JP2021059056A - Image forming device and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent an object region of an output image from overlapping with a folding position of a paper as much as possible, so that an appearance of a document having the output image formed therein can be maintained.SOLUTION: A paper folding system (10) includes an image forming device (12) and a sheet folding device (14). The image forming device includes a CPU (200), which when a default folding position overlaps with an object region, changes a folding position of paper to a position where the default folding position does not overlap with the object region, of positions satisfying a size condition. The paper folding device 14 includes a CPU (230), which performs folding processing to a paper, according to a folding position predetermined in the image forming device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus and a control program capable of changing a paper folding position.

An example of an image forming apparatus of this kind of background technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the technique of Patent Document 1, when a print job (print job) including a print layout adjustment instruction is transmitted to the print server, the image of the character to be printed does not overlap with the folding position of the paper in the print server. The print layout is changed so that the print image data after the layout change is transmitted to the printer including the paper folding function. Therefore, according to this background technique, the image of the character does not overlap with the folding position of the paper, so that the visibility of the character by the user can be improved.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-235072

However, in the background technology of Patent Document 1, due to the layout change, characters and images (print objects) originally specified to be printed on the same page are printed on the next page against the intention of the document creator. The appearance of the printed document may change from the original printed data.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel image forming apparatus and control program.

Another object of the present invention is an image forming apparatus and a control program capable of preventing the object area of the output image from overlapping as much as possible at the folding position of the paper and maintaining the appearance of the document forming the output image. Is to provide.

The first invention is an image forming apparatus having a display, transporting a paper on which an output image is formed to a paper folding device, and undergoing a paper folding process on the paper, and forming an image for forming an output image on the paper. Area, area to generate area data indicating the position of the object area of the output image on the paper Data generation unit, default folding position data and area indicating a predetermined default folding position for folding the paper under predetermined conditions Change to determine if there is a changeable fold position when the overlap determination means and the overlap determination means determine whether the object area overlaps the default fold position by comparing with the data. When it is determined by the possible determination means and the changeable determination means that there is a changeable fold position, the fold position data generation means for generating the fold position data based on the changeable fold position and the fold position data are transmitted to the paper folding device. An image forming apparatus including a transmitting means.

The second invention is subordinate to the first invention, and even when the overlap determining means determines that the object area overlaps the default folding position, the changeable determining means determines that there is no changeable folding position. , The transmitting means transmits the default folding position data to the paper folding device as the folding position data.

The third invention is subordinate to the first invention or the second invention, and when the changeable determination means determines that there are a plurality of changeable fold positions, one of the plurality of changeable fold positions is selected. The generation means generates the fold position data based on the changeable fold position selected by the selection means.

The fourth invention is subordinate to the third invention, and the selection means includes an automatic selection means that automatically selects any one of the plurality of changeable folding positions according to a predetermined condition.

The fifth invention is subordinate to the third invention, and the selection means includes a manual selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of changeable folding positions according to the user's selection.

The sixth invention is subordinate to the fifth invention, and is a selection screen display means for displaying a fold position selection screen including a plurality of preview images in which each changeable fold position is visualized on the display, and a user operation on the selection screen. Further provided with means of accepting the selection of the preview image.

The seventh invention is subordinate to the first invention, and is a change screen display means for displaying a fold position change screen including a preview image that visualizes the changeable fold position on a display, and a fold position that can be changed by a user operation on the change screen. The folding position data generating means generates the folding position data based on the changed changeable folding position.

The eighth invention has an image forming apparatus for forming a display and an output image on paper, and transports the paper on which the output image is formed to a paper folding device to undergo paper folding processing on the paper. A control program executed by the image forming apparatus, for generating area data indicating the position of an object area of an output image on paper, an area data generation step, for folding the paper under predetermined conditions. In the overlap determination step and the overlap determination step of comparing the default fold position data indicating a predetermined default fold position with the area data to determine whether the object area overlaps the default fold position, the object area is the default fold position. When it is judged that there is a changeable fold position in the changeable judgment step and the changeable judgment step, when it is judged that there is a changeable fold position, the fold position data is generated based on the changeable fold position. It is a control program that executes a folding position data generation step and a transmission step of transmitting folding position data to a paper folding device.

According to the present invention, the paper folding process can be performed without changing the appearance of the printed document from the layout set by the user as much as possible.
The above-mentioned object, other object, feature and advantage of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the following examples made with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire paper folding system as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire paper folding device shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a main part of the paper folding device. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the position of each switching claw in the main part shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the paper folding system. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen displayed on the display of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a function activation screen displayed on the display of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a paper on which an output image is printed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of paper folding processing. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the RAM of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of specific contents of the data storage area of the RAM of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the RAM of the paper folding device. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an example of the main processing of the CPU of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of a subroutine of positioning processing for paper folding processing of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the main processing of the CPU of the paper folding device. FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a main part of the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen displayed on the display of the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the display of the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of CPU setting processing of the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment. FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing a part of an example of a subroutine of positioning processing for paper folding processing of the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a folding position selection screen displayed on the display of the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a folding position changing screen displayed on the display of the image forming apparatus of the modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing a main part of a modified example of the third embodiment.

[First Example]
With reference to FIG. 1, the paper folding system 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming device 12 and a paper folding device 14. In this embodiment, a paper folding device 14 is provided on the left side of the image forming device 12, and the recording medium discharged from the image forming device 12 is a paper folding device via a relay unit 52 (see FIG. 2) described later. It is transported to 14.

In addition, "paper folding" is to fold a printing medium or a recording medium (hereinafter, may be referred to as "paper"), but here, for the sake of simplicity, this term is used. And.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 12 includes an apparatus main body 20, an image reading device 22 arranged above the apparatus main body 20, and an image forming unit 36 built in the apparatus main body 20.

The image reading device 22 includes a housing 24 having a rectangular flat bottom plate and a side wall rising from the peripheral edge thereof. The housing 24 includes a document holding cover (opening / closing portion) 26 that can be opened and closed above the device main body 20 via a hinge or the like. The document holding cover 26 is provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 28 that automatically feeds paper one by one.

Then, on the top surface of the apparatus main body 20, a document placing table 30 formed of a transparent material is provided. The documents fed from the ADF 28 are read one by one at the image reading position 32.

Further, the image reading device 22 is equipped with an image reading unit 34 including a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, and the like. The image reading unit 34 exposes the surface of the document with a light source, and guides the reflected light reflected from the surface of the document to the imaging lens by a plurality of mirrors. Then, the reflected light is imaged on the light receiving element of the line sensor by the imaging lens. The line sensor detects the brightness and chromaticity of the reflected light imaged on the light receiving element, and generates a scanned image based on the image on the surface of the document. As the line sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), or the like is used.

When reading a document fed by the ADF 28, the scanning unit including the light source and the plurality of mirrors is fixedly positioned below the image reading position 32, and the document placed on the document mounting table 30 is placed. When reading, it is moved in the sub-scanning direction. However, the sub-scanning direction is the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 12 is viewed from the front, that is, the left-right direction in FIG. The main scanning direction is the front-back direction of the image forming apparatus 12 when the image forming apparatus 12 is viewed from the front, that is, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.

Further, although not shown, a rectangular thin plate-shaped white pressing plate is provided on the lower surface of the document holding cover 26 (that is, the surface facing the upper surface of the document placing table 30) at a position facing the document placing table 30. Be done.

Further, although omitted in FIG. 2, an operation panel is provided on the front side of the document mounting table 30. This operation panel includes the touch display 216 and the like shown in FIG.

The image forming unit 36 includes an exposure unit 38, a developing device 40, a process unit 42, an intermediate transfer belt unit 44, a transfer roller 46, a fixing unit 48, and the like. The image forming unit 36 forms an output image on the paper conveyed from the paper feed cassette 50 or the like, and conveys the printed paper to the relay unit 52.

Further, the formed image data handled by the image forming apparatus 12 corresponds to various images of four colors of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Therefore, each of the developer 40, the photoconductor drum 54, the cleaner unit 56, and the charger 58 is provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to each color, thereby forming four image stations. It is composed. Further, the photoconductor drum 54, the cleaner unit 56, and the charger 58 are unitized (cartridged), and the process unit 42 is formed by these. That is, the image forming unit 36 is provided with four process units 42 including a photoconductor drum 54, a cleaner unit 56, a charger 58, and the like.

The photoconductor drum 54 is an image carrier in which a photosensitive layer is formed on the surface of a conductive cylindrical substrate, and a charger 58 charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 54 with a predetermined potential (for example, −600 V). ) Is a member to be charged. Further, the exposure unit 38 is configured as a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser emitting unit, a reflection mirror, and the like, and by exposing the surface of the charged photoconductor drum 54, the output image data can be obtained. A corresponding electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 54. The developing device 40 visualizes an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 54 with four-color (YMCK) toner. Further, the cleaner unit 56 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor drum 54 after development and image transfer with a cleaning blade, and conveys the removed toner to a waste toner box (not shown).

The intermediate transfer belt unit 44 includes an intermediate transfer belt 60, a drive roller 62, a driven roller 64, four intermediate transfer rollers 66, and the like, and is arranged above the photoconductor drum 54. The intermediate transfer belt 60 is provided so as to be in contact with each photoconductor drum 54, and the toner images of each color formed on each photoconductor drum 54 are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 60 by using the intermediate transfer roller 66. By transferring the toner, a multicolored toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 60. Further, a transfer roller 46 is arranged in the vicinity of the drive roller 62, and the toner formed on the intermediate transfer belt 60 by passing the paper through the nip area between the intermediate transfer belt 60 and the transfer roller 46. The image is transferred to the paper.

The fixing unit 48 includes a heat roller 68 and a pressure roller 70, and is arranged above the transfer roller 46. The heat roller 68 is set to have a predetermined fixing temperature, and when the paper passes through the nip area between the heat roller 68 and the pressure roller 70, the toner image transferred to the paper is melted. The toner image is heat-fixed to the paper by mixing and pressure welding.

A paper transport path T1 for sending the paper placed on the paper feed cassette 50, the manual feed tray 72, or the like to the relay unit 52 via the transfer roller 46 and the fixing unit 48 is provided in the apparatus main body 20. Further, when double-sided printing is performed on paper, the paper after single-sided printing is completed and has passed through the fixing unit 48 is returned to the paper transport path on the upstream side of the transfer roller 46 in the paper transport direction. A transport path T2 is provided. A plurality of transport rollers 74 (74a-74c) for assisting the transport of paper are appropriately provided in the paper transport path T1 and the paper transport path T2.

When single-sided printing is performed on the apparatus main body 20, the paper placed on the paper feed cassette 50 or the like is guided one by one to the paper transport path T1 by the pickup roller 76, and is transported to the resist roller 78 by the transport roller 74a. .. Then, the resist roller 78 conveys the tip of the paper to the transfer roller 46 at the timing when the tip of the image information on the intermediate transfer belt 60 matches, and the toner image is transferred onto the paper. After that, by passing through the fixing unit 48, the unfixed toner on the paper is melted and fixed by heat, and the paper is conveyed to the relay unit 52 via the paper ejection roller 80.

The relay unit 52 includes a relay roller 82 (82a-82d). The paper conveyed to the relay unit 52 is conveyed to the paper folding device 14 via the relay roller 82 (82a-82d).

As shown in FIG. 3, the paper folding device 14 includes a paper receiving unit 90 that receives the paper conveyed to the paper folding device 14, and a paper folding unit 92 that performs a paper folding process on the paper conveyed to the paper receiving unit 90. , A paper ejection tray 94, a paper ejection unit 96 for ejecting paper to the output tray 94, and a stacker 98 for placing the folded paper inside the paper folding apparatus 14 are provided.

Further, the paper folding portion 92 includes a transport roller 100 (100a-100i), a switching claw 102 (102a-102e), a paper folding roller 104 (104a-104d), a stopper 106 (106a-106c), and a paper transport path T. (T3-T9) is included.

The paper transport path T3 extending from the paper receiving unit 90 is arranged horizontally in the paper folding device 14. A switching claw 102a is provided in the middle of the paper transport path T3, and the transport path can be switched to the paper transport path T3 or the paper transport path T4 by displacing the switching claw 102a. That is, the switching claw 102a is provided at the branch portion that branches the paper transport path T3 into the paper transport path T4.

Further, a transport roller 100a is provided near the paper receiving section 90 of the paper transport path T3, and a transport roller 100i is provided near the paper ejection section 96 of the paper transport path T3.

The switching claw 102a can be displaced (switched) to the first position or the second position, and is constantly in the first position (not shown), and the paper received from the paper receiving unit 90 is transferred from the transport roller 100a. It is fed into the paper transport path T3. In this case, the paper is conveyed through the paper transport path T3 and is discharged as it is from the paper ejection unit 96 onto the output tray 94.

On the other hand, when the paper needs to be folded, the switching claw 102a is displaced to the second position shown in FIG. In this case, the paper received from the paper receiving unit 90 is fed from the transport roller 100a to the paper transport path T4.

The paper transport path T4 is arranged vertically in the paper folding device 14. A transport roller 100b is arranged in the middle of the paper transport path T4, and a paper folding roller 104a and a transport roller 100c are arranged at the end of the paper transport path T4 so that their outer peripheral surfaces come into contact with each other. .. Then, the end of the paper transport path T4 is further continued by the paper transport path T5.

Further, a switching claw 102b is provided at a position immediately before entering the paper transport path T5 from the paper folding roller 104a and the transport roller 100c. By displacing (switching) the switching claw 102b to the first position or the second position, the paper transport destination can be switched to the paper transport path T5 or the pressing portion M1 (see FIG. 4). The pressing portion M1 is a pressing portion formed by contacting the outer peripheral surfaces of the paper folding roller 104a and the paper folding roller 104b with each other, and the paper is folded by the pressing portion M1. ..

The switching claw 102b is arranged so as to be switchable to a first position approaching the paper folding roller 104a or a second position away from the paper folding roller 104a. The switching claw 102b guides the tip of the paper to the pressing portion M1 when it is in the first position, and guides the tip of the paper to the paper transport path T5 when it is in the second position.

The paper transport path T5 is provided with a stopper 106a that stops the tip of the paper transported through the paper transport path T5 and bends the paper. The bent portion formed on the paper by the stopper 106a is sandwiched by the pressing portion M1, and the paper folding portion is formed at the pinched position. The paper folding portion resulting from being bent by the stopper 106a becomes the first paper folding portion.

By moving the stopper 106a so as to advance and retreat in the paper transport direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3), the position of the flexible portion of the paper is determined. That is, the position of the first paper folding portion (first folding position) is determined. In other words, the position of the first paper folding portion can be adjusted by adjusting the vertical position of the stopper 106a.

On the downstream side of the pressing portion M1, a paper transport path T6 for introducing the leading end portion of the paper or the first paper folding portion is provided.

Further, a switching claw 102c is provided in the vicinity of the paper folding roller 104b. The switching claw 102c is provided to switch the paper transport destination to the paper transport path T6 or the pressing portion M2 (see FIG. 4). The pressing portion M2 is formed by the outer peripheral surfaces of the paper folding roller 104b and the paper folding roller 104c coming into contact with each other.

The switching claw 102c is displaceably (switchable) arranged at a first position approaching the paper folding roller 104b or a second position away from the paper folding roller 104b. When the switching claw 102c is in the first position, the tip of the paper passing through the pressing portion M1 is guided to the pressing portion M2, and when the switching claw 102c is in the second position, the tip of the paper passing through the pressing portion M1 is guided to the paper transport path T6. Lead to.

In the paper transport path T6, a stopper 106b that abuts on the tip end portion or the first paper folding portion of the conveyed paper and bends the paper is arranged. The bent portion formed on the paper by the stopper 106b is sandwiched by the pressing portion M2, and the paper folding portion is formed at the pinched position. The paper folding portion resulting from being bent by the stopper 106b becomes the first paper folding portion or the second paper folding portion (second folding position). When the first paper folding portion is already formed by the pressing portion M1, the paper folding portion as a result of being bent by the stopper 106b becomes the second paper folding portion.

By moving the stopper 106b so as to advance and retreat in the paper transport direction (diagonal direction tilted to the right in FIG. 3), the bending position of the paper, that is, the position of the first paper folding portion or the second paper folding portion. The position of is decided. That is, by adjusting the diagonal vertical position of the stopper 106b, the position of the first paper folding portion or the position of the second paper folding portion can be adjusted.

On the downstream side of the pressing portion M2, a paper transport path T7 for introducing the first paper folding portion or the second paper folding portion of the paper is provided.

Further, a switching claw 102d is provided in the vicinity of the paper folding roller 104c. By switching to the first position or the second position, the switching claw 102d switches the paper transport destination to the paper transport path T7 or the pressing portion M3 (see FIG. 4). The pressing portion M3 is formed by the outer peripheral surfaces of the paper folding roller 104c and the paper folding roller 104d coming into contact with each other.

When the switching claw 102d is in the first position approaching the paper folding roller 104c, the leading edge of the paper is guided to the pressing portion M3, and in the second position away from the paper folding roller 104c, the leading edge of the paper is moved to the paper. Lead to the transport path T7.

The paper transport path T7 is provided with a stopper 106c that abuts on the first paper folding portion or the second paper folding portion of the paper and bends the paper. The bent portion formed on the paper by the stopper 106c is sandwiched by the pressing portion M3, and the paper folding portion is formed at the pinched position. The paper folding portion resulting from being bent by the stopper 106c becomes the second paper folding portion.

The stopper 106c is provided at a position opposite to the stopper 106b so as to sandwich the pair of the paper folding rollers 104b and 104c forming the pressing portion M2. By moving the stopper 106c so as to advance and retreat in the paper transport direction (diagonal direction tilted to the right in FIG. 3), the position of the paper bending, that is, the position of the second paper folding portion is determined. That is, the position of the second paper folding portion can be adjusted by adjusting the diagonal vertical position of the stopper 106c.

On the downstream side of the pressing portion M3, a paper transport path T8 for transporting the folded paper to the stacker 98 and a paper transport path T9 for transporting the folded paper to the confluence are provided.

Further, a switching claw 102e is provided on the downstream side of the pressing portion M3. The switching claw 102e is provided to switch the paper transport destination to the paper transport path T8 or the paper transport path T9.

The switching claw 102e is arranged so as to be switched to a first position approaching the paper folding roller 104c or a second position approaching the paper folding roller 104d, and when in the first position, guides the paper to the paper transport path T8. When in the second position, the paper is guided to the paper transport path T9.

A transport roller 100d is provided in the middle of the paper transport path T8. The paper transported to the paper transport path T8 is transported to the stacker 98 by the transport roller 100d. Further, a transport roller 100e-100h is provided in the middle portion of the paper transport path T9. The paper transported to the paper transport path T9 is transported to the confluence by the transport rollers 100e-100h.

In FIG. 5, the first position of the switching claw 102b is shown by a solid line, and the second position is shown by a dotted line. Similarly, the first position of the switching claw 102c is indicated by a solid line, the second position is indicated by a dotted line, the first position of the switching claw 102d is indicated by a solid line, the second position is indicated by a dotted line, and the first position of the switching claw 102e. Is indicated by a solid line, and the second position is indicated by a dotted line.

As shown in FIG. 6, the paper folding system 10 described in FIG. 1 includes an image forming device 12 and a paper folding device 14.

The image forming apparatus 12 includes a CPU 200, and the CPU 200 includes a RAM 204, a storage unit 206, an external communication unit 208, a touch panel control circuit 210, a display control circuit 212, an image reading unit 34, and an image forming unit 36 via a bus 202. It is connected to the inter-device communication unit 214.

The touch panel of the touch display 216 is controlled by the touch panel control circuit 210, and the display is controlled by the display control circuit 212.

The touch panel control circuit 210 applies a voltage or the like required for the touch panel, detects a touch operation or touch input within the touch effective range of the touch panel, and outputs coordinate data of a position instructed by the input operation or touch input to the CPU 200. Output to. The user's touch input operation on the touch display 216 is called a user operation.

In the touch display 216, a touch panel is provided integrally with the display. As the touch panel, any touch panel such as a capacitance method, an electromagnetic induction method, a resistance film method, and an infrared method can be used. Further, a touch panel and a display in which the touch panel and the display are separately assembled on the display surface of the display are also referred to as a "touch display" for convenience.

Under the instruction of the CPU 200, the display control circuit 212 generates a display image for displaying various screens on the touch display 216 using the image generation data 604b (FIG. 12) stored in the RAM 204, and the generated display image. Is output to the touch display 216. As the touch display 216, for example, an LCD or an EL display can be used.

On the other hand, the paper folding device 14 includes a CPU 230, which is connected to the RAM 234, the storage unit 236, the paper detecting unit 238, the paper folding unit 92, and the inter-device communication unit 240 via the bus 232.

Further, the inter-device communication unit 214 and the inter-device communication unit 240 are connected via the bus 242.

The CPU 200 controls the overall control of the image forming apparatus 12. The RAM 204 is used as a work area and a buffer area of the CPU 200.

The storage unit 206 is the main storage device of the image forming device 12. Non-volatile memories such as storage 206, HDD and EPPROM are used. Further, the storage unit 206 may be configured to include the RAM 204. The storage unit 206 stores control program data for the CPU 200 to control the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 12, data of various screen images (display images), data necessary for executing the control program, and the like. To do.

The external communication unit 208 includes a communication circuit for connecting to a network such as the Internet or LAN, and is an interface for communicating with a computer, a communication terminal, or the like on the network. As an example, the external communication unit 208 transmits / receives data based on a wired communication method compliant with the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication standard. However, a wireless communication method may be adopted for the external communication unit 208.

The inter-device communication unit 214 is an interface for communicating between the image forming device 12 and the paper folding device 14. The inter-device communication unit 214 includes a circuit for communicating between the image forming device 12 and the paper folding device 14. As an example, the inter-device communication unit 214 transmits / receives data to / from the inter-device communication unit 240 of the paper folding device 14 through the bus 242 based on the wired communication method. However, these inter-device communication units 214 and 240 may be of a wireless communication system, and in this case, the bus 242 is not used.

Next, the CPU 230 of the paper folding device 14 controls the overall control of the paper folding device 14. The RAM 234 is used as a work area and a buffer area of the CPU 230.

The storage unit 236 is the main storage device of the paper folding device 14. Non-volatile memories such as storage 236, HDD and EPPROM are used. Further, the storage unit 236 may be configured to include the RAM 234. The storage unit 236 stores data about a control program for the CPU 230 to control the operation of each part of the paper folding device 14, data necessary for executing the control program, and the like.

The paper detection unit 238 includes a sensor and the like for determining whether or not the paper has been conveyed to the paper receiving unit 90. For example, an infrared light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided so as to face each other across a transport path near the paper receiving unit 90. When the paper is conveyed to the paper receiving unit 90, the infrared rays from the light emitting unit are blocked by the paper and are not detected by the light receiving unit. As a result, it is detected that the paper has been conveyed. The paper conveyed to the paper receiving unit 90 may be detected by another method.

Further, the image forming apparatus 12 of the first embodiment is, for example, a multifunction device (MFP), and the paper folding process of the present invention is related to a copying function (copy function) and a printing function. Specifically, the paper folding process is a post-processing of folding the paper on which the output image is printed by the print function and the copy function.

The print function is enabled when job data is received. When the print function is enabled, an output image is generated based on the job data.

The job data includes at least data for generating an output image (print data) and data indicating conditions related to positioning of the folding position (positioning conditions) (positioning condition data). Specifically, the print data includes document data generated or edited by a text creation device and image data in, for example, JPEG format. Further, the print data includes, for example, a character code, an identifier for identifying a font (font identifier), data on the number of points of characters, information on the arrangement of characters, graphics data (image data) such as photographs, and these characters. Contains data indicating the position of the area (object area) where an object such as a graphic should be placed.

The positioning conditions include, for example, paper size and folding method. Therefore, the positioning condition data includes, for example, paper size data and data indicating a folding method.

The paper size is, for example, the size of the paper on which the output image is printed, such as A4, B5, and A3. Further, the paper size data may include orientation data indicating whether the output images are printed vertically or horizontally on those papers.

The data of the folding method indicates inner tri-folding, bi-folding, Z-folding, no paper folding, and the like. The job data received by the image forming apparatus 12 is stored in the storage unit 206, and is read out in the data storage area 604 (FIG. 12) of the RAM 204 as needed.

On the other hand, the copy function is enabled according to the user operation. When the copy function is enabled, the image reading unit 34 generates an output image corresponding to the read image.

In this copy function, the user can set the positioning conditions, that is, the paper size and the folding method in the image forming apparatus 12. The data indicating the paper size and folding method set by the user operation is stored in the storage unit 206 as the setting data. That is, the setting data is the same data as the positioning condition data included in the job data. The set data is read out to the data storage area 604 (FIG. 12) of the RAM 204 as needed. Hereinafter, a method of setting the paper size and the like in the image forming apparatus 12 and a series of operations until the copy function is enabled will be described with reference to the drawings.

The image forming apparatus 12 displays the home screen 300 shown in FIG. 7 on the touch display 216 when the main power is turned on or when the power saving mode is shifted to the normal mode.

The home screen 300 is an example of a screen for displaying the main menu of the image forming apparatus 12. On the home screen 300, along with the copy key 302, a plurality of selection keys 304 instructing other functions are displayed.

The copy key 302 is a key for selecting a copy function, and when the copy key 302 is operated, the function activation screen 320 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the touch display 216.

The plurality of selection keys 304 are provided for selecting the scanner function or the facsimile function, but the scanner function and the facsimile function are already well known, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The function activation screen 320 shown in FIG. 8 is an example of a screen for enabling the copy function. The function activation screen 320 is provided with another condition selection key 322, a positioning condition selection key 324, a return key 326, and a start key 328.

The other condition selection key 322 is a key for setting various conditions related to the copy function, and when the other condition selection key 322 is operated, the condition corresponding to the operated other condition selection key 322 is used. Is set. Specifically, a pull-down menu (not shown) is displayed on the touch display 216, and the user can set conditions by selecting the pull-down menu. This also applies to the positioning condition selection key 324.

The positioning condition selection key 324 is provided to set the above-mentioned paper size and folding method. Further, the return key 326 is provided to return to the previous screen. Further, the start key 328 is provided to activate the copy function.

In the first embodiment, when either the print function or the copy function is enabled and an output image is generated, the folding method is determined. When the folding method is set to other than no paper folding, the area separation process is executed for the generated output image, and area data which is data indicating the position of the object area is generated.

In the region separation processing, it is determined which object region the pixels constituting the output image belong to. However, since such region separation processing is a known technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted here. To do.

In the first embodiment, when the area data is generated as described above, the process for determining the folding position (positioning process) is executed.

However, the image forming apparatus 12 has a function (change function) for changing the folding position, and when the positioning process is executed, the folding position is automatically changed as necessary as described below. Hereinafter, a case where the paper size is set to portrait A4 and the folding method is set to internal tri-fold by the user will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of paper 260 on which an output image is printed, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of folded paper 260.

Since the size of the paper 260 is A4 size, the length of the side 262 along the longitudinal direction of the paper 260 is 297 mm.

Further, since the paper 260 is folded in three, the folding position includes the first folding position 264a and the second folding position 264b. Further, the side 262 becomes three sides 262a, a side 262b, and a side 262c by these folding positions 264a and 264b. Further, in the inner tri-fold given as an example, as shown in FIG. 10, the second fold position 264b and the first fold position 264a are folded in this order.

When the positioning process is executed, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned folding position (default folding position) and the object area overlap according to either the positioning condition data or the setting data. Then, when the default folding position and the object area overlap, the image forming apparatus 12 changes the folding position to a changeable folding position which is a position that does not overlap with the object area even in the position where the size condition is satisfied.

The default folding position is determined in advance for each combination of paper size and folding method, for example. As shown in FIG. 9, when A4 size paper is folded in three, the default folding position is the position where the side 262 is roughly divided into three equal parts.

Further, the size condition is a condition for limiting the range (variable range) in which the folding position can be changed in order to fit the paper to be folded into a predetermined size. This size condition is predetermined for each combination of paper size and folding method, as in the case of the default folding position described above. For example, when A4 size paper is folded in three, the default size is the long size 3 envelope (fitting size).

The default fold position data, which is the data indicating the default fold position, and the size condition data, which is the data indicating the size condition, are stored in the storage unit 206 in advance for each of the paper size and the fold method, and the RAM 204 is required. Is read into the data storage area 604 (FIG. 12).

When the paper to be folded in three is stored in the long size No. 3 envelope, the size condition includes the first size condition and the second size condition.

The first size condition is a condition in which the lengths of the sides 262a, the sides 262b, and the sides 262c are satisfied to be equal to or less than the limit value, which is the maximum value that can be accommodated in the long envelope No. 3. When the paper 260 is folded in three, the lengths of the sides 262a, the sides 262b, and the sides 262c correspond to the lateral direction of the long size 3 envelope, so that the limit value is set to 118 mm. Therefore, the first size condition is, in the example, a condition in which the lengths of the sides 262a, the side 262b, and the side 262c are satisfied by 118 mm or less.

Further, since the second folding position 264b and the first folding position 264a are folded in this order, if the length of the side 262b is not the same as the length of the side 262c or longer than the length of the side 262c, the first folding position 264a is used. The paper does not fold. Therefore, the second size condition is a condition in which the length of the side 262b is satisfied by the length of the side 262c or more.

The above description has described the case where the A4 paper shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is folded by a folding method of inward tri-folding so as to fit in a long size 3 envelope. Generally speaking, when the paper is folded by the specified folding method, it is a condition that the size of the paper after folding the paper is equal to or less than a predetermined limit value, and this first size condition is an indispensable condition. However, it can be said that the second size condition is a size determined depending on the limit value, the folding method, and the like.

Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus 12 changes the folding position, it is necessary to satisfy the first and second size conditions. When there are a plurality of changeable fold positions that satisfy each of the size conditions, a condition (selection condition) for selecting which changeable fold position from the plurality of changeable fold positions may be adopted.

The selection condition may be, for example, a changeable fold position closest to the default fold position, that is, a changeable fold position having the smallest amount of movement (change amount) from the default fold position, but is not limited thereto.

If a fold position needs to be selected, for example if any of a plurality of changeable fold positions is selected in this way, the fold position is set to the selected changeable fold position.

However, if there is no changeable fold position, the fold position is not changed from the default fold position. In this case, it is notified that the folding position is not changed from the default folding position. The method of notification is not particularly limited, but for example, a predetermined message may be displayed on the touch display 216, or if the image forming apparatus 12 includes a speaker, the notification may be performed by using voice.

When the folding position is determined according to the positioning process, data indicating the folding position (folding position data) is generated. When the folding position data is generated, the folding position data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 12 to the paper folding apparatus 14 via the inter-device communication unit 214 or the like.

When the folding position data is transmitted, the output image is printed on the paper, and the paper is conveyed to the paper folding device 14. Then, the paper folding device 14 receives the folding position data, controls the paper folding portion 92 according to the received folding position data, and performs the paper folding process on the paper.

However, when the folding position data is not received, the paper folding device 14 does not perform the paper folding process as described above, and discharges the paper as it is to the paper ejection tray 94.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the RAM 204 of the image forming apparatus 12 shown in FIG. 6 includes a program storage area 602 and a data storage area 604. The control program of the image forming apparatus 12 is stored in the program storage area 402 as an example of the information processing program.

The control program of the image forming apparatus 12 is an operation detection program for detecting the main processing program 602a that controls the overall control of the image forming apparatus 12 and the operation data 604a corresponding to the operation of each operation unit of the image forming apparatus 12. 602b and the like are included.

The main processing program 602a includes, for example, a program for printing an output image on paper by the image forming unit 36.

In the operation detection program 602b, for example, when the touch display 216 is touch-operated, the CPU 200 converts the touch coordinate data output from the touch panel control circuit 210 according to the operation detection program 602b into the operation data 604a (FIG. 12) described later. ), And stored in the buffer (data storage area 604). Further, when a hardware button or key such as an operation button is pressed or operated, the CPU 200 acquires operation data 604a by pressing or operating the button or key according to the operation detection program 602b, and similarly. Store in the buffer.

The image display program 602c uses the image generation data 604b (FIG. 12) described later to generate display image data for displaying various screens (home screen 300, setting screen 340, folding position selection screen 360, etc.). , Is a program for outputting the display image data to the touch display 216.

The communication program 602d is a program for communicating with an information processing device such as a computer and a communication terminal on the network via the external communication unit 208. It is also a program for communicating with the paper folding device 14 via the inter-device communication unit 214.

The reception determination program 602e is a program for determining whether or not job data has been received via the external communication unit 208.

The output image generation program 602f is a program for generating an output image according to the print data included in the job data when the print function is enabled according to the reception of the job data. It is also a program for reading a document set in the image reading unit 34 and generating an output image from a scanned image based on the scanned document when the copy function is enabled.

The paper folding determination program 602g refers to the positioning condition data included in the job data when the output image generation program 602f generates the output image according to the activation of the print function, and the paper according to one of the folding methods. This is a program for determining whether or not to perform folding. Further, when the output image generation program 602f generates an output image according to the activation of the copy function, it refers to the setting data and determines whether or not to perform the paper folding process according to one of the folding methods.

When the area data generation program 602h determines that the paper folding determination program 602g should perform the paper folding process according to the activation of the print function, the area data generation program 602h executes the area separation processing on the output image and generates the area data. It is a program to do. Further, when the paper folding determination program 602g determines that the paper folding process should be performed according to the activation of the copy job function, a program for executing an area separation process on the output image and generating area data. But also.

The positioning program 602i is, for example, a program for the positioning process shown in FIG. 15, and determines whether or not the default folding position and the object area overlap, for example, based on the area data and the default folding position data. If the default fold position and the object area overlap, and if there is one or more changeable fold positions that do not overlap the default fold position and the object area and satisfy the first and second size conditions described above. To judge. Then, if there are a plurality of changeable fold positions, the program is for selecting one of the changeable fold positions from the plurality of changeable fold positions according to the above-mentioned selection conditions.

Although not shown, the program storage area 602 also stores other programs necessary for executing the process in the image forming apparatus 12.

In FIG. 12, the data storage area 604 shown in FIG. 11 stores, for example, operation data 604a, image generation data 604b, output image data 604c, received data 604d, paper folding data 604e, and the like.

The operation data 604a is operation data detected according to the operation detection program 602b, and is temporarily stored in time series. The operation data 604a is deleted after being used for the processing of the CPU 200.

The image generation data 604b includes, for example, image data corresponding to a software key, which is used to generate display image data.

The output image data 604c is output image data corresponding to the scanned image read by the image reading unit 34. Further, it is output image data corresponding to the print data included in the job data.

The received data 604d is print data and positioning condition data included in the job data. Further, it is the data of the positioning condition set by the image forming apparatus 12, that is, the setting data.

The paper folding data 604e includes area data indicating the position of each object area generated by executing the area separation process on the output image, data indicating selection conditions, folding position data indicating the folding position, and the like. The paper folding data 604e further includes default folding position data which is data indicating the default folding position and size condition data which is data indicating the size condition for each of the paper size and the folding method. Although not shown, the data storage area 604 stores other data necessary for the copy function and the print function, and is also provided with a flag and a counter (timer) as needed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the memory map 620 of the RAM 234 of the paper folding device 14 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the RAM 234 includes a program storage area 622 and a data storage area 624. Further, the control program of the paper folding device 14 is stored in the program storage area 622. The control program of the paper folding device 14 includes a main processing program 622a, a communication program 622b, a reception determination program 622c, a paper detection program 622d, and a paper folding program 622e.

The main processing program 622a is a program for executing the overall processing of the paper folding device 14.

The communication program 622b is also a program for communicating with the image forming apparatus 12 via the inter-device communication unit 240.

The reception determination program 622c is a program for determining whether or not the folding position data has been received from the image forming apparatus 12.

The paper detection program 622d is a program for controlling the paper detection unit 238 and detecting the paper to be conveyed to the paper receiving unit 90.

The paper folding program 622e is a program for controlling the paper folding unit 92 according to the folding position data and performing the paper folding process on the paper on which the output image to be conveyed to the paper receiving unit 90 is formed.

Although not shown, the program storage area 622 also stores other programs necessary for executing the process in the paper folding device 14.

The folding position data 624a is stored in the data storage area 624. The fold position data 624a is fold position data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 12.

Although not shown, the data storage area 624 stores other data necessary for executing paper folding, and is also provided with a paper folding flag and a counter (timer) as needed.

The main processing of the CPU 200 of the image forming apparatus 12 shown in FIG. 14 shown in FIG. 14 is, for example, when the power of the image forming apparatus 12 is turned on or when the image forming apparatus 12 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode. Is started on.

When the CPU 200 starts the main process, it determines whether to enable the copy function in step S1. Here, it is determined whether or not the start key 328 has been operated.

If "NO" in step S1, that is, if the copy function is not enabled, the process proceeds to step S3, while if "YES" in step S1, that is, if the copy function is enabled. In step S5, an output image is generated using the image reading unit 34, the image forming unit 36, and the like, and the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not to fold the paper. Here, the paper folding determination program 602g determines whether or not the folding method set in advance by the image forming apparatus 12 is set to other than "no paper folding". If it is "NO" in step S7, that is, if the paper folding process is not performed, the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S7, that is, if paper folding is to be performed, area data is generated in step S9, and the process proceeds to step S17.

When the determination of "NO" is made in the previous step S1, in the step S3, it is determined whether or not to enable the print function. Here, it is determined whether or not the job data has been received. If "NO" in step S3, that is, if the print function is not enabled, the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, if "YES" in step S3, that is, if the print function is to be enabled, in step S11, an output image is generated based on the print data included in the job data, and the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not to perform the paper folding process. Here, based on the positioning condition data included in the job data, it is determined whether or not there is data instructing the paper folding process, that is, whether or not the folding method is set to other than "no paper folding". Then, if "NO" in step S13, the process proceeds to step S21. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S13, area data is generated from the output image in step S15, and the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, the positioning process is executed according to the subroutine shown in FIG. 15, and in the subsequent step S19, the folding position data is transmitted to the paper folding device 14.

In step S21, the output image is printed on paper by the image forming unit 36 or the like, and in step S23, the paper on which the output image is printed is conveyed to the paper folding device 14 to end this main process.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of the positioning process executed by the CPU 200 of the image forming apparatus 12 shown in step S17 of FIG. When the positioning process is started, the CPU 200 refers to the area data included in the same paper folding data 604e as the default folding position data included in the paper folding data 604e of FIG. 12 in step S31, and determines whether or not the two overlap. ..

If it is "NO" in step S31, that is, if the default folding position and the object area do not overlap, the process returns to the main process of the CPU 200 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if "YES" in step S31, that is, if the default folding position and the object area overlap, the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, it is determined whether or not there is a changeable folding position by referring to the default folding position data and the size condition data included in the paper folding data 604e. If "NO" in step S33, that is, if there is no changeable fold position, in step S35, for example, a message "The fold position cannot be changed from the default fold position" is notified on the touch display 216. Then, the process returns to the main process of the CPU 200 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S33, that is, if there is a changeable folding position, the process proceeds to step S37.

In step S37, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of changeable folding positions. If "NO" in step S37, that is, if there is only one changeable fold position, in step S41, fold position data indicating the changeable fold position is generated. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S37, that is, if there are a plurality of changeable fold positions, in step S39, the changeable fold position is set according to the data indicating the selection condition also included in the paper fold data 604e. It is selected, and in step S41, fold position data indicating the selected changeable fold position is generated. Further, when the folding position data is generated in step S41, the process returns to the main process shown in FIG.

As described above, when "NO" is determined in step S33, that is, when there is no changeable fold position other than the fold position set by default, the default fold position is returned as a return value. Therefore, the folding position data transmitted to the paper folding device 14 in step S19 of FIG. 14 is the default folding position data.

On the other hand, when the fold position overlaps with the object area and there is a changeable fold position, the changeable fold position becomes the return value. Therefore, in step S19 of FIG. 14, the fold indicating the changeable fold position is shown. The position data is transmitted to the paper folding device 14.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an example of the main processing of the CPU 230 of the paper folding device 14 shown in FIG. When the CPU 230 starts the main process, in step S51, the reception determination program 622c determines whether or not the folding position data has been received from the CPU 200 of the image forming apparatus 12.

If it is "NO" in step S51, that is, if the folding position data has not been received, the process proceeds to step S53. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S51, that is, if the folding position data is received, the process proceeds to step S55.

In step S53, it is determined whether or not it is detected that the paper has been conveyed to the paper receiving unit 90 according to the paper detection program 622d. If it is "NO" in step S53, that is, when the paper is not detected, the process returns to step S51. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S53, that is, if paper is detected, the process proceeds to step S59.

In step S55, it is determined whether or not the paper has been conveyed to the paper receiving unit 90 in the same manner as in step S53. If "NO" in step S55, it waits for the paper to be detected.

On the other hand, if "YES" in step S55, that is, if paper transport is detected, in step S57, according to the folding position data received from the image forming apparatus 12 in step S21, FIGS. As described with reference to 10 and the like, paper folding is performed on the paper on which the output image is formed, and the process proceeds to step S59.

In this step S57, when the folding position is changed to the changeable folding position in step S39 of FIG. 15, the paper folding process is naturally executed at the changed position. However, as described above, if there is no changeable fold position other than the fold position set by default, the paper folding process is executed at the default position.

In step S59, the paper folded in step S57 is discharged to the output tray 94, and the main process is completed. The paper that is not folded, that is, the paper that has not received the folding position data in step S51, is discharged to the paper ejection tray 94 via the paper transport path T3 as described above.

According to this first embodiment, when the default folding position and the object area overlap, the folding position can be changed to a position that satisfies the size condition and does not overlap with the object area, that is, a changeable folding position. .. As a result, it is possible to avoid the paper folding process at a position where it is difficult for the user to see the characters and the like.

If it is determined in step S33 of FIG. 15 that there is no changeable folding position, the paper is folded at the position set by default, so that the object area toner folding position overlaps, but on the other hand. Since the user does not change the layout, it is possible to prevent the output image from becoming difficult to see due to an unintended change in the layout of the output image.

[Second Example]
In the first embodiment, the case where the output image (copy image or printed image) is formed on one sheet of paper has been described, but in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the program storage area 602 set in the RAM 204 (FIG. FIG. According to the positioning program 602i of 11), it is possible to cope with the case where the image forming apparatus 12 prints the output image on a plurality of pages.

In the second embodiment, the positioning program 602i further includes a program for determining whether or not to form an output image on a plurality of pages. Whether or not the output image is printed or formed on each of the plurality of pages may be determined whether or not the output image of the plurality of pages is generated in step S5 of FIG. 14 when the copy function is enabled. Further, when the print function is enabled, it may be determined whether or not the output image of a plurality of pages is generated in S11. Further, the data storage area 604 is set so that default fold position data and changeable fold position data can be stored for each page.

Since other programs and data are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a main part of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the multi-page process shown in FIG. 17 is executed instead of the positioning process in step S17 shown in FIG.

In this example, in the first step S61, it is determined whether or not to print the output image on a plurality of pages as described above. Then, if it is "NO" in step S61, that is, if a plurality of output images are not printed, the process proceeds to step S31 shown in FIG. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S61, the process proceeds to step S63.

In step S63, the number of pages n detected in step S61 is set in the variable P (P = n), then the positioning process of step S17 described above is executed, and in the next step S65, 1 from the variable P is executed. The number obtained by subtracting is set in the variable P (P = P-1). Then, the fold position (default fold position or changeable fold position) on the page processed at that time is stored in the data storage area 604 (FIG. 12) in step S67. Then, the process returns to the previous step S17 and the positioning process of the next page is executed until it is detected in step S69 that the positioning process of all the pages is completed.

When the positioning process for all pages is completed, the process proceeds to step S71.

In step S71, it is determined whether or not there is a common folding position on each page. This fold position may be the default fold position or a changeable fold position. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a paper folding position (common folding position) at the same position on each page.

If it is "NO" in step S71, that is, if there is no common fold position, in step S73, for example, a message such as "There was no common fold position" is notified, and the main shown in FIG. Return to processing. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S71, the folding position data is generated in step S75, and the process returns to the main process shown in FIG.

If there is a common fold position, the common fold position becomes the return value. Therefore, in step S19 of FIG. 14, the fold position data indicating the common fold position is transmitted to the paper folding device 14. Therefore, in the paper folding process executed in step S57 of FIG. 16, the folding position data indicating the common folding position is used. In other words, all pages are folded at the same folding position.

According to the second embodiment, for example, when a printed matter having a plurality of pages on which the output image is printed is put in one envelope, the paper is folded with the same width, so that the appearance can be arranged.

In the above description, when there is no common folding position in the second embodiment, each page is set to the paper at the folding position (default folding position or changeable folding position) obtained as a result of the positioning process for each page. It will be folded. This is because when “NO” in step S71, the folding position data for each page stored in step S67 is used.

Alternatively, in this second embodiment, when there is no common fold position, instead of folding the paper at different fold positions on each page as described above, priority is given to the fold position of any page, for example, the first page. It is also conceivable to fold all the pages after the second page according to the folding position of the first page.

[Third Example]
In the third embodiment, the home screen 300 shown in FIG. 18 is provided with a copy key 302 and a plurality of selection keys 304 in the same manner as the home screen 300 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. A setting key 306 is provided to allow the user to set the position to some extent.

When the setting key 306 is operated, the setting screen 340 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the touch display 216. The setting screen 340 is provided with a change function switching key 342, a selection method switching key 344, and a return key 346.

The change function switching key 342 is a torug key and is provided to switch the setting of the change function. When the change function is set to "enabled", the change function is switched to "disabled" when the change function switching key 342 is operated. On the other hand, when the change function is set to "disabled", the change function is switched to "valid" when the change function switching key 342 is operated.

The selection method switching key 344 is also a Torug key, and is provided to switch the selection method of the folding position. When the folding position selection method is set to "automatic", when the selection method switching key 344 is operated, the folding position selection method is switched to "manual". On the other hand, when the folding position selection method is set to "manual", when the selection method switching key 344 is operated, the folding position selection method is switched to "automatic".

The return key 346 is provided to return to the previous screen. For example, when the return key 346 is operated, the home screen 300 is displayed on the touch display 216.

Briefly, when the change function is set to "enabled" and the folding position selection method is set to "automatic", as described in the first embodiment, the folding position determined by default is selected. The changeable folding position automatically selected according to the conditions is adopted. On the other hand, when the change function is set to "disabled" and the folding position selection method is set to "manual", the image forming apparatus 12 has the image forming apparatus 12 as described below with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22. The user can select the changeable folding position displayed on the touch display 216. However, the program according to the flow charts of FIGS. 20 and 21 of the third embodiment can be preset in the program storage area 602 (FIG. 11) set in the RAM 204 of the image forming apparatus 12.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of setting processing of the CPU 200 of the image forming apparatus 12 of the third embodiment.

The setting process is started by operating the setting key 306 shown in FIG. When the setting process is started, the setting screen 340 shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the touch display 216 in step S81.

Then, in step S83, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the return key 346 has been operated. If "YES" in step S83, that is, if the return key 346 is operated, the setting process of the CPU 200 ends. If "NO" in step S83, the process proceeds to step S85.

In step S85, it is determined whether or not the change function switching key 342 has been operated. If "NO" in step S85, the process proceeds to step S87. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S85, that is, if the change function switching key 342 is operated, the change function setting is "enabled" or "disabled" as described above in step S89. And return to step S81.

In step S87, it is determined whether or not the selection method switching key 344 has been operated. If "NO" in step S87, the process returns to step S81. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S87, that is, if the selection method switching key 344 is operated, as described above in step S91, the setting of the folding position selection method is "automatic" or It switches to "manual" and returns to step S81.

In this setting process, when the change function is set to "disabled" and the folding position selection method is set to "manual", the subroutine of the positioning process of the CPU 200 shown in step S17 of FIG. 14 is as shown in FIG. Is changed to.

More specifically, if "YES" in step S37 of FIG. 15, the CPU 200 generates the preview image 362 shown in FIG. 22 (step S101) according to the image display program 602c, and selects the folding position of the preview image 362. It is displayed as a screen 360 (step S103). The preview image 362 is an image that visualizes the changeable folding position (indicated by the dotted line) in the first embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the changeable folding positions shown by each of the preview images 362 are different from each other. For example, when three preview images 362 are displayed on the touch display 216, the displayed changeable fold positions include the top three changeable fold positions with a small amount of change from the default fold positions according to the selection conditions. Conceivable. However, it is not limited to such conditions.

In this way, when steps S101 and S103 are executed and a plurality of preview images 362 are displayed on the fold position selection screen 360, the user selectively touches one of the preview images 362 to obtain a desired preview. Image 362 can be selected. In step S105, it can be seen that the user has selected the desired preview image by referring to the operation data 604a. Step S105 waits until such a user makes a selection.

When any preview image is selected by the user, in step S107, the changeable fold position indicated by the selected preview image 362 is selected, and in step S109, the fold position indicating the selected changeable fold position is selected. Generate data and return to the main routine with the fold position data as the return value.

The folding position data is transmitted to the paper folding device 14 in step S19 (FIG. 14), and as a result, the paper folding process is executed at the changed folding position desired by the user.

The third embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment. In that case, the folding position of each page may be determined by the manual selection shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 in step S17 of FIG. 17, and then it may be determined in step S71 whether or not there is a common folding position.

Further, the third embodiment can be modified as follows. In the modification described below, a preview image that visualizes the changeable fold position selected in step S39 of FIG. 15 is displayed, and the fold position is manually moved up and down on the preview image to make the final fold. Determine the position.

That is, on the setting screen 340 shown in FIG. 19, when the automatic change function is set to "disabled" and the folding position selection method is set to "manual", the folding position changing screen 380 shown in FIG. 23 is displayed on the touch display 216. Is displayed.

The preview image 382 is displayed on the fold position change screen 380, and the up / down movement key 384 and the enter key 386 are displayed. As an example, the preview image 382 displayed here is an image that visualizes one changeable folding position (for example, selected according to a selection condition). The up / down movement key 384 is an operation key for moving the folding position (indicated by the dotted line) displayed in the preview image 382 upward or downward to change the folding position to a position desired by the user.

The enter key 386 is a key for determining the folding position manually moved in this way.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the operation of this modified example. However, the operation of FIG. 24 is executed after selecting in step S39 of FIG. 15, for example, according to a selection condition.

In the first step S111 of FIG. 24, a preview image 382 that visualizes the changeable folding position is generated in the same manner as in step S103 of FIG. In step S113, the folding position change screen 380 shown in FIG. 23 including the preview image 382 is displayed on the touch display 216.

Then, in step S115, it is determined whether or not a user operation (folding position moving operation) for moving the folding position has been detected. Here, it is determined whether or not the user operates the up / down movement key 384 to move the folding position.

If the fold position indicated by the dotted line of the preview image 382 is moved, the process returns to step S111 to generate a preview image 382 that displays the fold position moved by the user in step S115, and the fold position is displayed in step S113. The folding position change screen 380 including the preview image 382 is displayed.

In step S117, it is determined whether or not the enter key 386 has been operated. If the enter key 386 is not operated, the process returns to step S113. On the other hand, when the enter key 386 is operated, in step S119, the fold position data is generated with the fold position displayed in the preview image 382 of the fold position change screen 380 as the fold position desired by the user. .. Then, since the fold position data is used as the return value, as a result, the paper folding process is executed at the fold position other than the default fold position desired by the user.

This modification can also be applied to the second embodiment. In that case, the folding position of each page may be determined by the manual movement shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 in step S17 of FIG. 17, and then it may be determined in step S71 whether or not there is a common folding position.

The specific numerical values and screens shown in the above examples are examples, and can be changed as appropriate in an actual product.

Further, the flow chart shown in each of the above-described embodiments is an example, and the order of each step can be arbitrarily changed when the same result is obtained.

10 ... Image forming system 12 ... Image forming device 14 ... Paper folding device 34 ... Image reading unit 36 ... Image forming unit 92 ... Paper folding unit 200, 230 ... CPU
204, 234 ... RAM
208 ... External communication unit 214, 240 ... Inter-device communication unit 216 ... Touch display

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus having a display and transporting a paper on which an output image is formed to a paper folding apparatus and undergoing a paper folding process on the paper.
An image forming unit that forms an output image on paper,
Area data generation unit that generates area data indicating the position of the object area of the output image on the paper.
Overlap determination to determine whether the object area overlaps the default folding position by comparing the default folding position data indicating a predetermined default folding position for folding the paper under predetermined conditions with the area data. means,
When the overlap determination means determines that the object area overlaps the default fold position, the changeable determination means for determining whether or not there is a changeable fold position.
When the changeable folding position determines that there is a changeable folding position, the folding position data generating means that generates folding position data based on the changeable folding position and the folding position data are transmitted to the paper folding device. An image forming apparatus comprising a transmitting means to perform. Even when the overlap determining means determines that the object area overlaps with the default folding position, when the changeable determining means determines that there is no changeable folding position, the transmitting means uses the folding position data as the folding position data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the default folding position data is transmitted to the paper folding apparatus. When the changeable fold position determines that there are a plurality of changeable fold positions, the changeable fold position is further provided with a selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of changeable fold positions, and the generation means is selected by the selection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which generates the folding position data based on the changeable folding position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection means includes an automatic selection means that automatically selects any one of the plurality of changeable folding positions according to a predetermined condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the selection means includes a manual selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of changeable folding positions according to the user's selection. Claims further include a selection screen display means for displaying a fold position selection screen including a plurality of preview images, each of which visualizes a changeable fold position, on the display, and a means for accepting a user-operated selection of a preview image on the selection screen. Item 5. The image forming apparatus according to item 5. A change screen display means for displaying a fold position change screen including a preview image that visualizes the changeable fold position on the display, and a means for changing the changeable fold position by a user operation on the change screen are further provided.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding position data generating means generates folding position data based on the changed changeable folding position. An image forming apparatus having an image forming portion for forming a display and an output image on paper, and transporting the paper on which the output image is formed to a paper folding device to undergo paper folding processing on the paper.
To the processor of the image forming apparatus
Area data generation step, which generates area data indicating the position of the object area of the output image on the paper.
Overlap determination to determine whether the object area overlaps the default folding position by comparing the default folding position data indicating a predetermined default folding position for folding the paper under predetermined conditions with the area data. Step,
When it is determined in the overlap determination step that the object area overlaps the default fold position, the changeable determination step for determining whether or not there is a changeable fold position,
When it is determined in the changeable determination step that there is a changeable fold position, a fold position data generation step that generates fold position data based on the changeable fold position, and the fold position data are transmitted to the paper folding device. A control program that executes a transmission step.

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