JP2000137410A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, image forming method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image forming apparatus which can switch between a left-right opening recording mode and an up-down opening recording mode in double-sided image formation to improve user convenience. SOLUTION: In double-sided image formation, recording is performed according to the original on one side of a recording medium, and an image obtained by rotating the original by 180 degrees is recorded on the back side. This allows the recording form to open up and down instead of up and down instead of left and right,
Furthermore, switching between the left-right opening finish and the up-down opening finish is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, such as a digital copying machine, capable of forming an image on both sides of a sheet material, and an image forming apparatus provided with the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a system and a storage medium for executing the image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine is provided with an image forming means for recording an image read by a reader unit on a sheet material such as paper, and the sheet formed by the image forming means. A double-sided image forming technique for forming an image on both sides of the sheet material by forming an image on the back surface of the sheet material again has been developed.

In this type of double-sided image formation, recording is performed on both sides of a sheet material in the same direction, and the finish is in the form of a book which is opened right and left.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional image forming apparatus, the recording form in the double-sided image formation is only a left-right opening form (a book-like form opening in the left-right direction with respect to the recording direction). Other recording modes cannot be selected. For this reason, a vertically open recording mode (a calendar-like mode that opens vertically with respect to the recording direction)
Even if this was more convenient, this could not be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of switching between a left-right opening recording mode and a vertical opening recording mode in double-sided image formation, thereby improving user convenience. , An image forming system, an image forming method, and a storage medium.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an image forming apparatus having a double-sided image forming means for forming images on both front and back sides of a sheet material. The apparatus is characterized in that a rotating image forming means for forming an image by rotating an image at an arbitrary angle with respect to either the front surface or the back surface of the sheet material is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the first double-sided mode by the rotating image forming means and the non-rotation of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. And a second double-side mode for forming an image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the first double-sided mode includes an upper side and a lower side of an image formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. And the second double-sided mode is a left-right open-sided mode in which the upper sides of images formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are aligned with each other.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising an image inputting means for inputting an image, wherein the rotating image forming means comprises: It is characterized in that an image input by the input means is rotated at an arbitrary angle to form an image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a double-sided image forming means for forming an image on both sides of a sheet material, comprising: an image direction detecting means for detecting an image direction; A rotating image forming means for forming an image by rotating the image at an arbitrary angle, an upper and lower opening double-sided mode in which an upper side and a lower side of an image formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are combined, and Selecting means for selecting one of a left-right opening double-sided mode in which upper sides of images formed on both front and back sides are aligned with each other, wherein the double-sided image forming means is provided in a direction of the image detected by the image direction detecting means. The upper and lower opening double-sided mode or the left and right opening double-sided mode selected by the selecting unit using the image rotation processing by the rotating image forming unit according to Characterized in the that the configuration in which the image forming in accordance with the.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising an image input unit for inputting an image, wherein the image direction detecting unit is configured to input the image by the image input unit. It is characterized in that the direction of the image is detected.

An image forming system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus having a double-sided image forming means for forming images on both front and back sides of a sheet material, and an external device connected to the image forming apparatus. Wherein the image forming apparatus includes a rotating image forming unit that forms an image by rotating an image at an arbitrary angle with respect to either the front surface or the back surface of the sheet material. It is characterized by.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the seventh aspect, the image forming apparatus includes: a first double-sided mode by the rotating image forming means; The image forming apparatus further includes a selection unit that selects one of a second double-side mode for forming a non-rotated image on both sides.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the eighth aspect, the first double-sided mode includes an upper side and a lower side of an image formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. And the second double-sided mode is a left-right open-sided mode in which the upper sides of images formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are aligned with each other.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the seventh to ninth aspects, the image forming apparatus includes an image input unit for inputting an image, and The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the forming means rotates the image input by the image input means at an arbitrary angle to form an image.

An image forming system according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus having a double-sided image forming means for forming images on both sides of a sheet material, and an external device connected to the image forming apparatus. In the image forming system, the image forming apparatus includes: an image orientation detection unit that detects an orientation of an image; a rotation image formation unit that performs image formation by rotating the image at an arbitrary angle; Selection to select one of an upper and lower opening double-sided mode in which the upper side and the lower side of the image formed on the front and back sides are respectively formed, and a left and right opening both side mode in which the upper sides of the images formed on the front and back sides of the sheet material are respectively formed. Means, wherein the two-sided image forming means is configured to rotate the image by the rotating image forming means according to the direction of the image detected by the image direction detecting means. Using the processing, and performs image formation in accordance with the upper and lower open duplex mode or the left and right open sided mode selected by said selection means.

In an image forming system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the eleventh aspect, the image forming apparatus includes an image input unit for inputting an image, and the image direction detecting unit includes: It is characterized in that the direction of the image input by the image input means is detected.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method having a double-sided image forming process for forming an image on both front and back surfaces of the sheet material, one of the front surface and the back surface of the sheet material is provided. On the other hand, a rotation image forming process for forming an image by rotating an image at an arbitrary angle is performed during the double-sided image forming process.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the thirteenth aspect, the first double-sided mode based on the rotating image forming process and the non-rotation of both the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. And a second double-sided mode for forming an image.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the fourteenth aspect, the first double-sided mode includes an upper side and a lower side of an image formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. And the second double-sided mode is a left-right open-sided mode in which the upper sides of images formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are aligned with each other.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects, an image inputting process for inputting an image is performed, and the rotating image forming process includes the image inputting process. The image input is performed by rotating the image input by an arbitrary angle to form an image.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method having a two-sided image forming process for forming an image on both the front and back surfaces of the sheet material, the image forming method further comprises the steps of: A rotating image forming process for forming an image by rotating the image at an arbitrary angle, an upper and lower opening double-sided mode in which an upper side and a lower side of an image formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are combined, and A selection process of selecting one of a left-right opening double-sided mode in which upper sides of images formed on both front and back sides are combined, wherein the double-sided image forming process is performed in accordance with the orientation of the image detected by the image orientation detection process. Using the image rotation processing by the corresponding rotation image formation processing, the upper and lower opening double-sided mode or the left and right opening both sides selected by the selection processing And performing image formation in accordance with the over-de.

In an image forming method according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the seventeenth aspect, an image input process for inputting an image is performed, and the image orientation detecting process is performed by the image input process. Detecting the direction of the image.

The storage medium according to the nineteenth aspect is:
A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program that executes an image forming method having a double-sided image forming step of forming an image on both front and back surfaces of a sheet material, wherein the image forming method includes: A rotating image forming step of forming an image by rotating the image at an arbitrary angle with respect to one of the front surface and the back surface.

In the storage medium according to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the nineteenth aspect, the image forming method includes the steps of: On the other hand, there is provided a selecting step of selecting one of a second double-sided mode for forming a non-rotated image.

In the storage medium according to the twenty-first aspect, in the storage medium according to the twentieth aspect, the first double-sided mode includes determining an upper side and a lower side of an image formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. The upper and lower opening double-sided mode may be combined, and the second double-sided mode may be a left and right opening double-sided mode in which upper sides of images formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are aligned with each other.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects, the image forming method includes an image input step of inputting an image, and the rotating image forming step However, the image input is performed by rotating the image input in the image input step at an arbitrary angle.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing an image forming method having a double-sided image forming step of forming images on both sides of a sheet material. A medium, wherein the image forming method includes: an image direction detecting step of detecting an image direction; a rotating image forming step of forming an image by rotating the image at an arbitrary angle; A selection step of selecting one of a top-bottom opening double-sided mode for matching the upper side and the bottom side of the image to be formed, and a left-right opening double-sided mode for matching the top sides of the images respectively formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. The rotated image according to the orientation of the image detected by the image orientation detection step Using the image rotation process by formation step, and performing the selected the upper and lower open duplex mode or said lateral opening image forming in accordance with the duplex mode by the selection step.

In a storage medium according to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium according to the twenty-third aspect, the image forming method includes an image inputting step of inputting an image, and the image orientation detecting step includes the step of detecting the image orientation. It is characterized in that the direction of the image input in the input step is detected.

[0030]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This image forming apparatus includes a digital copying machine 10
It is configured as The CPU 21 which performs the basic control of the copying machine 10 has an RO in which the control program is written.
M24, work RAM 25 for performing processing, and input / output port 23 are connected via an address bus and a data bus. Various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch for controlling the copying machine 10 are provided at the input / output port 23.
And an input (not shown) such as a sensor for detecting the position of the paper.

The CPU 21 controls input / output sequentially through the input / output port 23 according to the contents of the ROM 24, and executes a copying operation.

The CPU 21 further includes an operation unit 22 for displaying the state of the copying machine 10, an image processing unit 20 for processing an image converted into an electric signal by an image sensor unit (108 in FIG. 4) described later, An image memory unit 13 for storing processed images and a character string direction / document direction determining unit 26 for determining a character string direction and a document direction of the image are connected.

The image memory section 13 is connected to a reader section 11 for reading an image, a printer section 12 for forming an image on a sheet, and an external I / F processing section 14. The external I / F processing unit 14 develops a PDL input from an external computer into a bitmap.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of the image memory section 13. As shown in FIG.

The image memory section 13 writes the binary images from the external I / F processing section 14 and the image processing section 20 via a memory controller section 13b to a page memory section 13a composed of a memory such as a DRAM. It performs image readout to the printer unit 12 and input / output access of images to a hard disk (HD) 13d which is a large-capacity storage device. The LZ compression 13c compresses and decompresses image data according to input / output of the hard disk 13c.

The memory controller 13b generates a DRAM refresh signal for the page memory 13a, and generates an external I / F processor 14, an image processor 20,
And arbitrates access from the hard disk 13d to the page memory 13a. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 21, the CPU 21 controls a write address to the page memory unit 13a, a read address from the page memory unit 13a, a read direction, and the like. Accordingly, the CPU 21 performs a layout by arranging a plurality of original images in the page memory unit 13a and outputs the original image to the printer unit 12, a function of cutting out and outputting only a part of the image, an image rotating function, and the like. Control.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external I / F processing unit 14.

The external I / F processing section 14 fetches the binary image data of the reader section 11 via the image memory section 13 as described above, and receives the binary image data via the image memory section 13.
It has a function of outputting binary image data to the printer unit 12.

The external I / F processing unit 14 includes a facsimile unit 14a, a hard disk 14b for storing communication image data of the facsimile unit 14a, a computer interface unit 14c connected to the external computer 1, a formatter unit 14d, and an image memory unit 14e. And these are connected to the core portion 14f.

The facsimile unit 14a is connected to a public line via a modem (not shown), and receives facsimile communication data from the public line and transmits facsimile communication data to the public line. The facsimile unit 14a stores a facsimile image on the hard disk 14b, such as transmitting a facsimile at a designated time or transmitting image data in response to an inquiry of a designated password from a partner, which is a facsimile function. Perform processing. As a result, once an image is transferred from the reader unit 11 to the facsimile unit 14a and the facsimile hard disk 14b via the image memory unit 13, it is possible to perform facsimile transmission of this image without using it for the facsimile function. it can.

Computer interface (I / F)
The unit 14c is an interface unit for performing data communication with the external computer 1, and includes a local area network (hereinafter, LAN), a serial I / F, an SCS II /
F and a centro I / F for inputting printer data. The status of the printer unit 12 and the reader unit 11 is notified to the external computer 1 via the I / F unit 14c, and the image read by the reader unit 1 is transferred to the external computer 1 according to the instruction of the computer 1.

The computer interface unit 1
4c receives print data from the external computer 1. The print data notified from the external computer 1 via the computer interface unit 14c is
The formatter unit 14d converts the code into raster image data for forming an image in the printer unit 12 via the image memory unit 13 because the code is described in the dedicated printer code.

The formatter unit 14d develops raster image data in the image memory unit 14e. As described above, the image memory unit 14e is used as a memory by which the formatter unit 14d expands raster image data, or sends an image of the reader unit 11 to the external computer 1 via the computer interface unit 14c (image scanner). Function), the image data sent from the image memory unit 13 is once expanded in the image memory unit 14e, converted into a format of data to be sent to the external computer 1, and the data is sent from the computer interface unit 14c. Is also used.

The core section 14f includes a facsimile section 14a,
The data transfer between the computer interface unit 14c, the formatter unit 14d, the image memory unit 14e, and the image memory unit 13 is controlled and managed. Thus, even if the external I / F processing unit 14 has a plurality of image output units or has only one image transfer path to the image memory unit 13, exclusive control or exclusive control can be performed based on the management of the core unit 14 f. Priority control is performed, and image output is performed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of the digital copying machine 10. As shown in FIG.

An automatic document feeder 100 is provided on a platen glass 101 provided above the digital copier main body 10. The platen glass 101 is a table on which a document is placed. The scanner 102 includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. The scanner 102 reciprocates below the platen glass 101 in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown) to scan a document on the platen glass 101. The reflected light of the original passes through the lens 107 via the scanning mirrors 104 to 106 and passes through the CCD in the image sensor unit 108.
An image is formed on the sensor.

The exposure control unit 109 is composed of a laser, a polygon scanner, or the like, and is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor unit 108 and modulated based on an image signal subjected to predetermined image processing. Irradiation 119 is applied to the photosensitive drum 111. Around the photosensitive drum 111, a primary charger 112, a developing unit 113, a transfer charger 11
6. Pre-exposure lamp 114 and cleaning device 115
Is equipped.

In the image forming section 110, the photosensitive drum 111 is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, and is charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112. Laser light 11 from 109
9 is irradiated to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 111. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 111 is developed by the developing device 113 and is visualized as a toner image.

On the other hand, pick-up rollers 125, 1 from right cassette deck 121, left cassette deck 122, upper cassette 123, or lower cassette 124, respectively.
The transfer paper fed by the feed rollers 26, 127, and 128 is sent to the main body by feed rollers 129, 130, 131, and 132, and is then fed to a transfer belt by a registration roller 133 to transfer the visualized toner image. The image is transferred to the transfer paper by the charger 116.

After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 111 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaning device 115, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 114. The transfer paper after the transfer is separated from the photosensitive drum 111 by the separation charger 117 and sent to the fixing device 135 by the transfer belt 134. In the fixing device 135, the toner is fixed by pressure and heat, and is discharged to the outside of the main body 10 by the discharge roller 136.

The main body 10 is equipped with a deck 150 capable of storing, for example, 4000 transfer papers. Deck 1
50 lifter 151 rises according to the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the pickup roller 152,
The transfer paper is sent to the main body 10 by the paper feed roller 153. Further, the main body 10 is equipped with a multi-bypass tray 154 capable of storing 100 transfer papers.

Reference numeral 137 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which switches the path between the transport path 138 and the discharge path 143.
Reference numeral 140 denotes a lower transport path, which guides the transfer paper sent from the paper discharge roller 136 to the re-feed path 141 by turning over the transfer paper through the reversing path 139. The transfer paper fed from the left cassette deck 122 by the paper feed roller 130 is also used in the refeed path 1
It is led to 41.

Reference numeral 142 denotes a re-feed roller for re-feeding the transfer sheet to the image forming unit 110. A discharge roller 144 is disposed near the discharge flapper 137 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge path 143 by the discharge flapper 137 to the outside of the apparatus.

