JP2008187668A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus including a function for showing how a document is printed on a recording paper sheet, when copying the document in the image forming apparatus including a double-sided copying function. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 including a double-sided copying function comprises: at least either a document detecting means for detecting the size of a document or a document size setting means (S5) for setting the size of the document in response to a request; a document top position setting means (S4) for setting a top position of the document in response to a request; a binding direction setting means (S3) for setting a binding direction of the document in response to a request; an output size setting means (S6) for setting an output paper size in response to a request; and a printing magnification setting means (S7) for setting a printing magnification in response to a request, wherein when the document is set with its top upward, a copy area is set on the basis of an upper left corner of the document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, one side of a plurality of originals is read and recorded, and the originals are printed (recorded) on both sides of the recording paper, or both sides of the originals are read and recorded, and the originals are printed on both sides or one side of the recording paper. In various double-sided recording modes in the image forming apparatus, particularly when the recording paper has a size α times that of the original paper and is copied at a partial magnification β times, and α = β is not satisfied, 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus is known that solves the fact that images are recorded out of alignment without using a memory or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-125102 A

  By the way, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into account the binding direction of the original, the top position of the original, and the double-sided reading method (simultaneous reading / alternate reading) of the original. With this automatic document feeder, there is a problem that the image area is shifted when the back side reading is read from the rear end, and when the top of the back side original is at the rear end. Further, in the case of duplex scanning, there is a problem that it is not possible to know which part of the original is printed on which side of the recording paper, especially on the back side.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in an image forming apparatus having a double-sided copying function, a function that makes it easy to understand how to print on a recording sheet when copying a document. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 is directed to an image forming apparatus having a double-sided copying function, an original detection unit for detecting the size of an original, and an original size for setting the size of the original as required. At least one of setting means, document top position setting means for setting the top position of the document upon request, binding direction setting means for setting the binding direction of the document upon request, and output paper size requested Output size setting means for setting the print magnification and print magnification setting means for setting the print magnification as required. The top position of the document is set to the top regardless of the top position of the document. In this case, the copy area is set based on the upper left corner of the document.
With this configuration, it is possible to determine which range of the original paper is to be copied to the output paper by each setting means, and the copied range is read with reference to the upper left corner of the original paper.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine which range of the original paper is to be copied to the output paper by each setting means, and the copied range is read based on the upper left corner of the original paper. Therefore, the user can easily imagine how the image is copied on the output paper. That is, there is an effect that it is possible to easily understand how a document is printed on a recording sheet when copying a document.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a case where the image forming apparatus is employed in a copying machine will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine 1 includes a copying machine body 3 having an image storage unit, an image processing unit, a printing unit, a control unit, and the like (not shown) at the bottom. An operation display device 11 having an operation unit 5 for executing various operations of the copier 1 on the upper front side of the copier body 3 and a display unit 9 having a touch panel 7 made of transparent electrodes arranged on the entire surface is configured. The upper part of the copying machine main body 3 other than the operation display device 11 is composed of an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 for automatically feeding a document and a transparent glass for placing the document. An image reading unit 17 including a table 14 and a scanner unit 15 for reading a document is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display device 11 includes an operation unit 5 and a display unit 9. The operation unit 5 includes a plurality of buttons 19 that receive various operation instructions from the user and output the contents of the operation instructions to the control unit 33. The button 19 includes a start key 19a for starting copy work, a numeric key 19b for setting the number of copies, a function key 19c for starting an initial setting screen, and the like.

  The display unit 9 is configured by a color or monochrome liquid crystal display (LCD), and various information is displayed as various images, characters, figures, and the like based on a display instruction input from the control unit 33. Further, the touch panel 7 functions when the user touches each function key displayed on the display unit 9, and the input operation instruction content is output to the control unit 33.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the copier 1 mainly includes an operation unit 5, a display unit 9, an image reading unit 17, an image storage unit 27, an image processing unit 29, a printing unit 31, a control unit 33, and the like. . The operation unit 5 and the display unit 9 are communicably connected to the control unit 33 as described above, and are configured to transmit and receive various operations of a plurality of functions.

  The image reading unit 17 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13 and a scanner unit 15. Such an image reading section 17 is controlled by the scanner section 15 built in the copier body 3 while the document supplied from the automatic document feeder 13 is fed onto the table 14 under the control of the control section 33. The document image is sequentially read and color image data representing the color of the document image can be output to the image storage unit 27. Further, even when the document is placed directly on the table 14, the scanner unit 15 is configured to read the image of the document.

  The image storage unit 27 is configured by an external storage device such as a hard disk or / and a semiconductor memory, and stores color image data of a document image input from the image reading unit 17. The image storage unit 27 is configured to write the color image data of the read document image and to read the color image data and output it to the image processing unit 29 under the control of the control unit 33. .

The image processing unit 29 is configured to be able to convert color image data input from the image storage unit 27 into data for printing and output to the printing unit 31 under the control of the control unit 33.
The printing unit 31 is configured as a printing unit that outputs a document image on the printing paper based on the color image data by transporting the printing paper and attaching toner to the printing paper under the control of the control unit 33. Has been.

  The control unit 33 controls the overall operation of the copying machine 1 based on operation instructions input from the touch panel 7 of the operation unit 5 or the display unit 9, control programs stored in the internal memory, various control data, and the like. It is. That is, the control unit 33 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs a control calculation based on the operation instruction, the control program, various control data, and the like (for example, the operation unit 5, the display unit 9, the image reading unit). 17, various input / output interface lines for exchanging data with the image storage unit 27, the image processing unit 29, and the printing unit 31). The copy function is controlled by controlling the other units in an integrated manner. The original image read by the image reading unit 17 can be printed by the printing unit 31.

Next, a case where double-sided printing is performed using the copying machine 1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, in step 1 (S1), whether a document is set on the tray of the ADF 13 or directly on the table 14 is detected by a sensor (not shown). When a document is set on either of them, the process proceeds to step 2 (S2).

  In step 2, whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is set. As the setting pattern, “double-sided to double-sided”, “double-sided to single-sided”, “single-sided to double-sided”, and “single-sided to single-sided” can be set. Normally, “one side to one side” is set, and when it is desired to select a pattern other than that, it is configured to be selectable by pressing a function key displayed on the display unit 9. Here, when the setting of “double-sided to double-sided”, “double-sided to single-sided”, or “single-sided to double-sided” is selected, the process proceeds to step 3 (S3). If the setting “one side to one side” is selected, the process proceeds to step 4.

  In step 3, the binding direction of the original and the binding direction of the printed output paper are set in advance (binding direction setting means). As the binding direction, there are “left and right binding” and “up and down binding”, and one of them is selected. If “Double-sided to double-sided” is selected in Step 2, set both the original binding direction and the output paper binding direction. If “Double-sided to single-sided” is selected, set only the original binding direction. When “single side to double side” is selected, only the binding direction of the output paper is set. When the binding direction is selected, the process proceeds to Step 4.

  In step 4, it is set in advance in which state the top position of the document is oriented (document top position setting means). As shown in FIG. 5, the top position of the document is selected from eight patterns displayed on the display unit 9. When the top position of the document is set on the tray of the ADF 13, the orientation of the document placed on the tray is selected with the front side facing up. When a document is set on the table 14, the orientation when the front surface (odd number of documents) is placed so as to face the scanner unit 15 is selected. When the top position of the document is selected, the process proceeds to step 5 (S5).

  Returning to FIG. 4, in step 5, the size of the document is determined. The size of the original is automatically detected by a sensor (not shown) provided in the copying machine 1 (original detection means), or the size is manually set by operating the display unit 9 (original size setting means). To determine. This is because if the original is irregularly sized paper, the automatic detection may not recognize the correct size. In such a case, the original size may be determined by manual setting. it can. When the document size is determined, the process proceeds to step 6 (S6).

  In step 6, the output paper size is determined (output size setting means). By operating the display unit 9, it is determined which size paper is to be printed and output. When the size of the output paper is determined, the process proceeds to step 7 (S7).

  In step 7, the print magnification for the output paper is set (print magnification setting means). By operating the display unit 9, it is set what percentage of the print size is compared with the print size of the document. When the print magnification is set, the process proceeds to step 8 (S8).

  In step 8, the controller 33 determines the top direction of the original read data from the front and back sides of the original, the state where the original is set (table 14 or ADF 13), the binding direction, and the top position. Here, the top direction of the original read data refers to the direction of the original data read by the scanner unit 15 although the original is read by the scanner unit 15 and converted into data. When the top direction of the original read data is determined, the process proceeds to step 9 (S9).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the top direction of the original read data is determined according to various conditions. In FIG. 6, regarding the orientation of the document, the back sky (the top position of the document is located on the back side when viewed from the user) or the left sky (the top position of the document is located on the left side when viewed from the user). This is the case only. Although the document may be placed with the top position on the near side or the right side when viewed from the user, it is often placed mainly on the back or left side. Although description of the side and the right side is omitted, it can be installed as a function.

  Further details will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7A shows a case where a document is placed on the table 14 (in the case of “table reading” in FIG. 6) and is in the back. As shown in the figure, the scanner 15a scans from the top to the bottom with the document placed (indicated by one arrow in FIG. 7A), and further the scanner 15a moves to the right (FIG. 7). (Indicated by two arrows in (A)), the entire original is read. Accordingly, the data read by the scanner 15a is as shown in FIG. 7B, and the top of the original read data is directed to the left (corresponding to “the top of data top left” in FIG. 6). Here, the vertical movement of the scanner 15a is the movement in the main scanning direction, and the horizontal movement (original moving direction) of the scanner 15a is the movement in the sub-scanning direction.

  Next, FIG. 8A shows a case where the document is placed on the tray of the ADF 13 (in the case of “ADF reading” in FIG. 6) and the surface is in the back. As shown in the figure, the document is fed to the scanner unit 15 while being reversed by the ADF 13. Then, the entire original is read while the original passes through the upper part of the scanner 15a (FIG. 8A). The scanning direction of the scanner 15a is indicated by one arrow, and the moving direction of the original is indicated by two arrows. display). Accordingly, the data read by the scanner 15a is as shown in FIG. 8B, and the top direction of the original read data is directed to the right side (corresponding to “the top side of data top” in FIG. 6).

  Returning to FIG. 6, double-sided simultaneous reading is sent by the ADF 13 in the case of the copying machine 1 in which the scanner unit 15 includes a scanner built in the copying machine body 3 and a scanner (not shown) inside the ADF 13. That is, the front and back sides of a document are read simultaneously by two scanners. Further, the double-sided alternate reading means that the scanner unit 15 sequentially reads the front surface and the back surface of the document with a scanner built in the copying machine main body 3. In this case, a reversing mechanism (not shown) for reversing the front surface and the back surface of the document is provided in the ADF 13.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in step 9, the control unit 33 determines the print area of the document from the top direction of the document read data, the document size, the output paper size, and the print magnification. At this time, the printing area of the document is determined with reference to the upper left corner when the top position of the document is positioned upward. This is because the top direction of the original read data can be recognized in step 8, so that the upper left corner of the original can be recognized on the data, and the data area required for printing from the point (coordinates). (Print area) can be determined. When the printing area of the document is determined, the process proceeds to step 10 (S10).

  In step 10, the image reading unit 17 starts reading a document. When the document is set directly on the table 14, the scanner unit 15 starts scanning while moving. When the document is set on the tray of the ADF 13, the document is sent from the tray one by one onto the table 14 on which the scanner unit 15 is arranged so as to face the scanner unit 15. Start scanning. In this case, the scanner unit 15 is fixed without moving. When scanning is started, the process proceeds to step 11 (S11).

  In step 11, the read data of the printing area of the original determined in step 9 is stored in the image storage unit 27. Here, the image storage unit 27 is configured to store only the data corresponding to the print area determined in step 9 among the image data read by the scanner unit 15. With this configuration, it is not necessary to store useless data in the memory, and it is possible to cope with mass copying. When the read data of the original is stored in the image storage unit 27, the process proceeds to step 12 (S12).

  In step 12, the image processing unit 29 appropriately performs image processing such as changing the printing magnification of the original reading data stored in the image storage unit 27. After performing the image processing, the process proceeds to step 13 (S13).

  In step 13, based on the data processed in step 12, printing is performed on the output paper by the printing unit 31, that is, using the toner built in the copying machine 1. The printed output paper is discharged from a paper discharge unit (not shown), and the process is terminated.

  Printing is performed as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 on the output paper output by the above-described flowchart. Note that the relationship between the front and back surfaces shown in the drawing shows the back surface when the document is rotated around the vertical axis of the document when placed so that the top position of the front surface is located at the top. (Common to all of FIGS. 9 to 11). Further, the copying condition will be described in the case where both the original and the output paper are A4 paper and the printing magnification is 200%.

(For copying from both sides to both sides)
As shown in FIG. 9A, in the case where both the original and the output paper are side-by-side binding and enlarged printing is performed, the top position of the front surface and the back surface is the same, so the upper left corner (the position with a black circle, the following) The copy range indicated by the broken line is determined based on (common).

  As shown in FIG. 9B, when the original and the output paper are both vertically bound and enlarged and printed, the top positions of the front surface and the back surface are different by 180 degrees, and the broken line with reference to the upper left corner of each surface. The indicated copy range is determined.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, when the original is printed with left and right binding and the output paper is to be copied with upper and lower binding, and the enlarged printing is performed, the copying indicated by the broken lines with reference to the upper left corners of the front and back sides of the original, respectively. The range is determined, and printing is performed by rotating the back side by 180 degrees in the plane about the center of the document so as to be bound up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 9D, in the case of enlarging printing when the original is to be copied with the upper and lower bounds and the output paper is to be copied with the left and right bindings, the back side is set to the center of the original as in the above-described pattern (C). Printing is performed by rotating the shaft 180 degrees in a plane.

(When copying from both sides to one side)
As shown in FIG. 10A, when the original is a double-sided binding on both sides and you want to copy on one side of the output paper and perform enlarged printing, use dotted lines with the upper left corners of the front and back sides of the original as references. The copy range shown is determined, the front side is printed on the first sheet of output paper, and the back side is printed on the second sheet of output paper.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (B), when the original is double-sided on both sides and you want to copy on one side of the output paper, and when you want to print enlarged, when the top position of the front and back sides of the original is positioned up A copy range indicated by a broken line is determined with reference to the upper left corner of each of the above, and the front side is printed on the first sheet of output paper and the back side is printed on the second sheet of output paper. At this time, the back surface is rotated 180 degrees in the plane around the center of the document and is discharged so that the top surface and the top position are the same.

(When copying from one side to both sides)
As shown in FIG. 11A, when the original is single-sided and the output paper is to be printed on both sides with left and right binding and the enlarged printing is performed, the upper left corner of each of the first and second originals is set. A copy range indicated by a broken line is determined as a reference, and the first sheet is printed on the front surface of the output paper, and the second sheet is printed on the back surface of the output paper.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, when enlargement printing is performed when the original is single-sided and double-sided printing is desired on the output paper by upper and lower binding, the upper left corner of each of the first and second originals is set. A copy range indicated by a broken line is determined as a reference, and the first sheet is printed on the front surface of the output paper, and the second sheet is printed on the back surface of the output paper. At this time, the upper and lower sides are printed by rotating the back side by 180 degrees in a plane with the center of the second original as an axis for the up-down binding.

  By configuring as described above, the same position of the document (a position based on the upper left corner of the document) can be printed. This is because the top position is correctly set by the top position setting means even when the original placement direction (top position) is different (the left side is the original in FIGS. 9 to 11). If set, it will be printed in the same way.

  According to the present embodiment, in the copying machine 1 having the double-sided copying function, a document detection unit that detects a document size, a document size setting unit that sets a document size, and a top position of the document are set according to a request. Document top position setting means, binding direction setting means for setting the binding direction of the document as required, output size setting means for setting the output paper size as required, and printing for setting the print magnification as required And a magnification setting means, and when the top position of the document is positioned upward, the copy area is set based on the upper left corner of the document.

  By configuring in this way, it is possible to determine which range of the original paper is to be copied to the output paper by each setting means, and the copied range is read with reference to the upper left corner of the original paper. It is possible to make it easier for the user to imagine how the image is copied on the output paper. That is, it is possible to make it easy to understand how to print on a recording sheet when copying a document.

  Further, only the data in the range corresponding to the copy area among the document data read by the scanner 15a is stored in the image storage unit 27, and the image processing unit 29 performs enlargement / reduction on the basis of the data. Since the processing is performed and the printing unit 31 prints and outputs the output paper, the data read by the scanner 15a can be realized without increasing the capacity of a memory such as a RAM, and the manufacturing cost of the copying machine 1 can be realized. The desired function can be realized without increasing the value.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In other words, the specific method described in this embodiment is merely an example, and can be changed as appropriate.
For example, the order of various settings may be changed as long as the copying function is properly executed (for example, document size setting, output paper size setting, print magnification setting, etc.).

1 is a perspective view of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the operation display apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation at the time of using the double-sided copy function in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display part in the case of the document top position setting in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case classification which determines the direction of the top of the original reading data in embodiment of this invention. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the top direction of document read data when a document is directly placed on a table in the embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 5A shows the positional relationship between the scanner and the document; FIG. FIG. 4 is a data image diagram of a document read by a scanner. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the top orientation of document read data when a document is placed on the ADF tray in the embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. ) Is a data image diagram of a document read by a scanner. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where double-sided printing is performed on output paper on a double-sided document according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where a double-sided document is printed on one side of an output sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where a single-sided original is duplex printed on output paper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Copying machine (image forming apparatus) S3 ... Binding direction setting means S4 ... Original top position setting means S5 ... Original size setting means S6 ... Output size setting means S7 ... Print magnification setting means

Claims (1)

In an image forming apparatus having a duplex copying function,
At least one of a document detection unit that detects the size of the document and a document size setting unit that sets the size of the document on demand, a document top position setting unit that sets the top position of the document on demand, and a document A binding direction setting unit for setting the binding direction of the printer upon request, an output size setting unit for setting the output paper size upon request, and a print magnification setting unit for setting the print magnification upon request.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a copy area is set with reference to the upper left corner of a document when the top position of the document is up, regardless of the top position of the document.

Images