JP3937838B2 - Image forming method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method and apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming method and apparatus in a copier or printer having an insert function for inserting and outputting a thick sheet such as a tab sheet into a recording sheet bundle. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Printing devices such as copiers and printers not only print the contents of documents as they are, but also have functions similar to bookbinding, such as the sort function for printed recording paper, single-sided, double-sided printing, or page continuous shooting functions. ing. Using such a function, the user can obtain various forms of printed matter from one document.
[0003]
As a function of the printing apparatus, a tab sheet on which a headline can be entered can be inserted between a plurality of recording sheets as a section of the recording sheet. With such a tab insertion function, a bundle of printed matter in which tabbed partitions with printed headings are inserted as tab sheets can be obtained.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in conventional copying machines and printers, the direction in which the tab is attached is fixed on one side. In particular, in vertical writing, it is necessary to add a tab on the left side, but there is a problem that the tab insert function cannot be used because it is fixed on the right side.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a highly convenient image forming method and apparatus capable of using the tab insert function regardless of whether it is vertical writing or horizontal writing. It is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a tab mode for inserting a tab sheet is set in an image forming method in an image forming unit for forming an image of a document on a recording sheet. A tab mode determination step for determining whether or not the text is included, a vertical / horizontal determination step for determining whether the text included in the document is vertical writing or horizontal writing, and when the tab mode determination step determines that the tab mode is set, Determination result of the vertical / horizontal determination step Is horizontal writing, the vertical direction in which the image is formed in the image forming unit is determined to be a normal vertical direction, and when the determination result of the vertical / horizontal determination step is vertical writing The vertical direction in which the image forming unit forms an image Is a vertical direction opposite to the normal vertical direction And a top and bottom determination step for determining.
[0011]
Claim 2 In the image forming method in the image forming unit for forming an image of a document on a recording sheet, a tab mode determining step for determining whether or not a tab mode for inserting a tab sheet is set, and the tab sheet Tab direction determining step for determining which side of the recording paper is to be set, and when the tab mode determining step determines that the tab mode is set, based on the determination result of the tab direction determining step, The image forming unit includes a top and bottom determination step for determining a top and bottom direction for forming an image.
[0016]
Claim 3 In the image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image of a document on a recording sheet, a tab mode determining unit that determines whether or not a tab mode for inserting a tab sheet is set; Vertical / horizontal determination means for determining whether the contained sentence is vertical writing or horizontal writing, and a determination result of the vertical / horizontal determination means when the tab mode determination means determines that the tab mode is set Is horizontal writing, it is determined that the vertical direction in which the image is formed in the image forming unit is a normal vertical direction, and when the determination result of the vertical / horizontal determination unit is vertical writing, The vertical direction in which the image forming means forms an image Is a vertical direction opposite to the normal vertical direction It is characterized by comprising a top and bottom determining means for determining.
[0018]
Claim 4 In the image forming apparatus having an image forming unit that forms an image of a document on a recording sheet, a tab mode determining unit that determines whether or not a tab mode for inserting a tab sheet is set, and the tab Based on the determination result of the tab direction determination unit when the tab mode determination unit determines that the tab mode is set, and a tab direction determination unit that determines the setting of which side of the recording paper is to be attached. The image forming means comprises a top and bottom determining means for determining a top and bottom direction for forming an image.
[0020]
Claim 5 According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit of the image forming apparatus includes the first aspect. Or 2 The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program for performing each step as described in 1 above is characterized.
[0021]
Claim 6 According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit of the image forming apparatus includes the first aspect. Or 2 It is a program for executing each step described in 1.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a digital copying machine including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an electrophotographic system. The image forming apparatus 1 is roughly divided into an image forming unit in which four stations having the same configuration are arranged in parallel, a paper feeding unit, an intermediate transfer unit, a transport unit, a fixing unit, an operation unit, It is comprised from the control part of illustration.
[0023]
First, the configuration of the image forming unit will be described. Photosensitive drums 11a to 11d as image carriers are pivotally supported at their centers and are driven to rotate by a drive motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow. Opposed to the outer peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d, roller chargers 12a to 12d, scanners 13a to 13d, and developing devices 14a to 14d are arranged in the rotation direction. The roller chargers 12a to 12d give a uniform charge amount to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d. Electrostatic latent images are formed by exposing the photosensitive drums 11a to 11d with light beams, such as laser beams, modulated by the scanners 13a to 13d according to the recording image signal. The electrostatic latent images are visualized by developing devices 14a to 14d that respectively store four color developers (toners) such as yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. The visualized visible image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30. In this way, image formation with each toner is sequentially performed.
