JPH11311920A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable, in the case a paper size is smaller than an original- document read-out range, printing based on the size of actually fed paper while allowing laser striking corresponding to the original-document read-out range. SOLUTION: The image forming device for copying the image of an original document 7 onto a medium is equipped with a scanner part 2 which reads out image information by scanning the original document 7, a data storage part 5 which holds the image information read out, a manual insertion paper tray which separately loads the medium used for copying the image of the original document 7, a printer part 3 which prints onto the held medium according to the specific laser-striking, and a control part 1 which, in the case the size of the medium loaded on the manual insertion paper tray is smaller than the original-document read-out range, controls so as to print based on the size of the actually loaded medium while allowing the laser striking corresponding to the original-document read-out range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatus having at least a facsimile function, a digital copy function, a scanner function, and a printer function, and an image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a digital copying machine, which is a multi-function image forming apparatus having at least a facsimile function, a digital copying function, a scanning function, and a printing function, has been widely used. Determines the image range.

That is, first, the size of an image area at the time of scanning a document, specifically, the line buffer reading range and the number of scan lines. The second is a printable area of image data at the time of printing, specifically, a laser emission range. Third, the effective image range at the time of printing, specifically, the top, bottom, left, and right margin settings.

Here, referring to FIG. 6, as an example, A
A case where four originals are copied on A4 paper at a magnification of 100% will be described. In this case, A4 size image data can be obtained by scanning with the line buffer reading range set to the A4 main scanning width and the number of scan lines set to the A4 sub-scanning width. And the laser launch range is A4
In the main scanning width, A between the left margin and right margin
When the printing is performed with the setting of the top margin and the bottom margin set to the A4 sub-scanning width in the 4 main scanning width, the A4 size image data obtained by the previous scanning can be printed on the A4 paper, This gives the expected copy.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, differences in image formation between a digital copying machine and an analog copying machine will be described. In general, a digital copying machine, unlike an analog copying machine, forms an image on a corner basis during scanning and forms an image on a center basis during printing. Therefore, when the size of the scanned image area is different from the size of the image area to be printed, a shift occurs. For example, if a manually placed A3 original is copied 100% on B4 paper, image data of B4 size is printed on B4 paper on a corner basis with respect to the A3 original in the digital copying machine, but in an analog copying machine, A4
Image data of B4 size is printed on B4 paper on a center basis for three originals.

[0006]

However, in the manual feed size specification in the digital copying machine according to the prior art, both the image area to be scanned and the print area are controlled according to the size specified by the control panel. That is, as shown in FIG.
For 3 originals, set the original size and paper size to B4,
When A4R paper is fed from the manual paper feed stage and copying is performed, the relationship between the read image range, the image range on the drum, and the paper is as shown in FIG. 8, and an untransferred portion occurs.

In order to eliminate the untransferred portion, a method of controlling an image area in accordance with a paper size detected in a manual paper feed stage is a known technique in a conventional analog copying machine.
In the case of a digital copying machine, in this control method, the size specified by the user becomes invalid, and the copy result expected by the user cannot be obtained.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (a), when a manual A3 original is copied by feeding A6R paper from a manual paper feed stage by designating the original size and paper size to A5R. Is assumed. At this time, the copy result expected by the user is the result of printing an image of A6R size based on the center of the image data of A5R size based on the corner standard of the A3 document.

[0009] On the other hand, if both the image area to be scanned and the area to be printed are controlled in accordance with the manual feed detection size, as shown in FIG. It is printed, and the result is different from the user's expectation. Further, even if the image area to be scanned is controlled by the designated A5R size and the area to be printed is controlled according to the manual feed detection size, the result is that A
An image of A4R is printed based on the center of three originals, which is different from the user's expectation.

In a digital copier according to the prior art,
If processing is performed with priority given to the size specified by the user by specifying the manual feed size, if a sheet smaller than the size specified by the user is set, the untransferred image remains on the drum, so that blade dirt and paper back dirt, Problems such as wire contamination have occurred. Further, if the process is performed with priority given to the manual feed detection size, there has been a problem that the copy result expected by the user cannot be obtained.

