JP2016097612A - Image formation apparatus, image formation system and image formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an intended output object that is cut to be obtained without increase in cost when performing cutting processing of a print medium.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus comprises: an image formation part which forms an image on the basis of a job and prints the image on a print medium; and a control part which determines the contents of the job by receiving the job and controls the image formation part in accordance with the contents of the job. The control part decides the write-in position of the image in the image formation part in accordance with information on the cutting position in the main scanning direction of the print medium when there is setting in which the print medium having passed through the image formation part is cut in the main scanning direction width. Consequently, by deciding the write-out position in the image formation part on the basis of the contents of the job, an output object intended by a user can be obtained without increase in cost even when cutting is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming method for an image forming process for printing an image on a printing medium.

In an image forming apparatus, when an image is printed on a sheet by an image forming unit, the image is normally written in the image forming unit based on a sheet position according to the sheet size. In this case, if there is a misalignment of the paper, writing is performed in consideration of this. For example, if it is detected that the position is shifted by X mm from the position through which the sheet should pass, the X mm writing position is moved from the writing position when there is no shift, and the writing start position is determined from the reference based on the sheet size, the offset amount, and the margin amount. decide. As described above, an image can be drawn at an intended position on the paper even when the paper is shifted in the transport path.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance state of a sheet when the sheet is conveyed. For example, the deviation of the sheet S is detected by the deviation detection sensor 180 before reaching the image forming unit. In response to the detection result, the control device that controls the image forming apparatus determines the writing position of the image G forming position in the image forming unit according to the paper position reference + the offset amount (Xmm) + the margin amount of the paper.

In addition, the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus main body may be subjected to various types of post-processing in the post-processing device. Here, in order to cut the top and bottom of the sheet using a slitter in order to adjust the size in the scanning direction, the user cuts an unnecessary portion outside the image.
However, there is a case where the position of the sheet is shifted to reach the image forming unit and is displaced, or the position of the sheet is shifted from the image forming unit to the slitter.
On the other hand, by providing an alignment means such as an alignment plate in the post-processing apparatus or the like, it is possible to correct the paper introduced into the slitter unit to an appropriate position.
FIG. 10 shows the correct position of the conveyed paper S relative to the paper S on which the image G is printed by correcting the paper position in the main scanning direction by the alignment plate 230 and then introducing the paper into the slitter unit 240. It is possible to perform cutting with (cutting slitters 240A and 240B).
On the other hand, when the alignment plate is not provided, as shown in FIG. 11, a part of the image G may be lost due to cutting, or a margin may be left.

  It is also conceivable that a post-processing device or the like is provided with a detection unit that can detect the positional deviation of the paper, and the cutting position in the slitter unit is moved and adjusted in real time based on the detection result.

  In Patent Document 1, the amount of misalignment at the time of image formation is calculated by scanning the paper after image output, and the cutting position offline is adjusted. If the amount of deviation exceeds the specified amount, job output is canceled.

JP 2008-52115 A

However, the apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1 does not adjust the cutting position of the slitter unit according to the contents of the job, and cannot prevent a deviation between the cutting position and the image layout, and can be adjusted in real time. You can not do.
In addition, although it is possible to eliminate the misalignment of the paper that fits the slitter unit by providing the alignment unit, in an apparatus that does not have the alignment unit, the apparatus cost increases by newly providing the alignment unit. . In addition, in the case where the aligning unit is provided, if the image is not printed at an appropriate position on the paper, the image may not be properly adjusted to the cutting position even if the alignment is performed. Further, there are cases where it is not desired to use the aligning means because the front and back of the paper is reversed by the aligning means, and the cutting in the slitter unit is hindered.
Furthermore, with an apparatus that can adjust the cutting position of the slitter unit after detecting misalignment, it is difficult to adjust the cutting position immediately after detecting misalignment, and models such as PP (product print) machines with short paper gaps Then, it is practically difficult to adjust in real time.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming apparatus capable of reliably obtaining an output product intended by a user even in a job with cutting without causing an increase in cost. An object is to provide an image forming method.

That is, among the image forming apparatuses of the present invention, the first present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image based on a job and prints the image on a print medium;
Receiving a job, determining the content of the job, and controlling the image forming unit according to the content of the job, and
If the print medium that has passed through the image forming unit is set to be cut in the main scanning direction width, the control unit sets the image in the image forming unit according to information on the cutting position in the main scanning direction of the print medium. The writing position is determined.

  The image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit is configured to cut the print medium having passed through the image forming unit in a main scanning direction width. One of the print medium position reference in the forming unit and the cutting position information in the main scanning direction is selected, and the image forming position in the image forming unit is determined according to the selected content. .

