JP5909113B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for printing a plurality of image data on recording sheets having a plurality of types of paper sizes.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses are installed in public spaces such as convenience stores and libraries in order to provide printing services such as copying originals. By using an image forming apparatus installed in a public space or the like, it is possible to copy a document even when away from home.

  When using an image forming apparatus, a user often forgets to take a printed product. In particular, when printing is performed using a plurality of types of recording paper having different paper sizes, it is often the case that a small paper size printed matter hidden behind a large paper size printed matter is forgotten. If a printed matter is forgotten at a convenience store or the like used by an unspecified number of people, it is difficult to specify who has forgotten it.

  Even when copying and printing are performed using an image forming apparatus installed in a public space, a user may output a printed matter including confidential information related to business and personal information. In such a case, if the user forgets to take the printed matter, the third party can view the contents of the printed matter, leading to information leakage. In order to prevent such information leakage, the image forming apparatus is required to take measures to prevent forgetting to take the printed matter.

  Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described later describe an image forming apparatus including a detection sensor for detecting whether or not a sheet discharged after printing is on a discharge tray in order to prevent forgetting to take out the printed matter that has been output. Is disclosed. In the image forming apparatuses disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, when the detection sensor detects that the printed material is forgotten, the user is warned that the printed material is forgotten.

JP 2000-250361 A JP 2005-82339 A

  However, the image forming apparatuses of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have a problem that the structure is complicated because it is necessary to separately provide a special sensor to prevent forgetting to remove the printed matter. Further, when printing is performed using a plurality of types of recording papers having different paper sizes, there is a risk that even if the user notices that the printed material is forgotten due to a warning, the printed material having a small paper size may be forgotten. Therefore, there is also a problem that forgetting to take a printed matter cannot be prevented sufficiently.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to form an image that can sufficiently prevent a printed matter from being forgotten while preventing the structure from becoming complicated. An apparatus and an image forming method are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of printing a plurality of image data on recording sheets of a plurality of types of paper sizes. This image forming apparatus includes a reading unit for reading a plurality of image data, and a sheet size detecting unit for detecting a sheet size of a recording sheet on which image data is printed from each of the plurality of image data read by the reading unit. And storage means for storing a plurality of image data read by the reading means, and one of the image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the paper sizes detected by the paper size detection means. The extraction order for extracting from the data and the printing order so that the printed matter of the image data extracted by the extraction means is positioned at the bottom when a plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged. Printing order control means for printing, and printing means for printing a plurality of image data stored in the storage means in accordance with the control of the printing order control means Including the.

  When a plurality of image data is read, the paper size of the recording paper on which the image data is printed is detected from each of the read plurality of image data, and the plurality of read image data are stored. One of the image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the detected paper sizes is extracted from the plurality of image data. The printing order is controlled so that the printed matter of the extracted image data is positioned on the lowermost side. Thus, when a plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged, the printed matter having the largest sheet size is positioned at the bottom of the discharge tray. The user can pick up all the printed materials of a plurality of image data by lifting the printed material having the largest sheet size located at the bottom of the paper discharge tray. Therefore, even when print output is performed using a plurality of types of recording paper having different paper sizes, it is possible to reliably prevent forgetting to take a printed material having a small paper size. In addition, printing can be performed without changing the printing order as much as possible by printing one printed matter having the largest sheet size so as to be positioned at the bottom of the discharge tray.

  Furthermore, since the image forming apparatus can sufficiently prevent the user from forgetting to take a printed material without providing a special sensor, the structure of the apparatus can be prevented from becoming complicated.

  Preferably, the printing order control means includes means for changing the printing order of the plurality of image data so that the image data extracted by the extracting means is printed first.

  By printing the image data extracted by the extraction unit first, it is possible to easily discharge the printed product of the extracted image data so as to be positioned on the lowermost side of the discharge tray.

  More preferably, a plurality of image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the paper sizes detected by the paper size detecting means may be stored in the storage means, and the extracting means may record the largest paper size. Means for extracting image data with the earliest print order from among a plurality of image data to be printed on paper.

