JP5951561B2 - 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 performing a rotation process for rotating an image.

Conventionally, there are image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) capable of printing documents and images.
In such an image forming apparatus, if the output direction of the document data read by the document reading unit and the orientation of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette (direction in which the image is formed) are different, image rotation processing is necessary. become.
Some image forming apparatuses can perform post-processing such as punch holes and stapling. In such an image forming apparatus, post-processing is often possible only at a predetermined position, and in this case, rotation processing may be necessary.

  Such rotation processing includes a method performed by dedicated processing means such as an ASIC (Application Specific Processor) and a method performed by software processing performed by a control unit that controls each unit executing a program. Exists.

  With reference to Patent Literature 1, an image forming apparatus that efficiently rotates by software processing by a control unit is disclosed.

JP 2012-226463 A

However, the technique of Patent Document 1 cannot perform processing such as drawing other document data while performing rotation processing by software processing, resulting in performance degradation that slows image formation of multiple documents. It was.
In addition, the dedicated processing unit is normally rotatable only in predetermined vertical and horizontal directions, and thus has a problem that it cannot be used for an image forming apparatus that performs post-processing.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus that solves the above-described problems.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with dedicated processing means for rotating an image. The stored image data is analyzed to determine whether or not the output paper is in the wrong direction. Post-processing for determining whether or not post-processing is specified in the document data when it is determined by the difference determination unit and the orientation determination unit that the output paper is in the wrong direction a determining means, if it is determined that there is no designation of the post-processing by the rear processing determining means is rotated by the dedicated processing unit an image of the document data, if it is determined that there is designated the post-treatment and a rotation control means for rotating by software processing so as to correspond to the mating orientation of the orientation and the post-processing of the sheets to be output an image of the document data, the dedicated processing unit An application specific processor (ASIC), and the rotation control means rotates the image of the document data at the ASIC slower than the software processing, and the rotation of the image of the document data at the ASIC is a predetermined speed. It is characterized by only the direction .
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a storage unit, and the rotation control unit displays the image of the original data stored in the storage unit when the image of the original data is rotated by the ASIC. The image data is read out in line units, rotated, converted into an image of original data after rotation, and stored in the storage unit .
In the image forming apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the rotation control unit rotates the other image of the document data by the software processing while rotating the image of the document data not designated by the post-processing by the ASIC. It is characterized by making it.
The image forming method of the present invention is an image forming method by an image forming apparatus provided with a dedicated processing means for rotating an image. In the image forming apparatus, whether stored document data and output paper are in the opposite direction. determine whether, when the direction of the sheet to be output is judged to be the difference orientation, it is determined whether the certain specified post-processing on the document data, determines that the designation of the post-processing was not If it is determined that the image of the original data is rotated by the dedicated processing means and the post-processing is specified , the image of the original data is matched with the orientation of the paper to be output and the post-processing. is rotated by software processing so as to correspond to the orientation, the dedicated processing unit is a Application Specific processor (ASIC), wherein a Speed of rotating an image of the document data in the IC slower than the software processing, the rotation of the image of the original data in the ASIC is characterized by only a predetermined orientation.

  According to the present invention, when post-processing is necessary, rotation processing is performed by software processing. In other cases, rotation processing is performed by dedicated processing means, so that software processing and dedicated processing means are used separately to improve performance. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

1 is a system configuration diagram according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the rotation process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the rotation process shown in FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. 1 is a schematic view according to an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

<Embodiment>
[Entire Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image processing unit 11, a document reading unit 12, a document feeding unit 13, a transport unit (a paper feed roller 42 b, a transport roller 44, and a discharge roller 45), a network transmission / reception unit 15, an operation panel unit 16, an image. A forming unit 17 (image forming unit), an ASIC 18 (dedicated processing unit), a storage unit 19 and the like are connected to the control unit 10. The operation of each unit is controlled by the control unit 10.

The control unit 10 is information processing means such as a general purpose processor (GPP), a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), and a graphics processing unit (GPU). .
The control unit 10 reads out a control program stored in the ROM or HDD of the storage unit 19, develops the control program in the RAM, and executes it to operate as each unit of a functional block described later. Further, the control unit 10 controls the entire apparatus in accordance with predetermined instruction information input from an external terminal (not shown) or the operation panel unit 16.

