JPH11224027A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply perform simple bookbinding work by a user by making the optional setting of the selection of an optional tray stage, white paper image insertion, and the selection of one surface/both surfaces possible even in a normal digital copying device or a printer, etc. SOLUTION: This image forming device 1 has a first control means which successively and optically reads plural pieces of original information, then houses them in a storing means 300, sets the recording of one surface/both surfaces as an output mode, and inserts a white paper in the optional page of original sheets to be read; a second control means can control the switching of the tray stage of an optional page to be outputted in the plural tray stages, a setting means 301 which can set the first and the second control means, and an outputting means 303 which outputs the original to be read by each number of copies. This device 1 has a manually feeding tray which copes with cardboard and by which both surfaces can not be selected, but the both surfaces can be selected when a cover mode for setting the paper to be fed from the manually feeding tray at the leading end or the trailing end of the page is selected, automatically performs one surface recording when the paper is fed from the manually feeding tray, and performs both surfaces recording when the paper is fed from the tray stage other than the manually feeding tray stage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on single-sided or double-sided recording.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, in an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying apparatus, the editing function has been enhanced. It is becoming more and more necessary even with ordinary copying machines at hand. There is also a very high demand for double-sided printing from the viewpoint of energy saving.

In the light printing field, for example, in the case of producing several hundred copies of a document of several tens of pages, the following functions are mainly required assuming double-sided recording.

1) Cover mode for bookbinding 2) An arbitrary page is always image-formed on the front side, and furthermore, this page is printed with colored paper (chapter division function). 3) Output arbitrary page is printed with colored paper. Unlike an expensive printing apparatus which is editable and has a complicated paper conveyance technique, the ordinary copying apparatus has the following problems.

1) Thick paper is usually used in the cover mode, but double-sided recording is difficult because reversal processing of the transfer paper in the double-sided conveyance path is required. In addition, the cover size is often an irregular size slightly larger than the normal size, and it is difficult to align transfer papers on which single-side recording has been performed at the stack position.

[0006] 2) Although a wide variety of dedicated pages can be edited on a personal computer, an arbitrary page can be colored or blank inserted in the display of the operation unit of a normal copying apparatus having a limited space. Is difficult in terms of operability.

The present invention enables a user to easily set an arbitrary tray stage, insert a blank image, and select one-sided / two-sided printing even in a normal digital copying machine or printer. To provide an image forming apparatus that can easily perform the above. In other words, the present invention provides the main editing functions that a general user wants to achieve under the restrictions of a normal image forming apparatus, for example, in the case where it is difficult to perform double-sided recording on thick paper and the complicated setting is difficult in a limited screen. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be achieved with simple operability.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention has the following constitution.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reading a plurality of document information sequentially optically, storing the information in a storage means, setting single-sided or double-sided recording as an output mode, and inserting a blank sheet into an arbitrary page of the read document. A first control means, a second control means having a plurality of tray levels and capable of controlling the switching of the tray level of an arbitrary output page, and setting to the first control means and the second control means is possible. Is an image forming apparatus having a manual feed tray that supports thick paper and that cannot be selected on both sides, and a head from the manual feed tray at the beginning or end of a page. Both sides can be selected when selecting the cover mode to set the paper feed.However, single-sided printing is automatically executed when feeding from the manual feed tray, and double-sided printing is executed when feeding from a tray other than manual feed. It is made possible Image forming apparatus. ].

According to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to arbitrarily set the selection of an arbitrary tray stage, the insertion of a blank image, and the selection of one side / two sides even in an ordinary image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a printer. In this way, the main editing functions that a general user wants to achieve can be easily performed under the restrictions of a normal image forming apparatus, for example, it is difficult to perform double-sided recording on thick paper, and complicated settings are difficult in a limited screen. It can be achieved with operability.

The invention according to a second aspect of the present invention is based on the aspect that "in addition to the selection of the cover mode, it is possible to make a setting so that a paper feed tray of an arbitrary page can be switched. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting can be performed. ].

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can easily perform a simple bookbinding operation by arbitrarily setting selection of an arbitrary tray stage and insertion of a blank image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the double-sided recording mode, a page is determined so that a set page is always formed on the front side, and if it is determined that the set page is an even page, a blank image is printed on the previous page. An image forming apparatus having a function of automatically performing insertion control, wherein the setting is such that setting pages can be fed from another tray. ].