  In the image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the control unit is configured to control the image based on a pre-printing positional deviation amount in a main scanning direction of a print medium reaching the image forming unit. The position reference of the print medium is adjusted before reaching the forming portion.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, further comprising: a deviation detection unit that detects the positional deviation before printing, and the control unit receives a detection result of the deviation detection unit. The position of the print medium is adjusted before reaching the image forming unit based on the detection result.

  The image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the control in the main scanning direction that occurs until the print medium reaches the cutting position in the main scanning direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction is adjusted based on a positional deviation amount of the print medium.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, wherein the control unit is provided with the positional deviation as a set value.

  An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, further comprising an operation unit, wherein the control unit is configured to set the positional deviation based on an input value input by a user through the operation unit. It is characterized by determining.

  An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the control unit is capable of outputting a chart for measuring the displacement amount.

The image forming apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the amount of positional deviation of the print medium in the main scanning direction is calculated while the print medium reaches the cutting position in the main scanning direction from the image forming unit. It has a misalignment detector to detect,
The control unit receives a detection result of the misregistration detection unit, and adjusts information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction based on the detection result.

  The image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein the control unit is arranged in the image forming unit according to information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction of the print medium. When determining the writing position of the image, if it is determined that at least a part of the image is printed outside the printing range of the printing medium at the writing position, the subsequent paper feeding is stopped. .

  An image forming apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the control unit relates to reprint printing for the job, and passes through the image forming unit to perform a main scanning direction. When the print medium is set to be cut by a width, control is performed to determine the image formation position in the image forming unit based on the position reference of the print medium in the image forming unit, and the cutting position of the print medium And a control instruction to adjust the image according to the print medium position in the image forming unit.

  An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, further comprising a cutting unit that cuts a sheet having passed through the image forming unit with a width in a main scanning direction.

  An image forming system according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that receives a job, determines the content of the job, and controls an image forming unit that prints an image on a print medium according to the content of the job, When the print medium is set to be cut in the main scanning direction width through the image forming unit, the control unit sets the image in the image forming unit according to information on the cutting position of the print medium in the main scanning direction. The writing position is determined.

  An image forming system according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein an image forming unit that forms an image based on a job and prints the image on a print medium, and a sheet that has passed through the image forming unit. And a cutting portion that cuts in the width in the scanning direction.

  In an image forming system according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when the control unit is configured to cut the print medium with a width in the main scanning direction through the image forming unit, The image forming position is determined in the image forming section by selecting either the print medium position reference in the image forming section or the cutting position information in the main scanning direction.

  The image forming system according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the control in the main scanning direction which occurs until the print medium reaches the cutting position in the main scanning direction. The cutting position information in the main scanning direction is adjusted based on the amount of positional deviation of the print medium.

An image forming method according to a seventeenth aspect of the invention includes a step of receiving a job and determining the content of the job, and a step of controlling an image forming unit that prints an image on a print medium according to the content of the job. And
In the step of controlling the image forming unit, when the print medium that has passed through the image forming unit is set to be cut with a width in the main scanning direction, the image according to information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction of the print medium. An image writing position in the forming unit is determined.

  In the image forming method according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the step of controlling the image forming portion, a setting is made such that the print medium that has passed through the image forming portion is cut with a width in the main scanning direction. The image forming position is determined by selecting either the print medium position reference in the image forming section or the cutting position information in the main scanning direction.

  In the image forming method of the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the seventeenth or nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the step of controlling the image forming unit, the main scanning direction that occurs until the print medium reaches the cutting position in the main scanning direction. The cutting position information in the main scanning direction is adjusted on the basis of the positional deviation amount of the print medium.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by determining the writing position in the image forming unit according to the contents of the job, even if cutting is performed, an output product intended by the user can be obtained without increasing the cost. There is an effect.

