JP3866952B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a digital copying machine, and a digital multi-function machine that can add a document image to a document image that has already been confirmed by being read.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as facsimile machines having various functions, digital multi-function peripherals, digital copiers and the like have been widely used. In particular, the merits (advantages) of a digital copying machine are the speed of reading a document and the good separation of the document. In the digital copying machine, the read original image is stored in a memory such as a hard disk until the image is discarded as necessary. Therefore, only one reading operation is required for setting a plurality of print copies. In the case of normal copying, after the reading of the document image is completed, the set number of copies can be printed, and the unnecessary document image can be discarded to prepare for the next copying operation.
Incidentally, the digital copying machine has various document reading modes. For example, there is a mass document mode in which a large number of documents that cannot be stacked on the document table are divided into a small number of document bundles and a reading operation is performed. In the large-volume original mode, the digital copying machine recognizes the end of the original group when the user presses the operation unit key or the like to instruct the end of the original. On the other hand, there is a document addition mode in which another document image is added later to a document bundle that has already been determined, that is, a document bundle that has been read and stored as a document image in a memory.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the digital copying machine in the document addition mode is set to staple the printing result, the document image to be added is inserted into the memory, and as a result, the printing result of all the document images indicates the maximum number of staples. It may exceed the limit and stapling may not be possible. As a result, the print finish desired by the user may not be achieved.
Accordingly, the first object of the present invention is to finish the addition of the original image by not discarding or printing the added original image when the staple max is detected during the addition of the original image after the reading of all the originals is completed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the user from being different from each other and preventing the user from easily causing miscopying.
The second object of the present invention is to discard the added original image when the staple max is detected during the addition of the original image after the completion of the reading of all originals, so that the additional original can be read again. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily adding a document within a range in which the finish does not differ due to the addition.
The third object of the present invention is to increase the user's options by displaying and prompting a warning for rereading the original from the beginning when stapling cannot be performed as a result of additional reading of the original image. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing miscopying.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first document placed on the document table is read as image data for each page, and after reading the first document, an additional document placed on the document table is also one page. Image data reading means for reading each image data, counting means for counting the number of pages of the original document and the additional original read by the image data reading means, and image data of the additional original is read by the image data reading means. A determination means for determining whether or not the number of pages counted by the counting means has reached a staple max which is the maximum number of pages that can be stapled; and image data read by the image data reading means. An image data storage means, and a mark for printing out the image data stored in the image data storage means. And means, wherein the printing means, when reading of the additional document is, the number of pages the determining means is counted by said counting means has determined to have reached the staple Max, the destination The first object is achieved by printing the original document and the additional document before reaching the staple max, and not printing the image data of the additional document after reaching the staple max.
[0005]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, when the determination unit determines that the number of pages counted by the counting unit has reached the staple max, the page is read by the image data reading unit. The second object is achieved by further including a deletion unit that deletes the image data of the additional document from the image data storage unit.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, when the determining means determines that the number of pages counted by the counting means has reached the staple max, it is stored in the image data storage means. An instruction input unit that prompts an instruction to determine whether or not to delete all image data of the previous document and the additional document, and the deletion unit receives an instruction to delete all image data by the instruction input unit; The third object is achieved by deleting all image data of the previous document and the additional document stored in the image data storage means.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a digital copying machine as shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus.
When a document key placed on the document table 2 in the automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1 with the image surface of the document facing up is pressed on the operation key 30 (see FIG. 2). Then, the lowermost document is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4. After the image data of the original on the contact glass 6 is read by the reading unit 50, the original that has been read is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. Further, when it is detected by the document set detection 7 that there is a next document on the document table 2, the detected next document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feeding roller 3, the feeding belt 4, and the discharging roller 5 are driven by a motor.
[0007]
The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding unit 11, the second sheet feeding unit 12, and the third sheet feeding unit 13, respectively, and are vertically conveyed. The unit 14 is transported to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15. The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by a laser from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the paper discharge tray by the paper discharge unit 18.
The finisher 100 of the post-processing device can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller of the main body toward the normal paper discharge roller 102 and toward the staple processing unit. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the switching plate 101 downward, it can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107.
[0008]
Each time a sheet of transfer paper loaded on the staple table 108 is discharged, the paper end surface is aligned by a paper alignment jogger 109, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of a partial copy. The transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is automatically stored in the staple completion paper discharge tray 110.
On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can be moved back and forth. The normal paper discharge tray 104 that can be moved back and forth moves back and forth for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and sorts copy paper that is simply discharged.
When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and imaged is not guided to the normal paper discharge tray 104 side, and the branching claw for path switching is used. By setting 112 to the upper side, it can be once stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111.
[0009]
The transfer paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again, and a branch claw 112 for switching the path is provided. Set on the lower side and lead to the normal paper discharge tray 104. In this way, the duplex feeding unit 111 is used when creating images on both sides of the transfer sheet.
The photoconductor 15, the conveyance belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by a main motor. . The vertical conveyance unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch.
[0010]
Here, the operations from the image reading in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment to the formation of a latent image on the recording surface will be described. Here, the latent image refers to a potential distribution generated by converting an image into light information and irradiating it on the surface of the photoreceptor 15.
The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. . The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown).
When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed. The image magnification is changed by moving the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 in the left-right direction in FIG. That is, the positions of the lens 53 and the CCD image sensor 54 are set in the left-right direction corresponding to the designated magnification.
[0011]
The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a rotating polygon mirror (polygon) that is rotated at a constant high speed by a laser diode and a motor as a laser light source. Mirror).
Laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through an imaging lens 59, is folded by a mirror 60, and converges and forms an image on the surface of the photoreceptor 15.
The polarized laser light is exposed and scanned in the direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the direction in which the photosensitive member 15 rotates, and the line-by-line recording of the image signal output from the selector of the image processing unit is performed. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 15 by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotational speed and recording density of the photoconductor 15. The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the image forming photoconductor 15. Although not shown, a beam sensor that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position where a laser beam near one end of the photosensitive member 15 is irradiated. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal, control of the image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting / outputting the image signal are performed.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. On the operation unit 30, a plurality of mode keys for setting a copy mode, a 10 (ten) key 31 for setting the number of copies, a print key 32 for performing a copy operation, and a stop key for interrupting the copy operation 33, a test print key 34 for performing test printing and a document additional insertion key 35 are arranged.
In the mode key 36, a magnification key for changing the magnification, a paper key for changing the paper, a density key for changing the density, an original direction key for setting the orientation of the original, a staple key for setting the staple, and a staple position are set. There are a staple position key, a print mode setting key, a user code key, a cover page mode setting key, a chapter break setting key, and the like. The user can operate these various keys to set the copy mode and start copying. The chapter break mode is a mode for printing on a chapter break sheet set separately when printing a document image designated by the user. The cover mode is a mode in which a cover tray sheet in which the first sheet and the last sheet of a set are separately set is used.
The print mode includes a page print function for automatically printing a page and a stamp print function for printing a registered pattern. In either case, it is possible to instruct the setting of how many sheets of the document are to be printed.
[0013]
When the staple mode is set at the time of printing, the maximum number of sheets that can be stapled is defined based on the type of finisher connected, the paper size, the paper type, and the like. When this number is exceeded, the fact that stapling cannot be performed as a staple max is displayed on the display unit 361 in the mode key 36 of the operation unit 30. The user can recognize that the staple max has been reached by confirming the content displayed on the display unit 361. In addition, while displaying on the display part 361, you may make it notify by sounding a warning sound. The determination of staple max can be made before the start of printing from the printing mode such as single-sided or double-sided and the number of original images.
In the case of the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the set original is not directly formed on the photosensitive member, but is taken into the internal memory through a CCD (photoelectric conversion element). This internal memory is limited, and when the remaining amount is exhausted by the reading operation, the memory full determination is made and the reading operation is interrupted.
[0014]
In repeat copy, image data taken by reading is used to form an image on a photoreceptor. The document is placed on the ADF placed on the document table, and is sequentially conveyed to the reading position simultaneously with the start of copying, and is discharged after scanning. When scanning the original, information on the original size and original direction is stored in the internal buffer in addition to the image information.
If the paper tray is automatically selected (APS), a necessary paper tray is determined from the set copy mode and document size. When manually selecting the paper tray, the user manually selects the paper tray. When the cover mode, chapter separation mode, and slip sheet insertion mode are selected, the cover tray and chapter separation paper tray are also selected and set in advance in addition to the body paper tray.
