JPH0922153A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of easily cutting off paper where an image has been formed at a specified position. SOLUTION: A copying machine is equipped with a cutting part 180 cutting the copying paper P on which the image has been copied at the specified position or forming perforation at the specified position. The cutting part 180 is equipped with a carrying roller 76 carrying the coying paper P, a motor 78 rotating the roller 76, an upper cutter 181 and a lower cutter 183 which are arranged to be extended in a direction crossing the carrying direction of the paper and provided at a position where they interpose a carrying path in between, and a moving mechanism 190 moving the cutter 181 up and down. The cutter 181 has saw teeth and its lowering position is adjusted by the moving mechanism 190. When the cutter 181 is lowered to a position where it is perfectly meshed with the cutter 183, the copying paper P is cut, and when the cutter 181 is lowered to the middle, the perforation is formed on the copying paper P.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer and a copying machine and an image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, a composite digital copying machine (hereinafter, simply referred to as a copying machine) having a function of printing a cut line as a guide for cutting at a predetermined position on a sheet on which an image of a document is copied. It has been known. This function is used, for example, when a cutoff line is printed on a portion of the application form that needs to be cut off.

Further, a conventional copying machine has a function of arranging multiple copies of an image of an original on one copy sheet at the same time for the purpose of reducing the number of copies and reducing the performance cost of the apparatus. That is, if the size of the paper on which the image of the original is copied is larger than the size of the original, for example, A
When copying an image of a 5 size original on an A4 size paper, it is possible to copy two images of an A5 size original on an A4 size paper side by side. Also in this case, a cutting line serving as a standard for cutting is printed at the cutting position where the image copied in multiple copies is cut off.

[0004]

However, when cutting the paper on which the cut lines are printed as described above, it is necessary to manually cut off the paper using a sharp blade such as a cutter or scissors. However, not only is it time-consuming, but there is a risk that the hand will be cut with a sharp blade.

Further, when it is necessary to form perforations on the application paper, it is necessary to separately form perforations along the cut lines printed on the copied paper, which increases the number of processing steps and is troublesome. There is such a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily separating a sheet on which an image is formed at a predetermined position.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on image information, and an image formed by the image forming means. Cutting means for cutting the formed recording medium, conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means through the cutting means, and setting means for setting the cutting position of the recording medium by the cutting means. And a control means for stopping the conveying means and activating the cutting means to cut the recording medium when the cutting position set by the setting means coincides with the cutting means.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention forms the perforation on the image forming means for forming the image on the recording medium based on the image information and the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means. Perforation forming means, conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means through the perforation forming means, and setting means for setting the perforation forming position of the recording medium by the perforation forming means When the perforation forming position set by the setting means coincides with the perforation forming means, the conveying means is stopped and the perforation forming means is operated to form perforations on the recording medium. And means.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention has an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on image information and a saw blade, and the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means. The cutter moved toward the first position, the saw blade completely passes through the recording medium to cut the recording medium, and the saw blade partially passes through the recording medium to form a perforation on the recording medium. Second
A moving mechanism for selectively moving the cutter to the position
A separating means having: a conveying means for conveying a recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means through the separating means; and a separating position of the recording medium by the separating means. Setting means for selecting any one of the positions, and when the cutting position set by the setting means matches the cutter, the conveying means is stopped and the position is moved to the position selected by the setting means. A mechanism for moving the cutter by a mechanism to separate the recording medium.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further comprises an image processing means for processing the image information, and an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image information processed by the image processing means. Cutting means for cutting the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means, conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means through the cutting means, and recording medium by the cutting means Setting the cutting position, and setting means for setting the processing conditions of the image information by the image processing means according to the cutting position, and the cutting position set by the setting means when the cutting position matches the cutting means. Control means for stopping the conveying means and operating the cutting means to cut the recording medium.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further comprises an image processing means for processing the image information, and an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image information processed by the image processing means. Perforation forming means for forming perforations on the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means, and conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means through the perforation forming means. , Setting the perforation forming position by the perforation forming means,
Setting means for setting the processing conditions of the image information by the image processing means according to the perforation forming position, and the conveyance when the perforation forming position set by the setting means matches the perforation forming means. The control means for stopping the means and operating the perforation forming means to form perforations on the recording medium.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image processing means for processing image information, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image information processed by the image processing means, A cutter having a saw blade, which is moved toward the recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means; a first position at which the saw blade completely passes through the recording medium and the recording medium is cut; A separation mechanism having a moving mechanism for selectively moving the cutter to a second position where the saw blade passes through the recording medium partway and perforations are formed on the recording medium, and an image is formed by the image forming means. The recording medium on which the recording medium is formed is conveyed through the separating means, and the separating position of the recording medium by the separating means is set, and the image processing means is set in accordance with the separating position. Setting means for setting the processing conditions of the image information to be selected and selecting either one of the first and second positions, and the transfer when the cutting position set by the setting means matches the cutting means. And a controller that stops the recording medium and separates the recording medium by moving the cutter to the position selected by the setting device by the moving mechanism.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention further comprises image reading means for reading the image information of the original, and image processing means for processing the image information read by the image reading means.
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image information processed by the image processing unit, and a saw blade, and is moved toward the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. A cutter and a first position where the saw blade completely passes through the recording medium to cut the recording medium, and a second position where the saw blade passes partway through the recording medium to form a perforation on the recording medium. A separating means having a moving mechanism for selectively moving the cutter, a conveying means for conveying a recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means through the separating means, and a recording medium by the separating means. A separation position is set, a processing condition of the image information by the image processing means is set in accordance with the separation position, and one of the first and second positions is selected. Means, and when the cutting position set by the setting means coincides with the cutting means, the conveying means is stopped, and the cutter is moved by the moving mechanism to the position selected by the setting means for recording. Control means for separating the medium.

