JPH11190923A - Image forming device and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form an image in an image direction matching with a binding direction in whichever mode the binding is performed, the first or second biding mode, and to sort and output the image for every copy. SOLUTION: When a personal computer/workstation 7A specifies the first binding mode by which the vertical direction of the image to be formed becomes a direction obtained by the rotation of 180 deg. in terms of surface and back faces with respect to a recording medium, or the second binding mode by which the vertical direction of the image to be formed becomes the same direction in terms of the surface and back faces, or a rotating sort mode by which output is performed by using a paper having different directions in the cases of odd numbered printing and even numbered printing, the CPU of a format part 8 decides the specified condition of the binding mode and switches and adjusts an image forming direction with respect to the carrying direction of the first or the second recording medium to the direction obtained by the rotation of 180 deg. in terms of the surface and back faces of the recording medium or to the same direction based on the decision result, every time one copy of the image is formed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method for forming an image on a front surface of a recording medium to be conveyed and then conveying the recording medium upside down to form an image on the back surface for an input double-sided print job. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a control method for an image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With reference to FIGS. 22 to 24, a description will be given of the relationship between the sheet conveying direction and the image forming directions on the front and back of a sheet in a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an output result of each binding mode in a conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 22A shows a short binding mode (a portrait image on the front and back sides of a sheet is upside down (180 degrees). (B) corresponds to the longitudinal binding mode (the portrait images on the front and back sides of the sheet are the same in the vertical direction), and particularly shows a case where an image is formed on the sheet in the portrait direction.

[0004] In the figure, the short-side binding mode shown in (a) and the long-side binding mode shown in (b) are the four-sided output results of four pages. This shows a state where the page is opened.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a case where an image is formed in the longitudinal binding mode (shown in FIG. 22B) on a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. (B)
Indicates an image formation state on the back surface, and particularly corresponds to a case where an image is formed on a sheet in the portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, when an image is formed in a longitudinal binding mode on a sheet conveyed in a short edge feed direction (a sheet feed direction indicated by an arrow in the figure), a reverse side sheet conveyed in a short edge feed direction is conveyed. The image forming direction is reversed (rotated by 180 degrees) to form an image.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a case where a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction is image-formed in the longitudinal binding mode (shown in FIG. 22B) in the image forming apparatus, and FIG. (B) shows an image formation state on the back surface, and particularly corresponds to a case where an image is formed on a sheet in the portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, when an image is formed in a longitudinal binding mode on a sheet conveyed in a long edge feed direction (a sheet feed direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing), a reverse side sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction is inverted. The image is formed in the same upper and lower image forming directions.

Conventionally, an image generating means for generating image information and image information from the image generating means are formed on paper,
Further, when the image is formed in the longitudinal binding mode by the image forming apparatus that forms the front and back images by reversing the conveyance direction of the sheet and forming the next image, the sheet is conveyed in the short edge feed direction. When an image is formed on a sheet, the image forming direction must be reversed upside down (rotated 180 degrees) between the case where the image is formed on the front side and the case where the image is formed on the back side by reversing the sheet. there were.

For example, consider a case in which portrait drawing is performed in the same direction on the front and back sides of an A4 sheet in portrait orientation.

A conventional image forming apparatus forms an image in the same direction on both sides of a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction (when the A4 sheet is viewed vertically) (the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. 22B). In the case of the binding mode), FIG.
As shown in (1), the character "A" is drawn on the front side of the A4 paper while being transported in the short edge feed direction of the paper, and the paper is reversed in the transport direction of the paper. Figure 2
It was necessary to draw as shown in FIG.

Also, when the same apparatus, that is, a conventional image forming apparatus that reverses a sheet in the sheet conveying direction, is used in the same direction of the front and back of the sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction (when the A4 sheet is set to be vertical) 24) (in the case of the longitudinal binding mode shown in FIG. 22B), the A4 paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction is drawn on the surface of the paper as shown in FIG. Then, after the sheet is reversed in the transport direction, the image on the back side is drawn in the same direction as the image on the front side and the back side as shown in FIG. And double-sided printing for forming images in the same direction on both sides.

Further, when a plurality of copies of a document are duplicated on both sides, an odd-numbered document is transported in the short-edge feed direction to form an image, and an even-numbered document is copied in the long-edge feed direction. To form an image, and switch the image forming direction on the front and back sides between the printing of the odd-numbered copy and the printing of the even-numbered copy as described above, and output each copied document in a sorted state. An image forming apparatus (provided with a rotation sort mode function) capable of performing the operation has been conventionally proposed.

In this type of image forming apparatus, a plurality of documents are sorted by a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction and a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction.
For paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction, the drawing direction is reversed upside down, and for paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction, the drawing direction is uniquely determined so that the drawing direction is drawn up and down in the same direction. By printing on both sides, printing on A4 portrait paper and A4 landscape paper results in the same document.

[0015]

However, when printing a plurality of copies as described above, a conventional paper having a sorting function is provided by switching between a landscape paper and a portrait paper each time one copy is printed. In the image forming apparatus, when performing two-sided printing by reversing the paper in the paper transport direction, the former is reversed upside down with the paper transported in the short edge feed direction and the paper transported in the long edge feed direction. In the latter case, the drawing direction is uniquely determined so that the drawing direction is drawn in the same direction on the front and back sides, and printing is performed on both sides, so that when printing on A4 portrait paper and A4 landscape paper, the result is Short-edge binding, that is, printing an image on both sides of a portrait in the vertical direction of the paper, so that it is printed upside down on the front and back sides, so that the same document can be created It could not be.

Accordingly, the function of sorting a plurality of documents by the conventional paper transported in the short-edge feed direction and the paper transported in the long-edge feed direction described above is performed when the output paper is bound on the short side (FIG. 22). (A), in the short hand binding mode in which a portrait image is formed on the front and back of a sheet with the vertical direction reversed), the image cannot be used due to the mismatch in the vertical direction of the image. There was a point.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the first to fifth inventions according to the present invention that the portrait image to be formed has a vertical recording medium. The first binding mode in which the landscape image is in the same direction on the front and back, or the portrait image is in the same direction on the front and back, and the landscape image is the direction rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back A first recording medium for which a second binding mode is specified and which is conveyed in a direction rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed, and the same or 180 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed When a sorting mode in which the second recording medium conveyed in the rotated direction is switched and conveyed every time one copy image is formed and the output result of a plurality of copies is sorted and output is designated, the binding mode is set. The direction in which the image forming direction with respect to the transport direction of the first or second recording medium is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium each time one copy of image is formed based on the result of the determination. Alternatively, by performing image formation while switching in the same direction, the first and second recording mediums that are switched and conveyed for each copy, regardless of whether the binding is performed in the first binding mode or the second binding mode. On the other hand, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image in an image direction matched with a binding direction, sorting and outputting one copy at a time, and a control method of the image forming apparatus.

