JP3670194B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

【０１５９】
すなわち、原稿枚数が８枚の場合、１番目：１ページ、２番目：８ページ、３番目：７ページ、４番目：２ページ、５番目：３ページ、６番目：６ページ、７番目：５ページ、８番目：４ページの順番で給紙される。次に、原稿枚数が７枚の場合、１番目：１ページ、２番目：７ページ、３番目：２ページ、４番目：３ページ、５番目：６ページ、６番目：５ページ、７番目：４ページの順番で給紙される。また、原稿枚数が６枚の場合、１番目：１ページ、２番目：２ページ、３番目：３ページ、４番目：６ページ、５番目：５ページ、６番目：４ページの順番で給紙される。最後に、原稿枚数が５枚の場合、１番目：１ページ、２番目４２ページ、３番目：３ページ、４番目：５ページ、５番目：４ページの順番で給紙される。
【０１６０】
そして、上記のＡ４サイズの原稿Ｍの給紙順序によるＡ３サイズの記録紙Ｐへの両面印刷は、原稿Ｍが８枚、７枚、６枚又は５枚によって、それぞれ図２０〜図２３に示すフローチャートにて行われる。
【０１６１】
すなわち、原稿Ｍが８枚の場合においては、図２０のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、１番目に第１ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ４１）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んで画像メモリ６２に記憶する（Ｓ４２）。次いで、２番目に第８ページの原稿Ｍが給紙され（Ｓ４３）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んでレーザ出力変換部（ＬＳＵ）７４に転送し（Ｓ４４）、引き続き記憶された画像データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送する（Ｓ４５）。そして、この２枚の画像データを並べて１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字する（Ｓ４６）。
【０１６２】
次に、再び、Ｓ４１に戻って、３番目に第７ページの原稿Ｍが給紙され、４番目に第２ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されて同様にして１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字される。同様にして、Ｓ４１に戻って、５番目〜８番目の原稿Ｍが給紙されて印字処理される。
【０１６３】
この結果、Ｓ４１からＳ４６までの工程を４回繰り返すことにより、原稿Ｍが８枚のときのブック綴じコピーが完成する。
【０１６４】
次に、原稿Ｍが７枚の場合においては、図２１のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、１番目に第１ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ５１）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んで画像メモリ６２に記憶する（Ｓ５２）。次いで、予め記憶された白データをレーザ出力変換部（ＬＳＵ）に転送し（Ｓ５３）、引き続き記憶された画像データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送する（Ｓ５４）。そして、この白データと原稿Ｍの画像データとを並べて１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字する（Ｓ５５）。
【０１６５】
次いで、２番目に第７ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ５６）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んで画像メモリ６２に記憶する（Ｓ５７）。次いで、３番目に第２ページの原稿Ｍが給紙され（Ｓ５８）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んでレーザ出力変換部７４に転送し（Ｓ５９）、引き続き記憶された画像データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送する（Ｓ６０）。そして、この２枚の画像データを並べて１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字する（Ｓ６１）。
【０１６６】
次に、再び、Ｓ５６に戻って、４番目に第３ページの原稿Ｍが給紙され、５番目に第６ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されて同様にして２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字される。同様にして、Ｓ５６に戻って、６番目〜７番目の原稿Ｍが給紙され、印字処理される。
【０１６７】
この結果、Ｓ５１からＳ５５までと、Ｓ５６からＳ６１までの工程を３回繰り返すこととにより、原稿Ｍが７枚のときのブック綴じコピーが完成する。
【０１６８】
次に、原稿Ｍが６枚の場合においては、図２２のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、１番目に第１ページの原稿Ｍが給紙され（Ｓ７１）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んで画像メモリ６２に記憶する（Ｓ７２）。次いで、予め記憶された白データをレーザ出力変換部（ＬＳＵ）に転送し（Ｓ７３）、引き続き記憶された画像データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送する（Ｓ７４）。そして、この白データと原稿Ｍの画像データとを並べて１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字する（Ｓ７５）。
【０１６９】
次いで、２番目に第２ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ７６）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んでレーザ出力変換部７４に転送し（Ｓ７７）、引き続き予め記憶された白データをレーザ出力変換部に転送する（Ｓ７８）。そして、この第２ページの画像データと白データとを並べて１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字する（Ｓ７９）。
【０１７０】
次いで、３番目に第３ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ８０）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んで画像メモリ６２に記憶する（Ｓ８１）。次いで、４番目に第６ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ８２）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んでレーザ出力変換部７４に転送し（Ｓ８３）、引き続き記憶された画像データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送する（Ｓ８４）。そして、この２枚の画像データを並べて２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字する（Ｓ８５）。
【０１７１】
次に、再び、Ｓ８０に戻って、５番目に第５ページの原稿Ｍが給紙され、６番目に第４ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されて同様にして２枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字される（Ｓ８５）。
【０１７２】
この結果、Ｓ７１からＳ７９までと、Ｓ８０からＳ８５までの工程を２回繰り返すことにより、原稿Ｍが６枚のときのブック綴じコピーが完成する。
【０１７３】
次に、原稿Ｍが５枚の場合においては、図２３のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、１番目に第１ページの原稿Ｍが給紙され（Ｓ９１）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んで画像メモリ６２に記憶する（Ｓ９２）。次いで、予め記憶された白データをレーザ出力変換部（ＬＳＵ）に転送し（Ｓ９３）、引き続き記憶された画像データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送する（Ｓ９４）。そして、この白データと第１ページの原稿Ｍの画像データとを並べて１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字する（Ｓ９５）。
【０１７４】
次いで、２番目に第２ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ９６）、その原稿Ｍの画像データを読み込んでレーザ出力変換部７４に転送し（Ｓ９７）、引き続き予め記憶された白データをレーザ出力変換部に転送する（Ｓ９８）。そして、この第２ページの画像データと白データとを並べて１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字する（Ｓ９９）。
【０１７５】
次いで、３番目に第３ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ１００）、その第３ページの画像データを読み込んで画像メモリ６２に記憶する（Ｓ１０１）。次いで、予め記憶された白データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送し（Ｓ１０２）、引き続き記憶された第３ページの画像データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送する（Ｓ１０３）。そして、この白データと第３ページの画像データとを並べて２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字する（Ｓ１０４）。
【０１７６】
次いで、４番目に第５ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ１０５）、その第５ページの画像データを読み込んで画像メモリ６２に記憶する（Ｓ１０６）。次いで、５番目に第４ページの原稿Ｍが給紙されると（Ｓ１０７）、その第４ページの画像データを読み込んでレーザ出力変換部７４に転送し（Ｓ１０８）、引き続き記憶された第５ページの画像データをレーザ出力変換部７４に転送する（Ｓ１０９）。そして、この２枚の画像データを並べて２枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字する（Ｓ１１０）。
【０１７７】
これにより、原稿Ｍが５枚のときのブック綴じコピーが完成する。
【０１７８】
上述した原稿Ｍが８枚、７枚、６枚又は５枚による各フローチャートにより、一般的に、中綴じ（週刊誌綴じ）のブック綴じコピーを行う場合には、原稿束を最上位から読むか最下位から読むかの読み込ませ方は、原稿Ｍの枚数が４の倍数か、４の倍数−１か、４の倍数−２か、４の倍数−３かの４通りがあることが分かる。
【０１７９】
すなわち、中綴じ（週刊誌綴じ）のブック綴じコピーを行う場合には、図２４のフローチャートに示すように、原稿給紙トレイ２に原稿面を下に向けて原稿束をセットした後（Ｓ２０１）、原稿枚数の設定を行うと（Ｓ２０２）、先ず、原稿Ｍの枚数が４の倍数か（Ｓ２０３）、４の倍数−１か（Ｓ２０４）、４の倍数−２かの判定を行う（Ｓ２０５）。この演算方法としては、ディジタル複写機の内部に除算回路を設け、この回路によって、原稿枚数を４で割って商をｎ、余りをａとする４ｎ−ａを算出し、余りａにて判断することが可能である。
【０１８０】
そして、原稿Ｍの枚数が４の倍数であれば４ｎ処理を行い（Ｓ２０６）、原稿Ｍの枚数が４の倍数−１であれば４ｎ−１処理を行い（Ｓ２０７）、原稿Ｍの枚数が４の倍数−２であれば４ｎ−２処理を行い（Ｓ２０８）、原稿Ｍの枚数が４の倍数−３であれば４ｎ−３処理を行う（Ｓ２０９）。
【０１８１】
上記の４ｎ処理では、図２５のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、原稿束の最下位をピックアップし（Ｓ２１１）、次いで、原稿束の最上位をピックアップする（Ｓ２１２）。
【０１８２】
次に、原稿束の最上位をピックアップし（Ｓ２１３）、次いで、原稿束の最下位をピックアップする（Ｓ２１４）。
【０１８３】
次に、原稿Ｍが残っているか否かを判断し（Ｓ２１５）、原稿Ｍが残っている場合にはＳ２１１に戻り、Ｓ２１１からＳ２１５までの処理を原稿Ｍが無くなるまで繰り返す。
【０１８４】
また、上記の４ｎ−１処理では、図２６のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、原稿束の最下位をピックアップし（Ｓ２２１）、次いで、原稿束の最上位をピックアップする（Ｓ２２２）。
【０１８５】
次に、原稿束の最下位をピックアップし（Ｓ２２３）、次いで、原稿Ｍが残っているか否かを判断する（Ｓ２２４）。
【０１８６】
原稿Ｍが残っている場合には上記の４ｎ処理を行い（Ｓ２２５）、原稿Ｍが無くなるまでこの４ｎ処理を繰り返す。
【０１８７】
また、上記の４ｎ−２処理では、図２７のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、原稿束の最下位をピックアップし（Ｓ２３１）、次いで、原稿束の最下位をピックアップする（Ｓ２３２）。
【０１８８】
次に、原稿Ｍが残っているか否かを判断し（Ｓ２３３）、原稿Ｍが残っている場合には上記の４ｎ処理を行い（Ｓ２３４）、原稿Ｍが無くなるまでこの４ｎ処理を繰り返す。
【０１８９】
さらに、上記の４ｎ−３処理では、図２８のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、原稿束の最下位をピックアップし（Ｓ２４１）、次いで、原稿束の最下位をピックアップする（Ｓ２４２）。
【０１９０】
次に、原稿束の最下位をピックアップし（Ｓ２４３）、次いで、原稿束の最上位をピックアップし（Ｓ２４４）、さらに、原稿束の最下位をピックアップする（Ｓ２４５）。
【０１９１】
次に、原稿Ｍが残っているか否かを判断し（Ｓ２４６）、原稿Ｍが残っている場合には上記の４ｎ処理を行い（Ｓ２４７）、原稿Ｍが無くなるまでこの４ｎ処理を繰り返す。
【０１９２】
上記の各原稿Ｍの読み込みにより、中綴じのブック綴じコピーが可能となる。
【０１９３】
ここで、上記の原稿Ｍの給紙方法について、処理が４ｎ処理、４ｎ−１処理、４ｎ−２処理、４ｎ−３処理の異なった処理となる理由について説明する。
【０１９４】
例えば、原稿枚数が１２枚のときには、処理終了時には、記録紙Ｐの排紙トレイの状態は、図２９に示すものとなる。
【０１９５】
このとき、原稿枚数により異なる処理を用いず、全て４ｎ処理を行うと、原稿枚数が１１枚の場合は、図２９に示す７の面に印字するための原稿を、自動原稿搬送装置１０が原稿給紙トレイ２にて給紙しようとしても、給紙すべき原稿Ｍが原稿給紙トレイ２上には残っていないので、図２９に示す７の面は白面となる。
【０１９６】
同様に、原稿枚数が１０枚の場合は、図２９に示す６、７の面に印字するための原稿Ｍを原稿給紙トレイ２にて給紙しようとしても、給紙すべき原稿Ｍが原稿給紙トレイ２上には残っていないので、図２９に示す６、７の面は白面となる。
【０１９７】
同様に、原稿枚数が９枚の場合は、図２９に示す６、７、８の面に印字するための原稿Ｍを原稿給紙トレイ２にて給紙しようとしても、給紙すべき原稿Ｍが原稿給紙トレイ２上には残っていないので、図２９に示す６、７、８の面は白面となる。
【０１９８】
これらをブック綴じしたときに、途中にユーザにとって不必要な白のページができてしまい、中心がずれてしまう。
【０１９９】
ここで、上記の４ｎ処理、４ｎ−１処理、４ｎ−２処理及び４ｎ−３処理を原稿枚数により使い分けると、原稿枚数が１１枚の場合は、図２９に示す１２の面が白面となるように４ｎ−１処理によって自動原稿搬送装置１０が原稿給紙トレイ２から原稿Ｍを給紙する。同様に、原稿枚数が１０枚の場合は、図２９に示す１１、１２の面が白面となるように４ｎ−２処理によって自動原稿搬送装置１０が原稿給紙トレイ２から原稿Ｍを給紙する。同様に、原稿枚数が９枚の場合は、図２９に示す１０、１１、１２の面が白面となるように、４ｎ−３処理によって自動原稿搬送装置１０が原稿給紙トレイ２から原稿Ｍを給紙する。
【０２００】
これをブック綴じにしたとき、ユーザにとって不必要な白のページは、全て後半部となるので、中心がずれることもなくなる。
【０２０１】
以上述べたような方法を用いることにより、原稿Ｍを自動原稿搬送装置１０の原稿給紙トレイ２にセットするだけで、ユーザが原稿Ｍをその都度セットすることなしにブック綴じコピーを作成するための自動原稿搬送装置１０による給紙が実現できる。
【０２０２】
上記の中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーにおける自動原稿搬送装置１０の上記の４パターンの具体的な制御動作を、全体を通して説明する。
【０２０３】
ここでは、ｎ＝３として、４ｎ処理では原稿Ｍが１２枚、４ｎ−１処理では原稿Ｍが１１枚、４ｎ−２処理では原稿Ｍが１０枚、４ｎ−３処理では原稿Ｍが９枚であるとして説明する。
【０２０４】
これらの場合、記録紙Ｐの枚数はいずれも３枚となるが、４ｎ処理である原稿Ｍが１２枚の場合、図３０に示すように、記録紙Ｐには４枚の原稿Ｍの像が片面に２像ずつ計４面にわたって複写される。
【０２０５】
ここで、同図における黒三角矢印は記録紙Ｐの先頭方向を示している。つまり、同図の記録紙Ｐ１表面及び記録紙Ｐ１裏面を例にとって説明すると、用紙カセット５１から給紙された記録紙Ｐ１は、用紙主搬送路５９ｃを通って、感光体４１により先ず片面に１ページ目と１２ページ目とが印字される。その後、記録紙Ｐ１は反転退避路５９ａに一旦退避される。次いで、記録紙Ｐ１の裏面に印字するときには、記録紙Ｐ１は副搬送路５９ｂを搬送されて、今度は最初の印字面の裏面に２ページ目と１１ページ目とが印字される。その後、反転退避路５９ａを通って排紙トレイに記録紙Ｐ１が排出される構成となる。
【０２０６】
以下、記録紙Ｐ２表面及び記録紙Ｐ２裏面、記録紙Ｐ３表面及び記録紙Ｐ３裏面も同様に印字され、一連の複写プロセスが完了する。
【０２０７】
他の複写パターンについても略同様の複写プロセスが実行される。
【０２０８】
すなわち、４ｎ−１処理である原稿Ｍが１１枚の場合、図３１に示すように、原稿Ｍの１２ページ目が白紙状態となる。また、４ｎ−２処理である原稿Ｍが１０枚の場合、図３２に示すように、原稿Ｍの１２ページ目及び１１ページ目が白紙状態となる。さらに、また、４ｎ−３処理である原稿Ｍが９枚の場合、図３３に示すように、原稿Ｍの１２ページ目、１１ページ目及び１０ページ目が白紙状態となる。
【０２０９】
以下、これらの複写パターンを実現するためのプロセスを詳細に説明する。なお、本実施の形態におけるディジタル複写機には、原稿Ｍの枚数をカウントする何らかの手段を備えているものとする。この原稿カウント手段については自動原稿搬送装置１０の原稿台３１に原稿カウント機構を備えても良いし、又はユーザが原稿枚数を入力する入力装置を設けても良い。
【０２１０】
原稿枚数が決定してからのプロセスフローチャートは、前記図２４のフローチャートに示すように、原稿枚数を４で割ってその余りによって余りが０のときは４ｎ処理、余りが１のときは４ｎ−１処理、余りが２のときは４ｎ−２処理、余りが３のときは４ｎ−３処理が実行される。以下、これらの複写プロセスについて、Ａ４サイズ原稿からＡ３サイズ記録紙Ｐへの中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーの各複写プロセスを実現する手順について詳細な説明を行う。
【０２１１】
最初に、４ｎ枚原稿処理モードルーチンについて、図３４のフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０２１２】
同図に示すように、先ず、１枚目の原稿Ｍとして原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ３０１）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿読取部である原稿台３１に搬送する（Ｓ３０２）。搬送された原稿Ｍは、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取られ（Ｓ３０３）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力され、画像処理を施した後、制御部６０における画像メモリ６２に画像情報が記憶される（Ｓ３０４）。
【０２１３】
次に、２枚目の原稿Ｍとして原稿束の最上位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ３０５）、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３によってピックアップされた最上位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ３０６）、続いて、用紙カセット５１の記録紙Ｐを記録紙半月状ローラ５２を用いてレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ３０７）、上記原稿台３１に搬送されている最下位原稿を原稿台３１の規定位置で停止させる（Ｓ３０８）。その原稿Ｍをスキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取り（Ｓ３０９）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力されて画像処理を施した画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐの先端とを合わせるタイミングで記録紙Ｐの搬送及び画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行うことによりダイレクト印字を行う（Ｓ３１０）。
【０２１４】
次いで、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、最上位原稿のダイレクト印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、記憶している最下位原稿の画像情報を呼び出し感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ３１１）。
【０２１５】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、記録紙Ｐを反転退避路５９ａに導く（Ｓ３１２）。
【０２１６】
次に、３枚目の原稿Ｍとして原稿給紙トレイ２に残っている原稿束の最上位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ３１３）、さばきローラによってピックアップされた最上位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送する（Ｓ３１４）。搬送された原稿Ｍは、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取られ（Ｓ３１５）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力され画像処理を施した後、制御部６０の画像メモリ６２に画像情報が記憶される（Ｓ３１６）。
【０２１７】
次に、４枚目の原稿Ｍとして、原稿給紙トレイ２の原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ３１７）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ３１８）、原稿台３１上の規定位置で停止させる（Ｓ３１９）。
【０２１８】
そして、前述した反転退避路５９ａに導かれ待避していた記録紙Ｐを、副搬送路５９ｂを通してレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ３２０）、原稿台３１上に搬送されている最下位原稿を、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取り（Ｓ３２１）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力して画像処理を施した画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐの先端とを合わせるタイミングで記録紙Ｐの搬送及び画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行い、記録紙Ｐにダイレクトの印字を行う（Ｓ３２２）。
【０２１９】
また、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、最上位原稿のダイレクト印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、記憶している最下位原稿の画像情報を呼び出し、感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ３２３）。
【０２２０】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、記録紙Ｐを排紙トレイに排出する（Ｓ３２４）。
【０２２１】
この一連の動作によって、記録紙Ｐの表裏に所定の印字が完了する。そして、さらに、ｎ−１を新たなｎとする演算を行い（Ｓ３２５）、かつ原稿給紙トレイ２に原稿Ｍが存在するか判定を行い（Ｓ３２６）、原稿Ｍがある場合は、再度Ｓ３０１からの処理を原稿給紙トレイ２に原稿束がなくなるまで繰り返すことによって所望のページ印字が行える。
【０２２２】
なお、これらの一連の印字プロセスにおいて、ディジタル複写機や複合機において標準的な機能として備えられている自動変倍機能や画像回転機能を併用することによって、原稿サイズと記録紙サイズとが異なる場合にも対応可能である。
【０２２３】
次に、４ｎ−１枚原稿処理モードルーチンについて、図３５及び図３６に示すサブルーチンフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０２２４】
原稿枚数が４ｎ−１枚のときには、図３５のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、１枚目の原稿Ｍとして原稿給紙トレイ２における原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ４０１）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿読取部である原稿台３１に搬送する（Ｓ４０２）。搬送された最下位原稿は、原稿台３１上の規定位置で停止されてスキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取られ（Ｓ４０３）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力され、画像処理を施した後、制御部６０における画像メモリ６２に画像情報が記憶される（Ｓ４０４）。
【０２２５】
続いて、画像形成部４０における用紙カセット５１の記録紙Ｐを記録紙半月状ローラ５２を用いてレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ４０５）、予め画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白データの画像情報を呼び出し、その白データの画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐの先端とを合わせるタイミングで記録紙Ｐの搬送及び白データの画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ４０６）。
【０２２６】
次いで、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、白データの画像情報の印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、記憶している最下位原稿の画像情報を呼び出し感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ４０７）。
【０２２７】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、記録紙Ｐを反転退避路５９ａに導く（Ｓ４０８）。
【０２２８】
次に、図３６のフローチャートに示すように、原稿給紙トレイ２に残っている原稿束の最上位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ４０９）、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３によってピックアップされた最上位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送する（Ｓ４１０）。搬送された原稿Ｍは、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取られ（Ｓ４１１）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力され画像処理が施された後、制御部６０の画像メモリ６２に画像情報が記憶される（Ｓ４１２）。
【０２２９】
次いで、原稿給紙トレイ２における原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ４１３）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ４１４）、原稿台３１上の規定位置にて停止させる（Ｓ４１５）。
【０２３０】
次いで、反転退避路５９ａに導かれ待避していた記録紙Ｐを、副搬送路５９ｂを通してレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ４１６）、原稿台３１上に搬送されている最下位原稿を、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取り（Ｓ４１７）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力して画像処理を施した画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐ先端とを合わせるタイミングにて記録紙Ｐの搬送及び画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行い、記録紙Ｐにダイレクトの印字を行う（Ｓ４１８）。また、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、最下位原稿のダイレクト印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、画像メモリ６２に記憶している最上位原稿の画像情報を呼び出し、感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ４１９）。
【０２３１】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、その記録紙Ｐを排紙トレイに排出する（Ｓ４２０）。
【０２３２】
この一連の動作によって、記録紙Ｐの表裏に、末ページが白データとなる印字が完了する。
【０２３３】
次いで、原稿給紙トレイ２には４ｎ枚の原稿Ｍが残っているはずであるので、前述したフローチャートに基づく４ｎ枚原稿処理モードルーチンの動作を行う（Ｓ４２１）。
【０２３４】
これにより、末ページが白データとなる中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーが完了する。
【０２３５】
次に、４ｎ−２枚原稿処理モードルーチンについて、図３７及び図３８に示すサブルーチンフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０２３６】
原稿枚数が４ｎ−２枚のときには、図３７のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、１枚目の原稿Ｍとして原稿給紙トレイ２における原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ５０１）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿読取部である原稿台３１に搬送する（Ｓ５０２）。搬送された最下位原稿は、原稿台３１上の規定位置で停止されてスキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取られ（Ｓ５０３）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力され、画像処理を施した後、制御部６０における画像メモリ６２に画像情報が記憶される（Ｓ５０４）。
【０２３７】
続いて、画像形成部４０における用紙カセット５１の記録紙Ｐを記録紙半月状ローラ５２を用いてレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ５０５）、予め画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白データの画像情報を呼び出し、その白データの画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐの先端とを合わせるタイミングで記録紙Ｐの搬送及び白データの画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ５０６）。
【０２３８】
次いで、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、白データの画像情報の印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、記憶している最下位原稿の画像情報を呼び出し感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ５０７）。
【０２３９】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、記録紙Ｐを反転退避路５９ａに導く（Ｓ５０８）。
【０２４０】
次に、図３８のフローチャートに示すように、原稿給紙トレイ２に残っている原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ５０９）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ５１０）、原稿台３１上の規定位置にて停止させる（Ｓ５１１）。
【０２４１】
次いで、反転退避路５９ａに導かれ待避していた記録紙Ｐを、副搬送路５９ｂを通してレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ５１２）、原稿台３１上に搬送されている最下位原稿を、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取り（Ｓ５１３）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力して画像処理を施した最下位原稿の画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐ先端とを合わせるタイミングにて記録紙Ｐの搬送及び最下位原稿の画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行い、記録紙Ｐにダイレクトの印字を行う（Ｓ５１４）。また、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、最下位原稿の画像情報のダイレクト印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、画像メモリ６２に別途格納されている白データの画像情報を呼び出し、感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ５１５）。
【０２４２】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、その記録紙Ｐを排紙トレイに排出する（Ｓ５１６）。
【０２４３】
この一連の動作によって、記録紙Ｐの表裏に、末ページ及び末ページ１つ前が白データとなる印字が完了する。
【０２４４】
次いで、原稿給紙トレイ２には４ｎ枚の原稿Ｍが残っているはずであるので、前述したフローチャートに基づく４ｎ枚原稿処理モードルーチンの動作を行う（Ｓ５１７）。
【０２４５】
これにより、末ページ及び末ページ１つ前が白データとなる中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーが完了する。
【０２４６】
次に、４ｎ−３枚原稿処理モードルーチンについて、図３９及び図４０に示すサブルーチンフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０２４７】
原稿枚数が４ｎ−３枚のときには、図３９のフローチャートに示すように、先ず、１枚目の原稿Ｍとして原稿給紙トレイ２における原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ６０１）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿読取部である原稿台３１に搬送する（Ｓ６０２）。搬送された最下位原稿は、原稿台３１上の規定位置で停止されてスキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取られ（Ｓ６０３）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力され、画像処理を施した後、制御部６０における画像メモリ６２に画像情報が記憶される（Ｓ６０４）。
【０２４８】
続いて、画像形成部４０における用紙カセット５１の記録紙Ｐを記録紙半月状ローラ５２を用いてレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ６０５）、予め画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白データの画像情報を呼び出し、その白データの画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐの先端とを合わせるタイミングで記録紙Ｐの搬送及び白データの画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ６０６）。
【０２４９】
次いで、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、白データの画像情報の印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、記憶している最下位原稿の画像情報を呼び出し、感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ６０７）。
【０２５０】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、記録紙Ｐを反転退避路５９ａに導く（Ｓ６０８）。
【０２５１】
次に、原稿給紙トレイ２に残っている原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ６０９）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ６１０）、原稿台３１上の規定位置にて停止させる（Ｓ６１１）。
【０２５２】
次いで、反転退避路５９ａに導かれ待避していた記録紙Ｐを、副搬送路５９ｂを通してレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ６１２）、原稿台３１上に搬送されている最下位原稿を、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取り（Ｓ６１３）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力して画像処理を施した最下位原稿の画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐ先端とを合わせるタイミングにて記録紙Ｐの搬送及び最下位原稿の画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行い、記録紙Ｐにダイレクトの印字を行う（Ｓ６１４）。また、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、最下位原稿の画像情報のダイレクト印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、画像メモリ６２に別途格納されている白データの画像情報を呼び出し、感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ６１５）。
【０２５３】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、その記録紙Ｐを排紙トレイに排出する（Ｓ６１６）。
【０２５４】
この一連の動作によって、記録紙Ｐの表裏に、末ページ及び末ページ１つ前が白データとなる印字が完了する。
【０２５５】
次いで、図４０のフローチャートに示すように、原稿給紙トレイ２における原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ６１７）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿読取部である原稿台３１に搬送する（Ｓ６１８）。搬送された最下位原稿は、原稿台３１上の規定位置で停止されてスキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取られ（Ｓ６１９）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力され、画像処理を施した後、制御部６０における画像メモリ６２に画像情報が記憶される（Ｓ６２０）。
【０２５６】
続いて、画像形成部４０における用紙カセット５１の記録紙Ｐを記録紙半月状ローラ５２を用いてレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ６２１）、予め画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白データの画像情報を呼び出し、その白データの画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐの先端とを合わせるタイミングで記録紙Ｐの搬送及び白データの画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ６２２）。
【０２５７】
次いで、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、白データの画像情報の印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、記憶している最下位原稿の画像情報を呼び出し感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ６２３）。
【０２５８】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、記録紙Ｐを反転退避路５９ａに導く（Ｓ６２４）。
【０２５９】
次に、原稿給紙トレイ２に残っている原稿束の最上位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ６２５）、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３によってピックアップされた最上位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送する（Ｓ６２６）。搬送された最上位の原稿Ｍは、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取られ（Ｓ６２７）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力され画像処理が施された後、制御部６０の画像メモリ６２に画像情報が記憶される（Ｓ６２８）。
【０２６０】
次いで、原稿給紙トレイ２における原稿束の最下位原稿をピックアップし（Ｓ６２９）、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によってピックアップされた最下位の原稿１枚を原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ６３０）、原稿台３１上の規定位置にて停止させる（Ｓ６３１）。
【０２６１】
次いで、反転退避路５９ａに導かれ待避していた記録紙Ｐを、副搬送路５９ｂを通してレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送し（Ｓ６３２）、原稿台３１上に搬送されている最下位原稿を、スキャナ光学系３０のスキャンによって読み取り（Ｓ６３３）、ＣＣＤ３５に入力して画像処理を施した画像情報の先端と記録紙Ｐ先端とを合わせるタイミングにて記録紙Ｐの搬送及び画像情報の感光体４１への画像照射を行い、記録紙Ｐにダイレクトの印字を行う（Ｓ６３４）。また、記録紙Ｐの先端から印字ポジションを算出し、最下位原稿のダイレクト印字が終了する最適タイミングにて、画像メモリ６２に記憶している最上位原稿の画像情報を呼び出し、感光体４１への画像照射を行う（Ｓ６３５）。
【０２６２】
そして、印字された記録紙Ｐ上の未定着トナーを定着後、その記録紙Ｐを排紙トレイに排出する（Ｓ６３６）。
【０２６３】
この一連の動作によって、２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表裏に、末ページ２つ前が白データとなる印字が完了する。
【０２６４】
次いで、原稿給紙トレイ２には４ｎ枚の原稿Ｍが残っているはずであるので、前述したフローチャートに基づく４ｎ枚原稿処理モードルーチンの動作を行う（Ｓ６３７）。
【０２６５】
これにより、末ページ、末ページ１つ前及び末ページ２つ前が白データとなる中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーが完了する。
【０２６６】
以上のフローチャートによって、原稿Ｍの枚数が何枚であっても、中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーを白データの画像情報を末尾に回して適切に行うことができる。
【０２６７】
なお、上記の説明では、中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーについてのものであったが、中綴じかつ右綴じのブック綴じコピーの場合もあり得る。しかし、その場合には、読み取った原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶することなく順次印刷すれば良く、かつ最上位及び最下位の順序並びに、白データの画像情報の挿入位置に留意すれば、上記と略同様の流れにて行うことができる。したがって、説明を省略する。
【０２６８】
また、これらの一連の印字プロセスにおいて、ディジタル複写機や複合機において標準的な機能として備えられている自動変倍機能や画像回転機能を併用することによって、原稿サイズと記録紙サイズとが異なる場合にも対応可能である。
【０２６９】
このように、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて原稿Ｍを供給し、その原稿Ｍの画像情報を読み取り、記録紙Ｐに片面印字又は両面印字することができる。
【０２７０】
そして、このディジタル複写機には、読み取られた一枚の原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２が設けられる一方、読み取られる原稿Ｍに対して、その原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に直接印字するか、又はその原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に印字された画像情報に並べて印字するかの選択を行うデータバス切替部７３が設けられている。
【０２７１】
すなわち、袋綴じや中綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、記録紙Ｐへのページ配置が重要となるため、読み込んだ原稿Ｍを直ぐに印字できない場合がある。
【０２７２】
このとき、本実施の形態では、読み取られた一枚の原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２が設けられているので、一旦、その読み込んだ原稿Ｍを記憶しておくことができる。
【０２７３】
このような、読み取られる原稿Ｍに対して、その原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に直接印字するか、又はその原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に印字された画像情報に並べて印字するかの選択は、データバス切替部７３によって行われる。
【０２７４】
したがって、データバス切替部７３による選択動作により、上述したように、最初の原稿Ｍの画像情報を先ず画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、次に読み込んだ原稿Ｍを先に印字し、その後に、記憶した原稿の画像情報を並べて印字することが可能となる。この結果、ブック綴じコピーに適切なページ配置とした記録紙Ｐへの印字が可能となる。
【０２７５】
そして、この印字方法では、原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２の記憶容量としては、原稿一枚の画像情報を記憶できる容量があれば足りる。
【０２７６】
この結果、ブック綴じコピーを行うに際して、搭載している画像メモリ６２の容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのを回避し得るディジタル複写機を提供することができる。