Further, according to the present invention, an image is formed on a recording medium on the basis of image information, and a saw blade is provided. The saw blade completely passes through the recording medium to cut the recording medium. A cutter is provided that is selectively moved to a second position where the position and the saw blade pass through the recording medium halfway and a perforation is formed on the recording medium, and the recording medium on which an image is formed is conveyed through the cutter. Then, the separation position of the recording medium is set, one of the first and second positions is selected, and when the separation position coincides with the cutter, the conveyance of the recording medium is stopped, If you choose to cut the
To the position to cut the recording medium, and when perforation formation on the recording medium is selected, the cutter is moved to the second position to form perforations on the recording medium.

Further, according to the present invention, the image information is processed based on a predetermined processing condition, an image is formed on a recording medium based on the processed image information, and a saw blade is provided. The blade is selectively moved to a first position where the recording medium is completely cut and the recording medium is cut, and to a second position where the saw blade partially passes through the recording medium and a perforation is formed on the recording medium. Prepare a cutter,
When the recording medium on which the image is formed is conveyed through the cutter to set the separation position of the recording medium, and when either one of the first and second positions is selected and the separation position matches the cutter. When the conveyance of the recording medium is stopped and the cutting of the recording medium is selected, the cutter is moved to the first position to cut the recording medium, and the cutter is formed when perforation formation on the recording medium is selected. Is moved to the second position to form perforations on the recording medium, the processing conditions are set in accordance with the cutting position.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image is formed on the recording medium based on the image information. The recording medium on which the image is formed is conveyed by the conveying means through the cutting means, and is stopped when the cutting position set by the setting means coincides with the cutting means. Then, the cutting means is operated to cut the recording medium at the cutting position.

Further, according to another image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium on which an image is formed is conveyed by the conveying means through the perforation forming means, and the perforation forming position set by the setting means is set. It is stopped when it coincides with the cutting means. Then, the cutting means is operated to form perforations on the recording medium.

Further, according to another image forming apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium on which the image is formed is conveyed by the conveying means through the separating means, and the separating position set by the setting means coincides with the separating means. It will be stopped when you do.
Then, when the cutting of the recording medium is selected by the setting means, the cutter having the saw blade is first moved by the moving mechanism.
When the recording medium is moved to the position No. 1 and is cut at the cut-off position and perforation formation on the recording medium is selected by the setting means, the cutter is moved to the second position by the movement mechanism and the perforation is formed on the recording medium. To be done.

Therefore, the image can be formed on the recording medium and at the same time, the recording medium can be easily separated (cut or perforated) at a desired separation position. For this reason, it is not necessary to manually separate the recording medium using a cutter, scissors, or the like after the image formation, and the time and effort for the separation are reduced. Also,
It is possible to separate recording media without using a sharp blade,
There is no risk of cutting a hand during work, and the recording medium can be easily separated at a desired separation position.

Furthermore, according to another image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image information is processed by the image processing means in accordance with the cut-off position set by the setting means, and based on the processed image information. An image is formed on the recording medium. The recording medium on which the image is formed is conveyed by the conveying means through the separating means, and is stopped when the separating position set by the setting means coincides with the separating means. When the cutting of the recording medium is selected by the setting means, the cutter having the saw blade is moved to the first position by the moving mechanism so that the recording medium is cut at the separation position, and the sewing machine for the recording medium is set by the setting means. When the stitch formation is selected, the cutter is moved to the second position by the movement mechanism, and the perforation is formed on the recording medium.