During double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the discharge flapper 137 is raised upward, and the copied transfer sheet is guided to the re-feeding path 141 via the transport path 138, the reverse path 139, and the lower transport path 140. At this time, the reversing roller 145
As a result, the trailing end of the transfer paper completely exits from the transport path 138, and is drawn into the reverse path 139 to a position where the transfer paper is bitten by the reverse roller 145, and is sent to the transport path 140 by rotating the reverse roller 145 in the reverse direction.

On the other hand, when the transfer paper is to be inverted and discharged from the main body 10, the discharge flapper 137 is raised upward, and the reverse path 139 is moved by the reversing roller 145 to the position where the rear end of the transfer paper remains in the transport path 138. Then, the transfer paper is turned over and sent out to the discharge roller 144 side by reversing the reversing roller 145.

The paper discharge processing unit 190 transfers the transfer paper discharged one by one from the digital copier main body 10 to the processing tray 19.
Load and align at 4. When the discharge of a part of the image formation is completed, the transfer paper bundle is stapled and the discharge tray 192 or 1
The bundle is discharged to 93. The discharge tray 193 is controlled to move up and down by a motor (not shown), and moves to the position of the processing tray before the start of the image processing operation. Reference numeral 191 denotes a sheet tray on which separator sheets to be inserted between the discharged transfer sheets are stacked. Reference numeral 195 denotes a Z-folding machine that Z-folds the discharged transfer sheets. Reference numeral 196 denotes a bookbinding machine that performs bookbinding by folding the center of a part of the discharged transfer papers together and performing staples. The bound paper bundle is discharged to a discharge tray 197.

FIG. 5 is an external view of the operation unit 22 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 201 to 212 and 234
The key and LED display are provided for switching the display of the operation unit 22 in order to set various functions relating to the copying operation and the system operation of the copying machine main body 10. 201,
204, 207, 210, and 234 are keys for switching each function. This key is composed of a translucent key button, and inside the key is a display lamp (not shown) such as an LED. When an operation screen is selected by pressing these keys, a lamp inside the key is turned on. Only the lamps inside the keys of the selected operation function screen are controlled to be turned on,
The other lamps inside the key are controlled to be turned off.

Each of the keys 201, 204, 207, 210,
234, the green LED lamps 20
3, 206, 209, 212, and 233 are arranged, and this LED lamp represents the operation status of each function by lighting control of the LED. For example, the LED lamp 206 of the copy B is turned off when the copy B is in a standby state, and is controlled to blink when the copy B is in an output operation.
Further, when the image of the copy B is stored in the hard disk 13d of the image memory 13 and the print operation of the copy B is not performed, the lighting is controlled. Similarly, for example,
The facsimile LED lamp 209 is controlled to blink during a communication operation, during a printing operation, and during a reading operation, and is controlled to be turned on when there is a fax image on the hard disk 14b of the facsimile unit 14a.

Each of the keys 201, 204, 207, 210,
234, the red LED lamps 202, 20
5, 208, 211 and 232 are arranged, and this LED lamp indicates that an abnormal condition has occurred in each function by controlling the lighting of the LED. For example, the copy B LED lamp 205
Is controlled to blink when an abnormality such as a paper-out interruption or a paper jam occurs in copy B. At this time, copy B function key 2
By pressing the button 04 and switching the display of the operation unit 22 to the copy B, the status of the copy B is displayed on the display panel 220, and the details of the abnormal status can be confirmed.

These function switching keys 201 and 20
4, 207, 210, and 234 can be pressed at any time regardless of the operation status of each function, and the operation unit 22 can be switched. When the copy A function and the copy B function can be switched as in this embodiment, a start key 214, a stop key 215, and a reset key
Keys other than the keys in the display panel 220 such as 16 are operated for the function selected by the function switching keys 201 and 204. For example, if the stop key 215 is pressed while the copy A operation screen is displayed while the copy B is in the output operation, the copy operation cannot be stopped for the copy B output operation. To stop the copy B copying operation, the copy B function key 204 is pressed and then the stop key 215 is pressed, thereby stopping the copy B output.

The data set by the user setting key 218 exists in each of the screens where copy A and copy B are selected, and the setting operation can be performed independently on each of these screens.

A power switch 213 turns on / off the lamp 221 in accordance with the switching of the power on / off by the power switch 213. Reference numeral 222 denotes a numeric keypad, which is used to set the number of images to be formed and to input numerical values for setting a mode. Reference numeral 223 denotes a clear key, which clears the settings input using the ten keys 222. A reset key 216 is used to return the set number of images to be formed, the operation mode, the selected paper feed stage, and other modes to default values.

A start key 214 starts an image forming operation when the start key 214 is pressed. In the center of the start key 214, there are red and green LED lamps (not shown) indicating whether or not the start is possible.
When start cannot be performed and during copying operation, the red L
The ED lamp is turned on, and when the start is possible, the green LED lamp is turned on. A stop key 215 is used to stop the copying operation.

Reference numeral 217 denotes a guide key. When another key is pressed after pressing this key, a description of a function that can be set by the key is displayed on the display panel 220. To cancel the guide display, the guide key 217 is re-displayed.
This is done by pressing. A user setting key 218 allows the user to change the setting of the copying machine body 10 by pressing this key. The setting that can be changed by the user is, for example, a time until the setting is automatically cleared, a default value of a mode when the reset key 216 is pressed, and the like.

Reference numeral 219 denotes an interrupt key. If this key is pressed during an image forming operation, other image forming operations can be stopped and copying can be performed without using the automatic document feeder 100.

Reference numeral 220 denotes a display panel composed of a liquid crystal or the like, and the display content changes according to the setting mode in order to facilitate detailed mode setting. The surface of the display panel 220 is a touch sensor. In FIG. 5, keys 224 to 231 are displayed in the display panel 220.
By touching the display positions of these keys with the hand, it is determined that the keys have been pressed, and the mode is set. Reference numeral 227 denotes a paper stage selection key, and reference numerals 228 to 231 denote keys for setting a copy magnification of a copy operation. Reference numeral 226 denotes an application mode setting key. When this key is depressed, application functions such as a pan-ftot mode in which printing is performed in a sequence suitable for creating a pamphlet and a cover interleaf mode in which a cover interleaf is inserted into printing paper. A screen for setting a mode, a reduced layout mode, and an enlarged layout mode and a setting key for each application function mode are displayed, so that the application mode can be set.

The operation of setting the various modes of the digital copying machine of the present embodiment configured as described above will be specifically described below.

[Setting operation of single-sided printing of double-sided printing → double-sided printing]
First, the setting operation of single-sided printing → double-sided printing
This will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, double-sided printing means printing on both sides of a sheet material such as paper.
Single-sided to double-sided printing means printing an image on one side of a document on both sides of a sheet material during the double-sided printing.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a basic screen of the display panel 220. When the double-sided printing key 224 is pressed on this basic screen, a double-sided mode setting screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.
For example, when the single-sided → double-sided print key 514 is pressed on the double-sided mode setting screen of FIG.
It will be in the selected state. Here, when the OK key 519 is pressed, the way of opening the finish of single-sided to double-sided printing is set.
Screen (double-sided print mode setting screen), and the user selects between the left-right opening finish and the up-down opening finish.

In this embodiment, the document direction is defined as shown in FIG. Fig. 9
As shown in FIG. 9B, this state is like a book that opens left and right with respect to the document direction.
As shown in (c), this is a state like a calendar that opens up and down in the document direction.

When the left / right opening setting key 520 is pressed, the key 520 is inverted between black and white to enter the left / right opening finishing selection state, and when the up / down opening setting key 521 is pressed, the key 521 is similarly inverted between black and white (not shown) to open / close vertically. It becomes the finish selection state. When the single-sided to double-sided printing is interrupted, pressing the cancel key 522 switches to the screen of FIG.