The image processing unit 11 is control arithmetic means such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The image processing unit 11 is a unit that performs predetermined image processing on image data, and performs various types of image processing such as enlargement / reduction processing, density adjustment, gradation adjustment, and image improvement processing.
The image processing unit 11 stores the image read by the document reading unit 12 in the storage unit 19 as print data. At this time, the image processing unit 11 can also convert the print data into a file unit in a format such as PDF or TIFF.

The document reading unit 12 is a (scan) unit that reads a set document.
The document feeding unit 13 is a unit that transports a document read by the document reading unit 12.
The image forming unit 17 reads from the document data 300 (FIG. 1) read by the document reading unit 12 or acquired from an external terminal or recording medium and stored in the storage unit 19 to a sheet according to a user output instruction. Means for performing image formation.
The transport unit transports paper from the paper feed cassette 42a (FIG. 5), causes the image forming unit 17 to form an image, and then transports the paper to the post-processing unit 50.
The operations of the document reading unit 12, the document feeding unit 13, the transport unit, and the image forming unit 17 will be described later.

The network transmission / reception unit 15 is a network connection unit including a LAN board, a wireless transceiver, and the like for connecting to an external network such as a LAN, a wireless LAN, a WAN, and a mobile phone network.
The network transmission / reception unit 15 transmits / receives data on a data communication line and transmits / receives voice signals on a voice telephone line.

The operation panel unit 16 includes a display unit such as an LCD, a numeric keypad, a start button, a cancel button, a button for switching operation modes such as copying, FAX transmission, and a scanner, and a job for printing, transmission, storage, and recording of a selected document. And an input unit such as a button and a touch panel for giving instructions related to execution.
The operation panel unit 16 acquires instructions for various jobs of the image forming apparatus 1 by the user. In addition, various settings stored in the storage unit 19 can be input and changed according to user instructions acquired from the operation panel unit 16.

The ASIC 18 is dedicated processing means such as ASIC for rotating the document data 300 (FIG. 1) stored in the storage unit 19 in a predetermined direction. The ASIC 18 may be configured by using an inexpensive and not high-performance circuit, and may be rotated at a speed that does not stop image formation when the document data 300 is transmitted to the image forming unit 17. That is, the ASIC 18 may rotate the page 310 of the document data 300 at a speed slower than the software processing by the control unit 10. Further, the ASIC 18 may be capable of rotating the document data 300 only in a predetermined direction such as 90 degrees vertically or 90 degrees horizontally.
In addition to the rotation, the ASIC 18 may perform processing such as enlargement or reduction of the document data 300. Further, the ASIC 18 may be an MPU, GPU, or DSP that includes a storage unit that executes a dedicated program.

The storage unit 19 is a storage unit that uses a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
A control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the ROM and HDD of the storage unit 19. The storage unit 19 also stores user account settings. The storage unit 19 may include a storage folder area for each user.

The post-processing unit 50 is a device for performing post-processing on the paper 60 (FIG. 5) on which the image forming unit 17 has formed an image, such as a finisher, a stapler, and a sorter.
The post-processing unit 50 performs post-processing such as opening punch holes at predetermined positions on the paper 60 according to instructions from the control unit 10, binding with a stapler, folding for bookbinding, sorting in units of jobs, and discharging to a tray. I do. For this reason, the post-processing unit 50 includes a dedicated control unit and a mechanism for performing post-processing.
Further, the position of the paper 60 on which the post-processing unit 50 performs each post-processing may be fixed. When post-processing is performed on the fixed position, the document data 300 (FIG. 1) may need to be rotated.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 10 and the image processing unit 11 may be integrally formed, such as a CPU with a built-in GPU or a chip-on-module package. Further, the image processing unit 11 and the ASIC 18 may be integrally formed.
The control unit 10, the image processing unit 11, and the ASIC 18 may include a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, or the like.
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a FAX transmission / reception unit that performs facsimile transmission / reception.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The document reading unit 12 is arranged on the upper part of the main body unit 14, and the document feeding unit 13 is arranged on the upper side of the document reading unit 12. The post-processing unit 50 is disposed on the discharge port 41 side of the paper 60 formed in the main body unit 14, and the operation panel unit 16 is disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

The document reading unit 12 includes a scanner 12a, a platen glass 12b, and a document reading slit 12c. The scanner 12 a includes an exposure lamp, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging sensor, and the like, and is configured to be movable in the document transport direction by the document feeder 13.
The platen glass 12b is an original table made of a transparent member such as glass. The document reading slit 12 c has a slit formed in a direction orthogonal to the document transport direction by the document feeding unit 13.