【０２７７】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、印字面が片面のみの場合には、データバス切替部７３は、原稿枚数が奇数か又は偶数かによって、その原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に直接印字するか、又はその原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に印字された画像情報に並べて印字するかの選択を行う。
【０２７８】
すなわち、袋綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、記録紙Ｐの片面に印字すれば足りる。そして、この場合、原稿Ｍを読み取る際には、原稿束の最上位又は最下位のいずれか一方から順に原稿台３１へ搬送すれば良い。すなわち、交互に取る必要はない。
【０２７９】
ここで、袋綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、右綴じと左綴じとがあり、記録紙Ｐへのページ配置が重要となるため、読み込んだ原稿Ｍを直ぐに印字できない場合がある。
【０２８０】
このとき、本実施の形態では、読み取られた一枚の原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２が設けられているので、一旦、その読み込んだ原稿Ｍを記憶しておくことができる。
【０２８１】
一方、袋綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、原稿枚数が奇数の場合には、製本の最後のページが白ページとなるように操作する必要がある。
【０２８２】
しかし、このような場合においても、本実施の形態では、データバス切替部７３は、原稿枚数が奇数か又は偶数かによって、その原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に直接印字するか、又はその原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に印字された画像情報に並べて印字するかの選択を行う。
【０２８３】
したがって、データバス切替部７３による選択動作により、最初の原稿の画像情報を先ず画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、例えば、予め別途記憶しておいた白ページの画像情報を最初に印字し、その後に、記憶した原稿Ｍの画像情報を並べて印字することが可能となる。この結果、袋綴じのブック綴じコピーに適切なページ配置とした記録紙Ｐへの印字が可能となる。
【０２８４】
そして、この印字方法では、原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２の記憶容量としては、原稿一枚の画像情報を記憶できる容量と、予め別途に記憶しておく白ページの画像情報の容量とがあれば足りる。
【０２８５】
この結果、袋綴じのブック綴じコピーを行うに際して、搭載している画像メモリ６２の容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのを回避し得るディジタル複写機を提供することができる。
【０２８６】
一方、中綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、記録紙Ｐの片面には、例えば、原稿Ｍの最初のページと最後のページとが並べて印字される。
【０２８７】
したがって、原稿Ｍの読み取りは、原稿束の最上位と最下位との両方から行う必要がある。
【０２８８】
このとき、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、自動原稿搬送装置１０には、載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿のいずれかを選択して順次原稿台３１へ搬送する原稿給紙部１が設けられている。
【０２８９】
このため、原稿給紙部１が、載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿のいずれかを選択して順次原稿台３１へ搬送する。
【０２９０】
したがって、従来では、このように、載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿Ｍ又は最下位の原稿Ｍのいずれかを選択して順次原稿台３１へ搬送することができなかったので、取り敢えず原稿Ｍを全て読み取り、記憶しておく必要があった。
【０２９１】
しかし、本実施の形態では、記録紙Ｐの片面に、例えば、原稿Ｍの最初のページと最後のページとを並べて印字する場合においても、載置された原稿束の上下から原稿Ｍを読み込ますことができるので、記憶容量の削減を図ることができる。
【０２９２】
この結果、中綴じのブック綴じコピーを行うに際して、搭載している画像メモリ６２の容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのを回避し得るディジタル複写機を提供することができる。
【０２９３】
また、中綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、記録紙Ｐの両面に印字される。
【０２９４】
そして、原稿枚数が４ｎ（ｎは整数）のときには、記録紙Ｐの表面には、上述したように、例えば、原稿Ｍの最後のページと最初のページとがこの順に印字される一方、記録紙Ｐの裏面には例えば、第２ページと最後のページ前１ページとがこの順に印字される。しかしながら、この印字の順序は原稿枚数が４ｎ−１枚、４ｎ−２枚及び４ｎ−３枚では異なってくる。また、白ページの画像情報を挿入することによってもその順序は異なってくる。
【０２９５】
しかし、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、原稿給紙部１は、原稿枚数に基づいて載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿Ｍのいずれかを選択する。
【０２９６】
したがって、原稿給紙部１が、原稿枚数に基づいて載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿Ｍ又は最下位の原稿Ｍのいずれかを選択するので、中綴じのブック綴じコピーを行うに際して、原稿束における最上位の原稿Ｍ又は最下位の原稿Ｍの適切な方を取り込んで原稿台３１にて読ませることができる。
【０２９７】
この結果、載置された原稿束の最上位又は最下位のいずれかの原稿Ｍの取り出しが容易となる。
【０２９８】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、印字面が両面の場合には、データバス切替部７３は、原稿枚数を４で割った余りが０、１、２又は３によって、その原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に直接印字するか、又はその原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に印字された画像情報に並べて印字するかの選択を行う。
【０２９９】
すなわち、中綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、記録紙Ｐの両面に印字しなければならない。
【０３００】
ここで、中綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、右綴じと左綴じとがあり、記録紙Ｐへのページ配置が重要となるため、読み込んだ原稿Ｍを直ぐに印字できない場合がある。
【０３０１】
このとき、本実施の形態では、読み取られた一枚の原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２が設けられているので、一旦、その読み込んだ原稿Ｍを記憶しておくことができる。
【０３０２】
一方、中綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、上述したように、原稿枚数が４ｎ（ｎは整数）のときには、記録紙Ｐの表面には、例えば、原稿Ｍの最後のページと最初のページとがこの順に印字される一方、記録紙Ｐの裏面には例えば、第２ページと最後のページ前１ページとがこの順に印字される。しかしながら、この印字の順序は原稿枚数が４ｎ−１枚、４ｎ−２枚、４ｎ−３枚では異なってくる。また、白ページの画像情報を挿入することによってもその順序は異なってくる。
【０３０３】
しかし、本実施の形態では、印字面が両面の場合には、データバス切替部７３は、原稿枚数を４で割った余りが０、１、２又は３によって、その原稿の画像情報を記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に直接印字するか、又はその原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に印字された画像情報に並べて印字するかの選択を行う。
【０３０４】
したがって、印字面が両面の場合には、データバス切替部７３による選択動作により、原稿枚数に基づいて、最初の原稿Ｍの画像情報を先ず画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶し、予め別途記憶しておいた白ページの画像情報を最初に印字し、その後に、記憶した原稿Ｍの画像情報を並べて印字することが可能となる。
【０３０５】
この結果、中綴じのブック綴じコピーに適切なページ配置とした記録紙Ｐへの印字が可能となる。
【０３０６】
そして、この印字方法では、原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２の記憶容量としては、原稿一枚の画像情報を記憶できる容量と、予め別途に記憶しておく白ページの画像情報の容量とがあれば足りる。
【０３０７】
この結果、中綴じのブック綴じコピーを行うに際して、搭載している画像メモリ６２の容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのを回避し得るディジタル複写機を提供することができる。
【０３０８】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、ＣＰＵ６１は画像データ切替制御６８において、原稿枚数に基づいて、読み取り原稿Ｍに代えて、白ページの画像情報を挿入させる。
【０３０９】
したがって、ブック綴じコピーにおいて、例えば、最後のページを白ページにしたいときに、ＣＰＵ６１の画像データ切替制御６８によって容易に白ページを挿入することができる。
【０３１０】
ところで、原稿給紙トレイ２に載置された原稿束の最上位と最下位とから原稿Ｍを取り出した場合には、一か所の排出場所しかない場合には、印字が終了したときに原稿束がページ順にならないので、後に原稿Ｍを昇順又は降順に並べ替える作業が必要となり、却って手間となる。
【０３１１】
しかし、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、自動原稿搬送装置１０には、載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿Ｍ又は最下位の原稿Ｍのいずれかを選択して読み取られた原稿Ｍ原稿を、一旦最上位の原稿Ｍと最下位の原稿Ｍとの２つに分けて排出する一方、その排出された一方の原稿束を再度一枚ずつ取り出し、他方の排出されている原稿束の昇順又は降順に沿うように積み重ねて排出させる原稿排紙部１１が設けられている。
【０３１２】
したがって、原稿排紙部１１は、先ず、原稿給紙トレイ２に載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿Ｍ又は最下位の原稿Ｍのいずれかを選択して読み取られた原稿Ｍを一旦最上位の原稿Ｍと最下位の原稿Ｍとの２つに分けて排出する。次いで、原稿排紙部１１は、その排出された一方の下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂの原稿束を再度一枚ずつ取り出し、他方の上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａの排出されている原稿束の昇順又は降順に沿うように積み重ねて排出させる。
【０３１３】
したがって、原稿Ｍの再排出が終了した時点では、排出された原稿束は昇順に並んでいる。なお、降順に並べることも可能である。
【０３１４】
この結果、印字が終了した後も、排出原稿束を元の原稿束のページ順に整理された状態で取り出すことができる。
【０３１５】
また、上述したように、原稿給紙トレイ２における原稿束の最上位と最下位とから原稿Ｍを取り出した場合には、先頭原稿からの昇順並び原稿と、末尾原稿からの降順並び原稿とが交互に排紙されるため、排紙された原稿Ｍは元の並びにはならない。
【０３１６】
しかし、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、原稿排紙部１１は、読み取られた原稿Ｍを一旦最上位の原稿と最下位の原稿との２つに分けて排出する上下２段の上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａ及び下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂと、各上下のいずれかの上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａ又は下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂに排紙された原稿Ｍを取り出してスイッチバックして他の下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂ又は上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａに排紙するスイッチバック用搬送路１６及び原稿排紙半月ローラ２１とからなっている。
【０３１７】
したがって、印字の終了した原稿Ｍは、先頭からの原稿Ｍと末尾からの原稿Ｍとを、２つの上下２段の上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａ及び下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂに分けて一旦排紙し、全印字完了後に、スイッチバック用搬送路１６及び原稿排紙半月ローラ２１により、下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂから上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａに原稿Ｍを排紙することによって、最終的にページ順の揃った元の並び通りに原稿Ｍを排紙することが可能である。
【０３１８】
この結果、印字が終了した後も、確実に元の原稿束のページ順に排出原稿束を取り出すことができる。
【０３１９】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、読み取られた一枚の原稿Ｍの画像情報を印字するときに、記録紙Ｐの搬送方向長さの１／２が原稿Ｍの搬送方向の長さと一致しない場合には、画像処理部７２が変倍して印字する。
【０３２０】
したがって、記録紙Ｐに印字する場合に、原稿Ｍの縮尺が異なっていても、記録紙Ｐには大きさを揃えて印字することができる。
【０３２１】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、両面印字に対応すべく、記録紙Ｐの表面を印字した後、その記録紙Ｐを反転して記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字するための反転退避路５９ａ及び副搬送路５９ｂが設けられる。また、ブック綴じ両面印字する際には、原稿枚数に基づいて、原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐに直接印字するダイレクト印字と原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２に一旦記憶した後に記録紙Ｐに印字するメモリ印字とを併用して一枚の記録紙Ｐの表面に２つの原稿Ｍの画像情報を印字し、上記反転退避路５９ａ及び副搬送路５９ｂにて記録紙Ｐを反転した後、その記録紙Ｐに同様にして裏面印字する。
【０３２２】
したがって、ブック綴じ両面印字する際には、記録紙Ｐの表面に対してメモリ容量の削減を図り得る適切な印字ができる一方、その後、記録紙Ｐの印字面が反転退避路５９ａ及び副搬送路５９ｂによって反転されて記録紙Ｐの裏面に対してもメモリ容量の削減を図り得る適切な印字ができる。
【０３２３】
この結果、メモリ容量の削減を図ることができるとともに、外部手操作による記録紙Ｐの反転作業が省かれ、記録紙反転に対するユーザの負担が軽減される。
【０３２４】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが０のときには、第１番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は、画像メモリ６２に入力され、第２番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は、先端部として直接印字され、その後に、画像メモリ６２に収納されている原稿Ｍの画像情報を後端部に印字する。
【０３２５】
これにより、片面印字又は両面印字のいずれにおいても、原稿載置枚数に関係なくブック綴じ機構が実現可能となる。
【０３２６】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが１のときには、第１番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は画像メモリ６２に入力され、画像メモリ６２に別途格納されている白ページの画像情報を読み出して白ページの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの前半部とした後に、画像メモリ６２に格納された原稿Ｍの画像情報を後端部に印字する。
【０３２７】
これにより、両面印字において、原稿載置枚数に関係なく原稿載置枚数に関係なく白ページの画像情報を末尾に配したブック綴じコピーが実現可能となる。
【０３２８】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが１のときには、第２番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は画像メモリ６２に入力され、第３番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は、記録紙Ｐの前半部に直接印字され、その後に、画像メモリ６２に収納されている原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの後半部に印字するようになっている。
【０３２９】
これにより、両面印字において、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが１のときに、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に適切に原稿載置枚数に関係なくブック綴じコピーが実現可能となる。
【０３３０】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが２のときには、第１番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は画像メモリ６２に入力され、画像メモリ６２に別途格納されている白ページの画像情報を読み出すとともに、白ページの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの前半部とした後に、画像メモリ６２に記憶された原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの後半部に印字する。
【０３３１】
これにより、両面印字において、原稿載置枚数に関係なく白ページの画像情報を末尾に配したブック綴じ機構が実現可能となる。
【０３３２】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが２のときには、第２番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は先端部に直接印字され、画像メモリ６２に別途格納されている白ページの画像情報を読み出すとともに、白ページの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの後半部に印字する。
【０３３３】
これにより、両面印字において、原稿載置枚数に関係なく白ページの画像情報を末尾前１ページに配したブック綴じ機構が実現可能となる。
【０３３４】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３のときには、第１番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は画像メモリ６２に入力され、画像メモリ６２に別途格納されている白ページの画像情報を読み出すとともに、白ページの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの前半部とした後に、画像メモリ６２に記憶された原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの後半部に印字する。
【０３３５】
これにより、両面印字において、原稿載置枚数に関係なく白ページの画像情報を末尾に配したブック綴じ機構が実現可能となる。
【０３３６】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３のときには、第２番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は記録紙Ｐの前半部に直接印字され、その後に、画像メモリ６２に別途格納されている白ページの画像情報を読み出すとともに、白ページの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの後半部に印字する。
【０３３７】
これにより、両面印字において、原稿載置枚数に関係なく白ページの画像情報を末尾前１ページに配したブック綴じコピーが実現可能となる。
【０３３８】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３のときには、第３番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は画像メモリ６２に入力され、画像メモリ６２に別途格納されている白ページの画像情報を読み出すとともに、白ページの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの前半部とした後に、画像メモリ６２に記憶された原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの後半部に印字する。
【０３３９】
これにより、両面印字において、原稿載置枚数に関係なく白ページの画像情報を末尾前２ページに配したブック綴じコピーが実現可能となる。
【０３４０】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３のときには、第４番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は画像メモリ６２に入力され、第５番目に読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報は記録紙Ｐの前半部に直接印字され、その後に、画像メモリ６２に記憶された原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの後半部に印字する。
【０３４１】
これにより、両面印字において、原稿載置枚数に関係なく原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３のときに２枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に適切にブック綴じコピーが実現可能となる。
【０３４２】
また、本実施の形態では、白ページの画像情報と読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報とを記録紙Ｐに印字するに際して、印字される手順に応じてアドレスを変更できるものとなっている。
【０３４３】
これにより、白ページの画像情報に続いて画像メモリ６２に記憶された原稿の画像情報と、画像メモリ６２に記憶された原稿の画像情報に続いて白ページの画像情報を印字する場合に、記録紙Ｐの前半部又は後半部によってアドレスを切り替える必要がなくなる。
【０３４４】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作は、原稿給紙トレイ２に載置される原稿Ｍの枚数に基づいて設定される。
【０３４５】
これにより、ブック綴じコピーを行ったときに、原稿Ｍの枚数によって中心がずれることなく、ユーザにとって不必要な白ページを製本の後半部に集めるという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて行うことが可能となる。
【０３４６】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を設定する原稿枚数は両面印字を行うときは４の整数倍によって決定される一方、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが０枚、１枚、２枚、３枚によって最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作が異なる。
【０３４７】
これにより、両面印字のブック綴じコピーを行ったときに、原稿枚数によって中心がずれることなく、ユーザにとって不必要な白ページを製本の後半部に集めるという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて行うことが可能となる。
【０３４８】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を設定する原稿枚数は、片面印字を行うときは２の整数倍によって決定され、原稿枚数を２で割ったときの余りが０枚、１枚によって最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作が異なる。
【０３４９】
これにより、片面印字のブック綴じコピーを行ったときに、原稿枚数によって中心がずれることなく、ユーザにとって不必要な白ページを製本の後半部に集めるという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて行うことが可能となる。
【０３５０】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を設定する原稿枚数は両面印字を行うときは４の整数倍によって決定される一方、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが０枚のときであって、かつ原稿Ｍの載置状況が原稿面が下向きのときには、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって最下位の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３によって最上位の原稿を搬送する。
【０３５１】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが０枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける記録紙Ｐへの表面印字を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３５２】
また、本実施の形態では、上記の場合において、読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの表面に印字した後、その記録紙Ｐの裏面に次の画像情報を印字するときには、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３を用いて最上位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４を用いて最下位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送する。
【０３５３】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが０枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける記録紙Ｐへの裏面印字を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３５４】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を設定する原稿枚数は両面印字を行うときは４の整数倍によって決定される一方、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが１枚のときであって、かつ原稿Ｍの載置状況が原稿面が下向きのときには、最初の原稿Ｍとして最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって最下位の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、その原稿Ｍと画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白ページの画像情報とを記録紙Ｐに印字する。
【０３５５】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが１枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける最初の記録紙Ｐへの表面印字を、原稿枚数によって中心がずれることなく、ユーザにとって不必要な白ページを製本の末尾に集めるという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３５６】
また、本実施の形態では、上記の場合において、読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの表面に印字した後、その記録紙Ｐの裏面に次の画像情報を印字するときには、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３を用いて最上位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４を用いて最下位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送して、並べて印字する。
【０３５７】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが１枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける最初の記録紙Ｐへの裏面印字を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３５８】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を設定する原稿枚数は両面印字を行うときは４の整数倍によって決定される一方、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが２枚のときであって、かつ原稿Ｍの載置状況が原稿面が下向きのときには、最初の原稿Ｍとして最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって最下位の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、その原稿Ｍと画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白ページの画像情報とを記録紙Ｐに印字する。
【０３５９】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが２枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける最初の記録紙Ｐへの表面印字を、原稿枚数によって中心がずれることなく、ユーザにとって不必要な白ページを製本の末尾に集めるという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３６０】
また、本実施の形態では、上記の場合において、読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの表面に印字した後、その記録紙Ｐの裏面に次の画像情報を印字するときには、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４を用いて最下位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、その原稿Ｍと画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白ページの画像情報とを記録紙Ｐに印字する。
【０３６１】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが２枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける最初の記録紙Ｐへの裏面印字を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３６２】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を設定する原稿枚数は両面印字を行うときは４の整数倍によって決定される一方、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３枚のときであって、かつ原稿Ｍの載置状況が原稿面が下向きのときには、最初の原稿Ｍとして最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって最下位の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、その原稿Ｍと画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白ページの画像情報とを記録紙Ｐに印字する。
【０３６３】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける最初の記録紙Ｐへの表面印字を、原稿枚数によって中心がずれることなく、ユーザにとって不必要な白ページを製本の末尾に集めるという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３６４】
また、本実施の形態では、上記の場合において、読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報を記録紙Ｐの表面に印字した後、その記録紙Ｐの裏面に次の画像情報を印字するときには、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４を用いて最下位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、その原稿Ｍと画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白ページの画像情報とを記録紙Ｐに印字する。
【０３６５】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける最初の記録紙Ｐへの裏面印字を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３６６】
また、本実施の形態では、上記の場合において、読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報を最初の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字した後、２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に次の画像情報を印字するときには、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４を用いて最下位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、その原稿Ｍと画像メモリ６２に別途格納された白ページの画像情報とを２枚目の記録紙Ｐに印字する。
【０３６７】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける２枚目の記録紙Ｐへの表面印字を、原稿枚数によって中心がずれることなく、ユーザにとって不必要な白ページを製本の末尾に集めるという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３６８】
また、本実施の形態では、上記の場合において、読み取られた原稿Ｍの画像情報を２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字した後、２枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に次の画像情報を印字するときには、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３を用いて最上位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送し、次に、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４を用いて最下位の次の原稿Ｍを搬送して、並べて印字する。
【０３６９】
これにより、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３枚のときに、両面印字のブック綴じコピーにおける２枚目の記録紙Ｐへの裏面印字を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３７０】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を設定する原稿枚数は両面印字を行うときは４の整数倍によって決定される一方、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが０枚、１枚、２枚、３枚によって最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を異ならせて、各白ページの画像情報の処理をした後は、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが０枚の処理を行う。
【０３７１】
これにより、両面印字のブック綴じコピーのときに、各白ページの画像情報の挿入処理をした後は、残った原稿Ｍを配置するという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３７２】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍを読み取るための原稿給紙部１における最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作を設定する原稿枚数は、片面印字を行うときは２の整数倍によって決定され、原稿枚数を２で割ったときの余りが０枚、１枚によって最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４の回転動作が異ならせて、白ページの画像情報の処理をした後は、原稿枚数を２で割ったときの余りが０枚の処理を行う。
【０３７３】
これにより、片面印字のブック綴じコピーのときに、白ページの画像情報の挿入処理をした後は、残った原稿Ｍを配置するという処理を自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて適切に行うことができる。
【０３７４】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、読み取られた原稿Ｍを原稿主搬送路１４を用いて排出する原稿排紙トレイは、上下２段に設けられている。
【０３７５】
このため、原稿主搬送路１４に送られてくる原稿Ｍを任意に分別して、別々の上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａ又は下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂに排紙することができる。
【０３７６】
また、本実施の形態では、上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａには、原稿給紙部１における原稿給紙トレイ２に下向きにして載置された原稿Ｍを最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３によって搬送された原稿Ｍを排出している。
【０３７７】
このため、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３又は最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって、交互に搬送されてくる原稿Ｍの中から、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３によって給紙された原稿Ｍを選択し、上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａに排紙することができる。
【０３７８】
これにより、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３によって給紙された原稿Ｍが、原稿面を上にして、正順に排紙されるため、複写後の原稿束の中から、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３によって給紙された原稿Ｍを選び出し、原稿Ｍの並びを補正する手間を省くことができる。
【０３７９】
また、本実施の形態では、下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂには、原稿給紙部１における原稿給紙トレイ２に下向きにして載置された原稿Ｍを最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって搬送された原稿Ｍを排出している。
【０３８０】
このため、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３又は最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって、交互に搬送されてくる原稿Ｍの中から、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって給紙された原稿Ｍを選択し、下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂに排紙することができる。
【０３８１】
これにより、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって給紙された原稿Ｍが、原稿面を上にして、逆順に排紙されるため、複写後の原稿束の中から、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４によって給紙された原稿Ｍを選び出し、原稿Ｍの並びを補正する手間を省くことができる。
【０３８２】
また、本実施の形態では、読取りが終了した原稿Ｍをスイッチバックするためのピックアップローラである原稿排紙半月ローラ２１及びスイッチバック用搬送路１６を備えている。
【０３８３】
このため、一度、下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂに排紙された原稿Ｍを、原稿排紙半月ローラ２１を用いて、再度、原稿主搬送路１４及びスイッチバック用搬送路１６内に送ることができる。
【０３８４】
これにより、一度排紙された原稿Ｍを、スイッチバックするために、原稿主搬送路１４及びスイッチバック用搬送路１６に搬送することができる。
【０３８５】
また、本実施の形態では、読み取りが完了し、上下段に分割して排出された原稿Ｍは、ピックアップローラである原稿排紙半月ローラ２１、原稿主搬送路１４、スイッチバック用搬送路１６並びに搬送路中の分離爪である第１搬送路選択爪１７ａ及び第２搬送路選択爪１７ｂによって、給紙時に最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４にて搬送された原稿Ｍを順次、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３にて搬送及び排出された原稿Ｍの上に載置することができるものとなっている。
【０３８６】
このため、上下段に分割して排出された原稿Ｍのうち、最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４にて給紙された原稿Ｍは、原稿面を上にして逆順に排紙されているので、上側から１枚ずつ、原稿排紙半月ローラ２１にてスイッチバック用搬送路１６に送られる。そして、最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３にて給紙された原稿Ｍが排紙された上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａに排紙することができる。
【０３８７】
これにより、全原稿を、原稿面を上にして正順の並びで、一つの上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａに排紙することができる。
【０３８８】
また、本実施の形態では、排紙搬送路中に配置される原稿搬送ローラである上排紙ローラ１９ａ・１９ａ、下排紙ローラ１９ｂ・１９ｂ及びスイッチバック用搬送ローラ１８・１８は可逆回転可能となっている。
【０３８９】
これにより、スイッチバック機構は、搬送路に搬送された原稿を、逆方向に搬送することができる。
【０３９０】
また、本実施の形態では、搬送路中に配置された分離爪である第１搬送路選択爪１７ａ及び第２搬送路選択爪１７ｂは、ソレノイド又はスプリングによって原稿Ｍを導く搬送路を選択し得るとともに、原稿Ｍの排出及び原稿Ｍのスイッチバックを可能とするようになっている。
【０３９１】
このため、原稿Ｍの搬送経路を任意に選択することができる。これにより、搬送路が複数の搬送路に分岐している場合、原稿Ｍを任意の搬送路へ導くことができる。
【０３９２】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、読み取った原稿Ｍの画像情報を一旦画像メモリ６２に蓄積し、印字が必要な時にその原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２から呼び出し、画像処理を行った後に印字するメモリ印字手段と、読み取った原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像処理後に印字するダイレクト印字手段とを備えている。
【０３９３】
これにより、原稿Ｍをピックアップする順序にしたがって、メモリ印字とダイレクト印字とを併用することにより、一回のプロセスで所望するページ印字を行うことができる。
【０３９４】
また、本実施の形態では、ページ印字は、原稿給紙トレイ２に載置される原稿束の最上位の原稿Ｍと、最下位の原稿Ｍとを順次読み取り、画像形成部４０にて、画像メモリ６２を用いた印字が記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の前半部と後半部とにページ印字される。
【０３９５】
これにより、原稿をピックアップする順序にしたがって、メモリ印字とダイレクト印字とを併用することにより、一回のプロセスで所望するページ印字を行うことができる。
【０３９６】
また、本実施の形態では、載置される原稿束の最上位の原稿Ｍは、原稿束の最上位の原稿Ｍをピックアップするための最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３、上さばき板５及び下さばき板６を備えた上取り搬送機構によって給紙、搬送、読み取りが行われる。
【０３９７】
これにより、原稿をピックアップする順序にしたがって、メモリ印字とダイレクト印字とを併用することにより、一回のプロセスで所望するページ印字を行うことができる。
【０３９８】
また、本実施の形態では、載置される原稿束の最下位の原稿Ｍは、原稿束の最上位の原稿Ｍをピックアップするための最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４、上さばき板５及び下さばき板６を備えた下取り搬送機構によって給紙、搬送、読み取りが行われる。
【０３９９】
これにより、原稿をピックアップする順序にしたがって、メモリ印字とダイレクト印字とを併用することにより、一回のプロセスで所望するページ印字を行うことができる。
【０４００】
また、本実施の形態では、２段の排紙トレイのうちの一方の上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａには、排出される原稿Ｍの最終頁から順次載置される。
【０４０１】
これにより、原稿Ｍのピックアップする順序が上取り及び下取りにて入り乱れても、上取り原稿と下取り原稿とを別々の排紙トレイに排出し、上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａに排出される原稿Ｍの最終頁から順次載置することにより、原稿Ｍの順序を一定にすることができる。
【０４０２】
また、本実施の形態では、２段の排紙トレイのうち他方の下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂには、排出される原稿Ｍの最初の頁から順次載置し、原稿が全て読み取られて排出された後に、最終に読み取られた原稿Ｍから順次スイッチバック手段にて、最終頁から載置される上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａに原稿Ｍを移動し、頁揃えを行う。
【０４０３】
これにより、原稿Ｍのピックアップする順序が上取り及び下取りにて入り乱れても、上取り原稿と下取り原稿とを別々の排紙トレイに排出できる。また、最初の頁から順次載置された下原稿排紙トレイ１３ｂの最上位原稿Ｍからピックアップし、上原稿排紙トレイ１３ａに順に載置していくことによって、原稿の順序を元に戻すことが可能となる。