Therefore, the recording medium on which the image is formed can be easily separated at a desired separation position, and the image information can be rotated, scaled, or copied multiple times to obtain an image on the recording medium. Thus, the recording medium can be separated in a desired direction.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a composite digital copying machine 1 as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
The overall structure of (hereinafter, simply referred to as copying machine 1) is schematically shown. The copying machine 1 includes a main body 80 having a substantially rectangular box shape. Inside the main body 80, a scanner unit 140 that functions as an image reading unit that reads image information of a document and an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image information. A printer unit 160 that operates as is provided. The document table 2 is formed on the upper surface of the main body 80, and an automatic document feeder 200 (hereinafter, referred to as ADF 200) is mounted on the document table 2.

In the ADF 200, the rear edge of the cover body 21 is openably and closably attached to the upper edge of the upper surface of the copying machine body 80 via a hinge device (not shown).
The entire DF 200 is rotationally displaced to open the document table 2.

An original feed table 22 capable of holding a plurality of originals collectively is provided on the upper surface of the cover main body 21 at a slightly leftward position. At one end of the ADF 200, there is provided a feeding mechanism 23 that sequentially picks up documents one by one and supplies them to one end (the left end in the drawing) of the document placing table 2. Feeding mechanism 23
Is a pickup roller 27 for taking out the original, a weight plate 28 for pressing the original on the pickup roller 27,
An empty sensor 29 as an original detection sensor for detecting the setting state of the original on the original feeding table 22 is provided.

Further, a paper feed roller 31 is arranged in the original pick-up direction of the pickup roller 27 so that the originals are surely fed one by one. Document table 2
A document transport belt 37 that covers the upper surface of the document is stretched. The document conveyance belt 37 is composed of the pair of belt rollers 4
The outer surface of the belts 0 and 40 is made of a white wide endless belt, and is configured to be able to travel in both forward and reverse directions by a belt drive mechanism (not shown). In addition, a plurality of belt pressing rollers 41 for pressing the belt surface onto the document placing table 2 are provided on the back side of the inner peripheral portion of the document conveying belt 37.
... and a set switch (not shown) for detecting the open / closed state of the ADF 200 are provided. Then, the document fed by the feeding mechanism 23 is conveyed from one end side (left end side) of the document placing table 2 to the other end side (right end side).

A paper discharge mechanism 38 is provided on the right side of the ADF 200. The paper discharge mechanism 38 includes a conveying roller 44, a pinch roller 45 for pressing a document against the conveying roller 44, and a rear side of a document fed in the paper discharging direction. Paper discharge sensor 46 that detects the edge
Etc. are provided. A paper discharge roller 48 is arranged on the downstream side of the document discharge path. In addition, a gate 82 is provided in the document discharge path for guiding the document upside down to guide it to the document table 2.
Is provided so that the original can be copied on both sides.

The scanner unit 140 includes an exposure lamp 6 as a light source, a first carriage 7 having a mirror 15, a second carriage 9 having mirrors 8a and 8b for bending the optical path, a lens 10, and a photoelectric device for receiving reflected light. It is composed of a conversion unit 11, a drive system (not shown) that changes the positions of these units, and an A / D conversion unit (not shown) that converts the output of the photoelectric conversion unit 11, that is, image data from analog data to digital data. ing.

The first and second carriages 7 and 9 are connected to each other by a timing belt (not shown), and the second carriage 9 is moved in the same direction at half the speed of the first carriage 7. It Thus, scanning can be performed so that the optical path length to the lens 10 is constant.
The lens 10 has a fixed focal length and is moved in the optical axis direction during zooming.

The photoelectric conversion unit 11 photoelectrically converts the reflected light from the original, and is mainly composed of, for example, a CCD type line image sensor. In this case, one pixel of the document corresponds to one element of the CCD sensor.
The output of the photoelectric conversion unit 11 is output to the A / D conversion unit.

The movement of the first and second carriages 7 and 9 and the mirrors 8a and 8b is performed by a stepping motor (not shown). The first and second carriages 7 and 9 are provided with a timing belt (not shown) that is wound between a drive pulley (not shown) and an idle pulley (not shown) connected to the rotation shaft of the stepping motor. It is moved according to the movement. The lens 10
A spiral shaft (not shown) is rotated by a corresponding stepping motor (not shown), and is moved in the optical axis direction by the movement of the spiral.

Reference numeral 60 denotes an electro-optical converting section (semiconductor laser), and a collimating lens 62, a polygon mirror (multi-faced reflecting mirror) 64, a lens 66, reflecting mirrors 68, 70, and a lens 72 are arranged corresponding to the electro-optical converting section 60. The exposure device 52 irradiates the photosensitive drum 50 with laser light.

The printer section 160 is, for example, a combination of a laser optical system and an electrophotographic system capable of forming an image on a transfer sheet. That is, the printer unit 160 has the photosensitive drum 50 rotatably supported in the substantial center of the apparatus, and the exposure device 52,
Developing device 54, transfer charger 55, peeling charger 5
6, a cleaning charger 57, a charge removing charger 58, and a charging charger 59 are arranged in order.