  When multiple pieces of image data to be printed on the recording paper of the largest paper size are stored, the image data with the earliest print order is extracted, and the print order is controlled so that the printed matter of the image data is positioned at the bottom. To do. As a result, printing can be easily performed without changing the printing order as much as possible.

  More preferably, the printing means includes means for printing with the longitudinal direction of the recording paper aligned in the same direction.

  For example, when A4 paper is output (discharged) in a different longitudinal direction after B4 paper, the length of A4 paper is longer than the width of B4 paper, so the user takes A4 paper and discharges it first. There is a risk of forgetting to remove the B4 paper. By aligning the longitudinal direction of the recording paper in the same direction, forgetting to remove the printed matter can be prevented more reliably.

  An image forming method according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image forming method for printing a plurality of image data on recording sheets of a plurality of types of paper sizes. The image forming method stores a plurality of read image data, a step of reading a plurality of image data, a step of detecting a paper size of a recording sheet on which the image data is printed, from each of the read plurality of image data. A step, a step of extracting one of the image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the detected paper sizes from the plurality of image data, and when the plurality of image data are printed on the recording paper and discharged. The method includes a step of changing a printing order so that a printed matter of the extracted image data is positioned on the lowermost side, and a step of printing a plurality of image data according to the changed printing order.

  When a plurality of image data is read, the paper size of the recording paper on which the image data is printed is detected from each of the read plurality of image data, and the plurality of read image data are stored. One of the image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the detected paper sizes is extracted from the plurality of image data. The printing order is controlled so that the printed matter of the extracted image data is positioned on the lowermost side. Thus, when a plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged, the printed matter having the largest sheet size is positioned at the bottom of the discharge tray. The user can pick up all the printed materials of a plurality of image data by lifting the printed material having the largest sheet size located at the bottom of the paper discharge tray. Therefore, even when print output is performed using a plurality of types of recording paper having different paper sizes, it is possible to reliably prevent forgetting to take a printed material having a small paper size. In addition, printing can be performed without changing the printing order as much as possible by printing one printed matter having the largest sheet size so as to be positioned at the bottom of the discharge tray.

  More preferably, the printing means includes means for printing with the longitudinal direction of the recording paper aligned in the same direction.

  Preferably, the step of changing the printing order includes the step of changing the printing order of the plurality of image data so that the extracted image data is printed first.

  By printing the extracted image data first, it is possible to easily discharge the printed product of the extracted image data so as to be positioned on the lowermost side of the discharge tray.

  More preferably, a plurality of image data to be printed on a recording paper having the largest paper size among the detected paper sizes may be stored, and the step of extracting includes a plurality of images to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size. A step of extracting image data having the earliest print order from the data is included.

  When multiple pieces of image data to be printed on the recording paper of the largest paper size are stored, the image data with the earliest print order is extracted, and the print order is controlled so that the printed matter of the image data is positioned at the bottom. To do. As a result, printing can be easily performed without changing the printing order as much as possible.

  More preferably, the step of printing includes the step of printing with the longitudinal direction of the recording paper aligned in the same direction.

  By aligning the longitudinal direction of the recording paper in the same direction, forgetting to remove the printed matter can be prevented more reliably.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of sufficiently preventing a printed matter from being forgotten while preventing the structure from becoming complicated.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a control block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a printing process executed by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a copy function and a printer function. The image forming apparatus 100 has a so-called laser (electrophotographic) printing function that uses laser light for exposure. However, other types of printing functions may be provided.

[Hardware configuration]
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an image forming apparatus 100 reads a document image, outputs a RGB (R: Red, G: Green, B: Blue) analog image signal, and a document. Installed below the reading unit 110, a printing unit 120 for forming an image on a recording sheet, an operation panel 130 installed in front of the document reading unit 110, and installed below the printing unit 120. A paper feed unit 140. The paper feed unit 140 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 142, a paper feed tray 144, and a paper feed tray 146 for setting recording paper. A recording sheet having a desired sheet size is set in each of the sheet feeding tray 142, the sheet feeding tray 144, and the sheet feeding tray 146. Operation panel 130 includes a display unit and an operation unit (both not shown).