According to the third aspect of the invention, an arbitrary page is always image-formed on the front side, and this page has a color paper print (chapter function) chapter function, and is a function executed only in the duplex mode. The user can always set an arbitrary page on the front side on which an image is to be formed from the operation unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of synthesizing a plurality of images on one transfer sheet and outputting the combined image.
An image forming apparatus, wherein only the last sheet of the number of copies or the leading transfer sheet can be fed from another tray. ].

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of images can be combined and output on one sheet of transfer paper, and only the last sheet of the number of copies or the first sheet of transfer paper is supplied from another tray. Paper can be used. For example, an arbitrary output page can be output using colored paper.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus.

In this embodiment, a copying machine is shown as the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an automatic document feeder 2. The automatic document feeder 2 is provided with a document tray 3. Documents set in the document tray 3 are automatically fed one by one onto a document placing glass 4, and a document whose image has been read is It is sent out on the take-out stand 5.

The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an image reading section 20 for reading image information of a fed document. The image reading unit 20 includes a light source 21 and mirrors 22 to 2.
4, a lens 25 and a CCD 26 are provided.
The mirrors 22 to 24 are reciprocally movable below the document placing glass 4, and the light source 21 irradiates the document on the document placing glass 4. The reflected light is optically read by a CCD 26 via an optical system including mirrors 22 to 24 and a lens 25.

The image signal read by the image reading section 20 is subjected to image processing by the image processing section 30 and the image writing section 40
Send to The image writing unit 40 is provided with a laser light source 41, mirrors 42, 43, 44, and a lens 45. The light from the laser light source 41, which has converted an image signal into a light amount, is transmitted through the mirrors 42 to 44 and the lens 45. Writing is performed on the holding unit 50.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image carrying section 50, a fixing section 60, a sheet feeding section 70, an automatic reversing and re-conveying apparatus (ADU).
80, a transfer conveyance path A for conveying the transfer paper to the image carrier 50, a discharge path B for discharging the transfer paper on which the image is formed out of the apparatus, and an image formed on the image carrier 50. It has a circulation reversing paper feed path C for circulating the transfer paper to the automatic reversing and re-conveying device (ADU) 80 and a return conveying path D from the automatic reversing and re-conveying device (ADU) 80.

A photosensitive drum 51 as an image bearing member is arranged in the image bearing section 50. Around the photosensitive drum 51, a band electrode 52, a developing section 53, a transfer pole 54, a TSL 5
5, a separation pole 56, a cleaning unit 57, and a PCL 58 are arranged.

The photosensitive drum 51 is uniformly charged by a charging electrode 52, and the image writing unit 40 irradiates image information to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 51 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 53 to form a toner image.

The transfer paper is sent to the transfer portion 59a in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 51, and the toner image is transferred to the transfer pole 54, T
The transfer paper is transferred by the SL 55 and the separation pole 56, and then the transfer paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 51, and is conveyed to the fixing unit 60 in the next step via the conveyance belt 59b. Further, the surface of the photosensitive drum 51 after the transfer is cleaned by the cleaning unit 57,
For the next image formation, the band electrode 5 is again connected through the PCL 58.
2 to charge.

The fixing section 60 has a pair of rollers 61 and 62 and fixes the toner image on the transfer paper heated and pressed by the transfer paper. Switching gate 10 arranged at the subsequent stage of fixing unit 60
By 0, the transfer path of the transfer sheet is switched between the discharge side and the re-conveyance side.

The paper feeding section 70 has a plurality of tray stages, and in this embodiment, an upper tray 71 and a lower tray 72 are arranged. Upper tray 71 and lower tray 72
Paper feed rollers 73 and 74 are arranged on the upper surface of the transfer paper, respectively, and intermittently feed the transfer paper and transport the transfer paper to the transport path A one by one.

An automatic reversing and re-transporting unit (ADU) 80
The lower trays 75 and 76 are also disposed below the paper trays, and paper feed rollers 77 and 78 are disposed on the upper surfaces of the transfer papers of the lower trays 75 and 76, respectively. And transports them to the transport path A one by one. Also, the paper feeding unit 7
In the case of 0, the manual feed tray 79 transports the transfer paper from the manual feed tray 79 to the transport path A one by one.

