JP4259552B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a reading apparatus that reads a booklet document and an image forming system including the reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming system that covers a bundle of sheets in a U-shape with a cover and binds to the reading apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer, a booklet document such as a book or a magazine may be copied.

  As a method for reading a two-page spread booklet document, a method having a so-called page continuous shooting function is generally known as a function of separately reading two pages of a spread document into one page on the left and right in one scan. .

  A specific example of a conventional page continuous shooting function will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a booklet document read using the page continuous shooting function and image data. FIG. 14A shows a booklet original with left binding (also referred to as left opening), and FIG. 14B shows a booklet original with right binding (also referred to as right opening).

  FIG. 14 (c) shows the booklet document of FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b) on the document table with the pages 1 and 2 and pages 3 and 4 and pages N-1 and N opened. It is a figure which shows the state which read from page 1 to page N as separate image data by each loading 1 time of scanning. As shown in the figure, when page continuous shooting is used, N pages of image data can be obtained by scanning N / 2 times for an N page booklet document.

  As a booklet-type document output method, a bundle of multiple sheets (also called body sheets) on which an image is formed by a copier or printer is wrapped in a U-shape with a cover sheet, and the back of the stack of sheets and the cover sheet An image forming system that performs simple case binding processing by gluing sheets is known (see Patent Document 1).

An example of a book formed by a bookbinding apparatus is shown in FIG. 15A shows a state where the cover sheet S2 is not folded, and FIG. 15B shows a state where the cover sheet S2 is folded. S3 is constituted by a bundle of a plurality of body sheets S1 and a cover sheet S2, and is configured to cover the bundle of body sheets S1 in a U-shape with the cover sheet S2. A form like S3 is also called a wrapping book. The cover sheet S2 has a front cover area F, a back cover area S, and a back cover area B as shown in FIG.
JP 2004-209869 A

  When a booklet document is copied in an image forming system that performs case binding processing, there is a case where the output is the same as that of a booklet document.

  However, when the conventional page continuous shooting function is used, the reading size is set to twice the page size. For this reason, when reading a booklet document cover with a two-page spread, the read size cannot be adjusted properly, although the size corresponding to the width of the back cover is longer than twice the page size. There is. In addition, in response to the desire to read the front cover, including the back cover, into a front cover, a back cover, and a back cover in three parts, the conventional page continuous shooting function only allows two parts to be read. There is a problem that cannot be performed properly.

  In addition, since the booklet to be read and the output booklet have different sheet thicknesses, the thickness of the spine (back cover width) may be different between the two. In this case, there is a problem that the back cover image of the booklet-like document cannot be properly arranged on the back cover of the output booklet.

In view of the above problems, when performing a copy of the booklet-like document, including the spine read properly, and it is an object to obtain the images forming system capable of outputting.

1. Input means for making various inputs;
Image reading means capable of reading a booklet document;
Storage means for storing the read image data;
A reading mode selection means for selecting a reading mode of a booklet document with a spread;
When the cover-page spread reading mode is selected by the reading mode selection means, the spread booklet original is read as a front cover and a back cover based on the information on the spine width and page size of the booklet original input from the input means. Reading control means for controlling reading as image data of the back cover;
Image forming means for forming an image on the body paper and the cover paper based on the image data;
An image forming system comprising: a bundle thickness acquisition unit that acquires thickness information of a bundle of body sheets to be imaged;
A comparison unit that compares the thickness information of the bundle of body sheets acquired by the bundle thickness acquisition unit with the information on the image width of the spine cover stored in the storage unit;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison means, if it is determined that the image width of the spine is larger than the thickness of the stack of body paper, If the image data is trimmed and the image width of the spine cover is determined to be smaller than the thickness of the bundle of body paper, blank image data is added to the margin of the spine cover area of the cover paper, and the front cover image An arrangement means for arranging the cover image data by combining the data and the image data of the back cover,
An image forming system, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a cover sheet based on the cover image data arranged by the arranging unit.

