JP2013257388A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device including a discharge part where a recording sheet is discharged without being reversed by a conveyance direction changing part, and a discharge part where a recording sheet is discharged with reverse operation, while aligning the direction of images on the sheets discharged to the discharge parts.SOLUTION: An image forming device 1 includes an input part, an image forming part 7, a conveyance part, a first discharge part 9, a second discharge part 11, and an image direction control part. The input part receives image data. The image forming part 7 forms an image on a recording sheet on the basis of the input image. The conveyance part conveys the recording sheet with the image formed thereon, and reverses the recording sheet to be conveyed. In the first discharge part 9, the recording sheet with the image formed thereon is discharged without being reversed. In the second discharge part 11, the recording sheet with the image formed thereon is discharged with reverse operation. The image direction control part aligns the direction of the images in the recording sheet discharge direction, as for the images formed on the recording sheets discharged to the first and second discharge parts 9, 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including two or more discharge units.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, an image is formed on a recording sheet introduced into an image forming unit, and then an image on one surface of the recording sheet is fixed and then directed toward a discharge unit that stores the recording sheet. The recording paper is ejected. Further, when the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of discharge units, the recording paper is discharged to an arbitrary discharge unit.

  Here, for example, an image forming unit including a first discharge unit that discharges the recording paper without reversing the recording paper conveyance direction by a conveyance direction reversal unit such as a switchback unit, and a second discharge unit that reversely discharges the recording paper. In the apparatus, the following problems can be considered.

  That is, the recording paper stored in the first discharge unit is discharged as it is, with the leading edge of the image formed on the recording paper as the head, since the transport direction is not reversed. On the other hand, the recording paper stored in the second discharge unit is reversed in the transport direction at a predetermined timing, and the leading position is switched to the rear end of the image and discharged. As a result of the above-described transport operation, as a result, in the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit, the leading end portions of the images formed on the discharged recording paper are respectively upstream and downstream in the recording paper discharge direction. There is a problem that the operator is misunderstood or confused.

JP 2004-42437 A JP 7-131630 A

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus including a discharge unit that discharges recording paper without a reverse operation by a conveyance direction reverse unit (switchback or the like), and a discharge unit that discharges recording paper with it. The purpose is to make the orientation of the images of the recording sheets discharged to the respective discharge sections consistent.

  The invention according to claim 1 is as follows. That is, the image forming apparatus includes an input unit, an image forming unit, a transport unit, a first discharge unit, a second discharge unit, and an image direction control unit. Image data is input to the input unit. The image forming unit forms an image on the recording paper based on the input image input by the input unit. The transport unit transports the recording paper formed by the image forming unit to a plurality of predetermined discharge units, and reverses the transport direction with respect to the transported recording paper. The first discharge unit is a predetermined discharge unit, and the recording paper on which an image has been formed is discharged without a reverse operation by the transport unit. The second discharge unit is a predetermined discharge unit, and the recording paper on which an image has been formed is discharged with a reverse operation by the transport unit. The image direction control unit performs image direction control so that the image directions along the recording paper discharge direction coincide with each other in the images formed on the recording paper discharged to each of the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit. .

  The invention of claim 9 is as follows. That is, in the image forming method, the recording sheet on which the image has been formed is discharged without the reverse operation in the transport direction, and the recording paper on which the image has been formed is discharged with the reverse operation in the transport direction. The recording paper can be selectively discharged to the second discharge unit. The image forming method includes an input step, a discharge destination determining step, a first image forming step, and a second image forming step. In the input step, image data is input. In the discharge destination determination step, it is determined whether the discharge destination of the recording paper is the first discharge portion or the second discharge portion. In the first image forming step, when it is determined in the discharge destination determination step that the discharge destination is the first discharge unit, an image obtained by performing the rotation process at the first rotation angle is recorded on the recording paper. Then, the recording paper is discharged to the first discharge portion so that the leading edge of the image is located downstream in the recording paper discharge direction. In the second image forming step, when it is determined in the discharge destination determination step that the discharge destination is the second discharge unit, the image obtained by performing the rotation process at the second rotation angle is recorded on the recording paper. Then, the recording paper is discharged to the second discharge portion so that the leading edge of the image is positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction.

  The invention of claim 10 is as follows. That is, in the image forming method, the recording sheet on which the image has been formed is discharged without the reverse operation in the transport direction, and the recording paper on which the image has been formed is discharged with the reverse operation in the transport direction. The recording paper can be selectively discharged to the second discharge unit. The image forming method includes an input step, a discharge destination determining step, a first image forming step, and a second image forming step. In the input step, image data is input. In the discharge destination determination step, it is determined whether the discharge destination of the recording paper is the first discharge portion or the second discharge portion. In the first image forming step, when it is determined in the discharge destination determination step that the discharge destination is the first discharge unit, an image obtained by performing the rotation process at the first rotation angle is recorded on the recording paper. Then, the recording paper is discharged to the first discharge portion so that the rear end portion of the image is positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction. In the second image forming step, when it is determined in the discharge destination determination step that the discharge destination is the second discharge unit, the image obtained by performing the rotation process at the second rotation angle is recorded on the recording paper. Then, the recording paper is discharged to the second discharge portion so that the rear end portion of the image is positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction.

  According to the first, ninth, and tenth aspects of the present invention, even if the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion are different in the presence or absence of the reversing operation in the conveyance direction in the discharge of the recording paper, the discharge is performed in each discharge portion. It is possible to make the image orientation of the recording paper to be consistent. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from misidentifying the image due to the difference in image orientation of the recording paper between the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit.

  The invention of claim 2 is as follows. That is, the image direction control unit performs image direction control by controlling the input image.

  According to the invention of claim 2, image direction control can be realized by controlling an input image.

  The invention of claim 3 is as follows. That is, the image direction control unit includes an image rotation unit that performs rotation processing at a predetermined angle using the input image. The control performed by the image direction control unit varies the rotation angle of the rotation process performed by the image rotation unit depending on whether the recording paper discharge destination is the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit. Is done by.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, only the rotation angle of the rotation process performed by the image rotation unit is different between the case where the recording paper is discharged to the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit. The image orientation of the recording paper discharged to the second discharge portion and the second discharge portion can be unified.

  The invention of claim 4 is as follows. In other words, the rotation angle of the rotation process is 180 degrees different between the case where the recording paper is discharged to the first discharge unit and the case where the discharge destination is the second discharge unit.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the rotation angle of the rotation process is changed by 180 degrees between the case where the discharge destination of the recording paper is the first discharge portion and the case where it is the second discharge portion. It is possible to realize unification of the image orientations between the discharged recording sheets of the discharge unit and the second discharge unit.

  The invention of claim 5 is as follows. That is, the conveyance unit further includes a reversal conveyance unit that reintroduces the recording paper to the image forming unit so that the image is formed on the second surface by reversing the recording paper having the image formed on the first surface. Including. The image direction control unit causes the directions of the images formed on the first surface and the second surface to coincide with each other when images are formed on both sides of the recording paper by the operation of the reverse conveying unit.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the images are formed on both sides of the recording paper, it is possible to align the image orientations of the first side and the second side.

  The invention of claim 6 is as follows. In other words, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body including an input unit, an image forming unit, a transport unit, a first discharge unit, and an image direction control unit, and a second configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. And a discharge unit.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to connect the second discharge unit to the image forming apparatus main body and use it as necessary, which increases the convenience for the operator.

  The invention of claim 7 is as follows. That is, in the image forming apparatus, the image-formed recording paper discharged to the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit is a recording paper on which all images are formed by the image forming unit.

  The invention of claim 8 is as follows. In other words, the second discharge unit is disposed on the upstream side in the discharge direction of the recording paper in the discharge tray for storing the recording paper to be discharged, and performs a stapling process on the bundle of recording papers stacked on the discharge tray. A stapler. When the stapling process is not performed, the recording paper is discharged such that the leading edge of the image formed on the recording paper is positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction by performing the image direction control. When stapling is performed, the recording paper is discharged so that the leading edge of the image formed on the recording paper is positioned upstream in the recording paper discharge direction because image direction control is not performed.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the processing is made different depending on whether or not the stapling process is performed on the recording paper on which the image has been formed to be discharged to the second discharge unit (discharge tray). In other words, when the stapling process is not performed, the image direction control is performed, and the orientation of the image of the recording sheet discharged to the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit is aligned, so that the operator can discharge the recording sheet. Make it easier to visually recognize the image orientation. When stapling is performed, image direction control is not performed, and the leading end of the image is disposed on the side where the stapler is disposed, so that the stapling process does not cause a problem.

  Even if the first discharge section and the second discharge section are different in whether or not the conveyance direction in the recording sheet discharge is reversed, it is possible to make the image orientation of the recording sheets discharged from the respective discharge sections consistent. is there. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from misidentifying the image due to the difference in image orientation of the recording paper between the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit.

1 is a front sectional view of an image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. It is a flow regarding image direction control in the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating recording sheets discharged to a main body discharge unit 9 and an external discharge unit 11 as a result of performing image direction control. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating recording sheets discharged to a main body discharge unit 9 and an external discharge unit 11 as a result of not performing image direction control. It is a front sectional view of image forming device 1 in another embodiment. It is a flow regarding image direction control in another embodiment.