[0024]
The paper feeding unit stores the recording material P, transports the recording material P, a sensor for detecting the passage of the recording material P, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording material P, and recording It is comprised from the guide (not shown) for conveying the material P along a conveyance path. The recording material P is stored in any of the cassettes 21a to 21d, the manual feed tray 27, or the deck 28. The pickup rollers 22a to 22d are rollers for feeding the recording material P from the cassettes 21a to 21d one by one. A plurality of recording materials P may be sent out by the pickup rollers 22a to 22d, but only one sheet is reliably separated by the BC rollers 23a to 23d. The recording material P separated by only one sheet by the BC rollers 23 a to 23 d is further conveyed by the drawing rollers 24 a to 24 d and the pre-registration roller 26 and reaches the registration roller 25.
[0025]
The recording material P stored in the manual feed tray 27 is separated into one sheet by the BC roller 29 and conveyed to the registration roller 25 by the pre-registration roller 26. A plurality of recording materials P stored in the deck 28 are transported to the paper feed roller 61 by the pickup roller 60, and only one sheet is reliably separated by the paper feed roller 61 and transported to the drawing roller 62, and then the pre-registration roller 26 to the registration roller 25.
[0026]
The intermediate transfer portion will be described. For example, a material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) is used for the intermediate transfer belt 30. The intermediate transfer belt 30 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 30 with a driving roller 32 that transmits driving to the intermediate transfer belt 30, a tension roller 33 that applies an appropriate tension to the intermediate transfer belt 30 by biasing a spring (not shown), and the intermediate transfer belt 30. And supported by a driven roller 34 forming a secondary transfer region. The drive roller 32 is coated with a rubber such as urethane or chloroprene having a thickness of several mm on the surface of the metal roller to prevent slippage with the intermediate transfer belt 30. The drive roller 32 is rotationally driven by a stepping motor (not shown).
[0027]
Primary transfer rollers 35 a to 35 d, to which a high pressure for transferring a toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 30 is applied on the back of the intermediate transfer belt 30 at a position where each of the photosensitive drums 11 a to 11 d faces the intermediate transfer belt 30. Is arranged. A secondary transfer roller 36 is disposed so as to face the driven roller 34, and a secondary transfer region is formed by a nip with the intermediate transfer belt 30. The secondary transfer roller 36 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 30 with an appropriate pressure. A cleaning device 50 for cleaning the image forming surface of the intermediate transfer belt 30 is disposed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 downstream of the secondary transfer region. The cleaning device 50 includes a cleaner blade 51 made of a material such as polyurethane rubber, and a waste toner box 52 that stores waste toner.
[0028]
The fixing unit 40 of the fixing unit transports the fixing roller 41a having a heat source such as a halogen heater therein, a roller 41b pressed against the fixing roller 41a, and the recording material P discharged from the rollers 41a and 41b. A paper discharge roller 44 is included. The roller 41b can also be provided with a heat source.
[0029]
The recording material P conveyed to the registration roller 25 is temporarily stopped by stopping the rotational driving of the roller upstream of the registration roller 25. In synchronization with the image formation timing of the image forming unit, the rotational driving of the upstream rollers including the registration roller 25 is resumed, and the recording material P is sent out to the secondary transfer area. The recording material P to which the image has been transferred in the secondary transfer area and the image has been fixed in the fixing unit 40 passes through the inner paper discharge roller 44 and is then switched by the switching flapper 73. When the switching flapper 73 is on the face-up discharge side, the recording material P is discharged to the face-up discharge tray 2 by the outer discharge roller 45. On the other hand, when the switching flapper 73 is on the face-down paper discharge side, it is conveyed in the direction of the reverse rollers 72 a to 72 c and the recording material P is discharged to the face-down paper discharge tray 3. When performing a tab job, which will be described later, after the recording material P is conveyed to the reversing roller 72c, the flapper 81 is switched in the direction of the tray 82, and the motor of the reversing roller 72c changes from the stop to the reversal. The tray 82 is reversely discharged.
[0030]
A plurality of sensors are arranged on the conveyance path of the recording material P to detect the passage of the recording material P. The paper feeding retry sensors 64a to 64d, the deck paper feeding sensor 65, the deck pulling sensor 66, and the registration sensor 67 are provided. , An internal paper discharge sensor 68, a face-down paper discharge sensor 69, a double-sided pre-registration sensor 70, a double-sided paper re-feed sensor 71, and the like. In addition, cassette paper presence / absence sensors 63a to 63d that detect the presence or absence of the recording material P are arranged in the cassettes 21a to 21d that store the recording material P, and the manual feed tray 27 includes the recording material P on the manual feed tray 27. A manual tray paper presence / absence sensor 74 for detecting the presence / absence of the recording paper P is disposed on the deck 28, and a deck paper presence / absence sensor 75 for detecting the presence / absence of the recording material P in the deck 28 is disposed.