1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, functional blocks of the image forming system are shown. Similarly, the relationship between the paper and the image layout when the image is written at the cutting position is shown. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing an output procedure including writing selection depending on the presence or absence of cutting. Similarly, when cutting is performed, the image layout is out of the sheet depending on the determined writing position. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing an output procedure including the presence / absence of cutting and whether the image layout is out of the paper. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing an output procedure including determination based on the presence or absence of additional printing. It is the schematic which shows the state which forms an image in paper in related technology. Similarly, it is the schematic which shows the state which aligns the paper with the alignment plate and cuts the paper. Similarly, it is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which cutting of a sheet is performed without performing alignment by an alignment plate.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
An image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is mechanically and electrically connected to an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image and a post-processing apparatus 20 that slits a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus. A large capacity paper feed tray 30 is connected to the upstream side of the image forming apparatus 10.
However, in the present invention, the connection configuration of the image forming system is not limited to this. Further, the post-processing apparatus may be included in the image forming apparatus, and the post-processing apparatus may be built in the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus main body 10A in the image forming apparatus 10 is provided with a document feeding device (DF) 14 constituting a part of a document reading unit on the upper side, and is fed by the document feeding device (DF) 14. The original can be read by a scanner unit (not shown). The document can be read on a platen glass (not shown).
In addition, an operation unit 140 is provided at a position where the platen glass is not located on the upper side of the image forming apparatus main body 10A, and the operation unit 140 is provided with an LCD 141. The LCD 141 is configured by a touch panel, and can be operated by an operator and information can be displayed. The LCD 141 serves as both an operation unit and a display unit. The operation unit may be configured with a mouse, a tablet, or the like, and may be configured separately from the display unit. The LCD 141 may be movable.

A plurality of paper feed trays 12 (two stages in the figure) are arranged on the lower side of the image forming apparatus main body 10A, and sheets can be stored and fed. The paper corresponds to the print medium of the present invention. The type of print medium is not particularly limited.
In the image forming apparatus main body 10 </ b> A, a transport path 13 for transporting paper fed from one of the paper feed trays 12 is provided, and an image forming unit 151 is provided in the middle of the transport path 13. . The image forming unit 151 includes a photosensitive member 151A, a charger, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and an LD 151B (not shown in FIG. 3) arranged around the photosensitive member 151A, and further downstream of the photosensitive member 151A. A fixing device 151 </ b> C is disposed in the conveyance path 13 on the side.

On the downstream side of the fixing device 151 </ b> C, the conveyance path 13 extends and is connected to the reverse conveyance path 17 of the reverse conveyance device 16.
In the image forming unit 151, the surface of the photoreceptor 151A is uniformly charged by the charger before the image is written, and the photoreceptor 151A is irradiated to the photoreceptor 151A by irradiating the photoreceptor 151A having the surface uniformly charged by the LD 151B. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 151A by the LD 151B with the toner member. By this development processing, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 151A. The transfer unit transfers the toner image on the photoconductor 151 </ b> A onto the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding tray 12 or the large capacity sheet feeding tray 30. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 151A and conveyed to the fixing device 151C. The toner member remaining on the photoreceptor 151A is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown).

The fixing device 151C fixes the toner image transferred to the front side of the sheet as an output image by heating the conveyed sheet. The sheet subjected to the fixing process is conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 20 as it is through the conveyance path 13 or is reversed by the reverse conveying apparatus 16 and then circulated to the upstream side of the image forming unit 151 and reversed. Printing on both sides can be performed by forming an image on the back side of the sheet with the image forming unit 151. It is also possible to send the sheet to the reverse conveyance path 17 and reverse it by the reverse conveyance apparatus 16, and then return it to the conveyance path 13 for conveyance without sending it to the image forming unit 151.
The conveyance path 13 is connected to the conveyance path 21 of the post-processing device 20 on the downstream side.

The post-processing device 20 can perform sheet alignment and cutting in the scanning direction width.
In the post-processing device 20, the alignment conveyance path 22 branches in the middle of the conveyance path 21, and the alignment unit 23 is provided on the leading end side of the alignment conveyance path 22. The aligning unit 23 aligns paper using an aligning plate (not shown) or the like, and a known configuration can be used, and the configuration is particularly limited in the present embodiment. is not.
In the transport path 21, the paper can be transported straight without branching to the alignment transport path 22, and the paper transport on the straight and the paper transport to the alignment unit 23 side can be switched by transport switching.

A slitter unit 24 is interposed in the downstream conveyance path 21 from which the conveyance path 21 is branched, and the downstream end of the conveyance path 21 is connected to the paper discharge unit 25 on the downstream side of the slitter unit 24.
The slitter unit 24 can cut the top and bottom of the paper transported through the transport path 21 with the cutting slitters 24A and 24B, and can change the cutting position according to the size of the paper. Further, a configuration in which the cutting position can be adjusted in response to a positional deviation of the paper or the like may be employed.
Note that the post-processing apparatus may not have the matching unit 23. FIG. 2 shows an image forming system 1A including a post-processing device 20A that does not have a matching unit. Other configurations are the same as those of the image forming system shown in FIG.
Further, the image forming apparatus main body 10A includes an overall control block unit 100 that controls the image forming systems 1 and 1A.

Next, control blocks of the image forming systems 1 and 1A will be described with reference to FIG.
The control block is shown with a configuration mainly composed of the image forming apparatus 10.
The image forming apparatus 10 is input / output from / to an external device (for example, terminal 2 (PC)) through the overall control block unit 100, the scanner unit 130, the operation unit 140, the printer unit 150, and the LAN 3 as a main configuration. An image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 for processing image data.