  Referring to FIG. 2, image forming apparatus 100 further includes an external memory interface (hereinafter referred to as “external memory I / F”) 150 for reading information from an external memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. An image processing unit 160 for performing various image processing on the image data, a storage unit 170 capable of storing programs and data, a document reading unit 110, an operation panel 130, an external memory I / F 150, an image processing unit. 160, a storage unit 170, a printing unit 120, and a control unit 180 connected to the paper feeding unit 140.

  The storage unit 170 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) (not shown). The HDD stores a computer program for realizing general operations of the image forming apparatus 100. The storage unit 170 also stores image data received (read) by the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image processing unit 160 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit, not shown). The image processing unit 160 performs predetermined image processing such as rasterization processing on image data received from the document reading unit 110 and an external memory (not shown) connected to the external memory I / F 150. Various processes including the above are performed to generate print data of a predetermined gradation and output it to the printing unit 120.

  The control unit 180 is substantially a computer and controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 180 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM) (all not shown). The controller 180 executes various computer programs in accordance with instructions from the operation panel 130 and the like, thereby executing desired processing such as the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The various computer programs are stored in advance in the ROM or HDD, and are read from the ROM or HDD and transferred to the RAM when desired processing is executed. The CPU reads and interprets a program instruction from an address in the RAM specified by a value stored in a register called a program counter (not shown) in the CPU. The CPU also reads data necessary for the operation from the address specified by the read instruction, and executes an operation corresponding to the instruction on the data. The execution result is also stored in an address specified by the instruction, such as a register in the RAM, HDD, and CPU.

  The control unit 180 further includes a paper size detection unit 182, a printing order control unit 184, and an image rotation unit 186. The paper size detection unit 182 detects the print paper size of the image data. For example, when a document image is read by the document reading unit 110, the paper size is detected by a detection signal from the document reading unit 110, as will be described later. When image data is read from an external memory connected to the external memory I / F 150, the print paper size is detected from the read image data. When a change of the printing paper (paper size) is accepted from the operation panel 130, the paper size of the accepted printing paper is set as the printing paper size of the image data. The print order control unit 184 prints image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the paper sizes detected by the paper size detection unit 182 when a plurality of image data is printed on the recording paper and discharged. The printing order is controlled so that is positioned on the lowermost side. When a plurality of pieces of image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size are stored in the storage unit 170, the printing order is controlled so that the printed matter of the image data with the earliest printing order is positioned on the lowermost side. The image rotation unit 186 performs a rotation process on the image data stored in the storage unit 170.

  The document reading unit 110 includes a document detection sensor and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) line sensor (none of which is shown). The document detection sensor is a light source (not shown) for an image surface of a document placed on a document placement table (not shown) manually by a user or by an automatic document feeder (not shown). The reflected light image obtained by irradiating light from (i.e.) is formed on the CCD line sensor. The CCD line sensor sequentially photoelectrically converts the formed reflected light image and outputs it to the image processing unit 160 as image data. That is, when the document is copied, the document reading unit 110 reads image information from the document placed on the document placement table by the document detection sensor, converts the read image information into an electrical signal by the CCD line sensor, and generates image data. The image is output to the image processing unit 160. The document reading unit 110 also detects the paper size of the document placed on the document placement table and outputs the detected paper size to the control unit 180.

  The printing unit 120 prints an image indicated by image data on a recording sheet, and includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser scanning unit (LSU), a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, And a static eliminator. For example, the printing unit 120 is provided with a conveyance path, and the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit 140 is conveyed along the conveyance path. The paper feeding unit 140 pulls out the recording paper set in the paper feeding tray 142, the paper feeding tray 144, or the paper feeding tray 146 or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one, and converts it into image data to be printed. A recording sheet having a corresponding sheet size is sent out to the conveyance path of the printing unit 120. While the recording paper is being conveyed along the conveying path of the printing unit 120, the recording paper passes between the photosensitive drum and the transfer device, and further passes through the fixing device, and printing on the recording paper is performed. .

