JP4267392B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as an optical scanning printer that records and reproduces image data input from an external device such as a personal computer as an image on a recording sheet, and more particularly, to an image on a government-made postcard or a government-made reciprocating postcard. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for recording.

  Japanese word processors and the like have been commercialized and widely used as devices that can efficiently print addresses, names, sender addresses, names, etc. for government postcards and public round-trip postcards. This Japanese word processor has a simple printer structure that allows the operator to understand the relationship between the printing surface of the paper and the print bed, and can be printed by the user setting the paper on the platen portion of the printer. In this state, information input in advance is printed according to an instruction to start printing (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In the devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, in the case of a government-made reciprocating postcard, a reciprocating postcard is printed when printing information such as a destination address, a name, a sender's address, and a name input in advance. The user instructs to start printing by setting in advance whether to print on the outgoing side or on the reply side.

JP-A-64-9744 (2nd line from upper right column on page 3 to 10th line from upper left column on page 4, FIGS. 6 and 7) JP-A-1-161524 (4th line from the bottom right column of the specification page 3 to 5th line from the bottom left column of the page 4, FIGS. 3 and 4)

  Recently, however, Japanese word processors have been replaced by personal computers, and they have been installed and used in personal computers as one of a variety of application software rather than word processors alone. Under such circumstances, when trying to print information such as address, name, sender address, name, etc. for government-made postcards and government-made reciprocating postcards, an external printer device is required in addition to dedicated application software. .

  There are various types of printers such as laser printers, ink jet printers, and LED line printers. Each printer has a different printing speed and an internal structure such as a transport mechanism. In such a printer environment, the user sets standard paper such as a government postcard or government-made reciprocating postcard in the target printer (to be used), and then the destination address input from the application software of the personal computer, It gave instructions for printing information such as name, sender address, and name.

  For this reason, it is difficult to understand how the target image is recorded on the desired recording surface due to the difference in the printer environment, and the user has to use it while feeling uneasy. In particular, it is desirable to prevent printing errors from occurring on standard paper such as government-made postcards as much as possible, and countermeasures have been demanded.

  The present invention is made in view of such circumstances, and confirms the set state of a paper such as a public postcard or a public reciprocal postcard set in the paper feeding means, and image data input in advance according to the set state It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus capable of switching and recording data to be recorded and reproduced as an appropriate image on a recording surface.

  In the present invention, means for solving the above-described problems are configured as follows.

(1) The image forming process is performed on the second surface of the sheet after the image forming process is performed on the first surface of the sheet in which predetermined images having different characteristics for each type are attached to the corners in advance. In an image recording apparatus having a double-sided image forming mode to be executed ,
Image data storage means for storing in advance image data to be recorded on each of the first surface and the second surface of the paper, and paper supply means for placing the paper supplied toward the image forming unit A detection unit that detects presence or absence of the predetermined image at a plurality of detection positions provided in a direction orthogonal to the supply direction when the paper is supplied from the paper supply unit to the image forming unit; A storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between the plurality of detection positions of the detection unit and the placement state of the sheet placed on the sheet supply unit, and the detection unit detects the predetermined image. a paper setting state judgment means for reading out the placement state of the sheet corresponding to the position from the storage means, and operation input means for accepting a setting operation of the double-sided image forming mode, said through said operation input means When the surface image forming mode is set, the adjusted so that the recording position of the image data read from the image data storage means based on the discrimination result of the sheet set state discrimination means is aligned to the placing state And a recording control unit that causes the image forming unit to execute the image forming process on the first surface and the second surface .

  In this configuration, the front, back, and direction (set state) of the paper set on the paper supply unit is determined by the paper set state determination unit, and image recording is controlled based on the determination result. The input image data can be recorded and reproduced on the paper in an appropriate state simply by setting the paper in the paper feeding unit without being aware of the paper setting state.

(2) The paper set state determining means compares the image of the paper placed on the paper supply means with the image data of the specific paper stored in advance, so that the table of the paper placed above is displayed. The back and the direction are discriminated.

  In this configuration, the paper image set on the paper feeding means without comparing the front, back and direction (set state) of the paper is compared with the data of the specific paper, and the paper set state is determined. The input image data is recorded and reproduced in an appropriate state.

(3) The recording control unit restricts the image forming process based on subsequent image data when it is impossible to determine the placement state of the sheet by the sheet setting state determination unit.

  In this configuration, when the set state of the paper set in the paper feeding means cannot be confirmed, subsequent image recording is restricted.

  As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.

  (1) The front, back, and direction (set state) of the paper set on the paper supply means is discriminated by the paper set status discriminating means, and image recording is controlled based on the discrimination result. The input image data is recorded and reproduced on the paper in an appropriate state simply by setting the paper in the paper feeding unit without being aware of the set state. Therefore, the user is freed from the troublesomeness of confirming the set state, and can also prevent the occurrence of misprints.

  (2) Compare the image of the paper set on the paper feeding means without regard to the front, back and direction (set state) of the paper with the data of the specific paper to determine the paper set state. Since the input image data is recorded and reproduced in an appropriate state, it is possible to reliably determine the set state without any troublesome operation for the user, and to suppress the occurrence of misprints. I can do it.

  (3) When the set state of the paper set in the paper feeding means cannot be confirmed, subsequent image recording is restricted, so that the occurrence of misprinting can be suppressed and the user can recognize that fact. Thereafter, an appropriate response can be taken.

  Hereinafter, an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Image recording device>
FIG. 1 shows an example in which a personal computer is connected to a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as a multifunction peripheral) 1 as an image recording apparatus. An original platen 111 and an operation panel (not shown) are provided on the upper surface of the MFP main body, and an original pressing cover supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the original platen 111 is mounted on the upper surface of the original platen 111. Has been. Further, an image reading unit 110 and an image forming unit 210 are provided inside the multifunction peripheral body.

  In the image reading unit 110, in order to read an image of a document set at a predetermined position on the document table 111 with the document image surface facing down, the image reading unit 110 is parallel to the lower surface of the document table 111 below the document table 111. A document scanning body that reciprocates is disposed. The document scanning body includes a first scanning unit 113, a second scanning unit 114, an optical lens 115, and a photoelectric conversion element 116.

  The first scanning unit 113 includes an exposure lamp that exposes a document image surface and a first mirror that deflects a reflected light image from the document in a predetermined direction. Reciprocating at a predetermined scanning speed while maintaining the distance. The second scanning unit 114 includes second and third mirrors for deflecting the reflected light image from the original deflected by the first mirror of the first scanning unit 113 in a predetermined direction. It reciprocates with a constant speed relationship with the scanning unit 113.

  The optical lens 115 reduces the reflected light image from the original deflected by the third mirror of the second scanning unit 114 and forms a light image at a predetermined position. The photoelectric conversion element 116 is reduced and formed by the optical lens 115 and sequentially photoelectrically converts the light image to output a reflected light image from the document as an electrical signal. The document image information converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion element 116 is transferred to the image processing unit and subjected to predetermined processing as image data.

  Next, the image forming unit 210 disposed in the lower part of the copying machine 1 will be described. A paper feed mechanism 211 is provided below the image forming unit 210 shown in FIG. 1, and the sheets stacked and stored in the paper trays 211a and 211b are separated one by one and directed toward the recording unit. And supply.

  In addition, a manual feed tray 211c is provided on the right side surface of the MFP main body, and paper (thick paper, OHP sheet, postcard, envelope, etc.) that cannot be set in the paper trays 211a and 211b is set. The sheets set on the manual feed tray 211c are also separated one by one by the attracting roller 211d and supplied toward the recording unit.

  Then, the sheets separated and supplied one by one from the sheet trays 211a and 211b or the manual feed tray 211bc are conveyed by controlling the timing by a pair of registration rollers 212 arranged in front of the image forming unit 210, and the image forming unit 210 Re-supplied and conveyed at the same timing. Further, the image (toner image) reproduced in the image forming unit 210 is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer device. A conveyance belt mechanism 213 is provided on the downstream side of the image forming unit 210, and thereby the sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed.

  Further, a fixing device 217 for fixing the toner image transferred and formed on the paper on the downstream side of the conveying belt mechanism 213 is disposed. The fixing device 217 passes between the fixing roller nips of the fixing device 217. The toner image is fixed on the sheet, and is discharged onto a discharge tray 220 on the outer wall of the apparatus by a discharge roller 219 through a conveyance direction switching gate 218.

