Sheet processing apparatus and program

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of reducing a workload on a user when cut sheets are bought together, and a program.SOLUTION: A sheet processing apparatus comprises a setting processing part and a print processing part. The setting processing part sets a print layout of a multi-page manuscript of one sheet on the basis of a preset folding method and a preset cut method. The print processing part prints the multi-page manuscript on the one sheet on the basis of the print layout set by the setting processing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an image forming apparatus that compiles and prints a plurality of pages of documents based on a plurality of image data onto one sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, there is known a post-processing apparatus that folds the sheet after image formation in half or in thirds (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-88760 [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-73356 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, after a document of multiple pages based on multiple image data is formed on the surface of a sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "image forming surface"), a user may cut the sheet for each original image. Here, when a user cuts a sheet using scissors or the like in an unfolded state, the orientation of the image forming surface of the cut sheet will be aligned on either the front or back. Therefore, the user does not need to turn over the sheet in order to align the orientation of the image forming surface of the cut sheet. However, when a user cuts a sheet along the crease with a paper knife or the like in a folded state, the cut sheets will include a mixture of sheets with the image forming surface oriented on the front and sheets with the image forming surface oriented on the back. Therefore, the user must take the trouble of turning over at least one sheet in order to align the orientation of the image forming surface of the cut sheets and assemble the documents.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus and a program capable of reducing the workload of a user when collecting cut sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet processing apparatus including a setting processor and a print processor, the setting processor sets a print layout of a document of multiple pages on one sheet based on a folding method and a cutting method that are set in advance, and the print processor prints the document of multiple pages on one sheet based on the print layout set by the setting processor.

[0007] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing one or more processors to execute a setting step and a printing step. The setting step sets a print layout of a document of multiple pages on one sheet based on a preset folding method and a preset cutting method. The printing step prints the document of multiple pages on one sheet based on the print layout set by the setting step. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sheet processing apparatus and a program that can reduce the workload of a user when collecting cut sheets. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an image forming device and an intermediary conveying device in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a post-processing device in the sheet processing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a print control process executed by the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a print layout used in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a print layout used in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a print layout used in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a print layout used in the sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 100] 1 and 2, the sheet processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10, an image reading apparatus 20, an intermediary conveying apparatus 30, and a post-processing apparatus 40. The sheet processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a multifunction machine system having multiple functions such as a printer, a copier, a scanner, and a facsimile machine.

[0012] For example, in the sheet processing device 100, image data is read by the image reading device 20, and a copy process or the like is executed in which an image is formed on a sheet 9 based on the image data by the image forming device 10. The sheet 9 after the image formation is transported to the post-processing device 40 via the relay transport device 30. In the post-processing device 40, post-processing such as binding or folding is performed on the sheet 9, and the sheet 9 is discharged to the discharge tray 41 or the discharge tray 42 of the post-processing device 40.

[0013] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 10] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a sheet storage section 11, a sheet conveying section 12, an image forming section 13, an operation display section 14, a control section 15, and the like.

[0014] The sheet storage unit 11 can store a plurality of sheets 9. The sheets 9 stored in the sheet storage unit 11 are supplied to the sheet conveying unit 12 by a paper feed unit 111 provided in each sheet storage unit 11. The sheets 9 are sheet-like image forming media such as paper or a resin film.

[0015] The sheet conveying section 12 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 121, and conveys the sheet 9 supplied from the sheet storage section 11 toward the internal discharge section 10a by each of the conveying rollers 121. Specifically, the sheet conveying section 12 includes a conveying path 121a and conveying paths 122a to 122c along which the sheet 9 is conveyed. The sheet conveying section 12 also includes a switching section 123a and a switching section 123b that switch the destination of the sheet 9 conveyed by the conveying path 121a. The switching section 123a and the switching section 123b are driven by a driving source (not shown) such as a solenoid, and the driving source is controlled by the control section 15.