  The photosensitive drum rotates in one direction, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device and a static eliminator and then uniformly charged by a charging device. The laser scanning unit modulates the laser beam based on the image data to be printed, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum in the main scanning direction with this laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. To do. The developing device supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The transfer device transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a recording sheet passing between the transfer device and the photosensitive drum.

  The fixing device includes a heating roller for heating the recording paper and a pressure roller for pressing the recording paper. The recording paper is heated by the heating roller and is pressed by the pressure roller, whereby the toner image transferred onto the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper. The recording paper discharged (printed) from the fixing device is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

Software configuration
With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a control structure of a computer program executed in the image forming apparatus 100 in order to perform printing processing of a plurality of image data will be described. This program is activated when the copy mode or the print mode is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 3, this program determines whether or not an original reading operation (original reading instruction) has been performed from operation panel 130, and branches control flow according to the determination result; If it is determined in step S1010 that an original reading operation has been performed, steps S1020 for detecting the paper size of the original set on the original reading unit 110 and steps S1020 are executed and correspond to the detected paper size. Step S1030 for reading a document image (image data) in a range to be read, Step S1040 executed after Step S1030, and storing the detected paper size and the read document image (image data) in the storage unit 170 in association with each other. Executed after S1040, a document reading operation is performed from the operation panel 130. In step S1050 for branching the control flow according to the determination result, and in step S1050, if it is determined that the document reading operation is not performed, the document reading end operation is performed. Step S1060 that determines whether or not the control flow has occurred and branches the control flow according to the determination result.

  If it is determined in step S1050 that an original reading operation has been performed, the control returns to step S1020, and the processes in steps S1020 to S1050 are repeated. If it is determined in step S1060 that the document reading end operation has not been performed, control returns to step S1050.

  This program further performs an operation of reading original data (image data) stored in an external memory connected to the external memory I / F 150 when it is determined in step S1010 that no original reading operation has been performed. It is determined whether or not (instruction for reading image data from the external memory) has been made from the operation panel 130, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result, and the control flow is stored in the external memory in step S1070. When it is determined that the reading operation of the image data is performed from the operation panel 130, the document list stored in the external memory is read from the external memory, and the read document list is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 130. Step S1080. The image list may be any of a name attached to a document, a date of registration date, a thumbnail image, and the like.

  If it is determined in step S1070 that the image data stored in the external memory is not read from the operation panel 130, the control returns to step S1010, and an original reading instruction or image data is read from the external memory. Wait until an instruction to read is received.

  This program is further executed after step S1080, and is executed after step S1090 and step S1090 in which original data (image data) selected by the user with respect to the original list displayed on the operation panel 130 is received as a read original. Step S1100 for reading the selected document data (image data), Step S1110 executed after step S1100 and detecting the paper size (paper size of the recording paper to be printed) from the read document data (image data), Step S1120 is executed after step S1110 and the detected paper size and the read original data (image data) are stored in association with each other in the storage unit 170. After step S1120, whether all the originals have been read. Whether or not And branching the control flow Te and the step S1130. If it is determined in step S1130 that reading of all selected documents has not been completed, control returns to step S1100, and the processing in steps S1100 to S1130 is repeated until reading of all selected documents is completed.

  This program further allows the user to operate the operation panel 130 when it is determined in step S1060 that the document reading end operation has been performed, and when it is determined in step S1130 that reading of all the selected documents has ended. It is determined whether or not a printing operation (printing instruction) has been performed from step S1140, and it is determined in step S1140 that the printing operation (printing instruction) has been performed. In step S1150 and step S1150, it is determined whether all the longitudinal directions of the images indicated by the image data stored in the storage unit 170 are the same direction, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result. An image in which the longitudinal directions of the images are not aligned when it is determined that all the longitudinal directions of the images are not the same direction In step S1160 for performing processing for rotating the image data) to align the longitudinal direction, and in step S1150, when it is determined that the longitudinal directions of the images match, and after step S1160, the processing is performed in the storage unit 170. And determining whether or not the paper sizes of the stored image data are all the same paper size, and branching the control flow according to the determination result.

