JP3142449B2 - Image forming apparatus with staple function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a function (stapling function) for binding a plurality of sheets on which images have been formed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as an electrostatic copying machine and a laser printer have been provided with various functions in addition to an image forming function. For example, a plurality of sheets on which images have been formed are bound. Some devices have a staple function of automatically binding using staples. When a plurality of sheets are bound by such a function, if the number of sheets exceeds a certain number (staplable number), there is a problem that staples are bent or jammed, resulting in a binding error. Therefore, conventionally, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 05-13079, the number of originals is detected (counted) in advance.
The detected number of documents is regarded as the number of sheets, and if the number exceeds a certain number, a warning is issued.The stapling function does not operate for the sheets copied from this document. Has become.

[0003]

However, as described above, according to the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 05-13079, the stapling function is activated for sheets copied from a certain number or more of originals. However, there is a problem that a large number of copy sheets cannot be bound.

An object of the present invention is to stap a sheet printed from an original or image data even when the number of originals or the number of image data to be printed exceeds the number of sheets that can be stapled by the stapling function. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having a staple function.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image is printed on a sheet based on original image data such as image data of a document and image data of a computer, and a plurality of print sheets are bundled. In the image forming apparatus for stapling, in the image forming apparatus, the number of the original image data is detected, the number of the original image data is compared with a preset number of staples, and the comparing means. If it is determined that the number of original image data is larger than the stapleable number, the character data
The total length of the original image data
To the stapleable length,
Data number compression means for dividing the data by the number of staplable sheets in the length direction .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image data of a document is provided.
Based on original image data such as
Print an image on paper, and print several sheets of paper.
In the image forming apparatus for stapling bundled, the
A number detection means for detecting the number of the original image data, the original
Set the number of image data to a preset number of stapable
Comparing means for comparing the number, by the comparison means, the original
The number of image data is larger than the stapleable number
When it is determined that there is no
A data number compression means for reducing the blank portion, is characterized in that it comprises a.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image data of a document is provided.
Based on original image data such as
Print an image on paper, and print several sheets of paper.
In the image forming apparatus for stapling bundled, the
A number detection means for detecting the number of the original image data, the original
Set the number of image data to a preset number of stapable
Comparing means for comparing the number, by the comparison means, the original
The number of image data is larger than the stapleable number
When it is determined that the
Analysis means for analyzing, and
Determines whether the content is character data and if it is character data
Means for reducing the number of lines, and means for compressing the number of data,
The is characterized in that it comprises.

[0008]

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the character data
When the number of the original image data constituted is greater than the staplable number by is a character data original image
When the total length of the data is the total length of the number of
After being reduced to a pullable length, the reduced image data is
The direction is divided by the number of staplable sheets. Character
Data did not change even if the original image was divided between lines.
Depending on the number of original image data and the number of staples
Is reduced at the maximum reduction rate. As a result, the number of print sheets is reduced, the number of print sheets matches the number of staples that can be stapled , and an appropriate reduction of the original image data is performed.
The fraction is set.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the original image
When the number of data is larger than the staplable number
Indicates that a blank area in the image is detected and the blank area is reduced.
You. Normal image data contains many blanks.
If the area is made smaller, the blank area will occupy
Print area is reduced, reducing the number of prints.
You. This reduces the number of print sheets,
The number of print sheets is equal to or less than the stapleable number. this
Print paper regardless of the number of original image data
Be able to staple.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the original image
When the number of image data is larger than the stapleable number
Indicates that the original image data was determined to be character data
Space between lines is reduced. For character data, fill the line
Even so, there is no problem because there is no change in the content itself. Moreover, the line
If the space is shortened, the space occupied by line spacing on the paper is reduced.
You. This reduces the number of print sheets,
The number of print sheets is equal to or less than the stapleable number. this
Print paper regardless of the number of original image data
Be able to staple.

[0012]

[0013]

Embodiment] FIG. 1 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus having a stapling function which is an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes a document scanning unit 1, an image forming unit 2, a multi-stage paper cassette 3, a sorter 4, and a bookbinding unit 5. The configuration of each unit will be described.

The document scanning section 1 includes a document table 11 made of transparent glass, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 12 disposed above the document table 11, and a scanner unit 13 disposed below the document table 11. I have. The document can be placed alone on the document table 11 alone, but in the case of a large number of sheet-shaped documents, the document can be automatically placed continuously using the ADF 12. The scanner unit 13 is movable along the lower surface of the document table 11, and reads image data (original image data) of a document placed on the document table 11 using the CCD 14. The image data read by the CCD 14 is appropriately processed by an original image data processing unit described later.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment can receive image data (original image data) from an external device such as a personal computer (personal computer) or word processor (word processor) via a connector (not shown). The original image data processing unit stores the original image data read by the CCD 14 or the original image data received from a personal computer or the like, and processes the original image data to form an image based on the original image data.

The image forming section 2 includes an image forming process section 22,
A semiconductor laser 23 and a fixing device 24 are provided. The image forming process unit 22 includes a photoconductive photoconductor 21, forms a toner image based on light carrying image information by electrophotography, and feeds the toner image from the multi-stage paper cassette 3. Transfer to paper. The semiconductor laser 23 irradiates the photosensitive member 21 with laser light (light carrying image information) based on the original image data. The fixing device 24 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet by the image forming process unit 22. This paper is discharged as print paper.

In the case of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the multi-stage paper cassette 3 includes four-stage paper cassettes 31 to 34. Each of the paper cassettes 31 to 34 normally stores paper having a different paper size or paper direction, and paper is fed to the image forming process unit 22 from any of the selected paper cassettes. You. The apparatus of this embodiment further includes a manual paper tray 35, and is handled in the same manner as the other paper cassettes 31 to 34.

The sorter 4 is a tray from which print paper is discharged, and includes multi-stage trays 41a, 41b,... Each of the multi-stage trays 41a, 41b... Has a flapper 42a, 42b, and selectively discharges print paper to any of the multi-stage trays 41a, 41b. When the printing is performed, all the flappers 42a and 42b
.. Are transferred to the bookbinding unit 5.

The bookbinding section 5 is a staple function section according to the present invention, and is provided at the lowermost portion of the sorter 4. The bookbinding unit 5 includes a staple tray 51, a stopper 52, and a receiving seat 5.
3, a weight roller 54 and a stapler 55 are provided. The stopper 52 is provided near the front end of the staple tray 51, and moves to a position covering the front end of the staple tray 51 or a position retracting from the front end of the staple tray 51 as shown by a solid line and a two-dot chain line in the drawing. It is pivotable. The weight roller 54 is a staple tray 5
1, the sheet is conveyed with a light force until the leading edge of the sheet conveyed on the staple tray 51 comes into contact with the stopper 52. The stapler 55 is disposed above the leading end of the staple tray 51, and a receiving seat 53 is provided at a facing portion on the upper surface of the staple tray 51.

The operation of the bookbinding unit 5 will be briefly described. When the staple function operates, the print paper is
., And reaches the staple tray 51. The paper is a weight roller 5
4, the sheet is conveyed until the leading end reaches the stopper 52 at the solid line position. This is repeated, and a plurality of sheets are stacked on the staple tray 51. When all the sheets to be stapled are stacked on the staple tray 51, the stapler 55 operates to staple the leading ends of the plurality of sheets. Thereafter, the stopper 51 rotates and moves to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure, and the bound paper is moved to the leading end of the staple tray 51 and discharged.

The staple function of this embodiment is to bind one end of the print sheet. However, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-13079, the staple function may be configured to bind the center of the print sheet. Good.

Next, the configuration of the control unit of the image forming apparatus will be described. 1 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 1 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a processing section of the original image data in the control unit.

The entire image forming apparatus is controlled by a central control unit (PCU) 6. PCU6 has ADF
Control unit 61, operation board unit 62, stapler control unit 6 for controlling bookbinding section 5
3, sorter control unit 64, paper feed control unit 65, scanner control unit 66,
Laser printer 67, image processing unit (ICU) 7
Etc. are connected. ADF control unit is A
The document transport operation by the DF 12 is controlled. The operation board unit 62 controls input and output with an operation unit provided on the image forming apparatus main body. The operation unit includes various input keys such as a print switch for starting execution of a copy process, a staple key for setting a stapling mode (staple mode), an end key for ending a document reading operation, and an operation state. , An error state and the like. The stapler control unit 63 controls a stapling operation in the bookbinding unit 5. The sorter control unit 64 controls the operation of selecting a sheet discharge tray for sheets in the sorter 4. The paper feed control unit 65 controls selection of a paper cassette of the multi-stage paper feed tray 3 and paper feed. The scanner control unit 66 controls the original reading operation of the scanner unit 13. The laser printer unit 67 controls the image forming process in the image forming process unit 22. Also, ICU
Reference numeral 7 denotes a portion for processing original image data read by the CCD 14 and original image data input from an external personal computer or the like.

The ICU 7 is connected to an input data pre-processing unit (CCU) 8, a laser control unit 9, an image data input unit 10, and the like. ICU7 Figure 1 3
As shown in (1), an image processing CPU 71, a memory 72 including a RAM, and an image processing unit 73 are provided.
Original image data such as image data of a document and image data of a personal computer or the like is input from the CCU 8 and the image data input unit 10 to the ICU 7. The ICU 7 processes the input original image data into printable data, and outputs the data to the laser control unit 9. Laser control unit 9
Converts the data into a laser beam and irradiates the photoconductor 21 with the laser beam.

The CCU 8 includes a CCD section 8a, a histogram processing section 8b, and an error diffusion processing section 8c. C
The CU 8 converts the image data of the original read from the CCD 14 into a binary value, processes the image data by an error diffusion method while obtaining a histogram as a binary digital amount, and temporarily stores the processed image data in the memory 72.

The CCD section 8a performs A / D conversion of an analog signal corresponding to each pixel density of the image data, and then performs MTF correction, monochrome correction or gamma correction to generate a digital signal of 256 gradations. Output to the histogram processing unit 8b. The histogram processing unit 8b includes a CCD unit 8a
Are added for each pixel density to obtain density information (histogram data). The histogram data is sent to the CPU 71 as needed. The image data is sent to the error diffusion processing unit 8c as image data. In the error diffusion processing unit 8c, an error diffusion method, which is a kind of pseudo intermediate processing, that is, the binarization error
The digital signal of 8 bits / pixel output from the CCD section 8a is converted into 1 bit (2
) And performs a reproduction distribution operation for faithfully reproducing the local area density in the document.

The image processing unit 73 includes multi-value processing units 73a and 73b, a synthesis processing unit 73c, a density conversion processing unit 73d,
It includes a scaling processing section 73e, an image forming processing section 73f, an error diffusion processing section 73g, and a compression processing section 73h. The image processing unit 73 is a part for processing image data (image data read by a CCD, input image data from a personal computer or the like) stored in a memory. There are two types of processing. One is a processing desired by the operator, which is based on a set magnification and a set density input from the operation unit, and the other is a processing according to the present invention, which is a processing for performing stapling. It is. The image data obtained by the former processing is hereinafter referred to as original image data. The image processing unit 73 repeatedly executes the processing until the image data being processed becomes ready for output. However, each processing unit included in the image processing unit 73 functions as needed, and may not function in some cases.

The multi-value processing sections 73a and 73b convert the data binarized by the error diffusion processing section 8a into 256 gradations again. The synthesis processing unit 73c selectively performs a logical operation for each image, that is, an operation of a logical sum, a logical product, or an exclusive logical sum. The density conversion processing unit 73d arbitrarily sets the output density with respect to the input density based on a predetermined tone conversion table for the digital signal of 256 tones. Magnification processing unit 7
3e obtains pixel data (density value) for the target pixel after scaling by performing interpolation processing based on the input known data in accordance with the designated scaling ratio, and performs main scanning after the sub-scanning is scaled. Is scaled.

The image processing unit 73f collects information on a data sequence such as feature extraction and performs various image processing on image data obtained by performing the above-described normal processing (density conversion processing and scaling processing). I do. For example, as will be described later, a process of determining blank or character data when the staple mode is selected is performed here.

The error diffusion processing section 73g executes the same processing as the error diffusion processing section 8c of the CCU 8. Compression processing unit 73
h performs data compression by coding called run length. As for the compression of the image data, the compression functions in the final processing loop when the final output image data is completed.

The laser control unit 9 decompresses the image data stored in the memory 72 in a compressed state, converts the image data again into 256 gradations, and forms a smooth halftone expression.
The error diffusion of the value data is performed, and the data is transferred to the laser output unit 9d. The restoration unit 9a restores the image data compressed by the compression processing unit 73h. The multi-value processing section 9b performs the same processing as the multi-value processing sections 73a and 73b of the image processing section 73. The error diffusion processing unit 9 c
The same processing as the error diffusion processing unit 8c is performed. The laser output unit 9d converts digital image data into a laser on / off signal based on a control signal from the PCU 6, and performs laser on / off control.

An operation procedure when the staple mode is set in the image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described. Figure 1 0 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of setting the staple mode.

When the print switch is operated, first, the setting state of the staple mode is determined (n1 → n2).
When the staple mode is not set, the normal print processing is executed. When the staple mode is set, the following processing is performed. First, a document reading operation is performed (n3 to n9). When a document is set on the document tray of the ADF, one document is fed, the document is read, processed by the CCU 8, and stored in the memory 72 (n
3 → n4 → n5). If there is a document on the document tray of the ADF 12, this is repeated to read all the documents,
Store the original image data (n6 → n4 → n5 ...
・). When a document is manually set on the document table 11 without using the ADF, the document is read each time the print switch is operated, and the read image data is stored in the memory 72 (n7 → n8). ). The end of the document reading process is determined by operating the end key of the operation unit (n9).

When the reading and storing of the original image data are completed as described above, the number of the read original image data is counted (n14). Then, the number C1 of the original image data is set to a preset stapleable number C0.
If the number C1 of the original image data is equal to or less than the stapleable number C0, the printing process is executed as it is, and the sheets on which the images are formed are bound and bound (n15). But,
If the original image data number C1 exceeds the stapleable number C0, processing such as processing of the original image data or paper selection is performed to make the stapling possible, and then the print processing is executed (n15 → n16). The processing for processing the original image data is performed by the image processing unit 73 as described above.

When the original image data is transmitted from an external device such as a personal computer and the original image data is printed, the following processing is performed. Print data (=
When transmission of the original image data is determined, the data is all stored in the memory 72 (n10 → n11). When the reception and storage of the original image data for all the sheets are completed, it is determined whether or not the staple mode is set (n12 → n13). If the staple mode is not set, the print processing is executed as it is. If the staple mode is set, the number of received original image data is counted, and the number C1 is compared with the stapleable number C0. (N14 → n15)
When the original image data number C1 exceeds the stapleable number C0, processing of the original image data, paper selection, and the like are executed to reduce the number of prints (n14).
→ n15 → n16).

An example of the processing of the n16 step will be described. First, an example in which a method for reducing the entire image data is used as a method for compressing the number of prints will be described.

FIG. 1 shows the relationship between the original image data (FIG. 1A) and the print image (FIG. 1B). FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in this case . In this case , the original image data is reduced by 50% and two sheets of original image data are printed on one sheet. Therefore, the number of sheets after printing is "C1 / 2". Therefore, first, “C2 = C1 / 2” is calculated, and the number C
2 is compared with the stapleable number C0 (n21 → n2).
2). As a result, if the number of prints C2 is within the stapleable number C0, the original image data is reduced by 50% (n23). Then, in order to fit the reduced image on one sheet of paper, the image data is rotated 90 ° to convert the image data vertically / horizontally, and the two image data are combined as one (n24 → n25). If the image formation number C2 does not reach the stapleable number C0 even after performing the reduction processing, a warning is displayed and the processing is interrupted (n2
6).

As described above, when the original image data is reduced by 50% and two images are printed on one sheet, the image on one sheet of the original image data is not cut off. Therefore, it can be applied to any type of image. However, on the other hand, in the case of this processing, there is a problem that the original image data is always reduced by 50%. Therefore, when the original image data is character data, an appropriate reduction ratio can be set by performing the reduction in the following manner.

FIG. 3 shows a processing for reducing the entire image data.
Shows a reduced state of the image data indicating the actual施例in FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the reduction process. If the original image data is character data, it can be read even if the original image data is divided in the vertical direction (line direction) of the character. Therefore, if the original image data is determined to be character data, the image data is reduced in the vertical direction so that the number of prints falls within the stapleable number C0.

If the original image data is a character document, the total length of the original image data is obtained as shown in FIG.
31 → n32). Note that whether or not the original image data is a text original can be determined by analyzing the image data in the original when a sheet-shaped original is read,
When image data is input from an external device, it can be determined by inputting the type of original image data from the external device. After obtaining the total length of the original image data, the length of the original image data that can be stapled (total length of the number of staplable sheets)
Then, the reduction ratio when the image is reduced to is calculated (n33). The reduced state at this time is as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, it is necessary to reduce the length of the image data in the vertical direction, and the image data may be reduced only in that direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the entire original image data is reduced at the above-described reduction ratio.

When the original image data is reduced to the number of staples that can be stapled, the reduction ratio increases as the amount of the original image data increases, but if the reduction ratio becomes too high, the image cannot be identified. Therefore, the reduction ratio is compared with a preset minimum reduction ratio (for example, 50%), and image formation is performed at that reduction ratio only when the reduction ratio is lower than the minimum reduction ratio (n34). That is, when the obtained reduction ratio is less than the minimum reduction ratio, a warning is displayed and the process is interrupted (n36). On the other hand, if the obtained reduction ratio is appropriate, the original image data is reduced and the image data is allocated to each sheet (n35). At this time, the reduced image data is arranged on the sheet on the basis of the center. That is, as shown in FIG. 3C, reduced image data (broken line in the figure) is allocated to each sheet (solid line in the figure). The image data thus obtained is printed on each sheet, and finally stapled.

(1) Embodiment of Claim 2 FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a processing state of original image data according to an embodiment of claim 2, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the same processing. Many original image data often include a blank portion between image portions (hatched portions in the figure) as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the number of image formed sheets after printing is reduced by reducing the blank portion.

In the processing for processing the original image data of the present embodiment,
First, blank recognition of the original image data is performed (n41). This can be determined by determining that a certain number of pixels are continuously white. Thus, for example, it is assumed that a blank portion between the pixel portions has been recognized as shown in FIG. next,
The number of prints in a state where this blank space is reduced is obtained. For example, the blank may be reduced to a certain length as shown in FIG. 5B, or may be reduced to a certain reduction rate as shown in FIG. Is also good. The number of prints C3 in a state where the blank space is reduced in this way is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the number of prints C3 is within the stapleable number C0 (n42 → n43). As a result, if it is within the stapleable number C0, the blank portion of the original image data is reduced, the image data is allocated to each sheet, and the print process is executed (n44).
On the other hand, if the number of staples has not been reached even after performing blank reduction, a warning is displayed and the process is interrupted (n45).

The number of prints can be further reduced by combining the blank reduction processing shown in this embodiment with the above-described processing for reducing the entire image data. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, an image in which a blank portion in an image is reduced is reduced by 50% so that two images are included in one sheet (FIG. 7B). As a result, even if the stapling is not possible even after reducing the blank space, the number of prints can be further reduced to １ ／, so that the stapling may occur.

(2) Embodiment of Claim 3 FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a processing state of original image data according to an embodiment of claim 3, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the same processing. If the original image data contains a character string,
The number of prints can be reduced by reducing the line spacing of the character string. First, character recognition processing in the original image data is performed (n51). In recent years, this character recognition technology has been remarkably advanced, and it has become possible to recognize each character and an interval between each character. Therefore, first, characters in the original image data are recognized, and in the case of a character string, the line spacing is obtained (n52 → n53), and it is assumed that the line spacing is packed with a certain value or a predetermined compression ratio. To obtain the number of prints C4 (n54). Then, the number of prints C
If 4 is equal to or less than the staplable sheet number C0, the line spacing is reduced and the print processing is executed (n55 → n56).

For example, if the original image data has a wide line spacing as shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), the number of prints C4 can be reduced. If the number of staples that can be stapled does not reach the number C0 even after line filling, the process is interrupted (n5).
7).

[0047]

[0048]

[0049]

[0050]

[0051]

[0052]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the character
The number of original image data
If the number is larger than the pullable number, it is character data.
The total length of the original image data is the total length of the number of sheets that can be stapled.
After reducing to the stapleable length, the reduced image data
To divide by the number of staples possible in the length direction
The number of print papers matches the number of staples
To check all of the print paper for the original image data.
It can be stapled,
Select an appropriate reduction ratio for the original image data based on the number of pullable images.
Can be set.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the blank portion in the image of the original image data is reduced, and if the blank portion is reduced, the actual image portion itself remains unchanged from the original image data. Therefore, the image does not become difficult to see.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the original image data is character data, the number of prints is reduced by reducing the line spacing, and the content itself of the character data is changed only by reducing the line spacing. There is no loss of image quality. In particular, since the character data itself is printed as it is as the original image data, there is no danger that the character data will be crushed and become unreadable.

[0055]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of image data processing processing (entire reduction), in which (A) original image data and (B) image data after reduction processing and printing.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing the same processing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of reducing the entire image data;
(A) original image data, (B) image data after reduction processing,
(C) shows a state in which reduced image data is allocated to print paper.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing the same processing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment of claim 2, wherein (A) shows an example of original image data, and (B), (C) shows an example of blank-filled image data after printing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing the same processing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which image data subjected to blank filling processing is further reduced.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing an example of the third embodiment, showing an example of (A) original image data, and (B) an example of image data after line filling processing and after printing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing the same processing.

FIG. 10 shows a processing procedure of the entire stapling process .
It is a flowchart.

FIG. 11 is an outline of an image forming apparatus having a staple function .
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a control unit of the image forming apparatus.
You.

FIG. 13 illustrates an image data processing unit of the image forming apparatus control unit.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 534 B42C 1/12 B65H 7/04 B65H 39/11

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for printing an image on a sheet based on original image data such as image data of a document or image data of a computer, and bundling and stapling a plurality of print sheets, comprising the steps of: A number detecting means for detecting the number of sheets, a comparing means for comparing the number of the original image data with a preset stapleable number, and the comparing means, wherein the number of the original image data is larger than the stapleable number When it is determined that
The total length of original image data, which is character data, can be stapled
The total length of the sheets is reduced to the stapleable length.
Image data is divided by the number of staplable sheets in the length direction.
An image forming apparatus having a stapling function, comprising: 2. An image data of an original or a computer.
Print an image on paper based on original image data such as data
And stapling multiple sheets of print paper.
In the image forming apparatus, a sheet number detecting means for detecting the number of the original image data, and a staple set to a predetermined number of the original image data.
A comparing unit for comparing the number of the original image data with the number of possible images;
When it is determined that the number is larger than the number of possible staples,
Data sheet that detects a blank part in an image and reduces the blank part
An image forming apparatus having a staple function , comprising: a number compression unit . 3. An image data of an original or a computer.
Print an image on paper based on original image data such as data
And stapling multiple sheets of print paper.
In the image forming apparatus, a sheet number detecting means for detecting the number of the original image data, and a staple set to a predetermined number of the original image data.
A comparing unit for comparing the number of the original image data with the number of possible images;
When it is determined that the number is larger than the number of possible staples ,
Analysis means for analyzing the data content of the original image data;
To determine whether the content analyzed by the analysis means is character data.
Separately, means for reducing the space between lines when the data is character data
An image forming apparatus having a stapling function, wherein the data number compression means, further comprising a containing.