[0018]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a duplex printing job (PC / WS shown in FIG. 1).
7A and a double-sided print job input by scanning the original with the reader unit 1 shown in FIG. 1), an image is formed on the surface of the conveyed recording medium, and then the recording medium is printed. In an image forming apparatus that reverses and conveys an image to form an image on a rear surface, a first designating unit (FIG. 1) for designating a first binding mode, that is, a short binding mode, and a second binding mode, that is, a long binding mode. PC / WS7A
, Through the computer interface unit 7 and the core unit 10, and by the key operation on the operation unit 124 shown in FIG. 3) and the paper feeding direction shown in FIGS. 7, 9, 11, and 13. 1st recording medium conveyed (in the long edge feed direction) and FIGS. 8, 10, 12, and 1
And a second recording medium conveyed in the paper feed direction (short edge feed direction) shown in FIG. 4 is switched and conveyed every time one copy image is formed, and a sorting mode (rotational sort) for sorting and outputting a plurality of copies of output results Mode) (designated by the PC / WS 7A shown in FIG. 1, designated by key operation on the operation unit 124 shown in FIG. 3) and the first and second designating means. When the first or second binding mode and the sorting mode are designated, the designated state of the binding mode is determined, and based on the determination result, the first state is set each time one copy image is formed.
Or, a direction in which the image forming direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the second recording medium is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 for portrait direction drawing) or the same direction Control means for performing switching control (as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 for drawing in the portrait direction) (the CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 controls switching of the image forming direction based on a program stored in the memory 805). ).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the control means (CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8) determines that the first binding mode (short-hand binding mode) is designated by the designation means, For the first recording medium (paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction), a direction in which the image forming direction with respect to the conveying direction of the recording medium is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium (the direction shown in FIG. 11). ), And for the second recording medium, the image forming direction with respect to the conveying direction of the recording medium is switched so that the image is formed in the same direction on both sides of the recording medium (the direction shown in FIG. 12). When the control unit determines that the second binding mode (longitudinal binding mode) has been designated by the designation unit, the first recording medium (paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction) is recorded. An image is formed in the same direction (the direction shown in FIG. 13) on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium with respect to the medium conveying direction, and the second recording medium (paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction) is formed. Is to switch the image forming direction with respect to the conveying direction of the recording medium so that the image is formed in a direction rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium (the direction shown in FIG. 14).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the double-sided print job is input via a predetermined communication medium (P shown in FIG. 1).
(A double-sided print job input from the C / WS 7A via the computer interface unit 7 and the core unit 10).

A fourth invention according to the present invention comprises a reading means (reader unit 1 shown in FIG. 1) for reading an original, and the double-sided print job is based on image information read by the reading means (FIG. 1). 1 is a double-sided print job which is input via the core unit 10 by scanning the original with the reader unit 1 shown in FIG.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, for an input double-sided print job, after forming an image on the front surface of a recording medium being conveyed, the recording medium is inverted and conveyed to form an image on the back surface. In a control method of an image forming apparatus, a first binding mode in which a vertical direction of an image to be formed is rotated by 180 degrees on a front side and a back side with respect to a portrait image with respect to a recording medium, and the same direction on a front and back side with respect to a landscape image. Alternatively, a second binding mode in which the portrait image is rotated in the same direction on the front and back sides and the landscape image is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back sides is designated, and the first recording medium conveyed in the long edge feed direction is The second recording medium conveyed in the short edge feed direction is switched and conveyed every time one copy image is formed, and the output results of a plurality of copies are sorted and output. When the binding mode is designated, a determination step (step (3) in FIG. 15 and step (3) in FIG. 21) for determining the designated state of the binding mode, and one copy image formation based on the determination result An image forming step of forming an image by switching the image forming direction with respect to the conveying direction of the first or second recording medium to the direction rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium or the same direction each time (5), (7), (9), (10), FIGS. 16 to 1
9, steps (5), (7), (9), (1) in FIG.
0)).

[0023]

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device (hereinafter, referred to as a reader unit) which reads a document and converts it into image data. 2 is an image output device (hereinafter, referred to as a printer unit)
And a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, and outputs image data read by the reader unit 1 according to a print command as a visible image on recording paper. An external device 3 has various functions and is electrically connected (connected by a cable) to the reader unit 1 to control various signals and control each function.

In the external device 3, reference numeral 4 denotes a facsimile unit for transmitting and receiving a facsimile via a telephone line. 4
A is a hard disk connected to the facsimile unit 4,
Various transmission / reception data of the facsimile unit 4 can be stored.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a file unit which converts various kinds of document information into electric signals and stores them in an external storage device 6 such as a magneto-optical disk. Reference numeral 7 denotes a computer interface unit to be connected to a personal computer / workstation (hereinafter, PC / WS).
Communication with 7A is performed.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a formatter unit, which develops code information transferred from the PC / WS 7A into image information for rendering a visible image. Reference numeral 9 denotes an image memory unit, and a reader unit 1
And temporarily stores information sent from the PC / WS7A. A core unit 10 controls various signals and functions, and controls the external device 3 as a whole.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view for explaining the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the reader section 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a document feeder, which sequentially conveys documents stacked on a document table one by one onto a glass table 102 of a document table. Reference numeral 104 denotes a scanner unit. The scanner unit 104 moves, and a document placed at a predetermined position on the platen glass
03 is lit and irradiated. Reference numeral 109 denotes a CCD image sensor unit (hereinafter, referred to as CCD), and mirrors 105, 106, and 10
7. The reflected light of the original is input via the lens 108. The reflected light of the document irradiated on the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted by the reader unit 1 and converted into electric signals of red, green, and blue. An operation unit 124 includes a display unit and various keys, and enables various settings by a user.

The operation of each unit will be described below.

The originals stacked on the original platen of the original feeder 101 are sequentially conveyed one by one onto the original platen glass surface 102. When the document is conveyed to a predetermined position on the glass surface 102, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the document. The reflected light from the original is input to a CCD 109 (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) via mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108.

In the printer unit 2, an exposure control unit 201 modulates an image signal input to the printer unit 2, converts the image signal into a light signal, and irradiates the photosensitive member 202 with the light signal. A developing unit 203 develops a latent image formed on the photoconductor 202 by the irradiation light. Reference numeral 206 denotes a transfer unit which transfers an image developed by the developing unit 203 to transfer paper stored in the transfer paper stacking unit 204 or 205 and conveyed in synchronization with the leading end of the developing unit 203. Reference numeral 207 denotes a fixing unit 207 for fixing the image transferred to the transfer paper to the transfer paper. A paper discharge unit 208 discharges the transfer paper fixed by the fixing unit 207 to the outside of the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 209 denotes a conveyance direction switching member (hereinafter referred to as a flapper). When double-sided printing or multiple printing is designated, the flapper 209 is switched at a predetermined timing to transfer the transfer paper to the transfer paper stacking section for re-feeding the transfer paper. Guide to 210.

Reference numeral 220 denotes a sorter which performs a sort function on the transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208, and discharges the bin to each bin or the uppermost bin of the sorter when the sort function is not operating. The sorter 220 has a stapler 22 inside.
1 to perform a stapling process on the transfer paper output from the paper output unit 208.

The operation of each section will be described below.

The image signal input to the printer unit 2 is modulated by the exposure control unit 201, converted into an optical signal, and irradiates the photosensitive member 202. Photoconductor 202 by irradiation light
The latent image created above is developed by the developing device 203.
The transfer paper stacking unit 2 is combined with the timing of the tip of the developing device and the timing.
04 or 205, the transfer paper is conveyed to the transfer unit 2
At 06, the developed image is transferred. After the transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by the fixing unit 207, the image is discharged from the paper discharge unit 208 to the outside of the apparatus. The transfer paper output from the paper discharge unit 208 is discharged to each pin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220, or to the highest pin of the sorter when the sort function is not working. .

