JPH10322542A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deal with the various requests by users by easily providing resummerized image forming outputs for the various number of summeries when the result formed based on the summerizing function of 2in1 summerize mode for summerize two original images on one piece of transfer paper or 4in1 summerize mode is used as a new original. SOLUTION: When the number '2' of summeries on the side of original and the number '8' of summeries on the side of transfer paper 27 are designated and inputted in the case of the result summerizing eight original images desired to be provided while using the result prepared in the 2in1 summerize mode, for example, the image data of images on the side of original are temporarily stored in an image memory 76a while being bisected, redistributed on the image memory 76b according to the desired number '8' of summeries, summerized and stored and based on the image data stored on this image memory 76b, resummerized copy onto the transfer paper 27 is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the functions of an image forming apparatus of this type have been advanced and diversified. One of such functions is an image aggregation function. This function utilizes the fact that a plurality of original images can be sequentially read into a divided area obtained by dividing an area corresponding to one transfer sheet of the image memory by using an image memory. For example,
The four original images are sequentially written into four equally divided areas of one transfer paper in the image memory, so that the four originals
It is possible to obtain a copy output in an aggregated form by being synthesized as a sheet of transfer paper image.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8 (1994) discloses an invention for responding to a demand for restoring an original document image for each original when a copy result obtained based on such an image aggregation function is copied as a document. There is an image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 265549/265. According to the present invention, when a plurality of original images are combined and recorded on one transfer sheet, the number of the original images (the number of aggregations) can be designated, and the original image read by the reading means is designated. By dividing the original image into individual original images based on the number of original images and subjecting the original image to image formation, the individual original images are formed on one transfer sheet.

[0004]

However, when a copy result obtained based on the image aggregation function is copied as a document, the user demands not only restoration as described above but also different aggregation. Sometimes it is desired to perform new image aggregation in a form. For example, if two original images are
Want to increase the degree of aggregation by combining the copy results obtained in the 2-in-1 aggregation mode to combine them on one sheet of transfer paper in a 4-in-1 aggregation mode on a single sheet of transfer paper.
Alternatively, there is a demand for taking the opposite form.

[0005] In this respect, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-265549 has been disclosed.
In the technology related to the conventional image aggregation function including
No reference is made to the aggregation processing between different aggregation numbers, and the above-described demand cannot be met.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a 2in1 aggregation mode and a 4in1 aggregation mode.
When a result formed based on an aggregation function such as the in1 aggregation mode is used as a new original, it is possible to easily obtain an image output re-aggregated with a different number of aggregations and to meet various demands of users. It is an object of the present invention to provide an obtained image forming apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of re-aggregating original images in accordance with the size of a transfer sheet on which an image is to be formed, without causing any loss of images.