As described above, when a sheet smaller than the document reading range is supplied and printed, a large amount of untransferred toner remains on the photosensitive member. Further, the digital copier supplies paper on the basis of the center while forming an image on the basis of a corner, and forms an image with priority given to the detection of the size of the fed paper, thereby obtaining an image desired by the user. I can't. For example, original size A3, read size A
4, if the paper size is A4, and the paper size is A5, which is actually fed manually, the untransferred toner remains on the photoreceptor because the read size and the specified paper size are larger than the actually fed paper size. In addition, if an image is formed in accordance with the detection size of the manually inserted paper, an A5 size print is made on the basis of the center, and the print data for A4 scanned by the corner reference desired by the user is obtained on the basis of the center. A6 prints cannot be formed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its object to realize that when the paper size is smaller than the document reading range, laser emission for the document reading range is enabled while actually allowing laser emission. It is to print based on the size of the fed paper.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for copying an image of a document onto a medium, wherein the document is scanned to read image information. Means, holding means for holding the image information read by the reading means, supply means for supplying a medium for copying the image of the document, and laser irradiation of the medium loaded in the supply means. And when the size of the medium supplied by the supply unit is smaller than the document reading range by the reading unit, the laser supply for the document reading range is permitted while the laser is actually supplied. Control means for controlling printing based on the size of the selected medium.

According to a second aspect, in an image forming apparatus for copying an image of a document onto a medium, a reading means for scanning the document to read image information and a supply for supplying a medium for copying the image of the document Means, first setting means for setting a reading size by the reading means, storage means for storing image information read by the reading means based on the size set by the first setting means, and the original A printing unit that performs printing by laser ejection to form the image on the medium supplied by the supply unit, and a laser emission range of the printing unit that is set based on the image information stored in the storage unit. If the read size and the size of the medium supplied by the supply unit are different from each other, the ejection range is set by the second setting unit. Printing means that, the image forming apparatus characterized by having a driving means for driving in accordance with the medium size supplied by the supply means.

According to a third aspect, in an image forming apparatus for copying an image of a document onto a medium, a reading means for scanning the document to read image information and a supply for supplying a medium for copying the image of the document Means, first setting means for setting a reading size by the reading means, storage means for storing image information read by the reading means based on the size set by the first setting means, Printing means for performing printing by laser ejection in order to form an image of a document on a medium supplied by the supply means,
A second setting unit that sets a laser emission range of the printing unit based on the image information stored in the storage unit; and a case where the read size is different from the size of the medium supplied by the supply unit. And a driving unit for driving the printing unit having the ejection range set by the second setting unit in accordance with the medium size supplied by the supply unit, wherein at least one of the document size and the medium size is set. An image forming apparatus is provided in which printing is performed in accordance with the supplied medium size even when the image forming apparatus is provided.

According to a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, the recognition setting means sets the size of the medium to a size determined from a guide width or a length detected in millimeter-inch units. The main scanning side is the size determined from the guide width, the sub-scanning side is the length calculated from the medium transport time, or the main scanning side is the length detected in millimeter-inch units on the sub-scanning side. Or the length calculated from the transport time.

According to a fifth aspect, in the third aspect, the control means controls the laser launch range as an image printable range during printing, and the top, bottom, left, and right as effective image ranges during printing. An image forming apparatus is provided which controls a margin of a light or the like.

According to a sixth aspect, in an image forming method for copying an image of a document onto a medium, a step of scanning the document to read image information; a step of holding the read image information; A step of supplying a medium for copying an image, a step of performing printing with a predetermined laser beam on the supplied medium, and, when the size of the supplied medium is smaller than the original reading range, Controlling the printing based on the size of the medium actually supplied while permitting laser ejection for the document reading range.

In a seventh aspect, in an image forming method for copying an image of a document onto a medium, a step of scanning the document to read image information, and a step of supplying a medium for copying the image of the document. Setting the read size, storing the read image information based on the set read size, and printing by laser ejection to form the image of the original on the supplied medium. Performing the setting, based on the stored image information, setting the laser launch range of the printing, if the read size and the size of the supplied medium are different, in the launch range, Printing according to the supplied medium size.