The photosensitive drum 50 has a charging charger 59.
Is uniformly charged by the scanner unit 140.
Laser light is output from the image forming apparatus to form an image of the original on the photosensitive drum 50, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

Then, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 50 is developed by the developing device 54 and is copied as a recording medium to be fed from the sheet feeding cassette 30 described later through the resist roller 53. The developed image is transferred onto the sheet P by the transfer charger 55. The copy paper P transferred by the transfer charger 55 is peeled off by the peeling charger 56 by AC corona discharge, and is conveyed to the fixing device 72 via the conveyance belt. The fixing device 72 melts and fixes the developed image. Copy paper P
The paper is ejected onto the paper ejection tray 74 by the la pair 73.

Further, on the conveying path between the fixing section 72 and the pair of discharge rollers 73, the conveyed copy paper P is cut at a predetermined cutting position, or perforations are formed at a predetermined perforation forming position. A cutting unit 180 described later is provided.

On the other hand, the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 50 after the transfer and peeling of the developed image onto the copy paper P is
The static elimination charger 5 is cleaned by the cleaning charger 57.
8, the potential on the photosensitive drum 50 is kept below a certain level to enable the next copy operation.

Reference numeral 30 in the drawing denotes a paper feed cassette which is detachably mounted in a plurality of upper and lower stages from the front side of the copying machine body. The paper feed cassette 30 is composed of a cassette case 31 which is a housing in which copy paper P is stored, and has a configuration in which a take-out end of the cassette case 31 is inclined in a paper take-out direction. Then, the copy paper P stored in the cassette case 31 of the paper feed cassette 30 is picked up from the uppermost layer by the pickup roller 81 and taken out.

The copy paper P taken out by the pickup roller 81 and sent to the take-out end side of the cassette case 31 has a paper feed roller 84 and a separation roller installed inside the take-out end part of the cassette case 31. (Or, a separation pad) 85 is used to separate the sheets one by one, and the sheets are conveyed toward the printer section 160.

Registration rollers 20 and 53 for aligning the leading end position of the copy paper P to be conveyed are sequentially provided on the conveyance path from the paper feed cassette 30 toward the printer section 160. A paper stop switch 51 is provided between the registration rollers 20 and 53 to detect the passage of the copy sheet P and to issue a stop command for the registration roller 20 on the condition of the passage detection.

When the leading edge of the copy sheet P conveyed by the registration roller 20 passes through the paper stop switch 51, the registration roller 20 is stopped, and the leading edge of the copy sheet P contacts the stopped registration roller 53 and is aligned. To be done. After that, the registration roller 53 is rotated in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 50, and the copy sheet P is sent to the photosensitive drum 50 with the timing of the photosensitive drum 50 adjusted.

The structure of the cutting section 180 described above will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. Cutting part 18
0 has an upper cutter 181, and this upper cutter 18
1 has a sufficient length that exceeds the maximum width (length in the A3 short-side direction) of the copy paper P to be conveyed, and extends in a direction crossing the conveyance path at a substantially right angle. Upper cutter 18
Both ends of 1 are slidably held in slits 182a formed in a pair of support members 182 fixed to the main body 80 of the copying machine 1 and the like. Since the slit 182a extends in the direction perpendicular to the transport path, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the copy sheet P (hereinafter, simply referred to as the vertical direction), the upper cutter 181 moves up and down in a plane perpendicular to the transport path. It can be moved in any direction.

A fixed lower cutter 1 is provided below the conveying path.
83 are provided. The lower cutter 183 is arranged in parallel with the upper cutter 181 at a position where it meshes with the upper cutter 181, and cuts the copy sheet P with the upper cutter 181 when the upper cutter 181 descends. Further, below the transport path, a transport mechanism 75 that functions as a transport unit for transporting the copy paper P that has passed through the fixing unit 72 is provided. The transport mechanism 75 includes the transport belts 7 provided on both sides of the lower cutter 183 along the transport path.
5a and 75b, and the conveyor belts 75a and 75b are wound around a pair of conveyor rollers 76. Each transport roller 76 is rotationally driven by a pulse motor 78.
Therefore, the transport belts 75a, 75b are
The copy sheet P is transported endlessly by the rotation of 6, and is conveyed above the lower cutter 183. The pulse motor 78 is also connected to the registration roller 53, and the registration roller 53 is rotated together with the transport roller 76.

A moving mechanism 190 for vertically moving the upper cutter 181 is provided at one end of the upper cutter 181. The moving mechanism 190 includes a reversible rotation type motor 191 capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions, a gear 192 axially attached to a rotation shaft 191a of the reversible rotation type motor 191,
A cam pin 193 projecting at an eccentric position on its peripheral surface
a gear 193 having a cam, and a belt 194 that is looped around the gear 192 and the gear 193 having a cam and runs endlessly.
And an arm member 195 having one end rotatably attached to the cam pin 193 and the other end connected to one end of the upper cutter 181.