The automatic reversing and re-conveying unit (ADU) 80 carries in the transfer paper sent from the reversing paper feeding path C, switches it out, sends it out to the conveying path D, and conveys it to the conveying path A.

The schematic configuration of the control of the image forming apparatus 1 is as follows.
As shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a storage unit 300 that optically sequentially reads a plurality of pieces of document information and then stores the information, a setting unit 301 that sets an output mode, and a setting unit 301.
Control means 302 for controlling the output of the document information stored in the storage means 300 by the control means, and output means 303 for outputting the read document for each copy. Setting means 301
Sets the control by operating buttons and keys on the screen as shown in FIGS.

The image forming apparatus 1 has a basic function as shown in the basic screen of FIG. 3 and an application function as shown in the application function selection screen of FIG.

The basic functions are functions such as single-sided, double-sided, and copy reservation, and the basic screen shown in FIG. Output modes such as one-sided copy and two-sided copy are set by a copy setting button, and the one-sided copy mode is automatically set. Copy reservation can be set, and the user can reserve different copy conditions by selecting the copy reservation key even during copying or reading.

The application function is a function for setting special functions such as inter-sheet, reduction shift, and frame erasure. When an applied function button is pressed, an applied function selection screen shown in FIG.

Some of the application function modes display a screen for setting details of the selected mode, and others do not have a screen for setting details. The mode in which the setting screen is displayed includes an inter-sheet mode, a chaptering mode, a combination mode, an OHP interleaving mode, an insertion page mode, an original image quality mode, a repeat mode, a frame erasing / folding erasing mode, a thin paper / thick paper mode, There is a binding mode, and necessary settings are made on each setting screen.

The modes without a setting screen include a booklet mode, a continuous page copying mode, a mixed original document mode, a black-and-white inversion mode, a document position correction mode, an automatic erasing mode outside the document, and the like. When selected, the selected key is highlighted on the application function selection screen.

The inter-sheet mode is a mode in which color paper or the like is inserted as a sheet at an arbitrary page position of a plurality of copy outputs. The paper in the paper feed tray is inserted as is (blank paper), or the original content is copied and inserted.

The chaptering mode is a mode in which the beginning of each chapter is always a page table. By setting the document sheet number at the beginning of each chapter in the double-sided copy mode, when the corresponding sheet hits the back page, the back page is discharged as a blank sheet and copied to the next front page.

The combining mode has a function of copying a plurality of originals onto one copy sheet. The number of documents is, for example, 2,
Select either 4 or 8 sheets. In addition, one of a horizontal arrangement and a vertical arrangement is selected as the arrangement order. If the number of originals is smaller than the specified number, blank copy images are added. In addition, in the combination mode, there is a function of storing an image read first time in the overlay in a memory, synthesizing it with images read in the second and subsequent times, and outputting the combined image.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the following functions premised on double-sided printing, which are functions mainly required in the light printing field, for example, for producing several hundred copies of several ten pages of originals, This can be handled by a simple operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

Next, the operation by the function of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, FIG. 5 shows a case where five originals are selected, the selected tray is the upper tray, the selected one side is double-sided, and the front and back cover mode.
A description will be given based on the flowchart of the first embodiment. In the normal mode, duplex printing cannot be selected when using manual feed. However, a mode that allows selection of the cover mode from manual feed is provided in the inter-seat mode setting,
The following operations are performed with both sides selectable.

In step a1, all the originals are scanned, and when reading of the original information is completed, step b
1 = 5 originals, 2, 3, 4 excluding the first and last pages
Since it is an odd number, a blank sheet is inserted on the back of the fourth page.

In step c1, the first or last page is determined, and if it is the first page, the paper is fed from the manual feed tray 79 in step d1 to perform single-sided recording. Step e
In step 1, the recording of all pages is determined, and if the recording of all pages is not completed, the process proceeds to step c1. In step c1, if it is not the first or last page, step f
At 1, transfer paper is fed from the upper tray 71, double-sided recording is performed, and the process is completed when all pages have been recorded.