In addition, the present invention provides a method for re-creating a desired transfer sheet as desired if transfer sheets of the same size exist even when the direction of the designated transfer sheet does not match the direction of the original image to be divided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of obtaining an aggregated image.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of removing unnecessary images from a document image collected on a document and obtaining a re-combined image. In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of automatically removing unnecessary images, such as a white image and a black image, from an image collected on a document and obtaining a re-aggregated image.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of changing the arrangement order and the like of original images to be re-aggregated.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In the image forming apparatus provided with image aggregating means for distributing a plurality of original images to one transfer paper and forming an image, an input side aggregation number designation for designating the aggregation number of the original images aggregated in one original Means, output-side aggregation number designation means for designating the number of document images to be combined on one transfer sheet, image reading means for reading document images on the document to obtain image data, and image reading means. The image data of the read original image is divided into image data of original image units based on the number of aggregations designated by the input side aggregation number designation means, and the image data of each original image unit is designated by the output side aggregation number designation. Image information processing means for controlling the image aggregation means by redistributing based on the aggregation number designated by the means. Therefore, even when a result in which a plurality of original images are aggregated based on an aggregation function such as the 2in1 aggregation mode or the 4in1 aggregation mode is used as a new original, the number of aggregations and the number of aggregations to be aggregated on transfer paper are determined. By simply specifying and inputting, it is possible to obtain a re-aggregated result with a different number of aggregations through image information processing for dividing and redistributing each document image based on the number of aggregations.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, an input size detecting means for detecting a size of a document image collected on a document, and a transfer for designating a size of a transfer sheet Paper size designation means, output size detection means for detecting the size of the images to be aggregated on the transfer paper based on the designated size of the transfer paper and the aggregation number designated by the output side aggregation number designation means, and the input Image data of a document image read so that the size of the document image matches the size of the image based on the size of the document image detected by the size detecting means and the size of the image detected by the output size detecting means. And a zooming means for zooming. Therefore, the original image is re-aggregated through the scaling process by the scaling means so that the size of the original image side matches the size of the aggregated image output on the transfer paper. No result is obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the image information processing means has an image rotating means for rotating the image data of the redistributed original image by 90 ° when outputting the image data. . Therefore, even when the directionality of the divided document image does not match the directionality of the transfer paper,
Directionality can be matched by outputting image information by rotating the image by 90 ° by the image rotating means. That is, even if the direction of the designated transfer paper does not match the direction of the original image to be divided, if there is a transfer paper of the same size, it is possible to obtain a re-aggregated image as desired. Can be.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, further comprising an unnecessary portion instruction unit for designating a document image area in which image formation is unnecessary from the document images collected on the document. The information processing means performs processing so as to exclude the specified image data of the document image area that does not require image formation from the target of redistribution. Accordingly, the document image area designated as not requiring image formation is excluded from the redistribution target and is not recorded on the transfer paper, so that an image of only the necessary document image area can be obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the unnecessary section instruction means integrates the amount of image data read by the image reading means for each document image aggregated in the document. It is provided with an integrating means, and the necessity / unnecessity of image formation of the document image area is automatically determined based on the integration result of the integrating means. Therefore, according to the integration result of the integration means, it is possible to determine the presence of a pure white image area or a pure black image area from the images collected on the document, and these image areas are automatically removed as unnecessary image areas and re-used. An aggregated image can be obtained.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the image forming apparatus further comprises a division order designating means for designating an arrangement order of the document images collected in the document. The document images are divided in the arrangement order designated by the division order designation means. Therefore, the arrangement order is not limited to the processing of the arrangement order of the original images set in advance for the image processing between the different aggregation numbers, and the arrangement order can be changed only by specifying the desired arrangement order by the division order designation means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or sixth aspect, the image forming apparatus further includes an aggregation order designating unit that designates an arrangement order of the original images to be aggregated on the transfer paper,
The image information processing means redistributes the original images in the arrangement order designated by the aggregation order designation means.
Therefore, the arrangement order can be changed only by designating the desired arrangement order by the aggregation order designation means, without being limited to the processing of the arrangement order of the document images set in advance for the image processing between different aggregation numbers.

[0018]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine as shown in FIG. 1 as one embodiment. The basic configuration and operation of this digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. This digital copying machine is mainly constituted by a reading unit 1 and an image forming unit 2.

First, the reading unit 1 optically reads an image of a document placed on the contact glass 3 by the scanning optical system 4. The scanning optical system 4 includes an exposure lamp 5, a first mirror 6, second and third mirrors 7, 8, an imaging lens 9, and an image sensor such as a line type CCD 10.
It consists of. The exposure lamp 5 and the first mirror 6 are mounted on a first carriage (not shown), and the second and third mirrors 7 and 8 are mounted on a second carriage (not shown). The first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned in the same direction at a speed ratio of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. The first and second carriages are driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). Here, the original image on the contact glass 3 is scanned by the scanning optical system 4 so that
The image is reduced and formed on the CD 10, and is read into an electric signal through a photoelectric conversion process.

An automatic document feeder (ADF) 11 is mounted on the contact glass 3 of the reading unit 1. The ADF 11 includes a document table 12, a paper feed roller 13, a paper feed / conveyance belt 14 located on the contact glass 3, a paper discharge roller 15, and a document discharge tray 16. A document set detection sensor 17 is provided near the entrance of the document table 12. As a result, when a print key on an operation unit, which will be described later, is pressed, the document bundle stacked on the document table 12 with the image surface facing upward is fed from the lowest document to the sheet feeding roller 13 and the sheet feeding belt 14. Is conveyed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 3 and stopped. The document fed and conveyed onto the contact glass 3 is subjected to reading by the reading unit 1, and when the reading is completed, the sheet is fed and conveyed by the feed / convey belt 14 and the discharge roller 1.
5, the document is discharged onto the document discharge tray 16. On this occasion,
If the original set detection sensor 17 has detected the succeeding original, the original on the original table 12 is fed and conveyed onto the contact glass 3 as in the case of the preceding original. Where A
Paper feed roller 13 and paper feed conveyor belt 14 in DF 11
The paper discharge roller 15 is driven by a transport motor described later.