Next, a method of outputting sequentially read images on the screen of one output sheet will be described. Fixing unit 20
After the output sheet fixed in step 7 is once conveyed to the sheet discharging section 208, the sheet is reversed in direction of conveyance, and is conveyed to the transfer sheet stacking section 210 for re-feeding via the flapper 209. When the next original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as in the above process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-feeding receiving paper stacking section 210, so that the same output paper (transfer Paper), two original images can be output on the front and back sides.

Note that the image forming apparatus of the present invention
Even when the printer 20 is not mounted, sheets of landscape paper are stacked on the transfer paper stacking section 204, and sheets of portrait paper are stacked on the transfer paper stacking section 205. In a “rotational sort mode” in which output is performed using different sheets, sorting output of a specified number of copies can be performed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the signal processing configuration of the reader unit 1 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 110R, 110G, 110
B denotes an amplifier, which amplifies color information from the CCD 109 in accordance with an input signal level of an analog-to-digital converter (A / D converter) 111. The A / D converter 111 digitally converts each color analog information amplified by the amplifiers 110R, 110G, 110B. Reference numeral 112 denotes a shading correction unit which performs shading correction on an output signal from the A / D converter 111 (light distribution unevenness of the lamp 103, CCD shading, etc.).
109, and outputs it to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 and the external I / F switching circuit 119.

The Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 converts the output signal from the shading circuit 112 into the equation “Y = 0.3R
+ 0.6G + 0.1B "to generate a Y signal, and further performs color detection for outputting a signal for each color separated into seven colors from each of the R, G, and B signals. 114 is variable magnification
The repeat circuit performs scaling of the output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 in the sub-scanning direction and scaling in the main scanning direction according to the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104.
Further, it is possible to output a plurality of identical images by the scaling / repeat circuit 114.

Reference numeral 115 denotes a contour / edge emphasizing circuit,
Edge enhancement and contour information are obtained by enhancing the high-frequency component of the signal from the repeat circuit 114, and the signal is output to the marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 and the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117.

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Reads a portion written on a document with a marker pen of a designated color and generates contour information of the marker. Patterning
The thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 performs thickening, masking, and trimming based on the contour information from the marker area determination / contour generating circuit 116. Further, patterning is performed by a color detection signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

A laser driver circuit 118 converts an output signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 into a signal for driving a laser.
The output signal of the laser driver 118 is input to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed as a visible image.

The external I / F switching circuit 119 performs I / F (interface) with the external device 3. When outputting image information from the reader unit 1 to the external device 3, the external I / F switching circuit 119 outputs the image information from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 to the connector 120. Further, when inputting image information from the external device 3 to the reader unit 1, the external I / F switching circuit 119 inputs image information from the connector 120 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113.

Reference numeral 122 denotes a CPU, which instructs each of the above-described image processing and controls the reader unit 1 as a whole. Reference numeral 121 denotes an area generation circuit which generates various timing signals necessary for the image processing based on values set by the CPU 122.

The CPU 122 communicates with the external device 3 using a built-in communication function. 123 is S
The UB / CPU controls the operation unit 124 and the SU
B. Communication with the external device 3 is performed using a communication function built in the CPU 123.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the core unit 10 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, the connector 100 of the core 10
1 is connected to the connector 120 of the reader unit 1 by a cable. The connector 1001 has four types of signal lines 105.
1,1052,1057,1055 are built in,
The signal line 1051 communicates with the CPU 122 in the reader unit 1. The signal line 1052 is a signal line for communicating with the SUB CPU 123 in the reader unit 1. The signal line 1057 is an 8-bit multi-level video signal line.
The signal line 1055 is a control signal line for controlling a video signal.

The signal lines 1051 and 1052
Is subjected to communication protocol processing by the communication IC 1002, and C
The communication information is transmitted to the CPU 1003 via the PU bus 1053. The CPU 1003 has a ROM in which a control program is stored and a RAM as a work area, and performs overall control of each component in the core unit 10 according to the ROM control program (described later).

The signal line 1057 is a bidirectional video signal line, and transmits information from the reader unit 1 to the core unit 10.
, And information from the core unit 10 can be output to the reader unit 1. In addition, the signal line 105
7 is connected to a buffer 1010 where it is separated from bidirectional signals into true lines 1058 and 1070 of unidirectional signals. The signal line 1058 is a signal line for an 8-bit multi-level video signal from the reader unit 1, and outputs an 8-bit multi-level video signal to a next-stage look-up table unit (hereinafter, LUT) 1011.

The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. The signal on the output signal line 1059 from the LUT 1011 is input to the binarization circuit 1012 or the selector 1013. The binarization circuit 1012 includes a simple binarization function for binarizing a multi-valued signal on the signal line 1059 at a fixed slice level, and a binarization function for changing a slice level from a value of a pixel around a target pixel. It has a binarizing function and a binarizing function by an error diffusion method.

When the binarized information is "0", the value is "0".
When it is "0H" or "1", it is converted into a multi-level signal of "FFH" and input to the next-stage selector 1013. Selector 1
Reference numeral 013 selects either the signal from the LUT 1011 or the output signal of the binarization circuit 1012.

Output signal line 106 from selector 1013
The signal of 0 is input to the selector 1014. The selector 1014 inputs video signal outputs from the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9 to the core unit 10 via the connectors 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, and 1009, respectively. The selected signal (on the signal line 1064) and the signal on the output signal line 1060 of the selector 1013 are selected according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.

The signal on the output signal line 1061 of the selector 1014 is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016. The rotation circuit 1015 converts the input image signal into “+”.
It has a function to rotate to "90 degrees", "-90 degrees", and "+180 degrees". The rotation circuit 1015 converts the information output from the reader unit 1 into a binary signal by the binarization circuit 1012, and stores the information as information from the reader unit 1 in the rotation circuit 1015.

Next, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 1003, the rotating circuit 1015 rotates and reads the stored information.
The selector 1016 is connected to the output signal line 1 of the rotation circuit 1015.
062 and one of the input signal lines 1061 of the rotating circuit 1015 are selected, and as the signal of the signal line 1063, the connector 1005 with the facsimile unit 4, the connector 1005 with the file unit 5, the connector 1007 with the computer interface unit, and the formatter Connector 10 with part 8
08, output to the connector 1009 with the image memory unit and the selector 1017.

The signal flowing through the signal line 1063 is
0 is a synchronous 8-bit one-way video bus signal for transferring image information from the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9, and the signal line 1064 is This is a synchronous 8-bit one-way video bus for transferring image information from the facsimile unit 4, file unit 5, computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8, and image memory unit 9.

Here, the video control circuit 1004 controls the synchronous bus between the signal line 1063 and the signal line 1064 by the signal of the output signal line 1056 from the video control circuit 1004. The signal lines 1054 are connected to the connectors 1005 to 1009, respectively. The signal line 1054 is a bidirectional 16-bit CPU bus, and exchanges data commands asynchronously.

The transfer of information between the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, the image memory unit 9 and the core unit 10 is performed by using the above two video buses 1063 and 1064 and the CPU bus 10.
54 is possible.