As described above, the first page is the manual feed tray 79.
A image is formed on the transfer paper from the printer and processed in the single-sided mode. For the second and subsequent pages, double-sided recording control is automatically executed to form an image on transfer paper from the normal tray. That is,
The second page has a B image on the front, a C image on the back, the third page has a D image on the front, an E image on the back, the fourth page has an F image on the front, and a blank sheet on the back. Hereinafter, in setting a plurality of copies, image formation is sequentially continued in this order.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 has the first control means for setting single-sided and double-sided recording as the output mode and inserting a blank sheet into an arbitrary page of the read original, and having a plurality of tray stages for arbitrary output. A second control unit capable of switching and controlling the tray level of the page; and a manual tray 79 for thick paper that cannot be selected on both sides, and setting paper feeding from the manual tray 79 at the beginning or end of a page. When the cover mode is selected, double-sided selection is also possible. However, single-sided recording is automatically executed when paper is fed from the manual tray 79, and double-sided recording is performed when paper is fed from the upper tray 71 other than the manual tray. Execute

Next, when five originals are selected, the selected tray is the upper tray, the insertion tray, the selected one side → the both sides, the front / back cover mode,
The case of setting an insertion tray for 2/3 page image formation will be described with reference to the flowchart of the second embodiment of FIG.

In step a2, the entire document is scanned, and when reading of the document information is completed, step b
2 = 5 originals, 2, 3, 4 excluding the first and last pages
Since it is an odd number, a blank sheet is inserted on the back of the fourth page.

In step c2, the first or last page is determined, and in the case of the first page, single-sided recording is performed by feeding paper from the manual feed tray 79 in step d2. Step e
At 2, the recording of all pages is determined, and if the recording of all pages is not completed, the process proceeds to step c2. In step c2, if it is not the first or last page, step f
In step 2, it is determined whether or not the selected page is the selected page of the insertion tray, for example, the lower tray 75 or the lower tray 76. If not, the transfer paper is fed from the upper tray 71 and recorded in step g2. When the insertion tray is selected in step f2, in the case of the selection of the insertion tray, for example, paper is fed from the lower tray 75 or the lower tray 76, double-sided recording is performed, and the process ends when all pages are recorded.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, in addition to the selection of the cover mode, it is also possible to set that the paper feed tray of an arbitrary page can be switched, and it is also possible to set whether to form an image on a set page or to insert a blank sheet. And a third control means for executing.

Next, the case of five originals in the upper tray, the lower tray, the selected single-sided → double-sided, chaptering mode (second page setting, sheet feeding lower tray) will be described with reference to FIG. A description will be given based on a flowchart of the embodiment. In the image forming apparatus 1, an arbitrary page is always image-formed on the front side, and the page is printed on a colored paper (chapter dividing function). The user always sets an arbitrary page to be image-formed on the front side from the operation unit.

In step a3, the entire document is scanned, and when reading of the document information is completed, step b
In step 3, blank page is inserted after page 1 because the second page of chapter division is set.

In step c3, it is determined whether two pages are to be recorded on the front side. If two pages are to be recorded on the front side, paper is fed from the lower tray 72 in step d3 to perform double-sided recording. . In step e3, the recording of all pages is determined, and if the recording of all pages is not completed, the process proceeds to step c3. In step c3, if two pages are not recorded on the front side, the process proceeds to step f3, where paper is fed from the upper tray 71, duplex printing is performed, duplex printing is performed, and the process is completed when all pages are printed.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, in the double-sided recording mode, the page is determined so that the image of the set page is always formed on the front side. It has a function of automatically controlling insertion, and has a setting to enable setting pages to be fed from another tray. That is,
The control unit determines whether or not the set page is on the front side when performing double-sided printing. If it is determined that the set page is on the back side, the control unit controls so that a blank page is inserted on the back side before the set page. When it is determined that the front side is set, the blank page control is not executed. However, even if there is a blank page to be newly inserted, the page N set by the user
O. The page calculation is also performed automatically so that the error does not occur, so that the user does not need to be aware of the number of blank pages. Also, on the chaptering setting page screen, a button that can set color paper only for the chaptering setting page is arranged, and when there is this setting page, it is supplied from another tray stage regardless of whether blank paper is inserted or not. Run the paper. The selection of another tray stage is determined by the tray stage set on the inter-sheet setting screen.

Next, the case of 10 sheets of the original, selection tray (upper tray), single-sided → double-sided, combination mode, leading copy number, and final sheet insertion tray (manual tray) will be described with reference to FIG. A description will be given based on a flowchart of the embodiment.