Next, the image forming unit 2 will be described.
The image forming unit 2 has a drum-shaped photoconductor 21 as a center, and the electrophotographic process is performed around the photoconductor 21 according to an electrophotographic process.
It is configured by sequentially arranging process members and means such as a charging charger (not shown), a writing unit 22, a developing device 23, and a transfer charger (not shown).
The writing unit 22 is configured as a laser writing optical system including a laser output unit (including a laser diode, a polygon mirror, etc.) 24, an imaging lens 25, a mirror 26, and the like.

In the lower part of the image forming unit 2, first to third trays 28 to 3 containing transfer papers 27 are provided.
0 is detachably mounted. First to third sheet feeding devices 31 to 33 are provided on the sheet feeding side of each of the trays 28 to 30, and the photosensitive members 21 through a common vertical conveyance unit 34.
The transfer paper 27 can be fed and conveyed to the transfer position side of. Further, a transport belt 35, a fixing device 36, a paper discharge unit 38 including a paper discharge roller 37, and a paper discharge tray 39 are sequentially provided downstream of the transfer position of the photoconductor 21 in the transport direction. A double-sided paper feeding unit 41 including a double-sided tray 40 is disposed above the first tray 28. In the paper discharging unit 38, a transfer path of the transfer paper 27 is connected to the paper discharging tray 39 side. A switching claw 42 for switching between the two-sided tray 40 side is provided. The re-feeding side of the double-sided feeding unit 41 communicates with the vertical transport unit 34.

Thus, the transfer paper 27 stored in the first to third trays 28 to 30 is transferred to the first to third paper feeders 31 to 33.
, And is transported by the vertical transport unit 34 to the transfer position of the photoconductor 21. On the other hand, photoconductor 2
On the first side, an electrostatic latent image is formed by the optical writing by the writing unit 22, and a toner image is formed by the development by the developing device 23. The transfer paper 27 transported by the vertical transport device 34 is transported by a transport belt 35 driven at the same speed as the photosensitive member 21 while being synchronized with the leading end of the toner image, and receives the transfer of the toner image. The transfer paper 27 after the transfer is fixed by the fixing device 36 and then discharged onto a discharge tray 39 by a discharge roller 37. If the front side copy in the double side copy mode is completed, the switching claw 42
Is switched, the transfer paper 27 is temporarily discharged to the double-sided tray 40 side, and is supplied to re-feed for copying on the back side.

Next, the configuration of the operation unit 51 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit 51 includes keys such as a print key 52, a numeric keypad 53, a clear stop key 54, and a mode clear key 55.
It has. The liquid crystal touch panel 57 includes an input operation unit 59 including a function key 58 that appears as appropriate for each screen,
It also has a display unit 60 that displays a message indicating the number of copies, the status of the apparatus, and the like. Here, a division and aggregation key 58a is prepared as one of the function keys 58.

FIG. 3 shows a display example of the screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 57 when the division and aggregation key 58a is pressed. As shown in the illustrated example, the screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 57 is roughly divided into a document-side integrated information specifying unit 82 and an output-side integrated information specifying unit 83. For example, the non-divided key 82a, the two-divided key 82b, the four-divided key 82c, and the eight-divided key 82d appear in the document-side aggregate information specifying unit 82 in a predetermined document icon pattern. Here, the numerical values 1, 2, 4, 8 are 1
This is a numerical value indicating the number of aggregations of the original images aggregated into one original, and the original-side aggregation information specifying unit 82 functions as an input-side aggregation number specifying unit. The output side aggregate information designating unit 8
3 includes, for example, a non-aggregated key 83a and a 2-aggregated key 83
b, 4 aggregate key 83c and 8 aggregate key 83d appear in a predetermined output icon pattern, respectively. Where the number 1,
Reference numerals 2, 4, and 8 are numerical values indicating the number of document images to be combined on one transfer sheet 27, and the output-side combined information designating section 83 functions as output-side combined number designating means. In addition,
Function keys such as a setting key 58b and a release key 58c are also set to appear at the same time. These function keys 58
b, 58c, 82a to 82d, and 83a to 83d, by pressing their key function display portions,
The key part is inverted to black. In the illustrated example, as will be described later, when the two-divided key 82b and the four-consolidation key 83c are pressed, the number of document images consolidated on the document is reduced to two.
, And the number of document images to be combined on the transfer sheet 27 is designated as 4.

When it is necessary to specify the details of the function (for example, the content setting in the aggregation mode), by pressing the corresponding key function display portion, the setting screen of the detailed function is displayed. In any case, since the liquid crystal touch panel 57 uses the dot display, the optimal display at that time can be graphically performed.

