JP2018144998A - Image formation device and sheet sorting program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid waste of resources as much as possible.SOLUTION: An image formed on a printed sheet is read by a scanner part 101. Whether there is a margin in the image read by the scanner part 101 is confirmed by a margin detection part 118, and when there is a margin, the size of the margin is detected. When there are a plurality of margins detected by the margin detection part 118, a paper discharge tray set to be reusable or unreusable is selected corresponding to the largest size of the margins by a system control part 121, for discharging the printed paper. Thereby, even when there is a margin corresponding to relatively small size such as name card size and L print size, the printed paper can be sorted to be reusable, and further, since the margin is not limited at the position of the printed paper, more printed papers 200 to be reusable can be detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a paper sorting program suitable for sorting printed paper.

  For example, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) is equipped with a print function, a copy function, a FAX function, a data transmission / reception function via a network, and the like. By the way, in such an image forming apparatus, for example, for the purpose of reusing printed paper, printing may be performed on a blank area where an image of the printed paper is not formed.

  In order to reuse such printed paper, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of trays for storing paper, margin area detecting means for detecting the size of the margin area of the paper, and each of the trays, There has been proposed a paper sorting device including a paper sorting unit that selects a tray according to the size of the blank area of the paper detected by the blank area detection unit and discharges the paper to the selected tray.

JP 2010-089879 A

  In Patent Document 1 described above, when the margin area detecting unit detects the size of the margin area of the sheet, the sheet sorting unit selects a tray corresponding to the size of the margin area of the sheet and discharges the sheet. Can be reused. By the way, in Patent Document 1, for example, paper having a margin area of A5 size or B5 size or larger is discharged to a recycled paper tray, and for example, paper having a margin area of less than A5 size or B5 size is discharged to a non-reusable tray. Yes.

  As described above, if the blank area that cannot be reused is limited to, for example, an A5 size or smaller than the B5 size, paper is wasted even though there is a blank area that can be reused. By the way, even a relatively small margin area such as a business card size or L size can be reused as a print area for a copy image of an ID card such as a card size license or insurance card. Conceivable.

  Further, the margin area in Patent Document 1 is limited to positions that are biased toward the corners of the paper, such as the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right of the paper. In this way, if the margin area is limited to a position biased to the corner of the paper, for example, even if there is a margin area of a relatively small size such as a business card size or L size at the center of the paper, it is reused. It will be treated as impossible.

  For this reason, it is desired to develop an apparatus capable of sorting printed sheets that can reduce waste of resources as much as possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus and a paper sorting program capable of solving the above problems.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of paper discharge trays, an image reading device that reads an image formed on a sheet, and checks whether there is a margin from an image read by the image reading device. If there are a plurality of margins detected by the margin detection unit and the margin detection unit, the margin detection unit is set to be reusable or non-reusable according to the largest size of the margin. And a system control unit for selecting a paper discharge tray and discharging the paper.
In addition, when all the margins are less than a specific size, the system control unit determines that reuse is not possible, selects the paper discharge tray that is set to be non-reusable, and the margin that is greater than or equal to a specific size is present. When there are a plurality of paper discharge trays, the paper discharge tray set to be reusable is selected according to the margin of the largest size.
In addition, a panel unit is provided, and when the specified size of the margin specified through the panel unit is equal to or larger than a specific size, the system control unit is reused when all the margins are less than the specified size. If it is determined that it is not possible to select the paper discharge tray that is set to be non-reusable and there are a plurality of margins that are equal to or larger than the specified size, the paper is set to be reusable according to the margin of the largest size. The paper discharge tray is selected.
Further, when the margin detection unit detects that the margin exists on the front side and the back side of the paper, the system control unit is set to be reusable according to the margin of the largest size. A discharge tray is selected.
Further, the margin detection unit detects the position of the margin together with the detection of the size of the margin,
The system control unit, based on the position of the margin, determines that the larger size is the margin when the margin overlaps on the front side and the back side.
The sheet sorting program according to the present invention includes a step of reading an image formed on a sheet with an image reading device, and a margin detection unit to check whether there is a margin from the image read by the image reading device. If there are a plurality of the margins detected by the margin detection unit by the step of detecting the size of the margins if there is a plurality of margins detected by the system control unit, it is set as reusable or non-reusable according to the largest size of the margins And a step of causing the computer that controls the image forming apparatus to execute the step of selecting the discharged paper discharge tray and discharging the paper.
In the image forming apparatus and the paper sorting program of the present invention, the image formed on the paper is read by the image reading device, and the margin detection unit checks whether there is a blank from the image read by the image reading device. If present, the size of the margin is detected, and when there are a plurality of margins detected by the margin detection unit by the system control unit, the paper discharge tray set to be reusable or not reusable according to the largest size of the margin Select to eject the paper.
As a result, even when there is a margin corresponding to a relatively small size such as a business card size or an L size, printed paper can be sorted as reusable. Further, since the margin is not limited to the position of the printed paper, a large number of margins can be detected, and more printed paper that can be reused can be detected.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the paper sorting program of the present invention, even when there is a margin corresponding to a relatively small size, the printed paper can be sorted as reusable, and the margin is printed on the paper. By limiting the number of printed sheets to be reusable, it is possible to reduce waste of resources as much as possible.

