JPH0447754A - Picture forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability by entering picture information as a picture forming condition data for function setting and applying setting processing to the data when an original sheet read by prescanning is discriminated to be special format paper. CONSTITUTION:An image of a reflected light from an original is formed on a CCD line sensor 300. The charge stored at the CCD line sensor for all picture in the lump is transferred to a shift register and shifted by a shift clock from a synchronization control circuit 309 and outputted as a picture signal. In this case, whether or not an original sheet is specific format paper is discriminated based on whether or not an electric signal at a scanning position of one focus or over represents a prescribed identification mark and when the paper is discriminated to be the special format paper, the picture information of the electric signal is inputted as a picture forming condition data and when the input setting is implemented, the picture forming is controlled not to be executed. Thus, the picture forming condition is sent from the picture information for the special format paper to eliminate the need for complicated key operation thereby improving the operability.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine, and in particular to scanning a document and converting document information into electrical signals before image forming operation. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of

[Prior Art] In recent years, image forming devices such as copying machines have become multi-functional, such as variable magnification, automatic density adjustment, automatic paper size selection, automatic magnification selection, multicolorization, and automatic double-sided image formation. 1 Various functions such as image editing functions have been realized, but there is a need to improve operability or develop new function specification means to fully utilize these functions and perform optimal image formation. There is.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In particular, in such conventional devices, there are so many types of selectable processing functions that the function setting method and operation are complicated, making it difficult for the user to fully utilize the functions. There was a drawback. Furthermore, as the number of functions increases, the number of operation buttons tends to increase significantly, but this becomes an obstacle in making the device smaller, lighter, simpler, and lower in price.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can automatically set the functions of the apparatus without any key operations, eliminate complicated key operations, and easily utilize the functions of the apparatus. be.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that reads and scans a document and converts information on the document into electrical signals prior to an image forming operation. determining means for determining whether or not the document is special format paper based on whether the electrical signal at one or more predetermined scanning positions indicates a predetermined identification mark; When it is determined that the image forming condition setting means inputs and sets the image information of the electric signal as image forming condition data, and controls not to execute the image forming operation when the image forming condition setting means makes the input setting. The present invention is characterized by comprising a control means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, in a second aspect of the present invention, the determination means is means for performing a determination process for each conveyed document as to whether or not it is the special format paper, in conjunction with an automatic document feeder. The image forming condition setting means is means for changing the image forming conditions for one or more documents following the document determined to be special format paper by the determining means, and the control means The present invention is characterized in that it is a means for performing control to realize a series of image forming operations for other original documents without performing an image forming operation for originals of special format paper.

[Function] In the present invention, it is determined whether the document read by Briscan is special format paper or not, and when it is determined that it is special format paper, image information is input as image forming condition data for function settings, and setting processing is performed. Now, the user can first set the formatted paper with the functions requested by the user, let the device automatically set the image forming conditions, and then set the desired original. Image formation can be performed in a mode that suits the user's needs. Therefore, according to the present invention, complicated key operations are not required.
The operability is improved and the functions can be fully utilized.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows an image forming apparatus (copying apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The cross-sectional configuration of is shown. In this figure, l is the main body of the copying apparatus, and the original scanning unit 2. It is composed of a paper feeding section 3, an image forming section 4, an intermediate tray portion 5, and the like.

First, the configuration of the document scanning section 2 will be explained.

Reference numeral 2a denotes a controller section, which is composed of a control board integrated with control elements for comprehensively controlling the copying sequence. The controller section 2a is equipped with hardware such as double-sided copy control means, digital information designation means, and double-sided multiplex composite copy control means.

2b is a power switch. Reference numeral 2C denotes an original exposure lamp, which together with a scanning mirror constitutes an optical scanning system, and scans and moves at a predetermined speed.

2d is an imaging lens that forms an image of reflected light from the original onto a CCD (charge coupled device), which is a photoelectric conversion element. C.C.
At step D, the image information of the original is converted into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is amplified and A/Ded by analog processor AP.
(Analog-to-digital) conversion processing is performed and converted into a digital image signal. This digital image signal is subjected to various image processing such as density change and area processing in an image processing unit IP.