  This program further determines whether or not the A3 paper size is included in the paper size of the image data when it is determined in step S1170 that all the paper sizes are not the same (including some different paper sizes). In step S1180 that branches the control flow according to the determination result, and in step S1180, if it is determined that the A3 sheet size is not included in the sheet size of the image data, the B4 sheet size is included in the sheet size of the image data. And step S1190 for branching the flow of control according to the determination result.

  If it is determined in step S1180 that the paper size of the image data includes the A3 paper size, the program prints the corresponding image data on the A3 size recording paper and discharges it to the paper discharge tray (A3). In step S1200 and step S1190, when it is determined that the B4 paper size is included in the paper size of the image data, the corresponding image data is printed on the B4 size recording paper and discharged. When it is determined that the B4 paper size is not included in the paper size of the image data in steps S1210 and S1190 for discharging to the tray (printing one B4 printed matter), the A4 size image data is converted to the A4 size. Print on the original recording paper and eject it to the paper output tray (print one A4 print) In S1220 and step S1170, when it is determined that all the paper sizes of the image data stored in the storage unit 170 are the same paper size, and after step S1200, step S1210, and step S1220, unprinted Step S1230 for sequentially printing the image data and ending the program.

  In step S1200, step S1210, and step S1220, the printed image data is stored as printed. In step S1200, when a plurality of image data of A3 paper size is stored in the storage unit 170, the image data with the earliest print order is printed and discharged to the discharge tray. In step S1210, when a plurality of B4 paper size image data is stored in the storage unit 170, the image data with the earliest print order is printed and discharged to the discharge tray. In step S1220, when a plurality of A4 sheet size image data is stored in the storage unit 170, the image data with the earliest print order is printed and discharged to the discharge tray.

[Operation]
With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the operation of image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not a document reading operation has been performed from the operation panel 130 (step S1010 shown in FIG. 3). When an original reading operation is performed (YES in step S1010), the paper size of the original set on original reading unit 110 is detected (step S1020), and an original image in a range corresponding to the detected paper size is read (step S1030). ). The detected paper size and the read document image (image data) are stored in the storage unit 170 in association with each other (step S1040). Further, when reading an original, an original reading operation is performed again from operation panel 130 (YES in step S1050), and the paper size detection, original image reading, and paper size and image data storage processing are repeated. This process is repeated until a reading end operation is performed.

  When document data stored in an external memory is used instead of image input from the document reading unit 110, image data is read from the operation panel 130. When image forming apparatus 100 detects that an operation of reading document data stored in external memory has been performed (YES in step S1070), image forming apparatus 100 reads a document list stored in external memory (step S1080). The read document list is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 130, and a document to be printed is selected by the user from the operation panel 130. The selected document (document data) is read from the external memory and stored in the storage unit 170 (step S1120). In the document data read from the external memory, the paper size is detected at the same time (step S1110), and stored in the storage unit 170 together with the document data (step S1120). The above process is repeated until all the document data selected by the user is read.

  When reading the image data, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether a printing operation (printing instruction) has been performed from the operation panel 130 (step S1140). When a printing operation (print start instruction) is performed, it is determined whether all the longitudinal directions of the images indicated by the image data stored in the storage unit 170 are the same (step S1150). If there is an image (image data) whose longitudinal direction is not aligned, the longitudinal direction of all the images is aligned by rotating the unaligned image (step S1160).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the paper sizes of the image data stored in the storage unit 170 are the same (step S1170 shown in FIG. 4). If all the paper sizes are the same, printing is performed without changing the printing order. On the other hand, if all the paper sizes are not the same, it is first determined whether or not the A3 paper size is included in the paper size of the image data (step S1180). If there is image data of A3 paper size, the image data is printed on A3 size recording paper (one A3 printed matter is printed), and the printed image data is stored as printed. When the subsequent unprinted image data is printed, the image data stored as printed is excluded from printing.

  If there is no image data of A3 paper size, it is determined whether there is image data of B4 paper size which is the next largest paper size (step S1190). If there is B4 paper size image data, the image data is printed on a B4 size recording paper (one printed B4 print), and the printed image data is stored as printed. When the subsequent unprinted image data is printed, the image data stored as printed is excluded from printing.