[0015]
The software of the digital copying machine that realizes printing and paper conveyance divides and executes the copy mode as described above for each paper surface. In the control program, this unit for each sheet surface is called a process. By creating a printing process and issuing it to the engine control program, paper conveyance control and printing operation are realized. When printing is completed, a process execution end response is generated. That is, printing is completed when all processes are executed. Note that the end of the document bundle may be automatically determined by the ADF, or the user may manually instruct the end of the document bundle.
The user code mode is a mode that prompts input of an arbitrary number for identifying each user and manages the number of times of use and the number of printed sheets for each user.
[0016]
In the document orientation designation mode for setting the orientation in which the scanned document is placed, when setting the machine in a direction in which the content written on the document can be read as viewed from the user, the setting of the orientation to be read is selected and the document is set. On the other hand, when the document is set by being rotated 270 degrees in the clockwise direction, the document is set by selecting the setting of the unreadable direction. As a result, for example, a document that can be set in only one direction on the ADF or contact glass, such as an A3 document, can be printed based on the orientation of the read image.
By depressing an additional document insertion key 35 on the operation unit 30, additional document insertion can be performed after all originals have been read. Although a specific description of adding a document image is omitted, the added document image may be added to the read document image or may be inserted into an arbitrary page.
[0017]
Next, the operation of the digital copying machine when staple max occurs as a result of additionally inserting a document will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for discarding the added original image and starting printing.
When the power of the digital copying machine is turned on and the job is started (step 300), the document bundle on the document table is automatically conveyed page by page onto the contact glass by the ADF, and document reading is started (step 301). . When reading of all the original bundles on the original table is finished (step 302; Y), and the additional original mode is set by the user pressing the original additional insertion key 35 of the operation unit 30 (step 303; Y). Move on to add document. The additional original is automatically conveyed page by page on the contact glass by the ADF, and reading of the additional original is started (step 304).
When reading an additional document, if it is detected that the number of scanned documents has reached the staple max (step 305; Y), it is detected that the staple max stored in the memory has been reached. The original image is discarded (step 307), printing of the original image before reaching the staple max is started, and the process ends (step 308).
[0018]
On the other hand, when reading additional documents, if the number of read originals does not reach the staple max (step 305; N) and reading of all the additional documents is completed (step 306; Y), the memory Then, the printing of the original image stored in is started and the process is terminated (step 308).
Although not shown in the figure, when an additional manuscript is discarded, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 361 of the operation unit 30, for example, “additional manuscript has been deleted” to notify the user. May be.
As described above, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, when the staple max is detected while the original image is added after all the originals have been read, the added original image is not discarded or printed. It is possible to prevent the print result from being different from the desired one, and to prevent the occurrence of miscopying easily.
[0019]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for discarding the added original image and making it possible to read the additional original again.
When the power of the digital copying machine is turned on and the job is started (step 400), the document bundle on the document table is automatically conveyed page by page onto the contact glass by the ADF, and document reading is started (step 401). . When reading of all the original bundles on the original table is completed (step 402; Y), and the additional original mode is set by the user pressing the original additional insertion key 35 of the operation unit 30 (step 403; Y). Move on to add document. The additional original is automatically conveyed page by page onto the contact glass by the ADF, and reading of the additional original is started (step 404).
[0020]
When it is detected that the number of originals read has reached the staple max during the reading of the additional original (step 405; Y), the additional detected as having reached the staple max stored in the memory The image of the original is discarded (step 406), an inquiry as to whether or not to reset the additional original mode is displayed on the display unit 361, and the apparatus waits in a state where the additional original can be read. Here, when the user cancels the setting of the additional document mode (step 403; N), the printing of the document image read first is started and the process ends (step 408).
On the other hand, when reading the additional originals, if the number of read originals does not reach the staple max (step 405; N) and all the additional originals have been read (step 407; Y), the memory Then, the printing of the original image stored in is started and the process is terminated (step 408).
As described above, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, when the staple max is detected during the addition of the original image after all the originals have been read, the added original image can be discarded and the additional original can be read again. Therefore, it is possible to easily add a document within a range in which the finished image does not differ due to the addition of a document image.