Reference numeral 2e denotes a buzzer which notifies a user of a copying mode error set by an operation unit, which will be described later. 2f is an optical system drive motor (optical motor), which drives the optical scanning system etc. with high precision.

Next, the paper feed section 3 will be explained.

3a and 3b are paper feed rollers. This paper feed roller 3a
, 3b, the cut sheet SR is transferred to the image forming section 4.
is fed inside.

Next, the configuration of the image forming section 4 as an image forming means will be explained.

12 is a registration roller, and is a paper feed roller 3a.

The cut sheet S) I fed by the drive of the drive unit 3b is temporarily stopped, and after synchronizing the alignment of the leading edge of the image, the cut sheet SH is fed again.

Reference numerals 13a and 13b are developing units, which accommodate color-specific developers (red, black). Solenoid 14a, 1
4b, selectively develops the developing units 13a and 13.
b is placed close to the photosensitive drum 11, and the other is placed away from the photosensitive drum 11. Note that when the second recording mode is set from the operation section, which will be described later, only the recording material (cut sheet SH) for a specific document will be displayed in red/red.
The controller section 2a is a solenoid 14a so as to perform black color-separate development.

14b.

15 is a transfer charger, and is a developing unit 13a.

13b, the developed toner image is transferred onto the cut sheet SH. After this transfer, the cut sheet SH is separated from the photosensitive drum 11 by a separation charger 16.

A pre-exposure lamp 17 neutralizes the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 11 and prepares for primary charging. A cleaner device 18 includes a cleaning blade and a cleaning roller, and collects toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11.

A fixing device 19 fixes the toner image transferred to the cut sheet SH by heat and pressure. 2o is a conveyance roller. Reference numeral 21 denotes a flapper, which includes a paper discharge roller 23 in the conveying direction of the cut sheet SH after the fixing process has been completed;
Alternatively, it can be switched to either the direction of the intermediate tray part 5 via the conveyance path 22. 24 is a paper discharge tray.

A scanner motor 25 rotates a rotating polygon mirror at a predetermined speed and deflects a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser 26. In addition, scanner morph 25. A digital scanning unit is constituted by a semiconductor laser 26 and the like, and a laser beam corresponding to the image information processed by the image processing unit IP is emitted from the digital scanning unit to form a latent image of the original image on the photosensitive drum 11. 28 is a primary charger.

Next, the configuration of the intermediate training part 5 will be explained.

Reference numeral 30 denotes an intermediate tray in which cut sheets SR conveyed via conveyance rollers 34 are temporarily stored. The cut sheet SH on the intermediate tray 30 is re-transmitted to the image forming section 4 via the conveying path 31 by driving of the feeding rollers 33 and 35.

Sl to S15 in this figure. S19 to S23 are various sensors. For example, sensor S1 detects the home position of an optical system serving as an analog scanning unit. During standby, the optical system stops at this home position detection position. Sensor S2 detects that the optical system has moved to a position corresponding to the leading edge position of the original image, and controls the timing of the copy sequence based on this sensor output. Sensor S3 detects the remic position (reversal position) at the time of maximum scanning. The optical system reciprocates with a scan length according to the cassette size and magnification inputted via an operation section, which will be described later.

Next, the overall operation will be explained.

When the power switch 2b is turned on, first, the heater in the fixing device 19 is energized, and the fixing roller waits (wait state) until it reaches a predetermined temperature at which fixing can be performed.

When the fixing roller reaches a predetermined temperature, the main drive motor MM is driven for a certain period of time, and the photosensitive drum 11. The fixing device 19 and the like are driven to set the rollers in the fixing device 19 at a uniform temperature (weight release rotation state). Next, the main drive motor MM is stopped and stands by in a copyable state (standby state). Here, the main drive motor MM is the photosensitive drum 1.
1. Fuser 19. The developing units 13a, 13b and various transfer paper conveying rows are driven.

Thereafter, when a copy command (copy start command) is input from the operation unit, a copy sequence (copy sequence) is started.

(1) Rotate the main drive motor MM according to the image forming copy command,
The photosensitive drum 11 is started to rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 2, and high voltage is supplied from the high voltage unit HTV to the wide charger 28 to apply a uniform charge onto the photosensitive drum 11.