When reading a document placed on the platen glass 12b, the scanner 12a is moved to a position facing the platen glass 12b, and reads the document while scanning the document placed on the platen glass 12b to obtain image data. The acquired image data is output to the main body unit 14.
When reading the document conveyed by the document feeding unit 13, the scanner 12a is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 12c, and the document feeding unit 13 conveys the document through the document reading slit 12c. The document is read in synchronization with the operation to acquire image data, and the acquired image data is output to the main body unit 14.

The document feeding unit 13 includes a document placement unit 13a, a document discharge unit 13b, and a document transport mechanism 13c. The originals placed on the original placement unit 13a are sequentially fed out one by one by the original conveyance mechanism 13c, conveyed to a position facing the original reading slit 12c, and then discharged to the original discharge unit 13b.
The document feeding unit 13 is configured to be retractable, and the upper surface of the platen glass 12b can be opened by lifting the document feeding unit 13 upward.

The main body 14 includes the image forming unit 17, and includes a paper feeding unit 42, a paper conveyance path 43, a conveyance roller 44, and a discharge roller 45. The paper feed unit 42 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 42 a that store paper 60 that are recording papers of different sizes or orientations, and a paper feed roller 42 b that feeds the paper 60 from the paper feed cassette 42 a to the paper transport path 43 one by one. And. The paper feed roller 42b, the transport roller 44, and the discharge roller 45 function as a transport unit. The paper 60 is transported by this transport unit. Each paper feed cassette 42a may be provided with a sensor for detecting the orientation of the paper.
The sheet 60 fed to the sheet conveyance path 43 by the sheet feeding roller 42 b is conveyed to the image forming unit 17 by the conveyance roller 44. Then, the paper 60 on which recording is performed by the image forming unit 17 is discharged to the post-processing unit 50 by the discharge roller 45.
The paper feed unit 42 may include a sensor that detects the orientation and size of the paper 60 placed in the paper feed cassette 42a.

The image forming unit 17 includes a photosensitive drum 17a, an exposure unit 17b, a developing unit 17c, a transfer unit 17d, and a fixing unit 17e. The exposure unit 17b is an optical unit including a laser device, a mirror, a lens, an LED array, and the like. The exposure unit 17b outputs light or the like based on image data to expose the photosensitive drum 17a, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 17a is statically exposed. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The developing unit 17c is a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 17a using toner, and forms a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 17a. The transfer unit 17d transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 17a by the developing unit 17c to the paper 60. The fixing unit 17e heats the paper 60 on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 17d, and fixes the toner image on the paper 60.
The image forming unit 17 forms an image of the original data 300 (FIG. 1) rotated by the ASIC 18 (FIG. 4) or software processing under the control of the rotation control unit 130 (FIG. 1).

[System Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
Here, the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a document data acquisition unit 100 (document data acquisition unit), an orientation determination unit 110 (direction difference determination unit), a post-processing determination unit 120 (post-processing determination unit), and a rotation control unit 130 (rotation control unit). ).
The storage unit 19 stores document data 300.

  The document data acquisition unit 100 acquires document data 300 from the document reading unit 12, an external terminal (not shown), a recording medium, and the like, and stores the document data 300 in the storage unit 19.

The orientation determination unit 110 reads the document data 300 acquired by the document data acquisition unit 100 and stored in the storage unit 19, and determines whether the orientation is different from the output paper 60 (FIG. 5). The orientation determination unit 110 analyzes a PDL (Page Description Language) of the document data 300 stored in the storage unit 19. Further, the orientation determination unit 110 determines the output direction of the document data 300 or the orientation of the paper 60 stored in the paper feed cassette 42 a of the paper feed unit 42 specified by the paper setting 200 stored in the storage unit 19. Obtained by sensor or paper setting 200.
In addition, when the post-processing is specified in the document data 300, the orientation difference determination unit 110 calculates a direction due to the rotation when the post-processing requires rotation. At this time, the orientation determination unit 110 compares the output direction set in the document data 300 or the rotation direction required for post-processing with the orientation of the paper 60 to determine the orientation difference.

The post-processing determining unit 120 determines whether or not post-processing is specified in the document data 300 when it is determined by the mis-direction determining unit that the paper 60 is in the wrong direction.
The post-processing determining unit 120 analyzes the PDL of the document data 300 stored in the storage unit 19 and determines whether post-processing is designated.