  The image forming apparatus 10 may be connected to the management apparatus 5 through the LAN 4. The LAN 4 may constitute a part of the network of the present invention, and the management device 5 may constitute a part of the image forming system of the present invention. In the present invention, the image forming system may not include the LAN 4 and the management device 5.

The overall control block unit 100 includes a control CPU 110, and a DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the control CPU 110.
A determination unit 112 and a correction value storage unit 113 are connected to the control CPU 110.
The determination unit 112 has a program for operating the control CPU 110, and the program is stored in a ROM or the like. In the determination unit 112, the program is executed by being read by the control CPU 110, and the content of the job is determined. Further, the control CPU 110 controls the image forming unit in accordance with the contents of the job, and when the sheet that has passed through the image forming unit is set to be cut in the main scanning direction width, the cutting position of the sheet in the main scanning direction is set. Control is performed to determine the image writing position in the image forming unit in accordance with the information.
The correction value storage unit 113 has a non-volatile memory or the like, and stores correction values for adjusting information on the paper position reference in the image forming unit and the cutting position information in the slitter unit 24 due to paper misalignment.
The control CPU 110 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10, grasps the state of the entire image forming apparatus 10, and receives reading results of the image forming unit 151, the conveyance path 13, and the line sensor 18. Further, a cutting instruction in the slitter unit 24 in the post-processing unit 20 and a cutting position instruction according to the paper size are performed. The control CPU 110, the determination unit 112, and the correction value storage unit 113 function as a control unit of the present invention.

  The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 110 and is controlled by the control CPU 110. The scanner control unit 132 can be configured by a CPU or a program for operating the CPU. The image information read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116. The read processing unit 116 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111, and the image data processed by the read processing unit 116 is transmitted to the DRAM control IC 111.

  The operation unit 140 includes a touch panel type LCD 141 and an operation unit control unit 142. The LCD 141 and the operation unit control unit 142 are connected to each other, and the operation unit control unit 142 and the control CPU 110 communicate with each other through serial communication. Connected as possible. With this configuration, the control unit 110 controls the operation unit 140. The operation unit control unit 142 can be configured by a CPU, a program for operating the CPU, and the like.

The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the image memory 114. The image memory 114 stores image information acquired by the scanner unit 130, image information acquired through the LAN 3, etc., printing conditions, file information, and the like. As described above, the image memory 114 is a storage area for image information, printing conditions, and file information, and stores job information to be printed.
The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to an HDD 115 (hard disk) and can store data in a nonvolatile manner. The HDD 115 can store image information acquired by the scanner unit 130, image information generated by the terminal 2 connected to the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, and the like. Operation parameters and the like may be stored in the HDD 115.

  Further, a write processing unit 117 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111. The writing processing unit 117 is connected to the LD 151B of the printer unit 150, and processes data used for the operation of the LD 151. The printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 152 that controls the entire printer unit 150. The printer control unit 152 is connected to the control CPU 110 and receives control.

  In the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, an image memory 162 composed of a DRAM or the like is connected to the DRAM control IC 161. In the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, the DRAM control IC 161, a controller control CPU 163 that controls the entire image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, and a LAN interface 165 are connected to a common bus. . The LAN interface 165 is connected to the LAN 3.

The control CPU 110 is connected to a communication control unit 121 that controls the entire communication unit 120 that communicates with the outside, and can be connected to the LAN 4 through a NIC 122 (network interface card) included in the communication unit 120. It is said that. The communication control unit 121 operates in accordance with an operation command from the control CPU 110, and sends image information, instruction information, image quality parameters, and other data transferred from the control CPU 110 according to a predetermined communication procedure to the LAN 4 through the NIC 122. Data such as image information and instruction information sent from is received through the NIC 122 and sent to the control CPU 110.
In the figure, the management apparatus 5 is connected to the LAN 4, and the management apparatus 5 can manage the image forming apparatus 10. In addition, as this invention, you may not have a management part.

Although not shown, the control CPU 110 is connected to the line sensor 18 so as to be controllable, and controls the operation of the line sensor 18 and receives the reading result of the image read by the line sensor 18. A deviation of the sheet conveyed along the conveyance path 13 is detected. The control CPU 110 corrects the paper position reference in the image forming unit 151 based on the detection result. The correction value is temporarily stored in the correction value storage unit 113.
Although not provided in this embodiment, a misalignment correction unit that corrects the position of a sheet that has undergone misalignment may be provided. A roller or a registration roller that swings in the main scanning direction can be used for the offset correction unit.
When reading an image outside the image forming apparatus, the reading result may be acquired through a network, or may be input through the operation unit 140.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.
First, a procedure for accumulating image information in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 10, when the scanner unit 130 reads an image of a document and generates image information, the scanner unit 130 optically reads the document image from the document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the control CPU 110. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the image information subjected to the data processing is stored in the image memory 114 or the HDD 115 via the DRAM control IC 111. Image information and print information stored in the image memory 114 and the HDD 115 can be managed as jobs by the control CPU 110.