Next, the document exposure lamp 2C is turned on, the optical motor 2f is driven, and the document placed on the document table is exposed and scanned in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
Project on top. The image information of the document converted into electrical signals by the CCD is sent to the analog processor AP and the image processing unit IP.
is processed into a digital image signal. The semiconductor laser 26 is caused to emit light in accordance with the processed image signal, and the rotating polygon mirror scans the photosensitive drum 11, thereby forming a latent image corresponding to the original on the photosensitive drum 11.

Next, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred to a developing unit 13.
a or the developing unit 13b with toner. This developed toner image is transferred to the cut sheet SH at the transfer charger 15, and the cut sheet SH is separated from the photosensitive drum 11 at the separation charger 19.

Next, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11 is collected by the cleaner device 18, and after the photosensitive drum 11 is uniformly neutralized by the pre-exposure lamp 17, the above-described copy cycle is repeated again.

One of the developing units 13a and 13b is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 11 in response to a selection command from the operating section.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that color toner (for example, red toner) is stored in one developing unit 13a, and black toner is stored in the other developing unit 13b. These developing units 13a and 13b are operated by solenoid 1.
4a and 14b approach/retract from the photosensitive drum 11. Further, a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeves of the developing units 13a and 13b.

The copying apparatus of this embodiment can perform not only normal single-sided copying but also double-sided copying and multiplex copying, but the paper resistance value of cut sheets 1-3H that has passed once through the fixing device 19 is different from that when copying on the first side. The conditions of the high voltage applied to the transfer charger 159 and the separation charger 16 are different between the first side and the second side during double-sided copying or multiple copying. Each high voltage value for bias or transfer 1 separation is determined by high voltage unit HVT.
controlled by

(2) Control of cut sheet SH Sensor S9 in FIG. Sll detects whether the upper and lower cassettes are out of paper, and sensors SIO and S12 detect the lifting state of paper feed rollers 3a and 3b. Moreover, sensor S22. S23 detects the cassette size.

Hereinafter, since the upper and lower stages perform similar operations, the paper feeding operation for the upper stage will be described.

First, when the upper cassette is inserted, the sensor S22 reads the cassette size, identifies the cassette size, turns off the paperless indicator of the operation section 41, and selectively turns on the cassette size.

Next, when the copy operation starts with the copy command,
Turn on the middle plate raising clutch (not shown) to raise the middle plate in the cassette, thereby raising the cut sheet SH. When the cut sheet SH rises and contacts the paper feed roller 3a and reaches a predetermined height, the sensor SIO outputs an output. This sensor output activates the clutch F and drives the paper feed roller 3a to feed the cut sheet SH into the machine.

As described above, the cassette sheet SH in the cassette is raised by turning on the middle plate raising clutch, but thereafter it is held at the raised position and the above-mentioned raising operation is not performed at the next copy start. Also, if the number of cut sheets SH in the cassette decreases during continuous copying and the top surface of the cut sheets SH drops below a predetermined position, the output of sensor SIO will turn OFF, so turn on the clutch in the same way as above. ,
The cut sheet SH is raised again to a predetermined height.

SH is Senza S
7, and since the registration roller 12 is stopped at this time, it makes an appropriate loop and stops.

Next, in order to align the leading edge of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 11, the registration roller 12 is driven by a timing signal from the optical system, and after aligning the leading edge of the toner image with the leading edge of the cut sheet SH, The toner image on the photosensitive drum 11 is cut by the transfer charger 15.
Transfer onto SH. The cut sheet SR on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 11 by a separation charger 16 and sent to a fixing device 19 by a conveyance mechanism.

In the fixing device 19, the surface of the fixing roller is controlled to a predetermined temperature by a temperature sensor (not shown) and a heater arranged on the surface of the fixing roller. After the toner image is fixed on the cut sheet SH by the fixing device 19, the sheet is discharged by the sensor S4, and is discharged from the machine by the sheet discharge roller 23.