According to an eighth aspect, in an image forming method for copying an image of a document to a medium, a step of scanning the document to read image information, and a step of supplying a medium for copying the image of the document. Setting the read size, storing the read image information based on the set read size, and printing by laser ejection to form the image of the original on the supplied medium. Performing the setting, based on the stored image information, setting the laser launch range of the printing, if the read size and the size of the supplied medium are different, in the launch range, Printing according to the supplied medium size, wherein at least one of the document size and the medium size is set. Even if an image forming method, which comprises printing in accordance with the supplied medium size is provided.

According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the size of the medium is set to a size determined from the guide width, or the guide width is set to a length detected in millimeter-inch units. Whether the side is the size determined from the guide width and the sub-scanning side is the length calculated from the medium transport time,
An image forming method is provided in which the main scanning side is detected by using a length determined by detecting a guide width in milli-inch units, and the sub-scanning side is detected by using a length calculated from a transport time.

According to a tenth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the laser launch range is controlled as the image printable range during the printing, and the top, bottom, left, right, and other margins are set as the effective image range during the printing. Image forming method is provided.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. This is a configuration common to the first to third embodiments described later.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the present image forming apparatus includes a control unit 1 for controlling the entire system, a scanner unit 2 for reading an image of a document 7, and a printer for printing a document image on a copy print 8. An image processing unit 4 for performing predetermined processing on the image data obtained by the scanner unit 2, a data storage unit 5 for storing the image data subjected to the predetermined processing, and a control panel 6 for performing various operation instructions. It is configured.

The detailed configuration of the scanner section 2 and the printer section 3 is as shown in FIG. 1B. The scanner section 2 has a scanner 2a and a scanner drive section 2b. Reference numeral 3 includes a laser driving unit 3b and a laser 3c in addition to the pattern generating unit 3a. In such a configuration, the control unit 1 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus while exchanging with a user, a facsimile, or the like via a control panel 6, a network, a public line, or the like.

The actual scanning is performed with reference to the left corner of the document, and the size of the scanning range is controlled by determining the line buffer reading range and the number of scan lines by a method such as designating the size of the document.

Now, a document size A3, a reading size A4,
Paper size A4, paper size A5 for actual manual feed
It is assumed that In this case, the A4 document in the A3 document is scanned on the basis of the left corner, and the read image data is photoelectrically converted by the CCD into an electric signal. Laser exposure is performed based on this electric signal. However, since the paper is actually fed at A5 and based on the center of the manual feed, the laser launch range is controlled according to the size of the fed paper. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the laser launch range is controlled as the image printable range during printing, and the top, bottom, left, right, and other margins are controlled as the effective image range during printing.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
This operation will be specifically described. A document size A4 and a paper size A4 are designated by the user (step S1).
When sheets of five sizes are set on the manual sheet feed tray (step S2), the size of the actually fed sheet is detected (step S3). As a method for detecting the paper size, the following method can be adopted.

That is, first, the paper size determined from the width of the manual feed guide is used as the paper detection size; second, the length of the manual feed guide detected in millimeter units is used as the paper detection size; On the main scanning side, the paper size determined from the width of the manual feed guide is used as the paper detection size, and on the sub-scanning side, the time required for the paper to pass through the registration sensor is measured, and the length calculated from the paper conveyance time is used as the paper detection size. Fourth, on the main scanning side, the length of the manual guide width detected in milli-inch units is used as the paper detection size, and on the sub-scanning side, the time required for paper to pass through the registration sensor is measured. Any of the methods of using the calculated length as the paper detection size can be adopted.

When the size of the fed paper is detected, printing is started (step S4).
The scanner unit 2 scans by A4 for the upper left corner (step S5), and the obtained image signal is
It is sent to the control unit 1 (step S6). This control unit 1
Sets the laser launch range at the time of printing in accordance with the document size (A4) scanned on the basis of the corner (step S7). The control unit 1 sets a margin in accordance with the size of the actually detected paper as a setting of an effective image area at the time of printing (step S8), and performs laser processing using only data necessary for printing on A5 paper. 3c is driven (step S9).