A pulse motor 78 for rotating the transport roller 76 is connected to the motor controller 82 and a reversible rotary motor 19 for driving the moving mechanism 190.
1 is connected to the motor controller 84. In addition, each motor controller 82, 84 is connected to a disconnecting section CPU described later.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper cutter 181 has a saw blade 181a. Further, the lower cutter 183 has a linear blade having substantially the same length as the saw blade 181a. Therefore, by controlling the amount of vertical movement of the upper cutter 181 with respect to the lower cutter 183, the copy paper P is cut at a predetermined cutting position (separation position or perforation formation position), or the copy paper P is cut at this position. Perforations can be formed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, when cutting the copy sheet P, the pulse motor 78 is stopped at a predetermined timing to stop the transfer of the copy sheet P.
Rotate the motor 191 once in one direction to rotate the upper cutter 1
81 is lowered to the lowermost position. As a result, the saw blade 181a of the upper cutter 181 is moved to the lower cutter 1
Completely mesh with 83 and the copy paper P is completely cut.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when perforations are formed on the copy paper P, the pulse motor 78 is stopped at a predetermined timing to stop the transfer of the copy paper P, and the motor controller Motor 1 by 84
91 is rotated in one direction and the motor 191 is in the middle of rotation.
Is rotated in the opposite direction. The rotation amount is controlled by the motor controller 84 so that the upper cutter 181 descends to a position where the saw blade 181a of the upper cutter 181 slightly engages with the lower cutter 183. As a result, perforations as shown in FIG. 4B can be formed on the copy paper P.

Next, the control system of the copying machine 1 configured as described above will be described. 5 to 8 show control circuits of the copying machine 1. FIG. 5 shows a CPU acting as a control means.
6 is a scanner unit 140, and FIG. 7 is a printer unit 1.
60, and FIG. 8 shows a cutting section 180. The main CPU 100 shown in FIG. 5 includes the scanner CPU 130 shown in FIG.
The printer CPU 150 shown in FIG. 7 and the disconnection unit CPU 170 shown in FIG. 8 are connected.

The main CPU 100 shown in FIG.
M102, RAM104, image memory 106, timer 1
08, an internal interface 110, and an image processing unit 112 that functions as an image processing unit that processes (rotates, magnifies, copies multiple copies) the read image. An operation panel 120 (setting means) as shown in FIG. 9 is connected to the internal interface 110. Operation panel 1
20, a cut / perforation selection button 121, a ten-key pad 122, a cut / perforation size button 123, a vertical / horizontal conversion button 124, and the like are arranged.

The scanner CPU 130 shown in FIG. 6 includes a lamp controller 131 for controlling the illumination lamp 6, a motor driver 133 for controlling the scanning motor 132, a sensor, and a sensor.
A drive unit 1 for driving and controlling switches and solenoids 134
35 and are connected. Also, the scanner CPU 13
Reference numeral 0 indicates an A / D conversion circuit 136 for performing image processing on the image information from the photoelectric conversion unit 11, and a resolution conversion circuit 1
37, shading correction circuit 138, image quality improvement circuit 1
39, the binarization circuit 141 is connected.

The printer CPU 150 shown in FIG. 7 includes a main motor driver 15 for driving the main motor 151.
2, a drive unit 154 for driving and controlling sensors, switches, solenoids 153 (including the paper stop switch 51), a fixing lamp control unit 156 for controlling the fixing lamp 155, a charging charger 59, and a transfer charger 5.
5, a high-voltage output control unit 158 that controls the peeling charger 56 and the PCC charger 157, a static elimination lamp control unit 161 that controls the static elimination lamp 159, a sheet feeding roller 84, a sheet feeding motor 162 for the pickup roller 81, and a registration roller 20. , A motor controller 164 for controlling a pulse motor 163 for rotationally driving the motor 53, an electro-optical converter (laser diode) 60, a polygon motor 1
Modulation circuit 16 for controlling laser drive circuit 166 for 65
7 and are connected.

A motor controller 82 for driving and controlling the pulse motor 78 and a motor controller 84 for driving and controlling the reversible rotary motor 191 are connected to the cutting unit CPU 170 shown in FIG. The transport roller 76 is connected to the drive motor, and the upper cutter 181 is connected to the reversible rotation type motor 191 via the moving mechanism 190.

Incidentally, the motor controller 82, the pulse motor 78, the carrying roller 76, and the carrying belt 7
5a and 75b act as a conveyance unit that conveys the copy paper P at a constant speed, and the motor controller 84,
The reversible rotation type motor 191, the moving mechanism 190, the upper cutter 181, and the lower cutter 183 are cutting means (separating means) for cutting the copy paper P at a predetermined cutting position.
Act as

Next, the copying operation of the copying machine 1 configured as described above will be described. First, a document is placed on the document table 2 through the ADF 200 or with the ADF 200 opened. Then, the original placed on the original placing table 2 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 6, and the illuminated lady 6 is scanned by the scanning motor 1.
Move at 32 to scan. The reflected light from the document, that is, the image is reflected by the mirrors 15, 8a, 8b and is focused on the photoelectric conversion unit (CCD) 11 through the lens 10.

