink jet type color point printing apparatus 20 uses the generated image data of a color corporate mark image for printing (consisting of color information, image information, and position information). Send to 702.

The image processing unit 102 performs the same processing as described above when the multi-sampling mode instruction 602 and the document image data 601 are input and the color point image position confirmation mode instruction 603 is input.
Further, based on the generated image data of the cutting boundary line (consisting of dimension information and position information) and the generated image data of the color corporate mark image for printing (consisting of character information and position information), the following processing is performed. I do.

That is, it instructs the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 to print a cutting boundary line. Accordingly, the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 prints the cutting boundary line 401 on the paper 300 fed by the electrophotographic engine unit 104b based on the image data of the cutting boundary line received from the image processing unit 102. Let
Further, it instructs the inkjet engine writing control unit 702 to print a color point image. Accordingly, the ink jet engine writing control unit 702 performs color corporate mark image 302 (color point image) on the sheet 300 fed by the ink jet engine unit 20a based on the image data of the color corporate mark image received from the image processing unit 102. ) Is printed.

As a result of these printing processes, only one image position confirmation printed material 305, which is a printed material on which the cutting boundary line 401 and the color corporate mark image 302 shown in FIG. 5 are printed, is output.
The above-described print processing function is a function as image position confirmation image formation control means.

It should be noted that the color point image position confirmation mode instruction 603 is input even when a multi-pointing mode instruction (including the number-of-surfaces information) 602 and the original image data 601 is input and an instruction of the color point image position automatic check mode is input. It is possible to perform the same printing process as when “” is input. This function is a function as image formation control means for automatic image position check.
According to the above processing, the cutting boundary line 401 is formed as a frame line of each area plane (divided image position) divided into eight on the paper 300, and the color corporate mark image 302 is formed on each area plane. It becomes possible.

Next, user operations on the personal computer 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 and specific controls in the personal computer 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operations will be described.
When a user (hereinafter also referred to as an “operator”) makes a business card, first, an operation on the operation panel 101 in FIG. 2 is performed, so that a multi-chamfer mode instruction (including information on the number of eight faces) 602 and paper in FIG. The size information 604 is input to the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10.
The operator also generates document image data 601 by an operation on the personal computer 2 in FIG. 1 and transmits it to the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10.

When the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives the document image data sent from the personal computer 2, the image processing unit 102 checks the document image data. Then, when it is identified that the image data of the color corporate mark image is included in the document image data, it is decided to use the inkjet engine unit 20a in the inkjet color point printing apparatus 20, and the received document image data is transferred to the person himself / herself. The image data of the information image and the image data of the color corporate mark image are identified, and each image data is classified.
When the multi-processing mode instruction 602 and the paper size information 604 are input, the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives a cutting boundary line (cutting frame) from the surface number information and the paper size information 604. (Line) image position is calculated, and image data of the cutting boundary line indicating the size (length) and position of the cutting boundary line is generated.

Here, the configuration of the operation panel 101 that enables input of instructions for causing the image processing unit 102 to perform various controls including the processing will be described.
FIG. 7 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation panel 101.
The operation panel 101 includes a liquid crystal display unit 801, a numeric keypad 802, a start key 803, a stop key 804, a selection key 805, and an enter key 806.

The liquid crystal display unit 801 is, for example, selectable modes including the multi-chamfer mode and the color point image position confirmation mode (or color point image position automatic check mode) shown in FIG. And display means for displaying an operation screen including such information. As the liquid crystal display unit 801, a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel on the surface can be used.
A numeric keypad 802 is a key for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies to be printed (number of output sheets) and a scaling ratio.
A start key 803 is a key for inputting an instruction to start printing.

A stop key 804 is a key for clearing the number of copies to be printed or inputting an instruction to stop an operation being performed (image reading operation or image forming operation).
A selection key 805 is a key for inputting a mode selection instruction displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 801.
The enter key 806 is a key for inputting an instruction for determining the mode selected by the select key 805.

  According to such a configuration, the operator refers to the various modes displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 801 and operates the color point image position confirmation mode (or color point image position) by operating the selection key 805 and the determination key 806. Automatic check mode) instruction 603 and multi-chamfer mode instruction 602 can be input. However, if the multi-face image mode instruction 602 is input before inputting the color point image position confirmation mode instruction 603, the image processing unit 102 guides the operator to input the color point image position confirmation mode instruction 603. It is desirable to display such information on the liquid crystal display unit 801. In this case, the operator will not forget to confirm the print position of the color corporate mark image (color point image) in the multi-chamfer mode. Note that the multi-chamfer mode instruction 602 may include information indicating the detailed arrangement of multi-chamfering as the surface count information.

  The image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives a multi-point taking mode instruction 602 and paper size information 604 from the operation panel 101, and also receives a color point image position confirmation mode instruction 603. After “20” is input as the number of copies by using the numeric keypad 802, when a print instruction is input by pressing the start key 803, image position confirmation print control is performed.

  That is, as described above, image data (including dimensional information and position information) of a cutting boundary line for printing is generated, and the image data is sent to the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701, and then the cutting boundary line Is sent together with information on the paper size (set paper size) set by the paper size information 604. Further, the image data (including color information, image information, and position information) of the color corporate mark image for printing generated as described above is sent to the ink jet engine writing control unit 702 in the ink jet color point printing apparatus 20. After that, a color point image print instruction is transmitted.

  When the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 receives the image data of the cutting boundary line for printing from the image processing unit 102 and receives a cutting boundary line print instruction together with the set paper size information, the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 Only one sheet of paper 300 is fed from the paper feed cassette 14 or 15. Then, based on the received image data of the cutting boundary line, the cutting boundary line 401 is written (formed) on the fed paper 300 by the electrophotographic engine unit 104b.

  When the inkjet engine writing control unit 702 receives image data of a color corporate mark image for printing from the image processing unit 102 and then receives an instruction to print a color point image, the ink jet engine writing control unit 702 is based on the received image data of the color corporate mark image. Thus, an image in which the color corporate mark images 302 are arranged in multiple planes is written by the inkjet engine unit 20a on each area surface partitioned by the cutting boundary line 401 of the sheet 300 conveyed from the electrophotographic engine unit 104b.

In this way, only one printed image position confirmation print 305 as shown in FIG. 5 is output.
The function of executing the above-described image position confirmation print control is a function as image position confirmation image formation control means.

If the operator refers to this single image position confirmation printed material 305 and determines that there is no problem in the arrangement and position of the color corporate mark image 302, the operator inputs a printing instruction by pressing the start key 803 again. Note that after outputting the image position confirmation printed material 305, a “confirmation OK” key (not shown) may be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 801, and a printing instruction may be input by selecting the key.
When a printing instruction is input, the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 performs multi-sided printing control.

  That is, after the image data (consisting of character information and position information) of the printing personal information image generated as described above is sent to the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701, the printing instruction of the personal information image is set to the set paper size. Send with information. This notification is repeated for the number of prints “20”. Also, image data of color corporate mark image (consisting of color information, image information, and position information) similar to the case of outputting a printed matter for confirming image position is controlled by ink jet engine writing control in the ink jet type color point printer 20. After sending the data to the unit 702, a print instruction for the color point image is sent. This notification is also repeated for the number of copies “20”.

  The electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 receives the print information of the personal information image for printing from the image processing unit 102, and then receives the print instruction of the personal information image together with the set paper size information. The second and subsequent sheets 300 of the same size as 300 are fed from the sheet feeding cassette 14 or 15. Then, based on the received image data of the personal information image, an image is written in which the personal information image 301 is arranged in multiple planes by the electrophotographic engine unit 104b on each area surface partitioned by the cutting boundary line 401 of the fed paper 300. To do. This writing is repeatedly performed on 20 sheets of paper 300.

The ink jet engine writing control unit 702 receives the image data of the color corporate mark image for printing from the image processing unit 102, and then receives the image data of the color corporate mark image received every time it receives a print instruction of the color point image. On the basis of this, an image in which the color corporate mark images 302 are arranged on multiple sides is written by the inkjet engine unit 20a on each area surface of the sheet 300 conveyed from the electrophotographic engine unit 104b. This writing is repeatedly performed on 20 sheets of paper 300.
Thus, the cutting boundary line 401 is not written, and 20 printed products 303 as shown in FIG.

The function of executing the above-described multi-sided printing control is a function as a multi-sided image forming control unit.
In this example, the image processing unit 102 transmits the image data of the cutting boundary line for printing and the image data of the personal information image for printing to the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 at different timings. However, after sending at the same timing, the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 prints the principal information image according to the printing instruction of the principal information image and prints the color point image according to the printing instruction of the color point image. You can also. Such control is performed in the control shown in FIGS.

  The image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives a multi-spot mode instruction 602 and paper size information 604 from the operation panel 101, and also receives a color point image position automatic check mode instruction. When “20” is input as the number of copies by the numeric keypad 802, and a print instruction is input by pressing the start key 803, the image position automatic check print control similar to the image position confirmation print control is performed, and the image A printed matter for automatic position check (recording medium for automatic image position check) is output. The function of executing the image position automatic check printing control is a function as image position automatic check image formation control means.

  Positional relationship between the image position (printing position) of the cutting boundary line 401 detected by the image position detecting device 30 and the image position of at least one of the color corporate mark images 302 when the printed image position check is output Is compared with the size of the positional relationship calculated from the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line 401 and the position of the image data corresponding to at least one of the image data of the color corporate mark image 302, The amount of deviation due to the difference is calculated. This function is a function as a deviation amount calculation means.

Then, when the calculated misalignment amount is within a predetermined amount set in advance, multi-sided printing control similar to that described above is performed, and when exceeding the predetermined amount, a warning is issued. This function is a function as a warning means. Note that even when a printing instruction is input after the warning, the above-described multi-sided printing control can be performed.
Alternatively, when the calculated deviation amount exceeds a predetermined amount set in advance, the following processing is performed when performing the multi-face print control similar to the above. That is, the printing position of the color corporate mark image 302 by the inkjet engine unit 20a is corrected by the inkjet engine writing control unit 702 according to the amount of deviation.

Here, the position detection of the color corporate mark image 302 on the image position confirmation print 305 in FIG. 5 by the image position detection device 30 in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the position detection of the color corporate mark image 302.

  For example, the image position detection device 30 reads the image surface of the printed image 305 for image position confirmation shown in FIG. 8C to detect the image position of the cutting boundary line 401, and the image position and the color corporate mark image 302 are detected. The dimensions D and E of the positional relationship with at least one of the image positions are actually measured (actually measured). The image surface of the image position confirmation printed material 305 can be optically read using the image sensor 31 of FIG. In addition to the CCD image sensor, a proximity image detection sensor called CIS (including a CMOS image sensor) can be used as the image sensor 31, but the proximity image detection sensor is used for reading the image surface of the paper 300. Is more suitable.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit 102 uses the image data 401 ′ shown in FIG. 8A, which is the image data of the cutting boundary line 401 used for printing the printed image 305 for checking the image position shown in FIG. Of the image data 302 ′ shown in FIG. 8B, which is the image data of the color corporate mark image 302 used for printing the printed image 305 for confirming the image position shown in FIG. The positional relation dimensions D ′ and E ′ with the position of the image data corresponding to at least one are calculated from the position information of the image data 401 ′ and 302 ′.

That is, the positional relationship between the position of the image data 401 ′ shown in FIG. 8A and the position of the image data corresponding to at least one of the image data 302 ′ shown in FIG. As dimensions, the dimensions D ′ and E ′ of the positional relationship between the position of each of the image data 401 ′ surrounding the at least one image data 302 ′ and the position of the at least one image data 302 ′ are calculated. For example, the position of the portion surrounding the image data 302 ′ surrounded by the broken line in the image data 401 ′ shown in FIG. 8A (the second horizontal line from the top in the sub-scanning direction of the image data 401 ′). ) And the position D of the positional relationship between the position of the image data 302 ′ (the highest position in the sub-scanning direction and the left end position in the main scanning element direction). Is calculated.
Thereafter, the actually measured positional relation dimensions D and E are compared with the calculated positional relation dimensions D ′ and E ′, respectively, and deviation amounts ΔD = | D−D ′ | and ΔE = | EE−E ′ due to the difference therebetween. | Is calculated.

In response to an instruction from the operation panel 101, the image processing unit 102 can store and set the allowable deviation amounts ΔDr and ΔEr, which are predetermined amounts to be compared with the calculated deviation amounts ΔD and ΔE, in the HDD 206 in advance. The allowable deviation amounts ΔDr and ΔEr are both 1 mm, for example.
Therefore, if the calculated shift amounts ΔD and ΔE are within the preset allowable shift amounts ΔDr and ΔEr, respectively, it is determined that there is no problem in the arrangement and position of the color corporate mark image 302, and the start key 803 described above is used. The same multi-sided printing control is executed as when the button is pressed again.
When the calculated deviation amount ΔD or ΔE exceeds the preset allowable deviation amount ΔDr or ΔEr, the following processes (a) and (b) or any one of them is performed.

(A) A warning is issued to the effect that the shift amount of the color corporate mark image 302 exceeds the allowable shift amount. For example, warning information indicating that the shift amount of the color corporate mark image 302 exceeds the allowable shift amount is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 801 of the operation panel 101. If the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a sound output unit such as a speaker, the sound output unit warns that the color corporate mark image shift amount exceeds the allowable shift amount. It is also possible to output.
(B) The same multi-sided printing control as described above is performed, but at this time, the printing position of the color corporate mark image 302 by the inkjet engine unit 20a is corrected in the inkjet engine writing control unit 702 according to the shift amounts ΔDr and ΔEr. Let

Next, a user operation on the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 or the operation panel 101 shown in FIG. 2 and a first example of control in the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a first example of the user operation and control.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the control shown in FIG.

For example, when making a business card, the operator causes a control unit (not shown) in the personal computer 2 to input necessary instructions and information by operations on the personal computer 2 in steps S1 to S6 in FIG.
That is, in Steps S1 and S2 of FIG. 9, a color point image position confirmation mode instruction and a multi-cavity mode instruction (for example, including information on the number of faces indicating “8 faces”) are sent to the personal computer 2 by operations on the personal computer 2. Input to the control unit.

In steps S3 and S4, a process of setting the personal information image image data and the color corporate mark image data to the multi-faceted document image data, which is the basic image data of the generated business card, by the operation on the personal computer 2 is performed. 2 is performed by the control unit in 2.
In the next steps S5 to S7, the paper size information and the number of copies information are input to the control unit in the personal computer 2 by an operation on the personal computer 2, and then the transmission instruction of the document image data is sent to the control unit in the personal computer 2. Let them enter.

Accordingly, in steps S8 to S21, the personal computer 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 perform the following control.
In step S <b> 8, the control unit in the personal computer 2 converts the image data of the personal information image and the image data of the color corporate mark image into the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10. Send to. At this time, although not shown, the input color point image position confirmation mode instruction, multi-cavity mode instruction, paper size information, and printing copy number information are also transmitted together with the multi-cavity document image data.

  As described above, the color point image position confirmation mode instruction, the multi-chamfer mode instruction, the paper size information, and the print number information are converted into image processing in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 by an operation on the operation panel 101. The input may be made to the unit 102.

  When the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives the multi-sided document image data transmitted from the personal computer 2, although not illustrated, the document image data and the color point image received together with the document image data are omitted. The position confirmation mode instruction, the multi-chamfer mode instruction, the sheet size information, and the print copy number information are stored in the RAM 203. Further, based on the color point image position confirmation mode instruction, the multi-cavity mode instruction, the paper size information, and the number-of-prints information stored in the RAM 203, the color point image position confirmation mode, the multi-cavity mode, the number of faces information, the paper size, and Set the number of copies to print.

After that, in step S9, as described above, the image data (consisting of dimension information and position information) of the boundary line for cutting a multi-faced image is automatically generated by calculation from the set face number information and the paper size.
In steps S10 and S11, as described above, the document image data for printing is generated from the document image data stored in the RAM 203.

That is, in step S10, image data of the personal information image for printing (consisting of character information and position information) is generated from the image data of the personal information image in the original image data stored in the RAM 203.
In step S11, image data of the color corporate mark image for printing (consisting of color information, image information, and position information) is generated from the image data of the color corporate mark image in the original image data stored in the RAM 203.

In the next step S12, the generated image data of the cutting boundary line (consisting of dimension information and position information) and the image data of the personal information image for printing (consisting of character information and position information) are monochrome electrophotographic images. This is transmitted to the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 in the forming apparatus 10.
In the next step S <b> 13, the generated image data of the color corporate mark image (consisting of color information, image information, and position information) is transmitted to the ink jet engine writing control unit 702 in the ink jet color point printing apparatus 20.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S14 in FIG. 10 to check whether the color point image position confirmation mode is set. In this example, since the color point image position confirmation mode is set, it is determined that the color point image position confirmation mode is set, and the process proceeds to step S15. However, if the color point image position confirmation mode is not set in step S1, it is determined that the color point image position confirmation mode is not set, and the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S15, the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 transmits a cutting boundary line print instruction together with information on the paper size (set paper size) set by the paper size information, thereby causing the next printing process to be performed. When the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 receives a cutting boundary line print instruction from the image processing unit 102 together with the set sheet size information, the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 feeds only one sheet of the set sheet size from the sheet feeding cassette 14 or 15. . Then, based on the image data of the cutting boundary line received from the image processing unit 102, the cutting boundary line is printed on the fed paper 300 by the electrophotographic engine unit 104b.

Subsequently, in step S <b> 16, a color point image print instruction is transmitted to the inkjet engine writing control unit 702 to cause the next print process to be performed. Upon receiving a color point image print instruction from the image processing unit 102, the inkjet engine writing control unit 702 is conveyed from the electrophotographic engine unit 104b based on the image data of the color corporate mark image received from the image processing unit 102. An image in which color corporate mark images (color point images) are arranged on multiple sides is printed by the inkjet engine unit 20a on each area surface divided by the boundary line for cutting the incoming paper.
Then, by each printing process in steps S15 and S16, only one image position confirmation printed matter, which is a printed matter obtained by printing the cutting boundary line and the color corporate mark image, is output.