  If there is no B4 paper size image data, the A4 paper size image data, which is the next largest paper size, is printed on A4 size recording paper (one A4 printed matter is printed), and the printed image data is printed. Is stored as printed (step S1220). When the subsequent unprinted image data is printed, the image data stored as printed is excluded from printing. Here, since it is determined that the paper sizes of the image data stored in the storage unit 170 are not all the same (all the paper sizes are the same), the remaining paper sizes are a mixture of A4 size and B5 size. When it is determined that the A3 size and the B4 size are not included, it is understood that image data of the A4 paper size is included.

  When a plurality of pieces of image data having the largest paper size among the image data stored in the storage unit 170 are stored, the image data with the earliest print order is printed and discharged to the discharge tray.

  Thereafter, unprinted image data is sequentially printed (step S1230).

  When the image forming apparatus 100 reads a plurality of image data, for example, image data of A3 paper size, image data of B4 paper size, image data of A4 paper size, and image data of B5 paper size are stored in the storage unit 170. Think if you are.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when image data is read in the order shown in FIG. 5, when printing is performed in the reading order, B4 paper size image data is first printed on B4 size recording paper and discharged. The After that, when printing is performed on B5 size and A3 size recording paper and discharged to the paper discharge tray, the B4 size and B5 size are smaller below the printed matter printed on the A3 size recording paper. There is a risk that the printed matter will be hidden and forgetting to take a small paper size printed matter.

  In the present embodiment, the largest paper size among the paper sizes of the image data stored in the storage unit 170 is detected, and the image data is extracted. When there are a plurality of image data of the largest paper size, the image data with the earliest printing order (third read image data (A3-1)) is extracted. The printing order of the image data is changed so that the extracted image data is printed first. By performing printing in this order, when a plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged, the printed matter having the largest sheet size is positioned at the bottom of the discharge tray.

[Effects of the present embodiment]
As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by using the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The paper size of the recording paper on which the image data is printed is detected from each of the read image data, and the read image data is stored in the storage unit 170 together with the detected paper size. One of the image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the detected paper sizes is extracted from the plurality of image data, and the printing order is controlled so that the printed matter of the extracted image data is positioned on the lowermost side. Thus, when a plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged, the printed matter having the largest sheet size is positioned at the bottom of the discharge tray. The user can pick up all the printed materials of a plurality of image data by lifting the printed material having the largest sheet size located at the bottom of the paper discharge tray. Therefore, even when print output is performed using a plurality of types of recording paper having different paper sizes, it is possible to reliably prevent forgetting to take a printed material having a small paper size. In addition, printing can be performed without changing the printing order as much as possible by printing one printed matter having the largest sheet size so as to be positioned at the bottom of the discharge tray.

  Since the image forming apparatus 100 can sufficiently prevent forgetting to take a printed material without providing a special sensor separately, it is possible to prevent the structure of the apparatus from becoming complicated.

  If the print order of multiple image data is changed so that the image data to be printed on the largest paper size is printed first, the printout of the extracted image data can be easily positioned on the lowermost side of the paper output tray. Can be discharged.

  When multiple pieces of image data to be printed on the recording paper of the largest paper size are stored, the image data with the earliest print order is extracted, and the print order is controlled so that the printed matter of the image data is positioned at the bottom. To do. As a result, printing can be easily performed without changing the printing order as much as possible.

  Furthermore, by printing with the longitudinal direction of the recording paper aligned in the same direction, forgetting to remove the printed matter can be prevented more reliably. For example, when an A4 size recording sheet is output (discharged) in a different longitudinal direction after a B4 size recording sheet, the length of the A4 size recording sheet is longer than the width of the B4 size recording sheet. The user may take an A4 size recording sheet and forget to remove the previously ejected B4 size recording sheet. By aligning the longitudinal direction of the recording paper in the same direction, forgetting to remove the printed matter can be prevented more reliably.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an MFP that is an example of an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer may be used.