The facsimile unit 4, file unit 5,
Computer interface unit 7, formatter unit 8,
The signal of the signal line 1064 from the image memory unit 9 is input to the selector 1014 and the selector 1017. The selector 1014 operates on the signal line 1 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003.
The signal 064 is input to the rotation circuit 1005 at the next stage.

The selector 1017 selects one of the signals on the signal lines 1063 and 1064 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. Output signal line 10 of selector 1017
65 is a pattern matching circuit 1018, selector 1
019 and 1021. The pattern matching circuit 1018 performs pattern matching of the signal on the input signal line 1065 with a predetermined pattern, and outputs a predetermined multi-level signal to the signal line 1066 when the pattern matches. If the patterns do not match, the input signal line 106
5 is output to a signal line 1066.

The selector 1019 selects the signal line 1065 and the signal line 1066 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. An output signal of the selector 1019 passes through a signal line 1067 and is input to a look-up table (LUT) 1020 at the next stage. The LUT 1020 has an input signal line 106 according to the characteristics of the printer when outputting image information to the printer unit 2.
7 is converted.

The selector 1021 selects one of the output signal line 1066 and the signal line 1065 of the LUT 1020 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003. Selector 102
The 1 output signal is input to the next-stage enlargement circuit 1022 via the signal line 1069. The enlargement circuit 1022 includes the CPU 1
In accordance with an instruction from 003, it is possible to set the magnification independently for the X and Y directions of the image.

The enlargement method is a first-order linear interpolation method.
The output signal of the enlargement circuit 1022 is input to the buffer 1010 through the signal line 1070. Buffer 1010
The signal of the signal line 1070 input to the
Is sent to the printer unit 2 via the connector 1001 via the bidirectional signal line 1057 and printed out.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the computer interface unit 7 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, 704 and 708 are SCSI interfaces (SCSII / F), 705 is a Centronics interface (Centronics I / F), and 7
06 is an RS232C interface (RS232CI /
In F), communication is performed with the SCSI, RS232C, and Centronics system, respectively.

Reference numerals 700 to 703 denote connectors between external devices (for example, PC / WS7A, etc.), which are connected to the interfaces 704 (, 708), 705, and 706 via signal lines 751, 752, and 753. Have been. 7
A connector 07 is connected to the core unit 10 and is connected to the interfaces 704, 708, 705, 706 via signal lines 754. Information from the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the core unit 10 via the connector 707.

Hereinafter, the signal flow between the core unit 10 and each unit will be described.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 by Information Transmission with Facsimile Unit 4] First, a case where information is output from the core unit 10 to the facsimile unit 4 will be described.

The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10
It communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via C1002 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 reads the document by scanning the document with the scanner unit 104 according to the instruction, and outputs the image information to the connector 120. The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10.

The image information input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10 is a multi-valued 8-bit signal line 105.
7 and input to the buffer 1010. The buffer circuit 1010 converts the signal on the bidirectional signal line 1057 into a one-way signal according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, and
Is input to the LUT 1011 via. The LUT 1011 converts the image information from the reader unit 1 into a desired value using a look-up table. For example, it is possible to skip the background of a document.

The output signal of the LUT 1011 is input to the next-stage binarization circuit 1012 through the output signal line 1059. The binarization circuit 1012 converts the 8-bit multilevel signal on the signal line 1059 into a binary signal. Binarization circuit 1012
Is 00H when the binarized signal is 0 and FF when it is 1.
H and two multi-valued signals. Binarization circuit 1012
Is input to the rotation circuit 1015 or the selector 1016 via the selector 1013 and the selector 1014.

The output signal of the rotation circuit 1015 is also
62, is input to the selector 1016, and the selector 1
Reference numeral 016 selects either the signal of the signal line 1061 or the signal of the signal line 1062. The selection of the signal
03 is determined by communicating with the facsimile unit 4 via the CPU bus 1054.

Output signal line 106 from selector 1016
The signal of No. 3 is sent to the facsimile unit 4 via the connector 1005. The facsimile unit 4 can also store the received information on the hard disk 4A.

Next, a case where the core unit 10 receives information from the facsimile unit 4 will be described.

The image information from the facsimile unit 4 is transmitted to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1005 of the core unit 10. The signal on the signal line 1064 is supplied to the selector 101
4 and input to the selector 1017. CP of core part 10
To rotate and output the image at the time of fax reception to the printer unit 2 according to the instruction of U1003, the selector 1014
The signal of the signal line 1064 input to the
To rotate. Output signal line 1 from rotation circuit 1015
The signal 062 is input to the pattern matching circuit 1018 via the selector 1016 and the selector 1017.

When the image at the time of facsimile reception is directly output to the printer 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 1003, the signal on the signal line 1064 input to the selector 1017 is input to the pattern matching circuit 1018.

Next, the pattern matching circuit 1018
Has a function of smoothing the backlash of an image when a fax is received. The pattern-matched signal is input to the LUT 1020 via the selector 1019.
The LUT 1020 can change the table of the LUT 1020 by the CPU 1003 in order to output a fax-received image to the printer unit 2 at a desired density.

The signal on the output signal line 1068 of the LUT 1020 is input to the enlargement circuit 1022 via the selector 1021. The enlargement circuit 1022 outputs two values (“00
H "," FFH ") is subjected to an enlarging process by a first-order linear interpolation method. Enlargement circuit 1022
The 8-bit multi-valued multi-valued signal having the value of “00-FF” output from the buffer 1010 and the connector 1001
Is sent to the reader unit 1 via the.

The reader unit 1 transmits this signal to the connector 120
Is input to the external I / F switching circuit 119 via the. The external I / F switching circuit 119 inputs a signal from the facsimile unit 4 to the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113. After the output signal from the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is processed as described above, it is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on output paper.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 by Information Transmission with File Unit 5] A case where information is output from the core unit 10 to the file unit 5 will be described below.

The CPU 1003 of the core unit 10
It communicates with the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via C1002 and issues a document scan command. The reader unit 1 reads the original by scanning the original with the scanner unit 104 according to the instruction, and outputs the image information to the connector 120.

The reader unit 1 and the external device 3 are connected by a cable, and information from the reader unit 1 is input to the connector 1001 of the core unit 10. Image information input to the connector 1001 is input to a one-way signal line 1058 via a buffer 1010. The signal on the signal line 1058, which is an 8-bit multilevel signal, is converted into a desired signal by the LUT 1011. The output signal of the LUT 1011 is a signal line 1059, a selector 1013, a selector 101
4, input to the connector 1006 via the selector 1016.

That is, the data is transferred to the file section 5 as 8-bit multivalued data without using the functions of the binarizing circuit 1012 and the rotating circuit 1015. CPU bus 105 of CPU 1003
When filing the binarized signal by communication with the file unit 5 through the file unit 4, it has the functions of the binarizing circuit 1012 and the rotating circuit 1015. The binarization process and the rotation process are the same as those in the case of the facsimile unit 4 described above, and thus will not be described.

Next, the information from the file unit 5 is transferred to the core unit 1
The case of receiving at 0 will be described.

First, image information from the file section 5 is supplied to the selector 10 via the connector 1006 and the signal line 1064.
14 is input to the selector 1017. In the case of 8-bit multi-valued filing, it is possible to input to the selector 1017. In the case of binary filing, it is possible to input to the selector 1014 or the selector 1017. In the case of binary filing, the processing is the same as that of the facsimile unit 4, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the case of multi-valued filing, selector 101
7 from the signal line 1065 to the selector 1019.
Is binarized into the LUT 1020 via the. LUT1020
Then, according to the desired print density, the CPU 1003
A look-up table is created according to the instruction of. LUT
The output signal from 1020 is signal line 1068, selector 1
The input signal is input to the enlargement circuit 1022 via the input terminal 21.