The rotation control unit 130 rotates the image of the document data 300 by the ASIC 18 when the post-processing determination unit 120 determines that the post-processing is not specified, and rotates the image of the document data 300 by software processing otherwise. Let
In other words, the rotation control unit 130 displays the image of each page 310 included in the document data 300 when the document data 300 is different from the paper 60 placed in the paper feed cassette 42a and no post-processing is designated. Rotate by ASIC 18. At this time, the rotation control unit 130 writes the rotation direction in the register of the ASIC 18 and issues a predetermined command to execute the rotation process.
When post-processing is specified due to a different orientation, the rotation control unit 130 reads each page 310 of the document data 300 stored in the storage unit 19, and sets the image orientation or the like in accordance with the paper orientation or post-processing. The control unit 10 is caused to execute a program that changes the coordinates and the like so as to correspond to the above. As a result, the rotation control unit 130 rotates the document data 300 by software processing.

The paper setting 200 is default setting data such as the paper orientation and image forming direction stored in each paper feed cassette 42a (FIG. 5).
The paper setting 200 can be set and changed by the user from the operation panel unit 16 or a terminal (not shown).

The document data 300 is data including PDL of each page 310 and various data. The document data 300 includes one or more pages 310 which are PDL in units of pages and various data. The document data 300 may be image data read by the document reading unit 12, print data acquired from another terminal, bitmap image data drawn by rasterizing a PDL, or the like.
The document data 300 may also include data regarding the output direction, the designation of the paper feed cassette 42a to be output, the presence / absence of post-processing, and the designation of the type.
Although one document data 300 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of document data 300 may be stored in the storage unit 19 for each job.

Here, the control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 19, whereby the document data acquisition unit 100, the orientation determination unit 110, the post-processing determination unit 120, and the rotation control unit 130. , Function as.
Each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 is a hardware resource for executing the image forming method of the present invention.

[Rotation processing by the image forming apparatus 1]
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the rotation process by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the rotation processing of this embodiment, the control unit 10 mainly executes a program stored in the storage unit 19 using hardware resources in cooperation with each unit.
Hereinafter, details of the rotation process will be described step by step with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(Step S101)
First, the control unit 10 causes the document data acquisition unit 100 to perform document data acquisition processing.
The control unit 10 may acquire the document data 300 by causing the document reading unit 12 to read the document set on the document feeding unit 13.
In addition, the control unit 10 may acquire the document data 300 that already exists in the connected recording medium, the storage folder of the user in the storage unit 19, or the like.
Further, the control unit 10 may acquire the document data 300 from a storage folder of another terminal or server (not shown) via a network, or may acquire image data received by facsimile as the document data 300.
The control unit 10 stores the acquired document data 300 in the storage unit 19.

(Step S102)
Next, the control unit 10 performs a paper feed direction confirmation process by the misdirection determination unit 110.
The control unit 10 acquires the orientation of the paper 60 placed from the sensor of the paper feed cassette 42a in which the paper 60 for forming the image of the original data 300 is stored. Further, the control unit 10 may read the paper setting 200 stored in the storage unit 19 and obtain the orientation of the paper 60 of the paper feed cassette 42a. At this time, the control unit 10 may acquire information such as the size of the paper 60, the arrangement position of the paper 60, and the paper type.

(Step S103)
The control unit 10 performs post-processing position setting processing using the orientation determination unit 110.
The control unit 10 analyzes the PDL of the document data 300, and sets the post-processing unit 50 to perform the specified post-processing on the paper 60 after image formation when the post-processing is specified in the document data 300. To do.

(Step S104)
Next, the control unit 10 causes the orientation determination unit 110 to determine whether the output direction of the document data 300 is the orientation. The control unit 10 analyzes the PDL of the document data 300 stored in the storage unit 19 and acquires the output direction of the page 310. Then, the control unit 10 compares the output direction set in the document data 300 with the orientation of the paper 60 in the paper feed cassette 42a to calculate whether or not the orientation is different. If post-processing is specified in the original data 300, the control unit 10 determines whether the output direction set in the original data 300 is different depending on the position of the punch hole for post-processing or the binding position of a stapler or the like. Whether or not is also calculated. At this time, the control unit 10 may change the rotation direction for post-processing depending on the size of the paper 60, the arrangement position of the paper 60, the type of paper, and the like.
If the output direction of the document data 300 and the orientation of the paper 60 in the paper feed cassette 42a are at least partially different, the control unit 10 determines that the orientation is different and determines Yes. Further, when the rotation is necessary due to the designation of the post-processing, the control unit 10 determines Yes as the direction difference even when the output direction after the rotation is different from the direction of the paper 60. In other cases, the control unit 10 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the control part 10 advances a process to step S105.
In No, the control part 10 advances a process to step S108.