Thereafter, in steps S17 and S18, it is checked whether a print stop instruction or a print instruction has been input by an operation on the personal computer 2 or an operation on the operation panel 101 (for example, pressing of the stop key 804 or the start key 803 in FIG. 7).
If a print stop instruction is input, the control of FIG. 10 is terminated as it is from step S17. If a print instruction is input, the process proceeds from step S18 to step S19.

  In step S19, the printing process of the personal information image is transmitted to the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 together with the set sheet size information, thereby causing the next printing process to be performed. When the electrophotographic engine writing control unit 701 receives a print instruction of the personal information image from the image processing unit 102 together with the set sheet size information, the second and subsequent sheets of the same size as the first sheet are fed into the sheet feeding cassette 14. Alternatively, only one sheet from 15 is fed. Then, based on the image data of the personal information image received from the image processing unit 102, the personal information image is printed by the electrophotographic engine unit 104b on each area surface partitioned by the cutting boundary line of the fed paper 300.

In the next step S20, the inkjet engine writing control unit 702 transmits a color point image print instruction together with the set sheet size information to cause the next print process to be performed. Upon receiving a color point image print instruction from the image processing unit 102, the inkjet engine writing control unit 702 is conveyed from the electrophotographic engine unit 104b based on the image data of the color corporate mark image received from the image processing unit 102. An image in which color corporate mark images (color point images) are arranged on multiple sides is printed on each area surface of the incoming paper by the inkjet engine unit 20a.
Then, one printed matter on which the personal information image and the color corporate mark image are printed is output by the printing processes in steps S19 and S20.

In the next step S21, it is checked whether or not printing of the set number of copies (set number of copies to be printed) has been completed. If it is determined that printing of the set number of copies has not been completed, the processing returns to step S19. The processes in steps S19 and S20 are performed again.
If it is determined that printing of the set number of copies has been completed, the control in FIG. 10 ends.

Next, a user operation on the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 or the operation panel 101 shown in FIG. 2 and a second example of control in the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a second example of the user operation and control.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the control shown in FIG.

For example, when making a business card, the operator causes the control unit in the personal computer 2 to input necessary instructions, information, and the like by operations on the personal computer 2 in steps S31 to S37.
That is, in step S31 of FIG. 11, the color point image position automatic check mode instruction is input to the control unit in the personal computer 2 by an operation on the personal computer 2. At this time, although not shown, an instruction of a mode for automatically correcting the color point image position shift (hereinafter referred to as “automatic correction mode”) is also input to the control unit in the personal computer 2 as necessary. In this case, for the convenience of the following description, the automatic correction mode instruction is included in the color point image position automatic check mode instruction.

In steps S32 to S37, the same setting and input as in steps S3 to S7 in FIG. 9 are performed.
Accordingly, in steps S38 to S59, the personal computer 2 and the image forming apparatus 1 perform the following control.
That is, in step S38, the control unit in the personal computer 2 performs image processing in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 on the multi-faced original image data in which the image data of the personal information image and the image data of the color corporate mark image are set. To the unit 102. At this time, although not shown in the drawing, the input color point image position automatic check mode instruction, multi-chamfer mode instruction, paper size information, and number of copies information are transmitted together with the multi-chamfered document image data.

  As described above, by operating the operation panel 101, the color point image position automatic check mode instruction, the multi-cavity mode instruction, the paper size information, and the number of copies information are converted into an image in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10. The processing unit 102 may be input.

When the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives the multi-sided document image data transmitted from the personal computer 2, although not illustrated, the document image data and the color point image received together with the document image data are omitted. The automatic position check mode instruction, the multi-chamfer mode instruction, the paper size information, and the print number information are stored in the RAM 203. Further, based on the color point image position automatic check mode instruction, the multi-cavity mode instruction, the paper size information, and the print number information stored in the RAM 203, the color point image position automatic check mode, the multi-cavity mode, the number of faces information, and the paper size , And set the number of copies. Further, when the automatic correction mode instruction is included in the color point image position automatic check mode instruction, the automatic correction mode is also set.
Thereafter, in steps S39 to S43, processing similar to that in steps S9 to S13 in FIG. 9 is performed.

  When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to step S44 in FIG. 12 to check whether the color point image position automatic check mode is set. In this example, since the color point image position automatic check mode is set, it is determined that the color point image position automatic check mode is set, and the process proceeds to step S45. However, if the color point image position automatic check mode is not set in step S31, it is determined that the color point image position automatic check mode is not set, and the process proceeds to step S50.

  In steps S45 and S46, each print process similar to that in steps S15 and S16 in FIG. 9 is performed, so that only one printed image for automatic image position check that is a printed material on which the cutting boundary line and the color corporate mark image are printed. Output. This printed image for automatic image position check is a printed material having the same content as the printed image for position confirmation.

  In the next step S47, the image position detection device 30 detects the image position on the image position automatic check printed matter output from the inkjet engine unit 20a in the inkjet color point printing apparatus 20. Then, the size of the positional relationship between the detected image position of the cutting boundary line and at least one image position of the color corporate mark image is set as the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line and the image data of the color corporate mark image. And a positional relationship dimension calculated from the position of the image data corresponding to at least one of the above, and the amount of deviation due to the difference is calculated.

In the next step S48, it is checked whether or not the calculated deviation amount exceeds an allowable deviation amount that is a predetermined amount set in advance.
If it is determined that the calculated deviation amount does not exceed the allowable deviation amount (if it is within the allowable deviation amount), the process proceeds to step S54.
If it is determined that the calculated amount of deviation exceeds the allowable amount of deviation, the process proceeds to step S49, and warning information indicating that the amount of deviation of the color corporate mark image exceeds the allowable amount of deviation. Warning information) is displayed on the display device of the personal computer 2 or the liquid crystal display unit 801 of the operation panel 101.

Thereafter, in steps S50 and S51, as in steps S17 and S18 of FIG. 10, it is checked whether or not a print stop instruction or a print instruction is input by an operation on the personal computer 2 or an operation on the operation panel 101.
Then, when a print stop instruction is input, the control of FIG. 12 is terminated as it is from step S50, but when a print instruction is input, the process proceeds from step S51 to step S54.
If no print instruction is input in step S51, it is checked in step S52 whether the automatic correction mode is set.

If the automatic correction mode is set, the process proceeds to step S53, and the position information (image position data) is calculated among the image data of the color corporate mark image transmitted to the inkjet engine writing control unit 702. Correct according to the amount of displacement.
If it is determined in step S51 that a print instruction has been input and the process proceeds to step S54, the printing process is performed without correction in steps S54 to S56, as in steps S19 to S21 of FIG. This is because, depending on the user, it may be determined that there is no problem by looking at the amount of deviation of the color corporate mark image of the output image position automatic check printed matter.

On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step S54 after correcting the image position data in step S53, printing processing slightly different from steps S19 to S21 in FIG. 10 is performed in steps S54 to S56. That is, in the process of step S55, when the printing process similar to that of step S20 of FIG. 10 is performed, the print position of the color corporate mark image by the inkjet engine unit 20a is set in accordance with the image position data by the inkjet engine write control unit 702. To perform correction (image position correction processing).
If it is determined in step S52 that the automatic correction mode is not set, the process returns to step S50 to check again whether or not a print stop instruction or a print instruction has been input.
Note that the control in FIG. 12 may be terminated as it is even when no print instruction is input after the warning information is displayed in step S49.

Next, a user operation on the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 or the operation panel 101 shown in FIG. 2 and a third example of control in the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation will be described.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a third example of the user operation and control. The continuation of the control shown in FIG. 13 is the same as that shown in FIG.

For example, when making a business card, the operator causes the control unit in the personal computer 2 to input necessary instructions and information through operations on the personal computer 2 in steps S61 to S66 in FIG.
That is, in steps S61 and S62 in FIG. 13, a color point image position confirmation mode instruction and a multi-chamfer mode instruction (for example, information on the number of faces indicating “8 faces”) are stored in the personal computer 2 by an operation on the personal computer 2. Input to the control unit.

In steps S63 and S64, processing for setting the image data of the personal information image and the image data of the color corporate mark image in the original image data for one area which is the basic image data of the generated business card by the operation on the personal computer 2 To the control unit in the personal computer 2.
In the next steps S 65 and S 66, paper size information is input to the control unit in the personal computer 2 by an operation on the personal computer 2, and then an instruction to send document image data is input to the control unit in the personal computer 2.

In step S 67, the control unit in the personal computer 2 performs image processing in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 on the original image data for one area surface in which the image data of the personal information image and the image data of the color corporate mark image are set. To the unit 102. At this time, although not shown, the input color point image position confirmation mode instruction and multi-cavity mode instruction are transmitted together with the original image data for one area surface.
It should be noted that the color point image position confirmation mode instruction, the multi-chamfer mode instruction, and the paper size information may be input to the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 by an operation on the operation panel 101. Good.

  When the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives the document image data for one area surface transmitted from the personal computer 2, although not shown, the document image data and the color image received together with the document image data are omitted. The RAM 203 stores the point image position confirmation mode instruction, the multi-chamfer mode instruction (including the number information indicating “8 faces” in this example), and the sheet size information. Further, based on the color point image position confirmation mode instruction, the multi-cavity mode instruction, and the paper size information stored in the RAM 203, the color point image position confirmation mode, the multi-cavity mode, the number of faces information, and the paper size information are set.

Next, in step S68, the original image data for one area surface stored in the RAM 203 is reduced and divided into eight parts based on the set number-of-surfaces information and paper size information. That is, eight original image data reduced to 1/8 size so that images based on the original image data are arranged in multiple areas on each of the eight divided area surfaces of a set paper size. Generate.
Thereafter, in steps S69 to S71, processing similar to that in steps S9 to S11 in FIG. 9 is performed.

In the next step S <b> 72, information on the number of copies is input to the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 by an operation on the operation panel 101.
In the next step S73, a print instruction is input to the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 by an operation on the operation panel 101 (for example, the start key 803 in FIG. 7).
Accordingly, in steps S74 and S75, after the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 performs the same processing as steps S12 and S13 in FIG. 9, steps S14 to S21 in FIG. Similar processing is performed.

Next, a user operation on the personal computer 2 shown in FIG. 1 or the operation panel 101 shown in FIG. 2 and a fourth example of control in the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 1 by the user operation will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of the user operation and control. The continuation of the control shown in FIG. 14 is the same as that shown in FIG.

For example, when making a business card, the operator causes the control unit in the personal computer 2 to input necessary instructions, information, and the like by operations on the personal computer 2 in steps S81 to S86.
That is, in step S81 in FIG. 14, the color point image position automatic check mode instruction (including the automatic correction mode instruction if necessary) is stored in the personal computer 2 by an operation on the personal computer 2 as in step S31 in FIG. Input to the control unit.
In steps S82 to S86, the same input and setting as in steps S62 to S66 of FIG. 13 are performed.

In step S 67, the control unit in the personal computer 2 performs image processing in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 on the original image data for one area surface in which the image data of the personal information image and the image data of the color corporate mark image are set. To the unit 102. At this time, although not shown, the input color point image position automatic check mode instruction and the multi-cavity mode instruction are transmitted together with the original image data for one area surface.
Note that an operation on the operation panel 101 causes the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 to input the color point image position automatic check mode instruction, the multi-scanning mode instruction, and the paper size information. Also good.

When the image processing unit 102 in the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 receives the document image data for one area surface transmitted from the personal computer 2, although not shown, the document image data and the color image received together with the document image data are omitted. The RAM 203 stores the point image position automatic check mode instruction, the multi-chamfer mode instruction (including the number information indicating “8 faces” in this example), and the sheet size information. Also, based on the color point image position automatic check mode instruction, the multi-chamfer mode instruction, and the paper size information stored in the RAM 203, the color point image position automatic check mode, the multi-chamfer mode, the number of faces information, and the paper size information are set. To do. Further, when the automatic correction mode instruction is included in the color point image position automatic check mode instruction, the automatic correction mode is also set.
Thereafter, processing similar to that in steps S68 to S75 in FIG. 13 is performed in steps S88 to S95, and then processing similar to that in steps S44 to S56 in FIG. 12 is performed.