When acquiring image information and print information from the outside, for example, job information transmitted from the terminal 2 or the like through the LAN 3 is stored in the image memory 162 by the DRAM control IC 161 via the LAN interface 165.
The print data in the image memory 162 is stored in the image memory 114 and the HDD 115 via the DRAM control IC 161, the PCI bus 112, and the DRAM control IC 111 under the control of the controller control CPU 163. When the print data is page description data, the controller data can be converted into a raster image by RIP processing by the controller control CPU 163.
Further, the image information and the print information can be acquired from the management apparatus 5 and other image forming apparatuses through the NIC 122. The job information is temporarily stored in the image memory 114 or the HDD 115 via the DRAM control IC 111.

The image information stored in the image memory 114 is compressed through the DRAM control IC 111 and stored in the image memory 114 through the DRAM control IC 111. Further, when storing in the HDD 115, the data is compressed via the DRAM control IC 111 and stored in the HDD 115. The job information is managed by the control CPU 110 as described above. In job management, printing conditions are set and stored in the image memory 114 and HDD 115 in association with image information.
The print conditions include information such as the print mode, paper information, paper feed tray, paper discharge destination, post-processing conditions, and the like. Specifically, the number of output image pixels, color / monochrome, single side / Examples include double-sided, color tone adjustment, paper size, paper orientation, paper type (paper type, weight, paper color, etc.), paper feed tray selection, post-processing device alignment, cutting .
Note that the printing conditions are set by the user through the operation unit 140, or automatically set by the control unit according to the initial setting and the operation status.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 outputs an image, that is, when used as a copying machine or a printer, or when using print data stored in the image memory 114, the image information is decompressed via the DRAM control IC 111. When image information stored in the HDD 115 is used, the print data in the HDD 115 is expanded via the DRAM control IC 111. The expanded image information is sent to the write processing unit 117, and the image forming unit 151 performs writing on the photoreceptor 151A according to the print information associated with the image information.

  In the printer unit 150, each unit is controlled by the printer control unit 152 that has received a command from the control CPU 110. At this time, the printing condition is referred to and control based on the contents is performed. In the image forming unit 151, the toner image written on each photoconductor at the writing position designated by the control unit CPU 110 is transferred to the paper supplied by the paper feed tray 12 and fixed by the fixing device 151 </ b> C. In the photoreceptor 151A, residual toner is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown). The sheet is discharged downstream by the conveyance path 13. Also, when printing on both sides of the paper, the paper that has passed through the fixing device 151C is sent to the reverse conveyance path 17 and reversed by the reverse conveyance apparatus 16, and then returned to the conveyance path 13 on the upstream side of the photoconductor 151A and then on the back side. Form an image. The printer control unit 152 is connected to the post-processing device 20 or the FNS control unit 200 of the post-processing device 20A so as to be controllable. The post-processing command by the control CPU 110 is transmitted to the FNS control unit 200 via the printer control unit 152, and the post-processing unit is controlled (for example, alignment and cutting) through the FNS control unit 200.

Note that in the writing of an image on the photoconductor 151A, writing is performed at a cutting position described later or a position according to a paper position reference. When writing is performed according to the paper position reference, the paper offset result detected by the line sensor 18 is stored in the correction value storage unit 113, and the control CPU 110 reads the storage result and determines the paper position reference. to correct.
In the control CPU 110, for example, in the initial setting, when cutting the paper by the slitter unit 24, the photosensitive member 151A determines the writing position according to the cutting position of the paper, and when the slitter unit 24 does not cut the paper. In the photoconductor 151A, the writing position can be determined according to the cutting position of the paper. These may be determined in the initial setting, may be displayed on the operation unit 140 so as to be selectable, may be selected by the user, and may include contents for designating a writing position as job information.
The image writing position may be determined by control by the control CPU 110 provided in the image forming apparatus 10, control by the terminal 2, or control by the management apparatus 5.

