JPH11346301A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device that forms an image in a way that post-processing is accurately executed for a transfer material on which the image is formed. SOLUTION: In the case of applying book binding processing to paper sheets discharged from a printer section 12 by a finisher 13, the finisher 13 sets a valid print area and a non-print area including a processed part to which processing relating to book binding processing is applied to an image forming area on the paper. Then a reader section 11 executes image forming processing to form a read original image on the valid print area of the paper.

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 including a post-processing means for reading an image on a document, forming the read document image on a sheet, and performing post-processing on the image-formed sheet. The present invention relates to an image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that reads an image of a document and forms the read image on a sheet is a post-process that performs a binding process, a folding process, a sorting process, and the like on the sheet on which the image is formed. An image forming system capable of reducing operations such as binding, folding, and rearranging sheets by mounting the apparatus is configured.

[0003] Among such post-processing devices, post-processing devices capable of performing a series of processes from folding, binding, and binding of sheets have appeared. The post-processing device capable of performing a series of processes up to bookbinding has a saddle stitcher mechanism for performing a process of folding a sheet into two or a process of binding with a staple. The sheet is creased by being pressed against the roller member.

[0004]

However, there are cases where the roller member comes into contact with a predetermined portion of a sheet on which an image is formed, and where the roller member comes into contact with a predetermined portion of a sheet on which an image is not formed. In this case, since the coefficient of friction between the roller member and the predetermined portion greatly changes, the roller member may slip in any case, and the fold position of the sheet may shift in any of the above cases. is there. As a result, it may not be possible to make a fold at an optimum position due to the shift of the fold position of the sheet, and it may not be possible to perform bookbinding accurately.

In order to prevent the fold position from being shifted between a case where an image is formed on a predetermined portion of the sheet and a case where no image is formed on the predetermined portion, the material of the roller member and the material of the sheet are changed. By making a change, it is conceivable to minimize the change in the coefficient of friction between the predetermined portion of the sheet and the roller member for each of the above cases. A change in the coefficient of friction due to a change in humidity cannot be accommodated, and similarly, a shift in the fold position of the sheet occurs due to a change in the coefficient of friction between the roller member and a predetermined portion with which the roller member contacts.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of forming an image so that post-processing can be accurately performed on a transfer material on which an image is formed.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Document image reading means for reading an image on a document, image forming means for visualizing the document image read by the document image reading means and forming the same on a transfer material, and a transfer material on which the document image is formed. And a post-processing means for performing post-processing on the transfer material when the post-processing means performs the post-processing on the transfer material by the post-processing means. Setting a non-image forming area and a valid image forming area including a part to be subjected to post-processing, and forming a document image read by the document reading means in the valid image forming area of the transfer material. Features.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when a document image read by the document reading means is formed on the transfer material, a non-image forming area in the document image is formed. The present invention is characterized in that a located image portion is deleted, and a document image from which the image portion has been deleted is formed in an effective image forming area of the transfer material.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, it is determined whether or not a non-image forming area of the transfer material can be set according to an execution condition for post-processing of the post-processing means. And determining whether or not to set a non-image forming area of the transfer material in accordance with a result of the determination.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the post-processing means includes a staple means for performing a stapling process on the transfer material, and the size of the transfer material is the staple size. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not to set a non-image forming area of the transfer material according to whether or not the size is such that stapling by the means is possible.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4.
In the above image forming apparatus, the determination is performed by the post-processing unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the non-image forming area is changeable.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the non-image forming area is changed based on a size of the document and a size of the transfer material.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the non-image forming area is changed based on an instruction from a user.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, there is provided an image moving means capable of moving the original image to an arbitrary position, and The original image is moved on the effective image forming area of the transferred transfer material.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the ninth aspect, there is provided a movement inhibition setting means for setting a movement of the original image by the image movement means based on a user's instruction. It is characterized by the following.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, there is provided an image reducing unit for reducing an original image read by the original reading unit, and the image reducing unit sets the image set by the image reducing unit. The document image is reduced so that the document image fits in the effective image forming area of the transfer material.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document image reading means for reading an image on a document, and an image forming means for visualizing a document image read by the document image reading means and forming the same on a transfer material. A post-processing means for performing post-processing on the transfer material on which the original image is formed, wherein the post-processing means performs the post-processing on the transfer material by the post-processing means. Setting a non-image forming area including a portion to be processed on which an image forming area on the transfer material is subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means and an effective image forming area, which are read by the document reading means; The original image is formed in an effective image forming area of the transfer material.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the twelfth aspect, when a document image read by the document reading means is formed on the transfer material, a non-image forming area in the document image is formed. The present invention is characterized in that a located image portion is deleted, and a document image from which the image portion has been deleted is formed in an effective image forming area of the transfer material.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the thirteenth aspect, it is determined whether or not a non-image forming area of the transfer material can be set according to an execution condition for post-processing of the post-processing means. And determining whether or not to set a non-image forming area of the transfer material in accordance with a result of the determination.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the fourteenth aspect, the post-processing means has a staple means for performing staple processing on the transfer material.
It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not to set a non-image forming area of the transfer material according to whether or not the size of the transfer material is a size that can be stapled by the stapling unit.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, the determination is performed by the post-processing means.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the twelfth aspect, the non-image forming area is changeable.