In step a4, the entire original is scanned, and when reading of the original information is completed, step b
It is determined in step 4 whether the page is the first or last page. If the page is the first or last page, in step c4, paper is fed from the manual feed tray 79 of the insertion tray to perform double-sided recording. At step d4, the recording of all pages is determined, and if the recording of all pages is not completed, the process proceeds to step b4. In step b4, if it is not the first or last page, the transfer paper is fed from the upper tray 71 in step e4, and both-side recording is performed.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of images can be combined and output on one sheet of transfer paper, and only the last sheet of the number of copies or the first sheet of transfer paper can be fed from another tray. Then, an arbitrary output page is output on colored paper.

Conventionally, in a mode for forming an image on a transfer sheet having a one-to-one correspondence with a document, there is a technique of feeding an arbitrary page of the document from a color paper or another tray. However, in an editing function in an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a printer for light printing, there is a strong demand to combine a plurality of pages and add color paper to output paper. For example, there is a demand for combining output, saddle stitching, and making only the paper serving as the front and back covers colored paper. For this reason, a button is provided in the screen of the combination mode (weekly magazine binding mode, 2 inl, 4 inl, etc.) so that only a page serving as a cover can be fed from another tray, and the setting is accepted. In the synthesizing mode, an arbitrary page is synthesized in the page memory area on the memory at the time of output after reading all originals. At the time of output, the bookbinding process (center folding and saddle stapling) of the colored paper cover is executed by feeding only the pages serving as the front cover and the back cover from another tray, and the simple bookbinding process is performed.

[0057]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the selection of an arbitrary tray stage, the insertion of a blank image, and the selection of one-sided / two-sided are optional even in an ordinary digital copying machine or an image forming apparatus such as a printer. Can be set to
Achieve the main editing functions that a general user wants to achieve with simple operability despite the limitations of normal image forming devices, such as difficult to record on both sides of thick paper and complicated settings in a limited screen. can do.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the selection of the cover mode, it is also possible to set a switchable paper feed tray for an arbitrary page, and it is also possible to set whether to form an image on a set page or to insert a blank sheet. By making it possible to arbitrarily set the selection of an arbitrary tray stage and the insertion of a blank image, the user can easily perform a simple bookbinding operation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a setting is provided such that a set page can be fed from another tray, an arbitrary page is always formed on the front side, and this page is printed with colored paper (chapter function).
This function has a chaptering function and is executed only in the double-sided mode. The user can always set an arbitrary page for which an image is to be formed on the front side from the operation unit.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of images can be combined and output on one transfer sheet, and only the last sheet or the leading transfer sheet of the number of copies can be fed from another tray. For example, an arbitrary output page can be output on colored paper.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of control of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a basic screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an applied function selection screen.

FIG. 5 is explained based on a flowchart showing an embodiment according to claim 1;

FIG. 6 is explained based on a flowchart of an embodiment according to claim 2;

FIG. 7 is described based on the flowchart of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is explained based on the flowchart of the embodiment of claim 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Forming Apparatus 300 Storage Unit 301 Setting Unit 302 Control Unit 303 Output Unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Umin Soma 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation

Claims (4)

[Claims] A first control means for optically sequentially reading a plurality of document information, storing the information in a storage means, setting single-sided and double-sided recording as an output mode, and inserting a blank sheet into an arbitrary page of the read document; Second control means having a plurality of tray stages and capable of controlling switching of a tray stage for an output page;
And an output unit for outputting a set of read originals for each copy, and a manual feed tray that supports thick paper and that cannot be selected on both sides. When the cover mode is set to feed paper from the manual feed tray at the beginning or end of the page, double-sided selection is also possible.When feeding paper from the manual feed tray, single-sided recording is automatically executed and manual feed is performed. An image forming apparatus wherein double-sided printing can be executed when paper is fed from a tray other than the tray. 2. In addition to the selection of the cover mode, a setting for enabling switching of a paper feed tray for an arbitrary page is also possible, and further, it is possible to set whether to form an image on a set page or to insert a blank sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. In the double-sided recording mode, a function is performed to automatically insert a blank image into the previous page when it is determined that a set page is to be always formed on the front side and it is determined that the set page is an even page. Wherein the setting page is set to be able to be fed from another tray. 4. An image forming apparatus capable of synthesizing a plurality of images on one transfer sheet and outputting the same, wherein only the last sheet or the leading transfer sheet of a number of copies can be fed from another tray. An image forming apparatus comprising: