JP2012160829A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a multi-function device capable of outputting a printed material in accordance with a user's request when outputting a full page of a spread original as a printed material.
A spread condition receiving means for displaying the spread full page key in a selectable manner, and a predetermined number of top position keys for designating the top position of the image data when the spread full page key is selected. And an image condition accepting unit 407 for selectively displaying a predetermined number of size keys for designating the paper size, and reading the full page image data of the spread original, the top of the full page image data. With the position set to the top position of the selected top position key, the two-page spread image reading means 403 for storing the whole page image data in the image data storage means, and the whole page image data stored in the image data storage means, There is provided a multi-function peripheral 100 including a spread image forming unit 406 that forms an image on a sheet having a size of a selected size key.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of outputting a printed material according to a user's request for a spread original.

  In a conventional image forming apparatus, a user can select a page to be read (for example, a left page or a right page of a document) in accordance with the size of a spread document placed on a document table. Is possible.

  For example, the image forming apparatus includes a page designating unit that designates one of the left page and the right page of the original document as a read target page before the job is started, and a page to be read designated by the page designating unit. A reading unit that reads an image and a printing unit that prints an image of a reading target page read by the reading unit on a sheet are provided. As a result, even if the original document has an image formed on only one page (left page or right page), if the user designates the page, the image is formed only on that page. Can be prevented.

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, since the reading target page can be specified only in units of jobs, it is not possible to collectively copy as a single job for a spread original that covers the entire page. There was a problem that operability was extremely poor.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-274066 (Patent Document 1) describes any one of the left page, the right page, or both pages of the original document in a spread unit. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a page designating unit that designates the image and a reading unit that reads an image of the reading target page. The image forming apparatus further determines, after the image of the reading target page is read, whether or not the reading target page different from the previous time is specified by the page specifying unit, and the reading target page different from the previous time is determined. The reading means reads the image of the page to be read specified last time when not specified, and reads the image of the page to be read specified when the page to be read different from the previous time is specified. And control means for controlling. Thus, by reading the image of the reading target page designated by the spread unit by the user, even a full-page original document whose copy target page changes in the middle can be copied as one job.

JP 2003-274066 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when a full-page page (both pages) of a two-page spread document is designated as a reading target page and copied (image formation), a printed matter is output in a size corresponding to the full-page page. The Therefore, the size of the printed material on one page and the size of the printed material on the entire page cannot be matched, and even if the printed material is output on the entire page, the printed material is difficult for the user to handle.

  Further, in the spread reading (spreading reading mode) in which the image data of the spread document is read in the spread unit (right page, left page, full page) and the image is formed as described above, The top position of the image data read from the spread original is set as the upper position in advance. Here, although the top position of the image data of the entire page read from the original in the spread state is normally the left position, the top position of the image data of the entire page is automatically set to the upper position. In some cases, the printed matter at the time of output is not a printed matter in the direction according to the user's request.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and in the case of outputting a full-page page of a two-page spread original document as a printed material, image formation that can output a printed material in accordance with a user's request. An object is to provide an apparatus and an image forming method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention uses a top position of a document placed on a document table as a top position, and reads from a document in a spread state that can read a left page and a right page. An image forming apparatus that reads image data of a page specified by a user and forms an image of the image data on a predetermined sheet is employed.

  The image forming apparatus includes a spread condition receiving unit, an image condition receiving unit, a spread image reading unit, and a spread image forming unit. The spread condition accepting means displays the spread full page key for reading the image data of the left and right full page for the document in the spread state in a selectable manner. Next, the image condition receiving means, when the spread full page key is selected, a predetermined number of top position keys for specifying the top position of the image data and a predetermined number for specifying the paper size. The size key can be selected and displayed. Then, when the spread image reading unit reads the full page image data of the document in the spread state, the full page image data is set to the top position of the selected top position key. Is stored in the image data storage means. Further, the spread image forming unit forms an image of the full page image data stored in the image data storage unit on a sheet having a size of a selected size key.

  As a result, when printing a full-page page of a document in a spread state, the user selects a predetermined top position and a predetermined size so that the selected full-page page reflecting the selected top position and size is displayed. Printed material is output. For this reason, the user can obtain a printed material of the facing full page desired by the user. As a result, it has become possible to align the size of the printed matter on the entire page with the size of the printed matter on one page, for example, where the size of the printed matter on the entire page and the size of the printed matter on one page cannot be matched. Thus, it is possible to output a printed material that is easy for the user to handle.

  The top position key includes a key for setting the top position of the image data to the upper position and a key for setting the top position of the image data to the left position. It can be configured to include a key for changing the paper size to one page with respect to the whole page and a key for changing the paper size to the paper size of the full page.

  The present invention reads the image data of the page specified by the user from a document in a spread state where the upper position of the document placed on the document table is the top position and the left page and the right page can be read. The image data can be provided as an image forming method for forming an image on a predetermined sheet. That is, the image forming method includes a spread condition receiving step for selectively displaying a spread full page key for reading the image data of the left and right full page with respect to the document in the spread state. Next, in the image forming method, when the double-page spread page key is selected, a predetermined number of top position keys for specifying the top position of the image data and a predetermined number for specifying the paper size are used. There is an image condition receiving step for selectively displaying the size key. In the image forming method, when reading the full page image data of the spread document, the top position of the full page image data is set to the top position of the selected top position key. A spread image reading step to be stored in the image data storage means is included. Further, the image forming method includes a spread image forming step of forming an image of the entire page image data stored in the image data storage unit on a sheet having a size of a selected size key. Even with this configuration, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention can be provided as a program for causing a computer to circulate individually via a telecommunication line or the like. In this case, the central processing unit (CPU) realizes the control operation in cooperation with each circuit other than the CPU according to the program of the present invention. Each means realized by using the program and the CPU can also be configured by using dedicated hardware. The program can also be distributed in a state where it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention, it is possible to output a printed material according to a user's request when outputting the entire page of a spread original as a printed material.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to the present invention. It is a 1st flowchart for showing the execution procedure of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart for showing the execution procedure of this invention. FIG. 7A shows an example of an initial screen displayed on the touch panel in the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 7A), and FIG. 7B shows an example of a spread reading screen displayed on the touch panel in the embodiment of the present invention. 7 (B)). FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram for explaining a spread reading mode in the embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 8A), and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a spread full page reading screen displayed on the touch panel in the embodiment of the present invention. (B)). A first schematic diagram (FIG. 9A) for explaining the spread full page reading mode in the embodiment of the present invention and a second schematic diagram for explaining the spread full page reading mode in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 (B), a third schematic diagram (FIG. 9C) for explaining the spread full page reading mode in the embodiment of the present invention, and the spread full page read in the embodiment of the present invention. It is the 4th schematic diagram (Drawing 9D) for explaining a mode.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus in which a folding device and a bookbinding device are connected. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted. The image forming apparatus of the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a single scanner, or a multifunction machine equipped with a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, and the like, and includes a copy service, a scanner service, a facsimile service, a printer service, and the like. Function as an image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, for example, an operation of the MFP 100 (Multi Function Peripheral) when using the copy service will be briefly described.

  First, when the user uses the multifunction device 100, the document P is placed on the document table 101 provided on the upper surface of the multifunction device 100, and a copy service setting is input from the operation unit 102. This operation unit 102 is displayed on a screen relating to image formation, and a setting condition relating to a copy service is input by user selection.

  After the input of the setting conditions is completed, the user presses a start key provided on the operation unit 102 to cause the multifunction peripheral 100 to start a copy service process.

  When the MFP 100 starts the copy service process, the light emitted from the light source 104 is reflected on the document placed on the document table 101 in the image reading unit 103. The reflected light is guided to the image sensor 108 by the mirrors 105, 106, and 107. The guided light is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor 108 and subjected to basic correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like, and image data corresponding to the document is generated.

  The image data may be transmitted together with an output (image formation) instruction from the network 110 via the communication cable 109 connected to the multifunction peripheral 100. When image data is transmitted from the network 110, the processing of the image reading unit 103 is omitted.

