JP4328655B2 - Image forming apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes an image forming unit capable of forming a cover image based on a first image and a second image for a cover on a cover recording sheet that wraps a bundle of recording sheets composed of a plurality of recording sheets. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method.

With the recent increase in the speed of image forming units in image forming apparatuses, it is possible to form a large number of copies, and it is also possible to easily create a small amount of brochures and simple bookbinding. When creating such a book, output a spine with a certain distance between the images on the front and back covers in advance, insert the output result into this spine, and close the book. Many methods are used (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2000-184154 A JP 2000-332987 A

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the user cannot designate which of the two input original images is to be used as the front cover or the back cover.

  Therefore, the user has to be aware of the order of document images input to the image forming apparatus, and there is a problem that an operation error is likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. In an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit capable of forming an image for a cover based on the first image and the second image for the cover, the first image Even if the size of the second image is larger than the size of the first image, the second image is cut out to be equal in size to the first image, and an appropriate cover image is formed on the cover recording paper. And

The present invention includes an image forming unit capable of forming a cover image based on a first image and a second image for a cover on a cover recording sheet that wraps a bundle of recording sheets composed of a plurality of recording sheets. An image forming apparatus comprising: an input unit that inputs the first image and the second image; and when the size of the second image is larger than the size of the first image, the second image is converted to the first image. means cut crop to the image size is equal, the image for the cover based on said second image, taken by the the input first image cut-away means by said input means for said cover And a control unit that controls the image forming unit to form the image on a recording sheet.

In addition, the present invention provides an image forming unit capable of forming a cover image based on the first image and the second image on a cover sheet that wraps a bundle of recording sheets composed of a plurality of recording sheets. A control method executed by an image forming apparatus having the input step of inputting the first image and the second image, and when the size of the second image is larger than the size of the first image , Based on the cutting step of cutting the second image so as to be equal in size to the first image , the first image input in the input step, and the second image cut in the cutting step And a control step of controlling the image forming means so as to form an image for the cover on the recording paper for the cover.

According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the image forming unit capable of forming the cover image based on the first image and the second image for the cover, the size of the second image is larger than the size of the first image. Even if it is large, the second image can be cut out to be the same size as the first image, and an appropriate cover image can be formed on the cover recording paper.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an image input / output system that is connected to a host computer via a network and includes an image input device, an image output device, a control device, and the like will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image input / output system according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the image input / output system 100 includes an image input device (reader unit) 200, an image output device (printer unit) 300, a control device (controller unit) 110, and an operation unit 150.

  The reader unit 200 optically reads a document image and converts it into image data. The reader unit 200 includes a scanner unit 210 having a function for reading a document and a document feeding (DF) unit 250 having a function for transporting a document sheet.

  The printer unit 300 conveys the recording paper, prints the image data as a visible image thereon, and discharges the recording paper out of the apparatus. The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 310 including a plurality of sizes of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing print data formed with an image on the recording paper, and sorting the printed recording papers. The paper discharge unit 330 has a function of stapling and outputting to the outside of the apparatus.

  The controller unit 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200, the printer unit 300, and the hard disk 600, and is further connected to a plurality of host computers 401 and 402 via the network 400. Here, the host computers 401 and 402 are general computers such as a personal computer (PC), and are installed in the PC when the user designates a spine cover creation mode to be described later in the printing function of the application program. The back cover creation mode setting screen is displayed on the display by the printer driver, and the user can set the back cover width, the back cover layout (opening), and the image size adjustment when creating the back cover. The details of the spine cover creation mode will be described later.

  The controller unit 110 also provides a copy function that controls the reader unit 200 to read image data of a document and controls the printer unit 300 to output the image data to a recording sheet. Further, a scanner function that converts image data read from the reader unit 200 into code data and transmits the code data to the host computer via the network 400; code data received from the host computer via the network 400 is converted into image data; A printer function for outputting to the unit 300. Further, it has a function of storing image data in the hard disk 600.