The paper on which the image is printed by the image forming unit 151 is sent to the post-processing device 20 or the post-processing device 20A through the transport path 13, and is transported through the transport path 21 in the post-processing device. When the alignment process is designated as the printing condition, the sheet is conveyed to the alignment conveyance path 22 and alignment is performed by the alignment unit 23. If the alignment process is not designated, the sheet is conveyed straight without reaching the alignment conveyance path 22.
When cutting is designated as a printing condition, a command according to the paper size is given in advance by the control CPU 110, and the cutting position of the slitter unit 24 is set at a position corresponding to the paper size. When cutting is designated, the slitter unit 24 cuts the paper at a preset cutting position. When the cutting is not designated, the sheet is conveyed without cutting by the slitter unit 24. The paper that has been cut or passed by the slitter unit 24 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 25 through the transport path 21. When cutting is designated, an apparatus having a matching unit may be set not to perform matching at the matching unit.
When the sheet is cut by the slitter unit 24, if the writing position is determined based on the cutting position information in the image forming unit 151, the image is arranged at an appropriate position with respect to the cutting position at the time of cutting. Therefore, a printed matter intended by the user can be obtained with certainty. Such an effect can be obtained regardless of the operation of the aligning unit, and the same effect can be obtained even in an apparatus that does not have the aligning unit. A good printed product is obtained.

In FIG. 4, the deviation of the sheet S reaching the image forming unit 151 is read by the line sensor 18, and the image forming position of the image forming unit 151 is determined by the cutting position based on the positions of the cutting slitters 24 </ b> A and 24 </ b> B of the slitter unit 24. The position of the obtained image G is shown. When the sheet is cut by the slitter unit 24, the image G is in a position corresponding to the cutting position, so that an output product intended by the user can be reliably obtained after the cutting. At this time, even when the post-processing apparatus has a matching unit, an appropriate output can be obtained without operating the matching unit. It should be noted that the operation of the matching unit is also within the scope of the present invention.
That is, when cutting, there is no problem no matter where the image is on the paper.
On the other hand, in the case of a job that is not cut, when the writing position is determined based on the cutting position reference, the amount of deviation differs for each sheet, and the image position on the sheet varies. Therefore, when cutting is performed, the writing position can be determined based on the cutting position reference, and when cutting is not performed, the writing position can be determined based on the paper reference and the offset amount.

The procedure of the image forming method for obtaining the above operation will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control CPU 110.
When determining the contents of the job, it is determined whether there is a cutting (step s1).
If there is cutting (step s1, Yes), the image writing position in the image forming unit is determined based on the cutting position reference in the slitter unit (step s2), printing on the paper is performed (step s4), and the process is completed. .
If there is no cutting (step s1, No), the paper reference is corrected based on the paper reference and the offset amount detected by the line sensor 18, and the writing position for the image forming unit 151 is determined based on the corrected paper reference. (Step s3), printing on paper is performed (step s4), and the processing in the image forming apparatus is completed.

  The relationship shown in Table 1 is shown when the method for determining the image forming position is shown. That is, the image forming position is determined depending on the presence or absence of cutting, and an appropriate image forming position is selected.

In the above, at the time of cutting, the image writing position in the image forming unit is determined based on the cutting position reference. However, depending on the position of the paper, the image may not be located in the assumed area.
In the case of a job that performs cutting, the writing position is determined based on the cutting position standard, thereby reducing the cost of the alignment unit and obtaining the output product desired by the user. The image data may be laid out.
Therefore, it is judged whether the image is laid out outside the paper based on the writing position, image width, deviation amount and paper width determined on the basis of the slitter standard. A warning to that effect may be displayed on the operation unit.
The paper that is determined to be laid out outside the paper and the paper in the machine are imaged and ejected, but once the printing is stopped, the user confirms the output and whether to output the abnormal page again. It becomes possible to judge.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the amount of deviation of the paper is large and the cutting position reference <(paper reference based on image size + deviation amount), and the image is laid out outside the paper. Also, when (cutting position reference + image width)> (paper position reference depending on paper size + deviation amount + paper width), the image is laid out outside the paper, and a desired printed matter cannot be obtained.

Hereinafter, a procedure including processing when an image is outside the paper layout will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control CPU 110.
When determining the contents of the job, it is determined whether there is a cut (step s10).
If there is no cutting (step s10, No), the paper reference is corrected based on the paper reference and the offset amount detected by the line sensor 18, and the writing position for the image forming unit 151 is determined based on the corrected paper reference. (Step s16), printing on paper is performed (step s17), and the process is completed.

If there is cutting (step s10, Yes), the writing position of the image in the image forming unit is determined based on the cutting position in the slitter unit (step s11), and it is determined whether the image layout is outside the sheet at the writing position (step s11). s12).
If the image layout is not out of the paper (step s12, No), printing on the paper is performed with the image written at the slitter reference position (step s17), and the process is completed.
If the image layout is outside the paper (step s12, Yes), printing on the paper is performed in this state (step s13). This paper does not have an image printed properly and is treated as scraped paper. Further, the subsequent sheet feeding is stopped (step s14), an abnormality is displayed on the panel (operation unit 140), and the process is terminated.