The invention according to claim 18 is the image forming method according to claim 17, wherein the non-image forming area is changed based on a size of the original and a size of the transfer material.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the seventeenth aspect, the non-image forming area is changed based on an instruction from a user.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the twelfth aspect, an image moving means capable of moving the original image to an arbitrary position is provided, and The original image is moved on the effective image forming area of the transferred transfer material.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the twentieth aspect, setting is made such that movement of the at least two or more original images by the image synthesizing means is prohibited based on a user's instruction. Features.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the twelfth aspect, an image reducing means for reducing an original image read by the original reading means is provided, and The document image is reduced so that the document image fits in the effective image forming area of the transfer material.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; a folding processing means for performing a folding process on the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming means; Prohibiting means for prohibiting image forming processing in the vicinity of a fold on a sheet on which folding processing is performed by the folding processing means.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-third aspect, a first mode for prohibiting an image forming process near a fold on a sheet on which a folding process is performed by the folding process means; A second mode for permitting an image forming process in the vicinity of a fold on a sheet where the folding process is performed by the folding process means.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the twenty-third aspect, the prohibiting means performs an erasing process of an image formed near a fold on a sheet on which the folding process is performed. It is characterized by performing.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-third aspect, a first mode for erasing an image formed near a fold on a sheet to be folded by the folding processing means. A second mode execution unit for executing a second mode different from the first mode for erasing an image formed in the vicinity of the center of the sheet; Storage means for storing data relating to the erasure width of the image every time,
Selecting means for selecting one of the first mode and the second mode, and when one of the first mode and the second mode is selected by the selecting means,
An erasing process of the image in the selected mode is performed with reference to data in the storage unit corresponding to the selected mode.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus connectable to a sheet processing apparatus for performing a folding process on a sheet, an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet, and the folding processing is performed by the sheet processing apparatus. Prohibiting means for prohibiting an image forming process in the vicinity of a fold on a sheet.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-seventh aspect, the first mode for inhibiting an image forming process in the vicinity of a fold on a sheet to be folded by the sheet processing device; A second mode for permitting an image forming process in the vicinity of a fold on a sheet on which a folding process is performed by the sheet processing apparatus.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the twenty-seventh aspect, the prohibiting means performs an erasing process of an image formed near a fold on a sheet to be folded by the sheet processing device. It is characterized by performing.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the twenty-seventh aspect, a first mode for erasing an image formed near a fold on a sheet on which a folding process is performed by the sheet processing device. A second mode execution unit for executing a second mode different from the first mode for erasing an image formed in the vicinity of the center of the sheet; Storage means for storing data relating to the erasure width of the image every time, and selection means for selecting one of the first mode and the second mode, wherein the selection means selects the first mode and the second mode. When one of the two modes is selected, the image in the selected mode is erased with reference to the data in the storage means corresponding to the selected mode. That.

[0037]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration relating to signal processing of the reader unit 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a key arrangement of an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. In this embodiment, a composite image forming apparatus having a copy function and a printer function will be described as an example.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a reader unit 11 and a printer unit 12, as shown in FIG.
An automatic document feeder 101 is mounted on the reader unit 11, and the automatic document feeder 101 sends documents one by one sequentially from the first page on the platen glass 102 via a preset flow reading position to the outside. To be transported. When the document passes through the flow reading position on the platen glass 102, the document image is read by the scanner unit 104 held at a position corresponding to the flow reading position. Specifically, when a document passes through the scanning reading position, the reading surface of the document is illuminated with the light of the lamp 103 of the scanner unit 104, and the reflected light from the document is passed through the mirrors 105, 106, and 107 to the lens. It is led to 108. The light collected by the lens 108 is color-separated by an RGB color separation filter, and then forms an image on an imaging surface of an image sensor unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) 109 including a CCD or the like.

As described above, the original is fed so as to pass through the reading position, so that the main scanning direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the original, and the original reading scanning is performed in the sub-scanning direction. Will be That is, when the original passes through the scanning reading position, the entire original image is read by conveying the original in the sub-scanning direction while reading the original image by the CCD 109 line by line in the main scanning direction. The read image is converted into image data by the CCD 109 and output. CCD10
The image data output from 9 is input to the printer unit 2 as a video signal after predetermined processing. The configuration related to signal processing in the reader unit 11 will be described later.

The printer section 12 has an exposure control section 201 for inputting a video signal from the CCD 109. The exposure controller 201 modulates and outputs a laser beam based on the input video signal, and irradiates the laser beam onto the photosensitive drum 202 via the optical members 201a and 201b while being scanned by the polygon mirror. Photosensitive drum 202
Is formed with an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the laser beam.

The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 202 is visualized as a developer image by a developer of each color supplied from the developing device 203. Further, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, a sheet is fed from each of the cassettes 204 and 205 through a group of rollers including pickup rollers 215 and 216, and the sheet is fed to the photosensitive drum 202 through a registration roller 212. It is transported between the transfer unit 206. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred onto a sheet fed by the transfer unit 116. The developer remaining on the photosensitive drum 202 after the transfer is removed by the cleaner 211.

The sheet on which the developer image has been transferred is transported on a transport path 213.
Through the fixing unit 207. The fixing unit 207 is 1
The developer image is fixed on the sheet by applying heat and pressure when the sheet passes between the rollers. Fixing unit 20
7 is discharged to the finisher 13 by the discharge roller 208. When double-sided recording is set, the sheet is guided into the re-feeding conveyance path 210 by the operation of the discharge roller 208 and the switching operation of the flapper 209, and the sheet guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 210 is moved at the above-described timing. The control for feeding paper again between the photosensitive drum 202 and the transfer unit 206 is performed.

The finisher 13 has a saddle stitcher function, and can perform a staple sort process and a bookbinding process on paper discharged from the printer unit 12 by the saddle stitcher function. The configuration and function of the finisher 13 will be described later.

Next, signal processing in the reader unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the reader unit 11, as shown in FIG. 2, the light received by the CCD 109 is converted into electrical signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) by photoelectric conversion. The electrical signal is transmitted to the corresponding amplifier 1
After being amplified to a predetermined level by 10R, 110G, 110B, it is input to the A / D converter 111. The A / D converter 111 converts the input RGB electrical signals into RGB digital signals and outputs the converted signals. The RGB digital signals are input to the shading circuit 112, and the shading circuit 112 performs shading correction on the input RGB digital signals to correct uneven light distribution, uneven sensitivity of the CCD 109, and the like. Each of the corrected RGB digital signals is input to a Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113, and is subjected to arithmetic processing on each of the input RGB digital signals according to the following equation (1) to obtain a Y signal. Generate a signal (luminance signal).

Y = 0.3 + 0.6G + 0.1B (1) Further, the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 separates seven colors from each digital signal of RGB and generates a color detection signal for each color.

The output signal of the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113 is input to a variable magnification repeat circuit 114. The variable magnification repeat circuit 114 performs magnification processing such as enlargement and reduction in the main scanning direction based on the input signal. Do. Note that the magnification in the sub-scanning direction is controlled by controlling the scanning speed of the scanner unit 104. The variable magnification repeat circuit 114 can output the same image a plurality of times.

The signal from the variable magnification repeat circuit 114 is input to a contour edge emphasizing circuit 115. The contour edge emphasizing circuit 115 performs edge emphasis by emphasizing high frequency components of the input signal and generates a contour signal. .
The signal from the contour edge enhancement circuit 115 is input to a marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116 and a patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117.

Marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116
Extracts a portion written on a document with a marker of a specified color based on an input signal, and generates outline information of this portion. The patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is a marker area determination / contour generation circuit 116.
Processing such as thickening, masking, and trimming is performed on the signal from the contour edge enhancement circuit 115, and the Y signal generation / color detection circuit 113
Patterning is performed based on the color detection signal from.