(Step S105)
When the output direction is opposite, the control unit 10 determines whether the post-processing is specified by the post-processing determination unit 120. The control unit 10 determines Yes when post-processing is specified in the PDL of the document data 300. In other cases, that is, when no post-processing is designated, the control unit 10 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the control part 10 advances a process to step S107.
In No, the control part 10 advances a process to step S106.

(Step S106)
Here, when the paper 60 in the paper feed cassette 42 a is in the wrong direction and no post-processing is designated, the control unit 10 causes the rotation control unit 130 to perform ASIC rotation processing.
With reference to FIG. 3A, the control unit 10 causes the ASIC 18 to rotate each page 310 of the document data 300 stored in the storage unit 19. At this time, when the document data 300 is PDL or the like, the control unit 10 rasterizes (draws) the document data 300 to a state before being transmitted to the image forming unit, and then rotates the data of the drawn image. . The image data stored in the ASIC 18 and the storage unit 19 is read out in units of lines, for example, rotated, converted into rotated image data, and stored in the storage unit 19 for rotation.
Since the ASIC 18 is provided as a buffer or the like in a storage unit that stores data in units of lines, it is not necessary to separately hold intermediate data during rotation in the storage unit 19, and the storage capacity of the storage unit 19 can be reduced.

(Step S107)
Here, the control unit 10 causes the rotation control unit 130 to perform software rotation processing.
If it demonstrates with reference to FIG.3 (b), the control part 10 will run the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 19, and will rotate by software processing, when the output direction is different direction and post-processing is designated. I do. When there is post-processing, the control unit 10 rotates the document data 300 so that the output direction after rotation matches the position where post-processing is possible. In other words, the control unit 10 rotates the page 310 of the document data 300 that has been subjected to software processing in a direction that matches the post-processing. In the example of FIG. 3B, the punch hole group 315 is rotated in the direction opposite to that of FIG.
When the document data 300 is PDL or the like, the control unit 10 may rotate the data of the rendered image after rendering each page 310 of the document data 300 in the same manner as the ASIC rotation process described above. Further, when the document data 300 is PDL or the like, direct drawing may be performed by rotating the drawing coordinate system of the PDL so that the orientation matches the output direction.
The control unit 10 can create image data after rotation at high speed by creating and rotating intermediate data in the middle of rotation as intermediate data.

(Step S108)
Here, the control unit 10 causes the rotation control unit 130 to perform image formation instruction processing.
The control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 17 to form an image and output each page 310 of the document data 300 rotated by the ASIC 18 or software processing.
Thus, the rotation process according to the embodiment of the present invention is completed.

With the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
In the conventional image forming apparatus, the dedicated processing means cannot cope with the post-processing, and if the rotation is performed in the software processing, the performance is reduced.
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the ASIC 18 that rotates the image, the document data acquisition unit 100 that acquires the document data 300, and the document data 300 acquired by the document acquisition unit. And the orientation determination unit 110 that determines whether the orientation of the output paper is wrong or not, and the orientation determination unit 110 determines that the paper is in the wrong orientation. A post-processing determining unit 120 that determines whether or not post-processing is specified. If the post-processing determining unit 120 determines that no post-processing is specified, the image of the document data 300 is rotated by the ASIC 18, otherwise In this case, the rotation control unit 130 rotates the image of the document data 300 by software processing, and the rotation control unit 130 causes the ASIC 18 or software to be rotated. Characterized in that it comprises an image forming unit 17 for the document data 300 that is rotated image formed by the restore process.
With this configuration, it is possible to use the ASIC 18 and software processing separately. Therefore, the rotation of the document data 300 with post-processing is performed by software processing, and the job of the document data 300 without post-processing is performed. For example, the ASIC 18 can be used for rotation. Therefore, while the image of the document data 300 is being rotated by the ASIC 18, it is possible to perform processing such as rotating the image of the other document data 300 by software processing, and the performance of image formation can be improved.

Further, conventionally, when all the document data 300 is rotated by software processing, there is a problem in that the memory capacity of the storage unit 19 is compressed.
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can reduce the memory capacity required for the rotation process by rotating the document data 300 without post-processing by the ASIC 18. For this reason, a plurality of pages 310 that are more than conventional can be simultaneously rotated, and the performance can be improved.