Next, the hardware configuration of the electrical control system will be described with reference to FIG. An IPU (image processing unit = image processing unit) 62 is connected to the main controller 61 for controlling the entire digital copying machine in addition to the operation unit 51 and the ADF 11. The distributed controllers 51, 11, and 62 and the main controller 61 exchange machine status, operation commands, and the like as necessary. Here, a transport motor 63 for driving the paper feed roller 13 and the like is connected to the ADF 11. Further, the main controller 61 is connected to a main motor 64 and various clutches 65 to 68 necessary for transporting the transfer paper. The main motor 64 is for driving the photoconductor 21, the developing device 23, the transport belt 35, the fixing device 36, the paper discharge unit 38, and the like. The driving of the main motor 64 is transmitted to the respective sheet feeding devices 31 to 33 via the sheet feeding clutches 66 to 68, respectively. The vertical transport unit 34 is driven by the main motor 64 to drive the intermediate clutch 65.
Is transmitted and transmitted via the

FIG. 5 shows the internal configuration of the IPU 62. The IPU 62 is provided with a CPU 71 for controlling the reading unit 1 and the writing unit 22 described above. The CPU 71 is connected via a bus line to a ROM 72 storing a control program and the like, a RAM 73 storing various data, an I / O port 74, and an image memory controller 75. The image memory 76 is connected to the image memory controller 75. Thus, the CPU 71 can write data into the image memory 76 and read data from the image memory 76 via the image memory controller 75.

On the other hand, the CCD 10 in the reading unit 1
A / D converter 77,
Shading correction circuit 78, MTF & γ correction circuit 7
9, a selector 80 and a scaling circuit 81 are connected in order. Thereby, the information of the original image read by the photoelectric conversion by the CCD 10 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 77, and the shading correction circuit 7
8 for shading correction, MTF & γ correction circuit 79 for M
The data is input to the selector 80 after receiving the TF correction and the γ correction. The selector 80 switches the destination of the image data between the scaling circuit 81 and the image memory controller 75. When the magnification circuit 81 is selected by the selector 80, the image data undergoes enlargement / reduction processing in accordance with the magnification in the magnification circuit 81, and is then sent to the writing unit 22, where the image data is actually processed. For writing. Further, between the selector 80 and the image memory controller 75, image data can be freely input and output in both directions.

Here, an image signal for one page in the selector 80 will be described with reference to FIG. The frame gate signal / FGATE is an effective period of one page of image data in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning synchronization signal / LSYNC for each line makes the image signal valid at a predetermined clock (8 clocks in the illustrated example) after this signal rises, and the line gate signal / LGATE falls. These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK, and one pixel 8 per one cycle of the pixel clock VCLK.
Bit (= 256 gradation) data is sent. In this embodiment, the writing density on the transfer paper 27 is 400 dpi, and the maximum number of pixels is 4800 pixels in the main scanning direction and 68 pixels in the sub-scanning direction.
00 pixels. The image signal is “255”
It is assumed that the image becomes whitish as the image becomes closer to.

Next, the image memory 76 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. First, as a basic input / output process, when the image memory controller 75 is selected by the selector 80, the image data is compressed by an image compression circuit in the image memory controller 75, and then is stored in the image memory 76. Written. Here, the data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum original size is directly stored in the image memory 7.
6 can be written. However, in order to avoid consuming much of the capacity of the image memory 76a with one document image and to effectively use the limited memory capacity, the image compression processing is performed. The data is written to the image memory 76a.

Here, since the image memory 76 can store data of many original images at one time, the image memory 76 has a function of outputting the image data of the original images stored in the image memory 76 in page order. When an image is output by this function, the image data in the image memory 76 is output to the writing unit 22 side while being sequentially expanded by an image expansion circuit in the image memory controller 75.

Further, by utilizing such characteristics of the image memory 76, it is possible to sequentially read a plurality of original images into divided areas obtained by dividing an area for one transfer sheet in the image memory 76. It also has an image aggregation function using. For example, four original images are stored in the image memory 76.
By sequentially writing the area of one transfer sheet inside into four divided areas, the four original images become one transfer sheet 2.
7 can be obtained. Such a function is executed as an aggregation mode by the image aggregation unit.