In the case of cutting, the image forming position is determined based on the cutting position, and it is assumed that there is no misalignment of the paper in the transport path from the image forming unit to the slitter unit. However, when the paper is transported from the image forming unit to the cutting position, the paper may be misaligned. In this case, even if writing is performed in the image forming unit based on the cutting position, the paper is misaligned. Therefore, there is a possibility that the actual cutting position and the image layout are shifted and the intended output product cannot be obtained. In order to avoid such a situation, the cutting position information is corrected based on the positional deviation of the paper, and the writing position is determined based on the corrected cutting position information. That is, the writing position in the image forming unit is determined by (cutting position reference + sheet positional deviation from the image forming unit to the cutting position).
The correction of the writing position at the cutting position is calculated from the remaining amount of margin in the output of the document and the output after slitting ((paper standard + deviation amount + margin amount) −remaining margin amount), input from the operation unit 140 and stored. do it. Also, the correction amount may be automatically calculated by scanning the cut sheet.

  As for the positional deviation of the sheet, an assumed positional deviation amount is stored in the correction value storage unit 113, and can be read out as necessary by the control CPU 110 and used to determine the writing position. The estimated misregistration amount may be set as an initial setting based on the trend of the model, etc. Also, a chart for measuring the misregistration amount is output, and the misregistration amount is grasped by the value You may make it do. When setting the measurement result, the user can input the measurement value through the operation unit 140 and store it in the correction value storage unit 113 or the like. A chart having a memory in the main scanning direction is used as a chart, and the sheet is cut through a slitter unit, and the amount of deviation can be visually confirmed from the obtained output result.

Further, a misalignment detection unit that detects misalignment of the sheet is arranged in the transport path 13 and the transport path 21 leading to the slitter unit, and the misalignment of the sheet from the image forming unit 151 to the slitter unit 24 can be detected. . In addition, it is desirable to install the position shift detection unit as close to the slitter unit as possible. As the misregistration detection unit, a known configuration such as a line sensor can be used.
If there is a positional deviation of the sheet up to the image forming unit 151, the difference between the detection result of the positional deviation detection unit and the detection result of the deviation detection unit that detects the positional deviation of the sheet reaching the image forming unit is obtained. Thus, it is possible to know the positional deviation of the sheet from the image forming unit 151 to the slitter unit 24. Further, when the misalignment of the sheet reaching the image forming unit 151 is corrected by the misalignment correcting unit or the like, the misalignment of the sheet from the image forming unit 151 to the slitter unit 24 is determined only by the detection result of the misalignment detecting unit. Be grasped.
When a misalignment is detected based on the detection result, the cutting position reference can be corrected after the page where writing is performed.

In addition, in the case of follow-up printing, if the writing position is determined by the image forming unit based on the cutting position, the printed matter that has already been printed and the image that will be printed thereafter may be misaligned and the intended output may not be obtained. There is. In the reprint printing, an image is further printed on a previously printed paper.
In the case of a job for reprint printing, since there is an image on the fed paper, it does not mean that the image may be anywhere on the paper, and the writing position must be determined based on the paper position standard. . Therefore, in the case of a reprint job, the writing position is determined based on the paper position, and the slitter position is controlled in accordance with the paper position. Since the movement of the slitter position takes time, the conveyance speed of the post-processing apparatus may be delayed. Further, in the case of a reprint printing job, the paper feed interval (paper interval) to the main body may be increased.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure for changing the writing position depending on the presence / absence of additional printing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control CPU 110.

When determining the contents of the job, it is determined whether there is a cut (step s20).
If there is no cutting (step s20, No), the paper reference is corrected based on the paper reference and the offset amount detected by the line sensor 18, and the writing position for the image forming unit 151 is determined based on the corrected paper reference. (Step s22), printing on paper is performed (step s23), and the process is completed.