2. Input means for making various inputs;
Image reading means capable of reading a booklet document;
A document size detecting means for detecting the size of the document;
Storage means for storing the read image data;
A reading mode selection means for selecting a reading mode of a booklet document with a spread;
In the reading mode selecting means, cover the spread reading mode is selected, spread on the basis of the document size page size of the booklet-like document that is input from the detection knowledge original size information input means by detecting means, the information Reading control means for controlling to read the booklet original as image data of the front cover, the back cover, and the back cover,
Image forming means for forming an image on the body paper and the cover paper based on the image data;
An image forming system comprising: a bundle thickness acquisition unit that acquires thickness information of a bundle of body sheets to be imaged;
A comparison unit that compares the thickness information of the bundle of body sheets acquired by the bundle thickness acquisition unit with the information on the image width of the spine cover stored in the storage unit;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison means, if it is determined that the image width of the spine is larger than the thickness of the stack of body paper, the spine image of the spine is fit so that the spine image fits within the range of the spine area of the cover paper. If the image data is trimmed and the image width of the spine cover is determined to be smaller than the thickness of the bundle of body paper, blank image data is added to the margin of the spine cover area of the cover paper, and the front cover image An arrangement means for arranging the cover image data by combining the data and the image data of the back cover,
An image forming system, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a cover sheet based on the cover image data arranged by the arranging unit.

3. Cover page size information acquisition means for acquiring cover page size information is provided,
Based on the cover sheet size information acquired from the cover sheet size information acquisition unit , the arrangement unit arranges the image data of the front cover on the basis of one end of the cover sheet region, and the image data of the back cover is set on the other side. the end is disposed as a reference, an image forming system according to image data of the spine to 1 or 2, wherein the Turkey be placed in a central position of the cover sheet region.

4). The cover sheet size information is the page size information of the spine width of the information and booklet original booklet document inputted from the input means, to determine a cover size using the spine width and the page size 3. The image forming system according to 3, wherein

5. The bundle acquisition means, any the thickness per sheet of the present body sheets, the value obtained by multiplying the number of bundle of the body sheets, of 1 to 4, which comprises using as the thickness information of the bundle of the body sheet the image forming system according to one.

6). 6. The bookbinding unit according to claim 1, further comprising a bookbinding unit that creates a booklet by covering a bundle of body sheets imaged by the image forming unit with a cover sheet in a U-shape. Image forming system.

According to the present invention, when performing a copy of the booklet-like document, it is possible to obtain readings of proper booklet document including spine, and the images forming system capable output.

  FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of the image forming system.

  The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus A and a bookbinding apparatus (bookbinding means) B. The image forming apparatus A forms an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, and includes an image forming unit A1 and an image reading unit (image reading device) A30.

  In the image forming means A1, 1 is a drum-shaped photoconductor, 2 is a charging device that uniformly charges the photoconductor 1, 3 is an exposure device that performs image exposure of the charged photoconductor 1, and 4 is an electrostatic latent image that is exposed. A developing device that develops a toner image by developing the photoreceptor 1 on which an image is formed, 5A is a transfer device that transfers a toner image formed on the photoreceptor 1 to a sheet, and 5B separates the sheet from the photoreceptor 1. A separation device 6 is a cleaning device that cleans the photoreceptor 1, and 8 is a fixing device that heats and fixes the toner image on the paper.

  The photoreceptor 1 rotates clockwise, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 1 by charging, exposure and development, and the toner image is transferred to the body sheet S1 and the cover sheet S2 conveyed in synchronization with the image formation. The transferred toner image is fixed and an image is formed on the paper. The photoreceptor 1 after the image transfer is cleaned by a cleaning device 6.

  The body sheet S1 wrapped around the cover sheet S2 when performing the case binding process is stored in the two sheet feed trays 7A, and the cover sheet S2 is stored in the sheet feed tray 7B and the cover sheet storage unit 80 of the bookbinding apparatus B. Yes. The main body sheet S1 and the cover sheet S2 are discharged one by one from the sheet feed trays 7A and 7B and conveyed to the image forming unit A1. The main body sheet S1 and the cover sheet S2 to which the toner images are transferred pass through the fixing device 8 and are fixed. The fixed body sheet S1 and cover sheet S2 are discharged out of the image forming apparatus A from the discharge roller 7C.