Next, in the case of multiple copying, the flapper 21 is switched to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. The cut sheet SH passes through the conveyance path 22 and is conveyed sequentially in the conveyance direction 22a, and after the paper is detected by the sensor S5, the cut sheet SH is further conveyed by the sensor S6. It is detected by S8, etc., and the lateral registration is performed by a solenoid for lateral registration.

Next, the registration rollers are driven by a multiple copy command from the operation unit, and the cut sheet SH is transferred to the registration rollers 12.
Send to the position.

Thereafter, the cut sheet SH is fed, transferred, separated, and fixed in the same manner as described above, and then is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 24.

In addition, during double-sided copying, the cut sheet SH is ejected halfway through by the paper ejection roller 23 in the same way as in the normal copying operation described above, but the paper is ejected immediately after the trailing edge of the cut sheet SH passes the flapper 21. Since the roller 23 is driven in the reverse direction, the cut sheet SH is introduced into the conveyance path 22 guided by the flapper 21.

This reverse rotation drive is performed by a solenoid that controls forward and reverse rotation. The subsequent operations are the same as in the case of multiple copying described above. In this way, in the case of double-sided copying, cut sheet S
Most of the sheet SH is once taken out of the machine from the sheet discharge roller 23, and the cut sheet SH is placed on the front side by the reverse rotation of the sheet discharge roller 23.
- It is turned upside down and sent to the direction of the conveyance path 22a.

In the above, multiple copying of one sheet and double-sided copying have been explained, but in the case of multiple copying of a plurality of sheets or double-sided copying, the intermediate tray portion 5 is used.

Next, multiple copying of a plurality of sheets, etc. will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate tray part 5 is provided with an intermediate tray 30 for temporarily storing the cut sheet SH on the conveyance path 31. As shown in FIG. In the case of multiple copying of a plurality of sheets, the fixed cut sheet SH is partially ejected to the outside by the paper ejection roller 23 under the same control as in the case of double-sided copying of the single sheet copy described above, and then the paper ejection roller 23, the conveyance path 22, the flapper 32, and the conveyance path 3
6 and is stored in the intermediate tray 30.

After repeating this operation and storing all of the fixed cut sheets SH on the first side in the intermediate tray 30, the next copy command drives the feeding roller 33 for the second side and transfers them to the second side via the conveyance path 36. Execute the copy.

On the other hand, in the case of multiple double-sided copies, under the same control as in the case of single-sheet multiple copying, the cut sheets (SH) are moved from the fixing device 19 by the flapper 21 through the conveyance path 22° 36 and stored in the intermediate tray 30. do.

The subsequent operations are similar to those in the case of multiple copying described above, so detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Note that in a device in which an intermediate tray is configured in the image forming section 4, there is a limit to the length of the cut sheets SH that can be stored at - time.For example, when using the tile stacking method, the cut sheets SH that can be stored are half size. The paper will be as below.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the controller section 2a shown in FIG. Here, the same parts as in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals.

In this figure, 41 is an operation unit, and the copy mode (
Keys for setting the copy mode (magnification, paper size, etc.) and the copy mode (magnification, paper size, etc.), as well as keys for setting the copy mode (magnification, paper size, etc.), as well as keys for setting the digital scanning unit in advance for all originals fed from the automatic document feeder (ADF) (not shown). a first recording mode for superimposing stored digital information;
A mode setting key and a second mode setting key are arranged to set a second recording mode in which digital information stored in advance in the digital scanning unit is superimposed on a specific document fed from the automatic document feeder. There is.

42 is a control unit (controller), which includes a CPU (central processing unit) 42a, a ROM (read-on memory) 42b, and a RAM (random access memory).
420, etc., and collectively controls the copying sequence based on a control program stored in the ROM 42b.

Reference numeral 43 denotes an editor for inputting area designation for a predetermined area of the document. 44 is an image processing section indicated by IP in FIG.

45 is a laser section, which includes semiconductor lasers 26. It is composed of a scanner motor 25 and the like. 46 is an AC driver that supplies AC power to an AC load 47 such as the original exposure lamp 20. Reference numeral 48 denotes a motor control section, which controls the driving of the motor section. Reference numeral 49 denotes a DC load control section, which controls the driving of the solenoids 14a 14b, clutches, fans, and the like.