1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment in which an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to an MFP. FIG. 2A is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the ADF in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining a switchback mechanism of the ADF in FIG. 1. FIG. 2C is a diagram for explaining the switchback mechanism of the ADF in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control part of FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an outline of margin detection by the margin detection unit in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a case where the margin detection unit detects margins of two business card sizes, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case where the margin detection unit detects a business card size blank and an L size blank, and FIG. 4C illustrates a case where the blank detection unit detects a business card size blank and a postcard size blank. FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating a case where the margin detection unit detects an L size margin and an A5 size margin, and FIG. 4E illustrates the margin detection unit on the surface of the sheet. FIG. 4F is a diagram showing a case where an L-size margin and an A5-size margin are detected on the side, and a postcard-size margin is detected on the back side of the paper. FIG. It is a figure which shows the case where the whole area of is detected as a margin. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining printed sheet sorting processing based on a standard designated size by MFP 100 in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining printed sheet sorting processing based on a user-specified size by MFP 100 in FIG. 1. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. An example of the image forming apparatus in the following description is, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) which is a complex peripheral device equipped with a print function, a copy function, a FAX function, a data transmission / reception function via a network, and the like. Shall.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a scanner unit 101, a control unit 110, a paper feeding unit 130, a printer unit 140, a fixing unit 150, a conveyance unit 160, and the like are mounted inside a main body 101 </ b> A of the MFP 100. Reference numeral 170 denotes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) having a paper feed tray 171, and reference numeral 180 denotes a mail box having a plurality of paper discharge trays (A) 181 to (F) 186. The number of paper discharge trays (A) 181 to (F) 186 may be six or more.

  Although details will be described later, the scanner unit 101 reads, for example, images on the front side and the back side of, for example, a printed paper 200 automatically fed from the ADF 170. Further, the printed paper 200 may be stored in, for example, the lower paper feed cassette 131c and fed from the paper feed cassette 131c. In this case, the scanner unit 101 scans an image on the front side of the printed paper 200 that is transported by a first transport path 161 described below and transported by the second transport path 162, and then the third transport path 163. The image on the back side of the reversed printed paper 200 is read.

  The control unit 110 controls the operation of each unit, and details will be described later. The paper feed unit 130 accommodates a plurality of paper feed cassettes 131a to 131c that can accommodate various paper 133 having different paper sizes and paper types. For the paper feed cassettes 131a to 131c, for example, the lower paper feed cassette 131c is set for the printed paper 200, and the upper paper feed cassette 131a and the middle paper feed cassette 131b are used for the blank paper 133. Can be set as Each of the paper feeding cassettes 131a to 131c is provided with a paper feeding roller 132. The paper feed roller 132 feeds the paper 133 from the paper feed cassettes 131 a to 131 c to a first transport path 161 (to be described later) of the transport unit 160.

  The printer unit 140 includes an image forming unit 141 including magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (B), which includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a charging device, and an exposure device (not shown). ing. The printer unit 140 includes a primary transfer roller 142, a drive roller 143, a driven roller 144, an intermediate transfer belt 145, and a secondary transfer roller 146. The image forming unit 141 forms a toner image on a photosensitive drum (not shown) through charging, exposure, and development processes based on the print data. The primary transfer roller 142 transfers a toner image on a photosensitive drum (not shown) onto an intermediate transfer belt 145 that is stretched around a driving roller 143 and a driven roller 44. The secondary transfer roller 146 is pressed from the back side of the paper 133 and transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 145 to the front side of the paper 133.

  The fixing unit 150 includes a heating roller 151 and a pressure roller 152. The heating roller 151 applies heat from a heat source controlled by a heat source control unit (not shown) to the paper 133. The pressure roller 152 presses the paper 133 against the heating roller 151 side. The pressing force of the pressure roller 152 is adjusted by a pressure adjusting mechanism unit (not shown). The fixing unit 150 applies the pressure by the pressure roller 152 and the heat by the heating roller 151 to the paper 133 on which the toner image is transferred by the driving roller 143 and the secondary transfer roller 146. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper 133. The pressure adjusting mechanism unit (not shown) includes a pressing member that presses the pressure roller 152 in the direction of the heating roller 151, a spring, and a driving unit such as a stepping motor, and moves the pressing member by operating the driving unit. By adjusting the pressure, the pressing force of the pressure roller 152 is adjusted.

  The transport unit 160 includes a first transport path 161 that extends from the paper feed cassettes 131 a to 131 c to the branch point 164, a second transport path 162 that extends from the branch point 164 to the mail box 180, and a first transport path that bypasses the branch point 164. A third conveyance path 163 returning to 161 and a fourth conveyance path 166 extending from the ADF 170 to the second conveyance path 162 are included. The first transport path 161 and the second transport path 162 are used for single-sided printing. The third transport path 163 is used for double-sided printing.

  Here, in single-sided printing, the first conveyance path 161 conveys the paper 133 along the direction of arrow a to the toner image transfer position of the printer unit 140, and conveys the sheet 133 toward the fixing unit 150 in accordance with the toner image transfer speed. . Further, the first conveyance path 161 conveys the toner image to the fixing position of the fixing unit 150, and conveys the fixed paper 133 to the second conveyance path 162 side. Then, the second conveyance path 162 conveys the paper 133 on which the toner image is fixed to the mailbox 180 side along the direction of arrow a.

  In duplex printing, the first conveyance path 161 conveys the paper 133 along the direction of arrow a to the toner image transfer position of the printer unit 140, and conveys the sheet 133 toward the fixing unit 150 in accordance with the transfer speed of the toner image. Further, the first conveyance path 161 conveys the toner image to the fixing position of the fixing unit 150, and conveys the fixed paper 133 to the second conveyance path 162 side. Subsequently, the second transport path 162 transports the paper 133 on which the toner image is fixed to the mailbox 180 side along the direction of arrow a. When the rear end of the paper 133 reaches the branch point 164, the third transport is performed. The path 163 transports the paper 133 along the arrow b direction and sends it out to the first transport path 161. At this time, the paper 133 is reversed (the back side where the image is not formed is directed to the intermediate transfer belt 145 side). Thereafter, similarly to single-sided printing, the second conveyance path 162 conveys the paper 133 on which the toner image has been transferred and fixed, to the mailbox 180 side along the direction of arrow a. In the case of single-sided printing and double-sided printing, one of the paper feed cassettes 131a to 131c in which the blank paper 133 is accommodated can be selected.

  Although details will be described later, for example, when a printed sheet 200 is fed from the ADF 170, the scanner unit 101 reads an image printed on the front side of the printed sheet 200. Also, a margin detection unit 118 shown in FIG. 3 to be described later confirms whether there is a margin from the image read by the scanner unit 101, and detects the size of the margin if there is a margin. The margin detection unit 118 may detect the position of the margin in conjunction with the detection of the margin size. Further, when the fourth transport path 166 transports, for example, a printed sheet 200 fed from the ADF 170 to the second transport path 162 side along the arrow c direction, the second transport path 162 mails along the arrow a direction. Transport to the box 180 side.

  The ADF 170 has a plurality of transport rollers 172 to 177 arranged inside the main body 170B. The main body 170B is provided with a paper feed port 178 and a discharge port 179. A plurality of, for example, printed sheets 200 can be set on the sheet feeding tray 171. Further, for example, printed sheets 200 set in the sheet feeding tray 171 are separated one by one by a separation mechanism (not shown). As a separation mechanism, a soccer method, a friction method, or the like can be employed.

  The transport rollers 172 to 176 are arranged along the transport path 170a of the printed paper 200, for example, indicated by a dotted line, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2B, which will be described later, the conveyance roller 177 is arranged along a conveyance path 170b of, for example, printed paper 200 indicated by a dotted line. Further, for example, the printed sheet 200 conveyed along the conveyance path 170b is conveyed along the conveyance path 170c indicated by a dotted line as shown in FIG. 2C described later, and is further transferred to the fourth conveyance path 166. After being transported along, it is transported to the second transport path 162 side. Here, the switchback mechanism 170 </ b> A is configured by the transport rollers 176, 177, and 173. In addition, about arrangement | positioning of the conveyance rollers 172-177, it differs for every model, You may change arbitrarily. Also, the switchback mechanism 170A using the transport rollers 176, 177, and 173 is different for each model, and may be arbitrarily changed.

  Under the control of the control unit 110, for example, the mail box 180 sorts the printed paper 200 into the paper discharge trays (A) 181 to (F) 186 designated according to the margin size of the paper 200. . That is, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (A) 181 is set, for example, as a discharge destination when the maximum margin size is a business card size. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (B) 182 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum size of the margin is L size, for example. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (C) 183 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum margin size is a postcard size, for example. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (D) 184 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum size of the margin is, for example, A5 size. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (E) 185 is set as a discharge destination when, for example, the margin detection unit 118 detects the entire area on the back side (or front side) of the paper 200 as a margin. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (F) 186 is set as a discharge destination when it is determined that reusability is not possible because there is no margin larger than the standard specified size or user specified size described below.

  Next, the configuration of the ADF 170 will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the transport roller 172 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed port 178 of the main body 170B, and is, for example, a front surface of the printed paper 200 separated by the separation mechanism (not shown). For example, the uppermost sheet 200 of printed paper 200 on the paper feed tray 171 is drawn into the main body 170B while being rotated, and sent to the scanner unit 101 side.

  The transport roller 173 is positioned on the downstream side of the transport roller 172 on the transport paths 170a and 170b shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and for example, the printed paper 200 sent out by the transport roller 172 is transported to the transport path 170a, It sends out to the downstream conveyance roller 174 side along 170b. The transport roller 174 is positioned on the downstream side of the transport roller 173 on the transport paths 170a and 170b shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and for example, the printed paper 200 sent out by the transport roller 173 is transported to the transport path 170a, It is sent out to the downstream scanner unit 101 side along 170b.

  The scanner unit 101 is positioned on the downstream side of the transport roller 174 on the transport paths 170a and 170b, and reads, for example, the printed paper 200 sent out by the transport roller 174. That is, the scanner unit 101 is positioned below the transport paths 170a and 170b, and reads, for example, the front side of the printed paper 200. On the other hand, for example, the back side of the printed paper 200 is reversed and read by the scanner unit 101 by being sent out along the transport path 170c shown in FIG.

  Here, for example, the front side of the printed paper 200 is a surface side facing the upper side of the printed paper 200 set on the paper feed tray 171, for example. When the duplex reading setting is designated, the front side of, for example, the printed paper 200 conveyed at a constant speed is read by the scanner unit 101 and then reversed by the switchback mechanism 170A, for example, of the printed paper 200. The back side is read by the scanner unit 101, transported along the fourth transport path 166, and then transported to the second transport path 162 side. When the single-sided reading setting is designated, for example, the front side of the printed paper 200 is read by the scanner unit 101 and conveyed along the fourth conveying path 166 and then conveyed to the second conveying path 162 side. .

  The conveyance roller 175 is positioned on the downstream side of the scanner unit 101 on the conveyance paths 170a and 170b. For example, the printed paper 200 sent out by the conveyance roller 174 is moved to the discharge port 179 side of the main body 170B along the conveyance path 170c. Send it out. The conveyance roller 176 is positioned on the downstream side of the conveyance roller 175 on the conveyance paths 170a and 170b, and discharges, for example, the printed paper 200 sent out by the conveyance roller 174 from the discharge port 179 of the main body 170B along the conveyance path 170a. To do. Further, the transport roller 176 feeds, for example, printed paper 200 discharged from the discharge port 179 to the transport roller 177 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the conveyance roller 177 is positioned on the downstream side of the conveyance roller 176 on the conveyance path 170b, for example, the printed paper 200 sent out by the conveyance roller 176 along the conveyance path 170b. Send to the transport roller 173 side. For example, the printed paper 200 sent to the transport roller 173 side is sent to the scanner unit 101 side along the transport path 170c and read by the scanner unit 101 as shown in FIG. Here, the surface of the printed paper 200 to be read, for example, is the back surface side reversed by the switchback mechanism 170A. Then, for example, when the printed paper 200 read by the scanner unit 101 is sent to the fourth transport path 166 side by the transport roller 175, the paper 200 is sent from the fourth transport path 166 to the second transport path 162 side.

  Under the control of the control unit 110, the mail box 180 sorts the printed paper 200 into the paper discharge trays (A) 181 to (F) 186 designated according to the size of the margin of the paper 200. That is, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (A) 181 is set, for example, as a discharge destination when the maximum margin size is a business card size. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (B) 182 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum size of the margin is L size, for example. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (C) 183 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum margin size is a postcard size, for example. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (D) 184 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum size of the margin is, for example, A5 size. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (E) 185 is set as a discharge destination when, for example, the margin detection unit 118 detects the entire area on the back side (or front side) of the paper 200 as a margin. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (F) 186 is set as a discharge destination when it is determined that reusability is not possible because there is no margin larger than the standard specified size or user specified size described below.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 110 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 110 controls operations of the scanner unit 101, the printer unit 140, a FAX (Facsimile) unit 102, an I / F (interface) 103, the panel unit 104, and the HDD 105.

  The scanner unit 101 is a device that converts an image on a printed sheet 200, for example, read by an image sensor (not shown) into digital image data and inputs the digital image data to the control unit 110. The printer unit 140 is a device that prints an image on a blank sheet 133 based on print data output from the control unit 110. The FAX unit 102 is a device that transmits data output from the control unit 110 to a facsimile as a counterpart through a telephone line, and receives data from the counterpart facsimile and inputs the data into the control unit 110.

  The I / F 103 is responsible for communication with other MFPs 100 and user terminals via the network. Note that the I / F 103 may be responsible for communication with a content server, a web server, or the like (not shown). Panel unit 104 is a device having a print function, a copy function, a FAX function, a data transmission / reception function via a network, a touch panel for performing various settings, and hardware keys, for example. The HDD 105 is a storage device that stores application programs for providing various functions of the MFP 100. The HDD 105 has a user box for storing a print job registered from the user terminal side.

  The control unit 110 is a processor that controls the overall operation of the MFP 100 by executing an application program such as an authentication program, a paper sorting program, and a control program. The control unit 110 includes a scanner control unit 111, a printer control unit 112, a FAX control unit 113, a communication control unit 114, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 115, an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable memory) 116, and an image processing unit 117. , A margin detection unit 118, a panel operation control unit 119, an HDD control unit 120, and a system control unit 121. These are connected to the data bus 122.

  The scanner control unit 111 controls the reading operation of the scanner unit 101. The printer control unit 112 controls the printing operation of the printer unit 140. The FAX control unit 113 controls data transmission / reception operations by the FAX unit 102. The communication control unit 114 controls transmission / reception of data and the like via the network via the I / F 103. The RAM 115 is a work memory for executing a program. The RAM 115 also stores print data that has been subjected to image processing (rasterization) by the image processing unit 117. The EEPROM 116 stores an operation check for each unit and a control program for generating a startup sequence.

  The image processing unit 117 performs image processing (rasterization) on the image data read by the scanner unit 101. The image processing unit 117 performs image processing (rasterization) on a print job registered in the user box of the HDD 105. The system control unit 121 temporarily stores the print data subjected to image processing (rasterization) by the image processing unit 117 in the RAM 115.

  The margin detection unit 118 checks whether there is a margin based on the image data read by the scanner unit 101, and detects the size of the margin if there is a margin. Further, the margin detection unit 118 may detect the margin position in conjunction with the detection of the margin size. When the margin detection unit 118 detects a margin, for example, an area without black data is detected based on the image data read by the scanner unit 101. The panel operation control unit 119 controls the display operation of the panel unit 104. The panel operation control unit 119 receives settings such as printing, copying, FAX, and data transmission / reception via the network via the panel unit 104. In addition, the panel operation control unit 119 receives a margin detection size designation via the panel unit 104. The margin detection size may be selected from a standard size that is the reading size of the scanner unit 101 or may be a size specified by the user. However, when the size specified by the user is equal to or smaller than the minimum size of the standard size (for example, business card size), the size specified by the user is treated as the minimum size of the standard size.

  Here, the standard size includes, for example, A4 size, (210 × 297 mm), B5 size (182 × 257 mm), A5 size (148 × 210 mm), postcard size (100 × 148 mm), L size (89 × 127 mm) , Business card size (90 × 60 mm), metric designation size, inch designation size, and the like. When specifying a standard size, an arbitrary size is selected via the panel unit 104. In addition, for the size specified by the user, for example, an arbitrary size within the range of A4 size or less of the maximum size is accepted. In the present embodiment, for example, the printed paper 200 having a minimum business card size and a margin larger than the minimum size is determined to be reusable by the system control unit 121, and printing without a margin larger than the minimum size is performed. It is determined that the used paper 200 is not reusable.

  The HDD control unit 120 controls reading and writing of data with respect to the HDD 105. The system control unit 121 controls the cooperative operation of each unit. Further, when the panel operation control unit 119 receives a margin detection instruction via the panel unit 104, the system control unit 121 designates a paper feed source, for example, ADF 170, and the paper 200 by the scanner unit 101 by the scanner control unit 111. Are conveyed, the image is read, the margin is detected by the margin detector 118, and the printed paper 200 is sorted into the mail box 180. In addition, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180 and instructs the discharge destinations of the discharge trays (A) 181 to (F) 186 according to the size of the margin detected by the margin detection unit 118. Further, the system control unit 121 may store, in the RAM 115 or the HDD 105, information related to the margin position detected by the margin detection unit 118 and the paper 200. In this case, when the printed paper 200 is reused, an image can be formed at the margin position based on the margin position detected by the margin detection unit 118. In the following description, it is assumed that the margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the margin.

  Next, an outline of margin detection will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the diagram shown below is an image of the printed paper 200 read by the scanner unit 101. In addition, the margin shown in the following figure is detected by the margin detection unit 118. Also, the printed paper 200 shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D has a margin only on the front side of the paper 200, and the printed paper 200 shown in FIG. A case where there is a margin on the back side is shown, and, for the printed paper 200 shown in FIG. 4F, for example, a case where the whole area on the back side is a margin is shown. Further, the margin detected by the margin detection unit 118 is, for example, not less than a business card size.

First, FIG. 4A shows a case where the margin detection unit 118 detects two margins a.
Here, the margin a is, for example, a business card size. In the example of FIG. 4A, the margins a are located on the upper right and lower right on the front side of the paper 200. In addition, the margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the two margins a.

  FIG. 4B shows a case where the margin detection unit 118 detects a plurality of margins a and b. Here, the margin a is, for example, a business card size. The margin b is, for example, L size. In the example of FIG. 4B, the margin a is located at the upper right on the front side of the paper 200, and the margin b is located at the lower right on the front side of the paper 200. In addition, the margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the margins a and b.

  FIG. 4C shows a case where the margin detection unit 118 detects a plurality of margins a and c. Here, the margin a is, for example, a business card size. The margin c is assumed to be a postcard size, for example. In the example of FIG. 4C, the margin a is located at the upper right on the front side of the paper 200, and the margin c is located at the lower right on the front side of the paper 200. The margin detection unit 118 detects the sizes and positions of the margins a and c.

  FIG. 4D shows a case where the margin detection unit 118 detects a plurality of margins b and d. Here, the margin b is, for example, L size. The margin d is, for example, A5 size. In the example of FIG. 4D, the margin b is located at the upper right on the front side of the paper 200, and the margin d is located at the lower stage on the front side of the paper 200. The margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the margins b and d.

  FIG. 4E shows a case where the margin detection unit 118 detects a plurality of margins b, c, and d. Here, the margin b is, for example, L size. The margin c is assumed to be a postcard size. The margin d is A5 size. In the example of FIG. 4E, the margin b is located at the upper right on the front side of the paper 200, and the margin d is located at the lower stage on the front side of the paper 200. Further, the margin c is located in the middle of the back side of the paper 200. The margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the margins b, c, and d. In the example of FIG. 4E, since the margins b and c overlap, the system control unit 121 compares the sizes of both, and determines that the margin c having a large size is a margin.

  FIG. 4F shows a case where the margin detection unit 118 detects the entire area on the back side of the paper 200 as a margin.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the sorting process of the printed paper 200 will be described. In the following description, the printed sheets 200 are sequentially fed from the ADF 170, and the discharge trays (A) 181 to (F) 186 of the mail box 180 are set in the system according to the margins of the sheets 200 detected by the margin detection unit 118. The case where the control unit 121 selects and sorts the paper 200 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a case where the margin detection size is selected from a standard size which is the reading size of the scanner unit 101 via the panel unit 104. The selected standard size is, for example, a business card size. The selected business card size will be described as a standard designated size. FIG. 6 shows a case where the size of margin detection is a size specified by the user (for example, 70 × 100 mm) via the panel unit 104. The size specified by the user will be described as the user-specified size. However, when the user-specified size is equal to or smaller than the standard size (for example, a business card size), the user-specified size is treated as the standard size.

  Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (A) 181 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum size of the margin is a business card size, for example. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (B) 182 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum size of the margin is L size, for example. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (C) 183 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum margin size is a postcard size, for example. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (D) 184 is set as a discharge destination when the maximum size of the margin is, for example, A5 size. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (E) 185 is set as a discharge destination when, for example, the margin detection unit 118 detects the entire area on the back side (or front side) of the paper 200 as a margin. Further, it is assumed that the paper discharge tray (F) 186 is set as a discharge destination when it is determined that it cannot be reused because there is no blank space larger than the standard specified size or the user specified size.

(Step S101)
The system control unit 121 determines whether or not margin detection is performed with the standard designated size.
In this case, when the system control unit 121 receives a notification indicating that the margin detection designated via the panel unit 104 from the panel operation control unit 119 is, for example, a standard size business card size (90 × 60 mm), It is determined that the margin is detected based on the specified size (step S101: Yes), and the process proceeds to step S103.
On the other hand, when the system control unit 121 receives a notification indicating that the margin detection designated via the panel unit 104 from the panel operation control unit 119 is, for example, a user designated size (for example, 70 × 100 mm), the standard control It is determined that the margin is not detected with the specified size (step S101: No), and the process proceeds to step S102.

(Step S102)
The system control unit 121 determines whether the user-specified size is larger than the standard specified size.
In this case, if the user-specified size (for example, 70 × 100 mm) is smaller than the standard designated size, for example, a business card size (90 × 60 mm), the system control unit 121 determines that the user-specified size is not larger than the standard-designated size. The process proceeds to S103. In other words, if the user-specified size is smaller than the business card size that is the standard designated size, the size of the blank to be detected is small and is not suitable for reuse.Therefore, the margin with the business card size that is the standard designated size as the minimum size Perform detection.
On the other hand, if the user-specified size is larger than the business card size (90 × 60 mm) that is the standard designated size, the system control unit 121 determines that the user-designated size is larger than the standard designated size, and proceeds to step S201 in FIG. To do. That is, if the user-specified size (for example, 70 × 100 mm) is larger than the business card size (90 × 60 mm), for example, smaller than the L size (89 × 127 mm) (70 × 100 mm), it is suitable for reuse. Perform margin detection with user-specified size.

(Step S103)
The system control unit 121 instructs margin detection.
In this case, the system control unit 121 feeds the printed sheet 200 from the ADF 170 and instructs the margin detection unit 118 to detect the size and position of the margin.
At this time, as described with reference to FIG. 2, when the ADF 170 feeds the printed paper 200, the transport rollers 172 to 174 transport the printed paper 200 to the scanner unit 101 side. Then, the scanner unit 101 reads an image printed on the front side of the printed paper 200. Further, the margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the front side margin from the image read by the scanner unit 101.
Further, when the switchback mechanism 170A configured by the transport rollers 176, 177, and 173 reverses the printed sheet 200 (the back side where the image is not read by the scanner unit 101 is directed toward the scanner unit 101). The transport roller 174 transports the printed paper 200 to the scanner unit 101 side. Then, the scanner unit 101 reads an image printed on the back side of the printed paper 200. Further, the margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the front side margin from the image read by the scanner unit 101.
When the back side of the printed paper 200 is read by the scanner unit 101, the fourth transport path 166 sends the printed paper 200 to the second transport path 162 side. Further, the second conveyance path 162 conveys the printed paper 200 to the mail box 180 side.

(Step S104)
The system control unit 121 determines whether the margin detection is completed.
In this case, the system control unit 121 determines that the margin detection has not been completed if there is no notification from the margin detection unit 118 indicating that the margin detection has been completed (step S104: No).
On the other hand, if there is a notification from the margin detection unit 118 indicating that the margin detection has been completed, the system control unit 121 determines that the margin detection has been completed (step S104: Yes), and proceeds to step S105.

(Step S105)
The system control unit 121 determines whether there is a margin larger than the standard designated size.
In this case, the system control unit 121 confirms the size of the margin detected by the margin detection unit 118, and if there is no margin equal to or larger than the business card size, which is the standard designated size, determines that there is no margin equal to or larger than the standard designated size (step (S105: No), the process proceeds to step S106.
On the other hand, the system control unit 121 confirms the size of the margin detected by the margin detection unit 118, and determines that there is a margin larger than the standard designated size if there is a margin larger than the business card size which is the standard designated size ( Step S105: Yes), the process proceeds to step S108.
That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the system control unit 121 determines that there is a margin larger than the standard designated size when the margin detection unit 118 detects two business card size margins a. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the margin detection unit 118 detects a business card size margin a and an L size margin b, as shown in FIG. Judge that there is. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the system control unit 121 determines that there is a margin larger than the standard designated size when the business card size margin “a” and the postcard size margin “c” are detected. Further, as shown in FIG. 4D, the system control unit 121 determines that there is a margin larger than the standard designated size when the L-size margin b and the A5-size margin d are detected. Further, as shown in FIG. 4E, when the system control unit 121 detects an L size margin b, a postcard size margin c, and an A5 size margin d, the system control unit 121 is larger than the standard designated size. Judge that there is a margin. However, as shown in FIG. 4E, when the margins b and c overlap, the system control unit 121 compares the sizes of both, and determines the margin c having a large size as a margin. In addition, when the margin detection unit 118 detects the entire area on the back side of the paper 200 as a margin, the system control unit 121 determines that there is a margin equal to or larger than the standard designated size.

(Step S106)
The system control unit 121 determines that reuse is not possible.
In other words, when the margin detection unit 118 does not detect a margin larger than the standard designated size, the system control unit 121 determines that there is no margin larger than the standard designated size and determines that reuse is not possible.

(Step S107)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (F) 186.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180 to transfer the paper sheet 200 determined not to be reused to a paper discharge tray (F) 186 set as a discharge destination when it is determined that reuse is not possible. Let it drain.

(Step S108)
The system control unit 121 determines that reuse is possible.
That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E, the system control unit 121 uses the margins a, b, c, and the margins greater than or equal to the size of the business card, which is the standard designated size of the paper 200, as shown in FIG. When d is detected, and as shown in FIG. 3F, when the entire area on the back side (or the front side) of the paper 200 is detected as a blank, it is determined that the sheet can be reused.

(Step S109)
The system control unit 121 determines whether the maximum margin size exceeds the business card size.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, the system control unit 121 determines that the maximum size of the margin does not exceed the business card size when the margin detection unit 118 detects the margin a of two business card sizes. (Step S109: No), the process proceeds to Step S110.
In contrast, as shown in FIGS. 4B to 4F, the system control unit 121 determines that the maximum size of the margin exceeds the business card size when the maximum size is equal to or larger than the L size. It judges (step S109: Yes) and transfers to step S111.

(Step S110)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (A) 181.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mailbox 180 to output the paper 200 having the business card size margin a shown in FIG. 4A to the output destination when the maximum margin size is the business card size. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (A) 181 that is set to “1”.

(Step S111)
The system control unit 121 determines whether or not the maximum size exceeds the L size.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B, the system control unit 121 determines that the maximum margin size is L size when the margin detection unit 118 detects a business card size margin a and an L size margin b. It is determined that the size is not exceeded (step S111: No), and the process proceeds to step S112.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4C to 4F, the system control unit 121 determines that the maximum size of the margin exceeds the L size when the maximum size is equal to or larger than the postcard size. It judges (step S111: Yes) and transfers to step S113.

(Step S112)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (B) 182.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180, and the paper 200 having the L size margin B shown in FIG. 4B is used when the maximum margin size is L size. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (B) 182 set as a discharge destination.

(Step S113)
The system control unit 121 determines whether or not the maximum size exceeds the postcard size.
In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, when the margin detection unit 118 detects the business card size margin “a” and the postcard size margin “c”, the maximum margin size is set to the postcard size, as illustrated in FIG. It is determined that it has not exceeded (step S113: No), and the process proceeds to step S114.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4D to 4F, when the maximum size is A5 size or more, the system control unit 121 determines that the maximum size of the margin exceeds the L size. It judges (step S113: Yes) and transfers to step S115.

(Step S114)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (C) 183.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180 to output the paper 200 having the margin c with the maximum size shown in FIG. 3C and the discharge destination when the maximum size of the margin is the postcard size. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (C) 183 set to “1”.

(Step S115)
The system control unit 121 determines whether or not the maximum size exceeds the A5 size.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the margin detection unit 118 detects the L-size margin b and the A5-size margin d, the maximum margin size is A5 size. (Step S115: No), the process proceeds to step S116.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), the system control unit 121 detects the L-size margin b, the postcard-size margin c, and the A5-size margin d, as shown in FIG. If it is determined that the postcard size margin c is a margin, it is determined that the maximum size of the margin does not exceed the A5 size (step S115: No), and the process proceeds to step S116.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4F, when the margin detection unit 118 detects, for example, the entire area on the back side of the paper 200 as a margin, the maximum size of the margin exceeds the A5 size, as shown in FIG. (Step S115: Yes), the process proceeds to step S117.

(Step S116)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (D) 184.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mailbox 180, and the paper 200 having the margin d with the maximum size A5 size shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E is used when the maximum margin size is A5 size. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (D) 184 that is set as a paper discharge destination.

(Step S117)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (E) 185.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180 to detect the paper 200 whose maximum size is the entire area on the back side shown in FIG. In this case, the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (E) 185 set as a discharge destination.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the sorting process of the printed paper 200 according to the user-specified size will be described. As described above, the user-specified size is larger than the business card size (90 × 60 mm), for example, and smaller than the L size (89 × 127 mm) (for example, 70 × 100 mm).

(Step S201)
The system control unit 121 instructs margin detection.
In this case, the system control unit 121 feeds the printed sheet 200 from the ADF 170 and instructs the margin detection unit 118 to detect the size and position of the margin.
At this time, as described with reference to FIG. 2, when the ADF 170 feeds the printed paper 200, the transport rollers 172 to 174 transport the printed paper 200 to the scanner unit 101 side. Then, the scanner unit 101 reads an image printed on the front side of the printed paper 200. Further, the margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the front side margin from the image read by the scanner unit 101.
Further, when the switchback mechanism 170A configured by the transport rollers 176, 177, and 173 reverses the printed sheet 200 (the back side where the image is not read by the scanner unit 101 is directed toward the scanner unit 101). The transport roller 174 transports the printed paper 200 to the scanner unit 101 side. Then, the scanner unit 101 reads an image printed on the back side of the printed paper 200. Further, the margin detection unit 118 detects the size and position of the front side margin from the image read by the scanner unit 101.
When the back side of the printed paper 200 is read by the scanner unit 101, the fourth transport path 166 sends the printed paper 200 to the second transport path 162 side. Further, the second conveyance path 162 conveys the printed paper 200 to the mail box 180 side.

(Step S202)
The system control unit 121 determines whether the margin detection is completed.
In this case, the system control unit 121 determines that the margin detection has not been completed if there is no notification from the margin detection unit 118 indicating that the margin detection has been completed (step S202: No).
On the other hand, the system control unit 121 determines that the margin detection is completed if there is a notification from the margin detection unit 118 indicating that the margin detection is completed (step S202: Yes), and proceeds to step S203.

(Step S203)
The system control unit 121 determines whether there is a margin greater than the user-specified size.
In this case, the system control unit 121 confirms the size of the margin detected by the margin detection unit 118 and is larger than the user-specified size, for example, a business card size (90 × 60 mm), for example, an L size (89 × 127 mm). If there is no margin larger than the small size (for example, 70 × 100 mm), it is determined that there is no margin larger than the user-specified size (step S203: No), and the process proceeds to step S204.
On the other hand, the system control unit 121 confirms the size of the margin detected by the margin detection unit 118, and if there is a margin equal to or larger than the size specified by the user (for example, 70 × 100 mm), the margin larger than the user-specified size is detected. It is determined that there is (step S203: Yes), and the process proceeds to step S206.
In this case, since the user-specified size is a size (for example, 70 × 100 mm), the margin detection unit 118 does not detect the margin “a” of the business card size shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the system control unit 121, when the margin detection unit 118 detects a business card size margin a and an L size margin b, the size (for example, 70) specified by the user. It is determined that there is a margin of (× 100 mm) or more. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the system control unit 121 detects a business card size margin “a” and a postcard size margin “c”, the system control unit 121 has a size that is a user-specified size (for example, 70 × 100 mm) or more. It is determined that there is a margin. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the system control unit 121 detects the L-size margin b and the A5-size margin d, the size is a user-specified size (for example, 70 × 100 mm). It is determined that the above margin is present. Further, as shown in FIG. 4E, when the system control unit 121 detects an L size margin b, a postcard size margin c, and an A5 size blank d, the system control unit 121 has the user-specified size. It is determined that there is a margin larger than the size (for example, 70 × 100 mm). However, in the case of FIG. 4E, since the margins b and c overlap, the system control unit 121 compares the sizes of both, and determines that the margin c having a large size is a margin. Further, when the margin detection unit 118 detects the entire area on the back side of the paper 200 as a margin, the system control unit 121 determines that there is a margin greater than the user-specified size.

(Step S204)
The system control unit 121 determines that reuse is not possible.
That is, if the margin detection unit 118 does not detect a margin greater than the user-specified size, the system control unit 121 determines that there is no margin greater than the user-specified size and determines that reuse is not possible.

(Step S205)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (F) 186.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180 to transfer the paper sheet 200 determined not to be reused to a paper discharge tray (F) 186 set as a discharge destination when it is determined that reuse is not possible. Let it drain.

(Step S206)
The system control unit 121 determines that reuse is possible.
That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B to FIG. 4E, the system control unit 121 sets the margin b greater than or equal to the size (for example, 70 × 100 mm) that the margin detection unit 118 is the user-specified size of the paper 200. , C, and d, and as shown in FIG. 3F, when the entire area on the back side (or the front side) of the paper 200 is detected as a blank, it is determined that it can be reused.

(Step S207)
The system control unit 121 determines whether the maximum margin size exceeds the user-specified size.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the margin detection unit 118 detects the business card size margin a and the L size margin b, the maximum size of the margin is specified by the user. It is determined that the size is not exceeded (step S207: No), and the process proceeds to step S208.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4C to FIG. 4F, the system control unit 121 determines that the maximum margin size exceeds the user-specified size when the maximum size is equal to or larger than the postcard size. Judgment is made (step S207: Yes), and the process proceeds to step S209.

(Step S208)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (B) 182.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180, and the paper 200 having the L size margin B shown in FIG. 4B is used when the maximum margin size is L size. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (B) 182 set as a discharge destination.

(Step S209)
The system control unit 121 determines whether or not the maximum size exceeds the postcard size.
In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, when the margin detection unit 118 detects the business card size margin “a” and the postcard size margin “c”, the maximum margin size is set to the postcard size, as illustrated in FIG. It is determined that it has not exceeded (step S209: No), and the process proceeds to step S210.
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4D to 4F, the system control unit 121 determines that the maximum size of the margin exceeds the postcard size when the maximum size is A5 size or more. (Step S209: Yes), the process proceeds to Step S211.

(Step S210)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (C) 183.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180, and discharges the paper 200 having the margin c with the maximum size shown in FIG. 4C to the postcard size when the maximum size of the margin is the postcard size. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (C) 183 set to “1”.

(Step S211)
The system control unit 121 determines whether or not the maximum size exceeds the A5 size.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the margin detection unit 118 detects the L-size margin b and the A5-size margin d, the maximum margin size is A5 size. Is not exceeded (step S211: No), the process proceeds to step S212.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), the system control unit 121 detects the L-size margin b, the postcard-size margin c, and the A5-size margin d, as shown in FIG. If it is determined that the postcard size margin c is a margin, it is determined that the maximum size of the margin does not exceed the A5 size (step S211: No), and the process proceeds to step S212.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4F, when the margin detection unit 118 detects, for example, the entire area on the back side of the paper 200 as a margin, the maximum size of the margin exceeds the A5 size, as shown in FIG. (Step S211: Yes), the process proceeds to Step S213.

(Step S212)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (D) 184.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mailbox 180, and the paper 200 having the margin d with the maximum size A5 size shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E is used when the maximum margin size is A5 size. The paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (D) 184 that is set as a paper discharge destination.

(Step S213)
The system control unit 121 discharges the paper 200 to the paper discharge tray (E) 185.
In this case, the system control unit 121 controls the mail box 180 to detect the paper 200 whose maximum size is the entire area on the back side shown in FIG. In this case, the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray (E) 185 set as a discharge destination.

  As described above, in this embodiment, an image formed on the printed paper 200 is read by the scanner unit 101 (image reading device), and an image read by the scanner unit 101 (image reading device) is read by the margin detection unit 118. If there is a margin, the size of the margin is detected. If there are a plurality of margins detected by the margin detection unit 118 by the system control unit 121, the margin is re-established according to the largest size of the margin. The paper discharge trays (A) 181 to (F) 186 that are set to be usable or non-reusable are selected, and the printed paper 200 is discharged.

  Thereby, even if there is a margin corresponding to a relatively small size, such as a business card size or an L size, for example, the printed paper 200 can be sorted as reusable. Since it is not limited to the position of the printed paper, it is possible to detect more printed papers 200 that can be reused, so that waste of resources can be saved as much as possible.

  In addition, since the system control unit 121 determines whether reuse is possible or not possible according to the margin detected by the margin detection unit 118, it is possible to reduce time and effort due to visual determination. In addition, since the system control unit 121 selects the discharge trays (A) 181 to (F) 186 that are discharge destinations according to the margin detected by the margin detection unit 118, it is possible to sort according to the margin size. When the paper is reused, it becomes easy to use the paper 200 suitable for the user's purpose.

  If there is a margin of the maximum size on the back side of the sheet 200 and it is determined in step S203 shown in FIG. 6 that there is a margin larger than the user-specified size, the system control unit 121 performs step 200 after step S206. May be reversed and then discharged to the discharge tray (B), (C), (D), or (E).

  In the above embodiment, margin detection on both sides of the paper 200 is performed. However, margin detection may be performed only on one side (front side or back side) of the paper 200.

100 MFP
101 Scanner unit 101A, 170B Main body 102 FAX unit 103 I / F
104 Panel 105 HDD
110 Control Unit 111 Scanner Control Unit 112 Printer Control Unit 113 FAX Control Unit 114 Communication Control Unit 115 RAM
116 EEPROM
117 Image processing unit 118 Margin detection unit 119 Panel operation control unit 120 HDD control unit 121 System control unit 122 Data bus 130 Paper feed unit 131a to 131c Paper feed cassette 132 Paper feed roller 133, 200 Paper 140 Printer unit 141 Image forming unit 142 Primary transfer roller 143 Drive roller 144 Driven roller 145 Intermediate transfer belt 146 Secondary transfer roller 150 Fixing unit 151 Heating roller 152 Pressure roller 160 Conveying unit 161 First conveying path 162 Second conveying path 163 Third conveying path 164, 165 Junction point 166 Fourth conveyance path 170 ADF
170a to 170c Transport path 170A Switchback mechanism 171 Paper feed trays 172 to 177 Transport roller 178 Paper feed port 179 Discharge port 180 Mail boxes 181 to 186 Paper discharge trays (A) to (F)
a to d margin

Claims (6)

Multiple output trays,
An image reading device for reading an image formed on paper;
Check whether there is a margin from the image read by the image reading device, if there is a margin, a margin detection unit that detects the size of the margin;
When there are a plurality of margins detected by the margin detection unit, system control for selecting the discharge tray set to be reusable or non-reusable according to the largest size of the margin and discharging the paper An image forming apparatus.   When all the margins are less than a specific size, the system control unit determines that reuse is not possible, selects the paper discharge tray that is set to be non-reusable, and there are a plurality of margins that are greater than or equal to a specific size. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper discharge tray set to be reusable is selected according to the margin of the largest size. It has a panel part,
When the specified size of the margin specified through the panel unit is equal to or larger than a specific size, the system control unit determines that the margin is not reusable when all the margins are less than the specified size, and reuses the margin. When the paper discharge tray set to unusable is selected and there are a plurality of the margins larger than the specified size, the paper discharge tray set to be reusable is selected according to the margin of the largest size. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   When the margin detecting unit detects that the margin exists on the front side and the back side of the sheet, the paper discharge unit set to be reusable according to the margin of the largest size. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tray is selected. The margin detection unit detects the size of the margin, detects the position of the margin,
5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the system control unit determines that the larger size is the margin when the margin overlaps on the front side and the back side based on the position of the margin. Forming equipment. A step of reading an image formed on a sheet by an image reading device;
A step of detecting whether there is a margin from the image read by the image reading device by a margin detection unit, and detecting the size of the margin if there is the margin;
When there are a plurality of the margins detected by the margin detection unit by the system control unit, the paper discharge tray set to be reusable or non-reusable according to the largest size of the margin is selected, and the paper A paper sorting program that causes a computer that controls the image forming apparatus to execute the step of discharging the image.

Images