In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the rotation control unit 130 sets the rotation direction of the page 310 of the document data 300 that has been subjected to software processing to a direction that matches the post processing. .
With this configuration, the original data 300 stored in the storage unit 19 can be rotated in a predetermined direction required for post-processing, separately from the orientation of the paper on which the image is formed. For this reason, even if the post-processing unit 50 has a configuration in which punch holes and stapling can only be performed at predetermined positions, the rotation processing can be performed flexibly. That is, the ASIC 18 can rotate only in a predetermined direction such as 90 degrees to the right, for example, and the rotation processing can be performed even if the rotation direction of the document data 300 necessary for post-processing is not supported by the ASIC 18.
Further, even the ASIC 18 having a small circuit scale and capable of rotating only in a predetermined direction can be used for the image forming apparatus 1 provided with the post-processing unit 50, and the cost can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the output direction, the presence / absence of post-processing, and the type are described in units of document data 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, when it is determined whether the output direction is changed or whether post-processing is performed or the type is determined in units of pages 310 of the document data 300, it may be rotated by the ASIC 18 or software processing by the above-described processing at the time of the change. Further, when the output of the document data 300 is interrupted and the output is resumed, the determination by the above-described processes may be performed again. As a result, even when the output direction, the presence / absence of post-processing, or the type in the document data 300 changes, it can be rotated by the ASIC 18 or software processing to improve performance.
Further, while the page 310 of the document data 300 for which no post-processing is designated is rotated by the ASIC 18, the other page 310 may be rotated by software processing. Thereby, rotation processing can be performed more quickly and performance can be improved.

  The present invention can also be applied to an information processing apparatus other than the image forming apparatus. That is, a configuration using a network scanner, a server in which the scanner is separately connected by a USB, or the like may be used.

  Further, the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be appropriately modified and executed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Control part 11 Image processing part 12 Original reading part 12a Scanner 12b Platen glass 12c Original reading slit 13 Original feeding part 13a Original placing part 13b Original discharge part 13c Original conveyance mechanism 14 Main body part 15 Network transmission / reception part 16 Operation panel unit 17 Image forming unit 17a Photosensitive drum 17b Exposure unit 17c Development unit 17d Transfer unit 17e Fixing unit 18 ASIC
19 Storage Unit 41 Discharge Port 42 Paper Feed Unit 42a Paper Feed Cassette 42b Paper Feed Roller 43 Paper Transport Path 44 Transport Roller 45 Discharge Roller 50 Post-Processing Unit 60 Paper 100 Original Data Acquisition Unit 110 Orientation Determination Unit 120 Post-Processing Determination Unit 130 Rotation control unit 200 Paper setting 300 Document data 310 Page 315 Punch hole group

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus provided with dedicated processing means for rotating an image,
Orientation determination means for analyzing stored document data and determining whether or not the orientation of the output paper is incorrect;
A post-processing determining unit that determines whether or not post-processing is specified in the document data when the orientation determination unit determines that the orientation of the output paper is a paper of a wrong direction;
If it is determined that there is no designation of the post-processing by the rear processing determining means to rotate the image of the document data by the dedicated processing unit,
Rotation control means for rotating by software processing so as to correspond to the orientation of the paper on which the image of the original data is output and the orientation matched to the post-processing when it is determined that the post-processing is designated. ,
The dedicated processing means is an Application Specific Processor (ASIC),
The speed of rotating the document data image in the ASIC by the rotation control means is slower than the software processing, and the rotation of the document data image in the ASIC is only in a predetermined direction. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit,
In the rotation of the document data image by the ASIC, the rotation control unit reads and rotates the document data image stored in the storage unit on a line-by-line basis, and converts it into a rotated document data image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is stored in the storage unit. The rotation control means rotates the other image of the original data by the software processing while rotating the image of the original data not designated by the post-processing by the ASIC.
  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. In the image forming method by the image forming apparatus provided with the dedicated processing means for rotating the image, the image forming apparatus includes:
Determine whether the stored document data and the output paper are in the wrong direction,
If the orientation of the sheet to be output is judged to be the difference orientation, it is determined whether the certain specified post-processing on the document data,
When it is determined that the post-processing is not designated, the image of the document data is rotated by the dedicated processing unit,
When it is determined that the post-processing is designated, the image of the original data is rotated by software processing so as to correspond to the orientation of the paper to be output and the orientation according to the post- processing ,
The dedicated processing means is an Application Specific Processor (ASIC),
An image forming method , wherein the speed of rotating the image of the original data in the ASIC is slower than the software processing, and the rotation of the image of the original data in the ASIC is only in a predetermined direction .

Images