Reference numeral 50a denotes a feeder control section, which controls the drive of the document feeding section. A sorter 50b discharges the cut sheets SR discharged by the drive of the paper discharge roller 23 to a designated paper discharge bin.

) The IVT is a high-voltage unit that applies a voltage of a predetermined potential to the charging system and the developing sleeves of the developing units 13a and 13b.

DCP is a DC power supply and supplies a control potential of +5■ to the controller section 2a and the like.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed circuit configuration of the image processing section 44 shown in FIG. 3.

The operations of the image processing unit 44 will be explained below in the order of (a) image output, (b) mark sheet reading, and (C) mark sheet format output, which are related to the present invention. In addition, C
The PU 314 is the CPU 42a of the controller 42 in FIG.
It may be a dedicated CPU separate from the CPU.

The same applies to the RAM 311.

(a) Image Output As shown in FIG. 2, reflected light from the original is imaged onto the CCD line sensor 300 by the lens 2d. The charge accumulated by the CCD line sensor 300 for a predetermined period of time is transferred as a whole to a shift register (not shown), shifted by a shift register from a synchronization control circuit 309, and output as an image signal.

The output signal from the CCD line sensor 300 is sent to the amplifier 30.
1 is input. An amplifier 301 connects a white plate (not shown) installed in the original scanning unit 2 to a CCD line sensor 3.
When 00 is read, the output of amplifier 301 is output to the next stage A/
The image signal is amplified to the full scale of the D (analog-to-digital) converter 302.

The output signal from the amplifier 301 is sent to the A/D converter 302.
The data is analog-to-digital converted into 8-bit digital information. The output of the A/D converter 302 is input to a shading circuit 303 to correct variations in sensitivity of the CCD line sensor 300, uneven light amount of the document exposure lamp 2c, and the like. The output of the shading circuit 303 passes through a three-state buffer 304 and is input to an image processing circuit 305.

The image processing circuit 305 performs correction processing such as density correction, scaling,
Editing processing such as moving and trimming is performed.

The output signal of the image processing circuit 305 is input to a gradation control circuit 306 . The gradation control circuit 306 binarizes the input image data using a dither method or density pattern method using a threshold matrix, or pulse-width-modulates the image data to correspond to the pulse width. 2
Value.

The output signal of the gradation control circuit 306 is the output signal of the laser driver circuit 3.
07, and the semiconductor laser 26 emits light according to the level of the image signal.

(b) Mark Sheet Reading When reading a mark sheet as shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, the reflected light from the mark sheet is manually applied to the CCD line sensor 300, similarly to when outputting the image described above. C.C.
The output signal of the D line sensor 300 is amplified by an amplifier 301, analog-to-digital converted by an A/D converter 302, shading corrected by a shading circuit 303, and then input to a three-state buffer 304. The output signal of the three-state buffer 304 is input to the image processing circuit 305 and also to the data bus of the RAM 311.

Since the image processing circuit 305 does not need to form an image when reading the mark sheet, the image signal is switched so that the image signal is not output from the next step gradation control circuit 306 onwards.

On the other hand, RAM311 has CPU3 set in advance.
The image data input from the three-state buffer 304 is sequentially written by the address signal from the address control circuit 310 and the write signal from the read/write control circuit 313 according to the settings of 14.

At this time, the address control circuit 310 uses a clock signal having the same cycle as the input of image data sent from the synchronization control circuit 309 based on the settings of the CPU 314 to
Controls address signals that are sequentially output to Further, the read/write control circuit 313 outputs a write signal to the RAM 311 in response to a clock signal sent from the synchronization control circuit 309 based on the settings of the CPU 314 .

The mark sheet data once read into the RAM 311 as described above is read by the CPU 314, and the mark sheet data is processed by the CPU 314. At this time, the address control circuit 310 outputs the CP
The address signal of the address bus of U314 is output, the read/write control circuit 313 outputs the read signal of the CPU 314, and the bidirectional buffer 312 outputs the read signal of the CPU 314.
11 data buses are set by the CPU 314 to be connected to the data bus of the CPU 314.

Furthermore, when the CPU 314 reads data from the RAM 311, the three-state buffer 304
The output is in a high impedance state due to the settings of the CPU 314.