Here, in the present embodiment, the function of the image aggregation means is executed in the form of the division aggregation mode, and in order to realize this function, the image memory 76 is an input image memory. 76a and output image memory 76b
And are separated into Thus, the image data read by the CCD 10 and subjected to necessary image processing is temporarily stored in the input image memory 76a. Then, as described later, the image data divided and cut out by the predetermined division number is copied and stored in the output image memory 76b. This processing is realized by the image information processing means as processing in which the image memory controller 75 copies the image data of the designated area of the image memory 76a to the designated area of the image memory 76b according to the setting from the CPU 71. At this time, the area to be copied includes the original division number (see the display pattern in the original-side consolidated information specifying unit 82 in FIG. 3) and the output-side consolidated number (the output-side consolidated information specifying unit 83 in FIG. 3). (Refer to the inner display pattern) while maintaining a 1: 1 correspondence. For example, to obtain 4 combined copies based on 2-divided originals, original division number output aggregate number 1st sheet 1 1st sheet 1 1st sheet 2 1st sheet 2 2nd sheet 1 1st sheet 3 2nd sheet 2 The first sheet 4 The third sheet 1 The second sheet 1 (hereinafter, the same repetition) has a correspondence relationship.

From the image memory 76a to the image memory 76b
When the image data is copied to the side, the image data in the area to be copied is
5 are integrated by a counter (not shown). The image memory controller 75 determines the necessity / unnecessity of the image data of the area based on the average value of the integrated values, and automatically detects the unnecessary image. For example, if the image data of the average of the integrated values is extremely close to 0, the entire image is a blackish black image region, and if the image data is extremely close to 255, the entire image is a whitish white image region.

Further, the image memory controller 75
Thus, when reading out the image data re-aggregated in the image memory 76b, it is possible to read out the image data rotated 90 ° by changing the order of the read addresses. Further, the read image data is subjected to scaling processing according to the size of the transfer paper 27 by the scaling circuit 81 and output to the writing unit 22.

Next, with reference to the flow charts shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11, the processing control in the division and aggregation mode in the present embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 7 shows a main flowchart. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is performed (step S1). The main contents of the initialization processing are reset of various flags, clear of various counters, image memory 76a,
76b, reset of the image forming mode, and the like.
After the initialization process, the flow waits for a key input or an event (any change factor) from the image forming engine (S
2). When the operator performs any key operation, the operation unit 51 notifies the key input event. Similarly,
Any change in the image forming engine (for example, ADF11
Is set, a change in the signal of the document set detection sensor 17) is notified as an engine event. In any case, when a key input or an engine event occurs, the type is determined (S3). If the event is a key input event, the process proceeds to key input event processing (S4).
If it is an engine event, the process shifts to engine event processing (S5).

FIG. 8 shows the contents of the key input event process. In steps S11 to S16, processing for determining the key input is performed. Key input is print key 5
If it is 2 (Y in S11), copy processing is executed (S18). If the key input is the numeric keypad 53 (S1
2), numeric key processing is executed (S19). If the key input is the clear stop key 54 (Y in S13), clear / stop processing is executed (S20).
If the key input is the mode clear key 55 (Y in S14), a mode clear process is executed (S21). If the key input is the division / aggregation key 58a of the function keys 58 (Y in S15), the division / aggregation setting process is executed (S2).
2). If the key input is another key (Y in S16), other key processing is executed (S23).

The contents of the division / aggregation setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This division aggregation setting processing is a setting processing mode when the division aggregation key 58a is pressed, and the liquid crystal touch panel 57 has a screen in a display form as shown in FIG. 3 as described above. When any of the division keys 82a to 82d is pressed on this setting screen (when a document icon is selected) (S21)
(Y), the display of the pressed icon is reversed, and the display of the other document icons is not reversed (S22). This allows the operator to know which document icon has been pressed. By this operation, the number of aggregations in the document is specified. The example shown in FIG. 3 indicates that the document icon of the two-part key 82b has been pressed (the number of aggregations is 2). Next, when any one of the aggregation keys 83a to 83d is pressed (when an output icon is selected) (S23)
(Y), the display of the pressed icon is inverted, and the display of the other output icons is not inverted (S24). This allows the operator to know which output icon has been pressed. By this operation, the number of aggregations to be aggregated on the transfer paper 27 is specified. The example illustrated in FIG. 3 indicates that the output icon of the 4-aggregated key 83c has been pressed (the number of aggregations is 4). Thereafter, when the setting key 58b is pressed (Y in S25), the combination of the original / output side and the combined image sequence selected in steps S21 and S23 are stored as the combined combined mode, as shown in FIG. The display returns to the basic screen (S26). On the other hand, when the release key 58c is pressed (S
27, Y), the split aggregation setting mode is canceled, and the screen returns to the basic screen (S28).

After such a setting process, the copy operation is executed by pressing the print key 52 on the basic screen. Here, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the division / aggregation mode is set by the division / aggregation setting operation (Y in S31), the copy processing in the division / aggregation mode is executed in accordance with the setting contents. (S3
2) If the mode is not the split aggregation mode (N of S31),
Copy processing in another mode is executed (S33).