【０４０４】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数が奇数のときには、最初の搬送は原稿を搬送せずに、白ページの画像情報として画像形成部４０にて印字する。
【０４０５】
これにより、原稿枚数が奇数の場合のブック綴じコピーは、最終ページが白紙の状態でなければならないので、印字しない状況を強制的に作ることが可能となる。
【０４０６】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿枚数が偶数のときには、順次原稿Ｍを搬送し、画像形成部４０にて印字する。
【０４０７】
これにより、原稿枚数が偶数のときに、原稿をピックアップする順序にしたがって、メモリ印字とダイレクト印字とを併用することにより、一回のプロセスで所望するページ印字を行うことができる。
【０４０８】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、メモリ印字又はダイレクト印字の選択は、１枚の記録紙Ｐにおいて搬送方向の前半部の印字はダイレクト印字にて行い、記録紙Ｐの搬送方向の後半部の印字はメモリ印字となっている。
【０４０９】
これにより、記録紙Ｐに印字される画像データのダウンロード順が画一化され、あらゆる原稿枚数の場合に対して印字のプロセス手順が画一化される。
【０４１０】
また、本実施の形態では、メモリ印字又はダイレクト印字の選択は、両面印字の際には、原稿枚数を４で除じた余りが０、１、２、３にて選択される一方、片面印字の際には、２で除じた余りが０、１にて選択される。
【０４１１】
これにより、原稿枚数に応じてダイレクト印字データ又はメモリ印字データのデータ選択方式が規定され、これにより排出原稿が常にページ順に並んだブック綴じコピー処理が可能となる。なお、上記のメモリ印字データのデータ選択においては、原稿データ出力と白データ出力との両方を含むものである。
【０４１２】
また、本実施の形態では、メモリ印字又はダイレクト印字の選択は、両面印字を行う際に原稿枚数を４で割った余りが０の場合又は片面印字を行う際に原稿枚数を２で割った余りが０の場合は、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面の搬送方向の前半部と後半部ともに画像データを出力する一方、さらに、両面印字の場合は１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面の搬送方向の前半部と後半部ともに画像データを出力する。
【０４１３】
これにより、両面印字の際は原稿枚数が４の倍数枚の場合、及び片面印字の場合は原稿枚数が偶数枚の場合は、原稿枚数にかかわらず感光体４１へのデータ出力シーケンスも含め、常に同一の印字プロセスによるブック綴じコピー処理が可能となる。
【０４１４】
また、本実施の形態では、上記において、両面印字を行う際に原稿枚数を４で割った余りが１の場合又は片面印字を行う際に原稿枚数を２で割った余りが１の場合は、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面における搬送方向の前半部は画像データを出力しかつ後半部分は白データの画像情報を出力し、さらに、両面印字の場合は１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面における搬送方向の前半部及び後半部ともに画像データを出力する。
【０４１５】
これにより、両面印字の際は原稿枚数が４の倍数−１枚の場合、及び片面印字の際は原稿枚数が奇数枚の場合は、原稿枚数にかかわらず、感光体４１へのデータ出力シーケンスも含め、常に同一の印字プロセスによるブック綴じコピー処理が可能となる。
【０４１６】
また、本実施の形態では、上記において、両面印字を行う際に原稿枚数を４で割った余りが２の場合は、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面における搬送方向の前半部は画像データを出力しかつ後半部は白データの画像情報を出力し、さらに、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面における搬送方向の前半部は白データの画像情報を出力し、かつ後半部は画像データを出力する。
【０４１７】
これにより、両面印字の際、原稿枚数が４の倍数−２枚の場合は、原稿枚数にかかわらず、感光体４１へのデータ出力シーケンスも含め、常に同一の印字プロセスによるブック綴じコピー処理が可能となる。
【０４１８】
また、本実施の形態では、上記において、両面印字を行う際に原稿枚数を４で割った余りが３の場合は、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面における搬送方向の前半部は画像データを出力しかつ後半部は白データの画像情報を出力し、さらに、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面における搬送方向の前半部は白データの画像情報を出力し、かつ後半部は画像データを出力し、さらに、２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面における搬送方向の前半部は画像データを出力しかつ後半部は白データの画像情報を出力し、さらに、２枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面における搬送方向の前半部及び後半部とも画像データを出力する。
【０４１９】
これにより、両面印字の際、原稿枚数が４の倍数−３枚の場合は、原稿枚数にかかわらず、感光体４１へのデータ出力シーケンスも含め、常に同一の印字プロセスによるブック綴じコピー処理が可能となる。
【０４２０】
また、本実施の形態では、上記において、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが０、１、２の場合は１枚目の記録紙Ｐの排出後、原稿枚数を４で割ったときの余りが３の場合は２枚目の記録紙Ｐの排出後に、さらに、ブック綴じコピーを行う原稿Ｍが残っている場合は、両面印字を行う際に原稿枚数を４で割った余りが０の場合の処理を行う。
【０４２１】
これにより、ブック綴じコピーにおいて両面印字を行なう場合に、３枚目以降の記録紙Ｐに対しては、感光体４１へのデータ出力シーケンスも含め、常に同一の印字プロセスによるブック綴じコピー処理が可能となる。
【０４２２】
また、本実施の形態では、印字手段である画像形成部４０、副搬送路５９ｂ、反転退避路５９ａ、及び記録紙排出手段である排紙ローラ５６・５６を用いることによってブック綴じ印字された記録紙Ｐは、ページ順序が揃った状態にて排出される。
【０４２３】
これにより、ユーザは常にページ順に配列された排出記録紙Ｐを受取ることが可能であり、排出記録紙Ｐを中央部分から折り曲げるという単純作業による製本作業が可能となる。
【０４２４】
なお、本発明は、上記の実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の範囲内で種々の変更が可能である。例えば、上記実施の形態では、図１に示すように、画像メモリ６２への記憶は、ＣＣＤ３５にて読み込んだ画像情報をそのまま記憶するものとなっている。したがって、画像メモリ６２の記憶容量をさらに小さくするために、例えば、画像メモリ６２への記憶に際して画像情報を圧縮することも可能である。
【０４２５】
この場合、図４１に示すように、画像メモリ６２の前段部分に、圧縮手段としてのデータ圧縮部７６を設け、ＣＣＤ３５により読み込まれたデータを圧縮し、画像メモリ６２に格納する。また、画像メモリ６２の後段には、データ伸長部７７を設け、画像メモリ６２から読み出されるデータを伸長しながらＬＳＵ７４に転送する。
【０４２６】
このように、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、読み取られた一枚の原稿Ｍの画像情報を画像メモリ６２に記憶する前に圧縮するデータ圧縮部７６を設けることが可能である。
【０４２７】
このため、画像メモリ６２には、１枚の原稿Ｍの画像情報を圧縮して記憶することができるので、さらに記憶容量を削減することができる。
【０４２８】
この結果、ブック綴じコピーを行うに際して、搭載している画像メモリ６２の容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのをさらに回避し得るディジタル複写機を提供することができる。
【０４２９】
また、本実施の形態では、原稿サイズ長さＡと印字用紙長さＢとの関係が、２×Ａ＝Ｂ（例：Ａ４サイズの原稿ＭとＡ３サイズの記録紙Ｐとの組み合わせ）のときは等倍で印字し、左記式が成立しないときは、原稿読み取り時又は印字処理時に自動変倍する。
【０４３０】
これにより、原稿をピックアップする順序にしたがって、メモリ印字とダイレクト印字とを併用することにより、一回のプロセスで所望するページ印字を行うことができる。
【０４３１】
また、自動変倍との組み合わせによって、原稿サイズと記録紙サイズとが異なったページ印字にも対応可能となる。
【０４３２】
また、本実施の形態では、読み取られた画像情報の先端と、前記ページ印字を行うときの各頁の先端を合わせるために、必要に応じて画像回転を行うことが可能である。
【０４３３】
これにより、自動変倍及び画像回転との組み合わせによって、原稿サイズと記録紙サイズとの異なったページ印字にも対応可能となる。
【０４３４】
〔実施の形態２〕
本発明の他の実施の形態について図４２ないし図５１に基づいて説明すれば、以下の通りである。なお、説明の便宜上、前記の実施の形態１の図面に示した部材と同一の機能を有する部材については、同一の符号を付し、その説明を省略する。また、前記実施の形態１の各種の特徴点については、本実施の形態についても組み合わせて適用し得るものとする。
【０４３５】
本実施の形態のディジタル複写機の自動原稿搬送装置１０は、前記図２に示すように、原稿束の最上位又は最下位の原稿Ｍを給紙機構の上部又は下部の半月状ローラによって給紙し、ベルト８によって送られて規定位置で停止した原稿Ｍに光を照射させることができるようになっている。
【０４３６】
具体的には、自動原稿搬送装置１０には、図４に示すように、原稿給紙トレイ２に載置された原稿束の最上位原稿を取り出す最上位原稿ピックアップローラ３及び原稿束の最下位原稿を取り出す最下位原稿ピックアップローラ４と、各上下位の原稿Ｍを取り出すときに、原稿束の原稿Ｍが複数枚重なって取り出されないようにする上さばき板５及び下さばき板６とによって構成される上下原稿選択搬送手段としての原稿給紙部１が設けられている。
【０４３７】
ここで、本実施の形態の原稿給紙部１は、積載される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿を選択して、最上位の原稿及び最下位の原稿の両方、又は最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿のいずれか一方を順次原稿台３１へ搬送するようになっている。
【０４３８】
すなわち、本実施の形態では、自動原稿搬送装置１０における原稿給紙部１は、同時に２枚の原稿Ｍを原稿台８に搬送して載置できるようになっている。
【０４３９】
このような同時に２枚の原稿Ｍを原稿台８に送ることができる構成は、例えば特開平５−６０５２号公報等において公知であり、例えば、一枚目の原稿Ｍを原稿台３１の規定位置に搬送し、続いて、二枚目の原稿Ｍを取り出して一枚目の原稿Ｍの後端に位置するように、例えば、電磁プランジャにて駆動されるストッパ等にて規制することにより、一枚目の原稿Ｍと二枚目の原稿Ｍとを重ならないように並置して読み取ることが可能となっている。
【０４４０】
一方、制御部６０は、前記図３に示すように、ＣＰＵ（Central Processing Unit)６１及び記憶手段としての画像メモリ６２等によって構成されており、ＣＰＵ６１は、自動原稿搬送装置制御６３、スキャナ光学系制御６４、印字プロセス制御６５、記録紙搬送制御６６、画像メモリ制御６７及び画像データ切り替え制御６８等の各制御を行っている。
【０４４１】
上記の画像メモリ６２は、本実施の形態では、原稿Ｍにおける２枚分の画像情報を記憶できるようになっている。
【０４４２】
一方、前述したように、図２に示す画像形成部４０には、用紙搬送路５９として、感光体４１上のトナー像を記録紙Ｐに転写するための用紙主搬送路５９ｃと、両面印字の際に記録紙Ｐを反転させる反転路としての反転退避路５９ａと、この反転退避路５９ａに退避された記録紙Ｐを再度用紙主搬送路５９ｃに搬送するまでの途中経路である副搬送路５９ｂとが設けられている。
【０４４３】
ここで、片面が印字された記録紙Ｐは、両面印字するために、一旦反転退避路５９ａにて退避されるが、本実施の形態では、片面印字が終了した後の記録紙Ｐを一旦反転退避路５９ａに退避させた後、次の記録紙Ｐを印字する間に、上記片面印字が終了した後の記録紙Ｐを反転退避路５９ａから取り出して副搬送路５９ｂに搬送させかつこの副搬送路５９ｂにて待機させるようになっている。
【０４４４】
上記副搬送路５９ｂにおいて、記録紙Ｐを待機させるのは、前記図３に示すＣＰＵ６１における待機手段としての記録紙搬送制御６６が行うものとなっている。
【０４４５】
また、本実施の形態においても、上記画像メモリ６２に記憶した画像情報を印字するか、又は自動原稿搬送装置１０にて読み込んだ原稿Ｍを直接印字するかの選択は、図４１に示すように、選択手段としてのデータバス切替部７３が行うものとなっている。
【０４４６】
なお、図４１においては、データ圧縮部７６及びデータ伸長部７７が設けられているが、本実施の形態においては、必ずしも必要ではない。
【０４４７】
上記構成のディジタル複写機において、中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーにおける自動原稿搬送装置１０の４パターンの具体的な制御動作を、全体を通して説明する。
【０４４８】
ここでも、ｎ＝３として、４ｎ処理では原稿Ｍが１２枚、４ｎ−１処理では原稿Ｍが１１枚、４ｎ−２処理では原稿Ｍが１０枚、４ｎ−３処理では原稿Ｍが９枚であるとして説明する。
【０４４９】
これらの場合、記録紙Ｐの枚数はいずれも３枚となるが、４ｎ処理である原稿Ｍが１２枚の場合、前記図３０に示すように、記録紙Ｐには４枚の原稿Ｍの像が片面に２像ずつ計４面にわたって複写される。
【０４５０】
ここで、同図における黒三角矢印は記録紙Ｐの先頭方向を示している。つまり、同図の記録紙Ｐ１表面及び記録紙Ｐ１裏面を例にとって説明すると、用紙カセット５１から給紙された記録紙Ｐ１は用紙主搬送路５９ｃを通って、感光体４１により先ず片面に１ページ目と１２ページ目とが印字される。その後、記録紙Ｐ１は反転退避路５９ａに一旦退避される。
【０４５１】
次いで、記録紙Ｐ１の裏面に印字するときには、記録紙Ｐ１は副搬送路５９ｂを搬送されて、今度は最初の印字面の裏面に２ページ目と１１ページ目とが印字される。その後、反転退避路５９ａを通って排紙トレイに記録紙Ｐ１が排出される構成となる。
【０４５２】
ここで、本実施の形態では、反転退避路５９ａに一旦退避された記録紙Ｐ１は、副搬送路５９ｂに搬送されるが、このときには、用紙主搬送路５９ｃでは、記録紙Ｐ２の表面の印字を行っている。したがって、この記録紙Ｐ２の表面の印字が終了するまでは、上記記録紙Ｐ１は、副搬送路５９ｂにて待機している状態となっている。
【０４５３】
以下、記録紙Ｐ２表面及び記録紙Ｐ２裏面、記録紙Ｐ３表面及び記録紙Ｐ３裏面も同様に印字され、一連の複写プロセスが完了する。
【０４５４】
他の複写パターンについても略同様の複写プロセスが実行される。
【０４５５】
すなわち、４ｎ−１処理である原稿Ｍが１１枚の場合、前記図３１に示すように、原稿Ｍの１２ページ目が白紙状態となる。また、４ｎ−２処理である原稿Ｍが１０枚の場合、前記図３２に示すように、原稿Ｍの１２ページ目及び１１ページ目が白紙状態となる。さらに、また、４ｎ−３処理である原稿Ｍが９枚の場合、前記図３３に示すように、原稿Ｍの１２ページ目、１１ページ目及び１０ページ目が白紙状態となる。
【０４５６】
以下、これらの複写パターンを実現するためのプロセスを詳細に説明する。なお、本実施の形態におけるディジタル複写機には、原稿Ｍの枚数をカウントする何らかの手段を備えているものとする。この原稿カウント手段については自動原稿搬送装置１０の原稿台３１に原稿カウント機構を備えても良いし、又はユーザが原稿枚数を入力する入力装置を設けても良い。
【０４５７】
原稿枚数が決定してからのプロセスフローチャートは、前記図２４のフローチャートに示すように、原稿枚数を４で割ってその余りによって余りが０のときは４ｎ処理、余りが１のときは４ｎ−１処理、余りが２のときは４ｎ−２処理、余りが３のときは４ｎ−３処理が実行される。以下、これらの複写プロセスについて、Ａ４サイズ原稿ＭからＡ３サイズ記録紙Ｐへの中綴じかつ左綴じのブック綴じコピーの各複写プロセスを実現する手順について詳細な説明を行う。
【０４５８】
最初に、４ｎ枚原稿処理モードルーチンについて、図４２及び図４３のフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０４５９】
先ず、図４２に示すように、自動原稿搬送装置１０上の最上位原稿及び最下位原稿が原稿台３１に送られ、スキャナ光学系３０により原稿Ｍの画像情報が読込まれる（Ｓ７０１〜Ｓ７０４）。なお、正確には、先ず最下位原稿の１ページ目の原稿Ｍが原稿台３１に送られ、次いで最上位原稿の１２ページ目の原稿Ｍが送られる。いずれを優先するかは前記実施の形態１にて示しているので、本実施の形態では、この表現にて説明を行う。
【０４６０】
この画像情報は、ダイレクト転送経路を通じて記録紙Ｐへの印字位置が最適になるタイミング、すなわち原稿データの先頭位置と記録紙Ｐの先頭位置が一致するタイミングでＬＳＵ７４により感光体４１に書込みが実行される（Ｓ７０６）。そして、この原稿Ｍの像が１枚目の記録紙Ｐの先端位置から転写される。これによって、１枚目のＡ３記録用紙の片面（以下、「表面」と称する）の複写工程が完了する。
【０４６１】
表面に印字された１枚目の記録紙Ｐは反転退避路５９ａに退避される（Ｓ７０７）。その間に、自動原稿搬送装置１０に上に残っている最上位原稿及び最下位原稿が原稿台３１に送られ（Ｓ７０８、Ｓ７０９）、その読取データが画像メモリ６２にＡ３サイズのメモリとして記憶される（Ｓ７１０、Ｓ７１１）。
【０４６２】
この間に、反転退避路５９ａにある１枚目の記録紙Ｐが副搬送路５９ｂに搬送される（Ｓ７１２）。
【０４６３】
ここで、ｎがカウントダウンされ（Ｓ７１３）、ｎ＝０かどうかの判定が実施される（Ｓ７１４）。ここで、ｎ＝０であれば、副搬送路５９ｂ上の１枚目の記録紙Ｐが録用紙がレジストローラ５４・５４に搬送され（Ｓ７１５）、１枚目のＡ３サイズの記録紙Ｐのもう一方の面（以下、「裏面」と称する）が印字されて処理が終了する（Ｓ７１６、Ｓ７１７）。
【０４６４】
また、上記Ｓ７１４において、ｎ≠０ならば、図４３に示すように、自動原稿搬送装置１０に残っている最上位原稿及び最下位原稿が原稿台３１に送られ（Ｓ７１８、Ｓ７１９）、その読取データが２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字され、この記録紙Ｐは反転退避路５９ａに送られる（Ｓ７２０〜Ｓ７２４）。
【０４６５】
さらに、副搬送路５９ｂから１枚目の記録紙Ｐがレジストローラ５４・５４にて記録紙Ｐが感光体４１の転写位置へ搬送され（Ｓ７２５）、画像メモリ６２のＡ３サイズのメモリの記憶データが裏面に印字された後に（Ｓ７２６）、排紙トレイに排出される（Ｓ７２７）。
【０４６６】
続いて、自動原稿搬送装置１０に残っている最上位原稿及び最下位原稿が原稿台３１に送られ（Ｓ７２８、Ｓ７２９）、その読取データが画像メモリ６２に記憶される（Ｓ７３０、Ｓ７３１）。
【０４６７】
次いで、ｎがカウントダウンされ（Ｓ７３２）、再度、ｎ＝０か否かの判定が実施される（Ｓ７３３）。
【０４６８】
ここで、ｎ＝０ならば、前記図４２に示すＳ７１５に移行して、副搬送路５９ｂ上の２枚目の記録紙Ｐがレジストローラ５４・５４にて感光体４１による転写部分へ搬送され、画像メモリ６２の内容が裏面に印字されて一連のプロセスを終了する（Ｓ７１６、Ｓ７１７）。
【０４６９】
また、前記図４３に示すＳ７３３において、ｎ≠０であれば、上記プロセスにおける２枚目の記録紙Ｐへの印字プロセス開始点、つまりＳ７１８へ処理が戻り、以降のプロセスが繰り返し実行される。
【０４７０】
以上がダイレクト印字とメモリ印字による記録紙Ｐの片面への印字プロセスの一例である。
【０４７１】
上記のフローチャートにおいては、画像メモリ６２からのメモリ印字の開始手順をダイレクト印字の終了時刻と感光体４１の回転速度から算出する方式であるが、画像メモリ６２のメモリ印字の開始位置を、記録紙Ｐの先端がレジストローラ５４・５４に到達した時刻を起点として経過時間により算出する方法も可能である。
【０４７２】
上記の工程を、原稿１２枚の例で再度説明すると、まず１ページ目と１２ページ目の原稿データが原稿台３１へ搬送され、読取データがダイレクト転送経路を通じて１枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字される。印字が終了した１枚目の記録紙Ｐは、反転退避路５９ａに退避され、その間に２ページ目と１１ページ目の原稿Ｍが原稿台３１に送られた後に読み取られ、画像メモリ６２に記憶される。
【０４７３】
ここで、予めカウントされた原稿枚数４ｎ−ａ（ｎ＝３、ａ：０）のｎがデクリメントされ、その後、ｎ＝０の判定が実行される。
【０４７４】
今のデクリメントされたｎの値は２となるため、プロセスはそのまま続行される。続いて、２枚目の記録紙Ｐがレジストローラ５４・５４によって感光体４１による印字部分へ搬送され、３ページ目と１０ページ目の原稿読取データが２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字される。
【０４７５】
印字が完了した２枚目の記録紙Ｐは反転退避路５９ａに退避され、副搬送路５９ｂにある１枚目の記録紙Ｐがレジストローラ５４・５４にて感光体４１による印字部分へ搬送される。そして、画像メモリ６２に記憶されていた２ページ目と１１ページ目の原稿データが、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字され、１枚目の記録紙Ｐは排紙トレイに排出される。
【０４７６】
続いて、４ページ目と９ページ目の原稿Ｍが原稿台３１にて読み取られた後、画像メモリ６２に記憶される。ここで、再度ｎの値がデクリメントされ、この後、２度目のｎ＝０の判定が実行される。ここでｎ＝１となるため、プロセスはさらに１ループ実行される。
【０４７７】
５ページ目と８ページ目の原稿Ｍが自動原稿搬送装置１０から原稿台３１へ搬送され、その読取データが３枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字される。ここで、前項と同じく、３枚目の記録紙Ｐが反転退避路５９ａへ退避され、副搬送路５９ｂにある２枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に、画像メモリ６２に記憶されている４ページ目と９ページ目の原稿データが印字される。
【０４７８】
この後、２枚目の記録紙Ｐは排紙トレイに排出され、自動原稿搬送装置１０に残っている６ページ目と７ぺ一ジ目の原稿Ｍが原稿台３１に送られ、その読取データが画像メモリ６２にストアされる。ここで、ｎのデクリメントが実行され、次いでｎ＝０の判定が実行される。この時点で、ｎは０となっているため、新たな記録紙Ｐは給紙されず、副搬送路５９ｂの記録紙Ｐがレジストローラ５４・５４によって感光体４１による印字部分へ搬送され、裏面に画像メモリ６２内の６ページ目と７ぺ一ジ目の原稿データが印字された後に、排紙トレイに排出され、一連の複写プロセスが完了する。これにより、図３０に示すような記録紙Ｐのセットを形成できる。以上が、４ｎ処理の実施手順である。
【０４７９】
次に、４ｎ−１処理の場合のプロセスフローを、図４４及び図４５に示すフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０４８０】
４ｎ−１処理の場合は、図４３に示すように、４ｎ処理において、第１ループ（Ｓ８０２〜Ｓ８０５）で原稿台３１に搬送する原稿Ｍを制御することにより実現される。
【０４８１】
すなわち、最初に、第２ループ以降か否かを判定し（Ｓ８０１）、第１ループであれば、最初のループ工程として、最上位原稿のみを原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ８０２〜Ｓ８０５）、それ以降は、図４３及び図４４に示すように、４ｎ処理の場合と同様の処理を実行することにより、図３１に示すような記録紙Ｐのセットを形成できる。以上が４ｎ−１処理の実施手順である。
【０４８２】
次に、４ｎ−２処理の場合のプロセスフローを、図４６〜図４８に示すフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０４８３】
４ｎ−２処理の場合は、図４６に示すように、前記４ｎ−１処理に加え、１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字するための原稿Ｍの搬送手順を制御することによって実現可能である（Ｓ８１１、Ｓ８１２）。
【０４８４】
すなわち、記録紙Ｐの１枚目の処理においては、記録紙Ｐの表面の処理を４ｎ−１処理と同様に実行した後（Ｓ８０１〜Ｓ８０５、Ｓ７０５〜Ｓ７０７）、裏面の処理において、第２ループ目以降か否かを判定した後（Ｓ８１０）、第１ループであれば、自動原稿搬送装置１０の最上位＋１枚目原稿データのみを原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ８１１、Ｓ８１２）、図４７に示すように、画像メモリ６２の前半部に当該原稿のデータを記憶し、後半部は０で記憶する（Ｓ７１０〜Ｓ７１１）。次いで、図４７及び図４８に示すように、この記憶データを１枚目の記録紙Ｐの裏面に印字することにより（Ｓ７１２〜Ｓ７１４、Ｓ７１８〜Ｓ７２７）、図３２に示すような記録紙Ｐのセットを形成できる。以上が４ｎ−２処理の実施手順である。
【０４８５】
最後に、４ｎ−３処理の場合のプロセスフローを、図４９〜図５１に示すフローチャートに基づいて説明する。
【０４８６】
４ｎ−３処理の場合は、図５１に示すように、４ｎ−２処理に加えて、２ループ目の記録紙Ｐ表面に印字される原稿Ｍの搬送制御により実現する（Ｓ８３１〜Ｓ８３４）。
【０４８７】
すなわち、図４９及び図５０に示すように、４ｎ−２処理の１ループ目完了後、図５１に示すように、第３ループ目以降か否かを判定した後（Ｓ８３０）、自動原稿搬送装置１０から３ページ目の原稿データのみを原稿台３１に搬送し（Ｓ８３１〜Ｓ８３４）、これを２枚目の記録紙Ｐの表面に印字する（Ｓ７２２、Ｓ７２３）。この後は、４ｎ処理と同様の処理を繰り返し実行していくことにより（Ｓ７２４〜Ｓ７３３、Ｓ７１８〜Ｓ７３３、Ｓ７１５〜Ｓ７１７）、図３３に示す記録紙Ｐのセットを形成できる。以上が４ｎ−３処理の実施手順である。
【０４８８】
以上に述べた通り、各複写プロセスは基本となる４ｎ処理の手順に判定条件を付加することにより実現可能となる。このようにして従来、原稿１枚分のメモリによって実行していた複写プロセスにおいて、メモリ容量を原稿２枚分に拡張することによってプロセス内に同時に２枚の記録紙Ｐを搬送させることが可能となり、その結果、ブック綴じコピー全体における複写プロセスの実行時間が短縮される。
【０４８９】
このように、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、自動原稿搬送装置１０を用いて原稿Ｍを供給し、その原稿Ｍの画像情報を読み取り、記録紙Ｐに片面印字又は両面印字することができる。
【０４９０】
また、このディジタル複写機では、両面印字に際しては、用紙搬送路５９における用紙主搬送路５９ｃにて記録紙Ｐの片面印字が終了した後、その記録紙Ｐが一旦用紙搬送路５９における反転退避路５９ａに退避され、その後、用紙搬送路５９における副搬送路５９ｂを経て用紙主搬送路５９ｃにて裏面印字される。
【０４９１】
ここで、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機には、記録紙Ｐの片面分の画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２が設けられ、かつこの画像メモリ６２は、読み取られる原稿Ｍに対して記録紙Ｐの片面分又は記録紙Ｐの片面分の半分の画像情報を記憶し得る一方、印字に際して、画像メモリ６２に記憶された画像情報と自動原稿搬送装置１０にて読み取った原稿Ｍの画像情報とのいずれを印字させるかの選択を行うデータバス切替部７３を備え、上記両面印字に際して、片面印字が終了した後の記録紙Ｐが一旦反転退避路５９ａに退避された後、次の記録紙Ｐを印字する間に上記反転退避路５９ａに退避された記録紙Ｐを取り出して副搬送路５９ｂに搬送させかつこの副搬送路５９ｂにて待機させる記録紙搬送制御６６が設けられている。
【０４９２】
すなわち、袋綴じや中綴じのブック綴じコピーにおいては、記録紙Ｐへのページ配置が重要となるため、読み込んだ原稿を直ぐに印字できない場合がある。
【０４９３】
このとき、本実施の形態では、記録紙Ｐの片面分の画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２が設けられ、かつこの画像メモリ６２は、読み取られる原稿Ｍに対して記録紙Ｐの片面分又は記録紙Ｐの片面分の半分の画像情報を記憶し得るので、一旦、その読み込んだ原稿Ｍを記憶しておくことができる。
【０４９４】
すなわち、画像メモリ６２は記録紙Ｐの片面分の画像情報を記憶することができるので、記録紙Ｐの片面分の半分を原稿２枚分を記憶することができる。また、この画像メモリ６２は読み取られる原稿Ｍに対して記録紙Ｐの片面分又は記録紙Ｐの片面分の半分の画像情報を記憶し得るので、記録紙Ｐの片面分の半分の原稿Ｍのみを記憶することも可能である。このことは、記録紙Ｐの片面分の半分の原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶し、他の半分のデータを０としておき、原稿Ｍの画像情報と０データである白ページとを並べて印字できることを示すものである。
【０４９５】
また、このようにして読み取られる原稿Ｍに対して、印字に際しては、データバス切替部７３が、画像メモリ６２に記憶された画像情報と自動原稿搬送装置１０にて読み取った原稿Ｍの画像情報とのいずれを印字させるかの選択を行う。
【０４９６】
したがって、データバス切替部７３による選択動作により、記録紙Ｐの片面分の半分の原稿２枚の画像情報を先ず印字し、次に読み込んだ２枚の原稿Ｍを記憶することが可能である。したがって、後述する記録紙搬送制御６６の制御が可能となる。
【０４９７】
このように、この印字方法では、原稿Ｍの画像情報を記憶する画像メモリ６２の記憶容量としては、原稿２枚の画像情報を記憶できる容量があれば足りる。
【０４９８】
この結果、ブック綴じ印字を行うに際して、搭載しているメモリの容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのを回避し得るディジタル複写機を提供することができる。
【０４９９】
また、本実施の形態では、両面印字に際して、片面印字が終了した後の記録紙Ｐが一旦反転退避路５９ａに退避された後、次の記録紙Ｐを印字する間に反転退避路５９ａに退避された記録紙Ｐを取り出して副搬送路５９ｂに搬送させかつこの副搬送路５９ｂにて待機させる記録紙搬送制御６６が設けられている。
【０５００】
すなわち、両面印字に際しては、１枚目記録紙Ｐの表面印字が終了した後反転退避路５９ａに退避させた後、次に、１枚目記録紙Ｐの裏面データを読み取って画像メモリ６２に記憶し、かつ２枚目記録紙Ｐの表面データを読み取っている間に、１枚目記録紙Ｐの表面を副搬送路５９ｂに搬送させかつこの副搬送路５９ｂにて待機させる。そして、次に、上記２枚目記録紙Ｐの表面印字を先に行ってから反転退避路５９ａに退避させた後に、副搬送路５９ｂに待機された１枚目記録紙Ｐの裏面印字を行う。
【０５０１】
したがって、本実施の形態では、用紙搬送路５９に同時に２枚の記録紙Ｐを搬送させることができる。
【０５０２】
この結果、全ての記録紙Ｐを印字するときの印字処理速度を向上させることができる。
【０５０３】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、自動原稿搬送装置１０には、積載される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿を選択して、最上位の原稿及び最下位の原稿の両方、又は最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿のいずれか一方を順次原稿台３１へ搬送する原稿給紙部１が設けられている。
【０５０４】
また、原稿給紙部１は、原稿枚数に基づいて、最上位の原稿及び最下位の原稿のうちいずれかを先にして両方共、又は最上位の原稿若しくは最下位の原稿のいずれか一方を選択する。
【０５０５】
このため、原稿給紙部１によって、原稿枚数がいかなる場合においても、画像メモリ６２への画像情報の記憶及び直接印字する場合について適切に原稿Ｍを原稿台３１へ搬送することができるので、常に同一のプロセスにてブック綴じ印字を行うことができる。
【０５０６】
また、本実施の形態のディジタル複写機では、印字面が両面の場合には、原稿給紙部１は、原稿枚数を４で割った余りが０、１、２又は３によって、最上位の原稿及び最下位の原稿のうちいずれかを先にして両方共、又は最上位の原稿若しくは最下位の原稿のいずれか一方を選択する。
【０５０７】
すなわち、中綴じのブック綴じ印字においては、記録紙Ｐの両面に印字される。そして、原稿枚数が４ｎ（ｎは整数）のときには、記録紙Ｐの表面には、例えば、原稿Ｍの最後のページと最初のページとがこの順に印字される一方、記録紙Ｐの裏面には例えば、第２ページと最後のページ前１ページとがこの順に印字される。
【０５０８】
しかしながら、この印字の順序は原稿枚数が４ｎ−１枚、４ｎ−２枚、４ｎ−３枚では異なってくる。また、白ページの画像情報を挿入することによってもその順序は異なってくる。
【０５０９】
しかし、本実施の形態では、原稿給紙部１は、原稿枚数を４で割った余りが０、１、２又は３によって、最上位の原稿及び最下位の原稿のうちいずれかを先にして両方共、又は最上位の原稿若しくは最下位の原稿のいずれか一方を選択する。
【０５１０】
したがって、原稿枚数を４で割った余りが０、１、２又は３によって、自動原稿搬送装置１０の原稿束における最上位の原稿及び最下位の原稿のうちいずれかを先にして両方共、又は最上位の原稿若しくは最下位の原稿のいずれか一方を選択するので、中綴じのブック綴じ印字を行うに際して、原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿の適切な方を取り込んで原稿台３１にて読ませることができる。
【０５１１】
この結果、載置された原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿の取り出しが確実に容易となる。また、原稿Ｍの排出を常にページ順にして行うことができる。
【０５１２】
【発明の効果】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、読み取られた一枚の原稿の画像情報を記憶する記憶手段が設けられる一方、読み取られる原稿に対して、その原稿の画像情報を記録紙の搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に直接印字するか、又はその原稿の画像情報を上記記憶手段に一旦記憶し、記録紙の搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に印字された画像情報に並べて印字するかの選択を行う選択手段が設けられているものである。
【０５１３】
それゆえ、読み取られた一枚の原稿の画像情報を記憶する記憶手段が設けられているので、一旦、その読み込んだ原稿を記憶しておくことができる。
【０５１４】
また、選択手段による選択動作により、上述したように、最初の原稿の画像情報を先ず記憶手段に一旦記憶し、次に読み込んだ原稿を先に印字し、その後に、記憶した原稿の画像情報を並べて印字することが可能となる。この結果、ブック綴じ印字に適切なページ配置とした記録紙への印字が可能となる。
【０５１５】
そして、この印字方法では、原稿の画像情報を記憶する記憶手段の記憶容量としては、原稿一枚の画像情報を記憶できる容量があれば足りる。
【０５１６】
この結果、ブック綴じ印字を行うに際して、搭載しているメモリの容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのを回避し得る画像形成装置を提供することができるという効果を奏する。
【０５１７】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、自動原稿搬送装置には、載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿のいずれかを選択して順次原稿読取部へ搬送する上下原稿選択搬送手段が設けられているものである。
【０５１８】
それゆえ、記録紙の片面に、例えば、原稿の最初のページと最後のページとを並べて印字する場合においても、載置された原稿束の上下から原稿を読み込ますことができるので、記憶容量の削減を図ることができる。
【０５１９】
この結果、中綴じのブック綴じ印字を行うに際して、搭載しているメモリの容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのを回避し得る画像形成装置を提供することができるという効果を奏する。
【０５２０】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、上下原稿選択搬送手段は、原稿枚数を４で割った余りと所定のページ配置とに基づいて、載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿のいずれかを選択するものである。
【０５２１】
それゆえ、上下原稿選択搬送手段が、原稿枚数を４で割った余りと所定のページ配置とに基づいて、載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿のいずれかを選択するので、中綴じのブック綴じ印字を行うに際して、原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿の適切な方を取り込んで画像読取部にて読ませることができる。
【０５２２】
この結果、載置された原稿束の最上位又は最下位のいずれかの原稿の取り出しが容易となるという効果を奏する。
【０５２３】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、両面印字において、選択手段は、原稿枚数を４で割った余りが０、１、２又は３によって、その原稿の画像情報を記録紙の搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に直接印字するか、又はその原稿の画像情報を上記記憶手段に一旦記憶し、記録紙の搬送方向の前半部若しくは後半部に印字された画像情報に並べて印字するかの選択を行うものである。
【０５２４】
それゆえ、印字面が両面の場合には、選択手段による選択動作により、原稿枚数を４で割った余りと所定のページ配置とに基づいて、最初の原稿の画像情報を先ず記憶手段に一旦記憶し、予め別途記憶しておいた白ページの画像情報を最初に印字し、その後に、記憶した原稿の画像情報を並べて印字することが可能となる。
【０５２５】
この結果、中綴じのブック綴じ印字に適切なページ配置とした記録紙への印字が可能となる。
【０５２６】
そして、この印字方法では、原稿の画像情報を記憶する記憶手段の記憶容量としては、原稿一枚の画像情報を記憶できる容量と、予め別途に記憶しておく白ページの画像情報の容量とがあれば足りる。
【０５２７】
この結果、中綴じのブック綴じ印字を行うに際して、搭載しているメモリの容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのを回避し得る画像形成装置を提供することができるという効果を奏する。
【０５２８】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、原稿枚数を４で割った余りと所定のページ配置とに基づいて、読み取り原稿に代えて、白ページの画像情報を挿入させる白画像挿入手段が設けられているものである。
【０５２９】
それゆえ、ブック綴じ印字において、例えば、最後のページを白ページにしたいときに、白画像挿入手段によって容易に白ページを挿入することができるという効果を奏する。
【０５３０】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、自動原稿搬送装置には、載置される原稿束における最上位の原稿又は最下位の原稿のいずれかを選択して読み取られた原稿を一旦最上位の原稿と最下位の原稿との２つに分けて排出する一方、その排出された一方の原稿束を再度一枚ずつ取り出し、他方の排出されている原稿束の昇順又は降順に沿うように積み重ねて排出させる排出原稿再整理手段が設けられているものである。
【０５３１】
それゆえ、排出原稿再整理手段は、一旦最上位の原稿と最下位の原稿との２つに分けて排出された原稿に対して、その排出された一方の原稿束を再度一枚ずつ取り出し、他方の排出されている原稿束の昇順又は降順に沿うように積み重ねて排出させる。したがって、原稿の再排出が終了した時点では、排出された原稿束は昇順又は降順に並んでいる。
【０５３２】
この結果、印字が終了した後も、排出原稿束を元の原稿束のページ順に整理された状態で取り出すことができるという効果を奏する。
【０５３３】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、排出原稿再整理手段は、読み取られた原稿を一旦最上位の原稿と最下位の原稿との２つに分けて排出する上下２段の原稿排紙トレイと、各上下のいずれかの原稿排紙トレイに排紙された原稿を取り出してスイッチバックして他の原稿排紙トレイに排紙するスイッチバック手段とからなっているものである。
【０５３４】
それゆえ、印字の終了した原稿は、先頭からの原稿と末尾からの原稿とを、２つの上下２段の原稿排紙トレイに分けて一旦排紙し、全印字完了後に、スイッチバック手段により、片方の原稿排紙トレイから他方の原稿排紙トレイに原稿を排紙することによって、最終的にページ順の揃った元の並び通りに原稿を排紙することが可能である。
【０５３５】
この結果、印字が終了した後も、確実に元の原稿束のページ順に排出原稿束を取り出すことができるという効果を奏する。
【０５３６】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、読み取られた一枚の原稿の画像情報を印字するときに、記録紙の搬送方向長さの１／２が原稿の搬送方向の長さと一致しない場合には、変倍して印字する変倍印字手段が設けられているものである。
【０５３７】
それゆえ、記録紙に印字する場合に、原稿の縮尺が異なっていても、大きさを揃えて印字することができるという効果を奏する。
【０５３８】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、読み取られた一枚の原稿の画像情報を記憶手段に記憶する前に圧縮する圧縮手段が設けられているものである。
【０５３９】
それゆえ、記憶手段には、１枚の原稿の画像情報を圧縮して記憶することができるので、さらに記憶容量を削減することができる。
【０５４０】
この結果、ブック綴じ印字を行うに際して、搭載しているメモリの容量によって原稿枚数が制限されるのをさらに回避し得る画像形成装置を提供することができるという効果を奏する。
【０５４１】
本発明の画像形成装置は、以上のように、上記画像形成装置において、両面印字に対応すべく、記録紙の表面を印字した後、その記録紙を反転して記録紙の裏面に印字するための記録紙スイッチバック手段が設けられる一方、ブック綴じ両面印字する際には、原稿枚数を４で割った余りと所定のページ配置とに基づいて、原稿の画像情報を記録紙に直接印字するダイレクト印字と原稿の画像情報を記憶手段に一旦記憶した後に記録紙に印字するメモリ印字とを併用して一枚の記録紙の表面に２つの原稿の画像情報を印字し、上記記録紙スイッチバック手段にて記録紙を反転した後、その記録紙に同様にして裏面印字するものである。
【０５４２】
それゆえ、ブック綴じ両面印字する際には、記録紙の表面に対してメモリ容量の削減を図り得る適切な印字ができる一方、その後、記録紙の印字面が記録紙スイッチバック手段によって反転されて記録紙の裏面に対してもメモリ容量の削減を図り得る適切な印字ができる。
【０５４３】
この結果、メモリ容量の削減を図ることができるとともに、外部手操作による記録紙の反転作業が省かれ、記録紙反転に対するユーザの負担が軽減されるという効果を奏する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明におけるディジタル複写機の実施の一形態を示すブロック図である。
【図２】 上記ディジタル複写機の全体構成を示す概略図である。
【図３】 上記ディジタル複写機の制御部の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図４】 上記ディジタル複写機における自動原稿搬送装置の原稿給紙部を示す構成図である。
【図５】 上記自動原稿搬送装置の原稿給紙部における原稿給紙トレイに載置された原稿束の給紙状態を示す説明図であり、（ａ）は原稿束の最下位原稿を取り出す状態を示すもの、（ｂ）は原稿束の最上位原稿を取り出す状態を示すものである。
【図６】 上記ディジタル複写機における自動原稿搬送装置の原稿排紙部を示す構成図である。
【図７】 上記自動原稿搬送装置の原稿排紙部において、下原稿排紙トレイに排紙された原稿束のＮページ目の原稿を上原稿排紙トレイに配置された原稿束のＮ＋１ページ目の原稿の上に再排紙する状態を示す説明図である。
【図８】 上記自動原稿搬送装置の原稿排紙部において、下原稿排紙トレイに排紙された原稿束のＮ−１ページ目の原稿を上原稿排紙トレイに配置された原稿束のＮページ目の原稿の上に再排紙する状態を示す説明図である。
【図９】 上記自動原稿搬送装置の原稿排紙部において、下原稿排紙トレイに排紙された全ての原稿束を一枚ずつ上原稿排紙トレイに再排紙したことにより、上原稿排紙トレイには原稿が昇順に並んだ状態を示す説明図である。
【図１０】 原稿枚数が偶数のときの左綴じの袋綴じコピーにおける印字方法を示す説明図であり、（ａ）は記録紙に記録された各ページの配置状態を示すもの、（ｂ）は（ａ）に示す各ページの配置状態にて記録紙への印字を行うときの印字方向を示すものである。
【図１１】 原稿枚数が奇数のときの左綴じの袋綴じコピーにおける印字方法を示す説明図であり、（ａ）は記録紙に記録された各ページの配置状態を示すもの、（ｂ）は（ａ）に示す各ページの配置状態にて記録紙への印字を行うときの印字方向を示すものである。
【図１２】 上記自動原稿搬送装置の原稿給紙部において、原稿が原稿給紙トレイに下向きに載置される状態を示す説明図である。
【図１３】 上記ディジタル複写機にて左綴じの袋綴じコピーを行う場合の動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図１４】 上記ディジタル複写機にて左綴じの袋綴じコピーを行う場合の原稿２枚処理モードサブルーチン動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図１５】 上記ディジタル複写機にて左綴じの袋綴じコピーを行う場合の奇数枚最終原稿処理モードサブルーチン動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図１６】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿８枚にて行う場合の各記録紙のページ配置を示す説明図であり、（ａ）は１枚目記録紙の表面の状態、（ｂ）は１枚目記録紙の裏面の状態、（ｃ）は２枚目記録紙の表面の状態、（ｄ）は２枚目記録紙の裏面の状態を示すものである。
【図１７】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿７枚にて行う場合の各記録紙のページ配置を示す説明図であり、（ａ）は１枚目記録紙の表面の状態、（ｂ）は１枚目記録紙の裏面の状態、（ｃ）は２枚目記録紙の表面の状態、（ｄ）は２枚目記録紙の裏面の状態を示すものである。
【図１８】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿６枚にて行う場合の各記録紙のページ配置を示す説明図であり、（ａ）は１枚目記録紙の表面の状態、（ｂ）は１枚目記録紙の裏面の状態、（ｃ）は２枚目記録紙の表面の状態、（ｄ）は２枚目記録紙の裏面の状態を示すものである。
【図１９】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿５枚にて行う場合の各記録紙のページ配置を示す説明図であり、（ａ）は１枚目記録紙の表面の状態、（ｂ）は１枚目記録紙の裏面の状態、（ｃ）は２枚目記録紙の表面の状態、（ｄ）は２枚目記録紙の裏面の状態を示すものである。
【図２０】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿８枚にて行う場合の各原稿の給紙状態を示すフローチャートである。
【図２１】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿７枚にて行う場合の各原稿の給紙状態を示すフローチャートである。
【図２２】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿６枚にて行う場合の各原稿の給紙状態を示すフローチャートである。
【図２３】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿５枚にて行う場合の各原稿の給紙状態を示すフローチャートである。
【図２４】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図２５】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ処理動作を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図２６】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−１処理動作を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図２７】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−２処理動作を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図２８】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−３処理動作を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図２９】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿１２枚にて記録紙に印字したときの、各記録紙の表裏面におけるページの配置状態を示す側面図である。