(c) Markcy 1-format output CPU 314
After the output of the three-state buffer 304 is set to an impedance state by the setting, the address control circuit 310
(: The address bus of the PU 314 is output, the read/write control circuit 313 outputs the write signal of the CPU 314, and the bidirectional buffer 312 is set to be connected to the data bus of the CPU 314.
PU314 is a ROM (not shown) (However, the RO
The mark sheet format is read from the M42b) and written into the RAM 311.

The format data written in the RAM 311 by the CPU 314 is sequentially read out from the RAM 311 by a clock signal output from the synchronization control circuit 309 and input to the image processing circuit 305. Image processing circuit 3
The output signal of 05 is input to the gradation control circuit 306, subjected to predetermined binarization processing, and input to the laser driver circuit 307, where the mark sheet format is recorded and output on the cut sheet SH by light emission of the semiconductor laser 26.

At this time, the address control circuit 310 controls the address signals that are sequentially input to the RAM 311 by the clock signal from the synchronous control circuit 309, and the read/write control circuit 313 controls the address signals input to the RAM 311 by the clock signal from the synchronous control circuit 309. The address control circuit 310 and the read/write control circuit 313 are set in advance by the CPU 314 so that the read signal is controlled.

Next, the control operation by the CPU 42a (or 314) of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that this control procedure is stored in advance in the ROM 42b in FIG. 3 or the like.

First, when the start key on the operation unit 41 is input (step 401), a bliscan for reading the original is executed, and image information (presence/existence of the original) is sent from the CCD line sensor 300.
(No, type of manuscript, etc.) manually (step 402).

As a result, if it is determined that there is no original (step 403)
, School 1 for the purpose of outputting formatted paper - Judging to be manual, the formatting paper of the mark sheet is outputted as described above (step 409).

When it is determined in step 403 that there is a document, in the next step 404, it is determined whether or not the document is a mark sheet based on the presence or absence of a mark sheet recognition marker shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later. When it is determined that it is a mark sheet, mode data is input from the image information of the mark sheet stored in the RAM 311 and a copy mode is set (step 408). At this time, no copying operation is performed.

When it is determined in step 404 that it is an ordinary document rather than a mark sheet, it is determined whether there has been a mode read using a mark sheet immediately before (step 405).
, if that mode has been read, the copying operation of the original is executed according to the set copy mode (step 407).

Furthermore, if there is no mode reading input using a mark sheet immediately before, the copying operation is executed in the standard mode (step 406).

The above algorithm (control procedure) is the same when using a feeder (automatic document feeder, not shown), and each time a document is brought from the feeder to the document reading position, it is checked whether it is a mark sheet document or not. Judgment Step 4
04), when the original is a mark sheet original, the copy mode is simply reset, the original is not copied, and subsequent normal originals are copied in the mode set for the mark sheet. The above operations are executed as a series of copying operations until it is determined that there is no document.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a format paper of a mark sheet used in an embodiment of the present invention.

The format paper has mark sheet recognition markers 501 and 50 for determining whether it is a mark sheet or not.
2, and a marking area 503 for selecting each copy mode. Here - A4 as an example
Use paper to specify the size of the plate.

This sheet may be printed in advance in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, but it can also be output from the printer section of the apparatus as described above in FIG. 4, if necessary.

Mark sheet recognition markers 501 and 502 are provided with different patterns on the document reference side and the opposite side of the format paper, and the recognition marker section 501 or 502 is recognized as image data by bliscan.
The data is read into the RAM 311 shown in the figure.

If it is determined that the image data read by the CPU 314 is a recognition marker, the CPU 42a determines that the document is a mark sheet, and performs reading in the copy mode (see steps 404 and 408 in FIG. 1). In addition, different patterns are recognized on the original reference side 501 and the opposite side 502, which is point symmetrical, so that the copy mode can be determined no matter which direction the mark sheet is placed with respect to the original reference position. Markers are provided, and the direction in which the image data of the mark sheet should be read is determined based on the difference in these patterns.

The copy mode is designated by marking the inside of the marking area 503 of the selection area for each mode. This marking may be, for example, a check mark such as rVJ, as shown in FIG. 5, or the inside of the mouth may be painted over. Therefore, FIG. 5 shows that the following copy mode is designated by this marking.

■Number of copies: 3 ■Paper size: A4 0 magnification: 100% ■Copy density: 6 ■Copy color: Red 0/both selections: 1 side - 1 side Next, we will explain the details of mark sheet recognition and copy mode determination. do.

By bliscanning the original, image data from the reference side of the original in the scanning direction to a width of about 20 to 30 mm is captured on the CCD 300. The data is read through the image processing section 44, and the read data is written to the RAM 311 shown in FIG. The image data written to RAM311 is CP
It is read by U314, and the presence or absence of image data is determined for the image address for the certified marker, thereby determining whether or not it is the recognition marker 501 or 502. Furthermore, the pattern of image data corresponding to the designated image address is determined based on the difference in the patterns of the recognition markers, and the orientation of the mark sheet with respect to the document reference is determined. for example,
In the recognition markers 501 and 502 in FIG. 5, the image data pattern for the marker 501 on the document reference side is a pattern in the order of black, white, black, white, black from the document reference, and the mark sheet is placed in the opposite direction. In this case, the pattern of the image data is in the order of white, black, white, black, white. This makes it possible to determine the orientation in which the mark sheet is placed (the above corresponds to step 404 in FIG. 1).

After the mark sheet is determined by the briscan, the image data in the copy mode section is read by scanning the entire mark sheet.

In this case as well, the read image data is R
Image data written to AM 311 and RAM 311 is read by CPU 314, and each copy mode is recognized by determining the presence or absence of image data for a specific image address for copy mode selection. I can do it. In addition, if the image address specification at the time of copy mode determination is converted by determining the orientation of the mark sheet as described above using Briscan, even if the mark sheet is placed in the opposite direction relative to the document standard, It becomes possible to determine the copy mode (step 4 in Figure 1).
08).

In the above embodiments, an electrophotographic image forming unit that forms a charged image on a photoreceptor is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of image forming units such as an inkjet system and a thermal transfer system may be used. Of course, it can be applied to things. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable not only to copying machines but also to facsimile machines and the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the image forming conditions are set from the image information of the special format paper on which the information of the functions requested by the user is written in advance. This eliminates the need for extensive key operations, improves operability, and has the effect that the user can fully and easily utilize various functions of the image forming apparatus.

Further, according to the present invention, special functions can be set using special format paper, so the number of operation buttons on the device can be greatly reduced, making the device smaller, lighter, simpler, and cheaper. It is possible to contribute to the development, etc.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the copy requester and the copy worker are different, the burden on the worker can be extremely reduced, and the copy work can be performed accurately as desired by the requester. be.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit structure of the image processing section of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an example of the format of the mark sheet used in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Copying apparatus main body, 2... Document scanning section, 3... Paper feeding section, 4... Image forming section, 5... Part of intermediate tray, 26... Semiconductor laser, 42. ...Controller, 42a-CPU. 42c...RAM, 44...Image processing section, 45...Laser section, 300...CCD line sensor, 305...Image processing circuit, 311...RAM. 314...cpu. 501.502...Mark sheet recognition marker, 503
...Marking area.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) In an image forming apparatus that reads and scans a document prior to an image forming operation and converts information on the document into an electrical signal, the electrical signal at one or more predetermined scanning positions corresponds to a predetermined identification signal. determining means for determining whether or not the document is special format paper based on whether the document shows a mark; and when the determining means determines that the document is special format paper;
An image forming condition setting means for inputting and setting image information of the electric signal as image forming condition data, and a control means for controlling not to execute an image forming operation when the image forming condition setting means makes the input setting. An image forming apparatus characterized by: 2) The determination means is a means for performing a determination process for each conveyed document as to whether or not the paper is in the special format in conjunction with the automatic document feeder, and the image forming condition setting means is a means for determining whether or not the paper is in the special format for each document conveyed. The control means is configured to change image forming conditions for one or more originals following the original determined to be paper, and the control means does not perform an image forming operation for the original determined to be special format paper. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a means for performing control for realizing a series of image forming operations on other documents.