The signal from the patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 is converted into a video signal by an image memory 120 via an image selector circuit 118 as required.
, Or is directly input as a video signal to a laser driver 119 provided in the exposure control unit 201 of the printer unit 2. The laser driver 119 converts the input signal into a laser driving signal, modulates the laser light with the laser driving signal, and outputs the laser light. The video signal stored in the image memory 120 is subjected to a process such as a rotation process and a combining process under the read control of the CPU circuit 122 for the image memory 120. A connector 121 for connecting an external device such as a computer is connected to the image selector circuit 118. When the printer function is set, the image selector circuit 118 receives an input from the external device via the connector 121. The output video signal is output to the laser driver 119. As a result, the image forming apparatus functions as a printer of an external device. Further, a connector (not shown) for connecting a modem device for realizing a facsimile function is connected to the image selector circuit 118.

The CPU circuit 122 includes a CPU (not shown)
And a ROM 124 for storing various control programs, and a RAM 125 for temporarily storing control data and used as a work area of a CPU for each control. CP
The U circuit 122 controls the operation of the reader unit 11 and performs the operation control of each operation of the printer unit 12 (including the finisher 13) as described later.

Next, control by the CPU circuit 122 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reader circuit 11, the image selector circuit 118, the printer unit 12, the finisher 13, and the operation unit 123 are connected to the CPU circuit 122, and controls the operation of each unit. Do. The CPU circuit 122 outputs an instruction signal to the reader unit 11, and the reader unit 11 outputs the instruction signal based on the instruction signal from the CPU circuit 122.
Automatic Document Feeder 101 and Scanner Unit 10
4. It controls the driving of the CCD 109 and the like, and controls processing operations related to various signal processing for generating a video signal from the electric signal from the CCD 109.

The CPU circuit 122 outputs a switching signal corresponding to the set function to the image selector circuit 118, and the image selector circuit 118 receives the switching signal from the CPU circuit 122 and outputs the switching signal to the printer unit 12 (the laser driver shown in FIG. 2). 1
The input signal to 19) is switched. Specifically, when the copy function is set, a signal from the reader unit 11 (patterning / thickening / masking / trimming circuit 117 shown in FIG. 2) is sent to the printer unit 12 (laser driver 119 shown in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the switching operation is performed so as to output to the image memory 120, and the switching operation is performed so as to output the signal read from the image memory 120 to the printer unit 12 (the laser driver 119 shown in FIG. 2). When the printer function is set, a signal input from an external device via the connector 121 is transmitted to the printer unit 12.
(Laser driver 119 shown in FIG. 2) or a switching operation to output to image memory 120, and switch to output a signal read from image memory 120 to printer unit 12 (laser driver 119 in FIG. 2). Perform the operation.

The CPU circuit 122 outputs an instruction signal to the printer unit 12, and the printer unit 12
Exposure control unit 110 described above based on the instruction signal from 22,
In addition to controlling the drive system for driving the photosensitive drum 102 and the like, the operation of the finisher 13 relating to each staple sort process and bookbinding process is controlled.

The CPU circuit 122 outputs an instruction signal to the finisher 13, and the finisher 13 uses a saddle stitcher mechanism based on the instruction signal from the CPU circuit 122.

The operation unit 123 has a plurality of keys for setting various functions related to image formation, a display unit for displaying information indicating the setting status, and the like. The CPU circuit 122 transmits key signals corresponding to the operation of each key. Output to the CPU
The corresponding information is displayed on the display unit based on the signal from the circuit 122. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
3 includes a power switch 301, a reset key 302, a start key 303, a stop key 304, and a numeric keypad group 3
05, copy mode setting key 311, facsimile mode setting key 312, printer mode setting key 313, interrupt key 306, staple sort processing setting key 30
7, various hard keys such as a bookbinding process setting key 308,
A liquid crystal display section 320 and one-touch dial keys 314 are provided. The liquid crystal display unit 320 displays the state of the device,
It has a display area 321 for displaying the setting state of each mode, an error message, and the like, and a display area for displaying various soft keys. The soft keys include, for example, reduction, equal magnification, and the like for setting a predetermined magnification. There are an enlargement variable key 322, a zoom key 323 for setting an arbitrary magnification, a paper selection key 324 for selecting a paper size, and a density adjustment key 325. The density level adjusted by the density adjustment key 325 is the density. Represented by level indicator 326.

Next, a method of using the image memory 120 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a storage area of an image memory provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the image memory 120 has a capacity capable of storing an A3 size image (vertical 4662).
X 6596 bits). Here, a case where the reader unit 11 reads a document image having a size shown in FIG. With respect to this document image, the document is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of the dotted arrow in FIG. 5B) while reading in the main scanning direction (the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. 5B). At the time of reading, first, the count-up operation of the X-direction counter (sub-scanning direction counter) and the Y-direction counter (main scanning direction counter) is started based on the position of (0, 0) as the first line is read. You. The image data of the first line is sequentially written to the address position of the image memory 120 represented by the count value of each counter.
In this first line, (0,0) to (0,46)
Image data is written to the address positions up to 61). Next, when reading of the second line starts,
The X direction counter is incremented by one, and the image data obtained by this reading is sequentially changed from (1, 0) to (1, 4).
661) are written to the address positions. In this manner, reading and writing are repeated for each line, and image data is written up to the address position of (3297,4661).

When reading out the image data stored in the image memory 120, as shown in FIG. 5D, the address position (3797, 0) of the image memory 120 is set as the image data reading start point, and the X direction counter is read. The countdown operation of the (sub-scanning direction counter) and the count-up operation of the Y-direction counter (main scanning direction counter) are started. Image data is read from address positions (3797,0) to (0,0) based on the count value of each counter. Next, the Y-direction counter is incremented by one, and the next line of image data is read. That is, the image data from the address positions (3797,1) to (0,1) is read. As described above, by reading out the image data while sequentially performing the count-down operation of the X-direction counter and the count-up operation of the Y-direction counter, the image shown in FIG. 5E is obtained.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 (f), when the image data is read using the address position (0, 0) of the image memory 120 as the image data reading start point,
The count-up operation of the X-direction counter (sub-scanning direction counter) and the count-up operation of the Y-direction counter (main scanning direction counter) are started. First, based on the count value of each counter, the address position (0,0) is changed to (0,46).
The reading of the image data up to 62) is performed. Next, Y
The direction counter is incremented by one, and reading of the next one line of image data is performed. As described above, by reading out the image data while sequentially performing the count-up operation of the X-direction counter and the count-up operation of the Y-direction counter, the image shown in FIG. 5G is obtained. The image obtained here is an image rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the image shown in FIG. Therefore, by controlling the read position of the image data from the image memory 120, the image can be rotated.

When combining and outputting a plurality of images,
Each image data (shown in FIGS. 5 (h) and 5 (i)) stored in the image memory 120 is read, and the read image data is written in a layout area in the image memory 120. A composite image (shown in FIG. 5 (j)) of each image can be obtained in the area.

As described above, by controlling the reading of the image data from the image memory 120 by the CPU circuit 122, the rotation processing and the synthesis processing of the image can be performed.

Next, the configuration of the finisher 13 and its processing function will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the finisher 13 of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the finisher 13 of FIG. 1 at the time of staple sort processing, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the finisher 13 of FIG. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the finisher 13
A staple unit 701 for stapling sheets discharged from the printer unit 12 with a staple; a sort unit 703 for performing a sort operation of discharging conveyed sheets to bins 703a to 703c corresponding to a predetermined order;
A pair of folding rollers 702 and a movable pressing member 706 which constitute a folding mechanism for folding the sheet discharged from the sheet 2 into two, and discharge the folded sheet discharged from the folding roller 702 to a discharge tray 707. Transport roller 704
And a transport roller 705 that transports the paper discharged from the printer unit 12 to the sort unit 703 via the staple unit 701 or to the folding mechanism.
And

At the time of staple sort processing, FIG.
As shown in (1), the paper P discharged from the printer unit 12 is first taken in. As shown in FIG. 7B, the sheet P is fed inside until a predetermined portion reaches a position where the staple unit 701 binds the sheet. Paper P
When the predetermined portion reaches a predetermined position, the paper P
Is held, and the next sheet P is conveyed and superimposed on this sheet P in the same manner. When a predetermined number of sheets are stacked, the staple unit 701 moves to a set position and staples the stacked sheets into one sheet bundle.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the bound sheet bundle is sorted by a transport roller 705 into a sort unit 703.
, And the sorting unit 703 carries out each bin 703a-
703c, and moves the conveyed sheet bundle to the corresponding bin 7
The sheets are ejected at 03a to 703c.

At the time of the bookbinding process, the paper P discharged from the printer section 12 is taken in, and the paper P is fed inside until the central portion reaches a position where the staple unit 701 binds the paper P. The sheet P is held at this position, and the next sheet P is conveyed and superimposed on the sheet P in the same manner. When a predetermined number of sheets are stacked, the staple unit 701 moves to a set position and staples the stacked sheets into one sheet bundle.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, the bound sheet bundle is transported by the transport roller 705 such that the center portion thereof is at the folding position. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the pressing member 706 is pushed toward the sheet bundle P, and the pushing operation of the pressing member 706 causes the sheet bundle P to be folded at a predetermined portion while the folding roller 7 is pressed.
It is pushed between 02 pairs. This pair of folding rollers 702 is
As shown in FIG. 8C, the sheet bundle P is fed by a feeding operation, and the sheet bundle P is folded by this operation and discharged from the folding roller pair 702. The folded sheet bundle P is discharged onto a discharge tray 707 by a transport roller 704.

It is also possible that the staple unit 701 simply executes the sort processing without performing the staple processing.

In this embodiment, when the bookbinding process is performed on the sheet discharged from the printer unit 12 by the finisher 13, the image forming area on the sheet is subjected to the process related to the bookbinding process by the finisher 13. A non-printing area including a portion to be processed and an effective printing area are set, and an image forming process of forming a document image read by the reader unit 11 in an effective printing area of a sheet is executed.

Next, the procedure of the above-described image forming process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an image forming process when performing the bookbinding process in the image forming apparatus of FIG. This processing is performed in ROM1
24 according to the program stored in the CPU circuit 12.
2 is performed.

At the time of setting the copy function, as shown in FIG. 9, first, in step S101, it is determined whether or not a bookbinding mode for executing a bookbinding process. If the bookbinding mode has not been set, the process proceeds to step S115, in which control relating to normal copy output is executed. Here, control is performed to feed a document from the automatic document feeder 101, read the fed document, and output the read document image to the printer unit 12. Printer unit 1 that has received this document image
In step 2, the original image is formed on a sheet, and the sheet is discharged onto the bin of the finisher 13. When the normal copy output ends, this processing ends.

On the other hand, if the bookbinding mode is set, the flow advances to step S102 to instruct the reader unit 11 to read the original. Here, the reading of the original is performed for all the originals, and all the read original images are stored in the image memory 120. In the following step S103, the layout order of the read document image is determined.

Next, the process proceeds to step S104, and it is determined whether or not to perform the image partial erasure based on the conditions necessary for executing the bookbinding process including the document size, the number of sheets, the sheet size, the number of sheets, and the like. For example, when the paper size is the B5 size, the bookbinding process cannot be executed with this paper size, so that it is determined that the image partial erasure is not performed. As described above, when the image partial erasure is not performed, the process proceeds to step S110, and the original image stored in the image memory 120 in step S102 is copied to step S103.
The original images are combined in accordance with the layout of the original image determined in step (1) to generate a composite image for each sheet, and output to the printer unit 12, followed by terminating the present process. The printer unit 12 receiving the composite image data forms the composite image data on a sheet and sends the sheet to the finisher 13.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that image partial erasure is to be performed, the flow advances to step S105 to calculate a print area excluding the non-print area from the image forming area of the sheet. Here, the image forming area of the sheet is
A printable area defined in advance by the apparatus based on the size of the paper. The non-printing area includes at least a portion where post-processing such as stapling and folding processing is performed when the paper is folded into two and bookbinding is performed, and image formation is prohibited. This is a region that is set in advance in accordance with the conditions. The non-print area can be changed by a user input from the operation unit 123. The print area is an area where image formation is permitted,
It is determined from the image forming area and the non-printing area of the paper. For example, when arranging images (297 mm in the main scanning direction and 210 mm in the sub-scanning direction) on two A4 size documents on A3 size paper, a width of 20 mm (10 mm / 10 mm) extending in the main scanning direction centering on the central portion of the paper. 10 mm) is set as a non-printing area. In this case, the printing area for each document image is an area of 297 mm in the main scanning direction and 200 mm in the sub-scanning direction.

Next, the process proceeds to step S106, where it is determined whether or not the relationship of original image area <print area is established between the original image area formed on the sheet and the print area calculated in step S105. . If the relationship of the document image area <the print area is established, the process proceeds to step S107, and it is determined whether or not it is set to perform the center binding margin based on a user's instruction input from the operation unit 123. If it is set to perform this center binding margin, step S
Proceed to 108 to create a center binding margin. In the creation of the center binding margin, the image on the left side of the sheet is moved to the left end side to create a binding margin on the right side of the image, and the image on the right side is moved to the right end side to bind on the left side of the image. By creating the binding margin, a binding margin extending at a predetermined width in the main scanning direction around the central portion of the sheet is created.

Next, the flow advances to step S109 to set an image partial erasure range. Here, the above step S1
Since the center binding margin created in step 08 is created, the central binding margin is set as a non-printing area in addition to the set non-printing area, and the erasing range of the image portion is set based on the non-printing area. I do. When the center binding margin is not created, the preset non-printing area is set as a non-printing area, and the erasing range of the image portion is set based on the non-printing area.

In the following step S110, the original images stored in the image memory 120 in the above-mentioned step S102 are combined with each other in accordance with the layout order of the original images determined in the above-mentioned step S103 to generate a composite image for each sheet. The composite image is output to the printer unit 12 and the process ends. When generating the composite image, the above step S
A composite image is generated in which the image portion corresponding to the image portion erasure range set in 109 is deleted.

The printer unit 12 receiving the composite image forms the composite image on a sheet and sends the sheet to the finisher 13. In the finisher 13, as described above, the sheets ejected from the printer unit 12 are sequentially taken in, the central portion of a predetermined number of sheet bundles is bound by the staple unit 701, and the central portion of the bound sheet bundle is folded by the pressing member 706. Push between roller pair 702. As a result, the sheet bundle passes between the pair of folding rollers 702 while being folded at the central portion. When the sheet bundle is folded in this way, the pair of folding rollers 702 comes into contact with the central portion, ie, the non-printing area, which is the fold position of the sheet bundle, so that the friction coefficient between the pair of folding rollers 702 and the sheet bundle greatly changes. Of the folding roller pair 702 due to the above-mentioned operation, and the displacement of the fold position with respect to the sheet bundle is eliminated. As a result, it is possible to make a crease at an optimum position, and it is possible to perform bookbinding accurately.

If it is determined in step S107 that the center binding margin is not to be performed, step S108 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S109, where the erasure range of the image portion is set. Here, since the center binding margin is not created, the preset non-printing area is set as a non-printing area, and the erasing range of the image portion is set based on the non-printing area. In the following step S110, the original images stored in the image memory 120 in the above step S102 are combined with each other in accordance with the layout order of the original images determined in the above step S103 to generate a composite image for each sheet. The data is output to the printer unit 12 and the process ends. Since the original images combined here fit in the respective print areas, no image loss occurs. Similarly, in the paper on which the composite image is formed, the central portion becomes a non-printing area (including the fold position), so that the fold can be formed at an optimum position, and bookbinding can be performed accurately.

If the relationship of document image area <print area is not established in step S106, step S111
To determine whether the user has set the original image to be reduced. If the original image has not been reduced, the process advances to step S112 to determine whether the center movement has been set by the user. I do. If the center movement has not been set, the flow advances to step S109 to set a deletion range of the image portion. Here, the previously set non-printing area is set as a non-printing area,
An erasing range of the image portion is set based on the non-printing area. In the following step S110, the above-mentioned step S102
In step S103, the original images stored in the image memory 120 are combined with each other in accordance with the layout order of the original images determined in step S103 to generate a composite image for each sheet, and the composite image is output to the printer unit 12 and output to the printer unit 12. The process ends.
As described above, when the document image is not reduced and the center is not moved under the condition that the relationship of the document image area <the print area is not established, the non-print area is set, thereby causing image missing.

If it is determined in step S112 that center movement has been set, the flow advances to step S113 to perform center movement. Here, the center movement refers to a process of moving the center of the document image with respect to the print area. This center movement is performed, for example, when a non-print area includes an image part that the user does not want to erase. This is performed to move from the non-printing area to the position of the printing area.

If it is determined in step S111 that image reduction has been set, the flow advances to step S114 to calculate a reduction ratio at which a document image can be accommodated in the print area, and to reduce the image based on the calculated reduction ratio. Do. In the above-described example of arranging images on two A4 size documents on A3 size paper, 297 mm / 2 in the main scanning direction.
97 mm = 100%, 200 mm / 210 m in the sub-scanning direction
Since m = 95%, the image is reduced by setting a magnification of 95% in both the main scanning and the sub-scanning.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S109, in which an erasing range of the image portion according to the previously set non-printing area is set.
4 is combined with each original image in accordance with the layout order of the original images determined in step S103 to generate a composite image for each sheet.
2 and the process ends. As described above, when the original image is reduced under the condition that the relationship of the original image <the print area is not established, the original image is reduced and fit in the print area, so that the image is not missing. As described above, by performing the processing illustrated in FIG. 9 by the CPU circuit 122, it is possible to prohibit the image forming processing in the vicinity of the fold on the sheet on which the folding processing is performed.

A specific example of the above processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 10 to 12 are diagrams showing specific examples of the image forming process when performing the bookbinding process of FIG.

First, an example of bookbinding by reading eight originals and forming each original image on the front and back surfaces of two sheets will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, as shown in FIG.
Each document image of “1” to “8” is read and stored in the image memory 120. Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the layout of the document image is determined based on the condition that the printer unit 12 performs the duplex mode and performs the front side discharge. With respect to the first sheet surface (the surface on which an image is formed via the re-feeding conveyance path 210 in the duplex mode), a document image of "3" located on the intermediate page (6th page) is located on the left side. The document image of “3” located on the intermediate page (third page) is arranged on the right side. On the back side of the first sheet (the side on which an image is formed first in the duplex mode), the document image of “4” located on the left side of the intermediate page (4th page) and the intermediate page (5 The document image of “5” located on the (page) is arranged. For the second sheet, the document image of “8” located on the last page (page 8) on the left side of the front surface, and the document “1” located on the first page (page 1) on the right side thereof The image, the document image of “2” located on the intermediate page (second page) on the left side of the back side, and the document image of “7” located on the intermediate page (page 7) are located on the right side thereof.

A composite image of the respective original images arranged as described above is formed in a print area on the front surface and the back surface of each sheet. In forming the composite image, predetermined processing such as reduction processing is performed based on the relationship between the size of the document image and the printing area.

The processed composite image is sent to the printer unit 12.
To be formed on paper. Each sheet is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the sheets are bound into one bundle by the finisher 13, and the central portion of the sheet bundle is folded by folding processing, thereby binding the book.

Next, an example of creating a center binding margin will be described with reference to FIG. Since the center binding margin is performed under the condition that the document image area <printing area relationship is established, the non-printing area can be further enlarged by creating the center binding margin, but the printing area is reduced. The center binding margin is, for example, when the size of the original image is sufficiently small with respect to the print area, particularly, the original image has a sufficient margin in the paper sub-scanning direction of the print area, and This is done when you want to move to. In particular,
There are cases where two B5 size document images are arranged on A3 size paper.

By creating the center binding margin, FIG.
As shown in (a), (b), (c), and (d), the original image is moved to the corresponding paper edge and placed on each paper. The arrangement of each document image on the paper is the same as the arrangement shown in FIG. The sheet bundle on which the originals are arranged as described above is bound as shown in FIG.

Next, an example of performing a reduction process will be described with reference to FIG. The reduction process is performed under the condition that the relationship of document image <print area is not established. By this reduction processing, the reduced original image is arranged in the print area of each sheet as shown in FIGS. 12 (a), (b), (c) and (d). The arrangement of each document image on the paper is the same as the arrangement shown in FIG. The sheet bundle on which the originals are arranged as described above is bound as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the bookbinding process is performed by the finisher 13 on the sheet discharged from the printer unit 12, the processing related to the bookbinding process by the finisher 13 on the image forming area on the sheet is performed. The non-printing area including the processing target area to be processed and the effective printing area are set, and the image forming process for forming the original image read by the reader unit 11 in the effective printing area of the paper is executed. When folding a sheet bundle, a pair of folding rollers 70
The fold position, ie, the central portion, of the sheet bundle in contact with the sheet bundle 2 can be set as a non-printing area, the change in the coefficient of friction between the pair of folding rollers 702 and the sheet bundle is suppressed to a small extent, and the slip of the pair of folding rollers 702 occurs. Can be suppressed.
As a result, there is no shift in the fold position with respect to the sheet bundle, and bookbinding can be performed accurately.

In step S104 of the flowchart of FIG. 9 described above, whether or not to perform partial image erasure is determined based on conditions necessary for executing the bookbinding process. A mode in which the image forming process is prohibited around the fold on the sheet on which the folding process is performed, and a mode in which the image is output without being partially erased (that is, the image on the vicinity of the fold on the sheet on which the folding process is performed). (A mode for permitting formation) may be provided, and the user may set one of the modes on the operation unit 123 to select whether or not to perform the partial image deletion.

In such a configuration, if any mode is set by the user, the processing corresponding to the set mode is executed by the CPU circuit 122. For example, when a mode for partially erasing an image is set by the user, the image forming process for the vicinity of the fold on the sheet where the folding process is performed is prohibited,
The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 described above is executed by the CPU circuit 122.

Thus, referring to FIG. 8, when the sheet bundle pushed out by pressing member 706 toward folding roller pair 702 is nipped by folding roller pair 702 and folded, folding roller pair 702 is folded. It is possible to prevent slippage between sheets abutting on the sheet (a sheet that becomes a cover when bound) and slippage between sheets to be processed as one bundle. Therefore,
The sheet can be accurately folded based on a predetermined portion (ie, a central portion to be a fold) extruded by the pressing member 706, and the inner sheet can be prevented from being separated after the folding process.

Further, as another embodiment, in addition to the above-described bookbinding processing mode (hereinafter referred to as a bookbinding mode), for example, a book frame erasing mode may be used to print an image formed in the center of a sheet. A case in which a mode for performing an erasing process is further provided will be described.

The book frame erasing mode is a mode for erasing the image of the edge portion, the outside image, and the image of the central portion of the double-page spread original read by the reader unit 11 in accordance with the double-page spread size of the book. When the user sets the book frame erasing mode in the operation unit 123, the sheet frame and the central shadow generated when copying a facing book or the like are erased, and the image forming output in which the sheet frame and the central shadow are erased is output. Obtainable. In the book frame erasing mode, selection of a book spread size (for example, A3) and setting of a frame erasing width (for example, 3 mm to 50 mm) of a book center are set by a user, and the set frame erasing width (image erasing width) is set. ) Is stored in a memory or the like.

When the above-described bookbinding mode and book frame erasing mode are provided, that is, when there are a plurality of modes for erasing an image formed near the center of a sheet, an image at the center of the sheet is erased for each mode. Is stored in the memory. A memory for storing this data has an area for storing data relating to an image erasing width corresponding to the bookbinding mode (hereinafter, referred to as an area).
An area for storing data relating to an image erasing width corresponding to the book frame erasing mode (hereinafter, referred to as a first area).
A second area).

The image erasing process in the book frame erasing mode is a process for erasing a sheet frame and a central shadow generated when a facing book or the like is copied. Also, considering that the width of the shadow generated at the center differs depending on the thickness of the facing book to be copied, the user is allowed to set an image erasing width (for example, 20 mm) according to the thickness of the book. Is stored in the second area.

On the other hand, as described above, the image erasing process in the bookbinding mode is performed as a slip generated during the bookbinding process (slip between the folding roller pair 702 and a sheet abutting on the pair of folding rollers 702 and one bundle). This is a process for the purpose of preventing slippage between sheets to be performed, and is different from the book frame erasing mode for that purpose. In the image erasing process in the bookbinding mode, a minimum image erasing width (for example, 10 mm) necessary for slip prevention is set in advance so that an output as close as possible to the data desired by the user can be obtained. 1
Store in area.

When one of the book frame erasing mode and the bookbinding mode is selected, data relating to the image erasure width corresponding to the selected mode is read from the corresponding area of the memory, and the read data is An image erasing process is performed based on the image.

For example, when the book frame erasing mode is selected, data relating to the image erasing width is read from the second area of the memory, and the image erasing process is performed based on the read data. For example, when the data relating to the image erasing width is set to 20 mm, the width extending in the main scanning direction with respect to the center portion of the sheet is 20 mm.
Is set as a non-image forming area, and the image contained in this area is erased. On the other hand, when the bookbinding mode is selected, data relating to the image erasure width is read from the first area of the memory, and the image is erased based on the read data. Here, for example, when the data relating to the image erasing width is set to 10 mm, a width of 10 mm extending in the main scanning direction based on the center portion of the sheet is set as a non-image forming area, and an image is not formed in this area. The image contained in this area is erased.

[0105]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, when post-processing is performed on the transfer material by the post-processing means, the post-processing is performed on the image forming area on the transfer material. A non-image forming area including a portion to be post-processed by the means and an effective image forming area are set, and a document image read by the document reading means is formed in the effective image forming area of the transfer material. The post-processing by the processing unit is performed on the non-image forming area, and an image can be formed so that the post-processing can be accurately performed on the transfer material on which the image is formed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when forming the original image read by the original reading means on the transfer material, the image portion located in the non-image forming area in the original image is deleted. The document image from which the image portion has been erased can be formed in the effective image forming area of the transfer material.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the non-image forming area of the transfer material can be set according to the execution condition for the post-processing of the post-processing means. Accordingly, whether to set the non-image forming area of the transfer material can be determined.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the post-processing means has the bookbinding processing means for performing the bookbinding process on the transfer material, and whether the size of the transfer material is a size capable of the bookbinding process. It can be configured to determine whether or not to set the non-image forming area of the transfer material according to whether or not.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the determination can be made by the post-processing means.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the non-image forming area can be changed, the effective image forming area can be changed by changing the non-image forming area. The formation can take place.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the non-image forming area is changed based on the size of the original and the size of the transfer material, an appropriate non-image forming area is provided for the transfer material. Can be.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, since the non-image forming area is changed based on the instruction from the user, the desired non-image forming area can be set.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is provided with an image moving means capable of moving the original image to an arbitrary position, and the image moving means is provided on the effective image forming area of the transfer material set. Is set so that the original image can be moved, so that the original image can be arranged at a desired position in the effective image forming area.

According to the image forming apparatus of the tenth aspect,
Since the movement prohibition setting means for setting to prohibit the movement of the document image by the image moving means based on the user's instruction is provided, it is possible to set whether or not to move the document image as required.

According to the image forming apparatus of the eleventh aspect,
An image reducing unit for reducing the original image read by the original reading unit is provided, and the image reducing unit reduces the original image so that the original image fits in the set effective image forming area of the transfer material. Is larger than the effective image forming area, the original image can be reduced and stored in the effective image forming area. According to the image forming method of the twelfth aspect, when performing post-processing on the transfer material by the post-processing means,
A non-image forming area including a portion to be subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means on the image forming area on the transfer material and an effective image forming area are set, and the document image read by the document reading means is transferred. Since the image is formed in the effective image forming area of the material, the post-processing by the post-processing means is performed on the non-image forming area, so that the post-processing can be accurately performed on the transfer material on which the image is formed. Can be formed.

According to the image forming method of the thirteenth aspect,
When forming an original image read by the original reading means on a transfer material, an image portion located in a non-image forming area in the original image is erased, and the original image from which the image portion has been erased is used to form an effective image on the transfer material. It can be configured to be formed in a region.

According to the image forming method of the present invention,
It is determined whether the non-image forming area of the transfer material can be set according to the execution condition for the post-processing of the post-processing means, and whether the non-image forming area of the transfer material is set according to the result of the determination. Can be determined.

According to the image forming method of the present invention,
The post-processing means has a bookbinding processing means for performing bookbinding processing on the transfer material, and sets a non-image forming area of the transfer material according to whether or not the size of the transfer material is a size capable of bookbinding processing. Or not.

According to the image forming method of the sixteenth aspect,
The determination may be made by post-processing means.

According to the image forming method of the seventeenth aspect,
Since the non-image forming area can be changed, the effective image forming area can be changed by changing the non-image forming area, and an image desired by the user can be formed.

According to the image forming method of the eighteenth aspect,
Since the non-image forming area is changed based on the size of the document and the size of the transfer material, an appropriate non-image forming area can be provided for the transfer material.

According to the image forming method of the nineteenth aspect,
Since the non-image forming area is changed based on an instruction from the user, it is possible to set a non-image forming area desired by the user.

According to the image forming method of the twentieth aspect,
An image moving unit capable of moving the original image to an arbitrary position is provided, and the image moving unit is set so that the original image can be moved on the set effective image forming area of the transfer material. Can be arranged at a desired position in the effective image forming area.

According to the image forming method of the twenty-first aspect,
Since the movement prohibition setting means for setting to prohibit the movement of the document image by the image moving means based on the user's instruction is provided, it is possible to set whether or not to move the document image as required.

According to the image forming method of the twenty-second aspect,
An image reducing unit for reducing the original image read by the original reading unit is provided, and the image reducing unit reduces the original image so that the original image fits in the set effective image forming area of the transfer material. Is larger than the effective image forming area, the original image can be reduced and stored in the effective image forming area.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-third aspect,
Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, folding processing means for performing folding processing on the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming means, and image forming processing for the vicinity of a fold on the sheet on which folding processing is performed by the folding processing means Since there is a prohibition unit for prohibition, image formation is not performed near the fold on the sheet on which the folding process is performed, and the folding process by the folding processing unit is performed on the non-image forming area. As a result, the folding process can be accurately performed on the sheet on which the image is formed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-fourth aspect,
A first mode in which image forming processing is prohibited near a fold on a sheet on which folding processing is performed by the folding processing unit, and a second mode in which image forming processing is permitted near a fold on a sheet on which folding processing is performed by the folding processing unit. Mode.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-fifth aspect,
The prohibition unit may be configured to perform an erasing process of an image formed near a fold on the sheet on which the folding process is performed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-sixth aspect,
First mode executing means for executing a first mode for performing erasing processing of an image formed near a fold on a sheet on which folding processing is performed by the folding processing means, and erasing of an image formed near the center of the sheet Second mode execution means for executing a second mode different from the first mode for performing processing, storage means for storing data relating to an image erasure width for each mode, and a first mode and a second mode. And selecting means for selecting one of the modes. When one of the first mode and the second mode is selected by the selecting means, the data in the storage means corresponding to the selected mode is stored. It can be configured to perform an erasing process of the image of the mode selected with reference to.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-seventh aspect,
Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, folding processing means for performing a folding process on a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming means, and image forming processing for the vicinity of a fold on a sheet on which a folding process is performed by a sheet processing apparatus. Since the prohibition unit for prohibition is provided, an image is not formed near the fold on the sheet on which the folding process is performed, and the folding process by the sheet processing apparatus is performed on the non-image forming area. As a result, it is possible to form an image for enabling a folding process to be accurately performed on a sheet on which an image is formed.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-eighth aspect,
A first mode in which image forming processing is prohibited in the vicinity of a fold on a sheet where folding processing is performed by the sheet processing apparatus, and a second mode in which image forming processing is permitted in the vicinity of a fold on a sheet where folding processing is performed by the sheet processing apparatus Mode.

According to the image forming apparatus of the twenty-ninth aspect,
The prohibition unit may be configured to perform an erasing process of an image formed near a fold on a sheet on which a folding process is performed by the sheet processing apparatus.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
First mode executing means for executing a first mode for performing an erasing process of an image formed near a fold on a sheet on which a folding process is performed by the sheet processing apparatus; and erasing an image formed near the center of the sheet Second mode execution means for executing a second mode different from the first mode for performing processing, storage means for storing data relating to the erasure width of an image for each mode, first mode and second mode Selecting means for selecting one of the modes, and when one of the first mode and the second mode is selected by the selecting means, the data in the storage means corresponding to the selected mode is referred to Then, the image in the selected mode can be erased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration related to signal processing of a reader unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a key arrangement of an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a storage area of an image memory provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a finisher 13 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the finisher 13 in FIG. 1 during a staple sort process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the finisher 13 in FIG. 1 during bookbinding processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an image forming process when performing a bookbinding process in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an image forming process when performing the bookbinding process of FIG. 9;

11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an image forming process when performing the bookbinding process of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an image forming process when performing the bookbinding process of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image forming apparatus 11 reader unit 12 printer unit 13 finisher 120 memory 122 CPU circuit 123 operation unit 124 ROM 125 RAM 701 staple unit 702 folding roller pair 706 pressing member

Claims (30)

[Claims] A document image reading means for reading an image on a document; an image forming means for visualizing the document image read by the document image reading means to form the image on a transfer material; And a post-processing means for performing post-processing on the transferred transfer material, wherein when performing the post-processing on the transfer material by the post-processing means, the image forming region on the transfer material Setting a non-image forming area including a part to be post-processed by the post-processing means and an effective image forming area, and converting the original image read by the original reading means into an effective image forming area of the transfer material. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein, when forming a document image read by said document reading means on said transfer material, an image portion of said document image located in a non-image forming area is deleted, and said document portion is erased. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is formed in an effective image forming area of the transfer material. 3. A non-image forming area of the transfer material is determined based on an execution condition for post-processing of the post-processing means, and whether or not a non-image forming area of the transfer material can be set is determined. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether to set a formation area. 4. The post-processing means includes a stapling means for performing a stapling process on the transfer material, and the post-processing means determines whether or not the size of the transfer material is a size which can be stapled by the stapling means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether to set a non-image forming area of the transfer material. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determination is performed by the post-processing unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-image forming area is changeable. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the non-image forming area is changed based on a size of the document and a size of the transfer material. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the non-image forming area is changed based on an instruction from a user. 9. An image moving means capable of moving the document image to an arbitrary position, wherein the image moving means comprises:
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the original image is moved on an effective image forming area of the set transfer material. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a movement prohibition setting unit configured to prohibit the movement of the document image by the image moving unit based on a user's instruction. 11. An image reducing unit for reducing an original image read by the original reading unit, wherein the image reducing unit controls the original image so that the original image fits in the set effective image forming area of the transfer material. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the original image is reduced. 12. An original image reading means for reading an image on an original, an image forming means for visualizing the original image read by the original image reading means and forming the image on a transfer material, and forming the original image And a post-processing means for performing post-processing on the transferred transfer material, wherein the post-processing means performs the post-processing on the transfer material by the post-processing means. A non-image forming area and an effective image forming area including a processed part to be subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means are set for the image forming area,
An image forming method comprising: forming a document image read by the document reading means in an effective image forming area of the transfer material. 13. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when forming a document image read by said document reading means on said transfer material, an image portion located in a non-image forming area in said document image is erased, and said image portion is erased. The image forming method according to claim 12, wherein an image is formed in an effective image forming area of the transfer material. 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not a non-image forming area of said transfer material can be set according to an execution condition for post-processing of said post-processing means. 14. The image forming method according to claim 13, wherein whether to set a formation area is determined. 15. The post-processing means includes a stapling means for performing a stapling process on the transfer material, and the post-processing means determines whether the size of the transfer material is a size which can be stapled by the stapling means. 15. The image forming method according to claim 14, wherein whether to set a non-image forming area of the transfer material is determined. 16. The image forming method according to claim 14, wherein the determination is performed by the post-processing unit. 17. The image forming method according to claim 12, wherein the non-image forming area is changeable. 18. The image forming method according to claim 17, wherein the non-image forming area is changed based on a size of the document and a size of the transfer material. 19. The image forming method according to claim 17, wherein the non-image forming area is changed based on an instruction from a user. 20. An image moving means capable of moving the document image to an arbitrary position, wherein the image moving means moves the document image on the set effective image forming area of the transfer material. 13. The image forming method according to claim 12, wherein: 21. The image forming method according to claim 20, wherein setting is made such that movement of said at least two document images by said image synthesizing means is prohibited based on a user's instruction. 22. An image reducing unit for reducing an original image read by the original reading unit, wherein the image reducing unit controls the original image so that the original image fits in the set effective image forming area of the transfer material. 13. The image forming method according to claim 12, wherein the document image is reduced. 23. An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet, a folding processing means for performing a folding process on the sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming means, and a folding processing means for performing a folding process on the sheet by the folding processing means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a prohibition unit that prohibits an image forming process near a fold. 24. A first mode for prohibiting image forming processing near a fold on a sheet on which folding processing is performed by the folding processing means, and an image on a sheet near a fold on which folding processing is performed by the folding processing means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a second mode for permitting a forming process. 25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the prohibition unit performs an erasing process on an image formed near a fold on a sheet on which the folding process is performed.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 26. A first mode executing means for executing a first mode for performing an erasing process of an image formed near a fold on a sheet to be folded by the folding means, and A second mode executing means for executing a second mode different from the first mode for performing an erasing process of an image to be formed, a memory means for storing data relating to an erasing width of an image for each mode, Selecting means for selecting one of the first mode and the second mode, and when one of the first mode and the second mode is selected by the selecting means, 24. The image forming apparatus according to claim 23, wherein an image of the selected mode is deleted by referring to data in the storage unit corresponding to the selected mode. 27. An image forming apparatus connectable to a sheet processing apparatus for performing a folding process on a sheet, an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet, and a vicinity of a fold on the sheet where the sheet processing apparatus performs the folding process. And a prohibiting unit for prohibiting image forming processing for the image forming apparatus. 28. A first mode for prohibiting image forming processing near a fold on a sheet on which folding processing is performed by the sheet processing apparatus, and an image on a sheet near a fold on which folding processing is performed by the sheet processing apparatus. 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a second mode for permitting a forming process. 29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the prohibition unit performs an erasing process of an image formed near a fold on a sheet on which a folding process is performed by the sheet processing apparatus.
8. The image forming apparatus according to 7. 30. A first mode executing means for executing a first mode for performing an erasing process of an image formed near a fold on a sheet on which a folding process is performed by the sheet processing apparatus; A second mode executing means for executing a second mode different from the first mode for performing an erasing process of an image to be formed, a memory means for storing data relating to an erasing width of an image for each mode, Selecting means for selecting one of the first mode and the second mode, and when one of the first mode and the second mode is selected by the selecting means, 28. The image forming apparatus according to claim 27, wherein an image erasing process of the selected mode is performed with reference to data in the storage unit corresponding to the selected mode.