[0021]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for displaying a warning on the operation unit so as to perform document reading from the beginning.
When the power of the digital copying machine is turned on and the job is started (step 500), the document bundle on the document table is automatically conveyed page by page onto the contact glass by the ADF, and document reading is started (step 501). . When reading of all the original bundles on the original table is completed (step 502; Y), and the user adds the original additional insertion key 35 of the operation unit 30 and sets the additional original mode (step 503; Y). Move on to add document. The additional original is automatically conveyed page by page on the contact glass by the ADF, and reading of the additional original is started (step 504).
When it is detected that the number of read originals has reached the staple max while reading the additional original (step 505; Y), an inquiry as to whether or not to read all the original images is displayed on the display unit 361. The user waits for an instruction to be input (step 508). Here, when re-reading of all the original images until it is detected that the staple max stored in the memory has been reached is set (step 508; Y), all the original images are discarded (step 509), and the process goes to step 501. Return and start reading the manuscript again. On the other hand, if rereading of all original images has not been set (step 508; N), printing of the original images read up to that time is started and the processing is terminated (step 507).
[0022]
Further, when reading additional documents, the number of read documents does not reach the staple max (step 505; N), and reading of all additional documents is completed (step 506; Y), the memory. Then, printing of the original image stored in is started and the process is terminated (step 507).
The warning display such as “Do you want to read all the original images again” displayed on the display unit 361 of the operation unit 30 may be notified to the user by blinking or lighting a dedicated LED (light emitting diode). Good. Moreover, you may make it notify a user by displaying a character or a figure on a liquid crystal display. The user who has viewed the display on the display unit 361 may select to forcibly print the document image read so far, or may select to discard all the images.
As described above, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, when an additional original is read and the result is staple max and stapling cannot be performed, a warning is displayed to prompt the user to read the original again from the beginning. The number of options can be increased, and miscopying can be prevented.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the determining unit determines that the number of pages counted by the counting unit has reached the staple max, the image data of the additional document is not printed, so that the finish desired by the user is achieved. It is possible to prevent the print results from being different from each other and to prevent miscopying from occurring easily.
[0024]
In the invention according to claim 2, when the judging means judges that the number of pages counted by the counting means has reached the staple max, the image data of the additional original read by the image data reading means is read from the image data storing means. Since deletion means for deleting is further provided, it is possible to easily add a document within a range in which the finished image does not differ by adding a document image.
[0025]
In the invention described in claim 3, the deletion means deletes all the image data stored in the image data storage means when the instruction input means deletes all the image data. The number of user choices can be increased according to the warning display to be read again, and miscopying can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for discarding an added original image and starting printing.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for discarding an added original image and making it possible to read an additional original again.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying a warning on the operation unit so as to perform document reading from the beginning.
[Explanation of symbols]
30 Operation Unit 31 10 (Ten) Key 32 Print Key 33 Stop Key 34 Test Print Key 35 Document Additional Insert Key 36 Mode Key

Claims (3)

Image data that reads the previous document placed on the document table as image data for each page, reads the previous document, and then reads the additional document placed on the document table as image data for each page. Reading means;
Counting means for counting the number of pages of the original document and the additional original document read by the image data reading means;
When the image data of the additional original is read by the image data reading unit, a determination unit that determines whether or not the number of pages counted by the counting unit has reached the staple max that is the maximum number of pages that can be stapled;
Image data storage means for storing image data read by the image data reading means;
Printing means for printing out the image data stored in the image data storage means,
When the determination unit determines that the number of pages counted by the counting unit has reached the staple max when the additional document is being read, the printing unit applies the previous document and the staple max. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional original before printing is printed, and the image data of the additional original after reaching the staple max is not printed.   Deletion means for deleting the image data of the additional original read by the image data reading means from the image data storage means when the determination means determines that the number of pages counted by the counting means has reached staple max The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: If the determination means determines that the number of pages counted by the counting means has reached the staple max, whether to delete all image data of the previous original and the additional original stored in the image data storage means Further comprising an instruction input means for prompting an instruction of whether or not
The deletion unit deletes all image data of the previous document and the additional document stored in the image data storage unit when an instruction is input to delete all image data by the instruction input unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

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