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the copy processing in the division aggregation mode. The operation in the division and aggregation mode is controlled based on the number of aggregations (number of divisions) D on the document side and the number of aggregations M on the output side, which are specified in advance. d is a counter for counting the number (order) of the divided original images on the original side, and m is a counter for counting the number (order) of the original images being aggregated on the output side. First, the counter m is initialized to 0 (S41). Then, the original is scanned by the reading unit 1, and the image data read and image-processed by the CCD 10 is stored in the image memory 76a for the original (S42). On the other hand, the counter d is also initialized to 0 (S
43), the document image area of the image memory 76a indicated by the counter d is copied to the image area of the image memory 76b indicated by the counter m (S44). At this time, although not particularly shown in the flowchart, the image memory controller 7
In 5, the image data is integrated for each pixel. If it is determined that the original image area is an unnecessary image area that is a pure white image area or a pure black image area based on the average value of the integration results (Y in S45), the count of the counter m related to the image area is passed, and , Are excluded from aggregation. If it is not an unnecessary image, the value of the counter m is incremented by +1 for the image area as it is (S46), and the value of the counter d is also incremented by +1.

This process is repeated until the value of the counter m reaches M on the transfer paper 27 side and the distribution and consolidation of one transfer paper is completed (S48). Is repeated until the value of D reaches D (S52). As a result, the image division / redistribution / aggregation process between the different aggregation numbers D and M is performed. When the redistribution aggregation of one transfer sheet is completed (Y in S48), the address direction (rotation angle) output from the image memory 76b is set in accordance with the size (direction) of the transfer sheet 27 selected and designated. (S49) Further, after setting the scaling ratio of the scaling circuit 81 and the like according to the size of the transfer sheet (S50), an image is formed on the transfer sheet 27 (S51). Such processing is repeated for the number of set originals, and when there are no more originals (Y in S53), the divided aggregated copy processing ends.

Here, the processing in step S49 is executed as a function of the image rotating means. However, when the direction of the designated transfer paper 27 matches the direction of the original image to be divided, Is the normal address reading direction. If the specified direction of the transfer paper 27 does not match the direction of the original image, the address reading direction is rotated by 90 °. Further, the process of step S50 is executed as a function of the scaling unit, and the scaling ratio at this time is calculated as follows. First, the size of the document image combined in the document is determined by the size of the document to be used and the number of combined document images (=
D) and is calculated by the input size detecting means.
Further, the size of the transfer paper 27 is specified by being specified based on a key operation on the operation unit 51 (transfer paper size specifying means). Therefore, the size of the image aggregated on the transfer paper 27 is calculated by the output size detecting means based on the designated transfer paper size and the designated number of aggregations (= M). Therefore, the magnification between input and output is calculated based on the size of the document image calculated by the input size detecting means and the size of the output image calculated by the output size detecting means. Therefore, when the number of aggregations decreases, the size increases, and when the number of aggregations increases, the size decreases.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 schematically show examples of the divisional aggregation copy processing. FIG. 12 shows an example in which eight images are integrated on one transfer paper 27 from four originals in which two images are integrated. FIG. 11A shows a state in which image data of four originals is stored in the image memory 76a, and FIG. 10B shows the contents of the image memory 76a distributed to the image memory 76b by copying and re-aggregated. FIG. 9C shows the state of the result of forming an image on the transfer paper 27 through the process of reducing and rotating the contents of the image memory 76b by 90 °. An operation for obtaining such a new aggregated image includes a divided aggregated key 58a, two divided keys 82b, 8
It is sufficient to press the aggregation key 83d, the setting key 58b, and the print key 52.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which two images are combined on one transfer sheet 27 from two originals in which four images are combined. FIG. 7A shows a state in which image data of two originals is stored in the image memory 76a, and FIG. 7B shows the contents of the image memory 76a distributed to the image memory 76b by copying and re-aggregated. FIG. 9C shows the state of the result of forming an image on the transfer paper 27 through the process of enlarging and rotating the contents of the image memory 76b by 90 °. As an operation for obtaining such a new aggregated image, it is sufficient to press the divided aggregated key 58a, the four-divided key 82c, the two aggregated keys 83b, the setting key 58b, and the print key 52.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In the above-described embodiment, the order of the document images on the document and the transfer paper 27 is fixed in ascending order. In the present embodiment, such designation change of the order is possible. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 14, an order change key 58d is provided as one of the function keys. Further, a display field 84 for displaying the meaning of the key operation of the order change key 58d is also provided.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the order change key 58d is pressed in the division / aggregation setting mode (S29), a state of waiting for the aggregation order input for the selected document icon or output icon is set. (S30). FIG. 15 shows, for example, a state in which the user presses the order change key 58d following the pressing of the four-consolidation key 83c and waits for the input of the consolidation order related to the four consolidation. doing. The numerical value input to the designated position by the cursor 85 is performed by operating the numeric keypad 53, for example. In accordance with this input value, the repetition of the original image number on the original side and the transfer paper 27
The repetition of the aggregation number for the side is performed with a 1: 1 correspondence.