  The bookbinding apparatus B bundles a plurality of body sheets S1 sent from the image forming apparatus A to form a bundle of sheets, joins the cover sheet S2 to the bundle, covers the bundle of sheets in a U-shape with the cover sheet, and covers the booklet. create. The bookbinding apparatus B includes a sheet reversing unit 40, a stacking unit 50, a coating unit 60, a cutting unit 70, and a joining unit 90 that joins a cover sheet to a sheet bundle, and further includes a transport unit 10, a discharge tray 20, a cover storage unit 80, A main discharge unit 110 is provided. The body sheet S1 conveyed from the image forming apparatus A to the bookbinding apparatus B is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 20 through the discharge path 12 or to the sheet reversing section 40 by the switching gate 11 provided in the transfer section 10. Be transported. When the case binding process is not performed in the bookbinding apparatus B, the main sheet S1 is discharged to the discharge tray 20. When the case binding process is executed in the bookbinding apparatus B, the main body sheet S1 is transported to the sheet reversing unit 40 through the transport path 13, and after being switched back by the sheet reversing unit 40, is transported to the stacking unit 50. A set number of body sheets S1 are stacked in the stacking unit 50. When the number of body sheets S1 reaches the set number, the stacking unit 50 rotates and the bundle of body sheets S1 is held in a substantially vertical state. Then, an adhesive is applied to the lower surface, which is the back of the bundle of body sheets S1, by the application unit 60, and the cover sheet S2 comes into contact with and adheres to the bundle of body sheets S1. The case book S3 created by bonding the cover sheet S2 to the bundle of body sheets S1 is discharged to the main discharge unit 110. When the cover sheet S2 is too larger than an area for forming an image on the cover sheet (hereinafter referred to as a cover sheet area), the cutting unit 70 performs cutting (cutting) so as to have an appropriate length.

  The image reading means A30 reads the booklet original BF. The booklet document BF placed on the document table A31 is scanned and exposed by the optical system of the document image scanning exposure apparatus, and is read by the line image sensor. The analog signal photoelectrically converted by the line image sensor is subjected to analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression processing and the like in the control means, and then stored in the storage means as image data, or the exposure apparatus 3 Is input.

  A4 is an input means for inputting various operations together with a display unit including an LCD for performing various displays of the apparatus. An operation instruction is input when the user touches a portion of the touch panel arranged on the LCD.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a process of measuring the thickness of a bundle of the body sheets S1 and a process of applying an adhesive.

  Reference numeral 502 denotes a first holding member, and reference numeral 503 denotes a second holding member, and a bundle of the body sheets S1 is held by both members. Reference numeral 509 denotes a bundle thickness measuring unit that measures the thickness of the bundle of the body sheets S1. Reference numeral 63 denotes an adhesive, and 62 denotes an application roller that applies the adhesive to the back of the bundle of body sheets S1. First, a process of measuring the thickness of the bundle of the body sheets S1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the second holding member 503 is moved toward the main body sheet S1 as the main body sheet by the motor M1, which is a moving means, and the second holding member 503 presses the main body sheet S1 with a constant pressure, the driving torque of the motor M1 Is detected by a drive torque detection sensor (not shown), and the movement of the second clamping member 503 is stopped. With such a configuration, the bundle of body sheets S1 is firmly held between the first holding member 502 and the second holding member 503.

  The thickness of the bundle of the body sheets S1 is performed by the bundle thickness measuring unit 509. Reference numeral 509 denotes a rotary encoder type measuring means, which measures the amount of movement of the second clamping member 503 by a rotary encoder and stores it in a storage means such as a RAM. From the position of the second holding member 503 with respect to the first holding member 502, the thickness of the stack of the sheet S1 held between them is calculated.

  Next, the adhesive application process will be described. At the stage where the bundle of body sheets S1 is sandwiched between the first sandwiching member 502 and the second sandwiching member 503, the receiving plate 506 is rotated by 90 ° by a drive mechanism (not shown), and FIG. Evacuate as shown. At the stage where the receiving plate 506 is retracted, the lower surface SA of the bundle of body sheets S1 and the application roller 62 are not in contact (see FIG. 2C).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2D, the application unit 60 in which the adhesive 63 is accommodated rises and the application roller 62 comes into contact with the lower surface SA that is the back of the bundle of the body sheets S1, and the application unit 60 is The adhesive 63 is applied to the lower surface SA of the bundle of body sheets S1 by moving along the lower surface SA of the bundle of body sheets S1. The application roller 62 is driven by a motor M2.

  FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of an image reading apparatus and an image forming system having the image reading apparatus. In the figure, the periphery of the part necessary for the description of the operation of the present embodiment is mainly described, and other parts known as the image forming system are omitted. Further, in the following drawings, in order to avoid duplication of explanation, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and replaced with explanation.

  A CPU 100A functions as a control unit that executes various controls of the image forming apparatus A according to a program. A ROM 101A stores various programs and data including programs and data for controlling the image forming apparatus A. Reference numeral 102A denotes a RAM which is used as a work area by the CPU 100A and temporarily stores programs and data or print jobs necessary for the CPU 100A to control the image forming apparatus A. The print job referred to here is an association of image data and setting information such as the number of output sheets of body paper necessary for image formation and the number of output copies of bookbinding. Then, the CPU 100A executes control of the image forming apparatus A based on the program, data, and print job developed in the RAM 102A. Reference numeral 110A denotes an interface (I / F) as communication means for performing communication via a network such as a LAN.

  Reference numeral 107A denotes a document size detection unit, which is used as a document size detection unit by performing a preliminary scan on the document size of the booklet document BF on the document table A31 before the main scan.

  Here, the program according to the embodiment is described as being included in the image forming apparatus A or the bookbinding apparatus B, but the program is not the image forming apparatus A but the image forming apparatus A and the I / F 110A. A personal computer on a network connected via the computer may have the program on the personal computer side, and the CPU of the image forming apparatus A may control the program via a communication medium such as a LAN.

  The image reading unit A30 reads the document based on the input from the input unit A4 and generates image data. The generated image data is processed by the CPU 100A and stored in the image memory 106A or output to the image forming unit A1. The image forming unit A1 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data processed by the CPU 100A. The paper feed unit 7 conveys the main body paper S1 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 7A or the cover paper S2 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 7B toward the image forming unit A1. The input means A4 is configured by a touch panel or the like, and displays various operation screens and inputs instructions.

  A communication unit 104A is connected to the bookbinding apparatus B and transmits / receives various data to / from the bookbinding apparatus B. A bus 105A is connected to the ROM 101A, the RAM 102A, the non-volatile memory 103A, the image reading unit A30, the image forming unit A1, the input unit A4, the paper feeding unit 7, the communication unit 104A as a transmission unit, and the like.

  The bookbinding apparatus B is centered on a CPU 100B that executes various controls of the bookbinding apparatus B in accordance with a program, and via a bus 105B, a ROM 101B, a RAM 102B, a nonvolatile memory 103B, a transport unit 10, a joining unit 60, a cutting unit 70, and a cover storage unit 80. , And a communication unit (reception unit) 104B and the like are connected to each other. The ROM 101B stores various programs and data, and the CPU 100B executes control of the bookbinding apparatus B using these programs and data. The RAM 102B is used as a work area by the CPU 100B, and temporarily stores programs and data required when the CPU 100B executes control. The communication unit 104B is connected to the image forming apparatus A and transmits / receives various data to / from the image forming apparatus A.

  First, a setting method for the image forming apparatus A and the bookbinding apparatus B will be described. 4 to 6 are detailed views of display screens in the input means A4.

  FIG. 4 shows a basic screen of the input means A4 for performing various displays and operations. When reading a booklet original, the application function button K1 is first pressed. When the application function button K1 is pressed, a setting screen for application functions is displayed as shown in FIG. When the page continuous shooting button K3 is pressed on the setting screen, the setting screen of FIG. 6 is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a setting screen of the input unit A4 functioning as the reading mode selection unit K30 for setting the reading conditions of the image reading unit A30. On the setting screen shown in the figure, the binding direction, presence / absence of cover page, and cover reading method are set by pressing the setting buttons, and the page size and spine cover width setting can be changed by pressing each button. Since the screen pops up (not shown), this is done by selecting various buttons on the sub-screen. The setting is completed by pressing the OK button after setting.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. First, in step S11, it is selected whether or not to read a booklet document. This selection is performed by pressing the page continuous shooting K3 button in FIG. If it is to be executed (Yes in step S11), then the reading conditions for the booklet document are set (step S12). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the left binding button K31 and the “cover spread reading / spreading” button K35 are selected. Next, the spine cover width and page size are input (step S13). This input is performed on the function setting sub-screen displayed by pressing the page size button K36 and the spine width button K37 in FIG. In the example shown in the figure, the cover is B5 size (length 257 mm, width 182 mm), and the spine cover width is 5 mm. Note that the standard size (A4 size, B5 size, etc.) paper size information can be acquired by calling information stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 103A.