【図３０】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿１２枚にて記録紙に印字したときの、各記録紙の表裏面におけるページの配置状態を示す平面図である。
【図３１】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿１１枚にて記録紙に印字したときの、各記録紙の表裏面におけるページの配置状態を示す平面図である。
【図３２】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿１０枚にて記録紙に印字したときの、各記録紙の表裏面におけるページの配置状態を示す平面図である。
【図３３】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを原稿９枚にて記録紙に印字したときの、各記録紙の表裏面におけるページの配置状態を示す平面図である。
【図３４】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ枚処理動作の全工程を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図３５】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−１枚処理動作の全工程を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図３６】 図３５の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図３７】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−２枚処理動作の全工程を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図３８】 図３７の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図３９】 上記ディジタル複写機にて中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−３枚処理動作の全工程を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４０】 図３９の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４１】 画像メモリに記憶させる前に圧縮を行う場合の制御を示すブロック図である。
【図４２】 本発明におけるディジタル複写機の他の実施の一形態を示すものであり、原稿台に原稿を２枚供給して、中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ枚処理動作を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４３】 図４２の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４４】 上記ディジタル複写機において、原稿台に原稿を２枚供給して、中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−１枚処理動作を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４５】 図４４の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４６】 上記ディジタル複写機において、原稿台に原稿を２枚供給して、中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−２枚処理動作を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４７】 図４６の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４８】 図４７の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図４９】 上記ディジタル複写機において、原稿台に原稿を２枚供給して、中綴じ用の左綴じコピーを任意の原稿枚数にて行う場合の４ｎ−３枚処理動作を示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図５０】 図４９の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【図５１】 図５０の続きを示すサブルーチンフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１ 原稿給紙部（上下原稿選択搬送手段）
２ 原稿給紙トレイ
３ 最上位原稿ピックアップローラ
４ 最下位原稿ピックアップローラ
５ 上さばき板
６ 下さばき板
１１ 原稿排紙部（排出原稿再整理手段）
１３ａ 上原稿排紙トレイ（原稿排紙トレイ）
１３ｂ 下原稿排紙トレイ（原稿排紙トレイ）
１４ 原稿主搬送路
１５ａ 上搬送分岐路
１５ｂ 下搬送分岐路
１６ スイッチバック用搬送路（スイッチバック手段）
１７ａ 第１搬送路選択爪
１７ｂ 第２搬送路選択爪
１８ スイッチバック用搬送ローラ
１９ａ 上排紙ローラ
１９ｂ 下排紙ローラ
２１ 原稿排紙半月ローラ（スイッチバック手段）
３１ 原稿台（原稿読取部）
３２ 露光用光源
４０ 画像形成部
４１ 感光体
４３ 転写チャージャ
５６ 排紙ローラ
５９ 用紙搬送路
５９ａ 反転退避路（記録紙スイッチバック手段、反転路、用紙搬送路）
５９ｂ 副搬送路（記録紙スイッチバック手段、用紙搬送路）
５９ｃ 用紙主搬送路（用紙搬送路）
６１ ＣＰＵ（白画像挿入手段）
６２ 画像メモリ（記憶手段）
６６ 記録紙搬送制御（待機手段）
６８ 画像データ切替制御（白画像挿入手段）
７２ 画像処理部（変倍印字手段）
７３ データバス切替部（選択手段）
７４ レーザ出力変換部
７６ データ圧縮部（圧縮手段）
７７ データ伸長部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multi-function machine capable of supplying a document using an automatic document feeder, reading image information of the document, and performing single-sided printing or double-sided printing on a recording sheet. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that efficiently performs book binding copy.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a copying machine or a multi-function machine having a double-sided printing function, for example, book binding copy may be desired.
[0003]
However, book binding copies include bag binding, saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding), and the like. For example, in an A4 size book, a spread page (for two pages) of a copied A3 size paper is usually used when the book is bound. It will not be a sequential page. Further, since book binding includes right binding and left binding, the page layout of spread pages (for two pages) becomes more complicated.
[0004]
Therefore, it is possible for the user himself to set two A4 size originals of the corresponding page on the original platen, and to create a saddle stitch book binding copy etc. on A3 size recording paper using the duplex printing function. However, it is a very time-consuming work.
[0005]
Therefore, as an image forming apparatus for easily performing such book binding copy, for example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-50738.
[0006]
In the book binding copy creation method in the image forming apparatus described above, the automatic document feeder is used to read the entire number of originals to be bound by book binding with a scanner in advance and store them in a page memory in the mounted memory. . For the image data held in units of pages, a selection similar to the bookbinding mode is performed on the operation panel, and the storage areas are set in a predetermined order according to the bookbinding mode and the total pages of the document, that is, pages corresponding to the bookbinding mode. It is designated to output the recording sheets on which images are formed in the arrangement order.
[0007]
In the book binding copy creation method described above, image data in units of pages of a document read by a scanner may be compressed and stored in a memory. Therefore, for the stored image data, the image data is sequentially read from the memory in the order of composing the book binding copy, and if compressed, the image data is printed while being decompressed.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, in order to hold the image data of the read original, a very large capacity memory is required depending on the number of originals to be book-bound.
[0009]
Therefore, even when the configuration is such that the image data of the read document that has been subjected to compression processing or binarization processing is stored in the memory, the number of book binding copies of the document is limited due to the installed memory capacity. Has a problem.
[0010]
On the other hand, an equivalent means is required to perform book binding copy while reducing the memory capacity using the automatic document feeder, but the document is placed on the document table without using the automatic document feeder. As a process for executing double-sided printing, for example, there is a copying machine disclosed in JP-A-7-143293.
[0011]
In this copier, printing paper is placed so that the contents of each page can be placed at approximately the center position of each half of the printing paper when a book is spread and placed on the platen and scanned and printed. If the printing paper is A3 size, for example, the memory has an A4 size capacity, and the A4 size memory stores either the first half or the second half of the data on one side of the printing paper. By doing so, a book split mode is possible in which book binding copies corresponding to various numbers of originals are performed.
[0012]
However, in the book binding copy process using the above-described copying machine method, there is a problem that only one printing sheet including the reversing path and the sub-transport path is always transported on the transport path, and a long printing time is required.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to form an image that can avoid the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the memory installed when performing book binding printing. To provide an apparatus.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention supplies an original using an automatic document feeder, reads image information of the original, and can perform one-sided printing or double-sided printing on a recording sheet. A storage means is provided for storing image information of one read original; on the other hand, whether the image information of the original is directly printed on the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. Alternatively, there is provided selection means for temporarily storing the image information of the document in the storage means and selecting whether to print the image information side by side in the first or second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. It is characterized by.
[0015]
According to the above invention, the image forming apparatus can supply a document using the automatic document feeder, read the image information of the document, and perform single-sided printing or double-sided printing on the recording paper.
[0016]
The image forming apparatus is provided with storage means for storing image information of one read original. On the other hand, the image information of the original is read in the first half of the recording paper conveyance direction. Alternatively, it is possible to select whether to directly print in the latter half or to store the image information of the original document in the storage unit and print it side by side with the image information printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. Selection means are provided.
[0017]
That is, in the case of booklet printing with saddle stitching or saddle stitching, the page layout on the recording paper is important, and the read original may not be printed immediately.
[0018]
At this time, in the present invention, since the storage means for storing the image information of one read original is provided, the read original can be temporarily stored.
[0019]
For such a document to be read, the image information of the document is directly printed on the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the image information of the document is temporarily stored in the storage means and recorded. The selection means selects whether to print in line with the image information printed in the first half or the second half in the paper transport direction.
[0020]
Therefore, as described above, by the selection operation by the selection unit, the image information of the first original is first stored in the storage unit, the next read original is printed first, and then the stored image information of the original is stored. It becomes possible to print side by side. As a result, it is possible to print on a recording sheet having a page layout suitable for book binding printing.
[0021]
In this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the document only needs to have a capacity capable of storing the image information of one document.
[0022]
As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.
[0023]
In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be placed in the automatic document feeder in the image forming apparatus. Thus, an upper and lower document selection / conveying means for sequentially conveying the document to the document reading unit is provided.
[0024]
That is, in saddle stitch bookbinding printing, for example, the first page and the last page of a document are printed side by side on one side of a recording sheet.
[0025]
Therefore, it is necessary to read the original from both the top and bottom of the original bundle.
[0026]
In this case, according to the present invention, the automatic document feeder includes an upper and lower document selection conveying unit that selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be loaded and sequentially conveys the document to the document reading unit. Is provided.
[0027]
For this reason, the upper and lower document selection / conveying means selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the document bundle to be placed and sequentially conveys it to the document reading unit.
[0028]
Therefore, conventionally, since either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the placed document bundle cannot be selected and sequentially conveyed to the document reading unit, all the documents are for the time being. It was necessary to read and memorize.
[0029]
However, in the present invention, even when, for example, the first page and the last page of a document are printed side by side on one side of the recording paper, the document can be read from the top and bottom of the placed document bundle. The storage capacity can be reduced.
[0030]
As a result, when performing saddle stitch bookbinding printing, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the installed memory.
[0031]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page layout such as saddle stitch bookbinding printing, It is characterized in that either the topmost document or the bottommost document in the document bundle to be placed is selected.
[0032]
That is, in saddle stitch bookbinding printing, printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper.
[0033]
When the number of originals is 4n (n is an integer), as described above, for example, the last page and the first page of the original are printed in this order on the front side of the recording paper, while the back side of the recording paper For example, the second page and the first page before the last page are printed in this order. However, this printing order differs when the number of originals is 4n-1, 4n-2, 4n-3. In addition, the order is changed by inserting image information of white pages.
[0034]
However, in the present invention, the upper and lower document selection conveying means is Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page layout such as saddle stitch bookbinding printing, Either the topmost document or the bottommost document in the document stack to be placed is selected.
[0035]
Therefore, the upper and lower document selection conveying means is Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page layout such as saddle stitch bookbinding printing, Since either the topmost document or the bottommost document in the placed document stack is selected, when performing saddle stitch bookbinding printing, the topmost document or the bottommost document in the document bundle is appropriately selected. Can be read and read by the image reading unit.
[0036]
As a result, it becomes easy to take out either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the placed document bundle.
[0037]
In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: In duplex printing, The selection means prints the image information of the original directly on the first half or the second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper depending on the remainder of dividing the number of originals by 4 by 0, 1, 2 or 3, or the image of the original Information is temporarily stored in the storage means, and it is selected whether to print the image information side by side with the image information printed in the first half or the second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper.
[0038]
According to the above invention, when the printing surface is double-sided, the selecting means uses the remainder of dividing the number of originals by 4 to 0, 1, 2, or 3, so that the image information of the original is displayed in the first half of the recording paper conveyance direction. Selection of whether to directly print on the first or second half of the image, or to temporarily store the image information of the original in the storage means and print it side by side with the image information printed on the first or second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. Do.
[0039]
That is, in saddle stitch bookbinding printing, printing must be performed on both sides of the recording paper.
[0040]
Here, in saddle-stitched book binding printing, there are right binding and left binding, and the page layout on the recording paper is important, so the read original may not be printed immediately.
[0041]
At this time, in the present invention, since the storage means for storing the image information of one read original is provided, the read original can be temporarily stored.
[0042]
On the other hand, in saddle stitch bookbinding printing, as described above, when the number of originals is 4n (n is an integer), for example, the last page and the first page of the original are arranged in this order on the surface of the recording paper. On the other hand, for example, the second page and the first page before the last page are printed in this order on the back side of the recording paper. However, this printing order differs when the number of originals is 4n-1, 4n-2, 4n-3. In addition, the order is changed by inserting image information of white pages.
[0043]
However, according to the present invention, when the printing surface is double-sided, the selecting means converts the image information of the original into the first half of the recording paper conveyance direction depending on the remainder of dividing the number of originals by 4, 0, 1, 2 or 3. Selection of whether to directly print on the first or second half of the image, or to temporarily store the image information of the document in the storage means and print it side by side with the image information printed on the first or second half of the recording paper conveyance direction. Do.
[0044]
Therefore, when the printing surface is double-sided, Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page layout such as saddle stitch bookbinding printing, It is possible to first store the image information of the first document in the storage means, print the image information of the white page stored separately beforehand, and then print the image information of the stored document side by side. Become.
[0045]
As a result, it is possible to print on a recording sheet having a page layout suitable for saddle stitch bookbinding printing.
[0046]
In this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the original includes a capacity capable of storing the image information of one original and a capacity of white page image information separately stored in advance. If there is enough.
[0047]
As a result, when performing saddle stitch bookbinding printing, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the installed memory.
[0048]
In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page layout such as saddle stitch bookbinding printing, Instead of the read original, white image insertion means for inserting image information of a white page is provided.
[0049]
According to the above invention, the white image inserting means is Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page layout such as saddle stitch bookbinding printing, Instead of the read original, white page image information is inserted.
[0050]
Therefore, in book binding printing, for example, when it is desired to make the last page a white page, the white page can be easily inserted by the white image insertion means.
[0051]
In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be placed in the automatic document feeder in the image forming apparatus. The original read in this way is once divided into two parts, the uppermost original and the lowest original, and one of the discharged original bundles is taken out again one by one, and the other discharged original It is characterized in that there is provided a discharged document rearranging means that stacks and discharges the bundles in ascending or descending order.
[0052]
In other words, if the original is taken out from the top and bottom of the original bundle, and there is only one discharge location, the original bundle will not be in page order when printing is completed. Or, the work of rearranging in descending order is necessary, and it is time-consuming.
[0053]
However, according to the present invention, the automatic document feeder includes the uppermost document and the lowermost document that are read by selecting either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be placed. One of the discharged original bundles is discharged again one by one, and the discharged originals are stacked and discharged along the ascending or descending order of the other discharged original bundles. Organizing means are provided.
[0054]
Therefore, the discharged document rearranging unit first selects the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of documents to be placed, and reads the original document once as the uppermost document and the lowermost document. It is divided into two and discharged. Next, the discharged document rearranging means takes out one discharged document bundle again one by one, and stacks and discharges the other stacked document stacks in ascending or descending order.
[0055]
Therefore, at the time when the re-ejection of the original is completed, the discharged original bundle is arranged in ascending order or descending order.
[0056]
As a result, even after printing is finished, the discharged document bundle can be taken out in the state of being arranged in the page order of the original document bundle.
[0057]
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, in the image forming apparatus, the discharged document rearranging unit once divides the read document into two parts, the uppermost document and the lowermost document. An upper and lower two-stage document discharge tray, and a switchback means for taking out a document discharged to one of the upper and lower document discharge trays, switching it back and discharging it to another document discharge tray. It is characterized by comprising.
[0058]
In other words, when documents are taken out from the top and bottom of the document stack, the ascending document from the first document and the descending document from the last document are alternately discharged, so the discharged document Shall not be in their original order.
[0059]
However, according to the above-described invention, the discharged document rearranging unit includes the upper and lower two-stage document discharge trays that discharge the read document once into the uppermost document and the lowermost document, It comprises switchback means for taking out the document discharged to one of the upper and lower document discharge trays, switching it back and discharging it to another document discharge tray.
[0060]
Therefore, after printing is finished, the original from the beginning and the original from the end are divided into two upper and lower two-stage document discharge trays, and then discharged once. By discharging a document from one document discharge tray to the other document discharge tray, it is possible to finally discharge the document in the original arrangement in the page order.
[0061]
As a result, even after the printing is finished, the discharged document bundle can be reliably taken out in the page order of the original document bundle.
[0062]
In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a recording paper conveyance direction length of ½ when printing image information of one read original in the image forming apparatus. If the length does not coincide with the length of the document in the conveyance direction, a scaling printing means for scaling and printing is provided.
[0063]
According to the above invention, the variable magnification printing unit prints the image information of one read original when the recording paper conveyance direction length ½ does not match the original conveyance direction length. Is printed with a variable magnification.