When one of the keys 520 and 521 is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 8 and the OK key 523 is pressed, the double-sided printing key 224 is inverted between black and white as shown in FIG. And here, start key 2
Pressing 14 starts copying.

On the screen shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to select whether or not to automatically detect the orientation of the original by using the button 524. When the button 524 is pressed and the button is inverted between black and white, a setting is made to detect the orientation of the original. When the button 524 is pressed again with the button 524 inverted, the button 5
24 is released, and the setting is made such that the document orientation detection is not performed.

[Setting Operation When Selecting Reduced Layout] Next, the operation flow when the reduced layout is selected on the application screen shown in FIG. 11 will be described in detail.

When the button 531 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 11 to select a reduced layout, a document size selection screen (not shown) is displayed. When a document size is designated on this selection screen, a layout selection screen 540 for selecting a layout type is displayed as shown in FIG. The 2in1 button 541, the 4in1 button 542, and the 8in1 button 543 are buttons for selecting a layout type.

When the 2in1 button 541 is pressed, the setting is made such that the read document is automatically reduced by two pages on the selected sheet to form an image and output. 4 in 1 button 5
Reference numeral 42 denotes a setting in which a read document can be automatically reduced by four pages to form an image on a selected sheet and output. 8
The in1 button 543 is set so that the read document is automatically reduced by eight pages to form an image on the selected sheet and output.

The double-sided document button 546 is a button for reading a double-sided image of a document. When this button is pressed, the automatic document feeder 100 can scan both sides of the document. The double-sided button 544 is a button for performing double-sided setting, and when pressed, is output as double-sided output.
The bookbinding button 545 is a pamphlet mode setting button, and when pressed, is output in the pamphlet mode. A cancel key 549 is a key for canceling the reduced layout mode. When this key is pressed, the screen returns to the application screen of FIG. When the bookbinding button 545 is pressed on the screen 540 in FIG. 12, the detailed setting button 5
47 is shaded display and its setting is prohibited.

Further, when the 2in1 button 541 is selected on the screen 540 of FIG. 12 and the bookbinding button 545 is not pressed, and the detailed setting button 547 is pressed,
A 2 in 1 layout order setting screen 560 of FIG. 14 is displayed.

Buttons 561 and 562 on this screen 560
Are buttons for selecting the order in which the read images are to be formed on paper. When the button 561 is set and the reading OK key 563 is pressed, the selected layout order is set, and the screen returns to the reduced layout type selection screen 540 in FIG. When the user presses an OK key 548 to select an output sheet and presses a start key 214, reduced layout output is performed in the set layout type and layout order.

Next, on the reduced layout type selection screen 540 shown in FIG. 12, the 4in1 button 542 or the 8in1 button is displayed.
While the button 543 is selected, the detailed setting button 54
When 7 is pressed, a Nin1 layout order selection screen 570 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.

On this screen 570, buttons 571-57
4 allows four layout orders to be selected. For example, when laying out four originals and laying out the paper and dividing the paper into upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right, the button 5
If 71 is selected, the first page of the original is laid out in the upper left, the second page of the original is laid out in the upper right, the third page of the original is laid out in the lower left, and the fourth page of the original is laid out in the lower right (this is called a Z-shaped reduced layout). ). When button 572 is selected, original 1
The page is laid out in the order of upper right, the second page of the original is upper left, the third page of the original is lower right, and the fourth page of the original is lower left (this is referred to as an inverted Z-shaped reduced layout). Button 5
If 73 is selected, the first page of the original is laid out in the upper left, the second page of the original is lower left, the third page of the original is laid out in the upper right, and the fourth page of the original is laid out in the lower right. Name). If the button 574 is selected, the first page of the original is laid out in the upper right, the second page of the original is laid down in the lower right, the third page of the original is laid out in the upper left, and the fourth page of the original is laid out in the order of the lower left. Name).

A button 576 can be used to select whether or not to perform automatic document orientation detection. When the button 576 is pressed and the button is inverted, the setting is made to perform automatic document direction detection. Button 5 again with button 576 reversed
When the button 76 is pressed, the inversion of this button is released, and the setting is made not to perform the automatic document direction detection.

When the OK key 575 is pressed, the layout is set in the order of the selected layouts, and the screen returns to the reduced layout type selection screen 540 in FIG. 12, where the OK key 548 is pressed, the output paper is selected, and the start key 214 is pressed. Then, reduced layout output is executed in the set reduced layout type and layout order.

[Setting Operation When Enlarged Layout is Selected] Next, an operation flow when an enlarged layout is selected on the application screen shown in FIG. 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

When the enlarged layout is selected, an enlarged layout type selection screen 580 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed.
1 to 2 button 581, 1 to 4 button 582, both sides 1
to2 button 583 and double-sided 1to4 button 584
Is a button for selecting the type of the enlarged layout.

The 1 to 2 button 581 is a setting button for dividing and reading two images, that is, a left image and a right image with respect to one read document, and outputting each of the images to an output sheet. A 1to4 button 582 is used to divide and read four images of an upper left image, an upper right image, a lower left image, and a lower right image with respect to one read original, and output the output paper in the order of reading one by one. This is a setting button to output to. The double-sided 1 to 2 button 583 is
The left and right images of the originals on both sides
This is a setting button for dividing and reading one image and outputting one image to each output sheet. Double-sided 1 to 4 button 5
Numeral 84 divides and reads one image of the four original images, the upper left image, the upper right image, the lower left image, and the lower right image, on both the front and back sides, and outputs one image each on the output paper in the reading order. This is a setting button to output. Double-sided copy button 5
When the button 85 is pressed, a duplex output setting is set.

Next, when the 1to2 button 581 and the double-sided 1to2 button 583 are selected on the enlarged layout type selection screen 580 in FIG. 16 and the OK key 586 is pressed,
A 1 to 2 final document layout setting screen 590 of FIG. 17 is displayed.

The button 592 on the setting screen 590 is a button for setting whether or not there is an image on the back side of the last original. When the button 591 is selected, a setting is made such that the back side of the final document is not read. When the button 592 is selected, the back side of the final document is set to be read. Here, on the enlarged layout type selection screen 580 in FIG.
When the 1 to 2 button 581 has been selected, the button 592 in FIG. 17 is shaded and cannot be set. Buttons 593 and 594 are used to select whether there are two or one image with respect to the final reading surface of the final document (the front surface of the final document if the button 591 is set, and the back surface if the button 592 is set). Button. Button 59
If 3 is selected, two images are read from one original for all originals. When the button 594 is selected, only one image is read on the final reading surface of the final document. The selection screen 590 of FIG. 17 is displayed when there is only one image on the last page of the last document.
This is provided to prevent a blank sheet from being ejected when one image is read.

Next, on the 1to2 final document layout setting screen 590 in FIG. 17, an enlarged layout order selection screen 60 in FIG. 18 displayed when the detailed setting button 595 is pressed.
0 will be described.

Enlarged layout order selection screen 600 in FIG.
The buttons 601 and 602 are buttons for selecting a reading order of reading a document to be read from a left image or a right image. When the button 601 is selected and the OK key 603 is pressed,
It is set to read from the left image (this is called a left-right type enlarged layout). If the button 602 is selected and the OK key 603 is pressed, the setting is to read from the right image (this is called right-left reduced layout). When the OK key 603 is pressed, the display returns to the application screen of FIG. 11, and when the start key 214 is pressed, images are read under the conditions set above and output in the order of reading.

Next, on the enlarged layout type selection screen 580 shown in FIG.
The 1to4 final document layout selection screen 610 displayed when the 4 button 583 is selected and the OK key 586 is pressed will be described with reference to FIG.

Buttons 611 and 612 are the same as buttons 591 and 592 in FIG. 17, and are screens for setting whether or not there is an image on the back side of the final document. Button 6
When 11 is selected, the setting is made such that the back side of the final document is not read. When the button 612 is selected, the back side of the final document is set to be read. Here, when the 1to4 button 582 is selected on the enlarged layout type selection screen 580 in FIG. 16, the button 612 in FIG. 19 is shaded and cannot be set.

Buttons 613, 614, 615, FIG.
A button 616 is used to select the number of images on the final reading surface of the final document (the front surface of the final document if the button 611 is set, and the rear surface if the button 612 is set). When the button 613 is selected, four images are read for one document from all the documents. When the button 614 is selected, for all originals,
Three images are read for one document. When the button 615 is selected, two images are read for one document from all the documents. When the button 616 is selected, one image is read for one document for all documents.

Next, on the 1to4 enlarged layout type selection screen 610 of FIG. 19, the enlarged layout order selection screen 62 of FIG. 20 displayed when the detailed setting button 618 is pressed.
0 will be described.

Buttons 621, 622, and 62 shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 3 and 624 denote buttons for selecting the order of reading the upper left image, the lower left image, the upper right image, and the lower right image of the original to be read. When the button 621 is selected and the OK key 625 is pressed, the original is read in the order of upper left image → upper right image → lower left image → lower right image (this is called a Z-type reduced layout). When the button 622 is selected and the OK key 625 is pressed, the reading is set in the order of upper right image → upper left image → lower right image → lower left image (this is called an inverted Z-shaped reduced layout). When the button 623 is selected and the OK key 625 is pressed, the original is read in the order of upper left image → lower left image → upper right image → lower right image (this is called an inverted N-type reduced layout). When the button 624 is selected and the OK key 625 is pressed, the setting is such that the document is read in the order of upper right image → lower right image → upper left image → lower left image (this is called an N-type reduced layout). .

When the OK key 623 is pressed, the display returns to the application screen shown in FIG. 11, and when the start key 214 is pressed, images are read under the conditions set above and output in the order of reading.

[Setting operation at the time of image composition and form registration / deletion] Next, the setting method at the time of performing the image composition function and the form registration / deletion will be described with reference to FIGS. explain.

When the image composition key 532 is pressed on the application screen shown in FIG. 11, the screen shifts to the image composition setting screen shown in FIG.

In the screen shown in FIG. 21, the user can first select a form by pressing the box 637. The number of the selected form is displayed in black and white inverted. When the user selects a form and presses the OK key 636, FIG.
Is set, and the screen returns to the basic screen. In order to show that the application mode is set as shown in FIG. 22, the application key 226 is displayed.
Is inverted between black and white.

In FIG. 21, the button 634 is
This is a check copy on / off button, and when pressed, the black and white are reversed. If the OK key 636 is pressed while the check copy button is in a black state, a trial copy can be performed before the creation of the image composite copy. The button 631 is a cancel button. When this button is pressed, the setting is stopped and the screen returns to the application mode screen of FIG.

Buttons 632 and 633 in FIG. 21 are scroll buttons, and when button 632 is pressed,
The screen scrolls up, and when the button 633 is pressed, the screen scrolls down. A button 635 is a button for registration / deletion. When this button is pressed, the screen shifts to a registration content setting screen shown in FIG. 23, where a form image is registered in a selected form location or a selected form image is selected. Configure the settings for erasing the form.

In the registration content setting screen shown in FIG. 23, a button 641 is a registration button. When this button is pressed, the flow shifts to form registration at the form location selected in FIG. The registration of the form will be described later. The button 642 is a button for registering a name. When this button is pressed, the process proceeds to registration of the name of the form selected in FIG. Here, the name registration is not particularly described.

The button 643 on the screen shown in FIG. 23 is a button for erasing. When this button is pressed, the flow shifts to the deletion selected in FIG. The erasure will be described later. Button 644 is a close button. When this button is pressed, the registration / deletion setting is not performed, and the screen returns to the image composition setting screen in FIG.

Next, on the screen shown in FIG.
The operation when is pressed will be described.

When the registration button 641 in FIG. 23 is pressed, the screen shifts to the original size setting screen in FIG. Here, the document size of the image as the form is selected. FIG.
Reference numeral 651 denotes a size box. By pressing a size button in the size box 651, a document size can be selected. The selected size is displayed with black and white reversed. In this embodiment, only the A / B size type is used, but an inch size original size may be selected.

An OK key 653 in FIG.
When the K key 653 is pressed, the size is set to the selected size, and the screen shifts to a registration form type setting screen in FIG. Reference numeral 652 denotes a cancel key.
When 2 is pressed, the setting is not performed and the screen returns to the registration content setting screen of FIG.

The form type setting screen shown in FIG. 25 will be described.

[0111] Reference numeral 661 on this screen is a full-page synthesis selection button. When this button 661 is pressed, the button 66
1 is black and white inverted and selected. Reference numeral 662 denotes a watermark synthesis selection button. When this button is pressed, the button 6
62 is inverted between black and white and selected. Buttons 661 and 66
The black-and-white inversion of 2 is exclusive, and one of them is in a black-and-white inversion state, and the black-and-white inversion side is in a selected state. Reference numeral 663 denotes a cancel button.
Is pressed, the setting is not performed, and the screen returns to the document size setting screen of FIG.

Reference numeral 664 denotes an OK button. When the entire surface is selected and the OK button 664 is pressed, the setting is made such that the original image to be read is registered as it is as a form image, and the process returns to the basic screen shown in FIG. If the user presses the OK button 664 in a state where the watermark synthesis is selected, the density of the original image to be read is reduced and registered as a form image, and the display returns to the basic screen in FIG.

The basic screen shown in FIG. 26 is in a state of waiting for reading a form image. In this state, if the start button 214 of the copying machine is pressed, the reading of the document is started. FIG. 27 is a screen to which the screen shifts after the form is read on the screen of FIG. 26.
The number is replaced with the read image. In the present embodiment, the area containing the image is re-registered in advance.
On screen 1, select an unregistered form,
If the user presses the delete button 635 and sets the registration in the same manner as described above, new registration can be performed.

Next, the processing when the delete button 643 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 23 will be described.

When the delete button 643 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 23, the form image deletion confirmation screen shown in FIG. 28 hops up. Here, it is determined whether or not to delete the form image selected on the screen of FIG. A NO button 692 returns to the registration content setting screen of FIG. 23 without performing the setting of deleting the form image selected on the screen of FIG. A YES button 691 erases the form image selected on the screen of FIG. 21 and returns to the image composition setting screen of FIG. At this time, in this embodiment, the only form image has been erased.
The screen is displayed as shown in FIG.

Next, during output of a form image (during output of image synthesis), an image synthesis button 532 on the screen of FIG. 11 is displayed.
The process when is pressed will be described.

When the image synthesizing button 532 in FIG. 11 is pressed, the screen shifts to the synthesizing form setting screen in FIG.
In the screen of FIG. 30, unlike the screen of FIG. 21, the display of the registration / delete button 710 is displayed faintly. If this display is light, it is in a state where it does not respond even if pressed. This makes it impossible to register and delete a form image during image synthesis output.

In the present embodiment, during output by image composition, registration / registration is performed on the image composition setting screen shown in FIG.
Although the delete button 710 is set to the invalid state (non-reaction state), the registration / delete button 710 may be set to the invalid state (no response) only when the output form is selected on the screen in FIG. In that case, it is impossible to register / delete only the used form image.

[Function of Sort Key] Next, the sort key 225 of the basic screen shown in FIG. 6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The sort key 225 is a key for selecting a sheet discharging process. When the sort key 225 is pressed,
A paper discharge processing selection screen 720 as shown in FIG. 31 is displayed.

In this paper discharge processing selection screen 720, 7
Reference numeral 21 denotes a key for selecting a sort discharge processing, and reference numeral 722 denotes a key for selecting a group discharge processing. Reference numeral 724 denotes a key for selecting a sheet discharging process for punching a sheet and discharging the sheet when discharging the sheet. Reference numeral 725 denotes a key for selecting a sheet discharging process in which one side half of the sheet is folded into a Z shape when the sheet is discharged. Reference numeral 723 denotes a key for selecting a staple sort discharge process. When pressed, a staple position setting screen 730 as shown in FIG. 32 is displayed.

In FIG. 32, 731 and 732 are keys for selecting the type of stapling. When the key 731 is pressed, a setting is made such that a single stapling is performed at a corner.
When the key 732 is depressed, stapling is performed at two places. 733 to 736 are keys for setting the stapling position. A setting key 737 is used to set whether to turn on or off the document orientation detection when staple sort is selected. When set, the setting key 737 determines the document direction of the document when reading the document, Control is performed such that stapling is performed at the position selected by the keys 733 to 736 in the direction. If the document orientation is off, the document direction of the document is not determined, and the document image is stapled to the position selected by the keys 733 to 736.

[Personal Box Function] Next, FIG.
The personal box function will be described with reference to FIGS.

Reference numeral 810 in FIG. 33 denotes a hard disk.
Temporary area 800 and personal box area 801
Consists of The temporary area 800 is an area in which image data is temporarily stored and the image data is deleted after the job is completed. Personal box area 801
Transmits the PDL image received from the host 820 to the external I / F
The image data developed by the processing unit is stored in an area (personal box) corresponding to the personal box number designated by the host 820. The user can print the image data stored in the personal box corresponding to his / her personal box number from the operation unit 22. In the personal box area 801, a print mode associated with the image data at the time of printing and a set automatic erasing time are recorded.

For example, in the case of a 1 GB hard disk, 300 MB is allocated to the temporary area 800 and 700 MB is stored in the temporary area 800.
Are used separately in the personal box area 801. Also, as shown in FIG. 33, the number of personal boxes is one.
When the number of boxes is 0, the area of the box that each individual can hold is 7
0 MB. Each personal box has a number, for example, boxes 802, 803, 804,
Reference numerals 805 denote box numbers 0, 1, 2, and 9, respectively.

In the example shown in FIG. 33, the box for Tanaka is 1, and when a user named Tanaka wants to put a PDL document in his / her box from host 820, box number 1 is designated by host 820. I do. Also,
When a user named Tanaka wants to put his / her PDL document in a box of another person, for example, a user of Kato, from the host 820, the host 820 specifies a box number of a destination to be sent, that is, 9 in this case. This makes it possible to mail one's own PDL document to another person's box.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a personal box main screen of the operation unit 22. As shown in FIG.

The main screen 831 is displayed when the personal box key 234 of the operation unit 22 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 34, the number of personal boxes is prepared in the number of 00 to 09, and the PDL data from the host 820 is developed into a raster image in the personal box area 801 of the hard disk 810 for each individual. Has been saved.

On the screen (not shown) of the operation unit 22, a name is given to each personal box number. For example, in the case of the box number 01, the name "box of Tanaka" is given, and it can be clearly indicated that the box is used by a person named Tanaka.

Further, the percentage displayed at the right end of the box of each box indicates the ratio used by the box with respect to the hard disk capacity of the entire personal box area 801. For example, box number 01
Indicates that when the hard disk capacity of the personal box area 801 is 700 MB, about 14 MB is used at 2% of the capacity.

Reference numeral 832 denotes a button for viewing the job stored in the box number 00. Similarly, 83
3,834,835 are box numbers 01,0, respectively.
This button is for viewing the job stored in 2,03. For example, when a person named Tanaka transfers the document data of the application to the box number 01 on the host 820 so as to store the application document data, the operation unit 2
By pressing the button 833 of the user's own box number 01 on the personal box screen 831 of the second, a print mode screen, which will be described later, in which the document can be printed is displayed.

Reference numerals 826 and 837 denote up and down scroll keys. By pressing these keys, the screen can be scrolled, and the names of box numbers 00 to 09 and the used capacity can be viewed. Reference numeral 838 denotes a close key. By pressing this key, the screen shown in FIG. 34 can be closed. Reference numeral 839 denotes a fax status key. By pressing this key, the status of fax transmission / reception can be confirmed.

FIG. 35 is a view showing the button 8 in the screen shown in FIG.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a personal box print screen 841 displayed by pressing down a button 33.

842 in FIG. 35 is "Tanaka's box"
Is a document name display area for displaying a document name stored in the personal box. The date and time when the document was stored in the personal box is displayed on the left side of each document name. Reference numeral 843 denotes a key multiple selection key which is effective when a plurality of documents are selected at a time to perform printing or erasing. When the key multiple selection key 843 is pressed, a plurality of documents can be selected.

Reference numeral 844 denotes a detailed information key, for which the multiple selection key 843 is not selected and the document name display area 84
This key is valid when one of the documents shown in 2 is selected,
When the detailed information key 844 is pressed, a screen (not shown) showing, for example, the capacity of the hard disk used by the document, the number of originals and the number of output copies set in advance by the host 820 as detailed information regarding the selected document. Is displayed.

By pressing the up / down scroll key 845, the screen is scrolled, and other document information in the personal box can be viewed.

The button 846 is a key for closing the display window. By pressing this button, the user can return to the personal box main screen 831 in FIG. The document deletion key 847 is a key for deleting the document selected on the screen 841 from the personal box.

A print key 848 is a key for outputting the document selected in the document name display area 842.
Select a document in the document name display area 842 and press the print key
When the user presses the button 48, if the multiple selection key 843 is not selected, the number of output copies and the print mode can be reset, and a print copy number change screen 350 as shown in FIG. 36 in which the number of output print copies can be changed is displayed. . When the multiple selection key 843 is pressed, the setting change of the print mode and the number of output copies is prohibited, and the host 820 is set in advance.
The output is started in the set print mode and the number of output copies.

Next, the print copy number change screen 35 shown in FIG.
0 will be described. When the print copy number change screen 350 is opened, the number of output copies preset by the host 820 is displayed in the display area 351. Here, by inputting the number of output copies with the ten keys 222 of the operation unit 22, the number of output copies preset by the host 820 can be changed.

When the setting is changed and the OK key 352 is pressed, the output is started with the number of copies displayed in the display area 351. A print mode reset key 353 is a key for changing a print mode preset by the host 820. When this key 353 is pressed, a print mode setting screen 360 as shown in FIG.
Is displayed. A cancel key 354 is a cancel key for print output, and when pressed, returns to the personal print box screen 841.

Next, the print mode setting screen 3 shown in FIG.
60 will be described. This print mode setting screen 3
Reference numeral 60 denotes a print mode preset by the host 820, in which all image data stored in the personal box are output on a single side with a paper size of A4 and the number of output copies is 10
0 and a screen on which a pamphlet mode is set.

In this case, the print mode preset by the host 820 is one-sided output for image data for all pages to be output, and the paper size is the same.
As described above, if the settings are the same for all pages, the duplex output can be reset with the duplex setting key 361 for all pages. In addition, since the paper size is the same for all images at A4, the paper size can be reset by the paper selection key 362 in the same manner.

Regarding the sort setting, since the pamphlet mode is set in advance, the layout of the pamphlet has already been made when the PDL data is expanded to the image data, and the image data expanded in the layout is stored in the personal box. , The sort setting at the time of output becomes impossible, and the sort selection key 363 is set.
Is shaded.

When the print mode is reset on this screen 360 and the OK key 364 is pressed, printout is performed in the reset print mode. 365 is
A key for returning the reset print mode to the print mode set by the host 820. When this key 365 is pressed, the print mode of the document is returned to the print mode set in advance by the host 820, and FIG. Returns to the print copy number setting screen 350. A cancel key 366 on the screen 360 is a cancel key for print output, and when pressed, returns to the personal print box screen 841.

[Operation of this Embodiment] FIGS.
The operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the control operation in the case where the double-sided printing key 224 is selected on the basic screen of FIG. 6 and the document direction detection control is off will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 38 and 39.

First, on the basic screen shown in FIG.
When 4 is selected, a duplex mode setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed (step S11). On this double-sided mode setting screen, it is determined whether the single-sided → double-sided print key 514 or the double-sided → double-sided print key 516 is pressed as the double-sided mode, and the single-sided → double-sided mode or the double-sided → double-sided mode is set (step). S12).

If the determination in step S12 is negative (NO), the flow advances to step S13. In the duplex mode, the double-sided to single-sided printing key 515 or the continuous page double-sided printing key 517 is pressed, and the double-sided to single-sided printing is performed. It is determined whether the mode or the continuous page duplex mode has been set.

In step S13, if either one of the double-sided → single-sided mode and the page continuous double-sided mode is selected, a detailed setting screen of the double-sided → single-sided mode or the page continuous double-sided mode is displayed (step S14). If neither the double-sided to single-sided mode nor the continuous page duplex mode is selected in step S13, the process proceeds to step S12.
Return to

On the other hand, in step S12, if one of the single-sided → double-sided mode or the double-sided → double-sided mode is selected, a double-sided print mode setting screen (FIG. 8) in which either vertical opening finish or horizontal opening finish can be selected. Is displayed (step S15). Then, in step S16, it is determined whether the left-right opening finish is selected by pressing the left-right opening setting key 520 and the OK key 523 on the double-sided print mode setting screen. Is turned on (step S17).

If the left-right opening is not selected in step S16, the process proceeds to step S18, where it is determined whether the vertical opening finish by pressing the vertical opening setting key 521 and the OK key 523 is set, and the vertical opening is determined. If the finishing has been set, the vertical opening setting is turned on (step S19). If the vertical opening finish is not selected in step S18, the process returns to step S16.

Step S17 or step S19
When the left-right opening finish or the up-down opening finish is turned on, the process proceeds to step S20 and the start key 214
It is determined whether or not is pressed. When the start key 214 is pressed, it is determined whether the left-right opening finish setting is on (step S21).

If the left-right opening finish setting is turned on in step S21, the flow advances to step S22 to read the original, form an image on the front side, and place an image on the back side on the upper side of the image formed on the front side. The image is formed without rotating the image so that the upper sides of the image are aligned. This is repeated until the copy is completed (step S24).

The determination in step S21 is negative (NO).
In other words, if the vertical opening finish setting is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S23, where the original is read, the front side image is formed, and the back side image is formed on the top side of the image formed on the back side. 180
Rotate to form an image. This is repeated until the copy is completed (step S24).

As described above, in the double-sided image formation of the present embodiment, when the document orientation detection control is off, an image corresponding to the document is recorded on the front surface of the sheet, and the document is rotated 180 degrees on the back surface. The recorded image. As a result, it is possible to realize a vertically open recording mode that opens vertically instead of right and left, and improves the convenience for the user by switching between the horizontal opening finish and the vertical opening finish.

Next, using the flowchart of FIG.
The control operation when the double-sided printing key 224 is selected on the basic screen of FIG. 6 and the document direction detection control is ON will be described.

In this case, from when the double-sided printing key 224 is selected to display the double-sided mode setting screen, it is determined whether the start key 214 is turned on or not in FIG.
And steps S11 to S20 shown in FIG.
The same control as in the flow up to is performed. The flowchart of FIG. 40 shows a flow after the start key 214 is turned on in this control operation.

After the start key 214 is turned on in step S20, the document is read, the document direction of the document is detected (step S31), and the detection result is stored in the memory (step S32). Then, the processes of steps S31 and S32 are repeated up to the final document (step S33).

Next, it is determined whether the left-right opening finish is on (step S34). If the left-right opening finish is on, the process proceeds to step S35.
In step S32, a rotation process is performed based on the document direction of the original document stored to form an image on the front surface, and on the back surface, the document direction of the image formed on the back surface is placed on the upper side of the document direction of the image formed on the front surface. The image is formed by performing a rotation process so that the upper sides of the images match.

On the other hand, if the vertical opening finish is turned on in step S34, the flow advances to step S36 to perform a rotation process based on the document direction of the original document stored in step S32 to form an image on the front surface. Is performed on the rear surface so that the upper side of the image formed on the front surface in the document direction is aligned with the lower side of the image formed on the rear surface in the document direction to form an image. Then, the processing of step S35 or step S36 is repeated until the copy is completed (step S37).

As described above, in the double-sided image formation of the present embodiment, when the document orientation detection control is ON, an image subjected to rotation processing according to the document orientation detection result is recorded on the front side of the paper, Then, a rotation process is performed so that the upper side or the lower side of the image formed on the back side of the image in the document direction matches the upper side of the image formed on the front side in the document direction, thereby forming an image. As a result, a vertically open or left open recording mode automatically corresponding to the document direction of the original becomes possible, and by switching between the right-opening finish and the up-down opening finish, the convenience of the user can be further improved. .

In the present embodiment, the program according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 38 to 40 is stored in a storage device (for example, the ROM 24) in the image forming apparatus, and is operated.
It is possible to realize the control method described above.

The present invention is not limited to the device of the above embodiment, but may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or to a device composed of one device. A storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that it will be completed by doing so.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM can be used. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS or the like running on the computer performs part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where all the functions are performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the next program code. Needless to say, the extended function may be performed by a CPU or the like provided in an expansion board or an expansion unit to perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. No.

[0166]

As described above in detail, the image forming apparatus according to the first to fourth aspects, the image forming system according to the seventh to tenth aspects, and the thirteenth aspect.
According to the image forming method according to the present invention, the storage medium according to the present invention can record images by rotating an image on one side of a sheet material in double-sided image formation. As a result, a vertically open print finish is possible. And by making this top and bottom opening finish and the conventional left and right opening finish selectable,
The convenience for the user can be improved.

The image forming apparatus according to the fifth and sixth aspects of the invention, the image forming system according to the eleventh and twelfth aspects, and the image forming method according to the seventeenth and eighteenth aspects , And claims 23 and 2
According to the storage medium of the fourth aspect, it is possible to perform a top-down opening or left-right opening recording mode automatically corresponding to the direction of an image, and switch between right-opening finishing and up-down opening finishing to improve user convenience. Can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing details of an image memory unit 13;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an external I / F processing unit 14.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an example of the digital copying machine 10 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an external view of an operation unit 22 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a basic screen of a display panel 220.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a duplex mode setting screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a duplex print mode setting screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a recording format of left-right opening and up-down opening corresponding to a document direction.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a double-sided print setting completed screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an application screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a layout selection screen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen when bookbinding is selected on the layout selection screen.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a 2 in 1 layout order setting screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a Nin1 layout order selection screen.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an enlarged layout type selection screen.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a 1 to 2 final document layout setting screen.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an enlarged layout order selection screen.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a 1to4 final document layout selection screen.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an enlarged layout order selection screen.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an image composition setting screen.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a basic screen when image composition is set.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a registration content setting screen.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a document size setting screen.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a registration form type setting screen.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a basic screen.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a screen to which the screen shifts after the completion of reading a form in image composition.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a form image deletion confirmation screen.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an image composition setting screen after erasing a form in image composition.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a composite form setting screen.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a paper ejection processing selection screen.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a staple position setting screen.

FIG. 33 is a conceptual diagram of a personal box function.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a main screen of the personal box.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a personal box print screen.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a print copy number change screen of the personal box.

FIG. 37 is a view showing a print mode setting screen of the personal box.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a control operation (in a case where document direction detection control is off) of the embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the present embodiment (when document direction detection control is on).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 digital copying machine 11 reader unit 12 printer unit 13 image memory unit 14 external I / F processing unit 20 image processing unit 21 CPU 22 operation unit 23 input / output port 24 ROM 25 work RAM 26 character string direction / document direction determination unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideyuki Ikegami 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2H027 DB10 EE07 EE08 FA11 FA13 FD00 2H028 BB06 5C076 AA12 AA17 AA19 AA24 AA37 AA40 CA09

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having a double-sided image forming means for forming an image on both front and back sides of a sheet material, wherein the image is rotated at an arbitrary angle with respect to one of a front surface and a back surface of the sheet material. An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotating image forming unit configured to form an image by causing the image forming apparatus to form an image. 2. A selecting means for selecting one of a first double-sided mode by the rotating image forming unit and a second double-sided mode for forming a non-rotated image on both front and back surfaces of the sheet material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The first two-sided mode is an up / down opening two-sided mode in which upper and lower sides of an image formed on the front and back sides of the sheet material are combined, and the second two-sided mode is a mode of the sheet material. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a left-right opening double-sided mode in which upper sides of images formed on both front and back sides are aligned. 4. An image input unit for inputting an image, wherein the rotated image forming unit rotates the image input by the image input unit at an arbitrary angle to form an image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 5. An image forming apparatus having a double-sided image forming means for forming an image on both front and back sides of a sheet material, comprising: an image direction detecting means for detecting an image direction; and rotating the image at an arbitrary angle. Rotating image forming means for performing image formation, an upper and lower opening double-sided mode in which upper and lower sides of an image formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are respectively formed, and upper sides of the image formed on both front and back surfaces of the sheet material Selecting means for selecting one of a right-and-left opening double-sided mode, wherein the double-sided image forming means performs image rotation processing by the rotating image forming means according to the direction of an image detected by the image direction detecting means. To perform image formation in accordance with the vertical opening double-sided mode or the horizontal opening double-sided mode selected by the selection unit. An image forming apparatus comprising. 6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising image input means for inputting an image, wherein said image direction detecting means detects the direction of the image input by said image input means. . 7. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus having a double-sided image forming means for forming images on both sides of a sheet material; and an external device connected to the image forming apparatus. An image forming system comprising: a rotating image forming unit configured to form an image by rotating an image at an arbitrary angle with respect to one of a front surface and a back surface of the sheet material. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of a first double-sided mode by the rotating image forming unit and a second double-sided mode of forming a non-rotated image on both sides of the sheet material. The image forming system according to claim 7, further comprising a selection unit that selects the image forming apparatus. 9. The first double-sided mode is an upper-lower opening double-sided mode in which an upper side and a lower side of an image formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are combined, and the second double-sided mode is a mode of the sheet material. 9. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the image forming system is a left-right opening double-sided mode in which upper sides of images formed on both front and back sides are aligned. 10. The image forming apparatus has image input means for inputting an image, and the rotating image forming means forms an image by rotating the image input by the image input means at an arbitrary angle. The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the image forming system has a configuration. 11. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus having a double-sided image forming means for forming images on both sides of a sheet material; and an external device connected to the image forming apparatus. The apparatus includes: an image orientation detecting unit that detects an orientation of an image; a rotating image forming unit that forms an image by rotating the image at an arbitrary angle; and an upper side of an image formed on each of the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. Selecting means for selecting one of a top-to-bottom opening double-sided mode for matching the bottom side, and a left-right opening double-sided mode for matching the top sides of images formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material, wherein the double-sided image forming means is provided. The image rotation processing by the rotation image forming means according to the orientation of the image detected by the image orientation detection means; Image forming system, characterized in that an image is formed in accordance with the duplex mode open sided mode or the left and right opening the top and bottom was. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image input means for inputting an image, wherein the image direction detecting means detects the direction of the image input by the image input means. The image forming system according to claim 11, wherein: 13. An image forming method having a double-sided image forming process for forming an image on both front and back sides of a sheet material, wherein the image is rotated at an arbitrary angle with respect to either the front surface or the back surface of the sheet material. An image forming method comprising: performing a rotating image forming process for forming an image by performing the image forming process during the double-sided image forming process. 14. A selection process for selecting one of a first double-sided mode by the rotating image forming process and a second double-sided mode for forming a non-rotated image on both the front and back surfaces of the sheet material. The image forming method according to claim 13, further comprising: 15. The first double-sided mode is an upper-lower opening double-sided mode in which upper and lower sides of an image formed on the front and back sides of the sheet material are respectively combined, and the second double-sided mode is a mode of the sheet material. 15. The image forming method according to claim 14, wherein a left-right opening double-sided mode is adopted in which upper sides of images formed on both front and back sides are aligned. 16. An image input process for inputting an image is performed.
16. The image forming method according to claim 13, wherein in the rotating image forming processing, an image input by the image input processing is rotated at an arbitrary angle to form an image. 17. An image forming method having a double-sided image forming process for forming an image on both front and back sides of a sheet material, wherein: an image direction detecting process for detecting an image orientation; and the image is rotated at an arbitrary angle. A rotating image forming process for forming an image, an upper and lower opening double-sided mode in which an upper side and a lower side of an image formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are combined, and an upper side of the image formed on both front and back surfaces of the sheet material A selection process of selecting one of a right-and-left opening double-sided mode, wherein the double-sided image forming process is an image rotation process by the rotated image formation process according to an image orientation detected by the image orientation detection process. And performing image formation in accordance with the upper / lower opening duplex mode or the left / right opening duplex mode selected by the selection processing. Image forming method. 18. An image input process for inputting an image is performed.
2. The image orientation detection process according to claim 1, wherein the orientation of the image input by the image input process is detected.
8. The image forming method according to 7. 19. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing an image forming method having a double-sided image forming step of forming an image on both sides of a sheet material, the image forming method comprising: And a rotating image forming step of forming an image by rotating an image at an arbitrary angle with respect to either the front surface or the back surface of the sheet material. 20. The image forming method according to any one of a first double-sided mode in the rotating image forming step and a second double-sided mode in which a non-rotated image is formed on both front and back surfaces of the sheet material. 20. The storage medium according to claim 19, further comprising: a selection step of selecting. 21. The first double-sided mode is a vertically open double-sided mode in which upper and lower sides of an image formed on both the front and back surfaces of the sheet material are combined, and the second double-sided mode is a mode of the sheet material. 21. The storage medium according to claim 20, wherein a left and right opening double-sided mode is adopted in which upper sides of images formed on both front and back sides are aligned. 22. The image forming method, further comprising an image inputting step of inputting an image, wherein the rotating image forming step forms an image by rotating the image input in the image inputting step at an arbitrary angle. 22. The storage medium according to claim 19, wherein: 23. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing an image forming method having a double-sided image forming step of forming images on both sides of a sheet material, wherein the image forming method is An image orientation detecting step of detecting the orientation of the image, a rotating image forming step of forming an image by rotating the image at an arbitrary angle, and an upper side and a lower side of the image formed on both front and back surfaces of the sheet material, respectively. And a selection step of selecting one of left and right opening double-sided modes for matching upper sides of images formed on the front and back surfaces of the sheet material, and the double-sided image forming step includes: Image rotation processing is performed by the rotated image forming step according to the direction of the image detected by the image direction detecting step. Te, storage medium and performs the selected the upper and lower open duplex mode or said lateral opening image forming in accordance with the duplex mode by the selection step. 24. The image forming method, further comprising an image inputting step of inputting an image, wherein the image direction detecting step detects a direction of the image input in the image inputting step. 23. The storage medium according to 23.