  Note that the switching gate 218 selectively switches the sheet conveyance path depending on whether the fixed sheet is discharged to the outside of the apparatus or re-supplied toward the image forming unit 210. The sheet whose transport direction has been switched again toward the image forming unit 210 by the switching gate 218 is turned over through the switchback transport path 221 and then supplied again to the image forming unit 210.

  The image station is configured around a photosensitive drum 222 that is driven to rotate. A charging unit 223 that uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 222 and a photosensitive drum 222 are formed around the photosensitive drum 222. A developing device 224 that develops the electrostatic latent image, a transfer discharger 225 that transfers the developed toner image to a sheet, and a cleaning unit 226 that removes toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 222. The drums 222 are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction of the drum 222.

  Further, above each photosensitive drum 222, a semiconductor laser element that emits dot light modulated in accordance with image data, a deflection device for deflecting light from the semiconductor laser element in the main scanning direction, and a deflection device There is provided a laser beam scanner unit (hereinafter referred to as LSU) 227 including an fθ lens and the like for imaging the laser beam deflected by the image on the surface of the photosensitive member.

  Image data corresponding to the document image is input to the LSU 227. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the document image information is formed on the photosensitive member 222 of the recording unit, and the document image information is reproduced as a toner image in the recording unit.

  In the image station, toner images are respectively formed by the above-described configuration, and are transferred to the fixing device 217 when the transfer of the image onto the paper is completed. The paper on which the toner image is finally fixed is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 220.

  FIG. 2 shows a control system of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 includes an image reading unit 110, an operation unit 112, an image forming unit 210, a device control unit 230, a communication unit 240, a hard disk 250, and a management unit 270.

  The image reading unit 110 includes, for example, a CCD 116 and functions as image data input means for inputting image data. The operation unit 112 includes an input unit 112a including various input keys and a display unit 112b including a display unit such as an LCD. Etc. are displayed.

  The image forming unit 210 includes a printing unit including a volatile memory 260, LSU 227, and the like, and functions as an image data output unit that outputs image data stored in a hard disk 250 serving as an image data storage unit. The device control unit 230 monitors the operation of each unit constituting the multifunction device 1 and controls the entire apparatus so as to perform an accurate operation as a digital multifunction device. The communication unit 240 controls communication with a client machine such as a personal computer installed on the network.

  The hard disk 250 functions as an image data storage unit that stores image data input from each input unit (input path: each mode installed as a digital multifunction peripheral, for example, a scanner, a fax machine, a network, etc.). This image data storage means can be configured as a storage device provided with a magnetic storage medium. The management unit 270 manages information and the like necessary for controlling each unit of the device control unit 230.

  When the multifunction machine 1 is used as a copying machine, image data of a document read by the image reading unit 110 is output from the image forming unit 210 as a copy. An image of the original set at the reading position can be electronically read by the CCD 116 provided in the image reading unit 110. Then, the read image data of the original is completed as an output image on the volatile memory 260 and is temporarily stored in the hard disk 250. When there are a plurality of documents, the reading and storing operations are repeated.

  Thereafter, based on the processing mode instructed from the operation unit 112, the image data stored in the hard disk 250 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and sent to the volatile memory 260. Then, the image data is transferred from the memory 260 to the LSU 227 in accordance with the writing timing to the image forming unit 210.

  Similarly, when printing a plurality of read image data, the output image is similarly stored in the hard disk 250 as a page unit and sent from the hard disk 250 to the volatile memory 260 in accordance with the output mode. Repeatedly, the data is transferred to the LSU 227 in accordance with the write timing to the image forming unit 210.

  Next, when the MFP 1 is used as a printer, the image data received by the communication unit 240 is output from the image forming unit 210 via the memory 260 or the like. The communication unit 240 is connected to the network by a communication cable or the like, and receives image data from devices such as the personal computers PC (1) and PC (2) connected on the network.

  The image data received by the communication unit 240 is sent to the memory 260 in units of pages as output image data, and is temporarily stored in the hard disk 250. Then, it is sent again from the hard disk 250 to the volatile memory 260 and transferred to the LSU 227 in the same manner as when used as a copying machine.

  When the multifunction machine 1 is used as a network scanner, the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 110 is transferred from the communication unit 240 via the network to any personal computer PC (1), PC (2 ). Here too, the image of the original is electronically read by the CCD 116 provided in the image reading unit 110.

  Then, the read image data of the original is completed as an output image on the volatile memory 260 and is temporarily stored in the hard disk 250. Then, it is sent again from the hard disk 250 to the volatile memory 260, and is transmitted from the communication unit 240 to the target transmission destination after establishing communication with the transmission destination instructed via the operation unit 112.

  Further, the communication unit 240 is connected to a public telephone line in addition to the network, and the same operation is performed when the multifunction machine 1 is used as a facsimile apparatus, and transmission and reception of a document image with an external communication apparatus. Is possible.

  Here, the digital multi-function peripheral including the hard disk 250 is described as a storage device for temporarily storing image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the stored image data is retained even when the image data is removed from the apparatus main body. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a non-volatile memory that can be used, a memory having a backup function, and other storage devices (mediums) using a magnetic storage medium are provided.

  Further, each component of the multifunction machine 1 is controlled by the device controller 230 as described above. The device control unit 230 should monitor the instruction content from the input unit 112a such as a tablet and a key group provided in the operation unit, and notify the user of information regarding the state of the multifunction device 1 via the display unit 112b. Information is displayed accurately.

  The management unit 270 manages information about each component managed by the device control unit 230, and the device control unit 230 controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 1 based on the information. To do.

<Postcard printing from the bypass tray>
(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows an example of a paper postcard (paper) fed by a manual feed tray (paper feeding means of the present invention) 211c provided on the right side of the apparatus in FIG. The manual feed tray 211c is provided with a pair of movable guides 501 and 501. As shown in the drawing, the guide rollers 501 and 501 are set according to the width of the paper on which the guides are placed. It is possible to prevent the paper from being obliquely fed (slanted) during paper feeding to the conveyance path (211d in FIG. 1).

  A light reflection type sensor 503 (503a, 503b) for discriminating the front and back of the set paper is provided on the back side of the manual feed tray 211c. For example, the presence / absence of the face portion may be detected. Further, by detecting the color of the face value portion, it is possible to confirm the front and back of the government-made reciprocating postcard. The paper may be a private postcard other than a public postcard or a public round-trip postcard.

  Furthermore, there are papers other than government-made postcards on which specific images (patterns, logos, etc.) are printed in advance, such as dishes (menus) used in restaurants. In many cases, such paper has a decorative image formed on the surface thereof, and the back is plain white. In addition, for public postcards, an image of the face value is printed in advance on the front surface, and the back surface is generally plain. Hereinafter, an explanation will be given by taking a government-made postcard as an example. In the following description, it is assumed that the detection surface is an image forming surface.

  As shown in FIG. 3, one or a plurality of sensors (503) are provided at a position where an image of the face value comes when a public postcard is placed on the manual feed tray 211c. This sensor (503) is composed of, for example, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, irradiates light from the light emitting unit to an object to be detected (here, an official postcard), and detects the reflected light by the light receiving unit. The front and back of a government-made postcard placed on the manual feed tray 211c can be detected by an output signal from the light receiving unit.

  It is also possible to determine the color of the frame image by comparing the output signal for the color of the frame image with a table stored in the storage device and the detected output signal. Regarding the sensor (503), in addition to the described method, a combination of a reduction optical system and a color CCD can provide the same function.

  An output signal from the sensor (503) is sent to the device control unit 230 described above, and the state where the government postcard is placed (set state) is determined. That is, the device control unit 230 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM that perform various calculations, receives an output signal from the sensor (503), and determines the front, back, and direction of the paper placed on the manual feed tray 211c. It functions as a paper set state determination unit, and also functions as a recording control unit that controls recording of an image by image data stored in the image data storage unit (250) based on the determination result.

  On the other hand, image data sent from the personal computer PC (1) or PC (2) connected to the multifunction device 1 is stored in the memory (image memory) 260, for example, as shown in FIG. The first “image data A” in the series describes data such as the address and name of the address to be printed on the surface of the government postcard shown in FIG. In the second “image data B”, a greeting text to be printed on the back side of the government-made postcard and the contents of the event are described.

  When it is determined that the government-made postcard placed on the set state determination unit is a table, the first “image data A” in time series (when the printing process is executed) is stored from the memory 260 by the recording control unit. Then, a control signal is output to the image forming unit 210 to enter an image forming sequence. On the other hand, if it is determined that the placed government postcard is the reverse side, the second “image data B” in time series is selected from the stored memory, and a control signal is output to the image forming unit 210 to output the image. Enter the formation sequence.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of feeding a government-made reciprocating postcard. In the government-made round-trip postcard, the image of the face value on the outgoing side is blue, and the back side is plain. The image of the face value portion on the reply side is green, and the back surface is plain.

  The address, name, etc. of the other party are printed on the outgoing side (blue face value side), and the matters to be communicated to the other party such as the date and time of the event and the place are printed on the back side. The sender's address and name are printed on the reply side (green face side), and the other party's intentions such as attendance at the event are written on the back side.

  Based on the output signal from the above-mentioned sensor (503), the state of placement by the set state discriminating means from the color of the face part of the government-made reciprocating postcard placed on the manual feed tray 211c (or the characteristics of the image of the forward and return characters) Is determined.

  On the other hand, similarly, image data from the personal computers PC (1) and (2) connected to the multifunction machine 1 is stored in the memory (image memory) 260. For example, the time series shown in FIG. The first “image data C” of FIG. 5C is data such as the address and name of the other party for the front side (blue face value side) of the round-trip postcard shown in FIG.

  The second “image data D” is data describing the intention of the other party such as attendance for the event on the back side of the reply side. The third “image data E” in time series is data of the address and name of the sender to be recorded on the reply side surface (green face value side). The fourth “image data F” is data of matters to be communicated to the other party such as the date and time of the event and the place to be recorded on the back side of the outgoing side.

  If it is determined that the government-made reciprocating postcard placed on the manual feed tray 211c is the outgoing side surface (blue face side), the memory 260 uses the first outgoing side surface (blue face side) in time series. Select “image data C”, then select the second “image data D”, that is, data describing the intention of the other party such as attendance for an event to be recorded on the back side of the reply side, and output a control signal to the image forming unit 210. The image forming sequence is entered.

  If it is determined that the placed government-made reciprocating postcard is the reply side surface (green face side), the sender corresponding to the reply side surface (green face side) of the third “image data E” in time series Select address and name data, then select the contact information to the other party such as the date and time of the event on the back side of the fourth "image data F", and output a control signal to the image forming unit 210 to form an image. Enter the sequence.

  As described above, since control is performed so that a plurality of image data is recorded and reproduced in an appropriate state, the operation is easy for the user and the occurrence of misprinting can be suppressed.

  FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure after the sheet is placed on the manual feed tray 211c in the manual feed / postcard mode. First, when a feature of a specific image (for example, face value portion) printed in advance on the placed paper is detected (S1) and the feature cannot be recognized, the display unit of the connected personal computer or the digital composite For example, a “confirmation message” such as “The paper printing surface cannot be determined. Check the paper setting state” is displayed on the operation panel display of the machine (S2).

  Next, it is determined whether or not it is a government-made reciprocal postcard (S3). If it is a government-made reciprocal postcard, it is determined whether or not it is the outgoing side (S4). After printing (S5), if it is OK to turn over (S6), it is turned over (S7), and then the front side of the reply side and the back side of the outgoing side are printed (S8).

  In S4, if the side is not the outgoing side, the front side of the reply side and the back side of the outgoing side are printed (S9), and if the reverse side is OK (S10), the reverse side is performed (S11). The side surface and the reply side back surface are printed (S12). In S3, if it is not a government-made reciprocating postcard, the surface of the government-made postcard is printed (S13), and if it is OK inside out (S14), it is turned over (S15) and then printed on the back side. Is performed (S16). It should be noted that in S6, S10, and S14, the determination regarding the question “Is it overturned?” Was made by detecting which of the sensors 503 (503a and 503b) in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is in the detected / undetected state. The determination may be made based on what color the sensor 503 detects.

  As described above, the front, back, and direction (set state) of the set paper is determined, and based on the determination result, image recording is controlled, without being aware of the paper set state. Just by setting the paper in the paper feeding unit, the input image data is recorded and reproduced on the paper in an appropriate state. Therefore, it is not necessary to check the paper setting state, which is convenient for the user. Further, when a specific feature cannot be confirmed from the set paper, the subsequent image recording operation is restricted, so that the occurrence of misprinting can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a manual feed tray 211c provided on the right side of the apparatus in FIG. The manual feed tray 211c is provided with a pair of movable guides 501 and 501. As shown in the figure, the guide rollers 501 and 501 are set according to the width of the paper on which the guide rollers 501 and 501 are loaded. It is possible to prevent the paper from being obliquely fed (slanted) during paper feeding to the conveyance path (211d in FIG. 1).

  When the guides 501 and 501 are adjusted according to the set paper width, the paper width is detected by the sensor 504 (504a, 504b, and 504c). Further, the length of the set paper is detected by the sensor with actuator 505. These sensors 504 and 505 determine the size of the paper.

  On the back side of both guides 501 and 501, light reflection type sensors 503a and 503b for determining the front and back of the set paper are provided. For example, if it is a government-made postcard, the presence or absence of the face portion is detected. This makes it possible to make a front / back determination. Further, by determining which sensor 503a, 503b detects the face value portion, the direction of the public postcard can be determined. Alternatively, by detecting the color of the face value portion, it is possible to confirm the front and back of the government-made reciprocating postcard.

  Further, by combining the paper width detection of the sensor 504 and the paper length determination detection by the sensor with actuator 505, the front and back of the paper set on the manual feed tray 211c, the direction (set state), and the public postcard or the public reciprocal postcard can be identified. It becomes possible.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, a case where the outgoing mail surface is on the image forming surface side will be described by taking a government-made reciprocating postcard as an example. First, a reciprocating postcard made by a government is placed on the manual feed tray 211c and the guides 501 and 501 are adjusted to the postcard width to synchronize with the movement of the guides 501 and 501, and are integrally attached to one of the guides 501. The light shielding unit 501a moves to shield the sensor 504b as shown in the figure.

  It is possible to identify the postcard width depending on which sensor is detected by the sensor light-shielding unit 501a: sensor 504a (vertical postcard width), 504b (public postcard width / reciprocal postcard width), and 504c (reciprocal postcard width). . Further, the above-mentioned sensor 505 with an actuator is provided at a position to detect only when the reciprocal postcard is set in the manual feed tray 211c in the horizontal direction. By providing the actuator-equipped sensor 505 at this position, it can be determined whether the set postcard is a public postcard or a public reciprocal postcard.

  The type and direction (set state) of the postcard set on the manual feed tray 211c can be identified by a sensor for detecting the postcard width and postcard length. A plurality of sensors 503 (503a and 503b) are provided on the side of the outgoing frame when the government-made reciprocating postcard is placed on the manual feed tray 211c. The sensors 503 are also moved in synchronization with the postcard width adjusting operation of both guides 501 and 501.

  In this case, the direction of the public reciprocal postcard on the manual feed tray 211c can be determined depending on which of the left and right sensors 503a and 503b detects the face portion. In addition, the color of the face image can be determined by comparing the color of the face image in the output signal table created and stored in the storage device with the detected output signal, and the back and front of the publicly made reciprocal postcard can be determined. .

  FIG. 8 shows a list of detection states of each sensor when determining the type, direction, and front / back of the postcard set on the manual feed tray 211c by such a mechanism, and FIG. 9 to FIG. 11 respectively.

  On the other hand, similarly, image data from the personal computers PC (1) and (2) connected to the multifunction machine 1 is stored in the memory (image memory) 260. For example, the first round-trip postcard made by the government shown in FIG. The “image data C” includes data describing the other party's address, name, etc. to be described on the front side of the outgoing side, and the intention of the other party such as attendance for the event to be described on the back side of the reply side. The second “image data D” includes the sender's address, name, etc. to be indicated on the back side of the reply side, the date and time of the event to be indicated on the back side of the outgoing side, and the matters to be communicated to the other party such as the location. Data are listed.