An initial position of the illumination lamp mirror is determined by a sensor, and the driving amount of the scanning motor 132 is changed according to the scanning length to scan the original. The image formed on the photoelectric conversion unit 11 is processed as an electric signal by the A / D conversion circuit 136 and the like (above, the scanner unit shown in FIG. 6).

On the other hand, the paper feed roller 84 is driven to supply the copy paper P from the cassette 31 (or the calling tray) to the apparatus, and the paper feed motor 162 moves the drive unit to convey the copy paper P. . Further, the image data processed as an electric signal is emitted as laser light from an electro-optical converter (laser diode) 60 through a modulation circuit 167 and a laser drive circuit 166, and a polygon motor is produced. It is reflected by the polygon mirror 64 rotated by 165, and is sequentially irradiated onto the photoconductor 50 as line data.

The photosensitive drum 50 charged by the charging charger 59 is rotated by the motor, and is irradiated with laser to record image data (latent image), which is imaged by the developing device 54. It The formed image is then conveyed in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 50, its position is detected by a sensor or the like, and it is sent in synchronization with the image position by the action of the registration rollers 20, 53 and the paper stop switch 51. It is transferred onto the copy sheet P. The transfer is performed by the transfer charger 55.

After that, the paper stripped from the photoconductor drum 50 by the stripping charger 55 is sent to the fixing device 72 by the transport belt and heated by the temperature-controlled roller.
The toner image is fixed by the pressure and is discharged (the above is the printer unit 160 shown in FIG. 7).

Next, the cutting / perforation forming operation in the cutting section 180 will be described. Here, as an example, FIG. 10 illustrates a case where a copy sheet P is separated for each image after a plurality of copies of one original image is made on one copy sheet P.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, multiple copies of a document are set via the operation panel 120 (step 201). For example, A
When arranging images of 4 size originals on A3 size copy paper P and copying 2 copies, the number of copies “2” is input through the ten keys 122 of the operation panel 120.

Next, as shown in step 202, it is judged whether or not cutting or perforation formation of the copy paper P is designated. If cutting or perforation formation is not designated, as shown in step 203, A normal copying operation is executed, and the copy paper P in which two copies of the same A4 size image are copied in parallel on one copy paper P of A3 size is discharged onto the discharge tray 74 (step 204).

On the other hand, in the case of designating cutting or perforation formation, either cutting or perforation formation is selected via the cutting / perforation selection button 121 (step 205), and also through the ten-key pad 122. Input the size of the cutting or perforation forming position (step 20)
6). This dimension refers to the dimension from the leading end position in the transport direction of the copy sheet P transported to the cutting unit 180 to the cutting or perforation forming position (cutting position).

Further, as described above, when two copies of the image of the A4 size original are copied onto the A3 size copy paper P, the "A" size is entered through the cutting / perforation size button 123.
4 "is selected. As a result, the cutting or perforation forming position is automatically set to the central position (A4 size) of the copy paper P (A3 size). A5 size originals are copied to A4 size copy papers. When copying two copies to P and cutting or forming perforations, “A5” is selected via the cutting / perforation size button 123.

As described above, the cutting or perforation forming conditions are set and the copying operation is executed (step 207).
And a copy paper P on which two copies of an A4 size image have been copied
Are conveyed to the cutting section 180.

Then, the copy sheet P conveyed to the cutting section 180 is temporarily stopped at a predetermined separating position (cutting or perforation forming position) according to the setting conditions (step 2).
08). In other words, the copy paper P is the registration roller 5
After the leading edge is aligned by 3, the conveyance is started at a predetermined timing. Therefore, by monitoring the number of rotations of the pulse motor 78 that rotates the registration roller 53, the copy paper P is stopped at a predetermined separation position. be able to.

When the copy paper P is stopped at the predetermined separation position, the upper cutter 181 is moved by the movement amount adjusted according to the above setting conditions, and cutting or perforation formation is executed (step 209). For example, when the cutting is selected by the cutting / perforation selection button 121, the upper cutter 181 is lowered to the lower end position, and the copy paper P is completely cut. Further, when perforation formation is selected by the cutting / perforation selection button 121, the upper cutter 181 is lowered partway, and the copy paper P
A perforation is formed on.

In this way, when the cutting or perforation is performed, the conveyance of the copy paper P is restarted, and the cut or perforated copy paper P is ejected from the discharge tray 7.
The sheet is discharged onto the sheet 4 (step 210).