The 8-bit multi-level signal 1070 enlarged to a desired enlargement ratio by the enlargement circuit 1022 is
10, sent to the reader unit 1 via the connector 1001. The information of the file unit 5 sent to the reader unit 1 is output to the printer unit 2 and an image is formed on output paper, similarly to the facsimile unit 4 described above.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 by Information Transmission with Computer Interface Unit 7] The computer interface unit 7 is connected to the PC / WS connected to the external device 3.
Interface with 7A. Information transferred to the core unit 10 via the connector 707 of the computer interface unit 7 is transmitted to the connector 1007 and the data bus 10.
The data is sent to the CPU 1003 via 54. CPU 1003
Performs various controls based on the transmitted contents.

[Operation of Core Unit 10 Due to Information Transmission with Formatter Unit 8] The formatter unit 8 is, for example, a PC / WS7A that transmits a document file from the computer interface unit 7 through the core unit 10. It has a function to expand command data into image data.

When the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 determines that the data transmitted from the computer interface unit 7 via the data bus 1054 is data relating to the formatter unit 8, the data is transferred to the formatter unit 8 via the connector 1008. I do. Formatter part 8
Is developed in the memory from the transferred data as a meaningful image such as a character or a figure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the formatter unit 8 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 800 denotes a connector, which is connected to the core unit 10. 803 is a dual port memory,
It stores code data (code data transferred via the computer interface 7 and the core unit 10) from the PS / WS 7A transferred from the connector 800 via the data bus line 853. A CPU 809 receives code data transmitted from the PS / WS 7A via the dual port memory 803 via the CPU bus 857, temporarily stores the code data in the memory 805, and sequentially develops the image data into image data. Memory A 806 or memory B 80 via memory controller 808
7 is transferred.

The memory A 806 and the memory B 807
Each memory has a capacity of 1 Mbytes, and one memory (memory A 806 or memory B 807) supports up to A4 paper size data at a resolution of 300 dpi (can be stored). Note that the memory A 806 and the memory B 807
Are connected to the memory controller 808 via data bus lines 858 and 859, respectively.

The memory controller 808 has a memory A8
06 and the memory B 807 are controlled by an instruction from the CPU 809. In addition, for example, in the case of supporting up to A3 paper at a resolution of 300 dpi, control is performed so that the memory A806 and the memory B807 are cascaded to develop image data.

Reference numeral 804 denotes a rotation circuit which is used to rotate characters and figures when developing image data.
After rotating the image data, the image data is transferred to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807.

Further, the memory controller 808 controls the CP
When the development of the image data in the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is completed by the control from the U 809, the data bus line 858 of the memory A 806 or the memory B
A data bus line 859 of 807 is connected to an output line 851 of the memory controller 808.

Reference numeral 802 denotes a timing generation circuit, which is a core unit 1 input via a connector 800 and a signal line 852.
A timing signal for reading image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is output to the memory controller 808 via the signal line 856 in response to the signal from 0.

The connector 800 transfers output image information from the memory controller 808 transferred via the signal line 851 to the core unit 10.

The memory 805 has a CPU 80 inside.
9 has a program memory storing a program to be executed.

The operation of each section will be described below.

First, the data from the computer interface unit 7 is determined by the core unit 10, and if the data is related to the formatter unit 8, the CPU of the core unit 10
1003 transfers data from the computer to the dual port memory 803 via the connector 1008 of the core unit 10 and the connector 800 of the formatter unit 9.

[0101] The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 receives the code data transmitted from the computer via the dual port memory 803. After temporarily storing the code data in the memory 805, the CPU 809 sequentially develops the code data into image data and transfers the image data to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 via the memory controller 808.

If the rotation of characters or figures is necessary when developing the image data, the image data is rotated by the rotation circuit 804 and then transferred to the memory A 806 or the memory B 807. When the development of the image data in the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is completed, the CPU 809 controls the memory controller 808 to connect the data bus line 858 of the memory A 806 or the data bus line 859 of the memory B 807 to the output line 851 of the memory controller 808. .

Next, the CPU 809 communicates with the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10 via the dual port memory 803, and sets a mode for outputting image information from the memory A 806 or the memory 807. CPU 10 of core unit 10
03 uses a communication function built in the CPU 122 of the reader unit 1 via the communication circuit 1002 in the core unit 10 to execute C
The print output mode is set in the PU 122.

The operation of each section when the print output mode is set will be described below.

First, when the print output mode is set, the CPU 1003 of the core unit 10
8 and the timing generation circuit 802 via the connector 800 of the formatter unit 8. The timing generation circuit 802 generates a timing signal for reading image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 to the memory controller 808 according to a signal from the core unit 10.

The image information from the memory A 806 or the memory B 807 is input to the memory controller 808 via the signal line 858. Output image information from the memory controller 808 is transferred to the core unit 10 via the signal line 851 and the connector 800. The output from the core unit 10 to the printer unit is the same as that described for the core unit 10 and will not be described.

Next, a procedure for receiving information from the formatter unit 8 and forming an image on an output sheet will be described.

The image information from the formatter unit 8 is transmitted as a multi-value signal having two values (“00H” and “FFH”) to the signal line 1064 via the connector 1008. The signal on the signal line 1064 is supplied to the selector 101
4, input to the selector 1017. CPU 1003
Controls the selectors 1014 and 1017. The subsequent steps are the same as those in the case of the facsimile unit 4 and will not be described.

Next, the movement when printing a plurality of copies by designating the binding position by using the formatter unit 8 pays particular attention to the drawing direction of the image, and the paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction and the short edge feed direction The operation in the case of performing the sorting by switching and using and outputting each time a part of the paper conveyed to the printer is output will be described.

External PC / WS7A and Reader Unit 1
The (operation unit 124) can selectively specify the binding mode as “short binding mode” or “long binding mode” for an image to be output on both sides by the image forming apparatus.
By specifying a “rotational sort mode” in which printing is performed using sheets having different orientations for printing of odd-numbered copies and printing of even-numbered copies, sorting output of a specified number of copies can be performed.

It is also possible to specify stapling processing in the binding mode and to perform stapling processing on the output paper by the stapler 221.

In this case, data necessary for image formation of a plurality of pages sent from the PC / WS 7A is passed to the formatter unit 8 via the core unit 10 through the interface unit 7. Further, data necessary for image formation of a plurality of pages constituted by the image data read by the CCD 109 of the reader unit 1 and each designated data designated by the operation unit 124 is transmitted from the reader unit 1 via the core unit 10. Then, it is passed to the formatter unit 8.

When the formatter unit 8 receives data from the core unit 10 according to the above-described procedure, it temporarily stores the data in the memory 805. Then, when the CPU 809 determines that the output mode for the print data is “double-sided” and “rotational sort mode”, the number of times corresponding to the designated number of copies is stored in the memory 8 according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Data is read out from the memory device 05 and an output operation is performed.