Thus, according to the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the following effects (a) to (d) can be obtained.
(A) When an instruction of a multi-cavity mode for forming an image by arranging the same image consisting of a single color image and a color point image on a single sheet and forming the image, and information on the number of multi-cavity planes are input. The image data of the boundary line for cutting a multi-faced image is automatically generated from the size information and the number-of-sheets information of the paper used for the printing.

  In addition, when the instruction for the color point image position confirmation mode is input together with the instruction for the multi-chamfer mode and the number of faces information, the size information of the size information is based on the generated image data of the cutting boundary line and the image data of the color point image. Only one printed image for confirming the image position, in which a monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 forms a cutting boundary line and an ink-jet color point printing apparatus 20 forms a color point image on a size sheet, is output.

  After that, when an image formation instruction is input, the data of the same image composed of a single color image and a color point image is divided into each area partitioned by a cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent sheets of the same size as the above sheet. Based on this, an image in which only a single color image is formed by the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 and a color point image is formed by the ink jet type color point printing apparatus 20 is arranged and output.

  Therefore, it is a case where an image (multi-surface integrated image) is printed in the multi-surface mode, and the reliability of the image position is low because the ink-jet color point printer 20 that prints a color point image is used. However, it is not difficult to determine whether the color point images arranged in multiple planes (divided arrangement) are printed at the correct positions with respect to the cutting boundary line (divided frame line).

In addition, a cutting frame line at the time of cutting an image arranged in multiple faces on the first printed matter is described, so that the positional deviation of the color point image can be easily grasped.
Further, since the cutting boundary line is not printed on the second and subsequent actual printed materials, there is no problem that the cutting boundary line remains at the end of the business card due to the cutting position shift.
Therefore, an optimal image can be obtained.

(B) Similarly to (a), image data of the boundary line for cutting a multi-chamfer image is automatically generated.
In addition, when the instruction for the color point image position automatic check mode is input together with the instruction for the multi-chamfer mode and the number of faces information, the size information of the size information is based on the generated image data of the cutting boundary line and the data of the color point image. Only one printed image position automatic check is formed on the size paper, with the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 forming the cutting boundary line and the ink-jet color point printing apparatus 20 forming the color point image.

  Thereafter, the size of the positional relationship between the image position of the cutting boundary line detected by the image position detection device 30 and at least one image position of the color point image is set as the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line and the color point image. And the positional relationship size calculated from the position of the image data corresponding to at least one of the image data, and the amount of deviation due to the difference is calculated.

If the calculated amount of deviation is within a predetermined amount set in advance, a monochrome image and a color point image are formed in each area partitioned by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent sheets of the same size as the sheet. The monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 forms only a single color image, and the ink-jet color point printing apparatus 20 forms color point images on the basis of the same image data.
If the amount of deviation exceeds the predetermined amount (that is, the amount of deviation of the color point image exceeds the predetermined amount), a warning is issued.

Therefore, even when printing an image (multi-shot integrated image) in the multi-shot mode, even when the image position reliability is low due to the use of the ink-jet color point printing apparatus 20 that prints the color point image. Therefore, it is not necessary to visually check whether or not each of the multi-colored color point images is printed at a correct position with respect to the cutting boundary line (division frame line). In addition, when the amount of color point image deviation exceeds a predetermined amount, a warning to that effect is issued, so it is safe.
Therefore, an optimal image can be obtained.

(C) Even when an image formation instruction is input after the warning in (b), a monochrome image and a color are placed in each area partitioned by a cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent sheets of the same size as the sheet. Based on the same image data consisting of the point image, the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 forms only a single color image, and the ink-jet color point printing apparatus 20 forms an image in which the multi-colored images are arranged and output. To do.
As a result, even after the warning, if it is determined that the amount of deviation of the color point image of the output image position automatic check printed matter is a problem level, it is not necessary to stop printing the image in the multi-cavity mode. , Leading to improved work efficiency.

(D) Similarly to (b), image data of the boundary line for cutting a multi-faced image is automatically generated, and only one printed image position check print is output, and the shift amount is calculated.
If the calculated amount of deviation is within a predetermined amount set in advance, the color point image forming position by the ink jet type color point printing device 20 is determined as it is when the amount of deviation exceeds the predetermined amount. In accordance with the amount of misalignment, the same image data consisting of a single color image and a color point image is formed in each area partitioned by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent sheets of the same size as the sheet of (b). Based on this, an image in which only a single color image is formed by the monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 and a color point image is formed by the ink jet type color point printing apparatus 20 is arranged and output.

Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.
Adjusting the image position by visually checking the printed image for automatic image position check is cumbersome and difficult if the target position is not well understood, and it is easy to make a mistake in the direction of moving the image, or to enter a numerical value for the amount of movement. Is troublesome because it requires measurement, and there is a problem that it is easy to make a mistake in entering the movement amount numerical value.

However, in order to avoid the occurrence of these problems and to print an image in the multi-chamfer mode, there are a number of color point images on one sheet. Since correction can be made according to the amount of deviation, troublesome adjustment work is unnecessary, and a color point image can be formed with the correct positional relationship.
Therefore, an optimal image can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and other functions can be added as appropriate, or some functions can be omitted. Further, the above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined and implemented within a consistent range.

1: image forming apparatus 2: personal computer 3: network 10: monochrome electrophotographic image forming apparatus 11: optical writing unit 12: image forming unit 13: fixing unit 14, 15: paper feed tray 16: paper feed roller 17: resist Roller pair 20: Inkjet color point printing device 20a: Inkjet engine unit 21: Inkjet recording head 22: Conveyor belt 30: Image position detection device 31: Image sensor 101: Operation panel 102: Image processing unit 103: Peripheral device I / F
104: Engine unit 104a: Scanner unit 104b: Electrophotographic engine unit 201: CPU 202: ASIC 203: RAM 204: ROM
205: Network I / F 206: HDD 300: Paper 301: Identity Information Image 302: Image Data of Color Corporate Mark Image 302 ′: 302 303: Printed Material 305: Printed Material for Confirming Image Position 401: Cutting Border 401 ′: 401 Image data 701: electrophotographic engine writing control unit 702: inkjet engine writing control unit 801: liquid crystal display unit 802: numeric keypad 803: start key 804: stop key 805: selection key 806: determination key

JP 2001-277634 A JP 2006-76256 A JP 2006-76043 A JP 2006-76022 A

Claims (10)

A first image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium by an electrophotographic method, and a second image forming unit that forms an image by a inkjet method on a recording medium on which an image is formed by the first image forming unit An image forming apparatus comprising:
When an instruction for a multi-sided printing mode in which the same image made up of a single color image and a color point image is arranged on a single recording medium to form an image and information on the number of sides of the multi-sided printing are input, it is used for image formation Cutting boundary image data generating means for automatically generating image data of a cutting boundary line of a multi-sided image from the size information of the recording medium and the number-of-surfaces information;
The cutting boundary line image data and the color point generated by the cutting boundary line image data generation means when the color point image position confirmation mode instruction is input together with the multiple chamfering mode instruction and the number of face information. Based on the image data of the image, the cutting boundary line is formed by the first image forming unit and the color point image is formed by the second image forming unit on the recording medium having the size information. Image position confirmation image formation control means for outputting only one image position confirmation recording medium;
When an image formation instruction is input after outputting the image position confirmation recording medium, each area separated by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media having the same size as the recording medium is monochromatic. An image in which only the single-color image is arranged by the first image forming unit and the color point image is arranged in multiple planes by the second image forming unit based on the same image data consisting of the image and the color point image. An image forming apparatus comprising: a multi-sided image formation control unit that forms and outputs the image. A first image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium by an electrophotographic method, and a second image forming unit that forms an image by a inkjet method on a recording medium on which an image is formed by the first image forming unit An image forming apparatus comprising:
When an instruction for a multi-sided printing mode in which the same image made up of a single color image and a color point image is arranged on a single recording medium to form an image and information on the number of sides of the multi-sided printing are input, it is used for image formation Cutting boundary image data generating means for automatically generating image data of a cutting boundary line of a multi-sided image from the size information of the recording medium and the number-of-surfaces information;
An image position detecting unit that is disposed downstream of the second image forming unit in the recording medium conveyance direction and detects an image position formed on the recording medium;
When the color point image position automatic check mode instruction is input together with the multi-chamfer mode instruction and the number-of-surfaces information, the cutting boundary line image data and color generated by the cutting boundary line image data generation unit Based on the point image data, the cutting boundary line is formed by the first image forming unit and the color point image is formed by the second image forming unit on the recording medium having the size information. Image position automatic check image formation control means for outputting only one image position automatic check recording medium;
When outputting the image position automatic check recording medium, the size of the positional relationship between the image position of the cutting boundary detected by the image position detection means and at least one image position of the color point image, Compared with the size of the positional relationship calculated from the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line and the position of the image data corresponding to the at least one of the image data of the color point image, the amount of deviation due to the difference A deviation amount calculating means for calculating
When the deviation amount calculated by the deviation amount calculation means is within a predetermined amount set in advance, each region partitioned by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media having the same size as the recording medium, Based on the data of the same image composed of a single color image and the color point image, only the single color image is arranged by the first image forming unit, and the color point image is arranged in multiple planes by the second image forming unit. A multi-sided image formation control means for forming and outputting an image;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a warning unit that issues a warning when the amount of deviation exceeds the predetermined amount.   When the image forming instruction is input after the warning by the warning unit, the multi-sided image formation control unit is divided by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media having the same size as the recording medium. In each of the regions, based on the same image data composed of a single color image and the color point image, only the single color image is obtained by the first image forming unit, and the color point image is obtained by the second image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of images is formed and output. A first image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium by an electrophotographic method, and a second image forming unit that forms an image by a inkjet method on a recording medium on which an image is formed by the first image forming unit An image forming apparatus comprising:
When an instruction for a multi-sided printing mode in which the same image made up of a single color image and a color point image is arranged on a single recording medium to form an image and information on the number of sides of the multi-sided printing are input, it is used for image formation Cutting boundary image data generating means for automatically generating image data of a cutting boundary line of a multi-sided image from the size information of the recording medium and the number-of-surfaces information;
An image position detecting unit that is disposed downstream of the second image forming unit in the recording medium conveyance direction and detects an image position formed on the recording medium;
When the color point image position automatic check mode instruction is input together with the multi-chamfer mode instruction and the number-of-surfaces information, the cutting boundary line image data and color generated by the cutting boundary line image data generation unit Based on the point image data, the cutting boundary line is formed by the first image forming unit and the color point image is formed by the second image forming unit on the recording medium having the size information. Image position automatic check image formation control means for outputting only one image position automatic check recording medium;
When outputting the image position automatic check recording medium, the size of the positional relationship between the image position of the cutting boundary detected by the image position detection means and at least one image position of the color point image, Compared with the size of the positional relationship calculated from the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line and the position of the image data corresponding to the at least one of the image data of the color point image, the amount of deviation due to the difference A deviation amount calculating means for calculating
When the deviation amount calculated by the deviation amount calculation means is within a predetermined amount set in advance, the color point image of the color point image by the second image forming means is left as it is when the deviation amount exceeds the predetermined amount. The formation position is corrected according to the amount of deviation, and each area divided by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media having the same size as the recording medium is composed of a monochrome image and the color point image. Based on the data of the same image, the multi-colored image is output by forming an image in which only the single color image is formed by the first image forming unit and the color point image is formed by the second image forming unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a formation control unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
Among the image data of the cutting boundary line, the dimension of the positional relationship between the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line and the position of the image data corresponding to the at least one of the image data of the color point image There is provided a positional relationship size calculation means for calculating a size of a positional relationship between the position of each of the image data of the at least one color point image and the position of the image data of the at least one color point image. An image forming apparatus. A first image forming unit that can be communicably connected to an external device and forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium by an electrophotographic method based on image data from the external device, and an image by the first image forming unit An image forming apparatus comprising: a second image forming unit that forms an image by an ink jet method based on the image data on a recording medium on which is formed;
A single-color image data and a color point image together with instructions for a multi-surface mode for forming an image by arranging the same image consisting of a single-color image and a color point image on a single recording medium, and forming the image. Receiving means for receiving, from the external device, multi-sided image data in which image data of the same image consisting of image data of