  In step S14, the booklet document BF is read. The cover is read when the user presses the document reading button K2 of FIG. 4 after placing the booklet document BF on the document table A31 on its back. Next, how the reading control unit performs control in the selected reading mode will be described. The following control is executed by the CPU 100A based on, for example, a program stored in the ROM 101A.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a booklet-shaped document and read image data. 8A is a booklet document, FIG. 8B is the read image data, and FIGS. 8C and 8D are the image data of FIG. 8B arranged in the cover sheet area of the cover sheet S2. It is a figure which shows a state.

  In FIG. 8A, BF is a booklet-like document, and the sizes of the front cover F and the back cover B in the width direction are vertical l and horizontal w, and the width of the spine S is b. BL is a reference line serving as a reference for reading scan, and a Scan arrow indicates a scanning direction. In the input example (K36, K37) shown in FIG. 6, l is 257 mm, w is 182 mm, and b is 5 mm.

  FIG. 8B shows image data obtained by reading a booklet document BF in the cover spread reading mode selected by the K35 button in FIG. In the cover spread reading mode, a booklet document BF that is in a facing-up and lying state is displayed on the front cover F, the back cover S, and the back cover B based on the width b of the back cover S and the page size information input from the input unit. Read as data.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the range from the scanning reference line BL (0 mm) to w (182 mm) on the upstream side in the scanning direction is the image data of the front cover F, and the subsequent range from w to w + b (187 mm). The image data of the back cover S is read, and the next range from w + b to 2w + b (369 mm) is read as the image data of the back cover B.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the description of the flow will be continued. In the subsequent step S15, the read image data is stored in the image memory 106A as storage means in association with the front and back information of the cover.

  Note that, as an embodiment, an example in which a booklet document is read based on the information about the spine width b and the page size width w has been described. However, the document size (2w + b) in the spread state detected by the document size detection unit 107A. Based on the information on the page size width w input from the input unit A4, the booklet document BF that is facing up and facing up may be read as image data of the front cover F, the back cover S, and the back cover B. Good. By doing so, the input operation of the spine cover width b can be omitted.

  Further, as the document size detecting means 107A, instead of the preliminary scanning method, a method in which a plurality of optical sensors are provided below the document table A31 and the document size is detected based on the signal may be used.

  When the cover spread reading mode is selected in this way, the image data of the front cover, the back cover, and the back cover of the spread booklet document is input based on the information on the spine width and page size of the booklet document input from the input unit. By using the image reading apparatus having the reading control unit that controls to read the image, it is possible to appropriately read the cover of the booklet document including the spine.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. In the embodiment shown in the figure, an image is formed on the cover sheet S2 based on the image data read by the image reading apparatus shown in the embodiment of FIG. This will be described below.

  In the operation flow shown in FIG. 9, steps S11 to S15 are the same as those in FIG. In step S20, it is selected whether or not to execute case binding output. When the case binding output is executed, the case binding setting screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed by pressing the case binding button K4 shown in FIG. On the setting screen, the presence / absence of front cover printing, front cover printing surface, front cover cutting presence / absence, binding direction, spine cover width, etc. are set and the OK button is pressed to complete the setting.

  When case binding is executed (Yes in step S20), in step S21, the size information of the cover sheet area on which image formation is performed is acquired. Hereinafter, a method for acquiring the size information of the cover sheet area will be described. The following series of means function as cover sheet size information acquisition means.

  When there is no cover cutting (set by the button K44), the cover sheet area matches the size of the cover sheet S2. In this case, the size information of the cover sheet S2 associated in advance with the paper feed tray (for example, 7B) selected by the cover sheet tray button K42 is called and the information is used as the cover sheet area. The cover sheet size information is detected by a sheet size detecting means provided in each sheet feed tray, and is associated with the sheet feed tray and stored in the nonvolatile memory 103A.

  On the other hand, when there is cover cutting (set by the button K44), it is necessary to separately acquire the size of the cover sheet area. In this case, a sub-setting screen pops up (not shown) when the cover size button K43 in FIG. 10 is pressed, so the cover size is set by selecting the paper size or by directly inputting the numerical value. . The set cover size is used as a cover sheet area. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the “B4 Nobi” size is set, and size information associated with this setting in advance is called from the nonvolatile memory 103A.

  In step S22, the cover image data is synthesized (arranged) by the arrangement means. For example, this means functions as an arrangement means when the CPU 100A executes a program stored in the ROM 101A. Hereinafter, the layout of the cover image data will be described with reference to FIGS. 8C and 8D.

  FIG. 8C shows an arrangement example when the size of the cover sheet S2 matches the cover sheet area. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the image data of the front cover F, the back cover S, and the back cover B of FIG. 8B are arranged on the cover sheet S2. E1 and E2 are the end portions of the cover sheet S2, c is the center position (center line) in the width direction of the cover sheet S2, L is the length of the cover sheet area, and t is the area of the back cover (back) in the cover sheet S2. Cover area).

  The image data of the front cover F is arranged from the forward direction with one end E1 of the cover paper area (cover paper S2) as a reference, and the image data of the back cover B is the other end of the cover paper area (cover paper S2). The image data of the spine cover S is arranged from the reverse direction with reference to the portion E2, and the center position in the width direction of the image data and the center position c in the width direction of the cover sheet region (cover sheet S2) are aligned. The arranged image data is combined (merged) as image data for one page and stored in the image memory 106A.

  FIG. 8D shows an arrangement example when the size of the cover sheet S2 does not match the cover sheet area. The cover sheet S2 is longer than the length L of the cover sheet area by Ld. EX is an extra area, and no image data is arranged in that area.

  In the same figure, the image data of the front cover F, the back cover B, and the back cover S is arranged in the cover sheet area except for the extra area EX in the same manner as in FIG. The extra area EX of the cover sheet S2 is cut by the cutting unit 70 of the post-processing apparatus B after image formation. E1 is the end of the cover sheet S2 after cutting.

  In subsequent step S23, the image forming unit A1 forms an image on the body sheet S1 and the cover sheet S2. Note that image formation is performed on the cover sheet S2 based on the image data synthesized in step S22. In subsequent step S24, a bundle of body sheets S1 is wrapped with cover sheet S2, and a case book S3 is formed by case binding processing.

  As an embodiment, the example in which the image data is arranged based on the cover size information (cover paper area) has been described. However, instead of the cover size information, the image data is input from the input unit A4 (K37 and K37 in FIG. 6). The cover size may be determined (2w + b) using the back cover width b and the page size width w of the booklet-like document. Further, in this case, when the cover sheet S2 is larger than the determined cover size value, the cutting unit 70 may perform cutting so as to have an appropriate length.

  In this way, the front cover image data is arranged with one end of the cover sheet S2 as a reference, the back cover image data is arranged with the other end as a reference, and the back cover image data is set to the center position and the cover. By forming an image forming system having an arrangement unit that arranges the paper S2 so that the center positions thereof coincide with each other, an image forming system capable of appropriately reading and outputting including a spine when copying a booklet document. Can be obtained.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming system according to the third embodiment. The example shown in the figure is an example in which a bundle thickness measuring unit 509 is used as the bundle thickness obtaining unit.

  First, an image is formed on the body paper S1 based on the print job (step S31), and then up to the set number of body papers S1 set in the print job are stacked on the stacking unit 50 (step S32). The bundle thickness measuring means 509 measures the thickness t of the bundle of the accumulated body sheets S1 (step S33). In step S34, the comparison unit compares the image width b of the spine cover S stored in the image memory 106A with the bundle thickness t of the body sheets S1 acquired by the bundle thickness acquisition unit. This comparison is executed by the CPU 100B based on a program stored in the ROM 101B, for example.

  If it is determined that the image width b of the spine cover S is not the same as the bundle thickness t of the main sheets S1 (No in step S34), the spine image data is within the range of the spine area of the cover sheet S2. Then, a subroutine process for changing the image size of the spine is performed (step S35). Hereinafter, the subroutine processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 12A, first, the image width b of the back cover S is compared with the thickness t of the bundle of the body sheets S1 (the back cover area on the cover sheet S2) (step S351). If it is determined that b is larger than t (Yes in step S351), the image data of the back cover is trimmed so that the image of the back cover S is within the range of the spine area of the cover paper S2. (Step S352a). On the other hand, if it is determined that b is not greater than t, blank image data is added to the margin (step 353a). Hereinafter, the trimming process and the blank data addition process will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a change in the size of the image data of the spine cover S in the width direction. B10 is the image data of the back cover S, and B21 and B22 are the image data of the front cover F, the back cover B, and the back cover S arranged on the cover sheet S2 (corresponding to FIG. 8C).

  FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing trimming processing for the image data of the spine cover S. When b> t, the image data of the spine cover S does not fit in the range t of the spine cover area of the cover sheet. Therefore, the area of the front cover or back cover overlaps the area of the spine cover. A region D1 is a region where both overlap.

  Trimming processing is performed on the overlapping region D1 of the image data of the spine so that the spine image fits within the range of the spine region of the cover sheet. In the example (B21) shown in the figure, the image data of the spine cover S is deleted with the same width of dt1 at both ends so as to leave the center image. Note that dt1, b, and t have a relationship of dt1 = (b−t) / 2.

  FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing processing for adding blank image data to the margin. When b <t, the image data of the spine cover S is smaller than the range t of the spine cover area of the cover paper, so there is a blank (gap) area between the front cover page or the back cover area and the spine cover area. I can do it. Area D2 is a blank area.

  Blank image data for the blank area D2 is added to the image data of the spine so that the spine image fits in the area between the front cover area and the back cover area of the cover sheet with no gap by the arranging means. . In the example (B22) shown in the figure, since the image data of the spine cover S and the center of the cover paper S2 are arranged so as to coincide with each other, the blank paper having the same dt2 width is provided on both sides of the image data of the spine cover S. Image data has been added. Note that dt2 = (t−b) / 2.

  FIG. 12B is a flowchart showing a modification of the subroutine processing for changing the image size of the spine cover S. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the width direction of the spine image data is reduced to t / b times and the magnification is changed (step 352b). For example, when the image width b of the spine cover S is 10 mm and the area t of the spine cover S2 is 8 mm, the image width b of the spine cover S is reduced to 8 mm, which is t / b = 0.8 times. Change the magnification as follows. At this time, it is not necessary to change the longitudinal length l of the image data of the spine cover S.

  Returning to FIG. 11, the description of the operation flow will be continued. As a result of the subroutine processing for changing the image size of the spine cover, when the image width b of the spine cover S becomes equal to the thickness of the bundle of body paper S1 (the area of the spine cover on the cover paper S2), or both in step S34. Are determined to have the same width, cover image data is synthesized (arranged) by the arrangement means in the subsequent step S22. In the next step S36, the image forming unit A1 forms an image on the cover sheet S2. This image formation is performed based on the image data synthesized in step S22. In subsequent step S24, a bundle of body sheets S1 is wrapped with cover sheet S2, and a booklet is formed by the case binding process.

  In the above example, the example in which the bundle thickness measuring unit 509 is used as the bundle thickness acquiring unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the input value from the user is input using the input unit A4 as the bundle thickness acquiring unit. May be used as the bundle thickness information of the body paper S1. For example, by pressing the output spine width button K41 in FIG. 10, the spine cover width (thickness of the bundle of the body sheets S1) t can be input.

  Further, as another example, a value obtained by inputting the thickness of one body sheet from the input unit A4 and multiplying it by the number of body sheet bundles to be output may be used as the thickness t of the body sheet bundle. Good. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the input unit 4 is used as a bundle thickness acquisition unit. In the same figure, pressing the body paper type / thickness button K51 pops up a function setting sub-screen (not shown), so by inputting a numerical value on the sub-screen, the thickness per body paper can be set. Can be entered. The setting is completed by pressing the OK button after setting. In the example shown in the figure, 0.10 mm is input as the thickness of each body sheet. For example, when the number of stacks of body sheets is 100, the thickness t of the stacks of body sheets is a value obtained by multiplying both, that is, 10.00 mm. In addition, a conversion table between the amount of paper and the thickness of the paper may be stored in the storage unit in advance, and the thickness per body paper may be obtained by inputting the amount of the paper used.

  In this way, it has a comparing means for comparing the thickness t of the bundle of the body sheets S1 acquired by the bundle thickness acquiring means with the image width b of the spine cover S stored in the image memory 106A as the storing means. By using an image forming system that changes the image width b of the spine cover S so that the spine cover image falls within the area of the spine cover of the cover sheet S2 in accordance with the comparison result of the comparison means, An image forming system capable of appropriately arranging on a back cover of a booklet for outputting a back cover image of a booklet-like document even when the thickness of the back cover (back cover width) is different in the output booklet. Can be obtained.

  Furthermore, by setting the magnification in the width direction to t / b times, problems such as missing characters due to trimming of image data and unnatural boundaries with spine image data due to the addition of blank data do not occur. The image can be properly arranged on the spine.

1 is a central sectional view of an image reading apparatus and an image forming system having the image reading apparatus. It is a figure which shows the process of measuring the thickness of the bundle | flux of the body paper S1, and the process of apply | coating an adhesive agent. 1 is a control block diagram of an image reading apparatus and an image forming system having the image reading apparatus. It is a detailed figure of the display screen in input means A4. It is a detailed figure of the display screen in input means A4. It is a detailed figure of the display screen in input means A4. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a booklet document and read image data. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. It is a detailed figure of the display screen in input means A4. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image forming system according to a third embodiment. It is a subroutine process of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the width direction size change of the image data of the spine cover. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the book-form original read using the page continuous shooting function, and image data. It is a figure which shows an example of the book formed with the bookbinding apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

A Image forming apparatus B Bookbinding device (bookbinding means)
A1 Image forming means A4 Input means A30 Image reading means A31 Document table 100A, 100B CPU
101A, 101B ROM
106A Image memory 50 Stacking unit 509 Bundle thickness measuring means S1 Body paper S2 Cover paper

Claims (6)

Input means for making various inputs;
Image reading means capable of reading a booklet document;
Storage means for storing the read image data;
A reading mode selection means for selecting a reading mode of a booklet document with a spread;
When the cover-page spread reading mode is selected by the reading mode selection means, the spread booklet original is read as a front cover and a back cover based on the information on the spine width and page size of the booklet original input from the input means. Reading control means for controlling reading as image data of the back cover;
Image forming means for forming an image on the body paper and the cover paper based on the image data;
An image forming system comprising: a bundle thickness acquisition unit that acquires thickness information of a bundle of body sheets to be imaged;
A comparison unit that compares the thickness information of the bundle of body sheets acquired by the bundle thickness acquisition unit with the information on the image width of the spine cover stored in the storage unit;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison means, if it is determined that the image width of the spine is larger than the thickness of the stack of body paper, If the image data is trimmed and the image width of the spine cover is determined to be smaller than the thickness of the bundle of body paper, blank image data is added to the margin of the spine cover area of the cover paper, and the front cover image An arrangement means for arranging the cover image data by combining the data and the image data of the back cover,
An image forming system, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a cover sheet based on the cover image data arranged by the arranging unit. Input means for making various inputs;
Image reading means capable of reading a booklet document;
A document size detecting means for detecting the size of the document;
Storage means for storing the read image data;
A reading mode selection means for selecting a reading mode of a booklet document with a spread;
In the reading mode selecting means, cover the spread reading mode is selected, spread on the basis of the document size page size of the booklet-like document that is input from the detection knowledge original size information input means by detecting means, the information Reading control means for controlling to read the booklet original as image data of the front cover, the back cover, and the back cover,
Image forming means for forming an image on the body paper and the cover paper based on the image data;
An image forming system comprising: a bundle thickness acquisition unit that acquires thickness information of a bundle of body sheets to be imaged;
A comparison unit that compares the thickness information of the bundle of body sheets acquired by the bundle thickness acquisition unit with the information on the image width of the spine cover stored in the storage unit;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison means, if it is determined that the image width of the spine is larger than the thickness of the stack of body paper, If the image data is trimmed and the image width of the spine cover is determined to be smaller than the thickness of the bundle of body paper, blank image data is added to the margin of the spine cover area of the cover paper, and the front cover image An arrangement means for arranging the cover image data by combining the data and the image data of the back cover,
An image forming system, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a cover sheet based on the cover image data arranged by the arranging unit. Cover page size information acquisition means for acquiring cover page size information is provided,
Based on the cover sheet size information acquired from the cover sheet size information acquisition unit , the arrangement unit arranges the image data of the front cover on the basis of one end of the cover sheet region, and the image data of the back cover is set on the other side. the end is disposed as a reference, an image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in the Turkey to place the image data of the spine to the center of the cover sheet region. The cover sheet size information is the page size information of the spine width of the information and booklet original booklet document inputted from the input means, to determine a cover size using the spine width and the page size The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein: The bundle acquisition unit, according to claim 1 to 4, the thickness per sheet of the present body sheets, the value obtained by multiplying the number of bundle of the body sheets, characterized by using as the thickness information of the bundle of the body sheet The image forming system according to any one of the above. 6. The bookbinding unit according to claim 1, further comprising a bookbinding unit that creates a booklet by covering a bundle of body sheets imaged by the image forming unit with a cover sheet in a U-shape. Image forming system.

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