[0031]
A control unit (not shown) includes a control board, a motor drive board, and the like for controlling the operation of the mechanism of each unit described above. The operation unit 4 is disposed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1, selects a paper feed unit (paper feed cassettes 21 a to 21 d, a manual feed tray 27, a deck 28) in which the recording material P is stored, and a paper discharge tray (face). It is possible to select the up tray 2 and the face down tray 3) and specify a tab sheet bundle.
[0032]
A case where the recording material P is transported from the cassette 21a with such a configuration will be described. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the image forming operation start signal was issued, the transfer material P is sent out one by one from the cassette 21a by the pickup roller 22a. The transfer material P is pulled out by the paper supply roller 23 a and is conveyed to the registration roller 25 via the roller 24 a and the pre-registration roller 26. At this time, the registration roller 25 is stopped, and the leading edge of the paper hits the nip portion. Thereafter, the registration roller 26 starts rotating in accordance with the timing at which the image forming unit starts to form an image. The timing for starting the rotation is set such that the transfer material P and the toner image primarily transferred from the image forming unit to the intermediate transfer belt 30 coincide in the secondary transfer region.
[0033]
On the other hand, in the image forming unit, when an image forming operation start signal is issued, a high voltage is applied to the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11d at the most upstream in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the process described above. The primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 in the primary transfer region by the applied transfer roller 35d. The primarily transferred toner image is conveyed to the next primary transfer area. Here, image formation is performed with a delay by the time during which the toner image is conveyed between the four image forming units, and the next toner image is transferred with the leading edge of the image aligned. The same process is repeated, and the four color toner images are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 31.
[0034]
Next, when the recording material P enters the secondary transfer area and contacts the intermediate transfer belt 31, a high voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 36 in accordance with the passing timing of the recording material P. The four color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the above-described process are transferred onto the surface of the recording material P. The recording material P is guided to the fixing roller nip portion, and the toner image is fixed on the surface by the heat of the roller pair 41a and 41b and the pressure of the nip. Thereafter, the paper is discharged to the face-up discharge tray 2, the face-down tray 3, or the reverse discharge tray 82 in accordance with the switching direction of the switching flappers 73 and 81.
[0035]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit for controlling the digital copying machine. The control unit 100 includes a CPU 171 that performs basic control of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1, a ROM 174 that stores a control program, a work RAM 175 that performs processing, and an input / output port (I / O) 173. Each of which is connected by an address bus and a data bus. Connected to the input / output port 173 are various load outputs such as motors and clutches for controlling the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1 and sensor inputs for detecting the position of the paper.
[0036]
The CPU 171 executes image forming operations by sequentially controlling input / output via the input / output port 173 in accordance with the contents of the ROM 174. An operation unit 172 is connected to the CPU 171 and controls a display unit and a key input unit of the operation unit 172. The operator instructs the CPU 171 to switch display such as an image forming operation mode, a scanner reading mode, and a print output mode via the key input unit. The CPU 171 displays the state of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1 and the operation mode setting by key input. The CPU 171 is connected to an image processing unit 170 that processes a signal converted into an electrical signal by an image sensor, and an image memory unit 3 that stores the processed image. The image memory unit 3 includes a reader unit 1. The printer unit 2 and the external I / F processing unit 4 are connected.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image memory unit of the control unit. The image memory unit 3 writes an image from the external I / F processing unit 4 or the image processing unit 170 via a memory controller 302 in a page memory 301 configured by a memory such as a DRAM. The image memory unit 3 reads an image from the page memory 301 to the external I / F processing unit 4 or the printer unit 2 via the memory controller 302. Furthermore, the image input / output is accessed via the JPG compression 303 to the hard disk 304 which is a large-capacity storage device.
[0038]
The memory controller 302 generates a DRAM refresh signal for the page memory 301 and arbitrates access from the image I / F processing unit 4, the image processing unit 170, and the hard disk 304 to the page memory 301. The memory controller 302 controls a write address to the page memory 301, a read address from the page memory 301, a read direction, and the like according to an instruction from the CPU 171. In this way, the CPU 171 arranges a plurality of document images in the page memory 301, performs layout, and controls a function for outputting to the printer unit 2, a function for cutting out and outputting only a part of the image, an image rotation function, and the like.
[0039]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an external I / F processing unit of the control unit. The external I / F processing unit 4 loads the image data of the reader unit 1 into the external I / F processing unit 4 via the image memory unit 3, and from the external I / F processing unit 4 via the image memory unit 3. The image data is output to the printer unit 2 to form an image. The external I / F processing unit 4 includes a facsimile unit 401, a hard disk 402 for storing communication image data of the facsimile unit, a computer interface 403 connected to the external computer 11, a formatter unit 404, and an image memory unit 405. And connected to the core portion 406, respectively.
[0040]
The facsimile unit 401 is connected to a public line via a modem (not shown), and receives facsimile communication data from the public line and transmits facsimile communication data to the public line. The facsimile unit 401 performs processing by storing a fax image in the hard disk 402 as a facsimile function, such as sending a fax at a designated time or sending image data in response to a designated password inquiry from the other party. Thus, once the image is transferred from the reader unit 1 to the facsimile unit 401 and the facsimile hard disk 402 via the image memory unit 3, the reader unit 1 and the image memory unit 3 are not used for the facsimile function. You can send a fax.
[0041]
The computer interface 403 is an interface unit that performs data communication with an external computer, and includes a local area network (LAN), a serial I / F, an SCSII / F, a Centro I / F for data input of a printer, and the like. ing. The state of the printer unit 4 and the reader unit 1 is notified to the external computer via the computer interface 403, and the image read by the reader unit 1 according to an instruction from the external computer is transferred to the external computer. Also, print image data is received from an external computer.
[0042]
Since the print data notified from the external computer via the computer interface 403 is described in a dedicated printer code, the formatter unit 404 uses the printer unit 2 to send the dedicated printer code to the image via the image memory unit 3. Convert to raster image data to be formed. The formatter unit 404 performs raster image data development in the image memory unit 405. The image memory unit 405 is used as a memory in which the formatter unit 404 develops raster image data.
[0043]
In the image scanner function, the image of the reader unit 1 is sent to an external computer via the computer interface 403. At this time, the image data sent from the image memory unit 3 is once developed in the image memory unit 405, converted into a data format to be sent to an external computer, and the data is sent from the computer interface 403. The core unit 406 controls and manages data transfer among the facsimile unit 401, the computer interface 403, the formatter unit 404, the image memory unit 405, and the image memory unit 3. As a result, even if there are a plurality of image output units in the external I / F processing unit 4 or only one image transfer path to the image memory unit 3, the exclusive control and priority are controlled under the management of the core unit 406. The image output is performed by controlling the degree.
[0044]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an initial screen for performing basic settings for the copy function and a sub-window for performing detailed settings. FIG. 5A shows an initial screen for performing basic setting of the copy function. When the application mode icon 501 is pressed, a sub-window for setting various modes is opened. When the paper selection icon 502 is pressed, a sub-window for selecting a paper feed stage is opened as shown in FIG. 5B, and the paper feed stage can be displayed and selected. The trial copy icon 503 is used when only a first copy is made and a sample is output when there are a plurality of copies.
[0045]
A key group 504 for determining an image mode selects an image mode such as “automatic density correction”, “text mode”, “text photo mode”, “photo mode”, “text mode”, “text photo mode”, When the “photo mode” is selected, the density can be changed with the “light” and “light” keys.
[0046]
A group of keys 505 for changing the magnification of the document includes 100% “same size”, “reduction”, “enlargement”, “zoom” in 1% increments, and “slightly smaller” keys used when copying the entire document. Is included. In either case, the magnification of the document is changed. After the magnification is set, the set magnification is displayed.
[0047]
A sort key 506 sets finishing after a sheet is output. For example, a sort mode when changing the output of one copy of a plurality of originals to a multi-copy output, a group sort that outputs a set number of one page of each original, and one copy of paper output in the sort mode A stapling mode for stapling together every time is included.
[0048]
A double-sided key 507 sets a double-sided mode for reading or outputting a document or paper on one side. One-sided mode to read originals on one side and output on both sides to paper, both-side mode to read originals on both sides and output to both sides on paper, both-sided mode to read originals on both sides and output on one side to paper, This includes a page continuous double-sided mode in which one side is read in two and output to both sides of the paper. FIG. 5A shows a display example in which the duplex mode is set, and the duplex icon is displayed in black and white reversed.
[0049]
FIG. 5B shows a sub window displayed when the paper selection key 502 shown in FIG. 5A is pressed. Of the paper feed stages of the cassettes 21a to 21d, the deck 28, and the manual feed tray 27 of the image forming apparatus 1, a paper feed stage to be selected is set. At this time, the icon 511 indicates the manual feed tray 27, the icon 512 indicates the cassette 21a, and A4 paper is currently inserted. The icon 513 indicates the cassette 21b, and A4 paper is currently inserted. The icon 514 indicates the cassette 21c and displays the tab sheet feed stage set as the tab sheet feed stage. This indicates that an A4 size tab sheet is currently inserted, and the user can recognize where the tab sheet is set or where the tab sheet is set.
[0050]
The icon 515 indicates the cassette 21d, and indicates that there is no paper, although A3 paper is set. An icon 516 indicates that A4 paper is inserted in the deck 28. An icon 517 is an automatic paper selection key. When automatic paper selection is performed, the optimum paper is automatically detected from the original size and the set copy mode, and if it is not found, the second candidate paper size is selected. .
[0051]
FIG. 5C shows a subwindow displayed when the application mode key 501 is pressed. Icons for functions that set various copy modes are displayed. The page continuous key 521 is a key for executing a mode in which a document is regarded as a two-page spread and divided into two and read as two documents. The front cover / union key 522 is a key for executing a mode for selecting a paper feed stage having a front cover, a back cover, or an interleaf for partitioning and outputting one copy as output paper. A bookbinding mode key 523 is a key for executing a mode in which when a document is copied, the document is folded in the center of the output paper and output as a spread book. A negative / positive inversion key 524 is a key for executing a mode for copying a white portion of a document image to black and copying a black portion to white.
[0052]
The mode memory key 525 includes various modes such as a sort mode set by the sort key 506, a scaling mode set by the key group 505 for changing the magnification of the document, and an image mode set by the key group 504 for determining the image mode. This is a key for storing settings collectively. The OHP insert key 526 feeds and prints OHP from the manual feed tray 27 when OHP paper is set in the manual feed 27 tray, and prints the same image on normal paper from other paper feed stages. To do. Further, the key is used to set a mode in which an OHP intermediate sheet that is output only without printing is placed between OHPs. The document mixture key 527 is a key for executing a mode set when a plurality of documents are placed on the automatic document feeder and A4 and A3 are mixed.
[0053]
The image composition key 528 is a key for registering a background image or outputting a background image registered in advance on a document. The tab sheet insert key 529 corresponds to the tab portion by using the tab sheet as the partition sheet like the slip sheet when there is a tab sheet feeding stage, as in the icon 514 shown in FIG. 5B. This is a key for executing a tab sheet insert mode for moving an image or the like for printing on a tab of a copy document to be printed. A tab sheet creation key 530 is an image corresponding to a tab portion printed on a document by feeding a tab sheet when there is a tab sheet feeding stage, as indicated by an icon 514 shown in FIG. Is a key for executing a mode in which is moved to the tab position and printed on the tab portion of the tab sheet.
[0054]
The call key 531 is a key for executing a mode for recalling the setting at the previous copy. The movement key 532 is a key for executing a mode for setting how to move the sheet on which the document image is output. The binding margin key 533 is a key for executing a mode in which an image is moved in order to create a binding margin on a sheet on which a document image is output. The frame erase key 534 is a key for executing a mode for erasing the outer frame of the original image or erasing the image of the outer frame of the paper during printing. The reduced layout key 535 is a key for executing a mode that is set when a plurality of documents are laid out and printed on one sheet. The enlarged layout key 536 is a key for executing a mode for dividing and printing a plurality of images per sheet created by a reduced layout or the like. A close key 537 is a key for closing the sub-window in the application mode and returning to the initial screen shown in FIG.
[0055]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sub-window for performing detailed setting of the copy function. FIG. 6A shows a sub-window that opens when the tab paper insert key 529 or the tab paper creation key 530 is pressed. Sets whether the orientation of the document is vertical or horizontal. A horizontal writing setting key 601 and a vertical writing setting key 602 are provided, and when one of them is pressed, the display is reversed in black and white to indicate the selection state. When the horizontal writing setting key 601 and the vertical writing setting key 602 are pressed, the opposite keys are displayed in black characters on a non-selected white background. When the OK key 603 is pressed, if the horizontal writing setting key 601 is selected, the original information is set to horizontal writing, and if the vertical writing setting key 602 is selected, the original information is set. Is set to vertical writing, and the screen moves to the screen shown in FIG. When the cancel key 604 is pressed, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG.
[0056]
FIG. 6B is a screen that is displayed when the OK key 603 in FIG. 6A is pressed, and the tab division number is input. 5 tab papers, 3 3 tab papers, and 7 7 tab papers that constitute one set with 5 tab papers are common, but in this embodiment, one set is made up of 2 tab papers. 12 tab sheets constituting a set can be handled from 12 tab sheets. Here, the “tab division number” is the number of tab sheets included in one set. An area 611 indicates the number of tab divisions to be set at present, and the number of tab divisions can be increased / decreased with a minus key 612 and a plus key 613. An OK key 614 is a key for setting the input tab division number. When the cancel key 615 is pressed, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG.
[0057]
FIG. 6C is a sub-window for setting an amount to move the tab image after the OK key 614 is pressed in FIG. 6B. In order to print an image printed on the tab portion included in the document on the tab portion, a moving amount for moving the tab image is set. Normally, it is sufficient to move the tab image by about 12 mm for A4 size tab paper. However, in this embodiment, the amount of movement varies depending on the size of characters printed on the tab and the position on the document. The tab image can be moved with a width of 0 to 25 mm. The minus key 621 is a key for reducing the normal movement amount of the tab image, and the plus key 622 is a key for increasing the normal movement amount of the tab image. The display unit 623 is a part that displays the movement amount to be set. The cancel key 624 is a key for canceling the setting of the movement amount and returning to the input screen for setting the tab division number shown in FIG. When the OK key 625 is pressed, the value displayed on the display unit 623 is set as the movement amount, and the screen shifts to the screen shown in FIG.
[0058]
In FIG. 6D, the number of pages (hereinafter referred to as tab sheet insertion pages) that is the position to insert the tab sheet is set. An insertion page window 631 representing a tab sheet insertion page is pressed when the first tab sheet is selected, and the number of pages into which tab sheets are to be inserted is input using the numeric keypad of the operation unit 172. . As shown in FIG. 6D, the insertion position of the first tab sheet is set in front of the second page. Similarly, the insertion position of the second tab sheet is set before the third page, the insertion position of the third tab sheet is set before the fourth page, and the insertion position of the fourth tab sheet. Is set before the fifth page, and the insertion position of the fifth tab sheet is set before the eighth page. The cancel key 632 is a key for canceling the number of tab sheet insertion pages and returning to the sub-window for setting the image movement amount of the tab image shown in FIG.
[0059]
The scroll up key 633 is a key for scrolling up the insertion page window 631 when there are seven or more pages into which tab sheets are inserted. The scroll down key 634 is a key for scrolling down the insertion page window 631 when there are seven or more pages into which tab sheets are inserted. The OK key 635 is a key for reflecting the tab sheet insertion page set in the insertion page window to the copy job, and thereby completes the setting of the tab sheet insert mode. In this way, in the copy job, the tab sheet is placed at which position of one sheet bundle according to the length and width of the document, the number of tab divisions, the tab image movement amount, and the tab sheet insertion page set in the sub window shown in FIG. When the sheet is inserted and printed on the tab portion, the amount of image movement is determined, and on which page the tab sheet should be fed, and the vertical direction of the image is determined.
[0060]
FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the manuscript and the output paper. FIG. 7 shows an example of a manuscript to be copied and output paper according to the tab paper insert function set in the sub-window shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7A shows an original, and FIG. 7B shows output paper. At this time, the document size and the paper size match, but the tab portion is different between the tab document and the tab sheet. Tab documents 701a to 701e are sandwiched between documents 702, and are used for printing or image formation on tab paper. The output paper output corresponding to the tab originals 701a to 701e is an image printed on the tab originals 701a to 701e, that is, an image of one tab, two tabs, etc., and the movement amount set in FIG. It moves by the amount and is printed on the tab portions of the tab sheets 711a to 711e.
[0061]
FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the tab document and the tab output sheet. FIG. 7 shows an example of a tab document to be copied and a tab output sheet copied according to the tab sheet creation mode function set in FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C. FIG. 8A shows a tab document, and FIG. 8B shows a tab output sheet. The document size and the paper size are the same, but the tab portion is different between the tab document and the tab sheet. The tab output paper output corresponding to the tab document moves the image printed on the tab document, that is, the image of one tab, two tabs, etc., by the amount of movement set in FIG. Printed on the tab portion of the tab output paper.
[0062]
Next, the control of the vertical direction of the image in the digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the progress and result of copying three originals. When copying the original shown in FIG. 9A, when the image is transferred by the driven roller 34 through the registration roller 25 and fixed by the fixing unit 40 in the digital copying machine shown in FIG. As shown in (b), the foreground is placed as the foreground of the image in the same manner as the document. Finally, the tray 82 is reversely discharged as shown in FIG. 9C, and as a result, the output order shown in FIG. 9D is obtained.
[0063]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the progress and results of the tab sheet insert function. A case will be described in which a horizontally written document is copied using the tab sheet insert function. The top-and-bottom direction of FIG. 10 is the same as FIG. In the case of copying the original shown in FIG. 10A, when the transfer and fixing are performed through the registration roller 25, the original is fixed as shown in FIG. 10B, and shown in FIG. 10C. As shown in FIG. 10 (d), it is reversed and discharged.
[0064]
Next, a tab sheet insert function for copying a vertically written document will be described. First, it will be described that the direction of the tab sheet is restricted. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining restrictions on tab sheets. Since tab paper has a bulge on a part of one side, when processing to align the paper, it must be performed on the side opposite to the ledge. The processing for aligning the paper is the registration shown in FIG. 11A and the reverse discharge tray in FIG. The register is a part of the registration roller 25 shown in FIG. 1, and the reverse discharge tray is a part of the tray 82 shown in FIG.
[0065]
At the cash register, the paper is timed and the paper is abutted in the state as shown in FIG. Therefore, if there is a tab on one side 1101 of the tab sheet, it cannot be aligned, and the tab needs to be on the opposite side 1102. Therefore, the tab must be placed in this direction when going to the registration roller 25 at the time of paper feeding. In the reverse discharge tray, after output from the main body, it is aligned at the rear end of the side 1111 from the angle of the tray 82. At this time, if the tab is on the side 1111, the discharged paper cannot be aligned, so the tab needs to be on the opposite side 1112. In order to avoid both the restriction of the tab direction in the register and the restriction of discharge, the sheet is discharged to the tray 82 instead of the face-up discharge tray 2. That is, the tab is on the C1 side in the registration roller 25 and on the C2 side in the tray 82. Also in FIG. 10, in the case of a horizontally written document, the tab processing is performed in this direction.
[0066]
When copying a vertically written document, the spread is opposite to that in landscape writing, and the tab position is required on the left side, unlike the cases shown in FIGS. In the middle of the process shown in FIG. 10, it is not possible to process only the tabs in the opposite direction as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, in the vertically written document, it is necessary to process the image to be placed in the vertical direction.
[0067]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the progress and result of copying a vertically written document. FIG. 12A shows an example of a document that performs a tab sheet insert function. Compared with FIG. 10, the position of the numbers on the tab document also changes from the right end to the left end. In order to print the original image on paper, printing is performed with the top and bottom direction reversed as shown in FIG. At this time, the image of the tab document is transferred to the tab sheet by shifting it to the left by the amount of movement designated in FIG. The tab sheets are in order from the top in FIG. 10 and in order from the bottom in FIG. 12B, so it is necessary to set the tab sheets so that they are fed in order from the bottom. This is displayed on the operation unit 172 before printing. The process from transfer to fixing is performed, and the paper is reversed and discharged onto the tray 82 in a state as shown in FIG. When the user picks up the result, the state shown in FIG.
[0068]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing for determining the vertical direction of the image forming method according to the embodiment of the present invention. The top / bottom direction determination process is always performed at the start of the job. When the top / bottom direction determination process starts, it is determined in step S1301 whether or not the tab mode is set. The tab mode is set by the setting shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S1301 that the tab mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S1302, the vertical direction is set to the normal direction, and the process ends.
[0069]
If it is determined in step S1301 that the tab mode is set, the process advances to step S1303 to determine whether the document is vertically written. If it is determined in step S1303 that the document is vertically written, the process proceeds to step S1304, the vertical direction is set to the normal reverse direction, and the present process ends. If it is determined in step S1303 that the document is not vertically written, the process advances to step S1302, the vertical direction of the job is set to the normal direction, and the process is terminated.
[0070]
In the present embodiment, a digital copying machine that normally outputs output paper in the forward direction has been described. However, a digital copying machine that normally outputs output paper in the reverse direction may be used. The restrictions on the tabs are the same. When a job includes tabs, the vertical direction may be set to the forward direction when writing horizontally, and the vertical direction may be set to the reverse direction when writing vertically.
[0071]
In this embodiment, vertical writing and horizontal writing are set on the tab setting screen, but the same processing is performed even if the tab position is set on the right side, the left side, or on which side. Further, when the vertical direction of the original is determined and the tab mode is set, the vertical direction may be determined based on the vertical / horizontal determination and the determination result of the vertical direction. In this way, it is possible to perform a tab job even in a vertically written document, and convenience is improved.
[0072]
In the present invention, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the image forming apparatus, and the CPU of the control unit reads the program codes stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, it can also be achieved through implementation. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0073]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the predetermined mode is set, it is determined whether the text included in the document is vertical writing or horizontal writing, and the image is based on each determination result. Since the top / bottom direction in which the image is formed is determined by the forming unit, by adjusting the top / bottom direction of the image, a tab can be attached on either the right side or the left side, and a highly convenient image forming apparatus can be provided. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a digital copying machine including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit for controlling the digital copying machine.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an image memory unit of a control unit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an external I / F processing unit of a control unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an initial screen for performing basic settings for a copy function and a sub-window for performing detailed settings.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sub-window for performing detailed setting of a copy function.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an original and output paper.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a tab document and a tab output sheet.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the progress and result of copying three originals.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a progress and a result in the tab sheet insert function.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining restrictions on tab sheets.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the progress and result of copying a vertically written document.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing for determining the vertical direction of the image forming method according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming device
2 Face-up output tray
3 Face-down output tray
11a to 11d Photosensitive drum
12a-12d Roller charger
13a-13d scanner
14a-14d developing device
21a-21d cassette
22a-22d Pickup roller
23a-23d BC roller
24a-24d Drawing roller
25 Registration Roller
26 Roller before cash register
27 Bypass tray
28 decks
29 BC Roller
30 Intermediate transfer belt
32 Drive roller
33 Tension roller
34 Followed roller
35a to 35d primary transfer roller
36 Secondary transfer roller
40 Fixing unit
41a Fixing roller
41b roller
44 Internal discharge roller
45 Outside paper discharge roller
50 Cleaning device
51 Cleaner blade
52 Waste toner box
60 Pickup roller
61 Paper feed roller
62 Drawing roller
63a to 63d Cassette paper presence / absence sensor
64a to 64d Paper feed retry sensor
65 deck feed sensor
66 Deck extraction sensor
67 Registration Sensor
68 Internal paper ejection sensor
69 Face-down paper discharge sensor
70 Double-side pre-registration sensor
71 Double-sided re-feed sensor
72a-72c reverse roller
73 switching flapper
74 Sensor with / without manual tray
75 Deck paper sensor
81 Flapper
82 trays

Claims (6)

In an image forming method in an image forming unit for forming an image of a document on a recording sheet,
A tab mode determination step for determining whether or not a tab mode for inserting tab sheets is set;
A vertical / horizontal determination step for determining whether the text included in the manuscript is vertical or horizontal,
When the tab mode determination step determines that the tab mode is set and the determination result of the vertical / horizontal determination step is horizontal writing, the vertical direction in which the image is formed in the image forming unit is a normal vertical direction. When the determination result of the vertical / horizontal determination step is vertical writing, the vertical determination step of determining that the vertical direction in which the image is formed in the image forming unit is a vertical direction opposite to the normal vertical direction An image forming method comprising: In an image forming method in an image forming unit for forming an image of a document on a recording sheet,
A tab mode determination step for determining whether or not a tab mode for inserting tab sheets is set;
A tab direction determination step for determining a setting of which side of the recording paper the tab sheet is to be attached;
When the tab mode determining step determines that the tab mode is set, the image forming unit includes a top / bottom determining step for determining a top / bottom direction for forming an image based on the determination result of the tab direction determining step. An image forming method. In an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image of a document on a recording sheet,
Tab mode determination means for determining whether or not a tab mode for inserting tab sheets is set;
Vertical and horizontal determination means for determining whether the text included in the manuscript is vertical writing or horizontal writing;
When the tab mode determination unit determines that the tab mode is set and the determination result of the vertical / horizontal determination unit is horizontal writing, the vertical direction in which the image forming unit forms an image is a normal vertical direction When the determination result of the vertical / horizontal determination unit is vertical writing, the vertical determination unit determines that the vertical direction in which the image is formed in the image forming unit is a vertical direction opposite to the normal vertical direction An image forming apparatus comprising: In an image forming apparatus having image forming means for forming an image of a document on a recording sheet,
Tab mode determination means for determining whether or not a tab mode for inserting tab sheets is set;
Tab direction determination means for determining a setting on which side of the recording paper the tab sheet is to be attached;
When the tab mode determination unit determines that the tab mode is set, the image forming unit includes a top / bottom determination unit that determines a top / bottom direction for forming an image based on a determination result of the tab direction determination unit. An image forming apparatus. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing the control unit of the image forming apparatus to execute each step according to claim 1 or 2 is recorded. A program for causing a control unit of an image forming apparatus to execute each step according to claim 1 or 2 .

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