If there is a cut (step s20, Yes), it is determined whether the printing is a reprint (step s21). Whether or not reprint printing is performed can be ascertained from job contents and user settings.
In the case of reprint printing (step s21, Yes), the paper reference is corrected based on the paper reference and the amount of deviation detected by the line sensor 18, and the writing position for the image forming unit 151 is determined based on the corrected paper reference. (Step s22), printing on paper is performed (Step s23), and the process is completed.
If it is not reprint printing (step s21, No), the writing position is determined based on the cutting position reference (step s24). At this time, the cutting position reference may be corrected in consideration of the positional deviation of the sheet from the image forming unit 151 to the slitter unit 24. After the writing position is determined, printing on paper is performed (step s23), and the process is completed.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but appropriate modifications can be naturally made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 1A Image forming system 2 Terminal 3 LAN
4 LAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Management apparatus 10 Image forming apparatus 10A Image forming apparatus main body 20 Post-processing apparatus 20A Post-processing apparatus 21 Conveyance path 22 Alignment conveyance path 23 Alignment part 24 Slitter part 24A Cutting slitter 24B Cutting slitter 110 Control CPU
151 Image forming unit 112 Judgment unit 113 Correction value storage unit

Claims (19)

An image forming unit that forms an image based on a job and prints the image on a print medium;
Receiving a job, determining the content of the job, and controlling the image forming unit according to the content of the job, and
If the print medium that has passed through the image forming unit is set to be cut in the main scanning direction width, the control unit sets the image in the image forming unit according to information on the cutting position in the main scanning direction of the print medium. An image forming apparatus that determines a writing position of the image forming apparatus.   When the print medium that has passed through the image forming unit is set to be cut in the main scanning direction width, the control unit is configured to determine the position reference of the print medium in the image forming unit and the cutting position information in the main scanning direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming position in the image forming unit is determined according to the selected content.   The control unit adjusts a position reference of the print medium before reaching the image forming unit based on a positional deviation amount before printing in a main scanning direction of the print medium reaching the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to 1 or 2. A deviation detection unit that detects the pre-printing position shift;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit receives a detection result of the deviation detection unit and adjusts a position of the print medium before reaching the image forming unit based on the detection result. apparatus.   The control unit adjusts information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction based on a positional deviation amount of the printing medium in the main scanning direction that occurs until the printing medium reaches the cutting position in the main scanning direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit is provided with the displacement as a set value. Having an operation part,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit determines the setting value of the misregistration based on an input value input by a user through the operation unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is capable of outputting a chart for measuring the misregistration amount. A misregistration detection unit that detects a misregistration amount of the print medium in the main scanning direction while the print medium reaches the cutting position in the main scanning direction from the image forming unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit receives a detection result of the misregistration detection unit and adjusts information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction based on the detection result.   When the control unit determines an image writing position in the image forming unit according to information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction of the print medium, at least a part of the image is printed on the print medium at the writing position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that printing is out of the range, the subsequent sheet feeding is stopped.   The control unit relates to the reprint printing, and when the print medium is set to be cut in the main scanning direction width through the image forming unit, the position of the print medium in the image forming unit is set. And a control instruction for adjusting a cutting position of the printing medium in accordance with a printing medium position in the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 10.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting unit that cuts the sheet that has passed through the image forming unit with a width in a main scanning direction. Receiving a job, determining the content of the job, and according to the content of the job, a control unit that controls an image forming unit that prints an image on a print medium;
When the setting is made so that the print medium is cut with a width in the main scanning direction via the image forming unit, the control unit sets an image in the image forming unit according to information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction of the print medium. An image forming system characterized by determining a writing position. An image forming unit that forms an image based on a job and prints the image on a print medium;
The image forming system according to claim 13, further comprising a cutting unit that cuts the sheet that has passed through the image forming unit with a width in a main scanning direction.   When the setting is made so that the print medium is cut in the main scanning direction width through the image forming unit, the control unit sets the position reference of the print medium in the image forming unit and the cutting position in the main scanning direction. 14. The image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the image forming position is determined by selecting any one of the information and the image forming unit.   The control unit adjusts information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction based on a positional deviation amount of the printing medium in the main scanning direction that occurs until the printing medium reaches the cutting position in the main scanning direction. The image forming system according to any one of claims 13 to 15. Receiving a job and determining the content of the job;
Controlling an image forming unit that prints an image on a print medium according to the content of the job,
In the step of controlling the image forming unit, when the print medium that has passed through the image forming unit is set to be cut with a width in the main scanning direction, the image according to information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction of the print medium. An image forming method comprising: determining an image writing position in a forming unit.   In the step of controlling the image forming unit, when the print medium that has passed through the image forming unit is set to be cut in the width in the main scanning direction, the position reference of the print medium in the image forming unit, and the main scanning direction 18. The image forming method according to claim 17, wherein the image forming position in the image forming unit is determined by selecting any one of the cutting position information in the image forming section.   In the step of controlling the image forming unit, information on a cutting position in the main scanning direction is obtained based on a positional deviation amount of the printing medium in the main scanning direction that occurs until the printing medium reaches the cutting position in the main scanning direction. The image forming method according to claim 17, wherein adjustment is performed.

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