  In the above embodiment, when a plurality of image data to be printed on the recording paper of the largest paper size is stored, the image data with the earliest printing order is extracted, and the printed matter of the image data is positioned on the lowermost side. Although an example in which the printing order is controlled has been described, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. When multiple pieces of image data to be printed on recording paper of the largest paper size are stored, image data other than the image data with the earliest print order is extracted so that the printed matter of the image data is positioned on the lowermost side. The printing order may be controlled.

  In the above embodiment, the paper size of the recording paper may be a size other than A size and B size.

  In the above embodiment, when printing a printed material having the largest sheet size so as to be positioned at the bottom of the paper discharge tray, the original printing order of the printed material (image data) (for example, the reading order) May be displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 130. According to this configuration, even when a page number or the like is not attached to a printed document (printed material), a printed material whose printed order is changed (printed material having the largest paper size located at the bottom) can be easily obtained. It is possible to return to the original position (original page).

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim of the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are included. Including.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Document reading part 120 Printing part 130 Operation panel 140 Paper feed part 142, 144, 146 Paper feed tray 150 External memory I / F
160 Image processing unit 170 Storage unit 180 Control unit 182 Paper size detection unit 184 Print order control unit 186 Image rotation unit

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus capable of printing a plurality of image data on recording sheets of a plurality of types of paper sizes,
Reading means for reading a plurality of image data;
Paper size detection means for detecting the paper size of the recording paper on which the image data is printed from each of the plurality of image data read by the reading means;
Storage means for storing the plurality of image data read by the reading means;
Extraction means for only one of the image data extracted from the plurality of image data to be printed on the recording sheet of the largest paper size of the paper size detected by the sheet size detecting means,
A printing order control means for controlling the printing order so that the printed matter of the image data extracted by the extraction means is positioned at the bottom when the plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged;
An image forming apparatus including: a printing unit configured to print the plurality of image data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the control of the printing order control unit; An image forming apparatus capable of printing a plurality of image data on recording sheets of a plurality of types of paper sizes,
Reading means for reading a plurality of image data;
Paper size detection means for detecting the paper size of the recording paper on which the image data is printed from each of the plurality of image data read by the reading means;
Storage means for storing the plurality of image data read by the reading means;
An extracting means for extracting one of the image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the paper sizes detected by the paper size detecting means;
A printing order control means for controlling the printing order so that a printed matter of the image data extracted by the extraction means is positioned at the bottom when the plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged;
Printing means for printing the plurality of image data stored in the storage means according to the control of the printing order control means,
There may be a case where a plurality of image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the paper sizes detected by the paper size detecting means are stored in the storage means.
The extraction means, from among the plurality of the image data to be printed on the recording sheet of the largest paper size, including means for printing order to extract the earliest image data, images forming device.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit includes a unit configured to perform printing by aligning the longitudinal direction of the recording paper in the same direction. An image forming method for printing a plurality of image data on recording sheets of a plurality of types of paper sizes,
Reading a plurality of image data;
Detecting the paper size of the recording paper on which the image data is printed from each of the plurality of read image data;
Storing the read plurality of image data;
Extracting only one of the image data to be printed on the recording sheet of the largest paper size of the detected paper size from the plurality of image data,
Changing the printing order so that when the plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged, a printed matter of the extracted image data is positioned at the bottom;
Printing the plurality of image data in accordance with the changed printing order. An image forming method for printing a plurality of image data on recording sheets of a plurality of types of paper sizes,
Reading a plurality of image data;
Detecting the paper size of the recording paper on which the image data is printed from each of the plurality of read image data;
Storing the read plurality of image data;
Extracting from the plurality of image data one of the image data to be printed on the recording paper having the largest paper size among the detected paper sizes;
Changing the printing order so that when the plurality of image data is printed on a recording sheet and discharged, a printed matter of the extracted image data is positioned at the bottom;
Printing the plurality of image data according to a changed printing order,
There are cases where multiple image data to be printed on the recording paper of the largest paper size among the detected paper sizes are stored,
Step is greatest among the plurality of image data to be printed on the recording paper sheet size, print order includes the step of extracting the earliest image data, images forming method for the extraction.   The image forming method according to claim 4, wherein the printing step includes a step of printing with the longitudinal direction of the recording paper aligned in the same direction.