  A preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that this embodiment is merely an example in the description of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 1 is a front sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the image forming 1. FIG. 3 is a flow relating to image direction control. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the recording sheets discharged to the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11 as a result of performing the image direction control. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing recording sheets discharged to the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11 as a result of not performing the image direction control. 4 and 5 illustrate the recording paper discharged face down from the viewpoint from above.

  The image forming apparatus 1 has a plurality of functions for handling various images. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 can execute an image reading function, an image forming function, an image processing function, and an image transmission / reception function. In this embodiment, the apparatus is described as an apparatus having a plurality of functions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the apparatus may have only an image forming function.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 2 that performs the various functions described in the previous paragraph, and the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the recording paper processed by the image forming apparatus main body 2 is discharged. The external discharge part 11 is comprised. The image forming apparatus main body 2 includes a reading unit 3, a paper feeding unit 5, an image forming unit 7, a fixing unit 26, a main body discharging unit 9, and a conveying unit 12.

  The reading unit 3 reads an original by any one of an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) method and an FBS (Flat Bed Scanner) method. Using the image data obtained at the time of reading the original, processing relating to image processing, image formation, or image transmission is executed. Since the ADF method and the FBS method are obvious to those skilled in the art, description thereof is omitted.

  The paper feeding unit 5 includes a flapper 13, a paper feeding roller 14, and a separation pad 15, and feeds the recording paper to the image forming unit 7 by feeding the recording paper one by one from the stored recording paper bundle. . A recording paper bundle is placed on the flapper 13 and is urged upward by an elastic member (not shown). The paper feed roller 14 and the separation pad 15 feed the recording paper one by one from the recording paper bundle placed on the flapper 13.

  The image forming unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum 22 and a transfer roller 24, and a charger, an exposure unit, and a developing unit (not shown) arranged around the photosensitive drum 22, and is fed from the paper feeding unit 3. When the recording paper reaches the image forming position (nip position between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer roller 24), recording is performed using the image data input via the image reading unit 3, the NCU 50 and MODEM 52, and the network I / F 55 described later. A toner image is electrically formed on paper.

  In the process leading to toner image formation, the following processing is performed. The charger charges the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22 to a uniform potential, and the exposure unit exposes the charged circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22 based on the image data. At this point, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 22. Subsequently, the developer puts toner on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22 to visualize the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22. When the transported recording paper reaches the nip between the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer roller 24 in a visualized state, the photosensitive drum 22 and the transfer roller 24 feed the recording paper downstream in the transport direction, while the transfer roller 24 The toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer voltage. Thus, a toner image is formed on the recording paper.

  Specifically, the fixing unit 26 includes a heating roller and a pressure roller. When the recording paper reaches between the nips of both rollers, the toner image formed on one surface of the recording paper by the image forming unit 7 is heated. And fixing by applying a pressure action.

  The main body discharge unit 9 is a discharge destination to which the recording paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 26 is discharged.

  The transport unit 12 includes a registration roller 18, a discharge roller 30, and reverse transport rollers 32 and 32 that can rotate around a predetermined axis. The recording paper fed by the paper feed unit 5 is fed to the main body discharge unit 9 or externally attached. It is conveyed to the discharge unit 11. The registration roller 18 corrects the skew of the recording sheet and sends the recording sheet to the image forming unit 7 at an appropriate timing. The discharge roller 30 is configured to be capable of forward and reverse rotation, and discharges the recording paper on which the toner image is fixed to the main body discharge unit 9 by rotating forward and to the external discharge unit 11 by rotating reversely. Further, when forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the discharge roller 30 performs a reverse rotation operation regardless of whether the discharge destination is the main body discharge unit 9 or the external discharge unit 11. The reverse conveyance rollers 32 and 32 convey the recording paper conveyed by the reverse rotation of the discharge roller 30 toward the external discharge unit 11 or the image forming unit 7.

  Note that the conveyance direction of the recording paper is also reversed along with the reverse rotation operation of the discharge roller 30. For example, the front end portion of the toner image formed on the recording paper by the image forming unit 7 before the reverse rotation operation of the discharge roller. Is positioned on the upstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction, the leading edge of the toner image is switched to the downstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction. The “tip portion of the toner image” indicates a portion where an image is first formed by the image forming unit on the recording paper conveyed in the recording paper conveyance direction.

  Next, the recording paper conveyance path will be described below by turning from the conveyance unit 12. The route through which the recording paper is conveyed is roughly divided into a recording paper conveyance route 16 and a reverse conveyance route 17. The recording paper transport path 16 is a transport path from the paper feed roller 14 to the main body discharge section 9 via the registration roller 18, the photosensitive drum 22, the fixing section 26, and the discharge roller 30. The reverse conveyance path 17 is a conveyance path from the switching gate 33 to the position immediately before the registration roller 18 via the reverse conveyance rollers 32 and 32. When the recording paper passes through the reverse conveyance path 17 and is again introduced into the recording paper conveyance path 16, the front and back surfaces of the recording paper are reversed.

  Further, a switching gate 33 is provided at a connection position between the recording paper conveyance path 16 and the reverse conveyance path 17, and a switching gate 34 is provided at a connection position between the reverse conveyance path 16 and the inlet portion of the external discharge unit 11. The conveyance path is switched by the swinging of 33 and 34.

  Specifically, when the recording paper is transported from the fixing unit 26, the switching gate 33 is lifted by the pushing-up action of the recording paper, and the recording paper is transported along the recording paper transport path 16. . When the recording paper passes through the switching gate 33, it swings and descends due to its own weight. On the other hand, when the recording paper is reversely fed by the reverse rotation of the discharge roller 30, the switching gate 33 is lowered, so that the recording paper is conveyed toward the reverse conveyance path 17 as it is.

  The switching gate 34 is configured to be able to appear and retract in the reverse conveyance path 17 by a swinging operation. When the recording paper is discharged to the external discharge unit 11, the recording paper is swung so as to enter the reverse conveyance path 17, and the recording paper is guided to the external discharge unit 11. When the recording paper is conveyed again to the image forming unit 7, the recording paper is swung so as to be retracted from the reverse conveyance path 17, and the recording paper is guided to the downstream side of the reverse conveyance path.

  The external discharge unit 11 includes a discharge tray 35 and a guide conveyance unit 36. The discharge tray 35 accommodates discharged recording paper. The guide transport unit 36 transports the recording paper from the reverse transport path 17 to the discharge tray 35 and switches the subsequent transport destination of the recording paper transported through the reverse transport path 17. The guide conveyance unit 36 includes the switching gate 34 and the discharge roller 37 described above. The discharge roller 37 is configured to be rotatable around a predetermined axis, and discharges the conveyed recording paper to the discharge tray 35 after the transfer destination is switched to the discharge tray 35 by the switching gate 34.

  Also, a transport process from recording paper feeding to discharging will be described. When the image formation target is only one side of the recording paper, the recording paper is first fed by the paper feeding unit 5, and is conveyed along the recording paper conveyance path 16. A toner image is formed by the provided image forming unit 7. The recording paper on which the toner image is formed is discharged to the main body discharge portion 9 by the forward rotation operation of the discharge roller 30 when the main body discharge portion 9 is the discharge destination, and is discharged when the external discharge portion 11 is the discharge destination. By the reverse rotation operation of the roller 30, the roller 30 is discharged to the external discharge unit 11 along a part of the recording paper conveyance path 16 and the reverse conveyance path 17.

  In the case where the image formation target is both sides of the recording paper, the fed recording paper is reversely conveyed by the discharge roller 30 after the image is formed on the first surface, and passes through the reverse conveying path 17 to form the image forming unit. 7 is reintroduced. The re-introduced recording paper is transported in the same manner as when the image is formed only on one side after the image is formed on the second side, and the discharge destination is the main body discharge unit 9 or the external discharge unit 11. Discharged.

  The functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. The image forming 1 includes the image reading unit 3, the image forming unit 7, and the conveying unit 12, the CPU 40, the ROM 42, the RAM 44, the image memory 47, the NCU 50, the MODEM 52, the network I / F 55, the CODEC 60, and the operation unit 65. And these components can operate in cooperation with each other.

  The CPU 40, the ROM 42, and the RAM 44 perform various controls (image reading, image formation, image processing, image transmission, and the like) related to the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with each other. Specifically, a control program is stored in the ROM, and various controls are executed by the CPU reading this program and expanding it in the memory area of the RAM. The various controls include, for example, recording paper conveyance control relating to conveyance of recording paper, image direction control relating to a toner image formed on the recording paper, and the like.

  The recording paper conveyance control is a recording paper conveyance control when the image forming function is executed, and the conveyance unit 12 operates under this conveyance control, so that the recording paper conveyance path 16 and the reverse conveyance path 17 are moved. The recording paper is conveyed to each of the above-described components at an appropriate timing.

  The image direction control is performed by controlling input image data (image data input by performing reading or reception by the image reading unit 3, the NCU 50 and the MODEM 52, or the network I / F 55), and the main body discharge unit 9 and the external attachment. In the toner images formed on the recording paper discharged to each of the discharge units 11, the image orientations along the recording paper discharge direction are made to coincide with each other. Here, the direction of the toner image indicates the direction in which the toner image is formed along the recording paper discharge direction. The orientation of the toner image includes the same direction as the recording paper discharge direction and the direction opposite to the recording paper discharge direction.

  Specifically, when the image forming apparatus 1 executes the image forming function, the toner image formed on the recording paper based on the discharge destination (main body discharge unit 9 and external discharge unit 11) of the recording paper on which the image has been formed. And the direction of the input image data are rotated.

  In the rotation process described above, the rotation process is performed at an angle defined using the input image. Here, the rotation angle of the rotation process differs by 180 degrees between the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11 as the recording paper discharge destination.

  The image memory 47 is a storage destination for storing image data read by the image reading unit 3 and image data received from an external device.

  The NCU 50 functions as an interface for facsimile communication and controls connection to the public line network. Under the control of the NCU 50, image data is transmitted and received through the public line network. The NCU 50 also has a dial signal transmission function corresponding to the telephone number of the communication destination and an incoming call detection function. The NCU 50 receives a job related to facsimile communication from another terminal (facsimile device or the like) connected to the public line network.

  MODEM 52 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.30. 30 based on the facsimile transmission procedure according to 17, V.R. 27ter, or V.I. The transmission / reception data is modulated and demodulated according to a standard such as 29.

  The network I / F 55 functions as an interface for network communication and is connected to the LAN. Further, the network I / F 55 receives a job related to PC printing, a job related to Internet facsimile, or an inquiry about status information of the apparatus from another terminal (PC or the like) connected to the LAN.

  In order to transmit the read image data, the CODEC 60 encodes (encodes) the MH, MR, MMR method, etc., and decodes (decodes) the received image data.

  The operation unit 65 accepts various operations related to image reading, image formation, image transmission, and image processing, and various operations related to status information of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, for example, an instruction to execute image reading, an instruction to execute image formation, designation of a discharge destination of the recording paper on which image formation has been performed (a discharge portion of either the main body discharge portion 9 or the external discharge portion 11), is there.

  The image direction control will be described below with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the image direction control is performed immediately after the execution instruction related to the image forming function. However, the control timing is not limited to this, and can be performed at an arbitrary timing. Further, before executing the image direction control, image data is input from the image reading unit 3, the NCU 50, the MODEM 52, the network I / F 55, or the like. The above control is executed by the CPU 40, the ROM 42, and the RAM 44.

  First, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not to discharge the recording paper to the external discharge unit 9 (S1). In the case of YES in S1, the input image data is inverted up and down in the recording paper discharge direction by rotating the input image data by 180 degrees. If NO in S1, the input image data is not inverted by rotating the input image data (in other words, rotating at a rotation angle of 0 degrees). The image direction control is thus completed, but thereafter, image formation is performed on the recording paper using the image data obtained by the rotation processing, and the recording paper is discharged to a specified discharge destination.

  As a result of the above control, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording papers 70 and 71 are placed in the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11 with the leading end 75 of the image 72 positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction. The toner images are respectively discharged, and the toner image directions coincide with each other in the direction opposite to the recording paper discharge direction.

  Therefore, when the recording papers discharged by the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11 are compared with each other in the direction of the images along the recording paper discharge direction, they are the same direction, and the operator can select the recording paper discharge destination. Regardless, the image-formed recording paper is always ejected in a consistent direction, and image misidentification can be suppressed.

  If the above control is not performed, as shown in FIG. 5, the recording paper 70 is discharged to the main body discharge portion 9 with the leading end 75 of the image 72 positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction. The recording paper 71 is externally attached with the leading edge 75 of the image 72 positioned upstream in the recording paper discharge direction, in other words, with the trailing edge of the image 72 positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction. It is discharged to the discharge unit 11.

  This is because the recording paper discharged to the main body discharge unit 9 is discharged by the forward rotation operation of the discharge roller 30 and the conveyance direction is not reversed, but the recording paper discharged to the external discharge unit 11 is Since the paper is discharged by the reverse rotation operation and the conveyance direction is reversed once, the main body discharge portion 9 and the external discharge portion 11 have different image orientations of the toner images formed on the discharged recording paper, and the operation May misunderstand the image.

  Next, another embodiment different from the above-described embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the same members as those in the present embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Another embodiment is an embodiment that takes into consideration that images are formed on both sides of the recording paper and that the external discharge unit 11 can perform stapling on the recording paper.

  FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 7 is a flow relating to image direction control.

  In another embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a stapler 80 as a component of the external discharge unit 11 in addition to the discharge tray 35 (see FIG. 6). The stapler 80 is recorded on the discharge tray 35. A stapling process is performed on a bundle of recording paper that is arranged on the upstream side in the paper discharge direction and is discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 35. When the stapler 80 is disposed in the area on the downstream side in the recording paper discharge direction of the discharge tray 35 (outside of the machine in the external discharge unit 11), the load due to the installation of the stapler 80 in the external discharge unit 11 Therefore, it is preferable to install the stapler 80 on the upstream side in the recording paper discharge direction.

  The image direction control will be described below with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 first determines whether or not the recording paper is discharged to the external discharge unit 11 (S10). If NO in S10, that is, if the recording paper is discharged to the main body discharge portion 9, the following processing is performed.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not a toner image is formed on both sides of the recording paper (S12). If NO in S12, that is, if a toner image is formed only on one side of the recording paper, S14. In this process, the input image data is not subjected to the rotation process (in other words, the rotation process is performed at the rotation angle of 0 degrees), and this process is terminated. This is because when the toner image is formed on one side of the recording paper and is discharged to the main body discharge unit 9, the transporting direction is not changed by the reverse rotation operation of the discharge roller 30 in the recording paper transporting process. There is no need to rotate the input image data. Note that, in the recording paper on which the image has been formed and discharged according to the above determination, the leading end of the image is arranged downstream in the recording paper discharge direction.

  On the other hand, if YES in S12, that is, if a toner image is formed on both sides of the recording paper, rotation processing is performed on the input image data whose first surface is an image formation target at a rotation angle of 180 degrees (S16). This processing is terminated without performing the rotation processing on the input image data whose second surface is the image formation target (S18). The first surface of the recording paper is a surface on which the recording paper fed by the paper feeding unit 5 is first formed by the image forming unit 7, and the second surface is a surface on which the next image is formed. It is.

  Thereby, in the toner images formed on the first surface and the second surface, the orientations of the images along the recording paper discharge direction are aligned with each other. Further, in the recording paper on which the image is formed and discharged by the above determination, both the leading ends of the toner images formed on the first surface and the second surface are arranged on the downstream side in the recording paper discharge direction. In another embodiment, image formation is performed on both sides of the recording paper assuming left and right binding. Further, when using the image forming function, for example, the left and right binding is specified by the operation unit 65 or the like, and designation other than the left and right binding (up and down binding) can be performed. If the upper and lower bindings are designated, the image is processed in S16 without being inverted (in other words, the first surface and the second surface are made the same).

  If YES in S10, that is, if the recording paper is discharged to the external discharge unit 11, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not stapling is executed (S20), and according to the determination result. Thus, different processes are performed.

  If NO in S20, that is, if the stapling process is not performed on the recording paper discharged to the external discharge unit 11, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether a toner image is formed on both sides of the recording paper. (S22). If NO in S22, that is, if a toner image is formed only on one side of the recording paper, the input image data is rotated 180 degrees, and the input image data is inverted up and down in the recording paper ejection direction (S24). This process is terminated. In the recording paper on which the image is formed and discharged by the above determination, the leading end of the image is arranged downstream in the recording paper discharge direction.

  If YES in S22, that is, if a toner image is formed on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming apparatus 1 does not perform rotation processing on the input image data whose first surface is an image forming target (S26), and the second A 180 degree rotation process is performed on the input image data whose surface is an image formation target (S28), and this process is terminated. Thereby, in the toner images formed on the first surface and the second surface, the orientations of the images along the recording paper discharge direction are aligned with each other. Further, in the recording paper on which the image is formed and discharged by the above determination, both the leading ends of the toner images formed on the first surface and the second surface are arranged on the downstream side in the recording paper discharge direction.

  As described above, regardless of whether the recording paper is discharged to either the main body discharge portion 9 or the external discharge portion 11, the image orientation of the recording paper discharged from each discharge portion can be matched. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from misidentifying the image due to the difference in image orientation of the recording paper between the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit.

On the other hand, in the case of YES in S20, that is, when stapling is performed on the recording paper discharged to the external discharge unit 11, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not a toner image is formed on both surfaces of the recording paper. Judgment is made (S30). If NO in S30, that is, if a toner image is formed only on one side of the recording paper, the input image data is not rotated (S32), and this process is terminated. In the recording paper on which the image is formed and discharged by this determination, the leading edge of the image is arranged upstream in the recording paper discharge direction.
Accordingly, since the stapler 80 is similarly arranged upstream of the discharge tray 35 in the recording paper discharge direction, the recording paper is discharged to the discharge tray 35 (outside) in a positional relationship in which the arrangement position of the stapler 80 matches the binding position of the recording paper. It can be discharged to the attached discharge part 11).