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 schematically show examples of the divisional aggregation copy process in the case where the arrangement order is changed. FIG. 17 shows an example in which eight images are aggregated on one transfer sheet 27 from four originals in which two images are aggregated, and as shown in FIG. From a preset pattern (clockwise, 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5), a pattern of a desired aggregation order (clockwise, 1 → 3 → 5 → 7 →
8 → 6 → 4 → 2). FIG. 7B shows a state in which image data of four originals is stored in the image memory 76a, and FIG.
3D is distributed to the image memory 76b by copying, and is re-aggregated. FIG.
17A and 17B show the state of the result of image formation on the transfer paper 27 through the process of reducing and rotating by 90 ° with respect to the contents of FIGS. 12A and 12B, and FIG.
It can be seen that the pattern of the re-aggregation by distribution to the image memory 76b in (c) is different, and the pattern of the re-aggregation on the resulting product is correspondingly different. An operation for obtaining such a new consolidated image includes the division consolidated key 5
8a, 2 split key 82b, 8 consolidation key 83d, order change key 58d, numeric keypad 53 (operated eight times), setting key 58
b, the print key 52 may be pressed.

FIG. 18 shows an example in which two images are combined on one transfer sheet 27 from two originals in which four images are combined. As shown in FIG. This shows a case where the aggregation order is designated from a preset pattern (clockwise, 1 → 2) to a desired aggregation order pattern (clockwise, 2 → 1). FIG. 7B shows a state in which image data of two originals is stored in the image memory 76a.
FIG. 3C shows that the contents of the image memory 76a are stored in the image memory 76.
b shows the state of being distributed by copying and re-aggregated,
FIG. 9D is an enlarged view of the contents of the image memory 76b.
FIGS. 13A and 13B show the state of the result of image formation on the transfer paper 27 through the process of rotating by 0 °.
(C) corresponds to the image memory 7 shown in FIG.
The pattern of re-aggregation by distribution to 6b is different,
It can be seen that the pattern of re-aggregation on the result is different correspondingly. The operation for obtaining such a new aggregated image includes the divisional aggregate key 58a and the four-divided key 82.
c, 2 aggregate key 83b, order change key 58d, numeric keypad 53 (twice operation), setting key 58b, print key 52
May be pressed.

In this embodiment, the order change key 5
Although the function of the consolidation order specifying means for changing and specifying the arrangement order (consolidation order on the transfer paper 27) on the output side consolidation information specifying unit 83 side based on the operation of 8d has been described, A function of a division order designating means for changing and specifying the arrangement order (division order on the document) on the side consolidated information designation unit 82 side by a similar operation may be provided.