  When it is determined that the set state of the government-made reciprocating postcard placed on the manual feed tray 211c is “reciprocating lateral A” shown in FIG. 8 by the above determination method, the first “image” in the stored memory is displayed. From the data C ″, the data on the front side of the outgoing side and the back side of the reply side are selected and a control signal is output to the image forming unit 210, and the image data is printed on a government-made reciprocating postcard.

  On the other hand, if it is determined by the determination method that the set state of the reciprocating postcard is “reciprocating lateral B” shown in FIG. 8, the image data in the state where “image data C” is selected and rotated by 180 ° is used as the publicly reciprocating postcard. Print. Further, when it is determined that the set state of the public round-trip postcard is “round-trip horizontal C” shown in FIG. 8, the data on the reply side front side / outgoing side back side is selected from the second “image data D”, and the image data Is printed on government-made reciprocating postcards.

  In the case of government postcards, the first “image data A” shown in FIG. 12 is data for the front side of government postcards, and the second “image data B” is data for the back side of government postcards.

  If it is determined by the determination method that the government postcard placed on the manual feed tray 211c is “public side A” shown in FIG. 8, the image data from the first “image data A” is stored from the stored memory. A control signal is output to the selected image forming unit 210, and the image data is printed on a government-made postcard.

  On the other hand, if the set state of the placed government postcard is “government side C” (back) by the discrimination method, the second “image data B” is selected from the stored memory, and the image forming unit 210 is selected. A control signal is output to and the image data is printed.

  By using such a method, the user does not have to pay attention to the front and back of the paper, the vertical and horizontal directions, the type of postcard, etc. when setting the paper in the manual paper feed tray 211c, and thus the operation is much easier. In addition, misprinting can be prevented.

  The above processing flow will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the manual feed / postcard mode, the public postcard is set on the manual feed tray 211c (S21), and then both guides 501 and 501 are aligned with the public postcard (S22), and the paper width and paper direction are detected (S23). Then, it is determined whether or not the width H1 is in the vertical direction (government postcard) (S24). If the public postcard is in the width H1 vertical direction, it is determined whether or not the S1 sensor has detected the face portion ( If the face portion is detected (S25), "image data A" (front surface) is printed (S26).

  In S25, if the S1 sensor does not detect the face portion, it is determined whether or not the S2 sensor detects the face portion (S27). If the face portion is detected, “image data A” is rotated by 180 °. After (S28), “image data A” is printed (S29).

  If the face portion is not detected by the S2 sensor in S27, it is determined whether or not the face portion is detected by the sensor (S30). If no face portion is detected, “image data B” (back side) is printed. Is performed (S31). If the face value is detected in S30, a confirmation message 70 is displayed (S70).

  In S24, if the width H1 is not the vertical direction (government postcard), it is determined whether the width H2 is the horizontal direction (government postcard) (S32). If the width H2 is the horizontal direction, the S2 sensor detects the face portion. It is determined whether or not it has been detected (S33), and if the face portion is detected, “image data A” is rotated 90 ° to the right (S34), and then “image data A” is printed (S35). .

  In S33, if the S2 sensors do not detect the face portion, it is determined whether or not the S1 sensors detect the face portion (S25). If the face portion is detected, “image data A” is left. After being rotated by 90 ° (S37), “image data A” is printed (S38).

  In S36, if the S1 sensor does not detect the face portion, it is determined whether or not the face portion is detected by the sensor (S39). If there is no detection, “image data B” is rotated by 90 ° (S40). After that, “image data B” is printed (S41). If there is no sensor face value detection in S39, a confirmation message 70 is displayed (S70).

  In S32, if the width H2 is not in the horizontal direction (government postcard), it is determined whether or not the width H2 is in the horizontal direction (reciprocal postcard) (S42). Is determined whether or not a round-trip frame portion has been detected (S43). If a round-trip frame portion is detected, “image data C” and “image data D” (round-trip) are rotated 90 ° to the right (S44). After that, the data is printed (S45).

  If the reciprocal face value portion is not detected by the S2 sensor in S43, it is determined whether or not the reciprocal face value portion is detected by the S1 sensor (S46). If the reciprocal face value portion is detected, “image data C” is determined. , “Image data D” is rotated 90 ° to the left (S47), and then the data is printed (S48).