  If YES in S30, that is, if a toner image is formed on both sides of the recording paper, the image forming apparatus 1 performs a 180 degree rotation process on the input image data whose first surface is an image formation target (S34). ) Rotation processing is not performed on the input image data whose second surface is an image formation target (S36), and this processing ends. Thereby, in the toner images formed on the first surface and the second surface, the orientations of the images along the recording paper discharge direction are aligned with each other. Further, in the recording paper on which the image is formed and discharged by the above determination, both the leading ends of the toner images formed on the first surface and the second surface are arranged on the upstream side in the recording paper discharge direction. Therefore, the recording paper can be discharged to the discharge tray 35 (external discharge portion 11) in a positional relationship in which the arrangement position of the stapler 80 and the binding position of the recording paper match.

  As described above, when the stapling process is not performed, the leading end of the image is positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction, so that the operator can easily recognize the image orientation of the discharge recording paper. Further, when performing stapling, the leading end of the image is positioned upstream in the recording paper discharge direction, and therefore, the leading end of the image is disposed on the side where the stapler 80 is disposed, causing a problem in stapling. Absent.

  In the above-described another embodiment, when image formation is performed on the first side and the second side of recording paper using input image data over a plurality of pages, each image data is selected as follows. . That is, image data corresponding to even pages is used for the first surface of the recording paper, and image data corresponding to odd pages is used for the second surface of the recording paper. For example, when four-page input image data is used to form an image on two recording papers on both sides, the first surface of the first recording paper and the image data on the second page are the same on the recording paper. The second side of the sheet and the image data of the first page are the image data of the second side of the recording sheet and the image data of the fourth page. Data corresponds to each. By forming images on both sides of a plurality of recording papers based on this correspondence, the order of image formation in the discharged recording paper bundle matches the order of input image data.

  In this embodiment and another embodiment, the recording paper is discharged face-down, but may be discharged face-up.

  In this embodiment and another embodiment, the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11 discharge the recording sheet so that the leading end of the image is located downstream in the recording sheet conveyance direction. The recording paper may be discharged so that the leading end 75 is positioned upstream in the direction. For example, in FIG. 3, the above-described discharge mode is realized by performing the rotation process in S3 without performing the rotation process of the input image data in S2.

  In this embodiment and another embodiment, by controlling the input image, the toner images of the recording paper discharged to the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11 are aligned with each other. However, it is not limited to this. For example, in the image reading unit 3, when a fixed original is read by driving the carriage in the sub-scanning direction, the carriage is moved in the direction opposite to the normal driving direction under the operating environment of the CPU 40, ROM 42, and RAM 44. Is driven to read the original to obtain input image data. Thus, the same result as that obtained when the input image data is inverted by the rotation process can be obtained. Regarding the proper use of the carriage drive direction, when it is not necessary to control the image direction (when it is not necessary to align the image directions of the recording sheets discharged to the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11). When it is necessary to control the image direction in the normal driving direction (first driving direction), the carriage is driven in the direction opposite to the normal driving direction.

  In another embodiment, the stapler 80 is provided as a constituent element of the external discharge unit 11, but constituent elements other than the stapler 80 can be arbitrarily added. For example, a punch unit that performs a punching process on the discharged recording paper may be provided. In this case, it can be configured as follows. That is, the punch portion is disposed on the upstream side of the discharge tray 35 in the recording paper discharge direction. If punching is not performed, the recording paper is discharged so that the leading edge of the image formed on the recording paper is located downstream in the recording paper discharging direction by performing image direction control, and punch processing is performed. In the case of applying, the recording paper is discharged so that the leading edge of the image formed on the recording paper is positioned upstream in the recording paper discharge direction by not performing the image direction control. Thus, when punching is not performed, the image orientation of the recording paper discharged to the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11 is aligned, and when punching is performed while ensuring image visibility, punching is performed. The recording paper can be discharged according to the arrangement position of the punch portion so as not to hinder the processing.

  Since the external discharge unit 11 is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 2, for example, depending on whether or not the external discharge unit 11 is mounted to the image forming apparatus main body 2. Thus, it is possible to determine whether or not to perform image direction control.

  In addition, in embodiment mentioned above, it can express as follows, for example. The image forming apparatus 1 (an example of an image forming apparatus) includes an image reading unit 3 (an example of an input unit), an image forming unit 7 (an example of an image forming unit), a discharge roller 30 (an example of a conveying unit), and a main body discharge unit 9. (An example of a first discharge unit), an external discharge unit 11 (an example of a second discharge unit), a CPU 40, a ROM 42, and a RAM 44 (an example of an image direction control unit). The image reading unit 3 receives image data. The image forming unit 7 forms an image on the recording paper based on the input image input by the image reading unit 3. The discharge roller 30 conveys the recording paper formed by the image forming unit 7 to the main body discharge unit 9 or the external discharge unit 11 and reverses the conveyance direction with respect to the conveyed recording paper. The main body discharge portion 9 is a predetermined discharge portion, and the recording paper on which an image has been formed is discharged without a reverse operation by the discharge roller 30. The external discharge unit 11 is a predetermined discharge unit, and the recording paper on which an image has been formed is discharged with a reverse operation by the discharge roller 30. The CPU 40, the ROM 42, and the RAM 44 perform image direction control for making the image orientations along the recording paper discharge direction coincide with each other in the images formed on the recording paper discharged to the main body discharge unit 9 and the external discharge unit 11, respectively. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus main body 3 Image reading part 7 Image forming part 9 Main body discharge part 11 External discharge part 30 Discharge roller 32 Reverse conveyance roller 35 Discharge tray 40 CPU
42 ROM
44 RAM
80 stapler

Claims (10)

An input unit for inputting image data;
An image forming unit that forms an image on the recording paper based on the input image input by the input unit;
A transport unit capable of transporting the recording paper formed by the image forming unit to a plurality of predetermined discharge units and capable of reversing the transport direction with respect to the transported recording paper;
A first discharge unit that is the predetermined discharge unit and discharges the image-formed recording paper without a reverse operation by the transport unit;
A second discharge unit, which is the predetermined discharge unit, wherein the recording paper on which an image has been formed is discharged together with a reverse operation by the transport unit;
An image direction control unit that performs image direction control to match the image directions along the recording paper discharge direction with respect to images formed on the recording paper discharged to each of the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit. And an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image direction control unit performs the image direction control by controlling the input image. The image direction control unit
An image rotation unit that performs rotation processing at a predetermined angle using the input image;
The image direction control is performed by differentiating the rotation angle of the rotation process performed by the image rotation unit depending on whether the recording paper discharge destination is the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is performed. 4. The rotation angle of the rotation processing is 180 degrees different between the case where the recording paper is discharged to the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit. 5. Image forming apparatus. The conveyance unit further includes a reversing conveyance unit that reverses the recording paper on which the image is formed on the first surface, and reintroduces the recording paper to the image forming unit so that an image is formed on the second surface. Including
The image direction control unit makes the directions of the images formed on the first surface and the second surface coincide with each other when an image is formed on both surfaces of the recording paper by the operation of the reverse conveying unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus includes:
An image forming apparatus main body including the input unit, the image forming unit, the transport unit, the first discharge unit, and the image direction control unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: the second discharge unit configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. The image-formed recording paper discharged to the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit is a recording paper on which all images are formed by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6. The second discharge part is
A discharge tray for storing the recording paper to be discharged;
A stapler disposed on the upstream side in the recording paper discharge direction in the discharge tray and stapling the recording paper bundle stacked on the discharge tray,
When the stapling process is not performed, the recording paper is discharged so that the leading edge of the image formed on the recording paper is positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction by performing the image direction control.
When performing the stapling process, the recording paper is discharged such that the leading edge of the image formed on the recording paper is positioned upstream in the recording paper discharge direction by not performing the image direction control. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. To a first discharge unit where the image-formed recording paper is discharged without a reverse operation in the transport direction, and to a second discharge unit where the image-formed recording paper is discharged with a reverse operation in the transport direction An image forming method capable of selectively discharging recording paper,
An input step in which image data is input;
A discharge destination determination step of determining whether the discharge destination of the recording paper is the first discharge portion or the second discharge portion;
When it is determined in the discharge destination determination step that the discharge destination is the first discharge unit, an image obtained by performing a rotation process at a first rotation angle is formed on a recording sheet, and the image A first image forming step of discharging the recording paper to the first discharge portion so that the leading end is positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction;
When it is determined in the discharge destination determination step that the discharge destination is the second discharge unit, an image obtained by performing the rotation process at the second rotation angle is formed on the recording paper, and the image A second image forming step of discharging the recording paper to the second discharge portion so that the leading end is positioned downstream in the recording paper discharge direction;
And an image forming method. To a first discharge unit where the image-formed recording paper is discharged without a reverse operation in the transport direction, and to a second discharge unit where the image-formed recording paper is discharged with a reverse operation in the transport direction An image forming method capable of selectively discharging recording paper,
An input step in which image data is input;
A discharge destination determination step of determining whether the discharge destination of the recording paper is the first discharge portion or the second discharge portion;
When it is determined in the discharge destination determination step that the discharge destination is the first discharge unit, an image obtained by performing a rotation process at a first rotation angle is formed on a recording sheet, and the image A first image forming step of discharging the recording paper to the first discharge portion so that the leading end is positioned upstream in the recording paper discharge direction;
When it is determined in the discharge destination determination step that the discharge destination is the second discharge unit, an image obtained by performing the rotation process at the second rotation angle is formed on the recording paper, and the image A second image forming step of discharging the recording paper to the second discharge portion so that the leading end is positioned upstream in the recording paper discharge direction;
And an image forming method.

Images