Here, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the image range is determined by setting the following three elements. That is, first, the size of the image area when the document is scanned, for example, the line buffer reading range and the number of scan lines. Second, an image printable range at the time of printing, specifically, a laser launch range. Third, an effective image range at the time of printing, for example, a top, bottom, left, and right margin.

The unit of setting of the image area at the time of scanning the original, the laser emission range at the time of printing, and the effective image area at the time of printing can be set by the number of dot lines at a preset resolution.

Hereinafter, the first configuration based on the above configuration and operation will be described.
The third to third embodiments will be described. First, a description will be given of a first embodiment in which paper is fed from a manual feed tray and both a document size and a paper size are specified.

In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the first embodiment, the following settings are made when both the original size and the paper size are designated via the control panel 6. That is, the image area when scanning the document is set to the specified document size, the laser launch range during printing is set to the specified paper size, and the effective image range during printing is set to the actual paper size. I do.

As an example of the setting according to the first embodiment, an A3 original is set to an original size B4 and a paper size A4R.
Is specified, and an A5R sheet is fed and copied from the manual sheet feeder, and the relationship of the image range is as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in this case, the effective image range is the paper size fed from the manual paper feed tray, regardless of the designated document size and paper size.
5R will be set.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment in which the paper is fed from the manual feed tray and only the paper size is specified. In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the second embodiment, the following settings are made when the original size is not fixed and only the paper size is designated via the control panel 6. That is, the image area when scanning the document is set to the maximum size or the specified paper size or the document detection size, the laser launch range during printing is set to the specified paper size, and the effective image range during printing is set to , Set to the actual paper size. More specifically, the conditions for selecting an image area when scanning the original include “APS operation mode designation”, “AMS operation mode designation”, “prioritize original detection size”, “prioritize user-specified original size”, Either “priority to the maximum size” or “priority to the paper size (paper standard)” can be adopted.

As an example of the setting according to the second embodiment, an A3 original is set to an original size B4 and a paper size A4R.
Is specified, and an A5R sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeding stage and copied when copied, as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in this case, the effective image range is set to A5R, which is the paper size fed from the manual paper feed stage, regardless of the specified paper size.

Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment in which paper is fed from the manual feed tray and only the original size is specified. In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the third embodiment, the following settings are performed when the paper size is undefined and only the original size is specified via the control panel 6. That is, the image area at the time of document scanning is set to the designated document size, the laser launch range at the time of printing is set to the designated document size (= the maximum size of the printable image), and the effective image at the time of printing is set. The range is set to the actual paper size.

As an example of the setting according to the third embodiment, an A3 original is set to an original size B4, a paper size A4R.
Is specified, and an A5R sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeding stage and copied when copied, as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in this case, the effective image range is set to A5R, which is the size of the paper fed from the manual paper feed tray, regardless of the designated original size.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the actual paper size obtained by the above-described detection method is set in the effective image range at the time of printing. Only when the actual paper size is smaller than the laser launch range at the time. This is because the laser emission range at the time of printing has the same value as the image range at the time of printing, and the image effective range is effective only when it is smaller than the image range.

As described above, according to the present invention, even when paper smaller than the paper size specified by the user is set in the manual paper feed stage, printing is performed by setting the effective image area in accordance with the actual paper. By doing so, since the untransferred image does not remain on the drum, dirt on the blade, paper back, and wire can be prevented. Further, since the image range is set according to the size specified by the user, it is possible to provide a print result in the range expected by the user.

[0042]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Provided is an image forming apparatus and an image forming method in which printing is performed based on the size of an actually fed sheet while enabling laser ejection for the document reading range when the sheet size is smaller than the document reading range. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing settings by the image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing settings by an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing settings by an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a case where an A4 original is copied on A4 paper at a magnification of 100% by an image forming apparatus according to the related art.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a difference in image formation between a conventional digital copying machine and an analog copying machine.

FIG. 8 shows a hand-held A by an image forming apparatus according to the related art.
For 3 originals, set the original size and paper size to B4,
FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a case where A4R paper is fed from a manual paper feed stage and copying is performed.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a manually placed A3 original, a document size and a paper size designated as A5R, and a manual feeder A6R;
FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining a case where a sheet is fed and a copy is performed, and FIG. 8B illustrates a case where both an image area to be scanned and an area to be printed are controlled in accordance with a manual detection size.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Control part 2 Scanner part 3 Printer part 4 Image processing part 5 Data storage part 6 Control panel 7 Original 8 Copy printed matter

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for copying an image of a document onto a medium, reading means for scanning the document to read image information, holding means for holding the image information read by the reading means, and the document Supply means for supplying a medium for copying the image of the above, printing means for performing printing with a predetermined laser beam on the medium loaded in the supply means, When the size of the medium supplied by is small,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to perform printing based on the size of a medium actually supplied while permitting laser ejection for the document reading range. 2. An image forming apparatus for copying an image of a document onto a medium, reading means for scanning the document to read image information, supplying means for supplying a medium for copying an image of the document, A first setting unit for setting a reading size by the reading unit; a storage unit for storing image information read by the reading unit based on the size set by the first setting unit; and a supply of the image of the document. Printing means for performing printing by laser ejection for forming on a medium supplied by means, and second setting means for setting a laser emission range of the printing means based on image information stored in the storage means. And when the read size and the size of the medium supplied by the supply unit are different, the printing in which the ejection range is set by the second setting unit The stage driving means for driving in accordance with the supplied media size by the supply means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. An image forming apparatus for copying an image of a document onto a medium, reading means for scanning the document to read image information, supply means for supplying a medium for copying an image of the document, First setting means for setting a reading size by reading means; storage means for storing image information read by the reading means based on the size set by the first setting means; Printing means for performing printing by laser ejection for forming on the medium supplied by the supply means; and second setting for setting a laser emission range of the printing means based on image information stored in the storage means. Means, when the read size and the size of the medium supplied by the supply means are different, a mark in which the ejection range is set by the second setting means. Means, driving means for driving in accordance with the supplied media size by the supply means,
And an image forming apparatus that prints in accordance with the supplied medium size even when at least one of the document size and the medium size is set. 4. The recognition setting means sets the size of the medium to a size determined from a guide width, a length detected in millimeter-inch units, or determines a main scanning side from a guide width. Whether the determined size is the length calculated on the sub-scanning side from the transport time of the medium, the length on the main scanning side is the length detected in millimeter inch guide width, and the length on the sub-scanning side is the length calculated from the transport time, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detection is performed by any one of the following. 5. The control means controls a laser launch range as an image printable range at the time of printing, and controls a margin such as top, bottom, left, and right as an effective image range at the time of printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. 6. An image forming method for copying an image of a document onto a medium, wherein the step of scanning the document to read image information, the step of holding the read image information, and the step of copying the image of the document Supplying a medium for printing; and performing a printing operation on the supplied medium by a predetermined laser beam. When the size of the supplied medium is smaller than the document reading range, the document reading range Controlling the printing based on the size of the medium actually supplied, while permitting laser emission for a minute. 7. An image forming method for copying an image of a document onto a medium, comprising: a step of scanning the document to read image information; a step of supplying a medium for copying an image of the document; Setting a size; storing image information read based on the set reading size; and performing laser printing to form an image of the document on a supplied medium. Setting a laser launch range for the printing based on the stored image information; and when the read size and the supplied medium size are different, the Printing according to the medium size. 8. An image forming method for copying an image of a document onto a medium, wherein the step of scanning the document to read image information; the step of supplying a medium for copying the image of the document; Setting a size; storing image information read based on the set reading size; and performing laser printing to form an image of the document on a supplied medium. Setting a laser launch range for the printing based on the stored image information; and when the read size and the supplied medium size are different, the Printing according to the medium size, and at least one of the document size and the medium size is set. Even, an image forming method, which comprises printing in accordance with the supplied media size. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the size of the medium is a size determined from the guide width, the guide width is a length detected in milli-inch units, or the main scanning side is a size determined from the guide width. The length is calculated based on the transport time of the medium, the main scan side is determined by the length of the guide width detected in milli-inch units, and the sub-scan side is determined by the length calculated from the transport time. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein: 10. A laser emission range as an image printable range during printing, and a margin such as top, bottom, left, and right as an effective image range during printing. 2. The image forming method according to 1.,