JP3556188B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an image that can handle slip sheetsFormationIt concerns the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when copying a document classified by item by a copying machine which is one of the image forming apparatuses, it is necessary to insert a sheet of a different color (referred to as a slip sheet) at a boundary of each item. Is For example, in a copying machine in which an original is automatically fed sequentially using an automatic document feeder (RDH), colored paper or paper having a special code hole (referred to as a slip sheet) is inserted at a position where a slip sheet is to be inserted. In advance, the automatic document feeder detects the slip sheet and inserts the slip sheet at that position.
[0003]
This type of apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-1528663. In a copying machine capable of performing double-sided printing, means for prohibiting double-sided printing on a slip sheet and inserting a slip sheet before even-numbered pages are provided. Is provided. Further, with respect to control for double-sided copying, there are JP-A-64-34857 and JP-A-64-38374.
[0004]
In addition, some copiers include a device that automatically feeds a screen-printed document (double-sided document automatic feeder) and a device that turns over the paper to print on both sides of the paper (front and back reversing device). It is commercially available.
[0005]
By the way, in a copier capable of performing double-sided copying, when making a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, if a normal copy is performed, the front side copy and the back side copy are performed alternately. However, depending on the document, there is also a document which is desired to be executed from the front side copy even in the reverse side copy order. Therefore, a copier capable of performing a chaptering function by designating a document has been developed.
[0006]
Furthermore, when making a one-sided copy from a one-sided original or when making a two-sided copy from a two-sided original, the original tray is changed by designating the original, and the copy or copy sheet function is realized. There is also a machine.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, controlling the chaptering and interleaving functions at the same time would make the control extremely complicated.Therefore, it is necessary to perform chaptering on one-sided originals, create a two-sided copy, and then execute interleaving. It was difficult.Also, the slip sheet is used only for mere separation, and no image is usually formed on the slip sheet.
[0008]
The object of the present invention isRecording paper can be used effectively even with interleaving paperimageFormationIt is to provide a device.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above purpose,One means isOfferBased on the provided manuscriptNoteImages on recording paperToFormationDoImage forming meansRecording paper supply means for supplying the recording paper to the image forming means;To divide recording paper by specified number of sheetsIfPaperSupply to the image forming unitSlip sheetSupplyMeans,Specifying means for specifying the specified number of sheets by a user, and switching the supply means from supply of the recording paper to supply of the slip sheet when the slip sheet is inserted at a position specified by the specifying means. Means for forming an image on the slip sheet when switched to the supply of the slip sheet by the switching means, the image formed on the slip sheet in the mode, An image based on an original different from the original of the image formed on the recording paper adjacent to the insert after the insert of the insertIt is characterized by the following.
The second means is the first means,The image formed on the slip sheet in the mode is formed under the same image forming conditions as the image forming conditions on the recording sheet.It is characterized by the following.
The third means isFirst orIn the second means,The image formed on the slip sheet in the mode is formed on the surface of the slip sheetIt is characterized by the following.
The fourth measure is,In the means of 3,In the case where one side of the document is sequentially formed on both sides of the recording sheet, and the number specified by the specifying unit corresponds to an even number of the document, the image forming unit performs the recording on the basis of the even number of the document. Forming an image on the surface of the interleaf paper supplied by the interleaf paper supply means without performing image formation on the paperIt is characterized by the following.
[0013]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram showing one embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a detailed configuration of an RDH (automatic document feeder) mounted on the apparatus shown in FIG.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes three parts: a copying machine main body 100, an RDH 200, and a finisher 300. The copier main body 100 is provided with a contact glass 101 on which an original is placed, and a flash lamp 102 as a light source for illuminating the original on the contact glass 101 is installed inside the main body. A power supply device 103 is provided for supplying power to the power supply 102.
[0016]
Below the contact glass 101, a first mirror 104 for reflecting light reflected from a document in a predetermined direction is provided, and a through lens 105 is provided on the reflected light path. A second mirror 106 is provided on the light exit path of the through lens 105, and a belt photoreceptor 107 is provided on the reflected light path. The belt photoconductor 107 is formed by forming a photosensitive layer on the surface of an endless belt, and rotates a predetermined orbit (counterclockwise in this example) through a plurality of rollers.
[0017]
A charger 108 for pre-charging the photosensitive layer is provided near the upper end of the belt photoreceptor 107, and an eraser 109 is provided near the lower end. A developing device 110 is provided below the belt photoreceptor 107, and a transfer charger 111 is provided near the belt above the developing device 110.
[0018]
Further, paper feed trays 112, 113, and 114 in which sheets of different sizes are stored are arranged in tandem near the side wall in the copying machine main body 100 facing the belt photoreceptor 107. A “J” -shaped transport path 115 is provided in connection with the transfer charger 111, a registration roller 116 is provided at an entrance thereof, and a feed roller is provided at a position facing the paper feed trays 112, 113, 114 in the vertical portion. A paper feed mechanism including a paper roller is provided.
[0019]
Above the transfer charger 111, a transport belt 117 for transporting the paper on which the transfer has been completed is provided, and above this, a fixing device 118 is provided. Further, a main body tray 119 is provided on the upper surface of the main body just above the paper feed tray 114, and a separation charger 120 is provided below the transport belt 117. A conveyance path 118a is provided so as to communicate with the fixing device 118, the main body tray 119, and the finisher 300, and a double-side switching claw 121, a discharge switching claw 122, and a double-side entrance path 123 are provided in the middle thereof.
[0020]
Further, a double-sided tray 124 is provided between the sheet feeding tray 114 and the transport path 118a, and temporarily stores sheets from the double-sided approach path 123. A charger 125 for static elimination is provided above the belt photoconductor 107, and a cleaning device 126 is provided adjacent to the charger 125.
[0021]
Next, the RDH 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0022]
A vacuum belt 202 is provided adjacent to the document table 201, and one of the lowermost sheets of the document bundle is suctioned to the belt surface by negative pressure. A document feed roller 203 is provided adjacent to the vacuum belt 202, and an intermediate conveyance path 204 is formed below the vacuum belt 202. A turn controller 205 is provided at an end of the intermediate transport path 204, and a document transport belt 206 is provided below the intermediate transport path 204.
[0023]
A discharge switching claw 207 is provided on the entry side of the document transport belt 206, and a document discharge roller 208 is provided near the discharge switching claw 207. A "U" -shaped document discharge path 209 and a linear inversion discharge path 212 connected to the document discharge path 209 are provided above the document discharge roller 208, and a switchback roller 210 is provided at an intermediate position. It is arranged. A reversing sensor 211 is provided above the paper discharge switching claw 207.
[0024]
A normal rotation discharge path 213 is provided between the reverse discharge path 212 and the exit of the document discharge path 209, and a document discharge roller 214 is provided at the upper end thereof. A document separating claw 215 and a separating claw detection sensor 216 are provided above the vacuum belt 202.
[0025]
Here, the operation of the RDH 200 of FIG. 2 will be described.
[0026]
The original bundle placed on the original placing table 201 with the original writing surface down is attracted to the vacuum belt 202 by the lowermost sheet, and is sent to the original feed port by the movement of the vacuum belt 202. Prior to sheet feeding, the document separating claw 215 is once drawn to the upper left side of the document and appears again to be set on the document bundle. The document fed in this state is sent to the intermediate conveyance path 204 by the document feed roller 203 and temporarily stops. The stopped document is set on the contact glass 101 by the turn controller 205 and the document transport belt 206 by the subsequent restart.
[0027]
When performing continuous paper feeding, the above-described paper feeding operation is performed at the same time to set the next document on the intermediate conveyance path 204. The document set on the contact glass 101 is discharged to the document discharge path 209 by the document conveying belt 206 and the document discharge roller 208, but the discharge method is different for a single-sided document and a double-sided document. First, the case of a one-sided original will be described.
[0028]
In the case of a single-sided original, the original on the contact glass 101 is guided to the original discharge path 209 by the original conveying belt 206, and when the reverse end of the original once entering the discharge path is detected by the reversing sensor 211, the switchback roller 210 is reversed, and the document runs backward. At this time, since the discharge switching claw 207 is operating, the document is guided to the normal rotation discharge path 213, and is discharged by the document discharge roller 214 onto the document bundle on the document mounting table 201 in the same direction.
[0029]
On the other hand, in the case of a double-sided document, the switchback roller 210 does not reverse, and proceeds to the reverse discharge path 212 as it is. Therefore, when the document is stacked on the document table 201 again, the top and bottom are reversed. When the paper is fed in this state, the back surface is exposed on the contact glass 101, and is returned to the original state by passing through the reverse discharge path 212 again. The detection of the final document is performed by dropping the document separating claw 215 set on the final document into the separating claw detection sensor 216 by feeding the final document.
[0030]
The finisher 300 includes a sheet receiving port 301 for receiving the transfer sheet from the transport path 118a, an inversion switching claw 302 for switching the traveling direction of the transfer sheet, an inversion path 303 connected to the inversion switching claw 302, and an inversion switching claw 302. Staple switching claw 304 disposed facing the surface, transport paths 304a and 304b disposed so as to branch in two directions with respect to the staple switching claw 304, and a staple tray disposed at an intermediate position therebetween. 305, a finish tray 306 provided at the exit of the transport path 304b, a stapler 307 disposed below the transport path 304a, and a lift-up belt 308 disposed facing the staple tray 305. It is configured.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation unit provided near the front of the upper surface of the copying machine main body 100. The operation unit 400 includes a mode clear / preheat key 401, an interrupt key 402 operated at the time of interrupt copying, an enter key 403, a print key (start key) 404 pressed at the start of a copying operation, a numeric keypad 405, and a clear / stop key 406. (It functions as a clear key during standby and functions as a stop key for interrupting the copying operation during the copying operation), a guidance key 407, a program registration key 408, a program calling key 409, and a display unit 410 such as an LCD. Each of them is configured.
[0032]
The mode clear / preheat key 401 also functions as a mode clear key and a preheat key, and the function of the preheat key is maintained by holding down this key. The mode clear key is for returning each mode to the standard mode. By operating this key, the number of repeats is set to one, the density is set to automatic density, the paper feeding is set to automatic paper feeding, the scaling ratio is set to the same magnification, and all other functions are released. The preheat key is an alternate switch, which is operated to put the device in a preheated state or to release it. In the preheating state, the temperature of the fixing unit 118 is controlled at a low temperature, the preheating lamp is turned on, and the other displays are turned off, thereby suppressing power consumption. Therefore, the preheating key is invalid during the copying process.
[0033]
Numeric keys 405 are used to specify the number of copies, zoom magnification, binding margin, and the like, and this operation requires the operation of an enter key 403. The guidance key 407 is operated when displaying the explanation of the basic operation on the display. A program registration key 408 can register a mode frequently used by a user, and the registered mode can be called by a program call key 409. The print key 404 also serves as a ready / wait display. When ready, a green LED is lit, and when waiting, a red LED is lit.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a screen diagram showing an example of display contents of the display unit 410 shown in FIG.
[0035]
The message display unit 501 is an area for displaying information about the machine, and displays a message such as "Can copy" and "Please replenish paper". A set display area 502 is provided adjacent to the message display section 501. A tray selection key and a display unit 503 for displaying the paper size and the remaining amount are provided in the upper part on the left side (in the example of the figure, “upper tray”, “middle tray”, “lower tray” in order from the left. , "Large capacity tray" is shown).
[0036]
An automatic paper selection key 504 is provided adjacent to the display unit 503, and a tray containing paper of the same size as the document is automatically selected. A density adjustment key 505 for manually adjusting the density is provided below the display unit 503, and an automatic density adjustment key 506 for automatically adjusting the density according to the background of the document is provided on the right side. Have been.
[0037]
On the left side of the density adjustment key 505, there is provided an equal-size key 507 (pressed when the user wants to make an equal-size copy), and an enlargement key 508 and a reduction key 509 are arranged adjacent to this key. A zoom key 510 (for example, reduction / enlargement of 64 to 142% can be performed by this operation) and a paper scaling key 511 (automatically adjusts an image of a document according to a specified paper size) are provided above the equal magnification key 507. (To be used when the image is to be reduced / enlarged). Further, a selection key 512 is provided adjacent to the reduction key 509, and is used when a one-sided original is copied on both sides by a two-sided key or when a two-sided original is copied on both sides.
[0038]
Above the selection key 512, a double-sided mode message area 513 is provided, and when a double-sided mode is selected, a copy creation state is indicated by a picture. A binding margin key 514 is provided adjacent to the selection key 512. For example, when a binding margin is required, if the binding margin is 21 mm or less, it can be set to either the left or right side. Above the binding margin key 514, a binding margin mode message area 515 is provided, and display is performed when the binding margin mode is selected. Further, a shift selection key 516, a one-point staple selection key 517, and a two-point staple selection key 518 are provided in the vertical direction adjacent to the binding margin key 514 and the binding margin mode message area 515.
[0039]
In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, another operation screen 519 is provided, and mode setting can be performed. The cover / interleaf mode described later can be set only by using this screen.
[0040]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of the operation unit shown in FIG.
[0041]
The operation control system mainly includes a CPU 601. The CPU 601 includes a ROM 602 which is a non-volatile memory via a bus, a RAM 603 for temporarily storing data and the like, and an interrupt controller 604 for controlling interrupt processing. A transmission port 605 used for communication with the main control unit, an LCD controller 606 for controlling the display unit 410 shown in FIG. 3, a display memory 607 for storing data for display, and an LED 610 for displaying a warning. An output port 608 for connection and a DMA controller 609 for performing DMA (Direct Memory Access) processing to control the operation unit 400 are connected.
[0042]
The operator sets a processing mode corresponding to a task to be executed via the operation unit 400. Copying is started by pressing the print key 404, and a series of copying processes described later are executed.
[0043]
Next, the copying operation will be described with reference to FIG.
[0044]
Only one document placed on the document placing table 201 is fed by the vacuum belt 202, and is conveyed onto the contact glass 101 of the copier main body 100 through the intermediate conveyance path 204. Here, the entire surface of the original is illuminated by driving the flash lamp 102. At this time, the power supply device 103 is charged before the flash, and emits light at a predetermined timing. The reflected light from the document exposes the belt photoconductor 107 via each of the first mirror 104, the through lens 105, and the second mirror 106.
[0045]
The belt photoreceptor 107 is uniformly charged by a charger 108, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure. In conjunction with this operation, a sheet of a designated size is fed from one of the sheet feed trays 112, 113, 114, and stands by at a registration roller 116. Unnecessary charges are removed from the electrostatic latent image on the belt photoconductor 107 by the eraser 109, and as the rotation of the belt photoconductor 107 proceeds, the electrostatic latent image reaches a position facing the developing device 110. The developing device 110 performs development using toner, and moves this visible image (toner image) to the transfer charger 111 side.
[0046]
The paper waiting at the registration roller 116 is fed to the transfer position at the timing when the toner image reaches the transfer position, and is transferred from the surface of the belt photoreceptor 107 to the paper surface by the electrostatic attraction of the transfer charger 111. The toner image is transferred. The transfer paper on which the transfer has been completed is separated from the surface of the belt photoreceptor 107 by the separation charger 120, sent out to the conveyor belt 117, sent to the fixing device 118 by the conveyor belt 117, and the toner image is applied to the paper by heat and pressure. Fixes (fixes). The transfer paper on which the fixing has been completed is sent to the conveyance path 118a.
[0047]
Here, when the duplex mode (when copying is performed on both sides of the transfer paper) is designated, the duplex switching claw 121 is switched to the duplex tray 124 side, and the transfer paper is fed from the duplex approach path 123 to the duplex tray 124. It is temporarily stored here. On the other hand, when the single-sided copying mode is designated, the double-sided switching claw 121 is switched to the paper discharge side, and is conveyed to the discharge switching claw 122. The discharge switching claw 122 has a function of switching transfer paper to the main tray 119 side or a peripheral device.
[0048]
The belt photoconductor 107 after the transfer is neutralized by a neutralization charger 125, and the residual toner on the photosensitive layer is removed by a cleaning device 126 to prepare for the next exposure. Although the belt photoconductor 107 is endless, it has a seam. For this reason, the image forming areas on the belt photoreceptor 107 are determined so as to be at equal intervals for each size, avoiding the seams. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the image forming areas (segments) of the belt photoreceptor developed at the seam.
[0049]
FIG. 7 shows five A4 segments shown by dashed lines, four B4 segments shown by dashed lines, and three A3 segments shown by dashed lines, each of which is determined to be at equal intervals. . Note that reference numeral 601 denotes a synchronization mark.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system for forming an image on the belt photoconductor and forming an image on the transfer paper fed from the paper feed trays 112, 113, and 114.
[0051]
An input port 803 and an output port 804 are connected to the CPU 801 via a bus 802. A frequency divider 805 is connected to an INT terminal of the CPU 801. Further, a motor control circuit 807 for driving the photoconductor driving motor 806 and a power pack 808 are connected to the output port 804. The motor control circuit 807 is used to drive each of the charger 108, the transfer charger 111, and the registration roller 116.
[0052]
The input port 803 includes a separation sensor 809, a registration sensor 810, a mark sensor 811, a two-sided paper supply sensor 812, an upper paper supply sensor 813, a middle paper supply sensor 814, a lower paper supply sensor 815, a fixing sensor 816, a double-sided branch. Each of the sensor 817, the paper discharge sensor 818, and the discharge branch sensor 819 is connected. Further, an encoder 820 is provided on a drive shaft of the photoconductor drive motor 806, and detects a position of a seam of the belt photoconductor 107.
[0053]
At the time of image formation, it is necessary to determine an image formation area on the belt photoconductor 107 prior to image formation in order to prevent exposure at a joint. Therefore, a synchronization mark (FIG. 7) is provided at a certain distance from the joint at the end of the belt photoconductor 107, and this is detected by the mark sensor 811. Further, in order to determine the image area, it is necessary to detect the mark while driving and rotating the belt photoconductor 107. To this end, a drive signal from an output port 804 is input to a motor control circuit 807, whereby the photoconductor drive motor 806 is driven.
[0054]
An encoder 820 is integrally attached to the photoconductor drive motor 806, and outputs a number of pulse signals proportional to the moving distance of the belt photoconductor 107. This pulse signal is input to a motor control circuit 807, is used to rotate the photoconductor drive motor 806 at a constant speed, and is also input to a frequency divider 805. After being frequency-divided by a predetermined frequency division ratio, the CPU 801 And the number is counted. Since this value is proportional to the amount of movement of the belt photoconductor 107, the image forming area is determined from the count value.
[0055]
Next, a copy sequence will be described.
[0056]
When the end of the segment reaches a predetermined position, a counter for sequence control (a software counter set in the CPU 801) starts operating. This counter performs a count-up operation by a pulse signal from the frequency divider 805, and is cleared when the sequence is completed. When the counter starts operating and the count value reaches the value of CNT1, a signal is output from the output port 804 to the power pack 808, the charger 108 operates, and the belt photoconductor 107 is uniformly charged.
[0057]
Next, when the count value becomes CNT2, a charge start signal is applied from the output port 804 to the power supply device 103, electric charge is stored in a capacitor in the power supply device 103 to turn on the flash lamp 102, and the flash signal is transmitted to the power supply device 103. Then, the flash lamp 102 is turned on to illuminate the original set on the contact glass 101, and the belt photoconductor 107 is exposed. This flash signal is output when the count value is CNT3.
[0058]
Further, when the belt photoreceptor 107 rotates and the leading end of the image reaches the position (CNT4) of the eraser 109, the portion of the eraser 109 corresponding to the image is turned off, and the trailing end of the image reaches the position (CNT5) of the eraser 109. , The eraser 109 is fully lit, excess charges on the belt photoreceptor 107 are erased, and an electrostatic image is left only on the original image. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 110, and the paper sent from any of the paper feed trays 112, 113, and 114 is used for the front copy, and the paper sent from the duplex tray 124 for the back copy. Is transferred to
[0059]
In order to synchronize with the original image, conveyance starts at different timings depending on which tray the paper is sent from. The sheet on which the document image has been transferred passes through a conveyor belt 117, is sent to a fixing device 118, and is fixed by the fixing device 118. The double-sided switching claw 121 is operated by the CNT 6, and is discharged to the double-sided tray 124 side when stacked on the double-sided tray 124, and is switched to the discharge side otherwise.
[0060]
The double-sided switching claw 121 is operated by the CNT 7 and has a function of selecting whether to discharge the sheet to the main body tray or to send the sheet to a peripheral device. When the sheet is discharged, the sequence operation ends.
[0061]
Here, the relationship between the count value and the sequence processing is as follows.
[0062]
Count value sequence processing
CNT1 charging ON
CNT FEED Document feed
CNT DPX double-sided paper feed
CNT2 charge start
CNT3 Flash On
CNT EXIT Document ejection
CNT4 erase off
CNT HIGH Upper Feed
CNT MID middle sheet feeding
CNT5 erase on
CNT LOW Lower feed
CNT6 Double-sided switching claw on / off
CNT7 discharge switching claw on / off
The copying process can be performed by sequentially executing the sequence process at the above-described segment movement timing.
[0063]
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a copying method using a recirculating document feeder (RDH) will be described. In the following, description will be made separately for one-sided → one-sided copy, one-sided → two-sided copy, two-sided → two-sided copy, cover / insert mode, and chaptering mode. It also describes the slip-sheet copy-off function.
[0064]
(Simplex → Simplex)
First, when performing one-sided copying from one-sided originals, the originals placed on the original mounting table are fed one by one from the lower side of the original bundle, sent to the contact glass 101 through the original supply path, and exposed. Done. When the exposure is completed, the original on the contact glass 101 is sent to the left side of the drawing by the transport belt 117 and returned to the original placing table 201. Since the next document starts to be fed before the document being exposed is completed, a copy is made without delay for document replacement. Since one copy is made when the document on the document table 201 makes one cycle, this operation is repeated N times to make N copies.
[0065]
[Simplex → Duplex copy]
Next, when making a double-sided copy from a single-sided original, first, a copy of the original on the front side is made in circulation of the original, and the stack is temporarily stacked on the double-sided tray 124. Since the original on the front side is an odd-numbered original such as (1), (3), (5),..., The even-numbered original merely circulates. Next, one copy of a two-sided copy is created by making a copy of the original that was not copied in the first cycle on the front copy sheet in the duplex tray 124 in the cycle (FIG. 9A).
[0066]
When a plurality of copies are to be made, during the circulation of the second and subsequent documents, the front copy is made at the same time as copying on the paper from the duplex tray 124, and the N copies are stacked (N + 1) times by stacking on the duplex tray 124. Create by manuscript circulation. FIG. 9B shows a case where two copies are created.
[0067]
[Both sides → both sides copy]
Next, a case of making a two-sided copy from a two-sided original will be described.
[0068]
First, a copy of the front side document is taken in the first document circulation, and is temporarily stacked on the double-sided tray 124. The document is inverted and discharged by this circulation. In the next circulation, a back copy of the original is made on the front copy paper in the duplex tray 124 to create one duplex copy. The document circulation of the backside copy is reversed again and returned to the initial state (FIG. 9C. That is, if the document on the document table 201 circulates twice, one copy is created.
[0069]
[Cover / Interleaf mode]
The cover / interleaf mode is a mode for copying paper corresponding to the cover and the interleaf on a different paper from the other copy papers. That is, the sheet for the cover uses the sheet of the upper tray 114, the sheet for the interleaving uses the sheet of the middle tray 113, and the other sheet uses the sheet of the lower tray 112.
[0070]
The cover mode includes a front cover mode in which the first sheet of the document bundle is copied on cover paper, and a back cover mode in which the last document of the document bundle is copied on cover paper, and both can be set independently. .
[0071]
On the other hand, the slip sheet mode is a mode in which a designated document is copied onto slip sheet. This cover is single-sided even in the double-sided copy mode. The user can select which tray is to be used as the paper tray for the cover / insertion sheet, and a message indicating that the user has selected the selected tray is displayed. If this mode is selected when the tray is not selected, the cover / insertion tray automatically becomes the upper tray 114, and is controlled so that it can be easily used by changing the paper.
[0072]
If the tray is set as the cover / insertion tray, the tray is considered to be loaded with paper different from normal paper, and is automatically removed from the target tray for automatic paper selection and limitless. Is controlled so as not to be fed.
[0073]
[Chapter mode]
Next, the chaptering mode will be described. This mode is a mode in which the original specified in the single-sided / double-sided mode is set to the front side copy. In the case of normal copying, the first and second originals are copied on the front and back of the sheet, respectively, and then the third and fourth sheets are copied on the front and back of the next sheet. For example, when the fourth sheet is copied on the front side, this mode can be realized.
[0074]
Next, the setting of the cover / interleaf mode will be described.
[0075]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing display contents of the operation unit for selecting the cover / insert mode. This screen appears by operating the “cover / double-sided key”. In the cover mode, you only need to select the mode with the selection key, but in the interleaf mode, it is necessary to specify which document is to be interleaved, so when the interleaf mode is selected, the screen switches, The document designation input screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In order to specify the slip sheet, the tenth keypad is used to input the number of originals to be inserted, and the enter key 403 advances the next numerical value input position. FIG. 11 shows an example in which the setting of the slip sheet is performed on the fifth and tenth sheets (FIG. 12).
[0076]
Although the number of interleaf sheets that can be designated in this example is ten, further addition is easy. After the necessary input is completed, when this screen is closed with the end key, the screen returns to the mode setting screen, and copying is enabled. In the single-sided / double-sided mode, it is possible to select the slip sheet or chapter division at the same time as the original designation. If the slip sheet is pressed, press the slip sheet key. If the chapter is desired, press the chapter key. By pressing, it becomes possible to set which mode for the designated document.
[0077]
Next, a method of realizing the cover / insert in the one-sided / two-sided mode will be described.
[0078]
FIG. 13 shows an example in which a front cover is added to 12 originals, the sixth original is interleaved, and two copies are made. The originals (2), (4), (7), (9), and (11), which become the front side in the first round of the originals, are copied onto sheets in a paper tray, and are temporarily stacked on a double-sided tray. In the next cycle, the original (1) serving as the front cover is copied to the paper in the cover tray, and the originals (3), (5), (8), (10), and (12) are stacked on the duplex tray 124. Copy to The interleaving paper in the middle is copied onto the paper in the interleaving tray and discharged. The copied paper is repeatedly discharged and double-sided stacked in various manners, and is controlled so that the double-side switching claw 121 is switched for each paper. In addition, since the front side copy and the back side copy are also mixed, the front side and the back side are mixed if the sheet is discharged as it is. Therefore, the direction of the sheet is uniformed by inverting and discharging the front side copy before discharging.
[0079]
Next, a case where the front cover / insert sheet is reversed during copy processing of double-sided to double-sided copying will be described. In the first round of the original, the originals other than the cover sheet and the slip sheet are copied onto the paper in the selected tray and stacked on the duplex tray 124. Therefore, the copy at this time is a front copy of the original. In the first circulation, the cover / insert document is not copied to the paper, but only the document is circulated, and is inverted and discharged. As a result, the original bundle becomes a mixture of the front and back sides in the first circulation. When the inversion / non-inversion occurs continuously, the non-inversion path is longer than the inversion path, so this is realized by providing an interval for one cycle.
[0080]
In the second round, the cover document is copied on the cover sheet, the slip document is copied on the slip sheet, and the other documents are copied on the sheets stacked on the duplex tray 124. Therefore, in this circulation, the front cover / insert is a front copy, and the other originals are back copies. Since one copy is created in the second round, this operation may be repeatedly performed to create multiple copies. However, in the first circulation, the original is mixed with the front and back sides, so it is not necessary to perform the inversion / non-inversion mixed operation of the original in the second and subsequent circulations. The reverse / non-reverse mixed original is returned again in the final circulation of the copy processing, and the front cover / insert is discharged in the normal direction, and the other originals are discharged in the reverse direction to return to the original mounted state. In the copy processing by the above method, when a sheet is ejected, the front side copy of the front cover / insert and the other side copy are continuously ejected. For this reason, in order to correctly discharge the copy sheet, it is necessary to reverse the front copy and discharge the reverse copy without reversing.
[0081]
On the other hand, in the case of the finisher of the reverse discharge, it is necessary to discharge the cover and the slip sheet without reversing them, and to reversely discharge the other sheets. Therefore, in this case, it is only necessary to prevent the copies of the cover and the slip sheet from continuing.
[0082]
In order to make a copy of the cover / insert when copying the back side, the original that will be the cover / insert in the first cycle needs to be upside down with respect to the other originals as described above. Performing simultaneously with image formation is effective for improving productivity, but the control becomes complicated. To avoid this, the image forming operation and the reversing operation of the cover / insert document may be performed separately. To this end, prior to the image forming operation, only the RDH is operated, and a process of inverting the cover / insert document is performed.
[0083]
In the copying machine of the present embodiment, the above two methods are combined, and the original is turned into a mixed state of inversion / non-inversion in the first copy processing circulation, and the original is returned after the completion of the copy processing. When the reversed / non-reversed state is returned to the original state after the copy processing is completed, the front cover / insert sheet is turned upside down with respect to the original placing table 201 and the other original sheets are directed downward. Is normally rotated.
[0084]
The chaptering mode is a function in which, when performing double-sided copying from a single-sided original, the designated original is set as the front side. The copying method in this case is as follows.
[0085]
Since a document with a chapter specified is always the front side, the copying method differs depending on whether the number of documents from the previous document with the specified chapter is specified before the document with the specified chapter is odd or even. In the case of an even number, since the designated original is a front copy, the same copy method as the normal copy may be used regardless of the designation. However, in the case of an odd number, it is necessary to make the surface which is originally the back surface the front surface. Therefore, this is a method in which the back side of the previous document is blank and this designated document is used as the front side copy.
[0086]
Further, the copy by the combination of the cover, interleaving, and chaptering modes is as follows.
[0087]
In the first document circulation, the original on the cover and the interleaf are not copied, and the original next to the cover and the interleaf is copied on every other sheet. Further, the copying of the original specified in the chapter is executed, and the original is copied on the paper of the paper tray as the front side. That is, the originals of (2), (4), (6), (7), and (9) are copied and stacked on the duplex tray 124. In the second and subsequent rounds, the cover is copied to the paper in the cover tray, and the slip is copied to the paper in the slip tray and discharged. The original copied on the front side in the first cycle is similarly copied on the front side and stacked on the double-sided tray 124. The remaining document is back-side copied onto sheets stacked in the duplex tray 124. However, if the original specified as the cover / interleaf or chapter is to be copied on the back side, the paper on the double-sided tray 124 is discharged as blank paper without sending the original. In the final circulation, the front copy is not executed in the second operation, and the required number of sheets can be completed by executing the cover / interleaf copy and the back copy only by document feeding.
[0088]
In the finisher, the back side copy can be discharged in the page order by discharging without reversing. However, in this mode, the front copy is performed in the middle, so the copy paper needs to be reversed. The next copy of the cover / insert is always a front copy. Therefore, a discharge interval is provided for one document, and the document is inverted using the discharge interval. Therefore, it is not necessary to delay the timing of discharging the paper.
[0089]
[Interleaf copy-off function]
The interleaf copy-off function is a function for stopping copying of a document designated as interleaf, and is used when it is desired to insert only color paper or the like as a delimiter as interleaf. This is realized by operating the erase operation at the time of interleaving to remove the charge of the electrostatic latent image on the belt photoconductor 107.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention,Save paper media such as slip sheets and recording paper by forming images on slip sheets.be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a detailed configuration of an RDH (automatic document feeder) mounted on the apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an operation unit provided near the front of the upper surface of the copying machine main body.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents of a display unit illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the operation screen.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of an image forming area (segment) of a belt photoconductor developed by being cut at a seam;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system for forming an image on a belt photoreceptor and forming an image on transfer paper fed from a paper feed tray.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a copying method when a recirculating document feeder (RDH) is used.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing display contents of an operation unit for selecting a cover / interleaf mode.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of an operation unit showing an example of display contents on which a slip sheet is inserted according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the setting of the slip sheet is performed on the fifth sheet and the tenth sheet.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a front cover is added to 12 originals, a sixth original is interleaved, and two copies are made.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Copier body
101 contact glass
102 flash lamp
103 power supply
104 First mirror
105 through lens
106 Second mirror
107 belt photoreceptor
108 charger
109 eraser
110 developer
111 Transfer Charger
112, 113, 114 paper tray
115 transport path
116 Registration Roller
118 fuser
118a transport path
119 Main unit tray
120 Separate charger
121 Double-sided switching claw
122 Discharge switching claw
123 Double-sided approach
124 double sided tray
200 RDH
201 Document Placement Table
202 vacuum belt
203 Document feed roller
206 Document Conveyor Belt
207 Output switching claw
208 Document ejection roller
209 Document ejection path
210 Switchback roller
212 Inversion discharge path
213 Forward rotation discharge path
214 Document ejection roller
215 Document divider claw
300 Finisher
400 operation unit
403 Enter key
404 print key
410 Display
801 CPU
803 input port
804 output port
806 Photoconductor drive motor
807 Motor control circuit

Claims (4)

Image forming means for forming an image on a record sheet based on provision to the document,
Recording paper supply means for supplying the recording paper to the image forming means,
A slip sheet supply means for supplying to said image forming means slip sheet for separating pre-type recording paper is designated number portion,
Designation means for the user to designate the designated number portion,
Switching means for switching the supply means from the supply of the recording paper to the supply of the interleaf paper when inserting the interleaf paper at a position designated by the designation means;
In the image forming apparatus provided with
A mode for forming an image on the slip sheet when the switching means switches to the supply of the slip sheet;
The image formed on the slip sheet in the mode is an image based on a document different from the document formed on the recording sheet adjacent to the slip sheet after the insertion of the slip sheet. Forming equipment. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image formed on the slip sheet in the mode is formed under the same image forming condition as the image forming condition on the recording sheet . Image formed on the slip sheet in the mode, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the formed on the surface of the interleaf sheet. In the case where one side of the document is sequentially formed on both sides of the recording sheet, and the number specified by the specifying unit corresponds to an even number of the document, the image forming unit performs the recording on the basis of the even number of the document. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein an image is not formed on the sheet, and an image is formed on a surface of the sheet supplied by the sheet supply unit .

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