[0064]
Therefore, when printing on recording paper, even if the scales of the originals are different, they can be printed with the same size.
[0065]
In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a compression unit that compresses image information of one read original document before storing the image information in the storage unit. It is characterized by.
[0066]
According to the above invention, the compression means is provided for compressing the image information of one read original document before storing it in the storage means.
[0067]
For this reason, since the image information of one original can be compressed and stored in the storage means, the storage capacity can be further reduced.
[0068]
As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of further avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.
[0069]
In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention prints the surface of the recording paper so as to support double-sided printing in the image forming apparatus, and then reverses the recording paper to the back side of the recording paper. While recording paper switchback means for printing is provided, when performing book binding double-sided printing, Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page layout such as saddle stitch bookbinding printing, By using both direct printing, which directly prints image information on a document on recording paper, and memory printing, which prints on the recording paper after the image information on the document is temporarily stored in the storage means, The image information is printed, and after the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means, the back side printing is similarly performed on the recording paper.
[0070]
According to the invention described above, the recording paper switchback means is provided for printing the front surface of the recording paper and then inverting the recording paper and printing on the back surface of the recording paper in order to support double-sided printing. Also, when performing book binding double-sided printing, Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page layout such as saddle stitch bookbinding printing, The direct printing for directly printing the original image information on the recording paper and the memory printing for printing the original image information on the recording paper after storing the original image information once in the storage means are used in combination on the surface of one recording paper. After the image information is printed and the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means, the back side is printed on the recording paper in the same manner.
[0071]
Therefore, when performing book binding double-sided printing, it is possible to perform appropriate printing that can reduce the memory capacity on the surface of the recording paper, and thereafter, the recording surface of the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means for recording. Appropriate printing can be performed on the back side of the paper to reduce the memory capacity.
[0072]
As a result, the memory capacity can be reduced, the recording paper reversing operation by an external manual operation is omitted, and the burden on the user for reversing the recording paper is reduced.
[0073]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[Embodiment 1]
One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 41 as follows. In the present embodiment, a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus will be described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and can be applied to, for example, a multifunction machine including a digital copying machine and other image forming apparatuses.
[0074]
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital copying machine of the present embodiment has a document table 31 as a document reading unit made of transparent glass or the like on the upper surface.
[0075]
An automatic document feeder 10 is disposed above the document table 31 and a scanner optical system 30 is disposed below the document table 31.
[0076]
The scanner optical system 30 feeds the uppermost or lowermost original of the bundle of documents by the automatic document feeder 10 by the upper or lower half-moon-shaped roller of the paper feed mechanism, and is fed by the conveyor belt and stopped at the specified position. An exposure light source 32 for irradiating light on the original, and a photoelectric conversion element (hereinafter referred to as “hereinafter referred to as“ (Referred to as “CCD: Charge Coupled Device”) 35, a plurality of reflecting mirrors 33, led to the imaging lens 34 disposed in the optical path, and the CCD 35.
[0077]
An image forming unit 40 is provided below the scanner optical system 30.
[0078]
In the image forming unit 40, the document image data read by the CCD 35 in the scanner optical system 30 is subjected to image processing, and a laser output conversion unit (hereinafter referred to as “LSU: Laser Scanning Unit”) 74 described later. The surface of the photoconductor 41 is irradiated with laser light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 41.
[0079]
The photoconductor 41 has a drum shape that is driven to rotate counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow. Around the photosensitive member 41, a developing device 42 that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive member 41 exposed by the laser into a visible image with toner in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member 41 from the laser irradiation point, and a photosensitive member A transfer charger 43 for transferring the toner image on the body 41 to the recording paper P, a cleaning device 44 for removing residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor 41, a main charger 45 for charging the photoreceptor 41 to a predetermined potential, and a photosensitive member. The LSU 74 and the like that irradiate the laser toward the laser irradiation point of the body 41 are sequentially provided.
[0080]
The recording paper P is stored in a paper cassette 51. A recording paper semi-moon-shaped roller 52 for feeding the recording paper P is disposed at the leading end of the paper cassette 51, and a resist for detecting the passage of the recording paper P toward the downstream side which is the paper discharge side. The front detection switch 53, registration rollers 54 and 54 for aligning the toner image on the photoconductor 41 and the recording paper P based on the signal from the pre-registration detection switch 53, and the toner image on the photoconductor 41 are recorded. The transfer charger 43 to be transferred to the paper P, fixing rollers 55 and 55 for fixing the toner image on the recording paper P by heat, and fixing (not shown) for detecting that the recording paper P has passed through the fixing rollers 55 and 55. A paper detection switch, a paper discharge detection switch (not shown) that detects that the recording paper P has passed in front of the paper discharge rollers 56 and 56, and a reverse recording when the rear end of the recording paper P has passed the reverse selection claw 57, are recorded. A reversing roller 58, 58 for transporting the P in the opposite direction, and the discharge rollers 56, 56 for discharging the recording sheet P is arranged.
[0081]
As a result, the recording paper P is discharged to the side of the image forming unit 40. When reversing the recording paper P, the reversal selection claw 57 passes through the fixing rollers 55 and 55 and the reversal selection claw 57 and the reversal selection claw 57 is retracted to the reversal retraction path 59a as the recording paper switchback means. In this figure, the recording paper P moves as indicated by the broken line and the reversing rollers 58 and 58 are reversed, so that the recording paper P is conveyed to the position of the registration rollers 54 and 54 through the sub-conveying path 59b as recording paper switchback means. After alignment with the recording paper P by the registration rollers 54 and 54, the back surface of the recording paper P is printed by the transfer charger 43 and the fixing rollers 55 and 55. In the figure, while the recording paper P is retracted in the reverse retreat path 59a, a part of the recording paper P appears to be exposed from the paper discharge rollers 56, 56, but it does not matter whether it is exposed or not. The recording sheet P on which both sides are printed is discharged through the reverse rollers 58 and 58 and the discharge rollers 56 and 56.
[0082]
Such operation control of the digital copying machine is performed by the control unit.
[0083]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 and an image memory 62 as storage means. The CPU 61 controls the automatic document feeder control 63, the scanner optical system control, and the like. 64, a printing process control 65, a recording paper conveyance control 66, an image memory control 67, an image data switching control 68, and the like.
[0084]
In the automatic document feeder control 63, the scanner optical system control 64, the printing process control 65, and the recording paper conveyance control 66, the control of the document feeder 1 and the document delivery unit 11 described later and the scanner optical system 30 described above are used. Control for operating the image forming unit 40 is performed.
[0085]
The image memory control 67 performs control such as storing image information of the read original M in the image memory 62 when performing book binding copy as book binding printing. Similarly, when performing book binding copy, the control for switching between printing the image information of the image memory 62 or directly printing the image information of the read original M, or a white page (hereinafter referred to as “white data” as white image insertion means). Is also controlled to switch whether or not to insert. As a method for inserting a white page, there is a method in which white image information is separately stored in an image memory 62 (to be described later) and printed, but other than that, for example, the recording paper P is simply separated into white pages. A method of moving only is also conceivable.
[0086]
Next, the configuration of the automatic document feeder 10 will be described in detail.
[0087]
In the automatic document feeder 10 according to the present embodiment, book binding copy can be performed with a minimum amount of image information stored in the document M by using a hardware mechanism.
[0088]
That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the automatic document feeder 10 has the uppermost document pickup roller 3 for taking out the uppermost document of the document bundle placed on the document feed tray 2 and the lowermost document of the document bundle. The lowermost document pick-up roller 4 to be taken out, and the upper judgment plate 5 and the lower judgment plate 6 are arranged so that a plurality of originals M of the original bundle are not taken out by being overlapped when the upper and lower originals M are taken out. It has a document feeder 1 as an upper and lower document selection conveying means.
[0089]
As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the document feeding unit 1 alternately takes out the documents M of the document stack placed on the document feeding tray 2 from the lowest and highest positions. For example, the first page and the last page can be successively conveyed to the document table 31 for reading.
[0090]
More specifically, each original M is temporarily stopped by a PS (Paper Stop) roller 7 arranged to adjust the leading edge of the original and the image reading timing, and is conveyed again in a state in which the timing is matched, and the platen The belt 8 is transported to the document table 31 made of glass by the belt 8 and, as described above, the frame M scans simultaneously with the irradiation of the document M by the exposure light source 32 of the scanner optical system 30 shown in FIG. .. And the image information of the original M is read by the CCD 35 via the imaging lens 34.
[0091]
In the present embodiment, the first read original M is stored in the image memory 62 in the control unit 60, while the next read original M is read at a specified position of the original M. A direct printing process is performed, and following the printing, the first document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed.
[0092]
Although details will be described later, by performing such processing, book binding copy is possible if there is an image memory 62 having a storage capacity for one document M.
[0093]
On the other hand, the document M read in this way is conveyed to the upper document discharge tray 13a and the lower document discharge tray 13b via the conveyance roller 12 in the document discharge unit 11 as a discharged document rearranging unit.
[0094]
That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the automatic document feeder 10 of the present embodiment includes an upper document discharge tray 13a and a lower document discharge tray 13b as two document discharge trays. In the present embodiment, since a method of taking out the original M of the original bundle placed on the original feed tray 2 from the uppermost and lowermost positions is adopted, two upper parts are used to separate them from each other. A document discharge tray 13a and a lower document discharge tray 13b are provided.
[0095]
The document discharge unit 11 of the automatic document feeder 10 will be described in detail.
[0096]
As shown in FIG. 6, the document discharge section 11 includes the document table 31, belt 8, belt drive roller 9, document main transport path 14, upper transport branch path 15a, lower transport branch path 15b, and switchback means. Switchback transport path 16, first transport path selection claw 17a, second transport path selection claw 17b, switchback transport rollers 18 and 18, upper discharge rollers 19a and 19a, lower discharge rollers 19b and 19b, switchback A document discharge half-moon roller 21 as means, and the upper document discharge tray 13a and the lower document discharge tray 13b are configured.
[0097]
The document discharge conveyance path is composed of a document main conveyance path 14, an upper conveyance branch path 15a, a lower conveyance branch path 15b, and a switchback conveyance path 16. The document main conveyance path 14 includes a first conveyance path selection claw. 17a and the second conveyance path selection claw 17b are arranged.
[0098]
As shown in the figure, the first conveyance path selection claw 17a is always urged in the claw position direction indicated by a broken line by a spring (not shown), and the original main conveyance path 14 and the switchback conveyance path 16 are. However, when the document M is conveyed from the document table 31 into the conveyance path, the first conveyance path selection claw 17a is moved in the direction indicated by the solid line by the force with which the document M is conveyed. The document M is transported through the document main transport path 14 by being pushed open.
[0099]
As shown in the drawing, the second transport path selection claw 17b can be arbitrarily switched between a claw position indicated by a solid line and a claw position indicated by a broken line by a solenoid (not shown). In the case of the broken line position, the document main conveyance path 14 and the upper conveyance branch path 15a are opened, and in the case of the solid line position, the document main conveyance path 14 and the lower conveyance branch path 15b are opened.
[0100]
At the rear end of the upper conveyance branch path 15a, there are provided upper paper discharge rollers 19a and 19a that rotate in the direction of discharging the original M from the upper conveyance branch path 15a to the upper document discharge tray 13a. The document M transported from 14 to the upper transport branch path 15a is discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a by the rotation of the upper discharge rollers 19a and 19a.
[0101]
On the other hand, lower discharge rollers 19b and 19b whose rotation direction can be arbitrarily changed are provided at the rear end portion of the lower conveyance branch path 15b, and the original conveyed from the main document conveyance path 14 into the lower conveyance branch path 15b. M is discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b by the rotation of the lower discharge rollers 19b and 19b. In addition, the lower document discharge tray 13b is provided with a document discharge half-moon roller 21 that rotates clockwise in the figure, one by one from the upper side of the bundle of documents once discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b. The document can be sent out to the lower conveyance branch path 15b. At this time, the lower paper discharge rollers 19b and 19b rotate in the opposite direction to the time of paper discharge, and draw the original M on the lower original paper discharge tray 13b into the lower conveyance branch path 15b. Note that, similarly to the second transport path selection claw 17b, the first transport path selection claw 17a is arbitrarily set to a claw position indicated by a solid line and a claw position indicated by a broken line by a solenoid (not shown). Switching may be possible. Further, switchback transport rollers 18 and 18 whose rotation direction can be freely changed are arranged in the switchback transport path 16.
[0102]
The document discharge mechanism in the document discharge unit 11 will be described.
[0103]
In the document discharge mechanism of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the upper side (end page side) or the lower side (head page) is selected from the document bundle with the document side down. Thus, the document M fed by a sheet feeding mechanism (not shown) having a function of feeding the document M one by one is placed at a predetermined position on the document table 31 by the belt 8 driven by the belt driving roller 9. Then, after the image input process of the document surface is performed by the scanner optical system 30, the document is transported into the document discharge transport path by the belt 8 as shown in FIG. 6.
[0104]
In the document discharge conveyance path, the first conveyance path selection claw 17 a is pushed open from the broken line position to the solid line position by the document M conveyed from the document table 31, and guides the document M to the document main conveyance path 14. Thereafter, the document M is sorted and conveyed to either the upper conveyance branch path 15a or the lower conveyance branch path 15b by the second conveyance path selection claw 17b.
[0105]
In other words, the document M sent from the document table 31 is an ascending document from the first page (first half document) or a descending document from the last page (second half document), and which is sent is known at the time of feeding. Therefore, the first half original is discharged to the lower original discharge tray 13b, while the second half original is discharged to the upper original discharge tray 13a.
[0106]
For example, first, when the document M conveyed from the document table 31 to the document discharge conveyance path is the document M fed from the upper side by the sheet feeding mechanism, the second conveyance path selection claw 17b is indicated by a broken line in FIG. The document M is guided to the upper conveyance branch path 15a, and the upper discharge rollers 19a and 19a discharge the document M from the upper conveyance branch path 15a to the upper document discharge tray 13a. , And the document M is discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a with the document surface facing up.
[0107]
Next, when the document M conveyed from the document table 31 to the document discharge conveyance path is the document M fed from below by the sheet feeding mechanism, the second conveyance path selection claw 17b is shown by a solid line in FIG. The document M is guided to the lower conveyance branch path 15b, and the lower paper discharge rollers 19b and 19b are arranged to discharge the document M from the lower conveyance branch path 15b to the lower document discharge tray 13b. Rotates, and the document M is discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b with the document surface facing up.
[0108]
As a result, when the copy of all the originals M is completed in the book binding copy, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper half of the original original bundle is discharged to the upper original discharge tray 13a in the normal order with the original side facing up. The first half of the original document bundle is discharged in reverse order with the document surface up to the lower document discharge tray 13b. That is, as shown in the figure, the first half of the originals are discharged in order from the bottom to the lower original discharge tray 13b in descending order with the original page 1 to N-1 pages facing upward. On the paper discharge tray 13a, the second half originals are discharged in order from the top in the ascending order of the original surface from the N + 1th page to the last page.
[0109]
However, in this state, even if the second half original bundle and the first half original bundle discharged to the upper original discharge tray 13a and the lower original discharge tray 13b are taken out and stacked, the entire original bundle is arranged in ascending or descending order. It is not something to be done.
[0110]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the document M discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b is transported again into the document discharge transport path, switched back and discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a. It has become.
[0111]
The switchback operation will be described below.
[0112]
First, as shown in the figure, the uppermost document M on the lower document discharge tray 13b is taken out. At this time, during the switchback operation, as shown in FIG. 6, the second transport path selection claw 17b is set to the position indicated by the solid line, and the lower paper discharge rollers 19b and 19b are in the opposite direction to those at the time of paper discharge. The switchback transport rollers 18 and 18 rotate in a direction to draw the document M from the document main transport path 14 into the switchback transport path 16.
[0113]
As a result, the manuscript alignment mechanism (not shown) rotates the manuscript discharge half-moon roller 21 clockwise with respect to the document bundle aligned in the lower document discharge tray 13b, thereby lowering the document M one sheet from the upper side. The paper is fed to the paper discharge rollers 19b and 19b, guided to the switchback transport path 16 through the document main transport path 14, and pulled by the switchback transport rollers 18 and 18.
[0114]
Next, after the end of the conveyed document M passes through the second conveyance path selection claw 17b, the rotation of the switchback conveyance rollers 18 and 18 is stopped, and the second conveyance path selection claw 17b is switched to the position indicated by the broken line. Then, the upper paper discharge rollers 19a and 19a are rotated in the direction of discharging the original M, and the switchback transport rollers 18 and 18 are rotated in the direction of transporting from the switchback transport path 16 to the main document transport path 14, thereby M is guided to the upper conveyance branch path 15a through the document main conveyance path 14, and is discharged to the upper document discharge tray 13a by the upper discharge rollers 19a and 19a as shown in FIG.
[0115]
As a result, the uppermost Nth page of the document M on the lower document discharge tray 13b is conveyed into the switchback conveyance path 16, and is discharged to the uppermost portion of the upper document discharge tray 13a using the switchback function. Can be paper. As a result, on the upper document discharge tray 13a, the documents M from the Nth page to the last page are arranged in ascending order from the upper side.
[0116]
Then, the operation of discharging the original M, which has been discharged to the lower original discharge tray 13b, to the upper original discharge tray 13a while switching back one by one is repeated until the original M on the lower original discharge tray 13b runs out. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, in the upper document discharge tray 13a, finally, a bundle of documents arranged in ascending order with the document surface up from the first page to the last page in order from the upper side can be obtained.
[0117]
Thus, by picking up the original bundle discharged to the upper original discharge tray 13a as it is, the original bundle placed on the original feed tray 2 of the original discharge section 11 can be obtained.
[0118]
Next, an operation when performing book binding copy in the automatic document feeder 10 of the present embodiment will be described. Here, the book binding copy includes bag binding, saddle binding (weekly magazine binding), and the like, as well as right binding or left binding. The right binding is for pages in ascending order from the right, and the left binding is for pages in ascending order from the left. Note that bag binding and saddle stitching will be described in the following book binding copies of bag binding and saddle stitching.
[0119]
First, a case of performing a bag binding copy will be described. Here, the left binding will be described.
[0120]
In the case of left-bound bag binding copy, as shown in FIG. 10A, for example, in an A4 size book, for example, A4 is displayed on the left page of the single-sided spread page (for two pages) of the copied A3 size recording paper P. The first page of size is printed, and the second page of A4 size is printed on the right page. Further, for example, an A4 size third page is printed on the left page of a single-sided spread page (for two pages) of the next A3 size recording paper P, and an A4 size fourth page is printed on the right page.
[0121]
When the number of documents is an even number, as shown in FIG. 10A, the Nth document M is printed on the right side of the last number of recording sheets P, while when the number of documents is an odd number, FIG. As shown in (a), the Nth document M is printed on the left side of the last number of recording sheets P.
[0122]
At this time, as shown in FIGS. 10 (b) and 11 (b), the second page is first printed on the first recording paper P, and then the first page is printed. Accordingly, the first read original M is printed side by side after the next read original M.
[0123]
In this way, when the book binding copy is completed, the center line of each recording sheet P can be folded in a mountain and can be bound by overlapping them. Therefore, the back side of the recording paper P is not printed during bag binding, and book binding copying can be automatically performed by a digital copying machine having a single-sided printing function.
[0124]
Here, in the present embodiment, in the case of left-bound bag binding, the first read original M is temporarily stored, then the second original M is read, and the original table 31 is defined. After printing at the position, the stored first original M is printed side by side.
[0125]
The image storage and print switching control is performed as shown in FIG.
[0126]
That is, as shown in the figure, the analog signal image data input to the CCD 35 by the reading operation of the scanner optical system 30 is converted into digital signal image data by the A / D converter 71. The digital image data (hereinafter simply referred to as “image data”) is subjected to image processing by an image processing unit 72 serving as a scaling printing unit and input to a data bus switching unit 73 serving as a selection unit.
[0127]
In the image processing unit 72, for example, when printing image information of one read original M, half of the length of the recording paper P in the conveyance direction does not match the length of the original M in the conveyance direction. Is designed to scale and print.
[0128]
The data bus switching unit 73 selects whether the image data of the document M read by the CPU 61 is input and held in the image memory 62 or is sent to the laser output conversion unit (LSU) 74 as it is by a select signal 80.
[0129]
If the image data of the original M to be read is to be held in the image memory 62, the data bus 82 is selected. In this case, the odd-numbered original document M read is stored in the image memory 62. At this time, the CPU 61 instructs the image memory 62 in the write mode with the control signal 81.
[0130]
In the case of image data that is output directly without holding the image information of the original M, a select signal 80 is given from the CPU 61 to select the data bus 83. In this case, the even-numbered original M is directly printed. When the data bus 83 is selected, the data bus switching unit 73 outputs the image data of the document M read by the data bus 83 directly to the laser output conversion unit (LSU) 74 and the image forming unit 40 Select to print.
[0131]
On the other hand, when outputting the image data held in the image memory 62, the CPU 61 instructs the read mode to the image memory 62 by the control signal 81, and reads the held image data. As a result, the data bus switching unit 73 selects the output data bus 84 from the image memory 62, outputs the image data to the laser output conversion unit 74, and performs a printing process in the image forming unit 40.
[0132]
The operation in the case of performing the above-mentioned left-bound bag binding copy will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0133]
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, a document M on which image information is written only on the surface of A4 size is placed downward on the document feed tray 2 as a document bundle from page 1 to END page. It shall be.
[0134]
First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13, a page printing request for book binding copy processing is made to the digital copying machine (S1). In response to this print request, settings such as the number of prints, print magnification, and recording paper size are set, and information on the number of originals to be read is also set. Based on the information, it is determined whether the number of originals to be read is even or odd. (S2).
[0135]
By this determination, when the number of originals is an even number, the original two-sheet processing mode routine is performed (S3). When the two-original processing is completed, it is determined whether there is a next original (S4). The two-sheet original processing mode routine of S3 is repeated until there is no more.
[0136]
In the above-described two-sheet processing mode routine, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, first, the lowest document of the document bundle is picked up as the first document M (S11) and picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4. Then, one lowermost document is conveyed to the document table 31 serving as a document reading unit (S12). The conveyed document M is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S13), input to the CCD 35, and subjected to image processing, and then image information is stored in the image memory 62 in the control unit 60 (S14).
[0137]
Next, the lowest document of the document bundle is picked up as the second document M (S15), and the lowest document that is picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S16). Subsequently, the recording paper P of the paper cassette 51 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 using the recording paper semi-moon-shaped roller 52 (S17), and the lowermost original conveyed on the original table 31 is defined in the original table 31. Stop at the position (S18).
[0138]
The original M is read by scanning the scanner optical system 30 (S19), and the conveyance of the recording paper P and the image information are input at the timing when the leading edge of the image information input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing is aligned with the leading edge of the recording paper P. Direct printing is performed by irradiating the photosensitive member 41 with an image (S20).
[0139]
Next, the printing position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of the stored lowermost document is called at the optimum timing when the direct printing of the lowermost document is finished, and the image is irradiated onto the photoconductor 41 ( S21).
[0140]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged through the reverse retreat path 59a through the paper discharge rollers 56 and 56 (S22).
[0141]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, the book binding copy by the even number of originals M in the left-bound bag binding is completed.
[0142]
On the other hand, when the number of documents is an odd number, it is determined that the number of documents is an odd number in S2 shown in FIG. In this description, it is assumed that there are at least three originals M.
[0143]
At this time, first, the above-described two-sheet processing mode routine is performed (S5). Next, when this two-document processing is completed, it is determined whether or not the next document is the final document (S6). If the next document is not the final document, the two-document processing mode routine is repeated.
[0144]
If the next original is not the final original in S6, an odd-number final original processing mode routine is performed (S7).
[0145]
In the odd-numbered final document processing mode routine, the final document M is first picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 (S31) and picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The final document M is conveyed to the document table 31 serving as a document reading unit (S32). The conveyed final document M is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S33), input to the CCD 35, and subjected to image processing, and then image information is stored in the image memory 62 in the control unit 60 (S34). ).
[0146]
Next, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 using the recording paper semi-moon-shaped roller 52 (S35), the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the white page is printed. In this case, the stored image information of the lowest document is called at the optimum timing when the printing is completed, and the image is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41 (S36).
[0147]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged through the reverse retreat path 59a through the paper discharge rollers 56 and 56 (S37).
[0148]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 11A, the book binding copy by the odd-numbered originals M in the left-bound bag binding is completed.
[0149]
Note that the book binding copy in the right-bound bag binding only needs to be printed in the reading order of the original M, and at that time, it is only necessary to match the timing for printing in parallel, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0150]
Next, a case where bookbinding copy of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding) is performed will be described.
[0151]
The double-sided copy mode is used when performing book binding copy of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding). For example, in the case of performing book binding copy by left binding copy for saddle stitching on A3 size recording paper P using eight A4 size originals M, each recording paper P is shown in FIG. (B) Printed as shown in (c) and (d).
[0152]
Here, in the present embodiment, since the left-binding copy is performed, the lowest-order document M of the document bundle is first read, and the image information of the first read document M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62. . Then, the second original M is read from the top of the original bundle, printed at a specified position on the original table 31, and the first original M stored in the image memory 62 is printed side by side. . When printing on the surface of the recording paper P is completed, the recording paper P is reversed, the uppermost document M of the document bundle is read, and image information of the document M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62. The second original M is read from the lowest position of the original bundle, printed at a specified position on the original table 31, and the originals M stored in the image memory 62 are printed side by side.
[0153]
By repeating this, the book binding copy shown in FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D is completed. Then, the printed A3 size recording papers P are folded at the center of the surface and overlapped with each other, and stapled at the center position to complete bookbinding by saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding) book binding.
[0154]
Here, in the case binding copy of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding), since the A3 size original M is printed side by side on the front and back surfaces of the A3 size recording paper P, the above-described FIGS. ) (D) As shown in FIGS. 17 (a), (b), (c), and (d), in addition to the case where all pages of the recording paper P are printed as shown in FIGS. When inserting one white page, as shown in FIGS. 18 (a), (b), (c), and (d), when inserting two white pages, FIGS. 19 (a), (b), (c), and (d) As shown, three white pages may be inserted.
[0155]
If the insertion position of the white page is not limited to the above, it is not possible to combine the white pages on the final page side when bookbinding copying and bookbinding.
[0156]
The order of these prints is 8 pages, 1: 8 pages, 2: 1 pages, 3: 2 pages, 4: 7 pages, 5: 6 pages, 6: 3 pages, 7: 4 pages, 8: 5 pages. The print order for 7 sheets is 1: white, 2: 1 page, 3: 2 page, 4: 7 page, 5: 6 page, 6: 3 page, 7: 4 page, 8: 5 page. is there. In the case of 6 sheets, the printing order is 1: white, 2: 1 page, 3: 2 page, 4: white, 5: 6 page, 6: 3 page, 7: 4 page, and 8: 5 page. The printing order for 5 sheets is 1: white, 2: 1 page, 3: 2 page, 4: white, 5: white, 6: 3 page, 7: 4 page, and 8: 5 page.
[0157]
On the other hand, the feeding order of the original M when performing these book binding copies is as shown in Table 1 for, for example, a bundle of 8, 7, 6, and 5 sheets.
[0158]
[Table 1]

[0159]
That is, when the number of originals is 8, 1st: 1 page, 2nd: 8 pages, 3rd: 7 pages, 4th: 2 pages, 5th: 3 pages, 6th: 6 pages, 7th: 5 Page, 8th: Paper is fed in the order of 4 pages. Next, when the number of originals is 7, 1st: 1st page, 2nd: 7th page, 3rd: 2nd page, 4th: 3rd page, 5th: 6th page, 6th: 5th page, 7th: Paper is fed in the order of 4 pages. When the number of originals is 6, the paper is fed in the order of 1st: 1st page, 2nd: 2nd page, 3rd: 3rd page, 4th: 6th page, 5th: 5th page, 6th: 4th page. Is done. Finally, when the number of originals is 5, the sheets are fed in the order of the first page: the first page, the second page 42, the third page: the third page, the fourth page: the fifth page, and the fifth page: the fourth page.
[0160]
Then, double-sided printing on the A3 size recording paper P by the above-mentioned feeding order of the A4 size original M is shown in FIGS. 20 to 23 with 8, 7, 6 or 5 originals M, respectively. This is done in the flowchart.
[0161]
That is, when there are eight documents M, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20, first, when the first page of the document M is fed first (S41), the image data of the document M is read. Is stored in the image memory 62 (S42). Next, the second page of the original M is fed (S43), the image data of the original M is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit (LSU) 74 (S44), and the stored image data is continued. The data is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S45). Then, these two image data are arranged and printed on the surface of the first recording paper P (S46).
[0162]
Next, the process returns to S41 again, the third page of the document M is fed third, the fourth page of the document M is fed, and the back surface of the first recording sheet P is similarly processed. Is printed. Similarly, returning to S41, the fifth to eighth originals M are fed and printed.
[0163]
As a result, by repeating the steps from S41 to S46 four times, the book binding copy when the number of documents M is eight is completed.
[0164]
Next, when there are seven documents M, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21, first, when the first page of the document M is fed first (S51), the image data of the document M is stored. It is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S52). Next, the white data stored in advance is transferred to the laser output converter (LSU) (S53), and the stored image data is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S54). Then, the white data and the image data of the document M are arranged and printed on the surface of the first recording paper P (S55).
[0165]
Next, when the second page of the original M is fed (S56), the image data of the original M is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S57). Next, the document M of the second page is fed third (S58), the image data of the document M is read and transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S59), and the stored image data is converted to laser output. The data is transferred to the unit 74 (S60). The two image data are arranged and printed on the back surface of the first recording paper P (S61).
[0166]
Next, the process returns to S56 again, the fourth page of the original M is fed, the fifth page of the original M is fed, and the surface of the second recording sheet P is similarly processed. Is printed. Similarly, returning to S56, the sixth to seventh originals M are fed and printed.
[0167]
As a result, the book binding copy when the number of the originals M is seven is completed by repeating the steps S51 to S55 and S56 to S61 three times.
[0168]
Next, when there are six documents M, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 22, first, the first page of the document M is fed first (S71), and the image data of the document M is read. The image is stored in the image memory 62 (S72). Next, the white data stored in advance is transferred to the laser output conversion unit (LSU) (S73), and the stored image data is transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S74). Then, the white data and the image data of the document M are arranged and printed on the surface of the first recording sheet P (S75).
[0169]
Next, when the second page of the document M is fed second (S76), the image data of the document M is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S77), and the previously stored white data is continued. Transfer to the laser output converter (S78). Then, the image data and the white data of the second page are arranged and printed on the back surface of the first recording paper P (S79).
[0170]
Next, when the third page of the original M is fed (S80), the image data of the original M is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S81). Next, when the fourth page of the original M is fed (S 82), the image data of the original M is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S 83), and the stored image data is subsequently laser processed. The data is transferred to the output conversion unit 74 (S84). The two image data are arranged and printed on the surface of the second recording paper P (S85).
[0171]
Next, the process returns to S80 again, the fifth page of the original M is fed fifth, the sixth page of the original M is fed, and the back surface of the second recording paper P in the same manner. (S85).
[0172]
As a result, by repeating the processes from S71 to S79 and from S80 to S85 twice, the book binding copy when the document M is 6 sheets is completed.
[0173]
Next, when there are five documents M, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 23, first, the first page of the document M is fed (S91), and the image data of the document M is read. Store in the image memory 62 (S92). Next, the white data stored in advance is transferred to the laser output converter (LSU) (S93), and the stored image data is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S94). Then, the white data and the image data of the original M of the first page are arranged and printed on the surface of the first recording paper P (S95).
[0174]
Next, when the second page of the document M is fed second (S96), the image data of the document M is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S97), and the previously stored white data is continued. Transfer to the laser output converter (S98). Then, the image data of the second page and the white data are arranged and printed on the back surface of the first recording sheet P (S99).
[0175]
Next, when the third page of the document M is fed third (S100), the image data of the third page is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S101). Next, the white data stored in advance is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S102), and the stored third page image data is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S103). Then, the white data and the third page image data are arranged and printed on the surface of the second recording sheet P (S104).
[0176]
Next, when the fifth page of the original M is fed (S105), the image data of the fifth page is read and stored in the image memory 62 (S106). Next, when the fourth page of the document M is fed fifth (S107), the image data of the fourth page is read and transferred to the laser output conversion unit 74 (S108), and the stored fifth page is continuously stored. Is transferred to the laser output converter 74 (S109). Then, the two image data are arranged and printed on the back surface of the second recording paper P (S110).
[0177]
This completes the book binding copy when there are five originals M.
[0178]
In general, when performing bookbinding copy of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding) according to each flowchart of 8, 7, 6 or 5 originals M, whether to read the original bundle from the top It can be seen that there are four ways of reading from the lowest order: the number of documents M is a multiple of 4, a multiple of -1, a multiple of 4, or a multiple of 4.
[0179]
That is, when bookbinding copy of saddle stitching (weekly magazine binding) is performed, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, a document bundle is set on the document feed tray 2 with the document surface facing downward (S201). When the number of documents is set (S202), first, it is determined whether the number of documents M is a multiple of 4 (S203), a multiple of 4-1 (S204), or a multiple of 4-2 (S205). . As this calculation method, a division circuit is provided inside the digital copying machine, and by this circuit, 4n−a is calculated by dividing the number of originals by 4 and n is the quotient, and the remainder is a. It is possible.
[0180]
If the number of documents M is a multiple of 4, 4n processing is performed (S206), and if the number of documents M is a multiple of 4-1, 4n-1 processing is performed (S207), and the number of documents M is 4. If it is a multiple of -2, 4n-2 processing is performed (S208), and if the number of documents M is a multiple of 4-3, 4n-3 processing is performed (S209).
[0181]
In the above 4n processing, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 25, first, the lowest part of the original bundle is picked up (S211), and then the uppermost part of the original bundle is picked up (S212).
[0182]
Next, the top of the document bundle is picked up (S213), and then the bottom of the document bundle is picked up (S214).
[0183]
Next, it is determined whether or not the document M remains (S215). If the document M remains, the process returns to S211 and the processes from S211 to S215 are repeated until the document M runs out.
[0184]
In the above 4n-1 processing, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26, first, the lowest part of the original bundle is picked up (S221), and then the uppermost part of the original bundle is picked up (S222).
[0185]
Next, the lowest part of the original bundle is picked up (S223), and then it is determined whether or not the original M remains (S224).
[0186]
If the document M remains, the above 4n processing is performed (S225), and this 4n processing is repeated until there is no more document M.
[0187]
In the above 4n-2 process, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 27, first, the lowest part of the original bundle is picked up (S231), and then the lowest part of the original bundle is picked up (S232).
[0188]
Next, it is determined whether or not the document M remains (S233). If the document M remains, the above 4n processing is performed (S234), and this 4n processing is repeated until the document M runs out.
[0189]
Further, in the above 4n-3 processing, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 28, first, the lowest part of the original bundle is picked up (S241), and then the lowest part of the original bundle is picked up (S242).
[0190]
Next, the lowest part of the original bundle is picked up (S243), then the uppermost part of the original bundle is picked up (S244), and the lowest part of the original bundle is further picked up (S245).
[0191]
Next, it is determined whether or not the original M remains (S246). If the original M remains, the above 4n processing is performed (S247), and this 4n processing is repeated until the original M is exhausted.
[0192]
By reading each original M, saddle-stitched bookbinding copies can be performed.
[0193]
Here, the reason why the process for feeding the original M is different from the 4n process, the 4n-1 process, the 4n-2 process, and the 4n-3 process will be described.
[0194]
For example, when the number of originals is 12, the state of the discharge tray for the recording paper P is as shown in FIG.
[0195]
At this time, if all the 4n processes are performed without using different processes depending on the number of documents, when the number of documents is 11, the automatic document feeder 10 creates a document to be printed on the surface 7 shown in FIG. Even if an attempt is made to feed paper in the paper feed tray 2, since the original M to be fed does not remain on the original paper feed tray 2, the surface 7 shown in FIG. 29 is white.
[0196]
Similarly, when the number of documents is 10, even if the document M to be printed on the surfaces 6 and 7 shown in FIG. 29 is fed from the document feed tray 2, the document M to be fed is a document. Since it does not remain on the paper feed tray 2, the surfaces 6 and 7 shown in FIG. 29 are white.
[0197]
Similarly, when the number of originals is nine, even if an original M for printing on surfaces 6, 7, and 8 shown in FIG. Does not remain on the document feed tray 2, the surfaces 6, 7, and 8 shown in FIG. 29 are white.
[0198]
When these are bound in a book, a white page unnecessary for the user is formed on the way, and the center is shifted.
[0199]
Here, if the 4n process, the 4n-1 process, the 4n-2 process, and the 4n-3 process are properly used depending on the number of originals, when the number of originals is 11, 12 surfaces shown in FIG. 29 become white. Then, the automatic document feeder 10 feeds the document M from the document feed tray 2 by the 4n-1 process. Similarly, when the number of documents is 10, the automatic document feeder 10 feeds the document M from the document feed tray 2 by 4n-2 processing so that the surfaces 11 and 12 shown in FIG. . Similarly, when the number of documents is nine, the automatic document feeder 10 causes the document M from the document feed tray 2 by 4n-3 processing so that the surfaces 10, 11, and 12 shown in FIG. Feed paper.
[0200]
When this is book-bound, all white pages unnecessary for the user are in the latter half, so that the center does not shift.
[0201]
By using the method as described above, the user can create a book binding copy only by setting the document M on the document feeding tray 2 of the automatic document feeder 10 without setting the document M each time. Thus, paper feeding by the automatic document feeder 10 can be realized.
[0202]
The specific control operation of the above four patterns of the automatic document feeder 10 in the saddle-stitched and left-bound book binding copies will be described throughout.
[0203]
In this case, n = 3, 12 originals M in 4n processing, 11 originals M in 4n-1 processing, 10 originals M in 4n-2 processing, and 9 originals M in 4n-3 processing. It will be explained as being.
[0204]
In these cases, the number of sheets of recording paper P is three, but when there are twelve originals M for 4n processing, images of four originals M are recorded on the recording paper P as shown in FIG. Two images are copied on one side for a total of four sides.
[0205]
Here, the black triangular arrow in the figure indicates the leading direction of the recording paper P. In other words, taking the recording paper P1 front surface and the recording paper P1 back surface in the figure as an example, the recording paper P1 fed from the paper cassette 51 passes through the main paper transport path 59c and is firstly one side on one side by the photoreceptor 41. The page and the 12th page are printed. Thereafter, the recording paper P1 is temporarily retracted to the reverse retreat path 59a. Next, when printing on the back surface of the recording paper P1, the recording paper P1 is transported through the sub transport path 59b, and the second and eleventh pages are printed on the back surface of the first printing surface. Thereafter, the recording paper P1 is discharged to the paper discharge tray through the reverse retreat path 59a.
[0206]
Thereafter, the front surface of the recording paper P2 and the back surface of the recording paper P2, the front surface of the recording paper P3, and the back surface of the recording paper P3 are similarly printed, and a series of copying processes is completed.
[0207]
A substantially similar copying process is executed for the other copying patterns.
[0208]
That is, when there are 11 documents M that is 4n-1 processing, the 12th page of the document M is in a blank state as shown in FIG. Further, when there are ten originals M that are 4n-2 processing, the 12th and 11th pages of the original M are in a blank state as shown in FIG. Furthermore, when there are nine originals M that are 4n-3 processing, the 12th, 11th, and 10th pages of the original M are blank as shown in FIG.
[0209]
Hereinafter, the process for realizing these copy patterns will be described in detail. It is assumed that the digital copying machine in the present embodiment is provided with some means for counting the number of documents M. As for the document counting means, the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 10 may be provided with a document counting mechanism, or an input device for the user to input the number of documents may be provided.
[0210]
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, the process flowchart after the number of documents is determined is 4n processing when the number of documents is divided by 4 and the remainder is 0, and 4n-1 when the remainder is 1. Processing: When the remainder is 2, 4n-2 processing is executed, and when the remainder is 3, 4n-3 processing is executed. In the following, a detailed description will be given of a procedure for realizing each of the copying processes of bookbinding copying with saddle stitching and left binding from an A4 size original to an A3 size recording paper P.
[0211]
First, the 4n document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0212]
As shown in the figure, first, the lowest document of the document bundle is picked up as the first document M (S301), and the lowest document that is picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is picked up by the document reading unit. The document is conveyed to a certain document table 31 (S302). The conveyed document M is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S303), input to the CCD 35, and subjected to image processing, and then image information is stored in the image memory 62 in the control unit 60 (S304).
[0213]
Next, the topmost document of the document bundle is picked up as the second document M (S305), and the topmost document picked up by the topmost document pickup roller 3 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S306). Subsequently, the recording paper P in the paper cassette 51 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 using the recording paper semi-moon-shaped roller 52 (S307), and the lowermost original conveyed on the original table 31 is defined in the original table 31. Stop at the position (S308). The original M is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S309), and the conveyance of the recording paper P and the image information are input at the timing when the leading edge of the image information input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing is aligned with the leading edge of the recording paper P. Direct printing is performed by irradiating the photosensitive member 41 with an image (S310).
[0214]
Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of the stored lowermost document is called at the optimum timing when the direct printing of the uppermost document is finished, and the image is irradiated onto the photoconductor 41 ( S311).
[0215]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is guided to the reverse retreat path 59a (S312).
[0216]
Next, the uppermost document of the document bundle remaining in the document feed tray 2 is picked up as the third document M (S313), and the uppermost document picked up by the separating roller is conveyed to the document table 31. (S314). The conveyed manuscript M is read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S315), input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing, and then image information is stored in the image memory 62 of the control unit 60 (S316).
[0217]
Next, as the fourth document M, the lowest document in the document bundle on the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S317), and the lowest document that has been picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is placed on the document table 31. (S318) and stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 (S319).
[0218]
Then, the recording paper P guided and retracted to the reversing retreat path 59a is transported to the registration rollers 54 and 54 through the sub transport path 59b (S320), and the lowermost document transported on the document table 31 is transferred. The recording paper P is transported and the image information photosensitive member 41 is read at the timing when the leading edge of the recording paper P is read by scanning the scanner optical system 30 (S321) and input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing. The image is irradiated onto the recording paper P, and direct printing is performed on the recording paper P (S322).
[0219]
Also, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowermost document is called at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the uppermost document is finished, and the image is irradiated onto the photoreceptor 41. (S323).
[0220]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S324).
[0221]
By this series of operations, predetermined printing is completed on the front and back of the recording paper P. Further, a calculation for setting n−1 as a new n is performed (S325), and it is determined whether or not the document M exists in the document feed tray 2 (S326). By repeating this process until there is no original bundle in the original feed tray 2, desired page printing can be performed.
[0222]
In these series of printing processes, the original size and the recording paper size may differ by using the automatic scaling function and image rotation function that are provided as standard functions in digital copiers and multifunction machines. Can also be supported.
[0223]
Next, the 4n-1 original document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the subroutine flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0224]
When the number of documents is 4n-1, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 35, first, the lowest document in the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up as the first document M (S401). One lowermost document picked up by the pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 serving as a document reading unit (S402). The transported lowermost document is stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 and read by the scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S403). The image is input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing. Image information is stored in 62 (S404).
[0225]
Subsequently, the recording paper P of the paper cassette 51 in the image forming unit 40 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 by using the recording paper semi-moon-shaped roller 52 (S405), and an image of white data separately stored in the image memory 62 in advance. The information is called, and at the timing when the leading edge of the image information of the white data and the leading edge of the recording paper P are aligned, the recording paper P is conveyed and the image data of the white data image information is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41 (S406).
[0226]
Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowest document is called at the optimal timing when the printing of the image information of the white data is completed, and the image is irradiated onto the photoreceptor 41. (S407).
[0227]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is guided to the reverse retreat path 59a (S408).
[0228]
Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 36, the topmost document in the document bundle remaining in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S409), and one topmost document picked up by the topmost document pickup roller 3 is picked up. Is conveyed to the document table 31 (S410). The conveyed manuscript M is read by scanning by the scanner optical system 30 (S411), input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing, and then image information is stored in the image memory 62 of the control unit 60 (S412).
[0229]
Next, the lowest document in the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S413), and the lowest document that is picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S414). 31 is stopped at a specified position (S415).
[0230]
Next, the recording paper P guided to the reversing retreat path 59a and transported is transported to the registration rollers 54 and 54 through the sub transport path 59b (S416). Scanned by the optical system 30 (S417), input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing and processed at the timing when the leading edge of the image information and the leading edge of the recording paper P are aligned, and the image information is transferred to the photoreceptor 41. Image irradiation is performed, and direct printing is performed on the recording paper P (S418). Also, the printing position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of the uppermost document stored in the image memory 62 is called at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the lowermost document is finished, Image irradiation is performed (S419).
[0231]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S420).
[0232]
With this series of operations, printing on the front and back sides of the recording paper P with white data on the last page is completed.
[0233]
Next, since 4n originals M should remain in the original feed tray 2, the operation of the 4n original document processing mode routine based on the above-described flowchart is performed (S421).
[0234]
As a result, the saddle-stitched and left-bound bookbinding copy in which the last page is white data is completed.
[0235]
Next, the 4n-2 original document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the subroutine flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0236]
When the number of documents is 4n-2, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 37, first, as the first document M, the lowest document in the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S501), and the lowest document. One lowermost document picked up by the pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 serving as a document reading unit (S502). The transported lowermost document is stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 and read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S503), input to the CCD 35, subjected to image processing, and then subjected to image memory in the control unit 60. Image information is stored in 62 (S504).
[0237]
Subsequently, the recording paper P of the paper cassette 51 in the image forming unit 40 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 by using the recording paper semi-moon-shaped roller 52 (S505), and the image of white data separately stored in advance in the image memory 62 is obtained. The information is called, and at the timing when the leading edge of the image information of the white data and the leading edge of the recording paper P are aligned, the recording paper P is conveyed and the image information of the white data is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41 (S506).
[0238]
Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowest document is called at the optimal timing when the printing of the image information of the white data is completed, and the image is irradiated onto the photoreceptor 41. (S507).
[0239]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is guided to the reverse retreat path 59a (S508).
[0240]
Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 38, the lowest document of the document bundle remaining in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S509), and the lowest document one picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is picked up. Is conveyed to the document table 31 (S510), and stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 (S511).
[0241]
Next, the recording paper P guided to the reversing retreat path 59a and transported is transported to the registration rollers 54 and 54 through the sub transport path 59b (S512), and the lowermost document transported on the document table 31 is scanned by the scanner. Reading by scanning of the optical system 30 (S513), feeding of the recording paper P and the lowermost original at the timing when the leading edge of the image information of the lowest-order document input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing is aligned with the leading edge of the recording paper P. The image information is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41, and direct printing is performed on the recording paper P (S514). Further, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of white data separately stored in the image memory 62 is called at the optimum timing when the direct printing of the image information of the lowest document is completed, and the photoconductor Image irradiation to 41 is performed (S515).
[0242]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S516).
[0243]
By this series of operations, printing on the front and back sides of the recording paper P, in which the last page and the previous one page become white data, is completed.
[0244]
Next, since 4n originals M should remain in the original feed tray 2, the operation of the 4n original document processing mode routine based on the above-described flowchart is performed (S517).
[0245]
This completes the saddle-stitched and left-bound book binding copies in which the last page and the last page one before are white data.
[0246]
Next, the 4n-3 original document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the subroutine flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0247]
When the number of originals is 4n-3, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 39, first, as the first original M, the lowest original in the original bundle on the original feed tray 2 is picked up (S601), and the lowest original One lowermost document picked up by the pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 serving as a document reading unit (S602). The transported lowermost document is stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 and read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S603), input to the CCD 35, subjected to image processing, and then subjected to image memory in the control unit 60. The image information is stored in 62 (S604).
[0248]
Subsequently, the recording paper P of the paper cassette 51 in the image forming unit 40 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 by using the recording paper semi-moon-shaped roller 52 (S605), and an image of white data separately stored in the image memory 62 in advance. The information is called, and at the timing when the leading edge of the image information of the white data and the leading edge of the recording paper P are aligned, the recording paper P is conveyed and the image information of the white data is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41 (S606).
[0249]
Next, the printing position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowest document is called at the optimal timing when the printing of the image information of the white data is finished, and the image irradiation to the photoreceptor 41 is performed. This is performed (S607).
[0250]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is guided to the reverse retreat path 59a (S608).
[0251]
Next, the lowest document in the document bundle remaining in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S609), and one lowest document picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S610). ), And stops at a specified position on the document table 31 (S611).
[0252]
Next, the recording paper P guided to the reversing retreat path 59a is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 through the sub-conveyance path 59b (S612), and the lowermost document conveyed on the document table 31 is scanned by the scanner. Scanning of the optical system 30 (S613), input to the CCD 35, and image processing of the lowest document that has been subjected to image processing and the leading edge of the recording paper P at the timing of matching the leading edge of the recording paper P and the lowermost document The image information is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41 and direct printing is performed on the recording paper P (S614). Further, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of white data separately stored in the image memory 62 is called at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the image information of the lowest-order document is completed, and the photoconductor Image irradiation to 41 is performed (S615).
[0253]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S616).
[0254]
By this series of operations, printing on the front and back sides of the recording paper P, in which the last page and the previous one page become white data, is completed.
[0255]
Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 40, the lowest document of the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S617), and the lowest document that has been picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is read by the document reading unit. (S618). The transported lowermost document is stopped at a specified position on the document table 31 and read by scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S619), input to the CCD 35, subjected to image processing, and then subjected to image memory in the control unit 60. Image information is stored in 62 (S620).
[0256]
Subsequently, the recording paper P of the paper cassette 51 in the image forming unit 40 is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 using the recording paper semi-moon-shaped roller 52 (S621), and an image of white data separately stored in the image memory 62 in advance. The information is called, and at the timing when the leading edge of the image information of the white data and the leading edge of the recording paper P are aligned, the recording paper P is conveyed and the image information of the white data is irradiated onto the photosensitive member 41 (S622).
[0257]
Next, the print position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the stored image information of the lowest document is called at the optimal timing when the printing of the image information of the white data is completed, and the image is irradiated onto the photoreceptor 41. (S623).
[0258]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is guided to the reverse retreat path 59a (S624).
[0259]
Next, the topmost document of the document bundle remaining in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S625), and the topmost document picked up by the topmost document pickup roller 3 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S626). ). The transported uppermost document M is read by the scanning of the scanner optical system 30 (S627), input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing, and then image information is stored in the image memory 62 of the control unit 60 ( S628).
[0260]
Next, the lowest document of the document bundle in the document feed tray 2 is picked up (S629), and the lowest document that is picked up by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is conveyed to the document table 31 (S630). 31 is stopped at a specified position (S631).
[0261]
Next, the recording paper P guided to the reversing retreat path 59a is conveyed to the registration rollers 54 and 54 through the sub-conveyance path 59b (S632), and the lowermost document conveyed on the document table 31 is scanned by the scanner. Scanned by the optical system 30 (S633), input to the CCD 35 and subjected to image processing, and the leading edge of the image information subjected to image processing and the leading edge of the recording paper P are transported and the image information is transferred to the photoconductor 41. Image irradiation is performed, and direct printing is performed on the recording paper P (S634). Also, the printing position is calculated from the leading edge of the recording paper P, and the image information of the uppermost document stored in the image memory 62 is called at the optimal timing when the direct printing of the lowermost document is finished, Image irradiation is performed (S635).
[0262]
Then, after fixing the unfixed toner on the printed recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to a paper discharge tray (S636).
[0263]
By this series of operations, printing on the front and back sides of the second recording sheet P is completed so that the second page before the last page becomes white data.
[0264]
Next, since 4n originals M should remain in the original feed tray 2, the operation of the 4n original processing mode routine based on the above-described flowchart is performed (S637).
[0265]
This completes the saddle-stitched and left-bound book binding copies in which the last page, one last page before and the last two pages are white data.
[0266]
According to the above flowchart, regardless of the number of documents M, saddle-stitched and left-bound book binding copies can be appropriately performed by turning the image information of white data to the end.
[0267]
In the above description, the bookbinding copy is a saddle-stitched and left-bound bookbinding copy. However, the bookbinding copy may be a saddle-stitched and right-bound bookbinding copy. However, in that case, it is only necessary to sequentially print the image information of the read original M without storing it, and if the highest order and the lowest order and the insertion position of the image information of the white data are noted, the above It can be performed in substantially the same flow. Therefore, the description is omitted.
[0268]
Also, in these series of printing processes, when the original size and recording paper size are different due to the combined use of the automatic scaling function and image rotation function that are provided as standard functions in digital copiers and multifunction machines Can also be supported.
[0269]
As described above, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the automatic document feeder 10 is used to supply the document M, read the image information of the document M, and perform single-sided printing or double-sided printing on the recording paper P. .
[0270]
The digital copying machine is provided with an image memory 62 for storing image information of one read original M. On the other hand, for the original M to be read, the image information of the original M is recorded on the recording paper P. Printing is directly performed on the first half or the second half in the transport direction, or the image information of the original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62 and arranged side by side with the image information printed on the first half or the second half in the transport direction of the recording paper P. A data bus switching unit 73 for selecting whether to perform printing is provided.
[0271]
In other words, in the case of bookbinding copy with saddle stitching or saddle stitching, the page layout on the recording paper P is important, and the read original M may not be printed immediately.
[0272]
At this time, in the present embodiment, since the image memory 62 for storing the image information of one read original M is provided, the read original M can be temporarily stored.
[0273]
For such a document M to be read, the image information of the document M is directly printed on the front half or the latter half of the recording paper P in the transport direction, or the image information of the document M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62. The data bus switching unit 73 selects whether to store and print in line with the image information printed in the first half or second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P.
[0274]
Therefore, as described above, by the selection operation by the data bus switching unit 73, the image information of the first document M is first stored in the image memory 62, the next read document M is printed first, and then stored. It is possible to print the image information of the prepared originals side by side. As a result, it is possible to print on the recording paper P having a page layout suitable for book binding copy.
[0275]
In this printing method, the storage capacity of the image memory 62 for storing the image information of the document M is sufficient if it can store the image information of one document.
[0276]
As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing book binding copy.
[0277]
In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, when the printing surface is only one side, the data bus switching unit 73 displays the image information of the original M on the recording paper P depending on whether the number of originals is odd or even. Printing is directly performed on the first half or the second half in the transport direction, or the image information of the original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62 and arranged side by side with the image information printed on the first half or the second half in the transport direction of the recording paper P. Select whether to print.
[0278]
In other words, it is sufficient to print on one side of the recording paper P in the case of bookbinding copy with bag binding. In this case, when reading the document M, the document M may be conveyed to the document table 31 in order from either the top or the bottom of the document bundle. That is, it is not necessary to take alternately.
[0279]
Here, in the case of book binding copy of bag binding, there are right binding and left binding, and the page layout on the recording paper P is important, so the read original M may not be printed immediately.
[0280]
At this time, in the present embodiment, since the image memory 62 for storing the image information of one read original M is provided, the read original M can be temporarily stored.
[0281]
On the other hand, in the case of bookbinding copy with booklet binding, when the number of originals is an odd number, it is necessary to perform an operation so that the last page of bookbinding is a white page.
[0282]
However, even in such a case, in this embodiment, the data bus switching unit 73 displays the image information of the original M in the first half or the second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P depending on whether the number of originals is odd or even. The image information of the original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62 and selected to be printed side by side with the image information printed in the first half or the second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P. .
[0283]
Therefore, by the selection operation by the data bus switching unit 73, the image information of the first document is first temporarily stored in the image memory 62. For example, the image information of the white page stored separately beforehand is printed first, and then The stored image information of the original M can be printed side by side. As a result, it is possible to print on the recording paper P having a page layout suitable for bookbinding copy of bag binding.
[0284]
In this printing method, as the storage capacity of the image memory 62 for storing the image information of the original M, a capacity for storing the image information of one original and a capacity for white page image information separately stored in advance. If there is, it is enough.
[0285]
As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when carrying out book binding with book binding.
[0286]
On the other hand, in the saddle stitch bookbinding copy, for example, the first page and the last page of the document M are printed side by side on one side of the recording paper P.
[0287]
Therefore, it is necessary to read the original M from both the highest and lowest positions of the original bundle.
[0288]
At this time, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the automatic document feeder 10 selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the bundle of placed documents and sequentially conveys it to the document table 31. A document feeder 1 is provided.
[0289]
For this reason, the document feeder 1 selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the document stack to be placed and sequentially conveys it to the document table 31.
[0290]
Therefore, conventionally, since either the uppermost document M or the lowermost document M in the document stack to be placed cannot be selected and sequentially conveyed to the document table 31, the document is for the time being. All M had to be read and stored.
[0291]
However, in the present embodiment, even when, for example, the first page and the last page of the document M are printed side by side on one side of the recording paper P, the document M is read from the top and bottom of the placed document bundle. Therefore, the storage capacity can be reduced.
[0292]
As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copier capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing saddle stitch book binding copy.
[0293]
Further, in the saddle stitch book binding copy, printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper P.
[0294]
When the number of originals is 4n (n is an integer), as described above, for example, the last page and the first page of the original M are printed in this order on the surface of the recording paper P. On the back side of P, for example, the second page and the first page before the last page are printed in this order. However, this printing order is different when the number of originals is 4n-1, 4n-2 and 4n-3. In addition, the order is changed by inserting image information of white pages.
[0295]
However, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the document feeder 1 selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document M in the document stack placed based on the number of documents.
[0296]
Therefore, since the document feeder 1 selects either the uppermost document M or the lowermost document M in the document stack placed based on the number of documents, when performing the saddle stitch bookbinding copy, An appropriate one of the uppermost document M or the lowermost document M in the document bundle can be taken in and read on the document table 31.
[0297]
As a result, it becomes easy to take out either the uppermost document or the lowermost document M of the loaded document bundle.
[0298]
In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, when the printing surface is double-sided, the data bus switching unit 73 causes the remainder of the original M to be divided by 0, 1, 2 or 3 when the number of originals is divided by 4. The image information is directly printed on the first half or the second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P, or the image information of the original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62, and the first half or the second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P Select whether to print in line with the printed image information.
[0299]
That is, in the saddle stitch bookbinding copy, printing must be performed on both sides of the recording paper P.
[0300]
Here, in the saddle stitch book binding copy, there are right binding and left binding, and the page layout on the recording paper P is important. Therefore, the read original M may not be printed immediately.
[0301]
At this time, in the present embodiment, since the image memory 62 for storing the image information of one read original M is provided, the read original M can be temporarily stored.
[0302]
On the other hand, in the saddle stitch bookbinding copy, as described above, when the number of documents is 4n (n is an integer), for example, the last page and the first page of the document M are present on the surface of the recording paper P. On the other hand, for example, the second page and the first page before the last page are printed in this order on the back side of the recording paper P. However, this printing order differs when the number of originals is 4n-1, 4n-2, 4n-3. In addition, the order is changed by inserting image information of white pages.
[0303]
However, in this embodiment, when the printing surface is double-sided, the data bus switching unit 73 uses the remainder of dividing the number of originals by 4 to 0, 1, 2 or 3, and the image information of the original is recorded on the recording paper. The image information printed on the first half or the latter half of the transport direction of P is directly stored in the image memory 62, and the image information printed on the first half or the second half of the transport direction of the recording paper P is temporarily stored. Select whether to print in line.
[0304]
Therefore, when the printing surface is double-sided, the image information of the first document M is first temporarily stored in the image memory 62 based on the number of documents by the selection operation by the data bus switching unit 73, and stored in advance separately. It is possible to print the image information of the white page that has been printed first, and then print the stored image information of the original M side by side.
[0305]
As a result, it is possible to print on the recording paper P having a page layout suitable for saddle stitch bookbinding copy.
[0306]
In this printing method, as the storage capacity of the image memory 62 for storing the image information of the original M, a capacity for storing the image information of one original and a capacity for white page image information separately stored in advance. If there is, it is enough.
[0307]
As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copier capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing saddle stitch book binding copy.
[0308]
In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the CPU 61 causes the image data switching control 68 to insert white page image information instead of the read original M based on the number of originals.
[0309]
Therefore, in book binding copy, for example, when it is desired to make the last page a white page, the white page can be easily inserted by the image data switching control 68 of the CPU 61.
[0310]
By the way, when the original M is taken out from the uppermost and lowermost positions of the original bundle placed on the original feed tray 2, if there is only one discharge place, the original is printed when printing is finished. Since the bundle is not in page order, it is necessary to rearrange the originals M in ascending or descending order later, which is troublesome.
[0311]
However, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the automatic document feeder 10 has the document M that is read by selecting either the uppermost document M or the lowest document M in the bundle of documents to be placed. The original is once divided into two parts, the uppermost original M and the lowermost original M, and one of the discharged original bundles is taken out again one by one, and the other original bundle is discharged. A document discharge section 11 is provided for stacking and discharging the sheets so as to follow the ascending or descending order.
[0312]
Accordingly, the document discharge unit 11 first selects the uppermost document M or the lowermost document M in the document bundle placed on the document feed tray 2 and temporarily reads the document M read once. The upper document M and the lowest document M are divided into two to be discharged. Next, the document discharge unit 11 again takes out the original bundle from the lower document discharge tray 13b that has been discharged one by one, and the ascending or descending order of the original bundle discharged from the other upper document discharge tray 13a. Are stacked and discharged along.
[0313]
Therefore, when the re-discharge of the original M is completed, the discharged original bundle is arranged in ascending order. It is also possible to arrange them in descending order.
[0314]
As a result, even after printing is finished, the discharged document bundle can be taken out in the state of being arranged in the page order of the original document bundle.
[0315]
As described above, when the original M is taken out from the uppermost and lowermost positions of the original bundle in the original feed tray 2, the originals arranged in ascending order from the first original and the originals arranged in descending order from the last original are displayed. Since the sheets are alternately discharged, the discharged originals M are not aligned.
[0316]
However, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, the document discharge unit 11 divides the read document M into the uppermost document and the lowermost document, and then discharges them into two upper and lower upper documents. The paper output tray 13a and the lower original output tray 13b, and the upper and lower original output trays 13a and 13b on either of the upper and lower sides are taken out and switched back to the other lower original. It comprises a switchback conveying path 16 that discharges paper to the paper discharge tray 13b or the upper document discharge tray 13a and a document discharge half moon roller 21.
[0317]
Accordingly, the printed original M is temporarily ejected by dividing the original M from the beginning and the original M from the tail into two upper and lower upper document ejection trays 13a and 13b. After all the printing is completed, the document M is discharged from the lower document discharge tray 13b to the upper document discharge tray 13a by the switchback conveyance path 16 and the document discharge half moon roller 21, so that the page order is finally changed. It is possible to discharge the original M in the original original arrangement.
[0318]
As a result, even after the printing is finished, the discharged document bundle can be reliably taken out in the page order of the original document bundle.
[0319]
Further, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, when the image information of one read original M is printed, 1/2 of the conveyance direction length of the recording paper P is the length of the original M in the conveyance direction. If they do not match, the image processing unit 72 scales and prints.
[0320]
Therefore, when printing on the recording paper P, even if the scale of the original M is different, it is possible to print on the recording paper P with the same size.
[0321]
Further, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the reverse retreat path for printing the front surface of the recording paper P and then reversing and printing on the back surface of the recording paper P in order to support double-sided printing. 59a and a sub-transport path 59b are provided. Further, when performing book binding double-sided printing, direct printing for directly printing image information of the original M on the recording paper P based on the number of originals and temporarily storing the image information of the original M in the image memory 62 and then the recording paper P The image information of the two originals M is printed on the surface of one recording paper P in combination with the memory printing for printing on the recording paper P, and after the recording paper P is reversed in the reversing retreat path 59a and the sub-transport path 59b, The reverse side is printed on the recording paper P in the same manner.
[0322]
Therefore, when performing book binding double-sided printing, it is possible to perform appropriate printing that can reduce the memory capacity on the surface of the recording paper P, while the printing surface of the recording paper P is thereafter turned to the reverse retreat path 59a and the sub-transport path. Appropriate printing that can be reversed by 59b to reduce the memory capacity on the back side of the recording paper P can also be performed.
[0323]
As a result, the memory capacity can be reduced and the reversing operation of the recording paper P by an external manual operation is omitted, and the burden on the user for reversing the recording paper is reduced.
[0324]
Further, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, when the remainder when dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, the image information of the document M read first is input to the image memory 62 and the second The image information of the original M read next is directly printed as the leading end, and thereafter the image information of the original M stored in the image memory 62 is printed on the trailing end.
[0325]
As a result, a book binding mechanism can be realized regardless of the number of originals placed in either single-sided printing or double-sided printing.
[0326]
In the present embodiment, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 1, the image information of the first read document M is input to the image memory 62 and separately stored in the image memory 62. After the white page image information is read out and the white page image information is used as the first half of the recording paper P, the image information of the original M stored in the image memory 62 is printed at the rear end.
[0327]
Thereby, in double-sided printing, it is possible to realize book binding copy in which image information of a white page is arranged at the end regardless of the number of originals placed regardless of the number of originals placed.
[0328]
In the present embodiment, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 1, the image information of the document M read second is input to the image memory 62 and is read third. The image information of the original M is printed directly on the first half of the recording paper P, and then the image information of the original M stored in the image memory 62 is printed on the second half of the recording paper P.
[0329]
Thus, in double-sided printing, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 1, book binding copy can be realized on the back surface of the first recording paper P, regardless of the number of documents placed appropriately. .
[0330]
In the present embodiment, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 2, the image information of the document M read first is input to the image memory 62 and stored separately in the image memory 62. The white page image information is read out, and the white page image information is set to the first half of the recording paper P, and then the image information of the document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed on the second half of the recording paper P.
[0331]
Thereby, in double-sided printing, it is possible to realize a book binding mechanism in which image information of white pages is arranged at the end regardless of the number of originals placed.
[0332]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 2, the image information of the original M read second is directly printed on the leading edge and stored separately in the image memory 62. The white page image information is read out, and the white page image information is printed on the second half of the recording paper P.
[0333]
Thereby, in double-sided printing, it is possible to realize a book binding mechanism in which image information of a white page is arranged on one page before the end regardless of the number of originals placed.
[0334]
Further, in this embodiment, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 3, the image information of the document M read first is input to the image memory 62 and stored separately in the image memory 62. The white page image information is read out, and the white page image information is set to the first half of the recording paper P, and then the image information of the document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed on the second half of the recording paper P.
[0335]
Thereby, in double-sided printing, it is possible to realize a book binding mechanism in which image information of white pages is arranged at the end regardless of the number of originals placed.
[0336]
In the present embodiment, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 3, the image information of the original M read second is directly printed on the first half of the recording paper P, and thereafter The white page image information separately stored in the image memory 62 is read, and the white page image information is printed on the second half of the recording paper P.
[0337]
As a result, in double-sided printing, it is possible to realize book binding copy in which image information of a white page is arranged on one page before the end regardless of the number of originals placed.
[0338]
In the present embodiment, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 3, the image information of the document M read third is input to the image memory 62 and separately stored in the image memory 62. The white page image information is read out, and the white page image information is set to the first half of the recording paper P, and then the image information of the document M stored in the image memory 62 is printed on the second half of the recording paper P.
[0339]
As a result, in double-sided printing, it is possible to realize book binding copy in which image information of a white page is arranged on the two pages before the end regardless of the number of originals placed.
[0340]
Further, in this embodiment, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 3, the image information of the document M read fourth is input to the image memory 62 and is read fifth. The image information of the original M is directly printed on the first half of the recording paper P, and then the image information of the original M stored in the image memory 62 is printed on the second half of the recording paper P.
[0341]
As a result, in double-sided printing, book binding copy can be appropriately realized on the back surface of the second recording paper P when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 3, regardless of the number of originals placed.
[0342]
In the present embodiment, when printing the image information of the white page and the image information of the read document M on the recording paper P, the address can be changed according to the printing procedure.
[0343]
Thus, when printing the image information of the original document stored in the image memory 62 following the image information of the white page and the image information of the white page following the image information of the document stored in the image memory 62, the recording is performed. There is no need to switch addresses between the first half or the second half of the paper P.
[0344]
In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the rotation operations of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M are placed on the document feed tray 2. This is set based on the number of documents M to be processed.
[0345]
Thus, when book binding copy is performed, the automatic document feeder 10 is used to collect white pages unnecessary for the user in the latter half of the bookbinding without shifting the center depending on the number of documents M. Is possible.
[0346]
In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M is 4 when performing duplex printing. On the other hand, the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 differs depending on whether the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 3.
[0347]
Thus, when performing book binding copy for double-sided printing, the automatic document feeder 10 is used to collect white pages unnecessary for the user in the latter half of the bookbinding without shifting the center depending on the number of documents. It becomes possible.
[0348]
In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M is 2 when performing single-sided printing. The rotation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 differs depending on whether the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 2 is 0 or 1.
[0349]
As a result, when performing book binding copy for single-sided printing, the automatic document feeder 10 is used to collect white pages unnecessary for the user in the second half of the bookbinding without shifting the center depending on the number of documents. It becomes possible.
[0350]
In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M is 4 when performing duplex printing. On the other hand, when the remainder when dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0 and the document is placed on the document surface facing downward, the lowest document pickup roller 4 determines the number of documents. The lower document M is conveyed, and then the uppermost document is picked up by the uppermost document pickup roller 3.
[0351]
Thus, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is zero, the front side printing on the recording paper P in the book binding copy of double-sided printing can be appropriately performed using the automatic original conveyance device 10.
[0352]
In this embodiment, in the above case, when the image information of the read original M is printed on the front surface of the recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper P. The uppermost next original M is conveyed using the original pickup roller 3, and then the lowest next original M is conveyed using the lowermost original pickup roller 4.
[0353]
Thus, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 0, the back side printing on the recording paper P in the book binding copy of double-sided printing can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10.
[0354]
In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M is 4 when performing duplex printing. On the other hand, when the remainder when dividing the number of originals by 4 is 1 and the placement state of the original M is downward, the lowest original as the first original M The lowermost document M is conveyed by the pickup roller 4, and then the document M and the image information of the white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.
[0355]
As a result, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 1, the front side printing on the first recording paper P in double-sided book binding copy is not centered by the number of originals, which is inconvenient for the user. The process of collecting necessary white pages at the end of bookbinding can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10.
[0356]
In this embodiment, in the above case, when the image information of the read original M is printed on the front surface of the recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper P. The uppermost next original M is conveyed using the original pickup roller 3, and then the lowest next original M is conveyed using the lowermost original pickup roller 4, and printed side by side.
[0357]
Thereby, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is one, the back side printing on the first recording sheet P in the book binding copy of double-sided printing can be appropriately performed by using the automatic document feeder 10. it can.
[0358]
In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M is 4 when performing duplex printing. On the other hand, when the remainder when dividing the number of documents by 4 is 2 and the placement state of the document M is facing down, the lowest document as the first document M is determined by an integral multiple The lowermost document M is conveyed by the pickup roller 4, and then the document M and the image information of the white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.
[0359]
As a result, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is two, the front side printing on the first recording paper P in double-sided book binding copy is not centered by the number of originals, which is inconvenient for the user. The process of collecting necessary white pages at the end of bookbinding can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10.
[0360]
Further, in the present embodiment, in the above case, when the image information of the read original M is printed on the front surface of the recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper P. The next lowermost original M is conveyed by using the original pickup roller 4, and then the original M and the image information of the white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.
[0361]
Thereby, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is two, the back side printing on the first recording paper P in the book binding copy of double-sided printing can be appropriately performed using the automatic original conveying apparatus 10. it can.
[0362]
In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M is 4 when performing duplex printing. On the other hand, when the remainder when dividing the number of originals by 4 is 3 and the placement state of the original M is downward, the lowest original as the first original M The lowermost document M is conveyed by the pickup roller 4, and then the document M and the image information of the white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.
[0363]
As a result, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 3, the front surface printing on the first recording paper P in double-sided book binding copy is not centered by the number of originals, which is inconvenient for the user. The process of collecting necessary white pages at the end of bookbinding can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10.
[0364]
Further, in the present embodiment, in the above case, when the image information of the read original M is printed on the front surface of the recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the recording paper P. The next lowermost original M is conveyed by using the original pickup roller 4, and then the original M and the image information of the white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the recording paper P.
[0365]
Thereby, when the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 3, the back side printing on the first recording sheet P in the book binding copy of the duplex printing can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10. it can.
[0366]
In this embodiment, in the above case, the image information of the read original M is printed on the back surface of the first recording paper P, and then the next image information is printed on the front surface of the second recording paper P. When the lowermost document pickup roller 4 is used, the next lowermost document M is conveyed, and then the document M and the image information of the white page separately stored in the image memory 62 are recorded on the second sheet. Print on paper P.
[0367]
As a result, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 3, the front side printing on the second recording sheet P in the double-sided book binding copy is not shifted from the center by the number of originals. For example, the automatic document feeder 10 can appropriately perform processing for collecting unnecessary white pages at the end of bookbinding.
[0368]
In the present embodiment, in the above case, after the image information of the read original M is printed on the front surface of the second recording paper P, the next image information is printed on the back surface of the second recording paper P. Is printed, the uppermost original document M is conveyed using the uppermost original document pickup roller 3, and then the lowermost original document M is conveyed using the lowermost original document pickup roller 4 and arranged. Print.
[0369]
Thus, when the remainder when the number of originals is divided by 4 is 3, the back side printing on the second recording paper P in the double-sided book binding copy is appropriately performed using the automatic original conveyance device 10. be able to.
[0370]
In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M is 4 when performing duplex printing. While determined by an integer multiple, the rotation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 varies depending on whether the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3. Thus, after the processing of the image information of each white page, processing is performed with a remainder of 0 when the number of originals is divided by four.
[0371]
As a result, at the time of double-sided book binding copy, after the processing of inserting the image information of each white page, the processing of arranging the remaining document M can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10. it can.
[0372]
In the present embodiment, the number of originals for setting the rotational operation of the uppermost document pickup roller 3 and the lowermost document pickup roller 4 in the document feeder 1 for reading the document M is 2 when performing single-sided printing. The number of originals divided by 2, the remainder is 0, and the rotational operation of the top document pickup roller 3 and the lowest document pickup roller 4 differs depending on the number of images, so that the image information of the white page After the above processing is performed, processing is performed in which the remainder when the number of documents is divided by 2 is 0.
[0373]
As a result, at the time of single-sided book binding copy, after the white page image information insertion process, the process of placing the remaining document M can be appropriately performed using the automatic document feeder 10. .
[0374]
In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the document discharge trays for discharging the read document M using the document main transport path 14 are provided in two upper and lower stages.
[0375]
For this reason, the document M sent to the document main transport path 14 can be arbitrarily separated and discharged to separate upper document discharge tray 13a or lower document discharge tray 13b.
[0376]
Further, in the present embodiment, the upper document discharge tray 13a has a document M placed on the document feeding tray 2 in the document feeding unit 1 facing downward and conveyed by the uppermost document pickup roller 3. M is discharged.
[0377]
For this reason, the document M fed by the uppermost document pickup roller 3 is selected from the documents M that are alternately conveyed by the uppermost document pickup roller 3 or the lowermost document pickup roller 4, and the upper document discharge roller 3 is selected. Paper can be discharged to the paper tray 13a.
[0378]
As a result, since the original M fed by the uppermost original pickup roller 3 is discharged in the normal order with the original surface facing upward, the uppermost original pickup roller 3 supplies the original bundle after copying. It is possible to save the trouble of selecting the paper original M and correcting the alignment of the originals M.
[0379]
Further, in the present embodiment, the lower document discharge tray 13b has a document M placed on the document feed tray 2 in the document feed unit 1 facing downward and conveyed by the lowermost document pickup roller 4. M is discharged.
[0380]
For this reason, the document M fed by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is selected from the documents M that are alternately conveyed by the uppermost document pickup roller 3 or the lowest document pickup roller 4, and the lower document discharge roller 4 is discharged. The paper can be discharged to the paper tray 13b.
[0381]
As a result, the document M fed by the lowest document pickup roller 4 is discharged in reverse order with the document surface facing upward, so that the lowest document pickup roller 4 feeds the copied document bundle. It is possible to save the trouble of selecting the paper original M and correcting the alignment of the originals M.
[0382]
In the present embodiment, a document discharge half-moon roller 21 which is a pickup roller for switching back the document M that has been read and a switchback transport path 16 are provided.
[0383]
Therefore, the document M once discharged to the lower document discharge tray 13b can be sent again into the document main transport path 14 and the switchback transport path 16 by using the document discharge half moon roller 21. .
[0384]
As a result, the document M once discharged can be transported to the document main transport path 14 and the switchback transport path 16 in order to switch back.
[0385]
Further, in the present embodiment, the original M, which has been read and is divided into upper and lower stages and discharged, is an original discharge half-moon roller 21, which is a pickup roller, an original main conveyance path 14, a switchback conveyance path 16, and the like. By the first conveyance path selection claw 17a and the second conveyance path selection claw 17b which are separation claws in the conveyance path, the documents M conveyed by the lowest document pickup roller 4 at the time of paper feeding are sequentially sequentially converted to the uppermost document pickup roller 3. It can be placed on the original M conveyed and discharged by the
[0386]
For this reason, among the originals M that are divided into upper and lower stages and discharged, the original M fed by the lowermost original pickup roller 4 is discharged in reverse order with the original surface facing upward. The sheets are fed one by one to the switchback transport path 16 by the document discharge half moon roller 21. Then, the document M fed by the uppermost document pickup roller 3 can be discharged onto the upper document discharge tray 13a from which the document M has been discharged.
[0387]
Thus, all the originals can be discharged to one upper original discharge tray 13a in the normal order with the original side facing up.
[0388]
In this embodiment, the upper paper discharge rollers 19a and 19a, the lower paper discharge rollers 19b and 19b, and the switchback transport rollers 18 and 18 that are document transport rollers arranged in the paper transport path can be reversibly rotated. It has become.
[0389]
As a result, the switchback mechanism can transport the document transported to the transport path in the reverse direction.
[0390]
In the present embodiment, the first conveyance path selection claw 17a and the second conveyance path selection claw 17b, which are separation claws arranged in the conveyance path, can select a conveyance path for guiding the document M by a solenoid or a spring. At the same time, the document M can be discharged and the document M can be switched back.
[0390]
For this reason, the conveyance path of the original M can be arbitrarily selected. Thereby, when the conveyance path is branched into a plurality of conveyance paths, the document M can be guided to an arbitrary conveyance path.
[0392]
In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the image information of the read original M is temporarily stored in the image memory 62, and when printing is necessary, the image information of the original M is called from the image memory 62 and image processing is performed. Memory printing means for printing after printing and direct printing means for printing image information of the read original M after image processing.
[0393]
Accordingly, desired page printing can be performed in one process by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order of picking up the original M.
[0394]
In the present embodiment, page printing is performed by sequentially reading the uppermost document M and the lowermost document M of the bundle of documents placed on the document feed tray 2, and the image forming unit 40 reads the image. Printing using the memory 62 is printed on the first half and the second half of the recording paper P in the transport direction.
[0395]
Thus, desired page printing can be performed in a single process by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order of picking up documents.
[0396]
In the present embodiment, the uppermost document M of the document bundle to be placed is the uppermost document pickup roller 3 for picking up the uppermost document M of the document bundle, the upper separating plate 5 and the lower separating plate. Paper feeding, conveyance, and reading are performed by a sampling conveyance mechanism having 6.
[0397]
Thus, desired page printing can be performed in a single process by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order of picking up documents.
[0398]
In the present embodiment, the lowermost document M of the document bundle to be placed is the lowermost document pickup roller 4 for picking up the uppermost document M of the document bundle, the upper separating plate 5 and the lower separating plate. Paper is fed, transported, and read by a trade-in transport mechanism having 6.
[0399]
Thus, desired page printing can be performed in a single process by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order of picking up documents.
[0400]
In the present embodiment, one upper document discharge tray 13a of the two-stage discharge trays is sequentially placed from the last page of the document M to be discharged.
[0401]
As a result, even if the order of picking up the original M is disturbed due to the preparation and trade-in, the preparation original and the preparation original are discharged to separate discharge trays, and the original M to be discharged to the upper original discharge tray 13a is discharged. By sequentially placing them from the last page, the order of the originals M can be made constant.
[0402]
In this embodiment, the other lower document discharge tray 13b of the two-stage discharge trays is sequentially placed from the first page of the document M to be discharged, and all the documents are read and discharged. After that, the document M is sequentially moved from the last read document M to the upper document discharge tray 13a placed from the last page by the switchback means, and the pages are aligned.
[0403]
As a result, even if the order of picking up the original M is disturbed by the trade-in and the trade-in, the top-prepared original and the trade-in original can be discharged to separate paper discharge trays. Further, by picking up from the uppermost document M of the lower document discharge tray 13b sequentially placed from the first page and sequentially placing them on the upper document discharge tray 13a, the order of the documents is restored. Is possible.
[0404]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the number of originals is an odd number, the first conveyance does not convey the originals, and the image forming unit 40 prints as white page image information.
[0405]
As a result, in the case of book binding copy when the number of originals is an odd number, the last page must be in a blank state, so that it is possible to forcibly create a situation in which printing is not performed.
[0406]
In the present embodiment, when the number of documents is an even number, the documents M are sequentially conveyed and printed by the image forming unit 40.
[0407]
Thus, when the number of originals is an even number, desired page printing can be performed in one process by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order of picking up the originals.
[0408]
In the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, selection of memory printing or direct printing is performed by direct printing in the first half of the conveyance direction on one recording paper P, and the second half of the recording paper P in the conveyance direction. The printing of the part is memory printing.
[0409]
As a result, the download order of the image data printed on the recording paper P is standardized, and the printing process procedure is standardized for any number of documents.
[0410]
In the present embodiment, the selection of memory printing or direct printing is made by selecting 0, 1, 2, or 3 as a remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 while performing double-sided printing. In this case, the remainder obtained by dividing by 2 is selected as 0 or 1.
[0411]
As a result, a data selection method for direct print data or memory print data is defined according to the number of originals, thereby enabling book binding copy processing in which discharged originals are always arranged in page order. The data selection of the memory print data includes both document data output and white data output.
[0412]
In the present embodiment, the memory printing or direct printing is selected when the number of originals divided by 4 when double-sided printing is 0 or the number of originals divided by 2 when performing single-sided printing. When 0 is 0, image data is output in both the first half and the second half in the transport direction of the front surface of the first recording paper P. Further, in the case of double-sided printing, the back surface of the first recording paper P is transported. Image data is output for both the first half and the second half of the direction.
[0413]
Thus, when the number of originals is a multiple of 4 for double-sided printing and when the number of originals is an even number for single-sided printing, the data output sequence to the photoreceptor 41 is always included regardless of the number of originals. Book binding copy processing by the same printing process becomes possible.
[0414]
Further, in the present embodiment, in the above, when the number of originals divided by 4 when performing double-sided printing is 1 or when the number of originals divided by 2 when performing single-sided printing is 1 The first half of the transport direction on the surface of the first recording paper P outputs image data and the second half outputs image information of white data. Further, in the case of duplex printing, the back surface of the first recording paper P The image data is output in both the first half and the second half in the conveyance direction.
[0415]
As a result, when the number of originals is a multiple of 4 minus 1 for double-sided printing, and when the number of originals is an odd number for single-sided printing, the data output sequence to the photoconductor 41 is also independent of the number of originals. In addition, book binding copy processing by the same printing process is always possible.
[0416]
In the present embodiment, in the above case, when performing double-sided printing, when the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 is 2, the first half of the transport direction on the surface of the first recording sheet P stores image data. The second half outputs white data image information, and the first half of the transport direction on the back of the first recording paper P outputs white data image information, and the second half outputs image data. To do.
[0417]
As a result, when double-sided printing is performed, when the number of originals is a multiple of 4 to -2, the book binding copy process using the same printing process is always possible, including the data output sequence to the photoconductor 41, regardless of the number of originals. It becomes.
[0418]
Further, in the present embodiment, in the above case, when performing double-sided printing, when the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 is 3, the first half in the transport direction on the surface of the first recording sheet P stores image data. The second half outputs white data image information, and the first half of the transport direction on the back of the first recording paper P outputs white data image information, and the second half outputs image data. Further, the first half of the transport direction on the front surface of the second recording paper P outputs image data, the second half outputs image information of white data, and further on the back surface of the second recording paper P. Image data is output in both the first half and the second half in the transport direction.
[0419]
As a result, when double-sided printing is performed, if the number of originals is a multiple of 4 to -3, book binding copy processing using the same printing process is always possible, including the data output sequence to the photoconductor 41, regardless of the number of originals. It becomes.
[0420]
Further, in the present embodiment, in the above, when the remainder when dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, 1, or 2, when the number of documents is divided by 4 after the first recording sheet P is discharged. If the remainder is 3, after the second recording paper P is discharged, and there is still an original M to be book-bound, the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 is 0 when performing duplex printing. Process the case.
[0421]
As a result, when performing double-sided printing in book binding copy, book binding copy processing can always be performed by the same printing process for the third and subsequent recording sheets P including the data output sequence to the photosensitive member 41. It becomes.
[0422]
In the present embodiment, the book binding printing is performed by using the image forming unit 40 as a printing unit, the sub-transport path 59b, the reversing retreat path 59a, and the paper discharge rollers 56 and 56 as recording paper discharge means. The paper P is discharged in a state where the page order is aligned.
[0423]
Thus, the user can always receive the discharged recording paper P arranged in the page order, and the bookbinding operation by a simple operation of bending the discharged recording paper P from the center portion becomes possible.
[0424]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various change is possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the image information read by the CCD 35 is stored as it is in the image memory 62. Accordingly, in order to further reduce the storage capacity of the image memory 62, for example, the image information can be compressed when stored in the image memory 62.
[0425]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 41, a data compression unit 76 as a compression unit is provided in the front part of the image memory 62, and the data read by the CCD 35 is compressed and stored in the image memory 62. Further, a data decompression unit 77 is provided at the subsequent stage of the image memory 62, and the data read from the image memory 62 is transferred to the LSU 74 while decompressing.
[0426]
As described above, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the data compression unit 76 that compresses the read image information of the original M before storing it in the image memory 62.
[0427]
For this reason, the image memory 62 can compress and store the image information of one original M, so that the storage capacity can be further reduced.
[0428]
As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine that can further avoid the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the mounted image memory 62 when performing book binding copy.
[0429]
In the present embodiment, when the relationship between the document size length A and the print paper length B is 2 × A = B (eg, a combination of an A4 size document M and an A3 size recording paper P). Is printed at the same magnification, and when the above formula is not established, the magnification is automatically changed at the time of document reading or printing processing.
[0430]
Thus, desired page printing can be performed in a single process by using both memory printing and direct printing in accordance with the order of picking up documents.
[0431]
Also, by combining with automatic scaling, it is possible to cope with page printing in which the document size and the recording paper size are different.
[0432]
In the present embodiment, image rotation can be performed as necessary in order to match the leading edge of the read image information with the leading edge of each page when performing the page printing.
[0433]
Accordingly, it is possible to cope with page printing with different document sizes and recording paper sizes by a combination of automatic scaling and image rotation.
[0434]
[Embodiment 2]
The following will describe another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in the drawings of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and explanation thereof is omitted. In addition, the various feature points of the first embodiment can be applied in combination with the present embodiment.
[0435]
As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic document feeder 10 of the digital copying machine of the present embodiment feeds the uppermost or lowermost document M of the document bundle by the upper or lower half-moon-shaped rollers of the sheet feeding mechanism. In addition, it is possible to irradiate the original M that has been sent by the belt 8 and stopped at the specified position.
[0436]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the automatic document feeder 10 includes an uppermost document pickup roller 3 that takes out the uppermost document of the document bundle placed on the document feeding tray 2 and the lowermost document bundle. A lowermost document pick-up roller 4 that picks up a document, and an upper separating plate 5 and a lower separating plate 6 that prevent a plurality of documents M from being stacked together when each upper and lower document M is taken out. A document feeder 1 is provided as an upper and lower document selection conveying means.
[0437]
Here, the document feeder 1 of the present embodiment selects the topmost document or the bottommost document in the stacked document stack, and both the topmost document and the bottommost document, or the topmost document. One of the originals and the lowermost original is sequentially conveyed to the original table 31.
[0438]
In other words, in the present embodiment, the document feeder 1 in the automatic document feeder 10 can transport and place two documents M on the document table 8 at the same time.
[0439]
Such a configuration capable of simultaneously sending two originals M to the original table 8 is known, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-6052. For example, the first original M is placed at a specified position on the original table 31. Next, the second document M is taken out and is regulated by a stopper or the like driven by an electromagnetic plunger so as to be positioned at the rear end of the first document M. The second original M and the second original M can be read side by side so as not to overlap.
[0440]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 and an image memory 62 as storage means. The CPU 61 includes an automatic document feeder control 63, a scanner optical system, and the like. Control 64, printing process control 65, recording paper conveyance control 66, image memory control 67, image data switching control 68, and the like are performed.
[0441]
In the present embodiment, the image memory 62 described above can store image information for two sheets of the document M.
[0442]
On the other hand, as described above, in the image forming unit 40 shown in FIG. 2, the paper main conveyance path 59c for transferring the toner image on the photoconductor 41 to the recording paper P as the paper conveyance path 59, and double-sided printing. At this time, a reversing retreat path 59a as a reversing path for reversing the recording paper P, and a sub-conveying path 59b which is an intermediate path until the recording paper P retreated on the reversing retreat path 59a is transported to the paper main transport path 59c again. And are provided.
[0443]
Here, the recording paper P on which one side is printed is temporarily retracted in the reversing retreat path 59a in order to perform double-sided printing, but in this embodiment, the recording paper P after the single-sided printing is temporarily reversed. While the next recording sheet P is printed after being retracted to the retract path 59a, the recording sheet P after the one-side printing is finished is taken out from the reverse retract path 59a and transported to the sub transport path 59b. It is made to wait on the path 59b.
[0444]
In the sub-transport path 59b, the recording paper P is put on standby by the recording paper transport control 66 as a standby means in the CPU 61 shown in FIG.
[0445]
Also in the present embodiment, selection of whether to print the image information stored in the image memory 62 or to directly print the document M read by the automatic document feeder 10 is as shown in FIG. The data bus switching unit 73 as selection means performs this operation.
[0446]
In FIG. 41, a data compression unit 76 and a data decompression unit 77 are provided, but are not necessarily required in the present embodiment.
[0447]
In the digital copying machine having the above-described configuration, specific control operations of the four patterns of the automatic document feeder 10 in the saddle-stitched and left-bound book binding copies will be described throughout.
[0448]
Again, n = 3, 12 documents M in 4n processing, 11 documents M in 4n-1 processing, 10 documents M in 4n-2 processing, and 9 documents M in 4n-3 processing. It will be explained as being.
[0449]
In these cases, the number of sheets of recording paper P is three, but when there are twelve originals M subjected to 4n processing, the images of four originals M are recorded on the recording paper P as shown in FIG. Are copied over four sides, two images on one side.
[0450]
Here, the black triangular arrow in the figure indicates the leading direction of the recording paper P. In other words, taking the recording paper P1 front surface and the recording paper P1 back surface in the figure as an example, the recording paper P1 fed from the paper cassette 51 passes through the paper main transport path 59c and is first paged on one side by the photoreceptor 41. The eyes and the 12th page are printed. Thereafter, the recording paper P1 is temporarily retracted to the reverse retreat path 59a.
[0451]
Next, when printing on the back surface of the recording paper P1, the recording paper P1 is transported through the sub transport path 59b, and the second and eleventh pages are printed on the back surface of the first printing surface. Thereafter, the recording paper P1 is discharged to the paper discharge tray through the reverse retreat path 59a.
[0452]
Here, in the present embodiment, the recording paper P1 once retracted to the reverse retreat path 59a is transported to the sub transport path 59b. At this time, printing on the surface of the recording paper P2 is performed on the paper main transport path 59c. It is carried out. Therefore, until the printing on the surface of the recording paper P2 is completed, the recording paper P1 is in a standby state in the sub-transport path 59b.
[0453]
Thereafter, the front surface of the recording paper P2 and the back surface of the recording paper P2, the front surface of the recording paper P3, and the back surface of the recording paper P3 are similarly printed, and a series of copying processes is completed.
[0454]
A substantially similar copying process is executed for the other copying patterns.
[0455]
That is, when there are 11 documents M that is 4n-1 processing, the 12th page of the document M is in a blank state as shown in FIG. Further, when there are ten originals M for 4n-2 processing, as shown in FIG. 32, the 12th and 11th pages of the original M are blank. Furthermore, when there are nine originals M for 4n-3 processing, the 12th, 11th, and 10th pages of the original M are blank as shown in FIG.
[0456]
Hereinafter, the process for realizing these copy patterns will be described in detail. It is assumed that the digital copying machine in the present embodiment is provided with some means for counting the number of documents M. As for the document counting means, the document table 31 of the automatic document feeder 10 may be provided with a document counting mechanism, or an input device for the user to input the number of documents may be provided.
[0457]
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 24, the process flowchart after the number of documents is determined is 4n processing when the number of documents is divided by 4 and the remainder is 0, and 4n-1 when the remainder is 1. Processing: When the remainder is 2, 4n-2 processing is executed, and when the remainder is 3, 4n-3 processing is executed. Hereinafter, with respect to these copying processes, detailed description will be given of a procedure for realizing each copying process of saddle stitching and left bound book binding copy from the A4 size original M to the A3 size recording paper P.
[0458]
First, the 4n document processing mode routine will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0459]
First, as shown in FIG. 42, the uppermost document and the lowermost document on the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the document table 31, and the image information of the document M is read by the scanner optical system 30 (S701 to S704). . To be precise, first, the first-page document M of the lowest document is sent to the document table 31, and then the twelfth-page document M of the highest document is sent. Which is prioritized has been described in the first embodiment, and therefore, in this embodiment, this expression will be described.
[0460]
This image information is written on the photosensitive member 41 by the LSU 74 at the timing when the printing position on the recording paper P is optimal through the direct transfer path, that is, the timing at which the leading position of the document data coincides with the leading position of the recording paper P. (S706). Then, the image of the original M is transferred from the leading end position of the first recording paper P. This completes the copying process for one side (hereinafter referred to as “front side”) of the first A3 recording sheet.
[0461]
The first recording sheet P printed on the front surface is retreated to the reversing retreat path 59a (S707). Meanwhile, the uppermost document and the lowermost document remaining on the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the document table 31 (S708, S709), and the read data is stored in the image memory 62 as an A3 size memory. (S710, S711).
[0462]
During this time, the first recording sheet P in the reversing retreat path 59a is transported to the sub transport path 59b (S712).
[0463]
Here, n is counted down (S713), and it is determined whether n = 0 (S714). If n = 0, the first recording sheet P on the sub-transport path 59b is transported to the registration rollers 54 and 54 (S715), and the first recording sheet P of A3 size is transferred. The other side (hereinafter referred to as “back side”) is printed, and the process ends (S716, S717).
[0464]
If n ≠ 0 in S714, the uppermost document and the lowermost document remaining in the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the document table 31 as shown in FIG. 43 (S718, S719). The data is printed on the surface of the second recording paper P, and this recording paper P is sent to the reversing retreat path 59a (S720 to S724).
[0465]
Further, the first recording sheet P is conveyed from the sub-conveying path 59b to the transfer position of the photosensitive member 41 by the registration rollers 54 and 54 (S725), and the data stored in the A3 size memory of the image memory 62 is stored. Is printed on the back side (S726), and is then discharged to the paper discharge tray (S727).
[0466]
Subsequently, the uppermost document and the lowermost document remaining in the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the document table 31 (S728, S729), and the read data is stored in the image memory 62 (S730, S731).
[0467]
Next, n is counted down (S732), and it is again determined whether n = 0 (S733).
[0468]
Here, if n = 0, the process proceeds to S715 shown in FIG. 42, and the second recording sheet P on the sub-transport path 59b is transported to the transfer portion by the photoconductor 41 by the registration rollers 54 and 54. The contents of the image memory 62 are printed on the back side, and the series of processes is completed (S716, S717).
[0469]
If n ≠ 0 in S733 shown in FIG. 43, the process returns to the printing process start point on the second recording paper P in the above process, that is, S718, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.
[0470]
The above is an example of the printing process on one side of the recording paper P by direct printing and memory printing.
[0471]
In the above flowchart, the memory printing start procedure from the image memory 62 is calculated from the direct printing end time and the rotational speed of the photosensitive member 41. The memory printing start position of the image memory 62 is determined as the recording paper. A method of calculating the elapsed time from the time when the tip of P reaches the registration rollers 54 and 54 is also possible.
[0472]
The above process will be described again with an example of 12 originals. First, the original data of the first page and the twelfth page are conveyed to the original table 31, and the read data is transferred to the surface of the first recording paper P through the direct transfer path. Is printed. The first recording sheet P for which printing has been completed is retracted to the reverse retreat path 59 a, during which the second and eleventh page originals M are read and read and stored in the image memory 62. Is done.
[0473]
Here, n of the number of documents 4n−a (n = 3, a: 0) counted in advance is decremented, and then the determination of n = 0 is executed.
[0474]
Since the current decremented value of n is 2, the process continues. Subsequently, the second recording paper P is conveyed to the printing portion by the photoconductor 41 by the registration rollers 54 and 54, and the document reading data of the third and tenth pages is printed on the surface of the second recording paper P. Is done.
[0475]
The second recording paper P on which printing has been completed is retracted to the reverse retreat path 59a, and the first recording paper P in the sub-conveyance path 59b is transported to the print portion by the photoconductor 41 by the registration rollers 54 and 54. The Then, the original data of the second page and the eleventh page stored in the image memory 62 are printed on the back surface of the first recording paper P, and the first recording paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray. .
[0476]
Subsequently, the fourth page and the ninth page of the document M are read by the document table 31 and then stored in the image memory 62. Here, the value of n is decremented again, and then the second determination of n = 0 is executed. Here, since n = 1, the process is further executed by one loop.
[0477]
The fifth and eighth page documents M are conveyed from the automatic document feeder 10 to the document table 31, and the read data is printed on the surface of the third recording paper P. Here, as in the previous section, the third recording sheet P is retracted to the reversing retreat path 59a, and the four pages stored in the image memory 62 on the back surface of the second recording sheet P in the sub-transport path 59b. Original data for the 9th page and the 9th page are printed.
[0478]
Thereafter, the second recording paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray, and the sixth and seventh pages of the original M remaining in the automatic document feeder 10 are sent to the original table 31 and read data thereof. Is stored in the image memory 62. Here, n is decremented, and then n = 0 is determined. At this time, since n is 0, no new recording paper P is fed, and the recording paper P in the sub-transport path 59b is transported to the print portion by the photoconductor 41 by the registration rollers 54 and 54, and the back surface. After the sixth page and the seventh page of the document data in the image memory 62 are printed, they are discharged to the discharge tray, and a series of copying processes is completed. Thereby, a set of recording paper P as shown in FIG. 30 can be formed. The above is the procedure for performing the 4n process.
[0479]
Next, the process flow in the case of 4n-1 processing will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0480]
As shown in FIG. 43, the 4n-1 process is realized by controlling the document M conveyed to the document table 31 in the first loop (S802 to S805) in the 4n process.
[0481]
That is, it is first determined whether or not it is the second loop or later (S801). If it is the first loop, only the uppermost document is transported to the document table 31 as the first loop process (S802 to S805). Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, a set of recording paper P as shown in FIG. 31 can be formed by executing the same process as in the 4n process. The above is the procedure for performing the 4n-1 process.
[0482]
Next, the process flow in the case of 4n-2 processing will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0483]
In the case of the 4n-2 process, as shown in FIG. 46, in addition to the 4n-1 process, it can be realized by controlling the transport procedure of the document M for printing on the back surface of the first recording paper P. Yes (S811, S812).
[0484]
That is, in the first processing of the recording paper P, the processing on the front surface of the recording paper P is executed in the same manner as the 4n-1 processing (S801 to S805, S705 to S707), and then the second loop in the processing on the back surface. After determining whether or not it is the first or later (S810), if it is the first loop, only the uppermost + 1st sheet document data of the automatic document feeder 10 is transported to the document table 31 (S811, S812). As shown, the original data is stored in the first half of the image memory 62, and 0 is stored in the second half (S710 to S711). Next, as shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, this stored data is printed on the back side of the first sheet of recording paper P (S712-S714, S718-S727), so that the recording paper P as shown in FIG. A set can be formed. The above is the procedure for performing the 4n-2 process.
[0485]
Finally, the process flow in the case of 4n-3 processing will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0486]
In the case of the 4n-3 process, as shown in FIG. 51, in addition to the 4n-2 process, it is realized by the conveyance control of the document M printed on the surface of the recording paper P in the second loop (S831 to S834).
[0487]
That is, as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, after the completion of the first loop of the 4n-2 process, as shown in FIG. 51, it is determined whether or not the third loop or later (S830), and then the automatic document feeder Only the 10th to 3rd page document data is conveyed to the document table 31 (S831 to S834), and this is printed on the surface of the second recording sheet P (S722 and S723). Thereafter, the same processing as the 4n processing is repeatedly executed (S724 to S733, S718 to S733, S715 to S717), whereby the set of recording paper P shown in FIG. 33 can be formed. The above is the procedure for performing the 4n-3 process.
[0488]
As described above, each copying process can be realized by adding a determination condition to the basic 4n processing procedure. In this way, in the conventional copying process that has been executed with the memory for one original, it is possible to carry two sheets of recording paper P simultaneously in the process by expanding the memory capacity to two originals. As a result, the execution time of the copying process in the entire book binding copy is shortened.
[0489]
As described above, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the automatic document feeder 10 is used to supply the document M, read the image information of the document M, and perform single-sided printing or double-sided printing on the recording paper P. .
[0490]
Further, in this digital copying machine, in the case of double-sided printing, after the single-sided printing of the recording paper P is completed in the main paper transporting path 59c in the paper transporting path 59, the recording paper P is temporarily reversed in the paper transporting path 59. The sheet is retracted to 59a, and then printed on the back side through the sub-transport path 59b in the paper transport path 59 on the main paper transport path 59c.
[0491]
Here, the digital copying machine of the present embodiment is provided with an image memory 62 for storing image information for one side of the recording paper P, and the image memory 62 is provided for the original M to be read. Image information corresponding to one side of the recording paper P or half of one side of the recording paper P can be stored, while the image information stored in the image memory 62 and the image information of the document M read by the automatic document feeder 10 can be stored during printing. A data bus switching unit 73 for selecting which one to print is provided, and in the above double-sided printing, after the recording paper P after the single-sided printing is finished is temporarily evacuated to the reverse evacuation path 59a, the next recording paper P is loaded. There is provided a recording paper conveyance control 66 for taking out the recording paper P that has been retreated to the reversing retraction path 59a and conveying it to the sub-conveyance path 59b while waiting for printing.
[0492]
In other words, in the case of booklet copy with saddle stitching or saddle stitching, the page layout on the recording paper P is important, and the read original may not be printed immediately.
[0493]
At this time, in the present embodiment, an image memory 62 for storing image information for one side of the recording paper P is provided, and this image memory 62 is for one side of the recording paper P or recording with respect to the original M to be read. Since half of the image information for one side of the paper P can be stored, the read original M can be stored once.
[0494]
That is, since the image memory 62 can store image information for one side of the recording paper P, half of the recording paper P for one side can be stored for two documents. Further, since the image memory 62 can store image information of one side of the recording paper P or half of the recording paper P with respect to the original M to be read, only the half of the original M corresponding to one side of the recording paper P is stored. Can also be stored. This means that the image information of the original M corresponding to half of one side of the recording paper P is stored, the other half of the data is set to 0, and the image information of the original M and the white page which is 0 data can be printed side by side. It is shown.
[0495]
Further, when printing the original M read in this manner, the data bus switching unit 73 prints the image information stored in the image memory 62 and the image information of the original M read by the automatic document feeder 10. Select which to print.
[0496]
Therefore, by the selection operation by the data bus switching unit 73, it is possible to first print the image information of two originals corresponding to one side of the recording paper P, and then store the two originals M that have been read. Therefore, it becomes possible to control a recording paper conveyance control 66 described later.
[0497]
Thus, in this printing method, the image memory 62 that stores the image information of the original M only needs to have a capacity capable of storing the image information of two originals.
[0498]
As a result, it is possible to provide a digital copying machine capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.
[0499]
In the present embodiment, in double-sided printing, the recording paper P after completion of single-sided printing is temporarily retracted to the reverse retraction path 59a, and then retracted to the reverse retraction path 59a while the next recording paper P is printed. A recording paper conveyance control 66 is provided that takes out the recording paper P that has been taken out, conveys the recording paper P to the sub conveyance path 59b, and waits in the sub conveyance path 59b.
[0500]
That is, when performing double-sided printing, after the front surface printing of the first recording paper P is completed, the back surface data of the first recording paper P is read and stored in the image memory 62. In addition, while the surface data of the second recording paper P is being read, the surface of the first recording paper P is transported to the sub-transport path 59b and waits on this sub-transport path 59b. Next, after the front surface printing of the second recording paper P is performed first and then retracted to the reverse retreat path 59a, the back surface printing of the first recording paper P waiting in the sub-transport path 59b is performed. .
[0501]
Accordingly, in the present embodiment, two recording papers P can be simultaneously transported to the paper transport path 59.
[0502]
As a result, it is possible to improve the printing processing speed when printing all the recording sheets P.
[0503]
Further, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, the automatic document feeder 10 selects the topmost document or the bottommost document in the stacked document stack, and selects the topmost document and the bottommost document. A document feeder 1 is provided that sequentially conveys either one of the uppermost document or the lowermost document to the document table 31.
[0504]
Also, the document feeder 1 determines either the top document or the bottom document first, or either the top document or the bottom document based on the number of documents. select.
[0505]
For this reason, the document feeder 1 can appropriately transport the document M to the document table 31 in the case of storing image information in the image memory 62 and directly printing regardless of the number of documents. Book binding printing can be performed in the same process.
[0506]
Further, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, when the printing surface is double-sided, the document feeder 1 causes the top document to be divided by 0, 1, 2, or 3 after dividing the number of documents by 4 In addition, either one of the lowermost documents is selected first, or either the uppermost document or the lowermost document is selected.
[0507]
That is, printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper P in saddle stitch bookbinding printing. When the number of originals is 4n (n is an integer), for example, the last page and the first page of the original M are printed in this order on the front side of the recording paper P, while For example, the second page and the first page before the last page are printed in this order.
[0508]
However, this printing order differs when the number of originals is 4n-1, 4n-2, 4n-3. In addition, the order is changed by inserting image information of white pages.
[0509]
However, in the present embodiment, the document feeding unit 1 uses the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 as 0, 1, 2, or 3, and puts either the top document or the bottom document first. Both of them select either the top document or the bottom document.
[0510]
Therefore, when the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 is 0, 1, 2, or 3, both the topmost document and the bottommost document in the document stack of the automatic document feeder 10 are both first or Since either the uppermost document or the lowermost document is selected, when performing the saddle stitch bookbinding printing, an appropriate one of the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the document bundle is fetched and the document table 31 is selected. Can be read at
[0511]
As a result, it is possible to surely easily take out the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the placed document bundle. Further, it is possible to always discharge the document M in page order.
[0512]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with storage means for storing the image information of one read original. On the other hand, the image information of the original is conveyed to the read original. Whether to print directly in the first half or the second half of the direction, or to temporarily store the image information of the original in the storage means and print it side by side with the image information printed in the first half or the second half of the recording paper conveyance direction Selection means for performing selection is provided.
[0513]
Therefore, since the storage means for storing the image information of one read original is provided, the read original can be temporarily stored.
[0514]
Further, as described above, by the selection operation by the selection means, the image information of the first original is first stored in the storage means, the next read original is printed first, and then the stored image information of the original is displayed. It becomes possible to print side by side. As a result, it is possible to print on a recording sheet having a page layout suitable for book binding printing.
[0515]
In this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the document only needs to have a capacity capable of storing the image information of one document.
[0516]
As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the mounted memory when performing book binding printing.
[0517]
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the automatic document feeder selects one of the uppermost document and the lowermost document in the document bundle to be placed and sequentially Upper and lower document selection / conveying means for conveying the document to the document reading unit is provided.
[0518]
Therefore, even when, for example, the first page and the last page of a document are printed side by side on one side of the recording paper, the document can be read from the top and bottom of the stacked document stack, so that the storage capacity can be increased. Reduction can be achieved.
[0519]
As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the mounted memory when performing saddle stitch bookbinding printing.
[0520]
As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the upper and lower document selecting and conveying means is Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and the predetermined page layout, One of the uppermost document and the lowermost document in the document bundle to be placed is selected.
[0521]
Therefore, the upper and lower document selection conveying means is Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and the predetermined page layout, Since either the topmost document or the bottommost document in the placed document stack is selected, when performing saddle stitch bookbinding printing, the topmost document or the bottommost document in the document bundle is appropriately selected. Can be read and read by the image reading unit.
[0522]
As a result, there is an effect that it becomes easy to take out either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the loaded document bundle.
[0523]
As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the above image forming apparatus. In duplex printing, The selection means prints the image information of the original directly on the first half or the second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper depending on the remainder of dividing the number of originals by 4 by 0, 1, 2 or 3, or the image of the original Information is temporarily stored in the storage means, and it is selected whether to print in line with the image information printed in the first half or second half in the conveyance direction of the recording paper.
[0524]
Therefore, when the printing surface is double-sided, Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and the predetermined page layout, It is possible to first store the image information of the first document in the storage means, print the image information of the white page stored separately beforehand, and then print the image information of the stored document side by side. Become.
[0525]
As a result, it is possible to print on a recording sheet having a page layout suitable for saddle stitch bookbinding printing.
[0526]
In this printing method, the storage capacity of the storage means for storing the image information of the original includes a capacity capable of storing the image information of one original and a capacity of white page image information separately stored in advance. If there is enough.
[0527]
As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the mounted memory when performing saddle stitch bookbinding printing.
[0528]
As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is the above image forming apparatus. Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and the predetermined page layout, Instead of the read original, white image insertion means for inserting image information of a white page is provided.
[0529]
Therefore, in book binding printing, for example, when it is desired to make the last page a white page, it is possible to easily insert a white page by the white image insertion unit.
[0530]
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the automatic document feeder is configured to select and read either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the document bundle to be placed. The original document is once divided into two parts, the top document and the bottom document, and one of the discharged document bundles is taken out again one by one, and the other discharged document bundles are arranged in ascending order. Alternatively, discharge document rearranging means for stacking and discharging the sheets so as to follow the descending order is provided.
[0531]
Therefore, the discharged document re-arranging means takes out one of the discharged document bundles one by one again from the document that has been once divided into the uppermost document and the lowermost document. The other bundles of discharged documents are stacked and discharged along the ascending or descending order. Therefore, at the time when the re-ejection of the original is completed, the discharged original bundle is arranged in ascending order or descending order.
[0532]
As a result, there is an effect that even after printing is finished, the discharged document bundle can be taken out in a state in which the original document bundle is arranged in the page order.
[0533]
As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the discharged document rearranging unit temporarily discharges the read document into two parts, that is, the uppermost document and the lowermost document. It consists of two upper and lower document discharge trays, and switchback means for taking out the documents discharged to one of the upper and lower document discharge trays and switching them back to the other document discharge trays. It is what.
[0534]
Therefore, after the printing is finished, the original from the beginning and the original from the end are divided into two upper and lower two-stage original discharge trays, and once discharged, after the completion of all the printing, the switchback means By discharging the document from one document discharge tray to the other document discharge tray, it is possible to finally discharge the document in the original arrangement in the page order.
[0535]
As a result, there is an effect that even after printing is finished, the discharged document bundle can be surely taken out in the page order of the original document bundle.
[0536]
As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image information of one read original is printed in the image forming apparatus, half the length of the recording paper in the transport direction is transported. When the length does not coincide with the length of the direction, a scaling printing means for scaling and printing is provided.
[0537]
Therefore, when printing on the recording paper, even if the scales of the originals are different, it is possible to print with the same size.
[0538]
As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a compression unit that compresses the image information of one read original document before storing the image information in the storage unit.
[0539]
Therefore, since the image information of one original can be compressed and stored in the storage unit, the storage capacity can be further reduced.
[0540]
As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of further avoiding the limitation of the number of documents due to the capacity of the installed memory when performing book binding printing.
[0541]
As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention prints on the reverse side of the recording paper after the recording paper is printed on the surface of the recording paper in order to support double-sided printing. On the other hand, when the book binding double-sided printing is provided, Based on the remainder of dividing the number of documents by 4 and the predetermined page layout, The direct printing for directly printing the original image information on the recording paper and the memory printing for printing the original image information on the recording paper after storing the original image information once in the storage means are used in combination on the surface of one recording paper. After image information is printed and the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means, the back side is printed in the same manner on the recording paper.
[0542]
Therefore, when performing book binding double-sided printing, it is possible to perform appropriate printing that can reduce the memory capacity on the surface of the recording paper, while the printing surface of the recording paper is then reversed by the recording paper switchback means. Appropriate printing can be performed on the back side of the recording paper to reduce the memory capacity.
[0543]
As a result, the memory capacity can be reduced and the recording paper reversing operation by an external manual operation can be omitted, thereby reducing the burden on the user with respect to the recording paper reversal.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital copying machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of the digital copying machine.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the digital copying machine.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a document feeder of an automatic document feeder in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a feeding state of a document bundle placed on a document feeding tray in a document feeding section of the automatic document feeder, wherein (a) shows a state in which a lowermost document of the document bundle is taken out. (B) shows a state in which the uppermost document of the document bundle is taken out.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a document discharge section of an automatic document feeder in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 7 shows an N + 1th page of a document bundle placed on the upper document delivery tray in an N + 1th page of the document bundle ejected to the lower document delivery tray in the document delivery section of the automatic document feeder. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which paper is discharged again on the original.
FIG. 8 illustrates a document discharge unit of the automatic document feeder, in which N-1 pages of the document bundle discharged to the lower document discharge tray are N-th page of the document bundle placed on the upper document discharge tray. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which paper is discharged again on a document of a page.
FIG. 9 shows that the original document discharge unit of the automatic document feeder is configured to discharge all the original bundles discharged to the lower document discharge tray one by one to the upper document discharge tray. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where documents are arranged in ascending order on a paper tray.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing a printing method in left-bound bag binding copy when the number of originals is an even number; FIG. 10A shows an arrangement state of each page recorded on recording paper, and FIG. This shows the printing direction when printing on recording paper in the layout state of each page shown in (a).
FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing a printing method in left-bound bag binding copying when the number of originals is an odd number; FIG. 11A shows an arrangement state of each page recorded on recording paper, and FIG. This shows the printing direction when printing on recording paper in the layout state of each page shown in (a).
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a document is placed downward on a document feed tray in the document feeding unit of the automatic document feeder.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation in the case of performing left-bound bag binding copy in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a two-sheet processing mode subroutine operation when left-bound bag binding copying is performed by the digital copying machine.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an odd-numbered final document processing mode subroutine operation in the case of performing left-bound bag binding copy in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the page layout of each recording sheet when left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is performed with eight originals in the digital copying machine, and (a) is the surface of the first recording sheet (B) shows the state of the back surface of the first recording paper, (c) shows the state of the front surface of the second recording paper, and (d) shows the state of the back surface of the second recording paper.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the page layout of each recording sheet when left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed on seven originals in the digital copying machine, (a) is the surface of the first recording sheet (B) shows the state of the back surface of the first recording paper, (c) shows the state of the front surface of the second recording paper, and (d) shows the state of the back surface of the second recording paper.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing the page layout of each recording sheet when left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed on six originals in the digital copying machine, and (a) is the surface of the first recording sheet. (B) shows the state of the back surface of the first recording paper, (c) shows the state of the front surface of the second recording paper, and (d) shows the state of the back surface of the second recording paper.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a page layout of each recording sheet when left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed with five originals in the digital copying machine, (a) is the surface of the first recording sheet (B) shows the state of the back surface of the first recording paper, (c) shows the state of the front surface of the second recording paper, and (d) shows the state of the back surface of the second recording paper.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a feeding state of each original when left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is performed with eight originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a feeding state of each original when left binding copy for saddle stitching is performed with seven originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a feeding state of each original when left binding copy for saddle stitching is performed on six originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a feeding state of each original when left binding copy for saddle stitching is performed on five originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an operation when left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 25 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n processing operation in a case where left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 26 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-1 processing operation in the case where left-stitch copying for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 27 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-2 processing operation in the case where left-stitch copying for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 28 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-3 processing operation in the case where left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 29 is a side view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is printed on the recording sheet with 12 originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 30 is a plan view illustrating a page arrangement state on the front and back surfaces of each recording paper when a saddle-stitched copy for saddle stitching is printed on the recording paper with 12 originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 31 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is printed on the recording sheet with 11 originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 32 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is printed on the recording sheet with ten originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 33 is a plan view showing an arrangement state of pages on the front and back surfaces of each recording sheet when a left-binding copy for saddle stitching is printed on the recording sheet with nine originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 34 is a sub-routine flowchart showing all steps of a 4n sheet processing operation when left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 35 is a subroutine flowchart showing all steps of a 4n-1 sheet processing operation when left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 36 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 35.
FIG. 37 is a sub-routine flowchart showing all steps of a 4n-2 sheet processing operation when left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 38 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG.
FIG. 39 is a subroutine flowchart showing all steps of a 4n-3 sheet processing operation when left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine.
40 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 39. FIG.
FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating control when compression is performed before storage in an image memory.
FIG. 42 illustrates another embodiment of a digital copying machine according to the present invention, in which two originals are supplied to an original table and left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals It is a subroutine flowchart which shows this 4n sheet processing operation.
43 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 42. FIG.
FIG. 44 is a sub-routine flowchart showing a 4n-1 sheet processing operation in the case where two originals are supplied to an original table and left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine. .
45 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 44. FIG.
FIG. 46 is a subroutine flowchart showing a 4n-2 sheet processing operation in the case where two documents are supplied to a document table and left-stitched copy for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of documents in the digital copying machine. .
47 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 46. FIG.
48 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 47. FIG.
FIG. 49 is a sub-routine flowchart showing a 4n-3 sheet processing operation in the case where two originals are supplied to an original platen and left-binding binding for saddle stitching is performed with an arbitrary number of originals in the digital copying machine. .
FIG. 50 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 49.
FIG. 51 is a subroutine flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 50.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Document feeder (upper and lower document selection transport means)
2 Document feed tray
3 Top-level document pickup roller
4 Lowermost document pickup roller
5 Upper judgment board
6 Lower judgment board
11 Document discharge section (re-arrangement means for discharged documents)
13a Upper document output tray (document output tray)
13b Lower document output tray (document output tray)
14 Document main transport path
15a Upper transfer branch
15b Lower transfer branch
16 Transport path for switchback (switchback means)
17a First conveyance path selection claw
17b Second transport path selection claw
18 Transport roller for switchback
19a Upper discharge roller
19b Lower paper discharge roller
21 Document discharge half moon roller (switchback means)
31 Document platen (document reading unit)
32 Light source for exposure
40 Image forming unit
41 photoconductor
43 Transcription Charger
56 Paper discharge roller
59 Paper transport path
59a Reverse retreat path (recording paper switchback means, reverse path, paper transport path)
59b Sub transport path (recording paper switchback means, paper transport path)
59c Paper main transport path (paper transport path)
61 CPU (white image insertion means)
62 Image memory (storage means)
66 Recording paper transport control (standby means)
68 Image data switching control (white image insertion means)
72 Image processing unit (magnification printing means)
73 Data bus switching part (selection means)
74 Laser output converter
76 Data compression unit (compression means)
77 Data decompression section

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus capable of supplying a document using an automatic document feeder, reading image information of the document, and performing single-sided printing or double-sided printing on recording paper,
Storage means for storing image information of one read original ;
For the original to be read, the image information of the original is directly printed on the first half or the latter half of the recording paper conveyance direction, or the original image information is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the recording paper conveyance direction Selection means for selecting whether to print in line with the image information printed in the first half or the second half , and
The automatic document feeder is provided with upper and lower document selection conveying means for selecting either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the stacked document stack and sequentially conveying it to the document reading unit.
The upper / lower document selection conveying unit selects either the uppermost document or the lowermost document in the stacked document stack based on a remainder obtained by dividing the number of documents by 4 and a predetermined page arrangement,
In double-sided printing, the selection means prints the image information of the original directly on the first half or the second half in the recording paper conveyance direction with a remainder of 0, 1, 2, or 3 obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4, or An image forming apparatus characterized in that image information of the original is temporarily stored in the storage means and selected to be printed side by side on the image information printed in the first half or the second half in the recording paper conveyance direction . 2. A white image insertion means for inserting image information of a white page in place of a read original , based on a remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 and a predetermined page arrangement. Image forming apparatus.   In the automatic document feeder, a document read by selecting either the topmost document or the bottommost document in the stack of documents to be placed is temporarily converted into the topmost document and the bottommost document. Ejected document re-arrangement means is provided for separately ejecting one of the ejected document bundles one by one and stacking and ejecting the other ejected document bundles in ascending or descending order. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The means to re-arrange the original
The upper and lower two-level document discharge trays that discharge the scanned document into two parts, the uppermost document and the lowermost document, and the documents that are discharged to either the upper or lower document discharge tray 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising switchback means for taking out the sheet and switching it back and discharging it to another document discharge tray.   When printing the image information of one scanned original, if half the length of the recording paper in the transport direction does not match the length of the original in the transport direction, the variable magnification printing is performed by scaling. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a compression unit that compresses image information of one read original document before storing the image information in the storage unit. In order to support double-sided printing, after recording the surface of the recording paper, a recording paper switchback means is provided for inverting the recording paper and printing on the back side of the recording paper,
When performing book binding double-sided printing , based on the remainder obtained by dividing the number of originals by 4 and a predetermined page layout , direct printing for direct printing of original image information on recording paper and original image information are temporarily stored in the storage means. The image information of the two originals is printed on the surface of one recording paper in combination with the memory printing for printing on the recording paper after storing, and the recording paper is reversed by the recording paper switchback means, and then the recording is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein reverse printing is performed on paper in the same manner.

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