As described above, one copy operation results in A
By copying two copies of a 4-size image onto A3 copy paper P and performing cutting or perforation formation, the number of times of copying can be reduced and the performance cost of the copying machine 1 can be reduced. Further, it is not necessary to cut the copy paper by using a cutter, scissors or the like after copying, which facilitates the separation.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, one image can be formed on one copy sheet P without forming a plurality of images, and cutting or perforation formation can be performed at an arbitrary position. For example, when it is necessary to cut the paper in the middle of the paper, such as application paper, the perforation for cutting can be formed at the desired cutting position at the same time as copying the image, and manual work without using a cutter or scissors at the time of cutting. Can be easily separated.

By the way, the upper cutter 181 of the above-mentioned cutting section 180 is arranged in the direction transverse to the transport direction of the copy paper P, and cannot cut or form perforations in the direction along the transport direction. However, by copying the image after rotating it by 90 ° and executing cutting or perforation formation, the copy paper P can be cut or perforated in both vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the image.

The image rotation and cutting or the perforation forming operation will be described below with reference to FIG. Note that, here, the arrow in the drawing is the conveying direction of the copy sheet P. FIG.
11A shows a copying and cutting operation when a document is placed on the document placing table 2 of the copying machine 1 in a landscape orientation, and FIG.
Shows the copying and cutting operations when the document is placed in portrait orientation.

Assuming that the copy paper P is cut in the lateral direction (direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction), FIG.
As shown in, when the desired cutting direction of the placed document matches the direction traversing the transport direction of the copy paper P, the ejected copy paper P is cut in the desired direction (horizontal direction).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the desired cutting direction coincides with the direction along the carrying direction, the copying paper P is cut in the vertical direction when the normal copying operation is executed. Therefore, by copying the image 90 ° in advance by the vertical / horizontal conversion button 124 of the operation panel 120 and then executing the copying and cutting operations, the copy paper P
Can be cut in the desired direction with respect to the image. In this case, the cassette for feeding the copy paper P is automatically selected in the direction orthogonal to the document placement direction (longitudinal direction).

As described above, by rotating the image, the image can be cut in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and can be cut at any position. It should be noted that an A3 size original is placed on the original placing table 2 in a landscape orientation and the copy paper P is
When a cut is designated in a direction that coincides with the direction along the conveyance direction, the image is automatically scaled to A4 size and rotated by 90 °.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as analog copying machines and printers.

The cutter for separating the copy paper P is
It may be a rotary cutter having a saw blade on its circumference, and when using this rotary cutter,
The copy paper P can be separated by moving the cutter in a direction crossing the transport direction of the copy paper P. Further, by disposing this rotary cutter in parallel with the transport direction of the copy paper P, the copy paper P can be separated along the transport direction of the copy paper P without moving the cutter.

[0077]

As described above, since the image forming apparatus of the present invention has the above-described structure and operation, the image is formed on the recording medium and, at the same time, the recording medium is cut at a desired separation position. It is possible to cut or form perforations, and the recording medium on which an image has been formed and ejected can be easily separated at a predetermined position.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a composite digital copying machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cutting unit and its peripheral devices incorporated in the copying machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an upper cutter incorporated in the cutting unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the cutting / perforation forming operation of the cutter of FIG. 3;

5 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

6 is a block diagram showing a control system of a scanner unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a control system of a printer unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

8 is a block diagram showing a control system of a cutting unit of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view partially showing an operation panel of the copying machine shown in FIG.

10 is a flow chart for explaining a copying / cutting operation of the copying machine of FIG.