[0052]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus provided with image collecting means for distributing a plurality of document images onto one transfer sheet to form an image, the image forming apparatus is provided with one document. Input-side aggregation number specifying means for specifying the number of combined original images, output-side combined number specifying means for specifying the number of combined original images to be combined on one transfer sheet, and reading the original image on the original. Image reading means for obtaining image data, and dividing the image data of the document image read by the image reading means into image data in document image units based on the number of aggregations designated by the input side aggregation number designating means. Image information processing means for controlling the image aggregation means by redistributing the image data of the original image unit based on the aggregation number designated by the output aggregation number designation means. Even if the result of aggregating multiple original images based on the aggregation function such as mode is used as a new original, it is easy to simply input the number of aggregations and the number of aggregations that you want to aggregate on the transfer paper. Through operation, image information is divided and redistributed on a document image basis based on the number of aggregations, and a result re-aggregated with a different number of aggregations can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, an input size detecting means for detecting a size of a document image collected on the document and a transfer paper size are designated. Transfer paper size designating means, output size detecting means for detecting the size of an image to be combined on the transfer paper based on the designated transfer paper size and the aggregation number designated by the output side aggregation number designating means, The image data of the read original image is scaled based on the size of the original image detected by the size detection unit and the size of the image detected by the output size detection unit so that the size of the original image matches the image size. And a scaling unit that performs scaling processing by the scaling unit so that the size of the original image side matches the size of the combined image side output on the transfer paper. Can be aggregated, it is possible to obtain that no result was generated the missing or the like from the original image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image information processing means in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect has an image rotating means for rotating the image data of the divided original image by 90 ° when outputting the image data. Therefore, even if the direction of the divided original image does not match the direction of the transfer paper,
The direction can be adjusted by rotating the image by 90 ° by the image rotating means and outputting the image information. In the event that the direction of the designated transfer paper does not match the direction of the original image to be divided, Even if there is transfer paper of the same size, an image re-aggregated as desired can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect further includes an unnecessary section instructing means for instructing a document image area in which image formation is unnecessary from a document image collected in the document. The image information processing means processes the image data of the designated image image unnecessary document image area so as to be excluded from the target of redistribution. Since the image is not recorded on the transfer paper without being excluded from the object of redistribution, it is possible to obtain an image of only a necessary document image area.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the unnecessary section instruction means is configured to store the amount of image data read by the image reading means in units of a document image aggregated in the document. It has an accumulating means for accumulating, and the necessity / unnecessity of image formation of the document image area is automatically determined based on the accumulating result of the accumulating means. The presence of a pure white image area or a pure black image area can be determined from the existing images, and these image areas can be automatically removed as unnecessary image areas to obtain a re-aggregated image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, there is further provided a division order designating means for designating an arrangement order of the document images collected on the document, and Since the division processing is performed in the arrangement order designated by the division order designation unit, the division processing is not limited to the processing of the arrangement order of the document images set in advance with respect to the image processing between different aggregation numbers, Just by specifying the order, the order can be changed as appropriate.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or sixth aspect, the image processing apparatus further comprises an aggregation order designating unit for designating an arrangement order of the document images to be aggregated on the transfer paper. Is arranged to perform the redistribution processing in the arrangement order designated by the aggregation order designation means, so that the processing is not limited to the processing of the arrangement order of the document images set in advance with respect to the image processing between the different number of aggregations. The order can be changed as appropriate by simply specifying the desired order.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing an entire configuration of a digital copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a division aggregation setting screen of the liquid crystal touch panel.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an electrical control system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the IPU.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing an image signal for one page in a selector or the like.

FIG. 7 is a main flowchart.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a key input event process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating division aggregation setting processing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a copy process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a split aggregation copy process.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an example of a process of divisional aggregation copy.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing another processing example of the divisional consolidation copy.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a division aggregation setting screen of the liquid crystal touch panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state when the order is changed.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a division aggregation setting process.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing an example of a process of divisional aggregation copy.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing another example of the processing of the divided aggregation copy.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading means 27 Transfer paper 81 Magnification means 82 Input side aggregation number designation means 83 Output side aggregation number designation means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus provided with image collecting means for distributing and forming a plurality of document images on one transfer sheet, wherein the number of document images combined on one document is designated. An input-side aggregation number designation unit; an output-side aggregation number designation unit that designates an aggregation number of original images to be aggregated on one transfer sheet; an image reading unit that reads an original image on the original to obtain image data; The image data of the document image read by the image reading means is divided into image data in document image units based on the number of aggregations designated by the input-side aggregation number designation means, and these image data in document image units are An image forming apparatus, comprising: image information processing means for controlling the image aggregation means by redistributing based on the aggregation number designated by the output aggregation number designation means. 2. An input size detecting means for detecting a size of a document image collected on a document; a transfer paper size specifying means for specifying a size of a transfer paper; An output size detecting unit that detects a size of an image to be aggregated on the transfer paper based on the aggregation number designated by the designating unit; and a document image size detected by the input size detecting unit and the output size detecting unit. Scaling means for scaling the image data of the original image read so that the size of the original image matches the size of the image based on the size of the detected image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image information processing means includes an image rotating means for rotating the image data of the redistributed original image by 90 ° when outputting the image data. 4. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an unnecessary section instructing unit for instructing a document image area not requiring image formation from a document image gathered in the document, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is processed so as to be excluded from the target of the redistribution. 5. The unnecessary section instruction means includes integration means for integrating the amount of image data read by the image reading means on a document image basis which is collected on a document, and based on the integration result of the integration means, 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the necessity / unnecessity of image formation of the image area is automatically determined. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a dividing order designating unit for designating an arrangement order of the original images collected on the original, wherein the image information processing unit divides the original images in the arrangement order designated by the division order designating unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 7. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an aggregation order designating unit for designating an arrangement order of the original images to be integrated on the transfer paper, wherein the image information processing unit redistributes the original images in the arrangement order designated by the aggregation order designation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: