JP2002010000A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an image forming method by which the output of a failed image can be reduced by exactly grasping the layout of image information on recording paper to be outputted in advance in the case of setting the image layout such as staple shift, image rotation, magnification/reduction. SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with an image layout setting means (such as a staple shift key, an image rotation key, a magnification/reduction key) and an image layout display means (such as a liquid crystal touch panel display) to display a complete image set by the image layout setting means. This image forming method is performed by using the image forming device.

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 and an image forming method, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of confirming a finished image (image arrangement) of an output image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, when forming an image with toner on recording paper from image information read from a document or image information as electronic data,
In some cases, an image arrangement is set to determine the position, direction, and size of the image information on the actual recording paper. The setting of the image arrangement does not change and set the image information itself (image quality) such as image density and contrast, but refers to the setting of the relative positional relationship between the image information and the recording paper. , Image rotation, enlargement / reduction, etc. The staple shift is a setting for shifting the image information by the space on the recording paper to provide a space for applying staples (staples) at the end of the recording paper, and the image rotation is for aligning the recording paper vertically and horizontally. The setting for forming an image by rotating the image information in the vertical and horizontal directions (for example, when the recording paper is A4R and the image information is A4, the image information is rotated by 90 degrees). To enlarge or reduce (If the size of the image information is A4,
(For example, the size of the image formed on the actual recording paper is reduced to B5).

Conventionally, two methods have been proposed for the user to confirm the setting of the image arrangement. One is a character display method for displaying as character information, and the other is an output confirmation method for actually forming and outputting only one image in accordance with the character display method.

In the former character display method, as shown in FIG. 9, setting contents including an image arrangement are displayed in characters on a display screen. The display screen is a liquid crystal touch panel display or the like, and is attached to the upper front portion or the like where the user of the image forming apparatus can easily operate. In FIG. 9, a part “magnification” indicates the magnification of enlargement / reduction, a part “shift” indicates a shift width of the image information from the left end of the recording paper in the staple shift, and a part “image rotation” indicates 90. This indicates the presence or absence of the image rotation in degrees.

In the latter output confirmation method, as shown in FIG. 10, similar to the character display method, the settings relating to the image arrangement are displayed on the display screen in characters with more simplified contents, and at the same time, are displayed at the lower end. By pressing the “single step” button, it is possible to output only one image on a trial basis after actually forming an image.

However, in the character display method, it is difficult to accurately grasp the finished image of the actually output image. For example, the image information may protrude from the recording paper due to an excessively increased magnification, or the image may be vertically and horizontally rotated. Settings that result in unintended image formation because the direction is different from the horizontal and vertical directions of the recording paper, image edges are cut off due to staple shift too much, or staples are stuck on image information I can't confirm if I've done it. If the actual image forming operation is started as it is, a large amount of miscopying and misprinting will occur.

On the other hand, in the output confirmation method, since the actual output is made on the recording paper, it is not erroneous to confirm whether or not the contents set in the image arrangement become a failure image. However, if the failure image is output, In this case, resetting and output must be repeated, which results in wasteful copying and printing.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to arrange image information on a recording sheet to be output when an image arrangement setting such as staple shift, image rotation, and enlargement / reduction is performed. Is accurately grasped before image formation, and an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of reducing the output of a failed image are provided.

[0009]

The object of the present invention has been attained by the following constitutions.

[0010] 1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image arrangement setting unit; and an image arrangement display unit for displaying a completed image set by the image arrangement setting unit.

2. The setting by the image arrangement setting means,
2. The image forming apparatus according to 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes staple shift, image rotation, and scaling.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an image arrangement confirmation button for inputting an instruction to be displayed on the image arrangement display unit after the setting by the image arrangement setting unit is completed.

4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an image forming method of the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic method.

5. An image forming method, comprising: an image arrangement setting step; and an image arrangement displaying step of displaying a completed image set in the image arrangement setting step.

6. The setting by the image arrangement setting step,
6. The image forming method according to the above item 5, wherein the method is at least one of staple shift, image rotation, and enlargement / reduction.

[7] 7. The image forming method according to claim 5, further comprising a confirmation input step of inputting an instruction to shift to the image arrangement displaying step after the setting in the image arrangement setting step is completed.

8. 8. The image forming method according to any one of the above items 5 to 7, wherein the image forming method of the image forming method is an electrophotographic method.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 1 equipped with a post-processing device FS, an automatic document feeder DF, and an image reading device (scanner) SC.

The illustrated image forming apparatus main body 1A includes an image processing section 2, an image writing section 3, an image forming section 4, a high voltage power supply section 5, a cassette sheet feeding section 6, a fixing device 7, a sheet discharging section 8, an automatic duplex copy. Re-transporting means (ADU) 9 for

An image reading device SC and an automatic document feeder DF are mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus main body 1A. A post-processing device FS is connected to the upper left side of the paper discharge unit 8 of the image forming apparatus main body 1A.

The original d placed on the original platen of the automatic document feeder DF with the first side facing upward is conveyed in the direction of the arrow and one side or both sides of the original are read by the optical system of the image reading device SC. The image data is read by the CCD image sensor C1 and stored as image information in a memory (not shown).

The image information is sent to the image processing unit 2
After performing analog processing, A / D conversion, shading correction, image compression, and other image processing such as enlargement / reduction, image rotation, staple shift, and image density change according to the instruction input by the user from the display operation unit, The image is sent to the image writing unit 3.

In the image writing section 3, the output light from the semiconductor laser is applied to the photosensitive drum 4A of the image forming section 4 to form a latent image. In the image forming unit 4, processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, separation, and cleaning are performed, and an image is transferred to the recording paper S transported from the cassette paper feeding unit 6. The recording paper S carrying the image is fixed by the fixing device 7 and sent from the paper discharge unit 8 to the post-processing device FS. Alternatively, the single-sided image-processed recording sheet S sent to the re-conveying means 9 by the sheet discharging path switching plate 8A is again image-formed on both sides by the image forming unit 4, and then is discharged by the sheet discharging rollers 8B of the sheet discharging unit 8. It is sent to the post-processing device FS.

The post-processing apparatus FS includes an image forming apparatus main body 1A.
It is detachably attached to the upper left of. Post-processing device FS
Are a sheet conveying means 10, a paper discharging means 20, a post-processing means 3
0, a lifting / lowering discharge means 40. 100 is a post-processing apparatus main body.

In FIG. 1, a cassette sheet feeding section 6 is provided below the image forming apparatus main body 1A in the height direction, and a fixing device 7 is provided above the image forming apparatus main body 1A. A paper discharge unit 8 is provided. With this vertical arrangement, a substantially vertical transport path is formed. The recording paper S sent out from the cassette paper feeding unit 6 is conveyed along the vertically upper conveyance path and is moved to the image forming apparatus main body 1A.
It is discharged outside.

Nearly parallel to the vertical transport path,
A transport path by the re-transporting means 9 is formed.

By forming the above-described transport path in the vertical direction, a transport path of the shortest distance from the cassette paper feed unit 6 to the paper discharge unit 8 is formed.

The conveying means 10 of the post-processing apparatus FS is accommodated in the space above the image forming apparatus main body 1A as shown. The entrance 11 of the conveying means 10 is connected to a discharge roller 8B of the discharge section 8 of the image forming apparatus main body 1A. In this mounting state, the sheet discharging means 20 and the post-processing means 30 of the post-processing apparatus FS are provided in the upper left space of the image forming apparatus main body 1A in the drawing.
Is accommodated. The elevating and lowering discharging means 40 including a plurality of discharging trays (also referred to as bins) 41 and elevating and lowering driving means 42 is located on the side of the post-processing apparatus main body 100.

FIG. 2 shows a post-processing device F of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
It is sectional drawing of S. In FIG. 2, the post-processing device FS includes:
It is composed of a conveying means 10, a paper discharging means 20, a post-processing means 30, and a lifting / lowering paper discharging means 40. Can be pulled out to the side.

The conveying means 10 is provided with a discharge roller 8 of the discharge section 8.
Transport guide plates (hereinafter, referred to as guide plates) 12 and 13 which are connected to the entrance portion 11 facing B and guide the discharged recording paper S to the paper discharging means 20, and a drive for nipping and transporting the recording paper S. Transport rollers 14, 15, comprising rollers and driven rollers,
16. These guide plates 12, 13
The path formed by the transfer rollers 14, 15, and 16 forms a substantially horizontal transfer path. Transport rollers 14, 15,
Each of the 16 drive rollers is normally rotated by a drive motor (not shown).

The paper discharging means 20 comprises a paper discharging upper roller 21, a paper discharging lower roller 22, and a pressure bonding means 23 which are connected to a driving source and rotate forward and backward. The upper discharge roller 21 is moved up and down by a torque limiter, and presses the lower discharge roller 22 by a pressing unit 23.

The sheet discharging means 20 further regulates the intermediate stacker 24 on which the plurality of recording sheets S conveyed by the conveying means 10 are stacked, and the width direction of the recording sheets S stacked on the intermediate stacker 24 in a uniform direction. Width alignment means 25, intermediate stacker 24
Stopping means 26 is provided for abutting the rear end of the recording paper S stacked thereon to determine the position in the transport direction.

The post-processing means 30 includes a binding means (stapler) 31 for driving the binding needle supply port SP into a bundle of recording sheets on the intermediate stacker 24, and a moving means 32 for moving and rotating the binding means 31 to a predetermined position. It is composed of

A recording sheet S on which an image has been formed is conveyed from the side of the image forming apparatus main body 1A (right side in FIG. 2), passes through the path formed by the conveying rollers 14, 15, and 16 onto the intermediate stacker 24. The stack of recording sheets S is stacked, and the ends of the bundle of recording sheets S in the width direction (perpendicular to the transport direction) are aligned by the width adjusting means 25, and the ends of the bundle in the transport direction (right side in the figure). Are abutted against the stop means 26 and positioned, the binding needles are supplied from a plurality of binding needle supply ports SP provided in the width direction of the binding means 31, and the bundle of recording paper S is bound by driving the binding needles. Is done. The bundle of the bound recording sheets S is discharged to the elevating discharge device 40 by the rotation of the upper discharge roller 21 and the lower discharge roller 22.

When the bundle of the recording sheets S is not bound, the recording sheets S conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body are discharged to the elevating discharge unit 40 without passing through the intermediate stacker 24.

The elevating / discharging means 40 comprises a plurality of inclined discharge trays 41 and an elevating drive means 42 for vertically moving the discharge tray 41 up and down.

Although the illustrated post-processing apparatus FS has a four-stage discharge tray 41, since there is a space below and above the elevating and discharging means 40, the post-processing apparatus FS is further provided with an increased number of bins. (For example, a post-processing device for 10 to 20 bins) FS can also be mounted. Further, the post-processing device FS can also have a paper sorting function for a mailbox or the like.

It should be noted that the automatic document feeder DF feeds a document, reads from an image reading device (scanner) SC, forms an image in the image forming section 4, and performs a post-processing device FS.
The control of the operation of each component such as the post-processing of the recording paper S on which the image has been formed, the control according to the user's instruction from the operation display unit 50 described later, the sequence control of the entire apparatus, etc. Is performed by a control board (control means) arranged at the location.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation display section of the image forming apparatus of FIG. The operation display unit 50 is, in the present invention,
It also functions as an image arrangement setting unit and an image arrangement display unit. The operation display unit is disposed in a place where the user of the image forming apparatus 1A can easily operate, for example, on the upper surface on the front side of the image reading apparatus SC (in FIG. 1).

In the figure, reference numeral 511 denotes a sort button for selecting a sort mode in which the documents are sorted to the respective bins of the elevating / discharging means 40 in the post-processing step. A staple button 513 for selection is a group button for selecting a group mode for sorting bins for each group.

Reference numeral 520 denotes a liquid crystal touch panel display for displaying various operation keys and image arrangement.

Reference numeral 531 denotes an original reading button for starting reading of an original, and 532 denotes an image rotation button for selecting image rotation for rotating image information so as to form an image in accordance with the vertical and horizontal directions of the recording paper. An application function button 534 for displaying various operation screens that are not displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel display 520 is an original image quality button for selecting a gradation suitable for the image quality of an original such as pencil writing, characters only, or a photograph. .

Reference numeral 541 denotes an auto-reset button for canceling the settings made on the operation display unit 50 and returning to the initial state. Reference numeral 542 calls up a job memory setting screen on the liquid crystal touch panel display 520, and performs writing or reading to or from the memory. A job memory button 543 for performing the operation is a help button for displaying a description of a screen displayed when the button is pressed, and 544 is a setting state based on the character display described with reference to FIGS. A check button 545 for confirming is a mode switching button for selecting a use mode whether the image forming apparatus is used as a copying machine or a printer.

Reference numeral 551 denotes a numeric keypad for setting the number of recording sheets on which an image is to be formed, and reference numeral 552 denotes a number display unit for displaying the number set by the numeric keypad 551.

Reference numeral 561 denotes a start button for starting image formation under set conditions, 562 a stop / clear button for stopping the image formation during image formation and erasing a job in the memory, and 563 staple shift. An image arrangement confirmation button 564 for displaying settings related to image arrangement such as enlargement / reduction, image rotation, and the like as completed images instead of character information, and 564 interrupts for performing another job during job execution (during image formation). A button 565 is a timer display unit for displaying whether the timer is being used.

As described above, from the various operation keys called and displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel display 520 with the various operation buttons and the application function button 533, the user makes settings for various image formations including the image arrangement (image arrangement setting step).

FIG. 4 is an example of a hierarchical operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel display described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4A shows a basic screen in which frequently used setting functions are displayed as keys. The reference numeral 61 indicates a row from any side (one side or both sides) of the document.
A key row for selecting which side (one side or both sides) of the recording paper to form an image, a row 62 is a key row for arbitrarily setting image forming density (copy density), and a row 63 is for enlarging or reducing an image. A key row for setting the magnification, and a row 64 is a key row for selecting the size of the recording paper used for image formation. Reference numeral 65 denotes a finishing key for shifting to a post-processing operation screen for setting a position where a stapler is driven by a stapler in the post-processing device FS (FIG. 1). When the user presses a key to be selected, the function of the pressed key is inverted in black and white to indicate that the function of the pressed key is selected.

In this basic screen, the combination of the key rows 63 and 64 is a setting relating to the image arrangement. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the finishing key 65 is pressed and selected on the lower layer post-processing operation screen. Shifting image information associated with stapling (staple shift) is also a setting related to image arrangement, and an operation screen for these settings functions as an image arrangement setting unit.

FIG. 4B shows a post-processing operation screen for selecting a position on the recording paper where the binding staple is to be driven. Note that “K” as image information shown on this screen merely indicates the position of the binding staple at the time of setting, and has nothing to do with the finished image of the actual image arrangement.

The setting relating to the image arrangement is not limited to the enlargement / reduction and staple shift settings as long as the arrangement relation between the recording paper and the image information (ex. An image read from the original) is changed. Naturally, the image arrangement setting includes setting of document position correction for moving the image information of the skew-read original to the center of the recording paper, and setting such as repeat for repeatedly arranging the same image on a single sheet of recording paper. .

FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 show that after setting the image arrangement,
It is an example of a display screen when a completed image is displayed on the operation display unit by pressing an image arrangement confirmation button.

FIG. 5 shows, as a finished image, the read image information and the positional relationship between the recording paper and the binding staple when the setting is made such that the one-point binding staple is set on the post-processing operation screen described in FIG. . Here, although the image information uses "K", it corresponds to the read image information, and is displayed at least to the extent that the size (range) of the read image information and the positional relationship between the top, bottom, left, and right can be understood. It should just be.

According to FIGS. 5A and 5B, it can be understood that the image information to be formed is not properly attached to the binding staples and is properly arranged. On the other hand, FIG. 5C shows that the image information occupies the entire area of the recording paper, so that the binding staple cannot be struck (when the binding staple is struck, the image is stuck on the image information). When the completed image as shown in FIG. 5C is displayed on the operation display unit, it is determined that miscopying or misprinting (failed image) has occurred, and the image magnification is reduced or the right or bottom of the entire image is reduced. You can reset the shift to the side.

FIG. 6 shows, as a completed image, the read image information and the positional relationship between the recording paper and the binding staples when the setting is made to drive the two-point binding staples on the post-processing operation screen.

According to FIG. 6A, it can be seen that the image information to be formed is stored at an appropriate position in the recording paper without binding to the binding staple. On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows that the image information occupies the entire area of the recording paper, so that the binding staple cannot be struck (when the binding staple is struck, the image is stuck on the image information). Similarly, when the completed image as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the operation display unit, the reduction of the image magnification and the shift of the entire image to the right or down can be reset.

FIG. 7 shows a completed image of the arrangement relationship between the image information and the recording paper when the image arrangement for enlargement / reduction is set.

FIG. 7A shows an arrangement relationship between recording paper and image information when a reduction setting is made. It can be seen that the image information is formed in the upper left corner of the recording paper and is contained in the recording paper.

FIG. 7B shows an arrangement relationship between recording paper and image information when enlargement is set. Since it is shown that the image information protrudes from the recording paper,
It is possible to determine whether to reselect a recording sheet of a larger size or to reduce the enlargement magnification.

FIG. 8 shows a completed image of the positional relationship between the recording paper and the image information in the case where the setting of forming an image (image shift) is performed.
The white arrow indicates the shift direction from the original forming position (in this case, the shift to the right), and it can be seen that even if the shift is performed, the image information is stored in the recording paper.

As is apparent from FIGS. 5 to 8, after the user inputs the settings relating to the image arrangement such as staple shift, enlargement / reduction, image shift, etc. from the operation display unit 50 (image arrangement setting step). By pressing the image arrangement confirmation button 563 in the operation display section (confirmation input step) and displaying the completed image relating to the image arrangement on the liquid crystal touch panel display 520 in the operation display section (image arrangement display step), a failure image relating to the image arrangement is determined. It is possible to easily check whether or not any setting has been made, and it is possible to eliminate miscopying or misprinting.

[0063]

According to the present invention, when image arrangement such as staple shift, image rotation, enlargement / reduction, etc. is performed, the arrangement of image information on the output recording paper is accurately grasped in advance, and the output of failed images is reduced. An image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a post-processing device FS of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation display unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an example of a hierarchical operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel display described in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an example of a display screen when an image arrangement confirmation button is pressed after an image arrangement setting is performed and a completed image is displayed on the operation display unit.

FIG. 6 is an example of a display screen when an image arrangement confirmation button is pressed after an image arrangement setting is performed and a completed image is displayed on the operation display unit.

FIG. 7 is an example of a display screen when an image arrangement confirmation button is pressed after an image arrangement setting is performed and a completed image is displayed on the operation display unit.

FIG. 8 is an example of a display screen when an image arrangement confirmation button is pressed after an image arrangement setting is performed and a completed image is displayed on the operation display unit.

FIG. 9 is a screen for confirming the setting of a character display method relating to a conventional image arrangement.

FIG. 10 is a setting confirmation screen of a conventional output confirmation method for image arrangement.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1A Image forming apparatus main body 10 Conveying means 20 Paper discharging means 24 Intermediate stacker 25 Width matching means 26 Stopping means 30 Post-processing means 31 Binding means (staplers) 520 Liquid crystal touch panel display 563 Image arrangement confirmation button FS Post-processing apparatus

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification FI FI Theme Court ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/393 H04N 1/393 (72) Inventor Akifumi Isobe 2970 Ishikawacho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation (72) Inventor Yoshiteru Katayama 2970 Ishikawa-cho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo Konica Corporation F term in the company (reference) 2C087 AB01 AC08 BB03 BD06 BD24 CA02 CB20 2H027 FA06 FA30 FD01 FD08 GA01 GA12 GA20 GA23 GA34 GA43 GB16 ZA07 5C062 AA02 AB05 AB29 AC05 AC10 AC24 5C076 AA17 AA21 AA22 AA24 BA02 CB02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image arrangement setting unit; and an image arrangement display unit configured to display a completed image set by the image arrangement setting unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting by the image arrangement setting means includes staple shift, image rotation, and enlargement / reduction. 3. An image arrangement confirmation button for inputting an instruction to be displayed on the image arrangement display unit after completion of the setting by the image arrangement setting unit.
Or the image forming apparatus according to 2. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image forming method of the image forming apparatus is an electrophotographic method. 5. An image forming method comprising: an image arrangement setting step; and an image arrangement displaying step of displaying a completed image set in the image arrangement setting step. 6. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein the setting in the image arrangement setting step is at least one of staple shift, image rotation, and scaling. 7. The image according to claim 5, further comprising a confirmation input step of inputting an instruction for shifting to the image arrangement display step after the setting in the image arrangement setting step is completed. Forming method. 8. The image forming method according to claim 5, wherein said image forming method is an electrophotographic method.