  In S46, if the round-trip face portion is not detected by the S1 sensor, it is determined whether or not the return face portion is detected by the S2 sensor (S49), and if the return face portion is detected, “image data E "," Image data F "(reciprocating) is rotated 90 ° to the right (S50), and then the data is printed (S51).

  If the return face value portion is not detected by the S2 sensor in S49, it is determined whether or not the return face value portion is detected by the S1 sensor (S52). "," Image data F "is rotated 90 degrees to the left (S53), and then the data is printed (S54).

  In S42, if it is not the width H2 horizontal direction (reciprocal postcard), it is determined whether or not a reciprocal postcard in the width H3 vertical direction is detected (S55). If a reciprocal postcard in the width H3 vertical direction is detected, the S1 sensor To determine whether or not a round-trip frame portion has been detected (S56). If a round-trip frame portion is detected, "image data C" and "image data D" are printed (S57). If a reciprocal postcard in the vertical direction of width H3 is not detected in S55, a confirmation message is displayed (S70).

  If the reciprocal face value portion is not detected by the S1 sensor in S56, it is determined whether or not the reciprocal face value portion is detected by the S2 sensor (S58), and if the reciprocal face value portion is detected, “image data C”, After “image data D” has been rotated 180 ° (S59), the data is printed (S60).

  In S58, if the round-trip face value portion is not detected by the S2 sensor, it is determined whether or not the return face value portion is detected by the S1 sensor (S61). "," Image data F "is printed (S62).

  In S61, if the S1 sensor does not detect the return face value portion, it is determined whether or not the return face value portion is detected by the S2 sensor (S63). ”,“ Image data F ”is rotated by 180 ° (S64), and then the data is printed (S65). In S63, if the reply face value portion is not detected by the S2 sensor, a confirmation message is displayed (S70).

1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a control system block diagram of the image recording apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the state which has mounted a postal mail postcard on the paper feeding means. It is explanatory drawing of the image data memorize | stored in the image memory. It is explanatory drawing of the state which has mounted the same party round-trip mail postcard on the paper supply part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the data processing in the said 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the paper feed part in the said 2nd Embodiment. It is a list figure of the set state detection content corresponding to the sensor. It is explanatory drawing of the set state of a diplomatic postcard. It is explanatory drawing of the set state of the same reciprocating postcard. It is explanatory drawing of the set state of the same reciprocating postcard. It is explanatory drawing of the image data memorize | stored in the image memory. It is a part of flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence. It is the remainder of the flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence.

Explanation of symbols

211c—paper feeding means 230—paper set state determination means, recording control means 250—image data storage means

Claims (3)

Double-sided image processing is performed on the second surface of the paper after the image formation processing is performed on the first surface of the paper in which predetermined images having different characteristics for each type are attached to the corners in advance. In an image recording apparatus having an image forming mode ,
Image data storage means for storing in advance image data to be recorded on each of the first surface and the second surface of the paper ;
Paper supply means for placing the paper supplied toward the image forming unit;
A detection unit configured to detect presence or absence of the predetermined image at a plurality of detection positions provided in a direction orthogonal to the supply direction when the paper is supplied from the paper supply unit to the image forming unit; Storage means storing a correspondence relationship between the plurality of detection positions of the paper and the placement state of the paper placed on the paper supply means, and the detection position of the predetermined image in the detection unit A paper set state determining means for reading out the corresponding placement state of the paper from the storage means ;
An operation input means for accepting a setting operation of the double-sided image formation mode;
When the double-sided image formation mode is set via the operation input unit, the recording position of the image data read from the image data storage unit based on the determination result of the paper set state determination unit is the previously described setting state. Recording control means for causing the image forming unit to execute the image forming process on the first surface and the second surface by adjusting to be aligned with each other ,
An image recording apparatus comprising: The paper set state determination means compares the image of the paper placed on the paper supply means with the image data of a specific paper stored in advance, so that the front, back, and To determine the direction ,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. The recording control unit restricts the image forming process based on subsequent image data when the sheet setting state determining unit cannot determine the state of the paper in advance .
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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