  The operation unit 150 is connected to the controller unit 110 and includes a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output system.

  FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300. The document feeding unit 250 of the reader unit 200 feeds documents one by one onto the platen glass 211 in order from the top, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 211 after the document reading operation is completed. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the scanner unit 210 turns on the lamp 212 and starts the movement of the optical unit 213 to expose and scan the document. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218 by mirrors 214, 215, and 216 and a lens 217. Thus, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 218. The image data output from the CCD 218 is transferred to the controller unit 110 after predetermined processing.

  On the other hand, the laser driver 321 of the printer unit 300 drives the laser light emitting unit 322, and causes the laser light emitting unit 322 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the controller unit 110. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 323, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 323. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 323 by a developing device 324.

  Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 311 or 312 and conveyed to the transfer unit 325, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the recording paper. . The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 326, and the developer is fixed to the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 326. Thereafter, the recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 326 is discharged by the discharge roller 327, and the paper discharge unit 330 bundles the discharged recording paper and sorts the recording paper, or staples the sorted recording paper.

  If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is conveyed to the discharge roller 327, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 327 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 329 by the flapper 328. The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 329 is fed to the transfer unit 325 at the above-described timing, and image formation is performed on the back surface in the same manner as the front surface.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the operation unit 150 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 502 denotes a power lamp that indicates power on / off of the apparatus. The power lamp illuminates when the power is turned on by pressing the power switch 501. Reference numeral 503 denotes a copy function selection key which is pressed when a copy function is selected. Reference numeral 504 denotes a fax function selection key which is pressed when a fax function is selected. Reference numeral 505 denotes a personal box selection key which is pressed when a personal box function is selected.

  Reference numeral 512 denotes a numeric keypad which is used for numerical input such as setting of the number of image formations and mode setting. In the facsimile setting screen, it is also used for inputting a telephone number. Reference numeral 513 denotes a clear key, which is used to invalidate the setting input with the numeric keypad 512. Reference numeral 508 denotes a reset key, which is used when the set number of image formations, the operation mode, or the mode such as the selected paper feed stage is returned to a default value.

  Reference numeral 506 denotes a start key which is pressed when image formation is started. A stop key 507 is used to stop the copying operation. Reference numeral 509 denotes a guide key, which is pressed when the function of a certain key is unknown, and a description of the key whose function is unknown is displayed on the display panel 516.

  Reference numeral 510 denotes a user mode key, which is used when changing various settings for the apparatus. Reference numeral 511 denotes an interrupt key, which is pressed when the user wants to perform another work during the image forming operation. Reference numeral 514 denotes 20 one-touch dial keys which are used when dialing with one touch during facsimile transmission. Reference numeral 515 denotes two lids, which are double lids having a shape in which each key portion of the one-touch dial key 514 is cut out.

  In addition, a first state in which two lids are closed by a sensor switch (not shown), a second state in which the first lid is closed, and a third state in which the two lids are opened. By combining the three open / closed states of the lid and the one-touch dial key 514, the present embodiment has the same effect as a total of 60 keys.

  Reference numeral 516 denotes a touch panel. A setting screen is displayed for each mode, and various detailed settings can be performed by touching keys drawn on the setting screen.

  Next, a spine cover creation mode for creating a spine cover image in the above-described image forming apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a layout of a spine and an image in the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, 604, 614, 624, and 634 mean sheets used for spine creation. On this back cover paper, a front cover image and a back cover image are printed at intervals of the spine cover width, and a portion corresponding to the spine cover width is a blank image.

  Reference numerals 601, 611, 621, and 631 are front covers, and an image “A” corresponding to a back cover image is printed. Reference numerals 602, 612, 622, and 632 denote back covers, and an image “B” corresponding to a back cover image is printed. Reference numerals 603, 613, 623, and 633 denote blank areas corresponding to the spine cover width designated by the user.

  The front cover image and the back cover image described above are rotated and arranged in accordance with the layout of the back cover designated by the user, that is, “open”. Also, as a printing method in the back cover creation mode, an image created by linking a front cover image, a back cover image, and a blank image of the back cover width on the memory may be printed. After printing the front cover or back cover according to the paper discharge direction, in order to form a blank area for the width of the back cover, the laser is stopped for a certain period of time to form a blank area for the width of the back cover, and then the back cover or cover A cover may be printed.

  Next, user settings in the spine creation mode will be described. In the present embodiment, first, a back cover creation mode setting screen displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus will be described as an example.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a spine creation mode setting screen in the present embodiment. The user can set a spine cover width, a spine cover layout (opening), and image size adjustment at the time of spine creation on the spine cover creation mode setting screen 700.

  An area 701 displays a spine cover width value set by the user. The user can set the spine cover width in units of 1 mm by pressing the plus key 702 or the minus key 703. Reference numerals 704 to 707 are keys for setting a right opening, a left opening, an upper opening, and a lower opening, and the user can select any one from the layout of the spine as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 708 denotes a first image size adjustment key for adjusting the image sizes of the front cover and the back cover, so that the sizes of the front cover image and the back cover image match the paper size. Enlarge / reduce. By providing the first image size adjustment key 708, it is possible to create a back cover without cutting a picture even if the front cover image and the back cover image are larger than the paper.

  Reference numeral 709 denotes a second image size adjustment key for adjusting the size of the back cover image to the size of the cover image. By providing the second image size adjustment key 709, even if the size of the front cover document and the back cover document input to the image forming apparatus from the reader unit 200 or the host computer 401 is different, the image forming apparatus side It becomes possible to match the size of the front cover image and the back cover image, so that the user does not need to set the same size for the front cover image and the back cover image in advance, thereby improving the convenience of creating the back cover. be able to.

  A setting key 710 is a key for validating the spine width setting, the opening setting, and the size adjustment setting. Reference numeral 711 denotes a return key that cancels the spine cover creation mode and returns to a basic screen (not shown).

  Next, when the user inputs various settings from the spine creation mode setting screen on the operation unit 150 of the image forming apparatus and the start key 506 of the operation unit 150 is pressed, that is, the spine creation process in the copy mode Will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing spine cover creation processing in the copy mode. First, in step S101, the controller unit 110 sets the value of the document number counter N provided on the memory to 1. In step S102, the image data of the Nth document read from the reader unit 200 is input and stored in the memory. Here, since two pieces of document image data are required to create the spine cover, in the next step S103, it is determined whether or not the Nth document is the last document. If it is determined that the document is not the last document, the process proceeds to step S104, and the image data of the (N + 1) th document read from the reader unit 200 is input and stored in the memory in the same manner as the Nth document. If it is determined that the Nth document is the last document, the process proceeds to step S105 to create an N + 1th dummy image (white image) on the memory.

  In step S106, the setting values of “back cover width”, “open”, and “image size adjustment” set by the user on the spine creation mode setting screen 700 shown in FIG. 5 are referred to. In step S107, the front and back cover image layout processing is performed based on the setting value referenced in step S106. Details of the image arrangement process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S108, printing is performed on a print sheet based on the image layout in step S107. At this time, a front cover image, a back cover image, and a blank image having a width of the back cover may be printed on the memory as one image, or the front cover or the back cover may be printed according to the paper discharge direction at the time of printing. After printing, the laser is stopped for a certain period of time to form a blank area for the width of the back cover, and the print paper is transported. After forming a blank area for the width of the back cover, the back cover or the front cover is printed. You may do it.