  An image forming unit 111 is a drive unit that transfers the image data as a toner image. The image forming unit 111 is provided with a photosensitive drum 112. The photosensitive drum 112 rotates in a predetermined direction at a constant speed, and around the charger drum, the exposure unit 114, the developing unit 115, the transfer unit 116, the cleaning unit 117, and the like, in that order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. Is arranged.

  The charger 113 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 112. The exposure unit 114 irradiates the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 112 with a laser based on the image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing unit 115 forms a toner image by attaching toner to the conveyed electrostatic latent image. The formed toner image is transferred to a recording medium (for example, a sheet) by the transfer device 116. The cleaning unit 117 removes excess toner left on the surface of the photosensitive drum 112. A series of these processes is executed by rotating the photosensitive drum 112.

  The sheet is conveyed from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 118 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. When the sheet is conveyed, the sheet is pulled out from any one of the sheet feeding cassettes 118 by the pickup roller 119 to the conveying path. Each of the paper feed cassettes 118 contains sheets of different paper types, and the sheets are fed based on the settings relating to the output conditions.

  The sheet pulled out to the conveyance path is fed between the photosensitive drum 112 and the transfer device 116 by the conveyance roller 120 and the registration roller 121. When the sheet is fed, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by the transfer unit 116 and conveyed to the fixing device 122. Note that the sheet conveyed to the conveyance roller 120 may be conveyed from the manual feed tray 123 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  When the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred passes between a heating roller 124 and a pressure roller 125 provided in the fixing device 122, heat and pressure are applied to the toner image, and the visible image is fixed to the sheet. Is done. The heat quantity of the heating roller 124 is optimally set according to the paper type, and the fixing is performed appropriately. The visible image is fixed on the sheet, the image formation is completed, and the sheet on which the visible image is fixed is conveyed to the folding device 126 through the fixing device 122.

  The conveyed sheet is subjected to folding processing by the folding device 126 in accordance with the output condition setting input by the user. When the folding process is not input, the sheet only passes through the folding device 126. When the user sets post-processing (for example, stapling, punching, bookbinding, etc.) as an output condition, the passed sheet is conveyed to the bookbinding device 127 for post-processing, and is stacked and stored in the paper discharge tray 128. The

  Since the folding device 126 and the bookbinding device 127 can be detached from the multifunction peripheral 100, when the folding device 126 and the bookbinding device 127 are removed, the sheet on which the visible image is fixed by the fixing device 122 is printed matter. As shown in FIG.

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides a copy service to the user. Other services are driven and provided by the image reading unit 103, the image forming unit 111, and the like described above. The MFP 100 according to the present invention includes a print service for forming image data transmitted from the network 110, a scan service for reading an image of a document, a facsimile transmission / reception service for transmitting / receiving image data to / from the network 110, and storing once read image data. You may provide a memory service.

  Further, when the folding device 126 and the bookbinding device 127 described above are connected to the multifunction device 100, the multifunction device 100 may include a predetermined post-processing service. As post-processing, bookbinding output processing (for example, booklet booklet) that makes a bundle of output sheets a booklet (for example, a glued booklet), output of staples that are stapled at a predetermined portion of the sheet bundle Examples include, but are not limited to, processing (for example, upper left of one point of staples), punch output processing (for example, left end of two points of punch) for punching holes at predetermined positions in a bundle of sheets.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of the operation unit according to the present invention.

  The user uses the operation unit 102 to input an output condition or the like for the provision (or output processing) of the copy service as described above. When an output condition is input, the touch panel 201, the touch pen 202, and the operation key 203 provided in the operation unit 102 are used.

  The touch panel 201 has a function of inputting the above-described output condition and a function of displaying the input output condition and the like. That is, by pressing the content of the output item in the screen displayed on the touch panel 201, an output condition (setting condition) associated with the content of the output item is input. In addition, the contents of the input output item and the like are displayed on the touch panel 201 with the background color changed from white to gray, so that the user can visually recognize the contents as needed.

  A touch pen 202 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and when a user brings the tip of the touch pen 202 into contact with the touch panel 201, a sensor provided below the touch panel 201 detects the touch destination. Therefore, by touching the touch pen 202, it is possible to select / input the contents of the output items and the keys on the keyboard screen.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 203 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 201, and for example, a ten key 204, a start key 205, a clear key 206, a stop key 207, a reset key 208, and a power key 209 are provided. The numeric keypad 204 is used to input specific numbers when setting the number of copies and the magnification.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction machine. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, and a driver 305 corresponding to each driving unit. They are connected by a bus 306.

  The CPU 301 uses, for example, the RAM 303 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, etc., and exchanges data and instructions with the driver 305 based on the execution result. The operation of each driving unit shown in FIG. Also, each means (shown in FIG. 4) described later other than the above-described drive unit is realized by the CPU 301 executing a program. The ROM 302 and the HDD 304 store programs and data for realizing each means described below.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
Next, the configuration and execution procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the MFP 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a first flowchart for illustrating the execution procedure of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a second flowchart for illustrating the execution procedure of the present invention.

  First, when the user turns on the power of the multifunction device 100, the display reception unit 401 of the multifunction device 100 is activated, and an initial screen (for example, a copy function screen) stored in advance in a predetermined memory is displayed on the touch panel 201 ( FIG. 5: S101).

  In the initial screen 700, as shown in FIG. 7A, in addition to the normal setting item key 701 for setting the copy conditions, the spread state is set in a spread unit (right page, left page, full page). An “open spread reading” key 702 is displayed to read the image data of the original and shift to the spread reading mode for forming an image.

A user places an A3 size original (for example, an A4 size booklet) in which A4 size originals are arranged on the left and right sides in an open state on the original table 101. Here, the opened document is a document in which the entire page is horizontally long (landscape) with respect to the document table 101. In this case, one page of the document in a spread state is arranged vertically (vertically) with respect to the document table 101. Further, when the user presses (selects) the “spread reading” key 702 (FIG. 5: S102 YES), the display accepting unit 401 accepts the pressing of the “spread reading” key 602 and notifies the MFP 100 of that. The spread condition receiving means 402 is notified. Upon receiving the notification, the spread condition accepting unit 402 displays a spread reading screen on the touch panel 201, and accepts selection of a key of a page to be read from the user in a spread state document (FIG. 5: S103). )
On the spread reading screen 703, as shown in FIG. 7B, a message 704 for prompting the user to select a page in a spread unit (reading target) from the originals in the spread state, and a spread state original are displayed. A simulated image 705, a right page key 706 for reading the right page of a double-page spread document, a left page key 707 for reading a left page, and reading image data of left and right full-page pages of a double-page spread document. A full-page spread page key 708 (also referred to as a double-page spread page key), a cancel key 709, and a start key 710 are displayed.

  Here, when the spread original has different images on the right page and the left page, for example, the right page is a document original, the left page is a graph original or a front original, and the open original is If the user selects a key corresponding to one page (for example, the right page key 706) while viewing the spread reading screen 703, the spread condition receiving unit 402 Upon selection of the right page key 706 (FIG. 5: S104 YES), the background color of the right page key 706 is changed from, for example, white to gray.

  Next, when the user selects the start key 710 on the spread reading screen 703, the spread condition accepting unit 402 accepts the selection of the start key 710 (FIG. 5: S105 YES), and the spread image reading unit 403 is notified accordingly. Notice. The spread image reading means 403 starts reading the image data on the right page of the original in the spread state (FIG. 5: S106).

  First, as shown in FIG. 8A, the spread image reading unit 403 acquires the size (for example, A3) of the document 800 in the spread state from the document size detection sensor 404 provided in advance, and the acquired size is displayed on the entire surface. A page is divided into left and right halves, and the divided right region 801 is defined as a right page. Next, the spread image reading unit 403 scans the right region 801 with the light source 104 in the image reading unit 103 to read the image data 802 on the right page. The size of the read right page image data 802 is half the size (A4) of the entire page size (A3). The spread image reading unit 403 stores the right page image data 802 in the image data storage unit 405 with the top position of the right page image data 802 as a preset upper position (upper position).

  When the spread image reading unit 403 completes the reading of the image data 802 on the right page, it notifies the spread image forming unit 406 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the spread image forming unit 406 executes image formation (copying) based on the right page image data 802 stored in the image data storage unit 405 (FIG. 5: S107).

  Specifically, the spread image forming unit 406 reads the right page image data 802 from the image data storage unit 405, selects a sheet corresponding to the size (A4) of the right page image data 802, and selects the selected sheet. The image data 802 for the right page is formed on a sheet.

  Thereby, the image formation for one page in the spread reading mode is completed. The left page key 707 (FIG. 5: S108 YES → S105 YES) is the same as the above-described processing except that the area to be read is changed from the right area 801 to the left area 803 (FIG. 5: S106 → S107). ).

  On the other hand, when the two-page spread document is a single document with left and right full-page pages, for example, the full-page page is a document such as a vertically long building, a photograph of a person, a horizontally long world map, etc. , The user does not select the single page key (right page key 706, left page key 707) while looking at the spread reading screen 703 (FIG. 5: S104NO → S108NO). When the spread full page key 708 is selected, the spread condition accepting unit 402 accepts the selection of the spread full page key 708 (FIG. 5: S109 YES) and shifts from the spread reading mode to the spread full page reading mode. The image condition receiving means 407 is notified. Receiving the notification, the image condition accepting unit 407 displays a double-page spread page reading screen on the touch panel 201, and accepts selection of a predetermined top position key and a predetermined size key from the user (FIG. 6: S201). ).

  As shown in FIG. 8B, a message 805 for prompting the user to select the top position of the image data of the full-page spread page and the size of the paper on which the image data is printed is displayed on the double-page spread page reading screen 804. And an image 806 showing each top position (upper position or upper side, left position or left side) of the document in a spread state, and a predetermined number of top position keys 807 (for example, “ The top position is a top position key 807a, the left position is a top position key 807b, and a predetermined number of size keys 808 (for example, the same size as left and right pages) key 808a, "100% output" key 808b, a "size designation" key 808c that allows an arbitrary paper size to be selected when selected, a cancel key 809, and a start key 810 are displayed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the left and right full-page pages of the spread document are vertically long (longitudinal) documents 900 with the left position as the top position, the user sets the “left position”. When the “top position” key 807b is selected, the image condition accepting unit 407 accepts the selection of the “left position is the top position” key 807b (FIG. 6: S202 YES), and the background color of the “left position is the top position” key 807b. From white to gray.

  Further, for example, when the user wants to set the size of the printed material on the entire page to the same size as the printed material on the left and right single pages, and selects the “same size as the left and right pages” key 808a, the image condition receiving unit 407 The selection of the “same size as left and right page” key 808a is accepted (FIG. 6: S203 YES), and the background color of the “same size as left and right page” key 808a is changed from white to gray.

  When the user selects the start key 810 on the spread page reading screen 804, the image condition accepting unit 407 accepts the selection of the start key 810 (FIG. 6: S204 YES). Notify Upon receiving the notification, the spread image reading unit 403 starts reading the entire page image data of the document in the spread state (FIG. 6: S205).

  First, the spread image reading unit 403 acquires the size (A3) of the spread document 900 from the document size detection sensor 404, and sets the acquired size as a full page. Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, the spread image reading unit 403 scans the entire page area 900a with the light source 104 and reads the entire page image data. The size of the image data of the read full page is the full page size (A3). The spread image reading unit 403 releases the preset top position (upper position) of the image data, and sets the top position of the full page image data as the top position (left position) selected by the user. Full page image data is stored in the image data storage means 405.

  As a result, the top position of the entire page image data is changed from the preset upper position to the left position, and the entire page image data is changed from landscape (landscape) to portrait (portrait). It is possible to match the image data of one page.

  Next, the spread image reading unit 403 notifies the spread image forming unit 406 that the reading is complete, and the spread image forming unit 406 that has received the notification notifies the full page image stored in the image data storage unit 403. The data is imaged on a sheet of a size selected by the user (FIG. 6: S206).

  Specifically, the spread image forming unit 406 reads full page image data from the image data storage unit 405. Here, although the size of the entire page image data is A3, the size of the paper is selected by the user as “the same size as the left and right pages”. A sheet having a size of one page (A4) is selected. Next, the spread image forming unit 406 reduces the size (A3) of the entire page image data to the size (A4) of one page image data, and forms the reduced entire page image data on the sheet.

  As a result, even if the entire page of the spread original is a vertically long (longitudinal) original 900, it is possible to acquire one vertically long (vertical) printed material 901 that matches the vertically long single page printed material. Become. Further, the size of the printed material 901 on the entire page can be made equal to the size of the printed material on one page (for example, the printed material 802 on one page in FIG. 8A), and the handleability of the printed material can be improved. .

  By the way, when the user selects the “left position to top position” key 807b (FIG. 6: S202 YES), for example, the user wants to make the size of the printed material on the entire page equal to the same size. When the “% output” key 808b is selected and the start key 810 is selected, the image condition receiving means 407 receives the selection of the “100% output” key 808b and the start key 810 (FIG. 6: S203 YES → S204 YES). Then, the spread image reading means 403 reads the entire page image data from the document in the spread state with the size (A3) acquired from the document size detection sensor 404 as the entire page. Then, the spread image reading unit 403 sets the top position of the read full page image data to the selected top position “left position”, and stores the full page image data in the image data storage unit 405 (FIG. 6: S205).

  Next, the spread image forming unit 406 reads the entire page image data from the image data storage unit 405, and selects a sheet of the entire page size (A3) corresponding to “100% output” selected by the user. Then, the entire page image data is formed on the selected sheet (FIG. 6: S206).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user can print a printed material 902 having a size equal to the size of the original 900 even if the entire page of the spread original is a vertically long (vertical) original 900. Can be obtained. In this case, for example, if the size of the printed material on the entire page is set to the size of the printed material on one page, the content of the entire page becomes too small and the appearance of the printed material is deteriorated.

  Now, in S202, as shown in FIG. 9C, the left and right whole pages of the original in the spread state are horizontally long (horizontal) originals 903 with the upper position in the top position, and the user can print the full page prints. When the user wants to make the size the same as the size of the printed matter on one page, the user can select the “upper position is the top position” key 807a, the “same size as the left and right pages” key 808a, and the start key 810. Upon selection, the image condition accepting unit 407 accepts selection of the “top position is the top position” key 807a, the “same size as the left and right pages” key 808a, and the start key 810 (FIG. 6: S202 YES → S203 YES → S204 YES). . Then, the spread image reading means 403 reads the full page image data corresponding to the full page size (A3) from the original in the spread state, and selects the top position of the read full page image data as the selected top position “ The “upper position” (corresponding to a preset top position) is stored in the image data storage means 405 (FIG. 6: S205).

  Next, the spread image forming unit 406 reads the entire page image data from the image data storage unit 405, and loads a sheet of one page size (A4) corresponding to “the same size as the left and right pages” selected by the user. Then, the size (A3) of the image data on the entire page is reduced to the size (A4) of the image data on one page. Then, the spread image forming unit 406 forms an image of the reduced full page image data on the paper (FIG. 6: S206).

  As a result, when the printed material 904 of the entire page, which is a horizontally long (landscape) document, is inserted into the printed material of one page, which is a vertically long (vertically oriented) document, the direction (orientation) of the printed material 904 of the entire page is changed to the one page. Although it cannot be aligned with the direction (orientation) of the printed material, the size of the printed material 904 on the entire page can be aligned with the size of the printed material on one page.

  When the user selects the “upward position to the top position” key 807a (FIG. 6: S202 YES), the user wants to make the size of the printed material on the entire page, for example, equal to the size, When the “% output” key 808b is selected and the start key 810 is selected, the image condition receiving means 407 receives the selection of the “100% output” key 808b and the start key 810 (FIG. 6: S203 YES → S204 YES). Then, the spread image reading means 403 reads full page image data corresponding to the size (A3) of the full page, sets the top position of the full page image data to the selected top position “upper position”, and Full page image data is stored in the image data storage means 405 (FIG. 6: S205).

  Next, the spread image forming unit 406 reads the entire page image data from the image data storage unit 405, and selects a sheet of the entire page size (A3) corresponding to “100% output” selected by the user. Then, the entire page image data is formed on the selected paper (FIG. 6: S206).

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9D, the user can obtain a printed material 905 having a size that is the same size as the size of the original in the spread state.

  In particular, when the top page is the top position and the printed material 905 of the entire page, which is a landscape (landscape) document, is obtained, the multifunction device 100 receives the selection of the user's Z-fold processing key, for example, and the printed material 905 If you fold the left and right halves and Z-fold (single sleeve fold) to fold one page further to the left and right halves, the size of the printed page 905 on the entire page becomes the size of the printed page on one page. It becomes possible to arrange it on the printed matter of the page.

  For example, when the above-mentioned predetermined conditions (“upper position is the top position”, “100% output”) are input, the image condition receiving unit 407 displays “Z folding processing” on the spread full page reading screen 804. ”Key and a single page key that defines one page to be folded in the left and right halves (for example, a“ right page ”key that folds the right page into the left and right halves, a“ left page ”key that folds the left page into the left and right halves, etc.) To display. When the image condition accepting unit 407 accepts selection of the “Z-fold process” key and the one-page key (for example, the “right page” key) by the user, the spread image forming unit 406 or A post-processing unit (not shown) may be configured to fold the sheet on which the entire page image data is formed into left and right halves and further fold one page (right page) into the left and right halves.

  By the way, if the user does not select the cancel key 809 after the image formation of the image data of the entire page described above is completed (FIG. 6: S207 NO), the process returns to S202, and the image condition receiving means 407 further spreads. A reading condition is received (FIG. 6: S202).

  As a result, the user can continuously (continuously) execute image formation of the entire page image data. This is effective, for example, when the size of the spread original is A3 and the contents of the A4-size booklet are to be copied continuously.

  On the other hand, when the user selects the cancel key 809 while viewing the spread full page reading screen 804, the image condition accepting unit 407 accepts the selection of the cancel key 809 (FIG. 6: S207 YES), and the spread full page is displayed. The spread condition receiving means 402 is notified of the transition from the reading mode to the spread reading mode. Upon receiving the notification, the spread condition receiving unit 402 displays the above-described spread reading screen 703 on the touch panel (FIG. 5: S103).

  As a result, the user can read one of the left and right pages of the original in the spread state. If the user further selects, for example, the spread full page key on the spread reading screen 703 (FIG. 5: S109 YES), the spread full reading page mode is again transferred from the spread reading mode.

  In S103, when the user completes the image reading of the document in the spread state, the spread reading screen 703 is selected without selecting the one-page key or the full-page spread page key (FIG. 5: S104NO → S108NO → S109NO). When the cancel key 709 is selected, the spread condition accepting unit 402 accepts the selection of the cancel key 709 (FIG. 5: S110 YES), and notifies the display accepting unit 401 of that. Upon receiving the notification, the display receiving unit 401 displays the initial screen described above on the touch panel 201. As a result, the user can execute a normal copy service.

  As described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention includes the spread condition receiving unit 402, the image condition receiving unit 407, the spread image reading unit 403, and the spread image forming unit 406. The spread condition accepting unit 402 displays a spread full page key for reading the image data of the left and right full page for the document in the spread state in a selectable manner. Next, the image condition receiving means 407, when the spread full page key is selected, a predetermined number of top position keys for specifying the top position of the image data and a predetermined number for specifying the paper size. A number of size keys are displayed for selection. Then, when the spread image reading unit 403 reads the full page image data of the document in the spread state, the full page image is set to the top position of the selected top position key with the top position of the full page image data being set. Data is stored in the image data storage unit 405. Further, the spread image forming unit 406 forms an image of the full page image data stored in the image data storage unit 405 on a sheet having the size of the selected size key.

  As a result, when printing a full-page page of a document in a spread state, the user selects a predetermined top position and a predetermined size so that the selected full-page page reflecting the selected top position and size is displayed. Printed material is output. For this reason, the user can obtain a printed material of the facing full page desired by the user. As a result, it has become possible to align the size of the printed matter on the entire page with the size of the printed matter on one page, for example, where the size of the printed matter on the entire page and the size of the printed matter on one page cannot be matched. Thus, it is possible to output a printed material that is easy for the user to handle.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the “upper position is a heaven position” key 807a and the “left position is a heaven position” key 807b are given as the top position keys for designating the top position of the image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a “lower position is a top position” key, a “right position is a top position” key, a key that defines the direction of image data, a key that defines rotation of image data, etc. Good. As the size keys for designating the paper size, the “same size as the left and right pages” key 808a, the “100% output” key 808b, and the “size designation” key 808c are listed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an “A3” key, an “A4” key, or the like indicating a specific paper size may be used.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the image condition receiving means 407 is configured to receive the selection of the start key 810 after receiving the selection of the predetermined top position key and the predetermined size key. It doesn't matter. For example, when the double-page spread page reading screen 804 is displayed, a specific top position key (for example, “left position is a top position” key 807b) frequently selected by the user and a specific size key (for example, “left and right” The selection of “the same size as the page” key 808a) may be set in a state (default state) received in advance by the image condition receiving unit 407 so that the user can select the start key 810 immediately. With this configuration, the number of key operations by the user can be reduced and operability can be improved.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the spread image forming unit 406 automatically aligns the direction (orientation) of the sheet with the direction (orientation) of the entire page image data, and applies the entire page image data to the sheet. Although it is configured to form an image, there may be a case where the orientation of the sheet cannot be made to correspond to the orientation of the image data depending on the orientation (vertical orientation, landscape orientation) of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette. In such a case, the spread image forming unit 406 changes the orientation of the entire page image data as appropriate by rotating the entire page image data by 90 degrees or the like. An image is formed in accordance with the direction.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, each unit is provided in the multi-function device 100. However, any unit may be used as long as it is an image forming apparatus. For example, each unit may be provided in a printer, a copier, or the like. .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP 100 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In the configuration, the multifunction device 100 reads the program, and the multifunction device 100 implements the respective units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus and the image forming method according to the present invention are useful not only for multifunction peripherals but also for copiers, printers, and the like. When outputting full-page pages of a spread original as printed matter, This is effective as an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of outputting a printed matter according to a request.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 401 Display reception means 402 Spread condition reception means 403 Spread image reading means 404 Document size detection sensor 405 Image data storage means 406 Spread image forming means 407 Image condition reception means

Claims (5)

The image data of the page specified by the user is read from a spread-open document that can read the left page and the right page, with the top position of the document placed on the document table as the top position, and the image data is determined in advance. In an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet of paper,
A spread condition accepting means for selectively displaying a spread full page key for reading image data of left and right full page with respect to the original in the spread state;
When the spread full page key is selected, a predetermined number of top position keys for designating the top position of the image data and a predetermined number of size keys for designating the paper size are selectably displayed. Image condition receiving means;
When the full-page image data of the document in the spread state is read, the full-page image data is stored in the image data storage means with the top position of the full-page page image data set to the top position of the selected top position key. Image reading means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a two-page spread image forming unit that forms an image of the entire page image data stored in the image data storage unit on a sheet having a size of a selected size key. The top position key includes a key that sets the top position of the image data to the upper position and a key that sets the top position of the image data to the left position,
The size key includes a key for changing a paper size to a one-page paper size with respect to a full-page page of a document in a spread state, and a key for changing the paper size to a full-page paper size. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The image data of the page specified by the user is read from a spread-open document that can read the left page and the right page, with the top position of the document placed on the document table as the top position, and the image data is determined in advance. In an image forming method for forming an image on a sheet of paper,
A spread condition receiving step for selectively displaying a double-page spread page key for reading image data of left and right full-page pages with respect to the document in the spread state;
When the spread full page key is selected, a predetermined number of top position keys for designating the top position of the image data and a predetermined number of size keys for designating the paper size are selectably displayed. Image condition acceptance step,
When the full-page image data of the document in the spread state is read, the full-page image data is stored in the image data storage means with the top position of the full-page page image data set to the top position of the selected top position key. An image reading step;
An image forming method comprising: a spread image forming step of forming an image of the entire page image data stored in the image data storage means on a sheet having a size of a selected size key.   A program for causing a computer to execute the image forming method according to claim 3.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 4.

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