11 is a diagram for explaining an image rotating and cutting operation in the copying machine of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copier, 2 ... Original document mounting table, 75 ... Conveying mechanism, 75
a, 75b ... conveying belt, 76 ... conveying roller, 78 ...
Pulse motor, 82, 84 ... Motor controller, 180 ... Cutting part, 181, ... Upper cutter, 182 ...
Support member, 183 ... Lower cutter, 190 ... Moving mechanism,
191 ... Reversible rotation type motor, P ... Copy paper.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image information, a cutting unit that cuts the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, and an image is formed by the image forming unit. Conveying means for conveying the formed recording medium through the cutting means, setting means for setting the cutting position of the recording medium by the cutting means, and when the cutting position set by the setting means coincides with the cutting means. An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a control unit that stops the conveying unit and operates the cutting unit to cut the recording medium. 2. An image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on image information, a perforation forming means for forming perforations on the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means, and the image forming. The recording medium on which the image is formed by the recording medium is conveyed through the perforation forming means, the setting means for setting the perforation forming position of the recording medium by the perforation forming means, and the setting means. When the perforation forming position coincides with the perforation forming means, the conveying means is stopped,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that operates the perforation forming unit to form a perforation on a recording medium. 3. An image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on image information; a cutter having a saw blade, which is moved toward the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means; The cutter is moved to a first position where the saw blade completely passes through the recording medium and the recording medium is cut, and to a second position where the saw blade partially passes through the recording medium and a perforation is formed on the recording medium. Separation means having a moving mechanism for selectively moving, conveyance means for conveying the recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means through the separation means, and separation position of the recording medium by the separation means are set. In addition, when the setting means for selecting one of the first and second positions and the cutting position set by the setting means match the cutter, The feed means is stopped, the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a control means for disconnecting the recording medium by moving the cutter by the moving mechanism to a selected position by said setting means. 4. An image processing unit for processing image information, an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image information processed by the image processing unit, and an image formed by the image forming unit. The cutting means for cutting the recording medium, the conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means through the cutting means, the cutting position of the recording medium by the cutting means are set, and the cutting is performed. Setting means for setting the processing conditions of the image information by the image processing means according to the position, and stopping the conveying means when the cutting position set by the setting means matches the cutting means, and the cutting means An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that activates the recording medium to cut the recording medium. 5. An image processing unit for processing image information, an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium based on the image information processed by the image processing unit, and an image formed by the image forming unit. Perforation forming means for forming perforations on the formed recording medium, conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which an image is formed by the image forming means through the perforation forming means, and perforation by the perforation forming means Setting means for setting a forming position and setting processing conditions of the image information by the image processing means according to the perforation forming position; and the perforation forming position set by the setting means is the perforation forming means. When matching, stop the above-mentioned transportation means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that operates the perforation forming unit to form a perforation on a recording medium. 6. An image processing means for processing image information, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium on the basis of the image information processed by the image processing means, and a saw blade. A cutter that is moved toward the recording medium on which the image is formed by the means, a first position at which the saw blade completely passes through the recording medium and the recording medium is cut, and the saw blade partially passes through the recording medium. A separating mechanism having a moving mechanism that selectively moves the cutter to a second position where the perforation is formed on the recording medium, and the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means is separated. Transporting means for transporting through the means, and setting the separation position of the recording medium by the separation means,
The setting condition for setting the processing condition of the image information by the image processing unit according to the separation position and selecting one of the first and second positions, and the separation position set by the setting unit are And a control means for stopping the conveying means when it coincides with the separating means, and moving the cutter by the moving mechanism to the position selected by the setting means to separate the recording medium. A characteristic image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image processing unit rotates, scales, or makes multiple copies of the image information. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image processing unit rotates, scales, or makes multiple copies of the image information. 9. An image reading unit for reading image information of a document, an image processing unit for processing the image information read by the image reading unit, and a recording based on the image information processed by the image processing unit. An image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, a cutter that has a saw blade, and is moved toward the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit, and the saw blade that completely passes through the recording medium. A first position at which the recording medium is cut and a moving mechanism for selectively moving the cutter to a second position at which the saw blade partially passes through the recording medium and perforations are formed on the recording medium. Separating means, conveying means for conveying the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means through the separating means, and the separating position of the recording medium by the separating means is set,
The setting condition for setting the processing condition of the image information by the image processing unit according to the separation position and selecting one of the first and second positions, and the separation position set by the setting unit are And a control means for stopping the conveying means when it coincides with the separating means, and moving the cutter by the moving mechanism to the position selected by the setting means to separate the recording medium. A characteristic image forming apparatus. 10. An image is formed on a recording medium based on image information, and a saw blade is provided. The saw blade completely passes through the recording medium and the recording medium is cut at the first position and the saw blade. Prepare a cutter that passes through the recording medium halfway and is selectively moved to the second position where the perforations are formed on the recording medium. The recording medium on which the image is formed is conveyed through the cutter, and the recording medium is separated. When the position is set and either one of the first and second positions is selected, and when the cutting position coincides with the cutter, the conveyance of the recording medium is stopped and the cutting of the recording medium is selected. When the cutter is moved to the first position to cut the recording medium and perforation formation on the recording medium is selected, the cutter is moved to the second position to form the perforation on the recording medium. Image forming method. 11. An image information is processed based on a predetermined processing condition, an image is formed on a recording medium based on the processed image information, and a saw blade is provided, and the saw blade completely covers the recording medium. A cutter is provided that is selectively passed to a first position where the recording medium is cut and a second position where the saw blade passes the recording medium partway and a perforation is formed on the recording medium. When the recording medium on which the recording medium is formed is conveyed through the cutter and the cutting position of the recording medium is set, and either one of the first and second positions is selected and the cutting position matches the cutter, When the conveyance of the recording medium is stopped and the cutting of the recording medium is selected, the cutter is moved to the first position to cut the recording medium, and the perforation is formed on the recording medium. An image forming method for forming a perforation in the recording medium moves to the second position to Potter, the processing conditions, image forming method characterized in that it is set according to the disconnect position.