  In step S109, it is determined whether there is a next original. If there is a next original, the process proceeds to step S110, 2 is added to the value of the original number counter N, the process returns to step S102, and the above-described spine cover creation process is repeated. If there is no next manuscript, the spine creation process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the spine image arrangement processing in S107 shown in FIG. First, in step S201, it is determined whether the size of the back cover image is larger than the size of the cover image. Specifically, when the second image adjustment key shown in FIG. 5 is enabled, the sub-scanning width of the back cover image is larger than the sub-scanning width of the front cover image, or the main scanning width of the front cover image. It is further determined whether or not the main scanning width of the back cover image is larger. If either of them is true, the process proceeds to step S202, and the back cover image is cut with the size of the front cover image. If the second image adjustment key shown in FIG. 5 is not enabled, the process proceeds to step S203. In step S203, it is determined whether or not the first image adjustment setting is made as to whether or not to enlarge or reduce the size of the front cover image and the back cover image to the paper size shown in FIG.

  In step S202 described above, the sizes of the front cover image and the back cover image are the same, and the sub-scanning width and the paper size may not match. Therefore, if it is determined in step S203 that the first image adjustment setting has been made, the process proceeds to step S204, and if the first image adjustment has not been performed, the process proceeds to step S210.

  In this step S204, if it is determined that the sub-scanning width of the front cover image is larger than the sub-scanning width of the paper, the process proceeds to step S205, and the front cover image is displayed so that the sub-scanning width becomes equal to the sub-scanning width of the paper. If the cover image is reduced and it is determined that the sub-scanning width of the cover-cover image is smaller than the sub-scanning width of the paper, the process proceeds to step S206, and the sub-scanning width of the cover-cover image becomes equal to the sub-scanning width of the paper. Enlarge the cover image.

  Next, when it is determined in step S207 that the sub-scanning width of the back cover image is larger than the sub-scanning width of the paper, the process proceeds to step S208, and the sub-scanning width of the back cover image becomes equal to the sub-scanning width of the paper. If the back cover image is reduced and the sub-scanning width of the back cover image is determined to be smaller than the sub-scanning width of the paper, the process proceeds to step S209, where the sub-scanning width of the back cover image is equal to the sub-scanning width of the paper. Enlarge the back cover image so that

  Next, in step S210, the front cover image and the back cover image stored in the memory are rotated so that the image layout shown in FIG. 4 is obtained according to the layout (opening) setting of the back cover shown in FIG. In step S211, a blank area corresponding to the width of the back cover inputted on the setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is provided between the front cover image and the back cover image, and the image layout processing of the front cover image and the back cover image is completed. To do.

  Next, in the host computer, the printer driver provides the user with a setting screen similar to the back cover creation mode setting screen shown in FIG. 5, and the user uses the setting screen to display the back cover width, the back cover layout (open), and the back cover. A spine cover creation process in which the image forming apparatus receives PDL print data from the host computer and creates a spine cover after setting the image size adjustment at the time of creating the cover will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the spine creation process in the PDL mode. First, in step S301, the controller unit 110 sets the value of the image number counter N provided on the memory to 1. In step S302, the Nth image is analyzed from the received PDL print data, rendering is performed, and the image data is stored in the memory. Here, since two pieces of image data are required to create the spine cover, in the next step S303, it is determined whether or not the Nth image is the last image. As a result of the determination, if it is not the last image, the process proceeds to step S304, and similarly to the Nth image, the (N + 1) th image is analyzed, rendered, and image data is stored in the memory. If it is determined that the Nth image is the last image, the process advances to step S305 to create an N + 1th dummy image (white image) on the memory.

  Next, in step S306, the setting values of “back cover width”, “open”, and “image size adjustment” set by the user on the back cover creation mode setting screen similar to FIG. 5 provided by the printer driver are displayed. get. In step S307, the front and back cover images are arranged based on the setting value acquired in step S306. Note that this image arrangement process is the same as the process described with reference to FIG.

  Next, in step S308, printing is performed on a print sheet based on the image layout in step S307. At this time, a front cover image, a back cover image, and a blank image having a width of the back cover may be printed on the memory as one image, or the front cover or the back cover may be printed according to the paper discharge direction at the time of printing. After printing, the laser is stopped for a certain period of time to form a blank area for the width of the back cover, and the print paper is transported. After forming a blank area for the width of the back cover, the back cover or the front cover is printed. You may do it.

  Next, in step S309, it is determined whether there is a next image. If there is a next image, the process proceeds to step S310, 2 is added to the value of the image number counter N, the process returns to step S302, and the above-described spine cover creation process is repeated. If there is no next image, the spine cover creation process is terminated.

  As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the user cannot designate which of the two input images is the front cover or the back cover, and therefore the order of images input to the image forming apparatus is determined. Although it was necessary to be conscious and it was easy to cause operational mistakes, by allowing the user to specify the opening of the back cover image, the user can easily create a back cover without being aware of the order of image input And operability can be improved.

  In particular, by providing the first image size adjustment key, it is possible to create a back cover without cutting a picture even if the front cover image and the back cover image are larger than the paper.

  Further, by providing the second image size adjustment key, even if the sizes of the front cover image and the back cover image input to the image forming apparatus from a scanner or an external device are different, the front cover image on the image forming apparatus side. The size of the back cover image can be matched with the size of the back cover image, so that the user does not have to make the images corresponding to the front cover image and the back cover image the same size in advance, and the convenience of creating the back cover can be improved. it can.

  Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), it is applied to an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. It may be applied.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium in which a program code of software realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the recording medium in the recording medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image input / output system in the present embodiment. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing structures of a reader unit 200 and a printer unit 300. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the operation part 150 in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the layout of a spine and an image in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the spine creation mode setting screen in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the spine cover creation process in copy mode. It is a flowchart which shows the spine cover image arrangement | positioning process in S107 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the spine cover creation process in PDL mode.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image Input / Output System 110 Control Device (Controller Unit)
150 Operation unit 200 Image input device (reader unit)
210 Scanner Unit 250 Document Feeding (DF) Unit 300 Image Output Device (Printer Unit)
310 Paper feed unit 320 Marking unit 330 Paper discharge unit 400 Network 401 Host computer 402 Host computer 501 Power switch 502 Power lamp 503 Copy function selection key 504 Fax function selection key 505 Personal box selection key 506 Start key 507 Stop key 508 Reset key 509 Guide key 510 User mode key 511 Interrupt key 512 Numeric keypad 513 Clear key 514 One-touch dial key 515 Two covers 516 Touch panel 600 Hard disk

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit capable of forming a cover image based on a first image and a second image on a cover recording paper that wraps a recording paper bundle composed of a plurality of recording papers. There,
Input means for inputting the first image and the second image;
If the size of size than the second image of the first image is larger, the cut section cut out the second image to the first image and the size are equal,
Controlling the image forming means to form an image for the cover on the recording paper for the cover based on the first image input by the input means and the second image cut by the cutting means; An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit. The first image input by the input means and the second image cut by the cutting means are respectively scaled so that the size of the cover image matches the size of the cover recording paper. It further has a zooming means,
The control unit is configured to display the cover image based on the first image scaled by the scaling unit and the second image cropped by the cropping unit and scaled by the scaling unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit is controlled so as to be formed on a recording sheet. A reception unit for receiving layout settings of the first image and the second image;
The control means is configured to display the cover image based on the first image input by the input means and the second image cut by the cutting means based on the layout setting received by the receiving means. the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller controls the image forming means so as to form on the recording sheet for the cover. The receiving unit is an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that through the operation unit by the image forming device comprises receiving a setting of the layout. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the accepting unit accepts the layout setting via an operation unit provided in an external device capable of data communication with the image forming apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image is an image for a front cover, and the second image is an image for a back cover. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit capable of forming a cover image based on a first image and a second image on a cover sheet that wraps a bundle of recording sheets composed of a plurality of recording sheets. Control method executed by
An input step of inputting the first image and the second image;
If the size of size than the second image of the first image is larger, the step cut crop the second image to the first image and the size are equal,
The image forming means is controlled to form an image for the cover based on the first image input in the input step and the second image cut in the cut step on the cover recording paper. A control method comprising: a control step. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

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