When the multi-cavity image data is received together with the multi-cavity mode instruction and the number-of-surfaces information by the receiving means, a multi-surface image is obtained from the received number-of-surfaces information and the size information of the recording medium used for image formation. Cutting boundary line image data generating means for automatically generating image data of the cutting boundary line;
Color point image position confirmation mode instruction input means for inputting instructions of the color point image position confirmation mode;
When the color point image position confirmation mode instruction is input by the color point image position confirmation mode instruction input unit, the cutting boundary line image data generated by the cutting boundary line image data generation unit and the multiple Based on the image data of the color point image in the chamfered image data, the cutting boundary line is formed by the first image forming unit on the recording medium having the size information, and the second image forming unit performs the cutting. Image position confirmation image formation control means for outputting only one image position confirmation recording medium on which each color point image is formed;
When an image formation instruction is input after outputting the image position confirmation recording medium, each region partitioned by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media having the same size as the recording medium Based on multi-surface image data, the first image forming unit forms only the monochromatic image, and the second image forming unit forms the multi-sided image and outputs the multi-surface image. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming control unit. A first image forming unit that can be communicably connected to an external device and forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium by an electrophotographic method based on image data from the external device, and an image by the first image forming unit An image forming apparatus comprising: a second image forming unit that forms an image by an ink jet method based on the image data on a recording medium on which is formed;
A single-color image data and a color point image together with instructions for a multi-surface mode for forming an image by arranging the same image consisting of a single-color image and a color point image on a single recording medium, and forming the image. Receiving means for receiving, from the external device, multi-sided image data in which image data of the same image consisting of image data of
When the multi-cavity image data is received together with the multi-cavity mode instruction and the number-of-surfaces information by the receiving means, a multi-surface image is obtained from the received number-of-surfaces information and the size information of the recording medium used for image formation. Cutting boundary line image data generating means for automatically generating image data of the cutting boundary line;
An image position detecting unit that is disposed downstream of the second image forming unit in the recording medium conveyance direction and detects an image position formed on the recording medium;
Color point image position automatic check mode instruction input means for inputting instructions of color point image position automatic check mode;
When the color point image position automatic check mode instruction is input by the color point image position automatic check mode instruction input unit, the cutting boundary line image data generated by the cutting boundary line image data generation unit and Based on the image data of the color point image in the multi-surface image data, the cutting boundary line is formed on the recording medium having the size information by the first image forming unit, and the second image forming unit. Image position automatic check image formation control means for outputting only one image position automatic check recording medium on which each of the color point images is formed by:
When outputting the image position automatic check recording medium, the size of the positional relationship between the image position of the cutting boundary detected by the image position detection means and at least one image position of the color point image, Compared with the size of the positional relationship calculated from the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line and the position of the image data corresponding to the at least one of the image data of the color point image, the amount of deviation due to the difference A deviation amount calculating means for calculating
When the deviation amount calculated by the deviation amount calculation means is within a predetermined amount set in advance, each region partitioned by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media having the same size as the recording medium, Based on the multi-surface image data, the first image forming unit forms only the monochromatic image, and the second image forming unit forms the multi-sided image, and outputs the image. Chamfered image formation control means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a warning unit that issues a warning when the amount of deviation exceeds the predetermined amount.   When the image forming instruction is input after the warning by the warning unit, the multi-sided image formation control unit is divided by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media having the same size as the recording medium. In each region, an image in which only the single-color image is formed by the first image forming unit and the color point image is formed by multi-plane arrangement by the second image forming unit is formed based on the multi-plane image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus outputs the image. A first image forming unit that can be communicably connected to an external device and forms an image on a sheet-like recording medium by an electrophotographic method based on image data from the external device, and an image by the first image forming unit An image forming apparatus comprising: a second image forming unit that forms an image by an ink jet method based on the image data on a recording medium on which is formed;
A single-color image data and a color point image together with instructions for a multi-surface mode for forming an image by arranging the same image consisting of a single-color image and a color point image on a single recording medium, and forming the image. Receiving means for receiving, from the external device, multi-sided image data in which image data of the same image consisting of image data of
When the multi-cavity image data is received together with the multi-cavity mode instruction and the number-of-surfaces information by the receiving means, a multi-surface image is obtained from the received number-of-surfaces information and the size information of the recording medium used for image formation. Cutting boundary line image data generating means for automatically generating image data of the cutting boundary line;
An image position detecting unit that is disposed downstream of the second image forming unit in the recording medium conveyance direction and detects an image position formed on the recording medium;
Color point image position automatic check mode instruction input means for inputting instructions of color point image position automatic check mode;
When the color point image position automatic check mode instruction is input by the color point image position automatic check mode instruction input unit, the cutting boundary line image data generated by the cutting boundary line image data generation unit and Based on the image data of the color point image in the multi-surface image data, the cutting boundary line is formed on the recording medium having the size information by the first image forming unit, and the second image forming unit. Image position automatic check image formation control means for outputting only one image position automatic check recording medium on which each of the color point images is formed by:
When outputting the image position automatic check recording medium, the size of the positional relationship between the image position of the cutting boundary detected by the image position detection means and at least one image position of the color point image, Compared with the size of the positional relationship calculated from the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line and the position of the image data corresponding to the at least one of the image data of the color point image, the amount of deviation due to the difference A deviation amount calculating means for calculating
When the deviation amount calculated by the deviation amount calculation means is within a predetermined amount set in advance, the color point image of the color point image by the second image forming means is left as it is when the deviation amount exceeds the predetermined amount. In accordance with the amount of misalignment, in each region partitioned by the cutting boundary line of the second and subsequent recording media of the same size as the recording medium, based on the multi-surface image data, A multi-sided image formation control unit configured to form and output an image in which only the single-color image is formed by the first image forming unit and the color point image is formed by the second image forming unit; An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
Among the image data of the cutting boundary line, the dimension of the positional relationship between the position of the image data of the cutting boundary line and the position of the image data corresponding to the at least one of the image data of the color point image There is provided a positional relationship size calculation means for calculating a size of a positional relationship between the position of each of the image data of the at least one color point image and the position of the image data of the at least one color point image. An image forming apparatus.

Images