The relationship between each binding mode and the image forming direction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams when an image is formed in the short edge binding mode on a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. , (B) show the state of image formation on the back surface, particularly corresponding to the case where an image is formed in the portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, when the paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction is in the short hand binding mode (upside down of the front and back of the paper), the front and back sides of the paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction are reversed. Is reversed (rotated 180 degrees).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a case where a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction is image-formed on both sides in the short edge binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
(A) shows the image formation state on the front side, and (b) shows the image formation state on the back side, and particularly corresponds to the case where the image is formed in the portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, when the paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction is in the short hand binding mode (the vertical direction of the front and back of the paper is reversed), the paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction is turned upside down. In the same image forming direction.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams showing a case where a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction is image-formed in the longitudinal binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. (B) shows an image formation state on the back surface, particularly corresponding to a case where an image is formed in the portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, when the paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction is in the longitudinal binding mode (the vertical direction of the front and back of the paper is the same), the front and back of the paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction are compared. The image forming directions are the same.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing a case where a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction is image-formed in the longitudinal binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
Shows the image forming state on the front side, and FIG. 2B shows the image forming state on the back side, and particularly corresponds to the case where the image is formed in the portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, when the paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction is in the longitudinal binding mode (up and down directions of the front and back of the paper are the same), the front and back sides of the paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction are compared. The image forming direction is the same.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a scanning direction when forming an image in the short-hand binding mode on a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Indicates the scanning direction in the formation,
(B) shows a scanning direction in image formation on the back surface, and particularly corresponds to a case where an image is formed in a portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, in the short hand binding mode,
The image forming directions on the front and back are reversed (rotated by 180 degrees). Note that the image formation result corresponds to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the scanning direction when forming an image in the longitudinal binding mode on a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. And (b) shows the scanning direction in image formation on the back surface,
In particular, this corresponds to a case where an image is formed in the portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, in the short hand binding mode,
The front and back image forming directions are the same. Note that the image formation result corresponds to FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a scanning direction when forming an image in the longitudinal binding mode on a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Indicates the scanning direction at,
(B) shows a scanning direction in image formation on the back surface, and particularly corresponds to a case where an image is formed in a portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, in the short-hand binding mode in which the paper is conveyed in the long edge feed direction, the image forming directions on the front and back sides are made the same. Note that the image formation result corresponds to FIG.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing the scanning direction when forming an image in the longitudinal binding mode on the sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. And (b) shows the scanning direction in image formation on the back surface,
In particular, this corresponds to a case where an image is formed in the portrait direction.

As shown in the figure, in the short-hand binding mode in which paper is conveyed in the short edge feed direction, the image forming directions on the front and back sides are reversed (rotated by 180 degrees). Note that the image formation result corresponds to FIG.

The print control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a print control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 receives data from the outside and stores the data in the memory 805. And is executed based on a program stored in the memory 805. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

First, the CPU 809 determines the designated number of output copies from the data stored in 805, and substitutes the number of output copies into a variable N (1). Next, it is determined whether or not N is equal to or greater than 1 (2). If it is determined that N is less than 1 (not equal to or greater than 1), the process is terminated and the next data is awaited.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that N is 1 or more, it is determined whether or not the designated binding mode is the short hand binding mode (3).

If it is determined in step (3) that the mode is the short hand binding mode, it is determined whether or not N is an odd number (4). If it is determined that N is an odd number, it is determined in the long edge feed direction. A sheet to be conveyed is selected, a short-sided double-sided printing operation 1 (shown in FIG. 16 described later) is performed using the sheet to be conveyed in the long edge feed direction (5), and the process proceeds to step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that N is not an odd number (even number), paper to be conveyed in the short edge feed direction is selected, and short-hand binding is performed using the paper to be conveyed in the short edge feed direction. Double-sided printing operation 2
(Described with reference to FIG. 17) (7), and the process proceeds to step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the mode is the longitudinal binding mode designated, it is determined whether or not N is an odd number (8). If it is determined that N is an odd number, the long edge feed direction is determined. The paper to be conveyed is selected, and a double-sided printing operation 3 (shown in FIG. 18 described later) for longitudinal binding is performed using the paper to be conveyed in the long edge feed direction (9), and the process proceeds to step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that N is not an odd number (even number), a sheet to be conveyed in the short edge feed direction is selected, and a longitudinally bound sheet is conveyed using the sheet to be conveyed in the short edge feed direction. Double-sided printing operation 4
(Described with reference to FIG. 19) (10), and the process proceeds to step (6).

When the double-sided printing operation is performed, the value of N is reduced by 1 (6), and the process returns to the step (2).

The double-side printing operation 1 shown in step (5) of FIG. 15 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the double-sided printing operation 1 shown in step (5) of FIG.
A case in which a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction is double-sided printed in the short hand binding mode will be described. (1)
(10) shows each step.

First, 1 is substituted for a variable M representing a page (1). Next, it is determined whether or not M is an odd number (2). If M is determined to be an odd number, a sheet to be conveyed in the long edge feed direction is fed (3). Next, of the print data stored in the memory 805, an image corresponding to the Mth page is developed in the memory 806 or 807. At this time, the drawing direction on the memory is drawn in the direction shown in FIG. 11A (printed on the paper as shown in FIG. 7A) (4), and the process proceeds to step (8). .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that M is not an odd number (even number), the back side is printed.
The paper printed on the front side is reversed and fed (5). next,
Of the print data stored in the memory 805, an image corresponding to the Mth page is developed in the memory 806 or 807. At this time, the drawing direction on the memory is drawn in the direction shown in FIG. 11B (printing on the paper surface as shown in FIG. 7B) (6), and the paper is discharged (7). Then, the process proceeds to step (8). Note that the drawing direction in step (6) is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the drawing direction in step (4).

Next, 1 is added to M (8), and
It is determined whether or not the data of the fifth page has the data of the M page (9). If it is determined that the data of the M page does not exist, the sheet remains, and if the sheet is reversed, the sheet is discharged. The process is performed (10), and the process returns to the process of the flowchart in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (9) that the data in the memory 805 has the data of the Mth page, the process returns to step (2), and the same processing is performed until all the pages are printed. repeat.

The two-sided printing operation 2 shown in step (7) of FIG. 15 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the two-sided printing operation 2 shown in step (7) of FIG.
A case in which a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction is printed on both sides in the short hand binding mode will be described. In addition,
(1) to (10) show each step.

First, 1 is substituted for a variable M representing a page (1). Next, it is determined whether or not M is an odd number (2). If M is determined to be an odd number, a sheet to be conveyed in the short edge feed direction is fed (3). Next, the memory 805
The image corresponding to the M-th page among the print data stored in the memory 806 is expanded in the memory 806 or the memory 807. At this time, the drawing direction on the memory is in the direction shown in FIG. 12A (printed on the paper as shown in FIG. 8A).
Then, the process proceeds to step (8).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that M is not an odd number (even number), the back side is printed.
The paper printed on the front side is reversed and fed (5). next,
Of the print data stored in the memory 805, an image corresponding to the Mth page is developed in the memory 806 or 807. At this time, drawing is performed in the direction of drawing on the memory in the direction shown in FIG. 12B (printing on paper as shown in FIG. 8B) (6), and the paper is discharged (7). Then, the process proceeds to step (8). Note that the drawing direction in step (6) is the same as the drawing direction in step (4).

Next, 1 is added to M (8), and
It is determined whether or not the data of the fifth page has the data of the M page (9). If it is determined that the data of the M page does not exist, the sheet remains, and if the sheet is reversed, the sheet is discharged. The process is performed (10), and the process returns to the process of the flowchart in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (9) that the data in the memory 805 has the data of the Mth page, the process returns to step (2), and the same processing is performed until all the pages are printed. repeat.

The double-sided printing operation 3 shown in step (9) of FIG. 15 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the double-sided printing operation 3 shown in step (9) of FIG.
A case in which a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction is double-sided printed in the longitudinal binding mode will be described. (1)
(10) shows each step.

First, 1 is substituted for a variable M representing a page (1). Next, it is determined whether or not M is an odd number (2). If M is determined to be an odd number, a sheet to be conveyed in the long edge feed direction is fed (3). Next, of the print data stored in the memory 805, an image corresponding to the Mth page is developed in the memory 806 or 807. At this time, drawing is performed in the direction of drawing on the memory in the direction shown in FIG. 13A (printing on the paper as shown in FIG. 9A) (4), and the process proceeds to step (8). .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that M is not an odd number (even number), the back side is printed.
The paper printed on the front side is reversed and fed (5). next,
Of the print data stored in the memory 805, an image corresponding to the Mth page is developed in the memory 806 or 807. At this time, drawing is performed in the direction of drawing in the memory as shown in FIG. 13B (printing on the paper surface as shown in FIG. 9B) (6), and the paper is discharged (7). Then, the process proceeds to step (8). Note that the drawing direction in step (6) is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the drawing direction in step (4).

Next, 1 is added to M (8), and
It is determined whether or not the data of the fifth page has the data of the M page (9). If it is determined that the data of the M page does not exist, the sheet remains, and if the sheet is reversed, the sheet is discharged. The process is performed (10), and the process returns to the process of the flowchart in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (9) that the data in the memory 805 has the data of the Mth page, the process returns to step (2) and the same processing is performed until all the pages are printed. repeat.

Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 19, the double-sided printing operation 4 shown in step (10) of FIG.
Will be described.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the double-sided printing operation 4 shown in step (10) of FIG. 15, and shows a case where a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction is double-sided printed in the longitudinal binding mode. In addition,
(1) to (10) show each step.

First, 1 is substituted for a variable M representing a page (1). Next, it is determined whether or not M is an odd number (2). If M is determined to be an odd number, a sheet to be conveyed in the short edge feed direction is fed (3). Next, the memory 805
The image corresponding to the M-th page among the print data stored in the memory 806 is expanded in the memory 806 or the memory 807. At this time, the drawing direction on the memory is drawn in the direction shown in FIG. 14A (printed on the paper as shown in FIG. 10A) (4), and the process proceeds to step (8). .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that M is not an odd number (even number), the back side is printed.
The paper printed on the front side is reversed and fed (5). next,
Of the print data stored in the memory 805, an image corresponding to the Mth page is developed in the memory 806 or 807. At this time, the drawing direction on the memory is as shown in FIG. 14 (b) (drawing on the paper surface as shown in FIG. 10 (b)) (6), and the paper is discharged (7). Then, the process proceeds to step (8). Note that the drawing direction in step (6) is the same as the drawing direction in step (4).

Next, 1 is added to M (8), and
It is determined whether or not the data of No. 5 has the data of the M page (9). If it is determined that the data of the M page does not exist, the paper is reversed and the paper discharging process is performed (10).
The processing returns to the processing of the flowchart in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (9) that the data in the memory 805 has the data of the Mth page, the process returns to step (2), and the same processing is performed until all the pages are printed. repeat.

With the above processing, in both cases where the output paper is bound on the long side and when the output paper is bound on the short side, a plurality of copies depend on the paper transported in the short edge feed direction and the paper transported in the long edge feed direction. Documents can be sorted.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematic diagrams showing the output results of each binding mode in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 20A corresponds to the short binding mode, and FIG. 20B corresponds to the long binding mode.

In the figure, both the short side binding mode shown in (a) and the long side binding mode shown in (b) are four-sided output results of four pages. This shows a state where page 3 is opened.

As described above, in the case of the longitudinal binding, the paper to be conveyed in the long edge feed direction is compared with the one printed on the front side and the other side, so that the optimum double-sided printing can be performed regardless of whether the binding is performed on the long side or the short side. At the time of printing, drawing is performed in the same direction, and when drawing on paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction, the drawing direction is rotated by 180 degrees between the front and back sides, and drawing is performed. , When printing on the front and back sides of paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction,
When performing drawing in the same direction and drawing on paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction, by having a function of drawing by rotating the drawing direction by 180 degrees between the front and the back, it is possible to perform long binding and short binding. Regardless, even when printing a plurality of copies, a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction for each copy,
It is possible to perform sorting by switching and using the paper transported in the long edge feed direction.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
In particular, for image formation in the portrait direction, the image drawing direction with respect to the paper transport direction is the same direction on the front and back sides of the paper, or the direction rotated by 180 degrees, based on whether the binding is longitudinal binding or short binding. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to image formation in a landscape direction. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

Hereinafter, a print control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a print control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 shows a timing when the CPU 809 of the formatter unit 8 receives data from the outside and stores it in the memory 805. And is executed based on a program stored in the memory 805. Note that (1) to (10) indicate each step.

First, the CPU 809 determines the designated number of output copies from the data stored in 805, and substitutes the number of output copies into a variable N (1). Next, it is determined whether or not N is equal to or greater than 1 (2). If it is determined that N is less than 1 (not equal to or greater than 1), the process is terminated and the next data is awaited.

On the other hand, if N is determined to be 1 or more in step (2), it is determined whether or not the specified binding mode is the short-hand binding mode (3) The short binding specified in step (3) When it is determined that the binding mode is the hand binding mode, it is determined whether or not N is an odd number (4). When it is determined that N is an odd number, a sheet to be conveyed in the long edge feed direction is selected, and Transport,
A two-sided image is formed in a direction opposite to the sheet conveying direction on the front and back sides of the sheet (a direction rotated by 180 degrees) (5), and the process proceeds to step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that N is not an odd number (even number), a sheet to be conveyed in the short edge feed direction is selected, and conveyed in the short edge feed direction. A double-sided image is formed in the same direction on the front and back surfaces of the sheet (7), and the process proceeds to step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the mode is the longitudinal binding mode designated, it is determined whether or not N is an odd number (8). If it is determined that N is an odd number, the long edge feed direction is determined. The paper to be conveyed is selected, the paper is conveyed in the long edge feeding direction, and the image forming direction with respect to the paper conveying direction is formed on both sides of the paper in the same direction on both sides (9).
Proceed to step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (8) that N is not an odd number (even number), a sheet to be conveyed in the short edge feed direction is selected, conveyed in the short edge feed direction, and conveyed in the short edge feed direction. The image forming direction is reversed on both sides of the sheet (direction rotated by 180 degrees) to form a double-sided image (10), and the process proceeds to step (6).

When the double-sided printing operation is performed, the value of N is reduced by 1 (6), and the process returns to the step (2).

As described above, in the image formation in the landscape direction, the long edge binding direction is used in the case of the longitudinal binding so that the optimum double-sided printing can be performed regardless of whether the binding is performed on the long side or the short side. When drawing on the paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction, drawing is performed in the same direction when printing the front side and the back side of the paper to be conveyed, and the drawing direction is rotated by 180 degrees between the front and back sides when drawing on the paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction In the case of short-side binding, drawing is performed in the same direction during front side printing and back side printing of paper conveyed in the short edge feed direction, and when drawing on paper conveyed in the long edge feed direction, By having the function of rotating the drawing direction by 180 degrees between the front and back sides, it is possible to perform short edge feed for each copy even when printing multiple copies, regardless of long or short binding. A sheet conveying direction, by utilizing switches the paper to be conveyed to the long edge feed direction becomes possible to perform the sorting.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0185]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, the first binding mode in which the vertical direction of the image to be formed is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back sides with respect to the recording medium, or the second binding mode in which the same direction is formed on the front and back sides. A first recording medium specified by the first specifying unit and conveyed in a direction rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed, and the same or 180 degrees rotated with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed The second recording medium conveyed in the same direction as each time one copy image is formed;
When the sorting mode for sorting and outputting the output results of a plurality of copies is specified by the second specifying unit, the control unit determines the specified state of the binding mode, and forms one copy image based on the determination result. The image forming direction with respect to the transport direction of the first or second recording medium is controlled to be switched by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium or the same direction each time, so that either the first or second binding mode is controlled. Even in the case of binding in the mode, it is possible to form an image on the first recording medium and the second recording medium that are switched and conveyed for each copy in an image direction that matches the binding direction.

According to the second invention, when the control means determines that the first binding mode has been designated by the designation means, the control means sends the recording medium in the transport direction with respect to the first recording medium. An image is formed in a direction in which the image forming direction is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium. For the second recording medium, the image forming direction with respect to the conveying direction of the recording medium is set on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium. Switching control is performed so that images are formed in the same direction, and when it is determined that the second binding mode has been specified by the specifying unit, image formation in the transport direction of the recording medium is performed on the first recording medium. The image is formed in the same direction on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium,
Is controlled so that the image forming direction with respect to the transport direction of the recording medium is formed in a direction rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back sides of the recording medium, the first or second binding mode is used. Also, it is possible to form an image on the first or second recording medium in an image direction that matches the binding direction.

According to the third aspect, since the double-sided print job is input via a predetermined communication medium, the double-sided print job is aligned in the binding direction with image information transferred from an external device such as an information processing device. It is possible to sort and output double-sided images.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading unit for reading a document, and the double-sided print job is based on the image information read by the reading unit. It is possible to sort and output double-sided images aligned in the direction.

According to the fifth aspect, the first binding mode in which the vertical direction of the image to be formed is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back with respect to the recording medium, or the first binding mode in which the same direction is formed on the front and back. 2 stitching mode is specified, and the first recording medium conveyed in a direction rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed, and the same or 180 degrees rotated with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed The second recording medium conveyed in the same direction as each time one copy image is formed;
When the sorting mode for sorting and outputting the output results of a plurality of copies is designated, the designation state of the binding mode is determined,
Based on the determination result, every time one copy image is formed, the image forming direction with respect to the transport direction of the first or second recording medium is switched to the direction rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium or the same direction. Since the image is formed, even if the binding is performed in either the first binding mode or the second binding mode, 1
It is possible to form an image on the first recording medium and the second recording medium that are switched and conveyed for each copy in an image direction that matches the binding direction.

Therefore, regardless of the binding mode in either the first binding mode or the second binding mode, the binding is performed in the binding direction with respect to the first recording medium and the second recording medium that are switched and conveyed for each copy. It is possible to form an image in the image direction and sort and output one copy at a time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a signal processing configuration of a reader unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration and an operation of a core unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer interface unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a formatter unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where a sheet conveyed in a long edge feed direction is image-formed in a short binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where a sheet conveyed in a short edge feed direction is image-formed on both sides in a short side binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram when an image is formed in a longitudinal binding mode on a sheet conveyed in a long edge feed direction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram when an image is formed in a longitudinal binding mode on a sheet conveyed in a short edge feed direction in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a scanning direction in a case where a sheet conveyed in a long edge feed direction is image-formed in a short binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a scanning direction in a case where a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction is image-formed in the short hand binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a scanning direction when a sheet conveyed in the long edge feed direction is image-formed in the longitudinal binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a scanning direction when a sheet conveyed in the short edge feed direction is image-formed in the longitudinal binding mode in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a two-sided printing operation 1 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a two-sided printing operation 2 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of double-sided printing operation 3 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a duplex printing operation 4 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating an output result of each binding mode in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating an output result of each binding mode in a conventional image forming apparatus.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus in which a sheet conveyed in a short edge feed direction is image-formed in a longitudinal binding mode.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus in which a sheet conveyed in a long edge feed direction is image-formed in a longitudinal binding mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 external device 4 facsimile unit 4A hard disk 5 file unit 6 external storage device 7 computer interface unit 7A personal computer / workstation (PC / WS) 8 formatter unit 9 image memory unit 10 core unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Bungo Shimada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Based on an input duplex printing job,
In an image forming apparatus in which an image is formed on the front side of a conveyed recording medium after forming an image on the front side thereof, the recording medium is turned upside down to form an image on the back side. A first designating means for designating a first binding mode that is a rotated direction or a second binding mode that is the same direction on the front and back sides, and a direction rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of a formed image The first recording medium conveyed to the printer and the second recording medium conveyed in the same direction or rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed are switched and conveyed every time one copy image is formed. A second specifying unit for specifying a sorting mode for sorting and outputting a plurality of output results; and the first or second binding mode and the sorting mode are specified by the first and second specifying units. In this case, the designated state of the binding mode is determined, and based on the determination result, every time one copy of image is formed, the image forming direction with respect to the transport direction of the first or second recording medium is set 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls switching to a direction rotated by one degree or to the same direction. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the first binding mode has been designated by the designation unit.
With respect to the recording medium, an image is formed in a direction in which the image forming direction with respect to the conveying direction of the recording medium is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium. The image forming direction is controlled so as to form an image in the same direction on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium, and when it is determined that the second binding mode is designated by the designation unit, the first recording medium is designated. For the second recording medium, the image forming direction with respect to the conveying direction of the recording medium is formed in the same direction on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium, and for the second recording medium, the image forming direction with respect to the conveying direction of the recording medium is changed. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein switching control is performed to form an image in a direction rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the double-sided print job is input via a predetermined communication medium. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reading unit that reads a document, wherein the double-sided print job is based on image information read by the reading unit. 5. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: forming an image on a front surface of a recording medium to be conveyed for an input double-sided print job, and then conveying the recording medium upside down to form an image on a rear surface. The first binding mode in which the vertical direction of the image to be formed is rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back sides with respect to the recording medium, or the second binding mode in which the front and back sides have the same direction is designated and formed. A first recording medium conveyed in a direction rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed, and a second recording medium conveyed in the same or 180 degrees rotated with respect to the vertical direction of the image to be formed When a sorting mode for sorting and outputting a plurality of copies of output results is specified, the determining step of determining the specified state of the binding mode, and based on the determination result. The image forming is performed by switching the image forming direction with respect to the transport direction of the first or second recording medium to a direction rotated by 180 degrees on the front and back surfaces of the recording medium or the same direction every time one copy image is formed. And a control method for the image forming apparatus.