[0016] In the conveying path 121a, the sheet 9 supplied from the sheet storage unit 11 is conveyed toward the image forming unit 13. In the conveying path 122a, the sheet 9 after the image formation by the image forming unit 13 is conveyed toward the discharge roller 124a, and the sheet 9 is discharged to the internal discharge unit 10a by the discharge roller 124a. In the conveying path 122b, the sheet 9 after the image formation by the image forming unit 13 is conveyed toward the discharge roller 124b, and the sheet 9 is discharged to the internal discharge unit 10a by the discharge roller 124b. The conveying path 122c is used to convey the sheet 9, which has an image formed on one side by the image forming unit 13 and has been conveyed to the discharge roller 124b, back to the image forming unit 13. The sheet 9 conveyed back to the image forming unit 13 by the conveying path 122c is in a state where the front and back sides are reversed from when the sheet 9 was initially conveyed to the image forming unit 13 and an image was formed on one side. This allows the image forming unit 13 to form an image on the other side of the sheet 9 that has been transported again to the image forming unit 13 via the transport path 122c.

[0017] [Operation of sheet transport unit 12: single-sided printing, no post-processing] Here, the operation of the sheet conveying unit 12 when the image forming apparatus 10 performs a single-sided printing process in which an image is formed on one side of the sheet 9 and the post-processing device 40 does not perform post-processing will be described. In this case, the control unit 15 controls the switching units 123a and 123b to connect the conveying path 121a to the conveying path 122a and to connect the conveying path 122a to the internal discharge unit 10a. As a result, the sheet 9 after the image formation in the image forming unit 13 is discharged to the internal discharge unit 10a by the discharge rollers 124a via the conveying path 121a and the conveying path 122a.

[0018] [Operation of sheet transport unit 12: double-sided printing, no post-processing] Next, the operation of the sheet conveying unit 12 in the case where the image forming apparatus 10 performs double-sided printing processing in which images are formed on both sides of the sheet 9 and the post-processing device 40 does not perform post-processing will be described. In this case, the control unit 15 first controls the switching unit 123a and the switching unit 123b to communicate the conveying path 121a with the conveying path 122a and to communicate the conveying path 122a with the internal discharge unit 10a. As a result, the sheet 9 after the image is formed on one side by the image forming unit 13 is conveyed toward the internal discharge unit 10a by the discharge roller 124a via the conveying path 121a and the conveying path 122a. Thereafter, when the rear end of the sheet 9 approaches the discharge roller 124a, the control unit 15 stops driving the discharge roller 124a and controls the switching unit 123b to communicate the internal discharge unit 10a with the conveying path 122c. Then, the control unit 15 reverses the discharge rollers 124a to transport the sheet 9, on one side of which an image has been formed, again to the image forming unit 13 via the transport path 122c, thereby forming an image on the other side of the sheet 9. Next, when the rear end of the sheet 9 passes the switching unit 123b, the control unit 15 controls the switching unit 123b to connect the transport path 122a to the internal discharge unit 10a. As a result, the sheet 9, on both sides of which images have been formed, is discharged to the internal discharge unit 10a by the discharge rollers 124a.

[0019] [Operation of sheet conveying unit 12: with post-processing] Next, the operation of the sheet conveying unit 12 in the case where the post-processing is performed by the post-processing device 40 after the single-sided printing process or the double-sided printing process is performed in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. In this case, when the sheet 9 on which an image has been formed on one side or both sides by the image forming unit 13 is discharged to the internal discharge unit 10a, the control unit 15 controls the switching unit 123a to communicate the conveying path 121a with the conveying path 122b. In particular, in the case where the post-processing device 40 performs folding processing, the sheet 9 on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 13 is conveyed in this order through the conveying paths 121a, 122a, and 122c in the same manner as in the case of double-sided printing, and is discharged to the internal discharge unit 10a through the conveying path 122b in a state where the front and back sides are inverted. As a result, the sheet 9 on which the image has been formed is conveyed through the conveying path 122b by the discharge rollers 124b toward the conveying relay device 30 attached to the internal discharge unit 10a. Then, the sheet 9 is transported by the transport relay device 30 to the post-processing device 40, where the sheet 9 is subjected to post-processing.

[0020] The image forming unit 13 executes a printing process to form an image on the sheet 9 conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 12 based on image data of the printing target. Specifically, the image forming unit 13 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, an optical scanning device, a developing device, a transfer roller, a cleaning device, and a fixing device, and forms an image by an electrophotographic method. For example, in the printing process, the image forming unit 13 forms an image on the sheet 9 based on image data read by the image reading device 20 or image data received from an external computer or the like. Note that the image forming unit 13 may form an image by another method such as an inkjet method.

[0021] The operation display unit 14 is a user interface of the sheet processing apparatus 100. The operation display unit 14 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 15, and an operation unit such as operation keys and a touch panel that inputs various information to the control unit 15 in response to user operations.

[0022] The control unit 15 is a computer that comprehensively controls the sheet processing apparatus 100 including the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing apparatus 40. Therefore, in the sheet processing apparatus 100, the image reading apparatus 20, the relay conveying apparatus 30, and the post-processing apparatus 40 that are connected to the image forming apparatus 10 are electrically connected to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 controls the operations of the image reading apparatus 20, the relay conveying apparatus 30, and the post-processing apparatus 40.

[0023] The control unit 15 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, a RAM 153, and a secondary storage device 154. The CPU 151 has one or more processors that execute various arithmetic processing. The ROM 152 is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU 151 to execute various processing is stored in advance. The RAM 153 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processing executed by the CPU 151. Information such as a control program for causing the CPU 151 to execute various processing is stored in advance in the secondary storage device 154. The secondary storage device 154 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive. The control unit 15 can also record various data in the secondary storage device 154 and update the control program.

[0024] [Configuration of image reading device 20] As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading device 20 includes an automatic document feeder 21 and a contact glass 22. The image reading device 20 also includes a reading unit, a mirror, an optical lens, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like. The image reading device 20 is controlled by the control unit 15 to execute an image reading process for reading image data from a document set in the automatic document feeder 21 or a document placed on the contact glass 22. The automatic document feeder 21 can be opened and closed relative to the contact glass 22 of the image reading device 20. In the automatic document feeder 21, each of the transport rollers (not shown) receives a rotational driving force supplied from a drive motor (not shown) and rotates, so that the document set in the automatic document feeder 21 is transported along a document transport path inside the automatic document feeder 21 through a reading position on the contact glass 22.

[0025] [Configuration of relay transport device 30] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the relay conveying device 30 is attached to the internal discharge section 10a of the image forming apparatus 10. The relay conveying device 30 is controlled by the control section 15 to perform a relay conveying operation of relaying the conveyance of the sheet 9 between the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing device 40. Specifically, the relay conveying device 30 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 31 that convey the sheet 9 after image formation, which is discharged from the conveying path 122b by the discharge rollers 124b of the image forming apparatus 10, toward the post-processing device 40. The upper surface 32 of the relay conveying device 30 is used as a discharge tray on which the sheet 9 after image formation, which is discharged from the conveying path 122a by the discharge rollers 124a of the image forming apparatus 10, is placed. In another embodiment, the sheet conveying device 100 may not include the relay conveying device 30, and may be configured to directly convey the sheet 9 from the image forming apparatus 10 to the post-processing device 40.

[0026] [Post-processing device 40] The post-processing device 40 performs post-processing such as binding or folding, which is set according to a user operation, on the sheets 9 supplied from the image forming device 10 via the relay conveying device 30. In particular, as shown in Fig. 4, the post-processing device 40 includes a stapler device 43 that performs a binding process to bind a plurality of sheets 9 together, and a sheet folding device 44 that performs a folding process to crease one or more sheets 9. Note that the post-processing device 40 may be configured to be capable of performing other post-processing such as a punching process to form holes in the sheets 9 or a sorting process to selectively discharge the sheets 9 into a plurality of trays.

[0027] The post-processing device 40 is provided with a plurality of transport rollers 45 that transport the sheets 9 supplied to the post-processing device 40, transport paths 46a to 46c along which the sheets 9 are transported, and a switching unit 47 that switches the destination of the sheets 9 transported by each of the transport rollers 45. The post-processing device 40 is controlled by the control unit 15 to perform a binding process, a folding process, or the like on the sheets 9, and then discharge the sheets 9 onto the discharge tray 41 or the discharge tray 42.

[0028] Specifically, in the post-processing device 40, the switching unit 47 is controlled so that the conveying path 46a and the conveying path 46b are connected to each other, and the sheet 9 is discharged to the discharge tray 41 through the conveying paths 46a and 46b. In addition, in the post-processing device 40, the switching unit 47 is controlled so that the conveying path 46a and the conveying path 46c are connected to each other (see FIG. 4), and the sheet 9 is conveyed to the stapler 43 or the sheet folding device 44 through the conveying paths 46a and 46c. Then, the stapler 43 staples the sheet 9, and the sheet folding device 44 folds the sheet 9. In the sheet folding device 44, it is possible to fold a single sheet 9 that is not stapled by the stapler 43, but it is also possible to fold a sheet bundle of sheets 9 stapled by the stapler 43. After that, the sheet 9 that has been subjected to the post-processing in the stapler 43 or the sheet folding device 44 is discharged to the discharge tray 42. In addition, the stapler device 43 and the sheet folding device 44 provided in the post-processing device 40 are well-known technologies disclosed in, for example, JP 2019-73356 A, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0029] Incidentally, after multiple pages of documents based on multiple image data are formed on the surface of a sheet (hereinafter referred to as the "image forming surface"), the user may cut the sheet for each document. Here, when the user cuts the sheet using scissors or the like in a state where the sheet is not folded, the orientation of the image forming surface of the cut sheet will be aligned on either the front or back. Therefore, the user does not need to turn the sheet over to align the orientation of the image forming surface of the cut sheet. However, when the user cuts the sheet along the crease with a paper knife or the like in a state where the sheet is folded, the multiple sheets after cutting will include a mixture of sheets with the image forming surface oriented on the front and sheets with the image forming surface oriented on the back. Therefore, in order to align the orientation of the image forming surface of the cut sheets and assemble the documents, the user must take the trouble of turning over at least one sheet. In contrast, as described below, the sheet processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can reduce the workload of the user when assembling the cut sheets.

[0030] [Processing of control unit 15] The control unit 15 provided in the sheet processing apparatus 100 includes various processing units such as a reception processing unit 155, a setting processing unit 156, and a print processing unit 157. Specifically, the secondary storage device 154 of the control unit 15 stores in advance the control programs for causing the CPU 51 to function as each of the above-mentioned processing units. The CPU 51 functions as each of the above-mentioned processing units by executing the control programs stored in the secondary storage device 154. Note that each of the above-mentioned processing units may be configured by an electronic circuit.

[0031] The reception processing unit 155 receives the selection of one or more image data to be printed in the printing process executed by the sheet processing apparatus 100 and the input of printing conditions for the printing process in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 14. The reception processing unit 155 may also receive the image data and the printing conditions from a personal computer (not shown). The printing conditions include various conditions such as sheet size, color / monochrome, enlargement / reduction, double-sided printing, page aggregation, post-processing, etc. The printing conditions according to this embodiment also include a printing layout, which will be described later, indicating the arrangement of multiple pages of documents on a sheet 9.

[0032] 5, a description will be given of the setting screen P1 displayed on the operation display unit 14 when the reception processing unit 155 receives input of the printing conditions in the printing process in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 14. In particular, the description will be given here by taking as an example a case in which printing conditions are input when a print process for forming an image on a sheet 9 based on image data stored in a storage unit such as the secondary storage device 154 is executed as the printing process.

[0033] Specifically, when the reception processing unit 155 receives a selection operation of one or more image data to be printed from the image data stored in the secondary storage device 154, it causes the operation display unit 14 to display a setting screen P1 (see FIG. 5) for receiving settings for the printing process. Each image data includes one or more pages of documents or images. Therefore, when multiple image data are selected as the print target, or when image data including multiple pages is selected, the sheet processing device 100 prints multiple pages of manuscripts on one or more sheets 9. Note that the reception processing unit 155 may receive the selection operation of the image data to be printed after first receiving the printing conditions.

[0034] 5, the reception processor 155 sets printing conditions such as paper size, double-sided printing, density, folding, cutting mode, and cutting method in response to user operations on the setting screen P1. For example, the setting screen P1 displays operation keys K0, K1, K2, K3, and K4 corresponding to "double-sided printing," "page aggregation," "folding method," "cutting mode," and "cutting method," respectively.

[0035] The operation key K0 is an operation unit for accepting a setting as to whether or not to perform double-sided printing, which prints an original on both sides of a sheet 9 based on image data to be printed. Specifically, when the operation key K0 is operated, the reception processing unit 155 displays "no", "yes", etc. as setting content candidates for the "double-sided printing" on the operation display unit 14, and accepts a selection operation of the candidate. When the cutting mode is set to on by the operation key K3 described below, the presence or absence of double-sided printing is automatically determined depending on the cutting method set by the operation key K. Therefore, when the cutting mode is set to on, the reception processing unit 155 may make the operation key K0 inoperable by graying out or hiding it.

[0036] The operation key K1 is an operation unit for accepting settings for page aggregation, which prints multiple pages of documents on one sheet 9 based on image data to be printed. Specifically, when the operation key K1 is operated, the reception processing unit 155 displays "none," "2in1," "3in1," and the like as setting content candidates for the "page aggregation" on the operation display unit 14, and accepts a selection operation of the candidate. Note that the operation key K1 may be operable only when the image data to be printed is multiple pages.

[0037] Operation key K2 is an operation unit for receiving settings of whether or not to perform folding processing in post-processing device 40 and the mode of the folding processing. Specifically, when operation key K2 is operated, reception processing unit 155 displays "none," "fold in two," "fold in three," and the like, as setting content candidates for the "folding method" on operation display unit 14, and receives a selection operation of the candidate.

[0038] The operation key K3 is an operation unit for accepting an on / off setting of a function for printing a document on multiple pages in a print layout that assumes that the user will cut the sheet 9 after printing by the sheet processing device 100. Specifically, when the operation key K3 is operated, the reception processing unit 155 displays "on" and "off" as candidates for the setting content of the "cut mode" on the operation display unit 14, and accepts a selection operation of the candidate. When the setting content of the "folding method" by the operation key K2 is "none", the reception processing unit 155 makes the operation key K3 corresponding to the "cut mode" inoperable by graying out or hiding it, and sets the setting content of the "cut mode" corresponding to the operation key K3 to "off". When the setting content of the "folding method" by the operation key K2 is a content that executes a folding method such as "fold in two" or "fold in three", the reception processing unit 155 makes the operation key K3 corresponding to the "cut mode" operable.

[0039] Furthermore, when "ON" is selected as the cutting mode by the operation key K3, the reception processing unit 155 automatically sets the page combination setting by the operation key K1 according to the folding method setting. Specifically, when the folding method setting by the operation key K2 is "fold in two", the page combination setting by the operation key K1 is set to "2 in 1". Also, when the folding method setting by the operation key K2 is "fold in three", the page combination setting by the operation key K1 is set to "3 in 1".

[0040] The operation key K4 is an operation unit for accepting the setting of a tool used when the user cuts the sheet 9 after printing by the sheet processing apparatus 100. Specifically, when the setting key K4 corresponding to the "cutting method" is operated, the reception processing unit 155 displays "paper knife", "scissors", etc. as setting content candidates of the "cutting method" on the operation display unit 14 and accepts the selection operation of the candidate. Here, in this embodiment, the "paper knife" is an example of a first cutting method for cutting the sheet 9 in a state where it is folded in two or three. Note that the "paper knife" is merely an example of a tool used when cutting the sheet 9 in a folded state, and it is also possible to cut the sheet 9 using a "cutter knife" in a folded state, and the display of the operation key K4 corresponding to the first cutting method may be "cutter knife", "paper knife (cutter knife)", etc. Also, the "scissors" is an example of a second cutting method for cutting the sheet 9 in a state where it is not folded in two or three. Note that "scissors" is merely an example of a tool used when cutting the sheet 9 in an unfolded state, and it is also possible that the sheet 9 is cut using a "paper cutter" in an unfolded state, and the display of the operation key K4 corresponding to the second cutting method may be "paper cutter" or "scissors (paper cutter)". Also, the display of the operation key K4 on the operation display unit 14 may be characters indicating the content of the method, such as "first cutting method" or "second cutting method". In addition, the display content of the operation key K4 on the operation display unit 14 is not particularly limited as long as the user can distinguish between the "first cutting method" and the "second cutting method" and select them.

[0041] Furthermore, the reception processing unit 155 automatically sets the setting for double-sided printing by the operation key K0 according to the setting for the cutting method by the operation key K4. Specifically, if the setting for the cutting method by the operation key K4 is "scissors", the setting for double-sided printing by the operation key K0 is set to "no". Also, if the setting for the cutting method by the operation key K4 is "paper knife", the setting for double-sided printing by the operation key K0 is set to "yes".

[0042] When a user operates a start key (not shown) or the like provided on the operation display unit 14 for receiving requests to start various processes, the reception processing unit 155 sets, as printing conditions, various setting contents selected using the setting screen P1 of the operation display unit 14. The method of setting the printing conditions may also be performed in a similar manner by an information processing device such as a personal computer (not shown).

[0043] The setting processing unit 156 sets the print layout of multiple pages of documents on one sheet 9 as one of the printing conditions based on a cutting method that is set in advance as a method for cutting the sheet 9. In particular, in this embodiment, the setting processing unit 156 sets the print layout based on a folding method and cutting method that are set in advance. Specifically, the setting processing unit 156 selects the print layout that corresponds to the combination of the folding method and the cutting method from among a plurality of print layouts that are set in advance.

[0044] When a user operates a start key (not shown) or the like provided on the operation display unit 14, the print processing unit 157 prints one or more pages of a manuscript onto a sheet 9 based on printing conditions such as a print layout set by the setting processing unit 156.

[0045] Specifically, in this embodiment, a first layout to a fourth layout that are set in advance are stored as the print layouts in the secondary storage device 154. Here, the first layout to the fourth layout will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9. Note that the descriptions "1" to "3" on the sheet 9 in Figs. 7 and 9 respectively indicate the first to third pages of the manuscript to be formed on the sheet 9.

[0046] [First layout, second layout] As shown in FIG. 6, when the folding method is "folding in two", the sheet 9 discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 100 is folded in two, and a crease 91c is formed in the sheet 9. FIG. 6A shows the sheet 9 discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 100 with the crease 91c unfolded. As shown in FIG. 6A, on the front side of the sheet 9, the printable area is divided by the crease 91c along the longitudinal direction R1 perpendicular to the crease 91c, and includes a first divided area 91a and a second divided area 92a in which documents of different pages can be printed. On the other hand, on the back side of the sheet 9, the printable area is similarly divided by the crease 91c along the longitudinal direction R1 perpendicular to the crease 91c, and includes a third divided area 91b and a fourth divided area 92b in which documents of different pages can be printed.

[0047] When the folding method is "folding in two" and the cutting method is "scissors", the user cuts the sheet 9 along the crease 91c using scissors while the sheet 9 discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 100 is not folded, as shown in FIG. 6B. In this case, the first divided area 91a and the second divided area 92a on the front side of the sheet 9 after the cut are both facing front (upward), and the third divided area 91b and the fourth divided area 92b on the back side of the sheet 9 are both facing back (downward). Therefore, the user can stack the cut sheets 9 in the order of the pages of the originals without turning them over. Therefore, in the first layout corresponding to the combination of the folding method being "folding in two" and the cutting method being "scissors", it is determined that the first page of the original is printed in the first divided area 91a on the front side of one sheet 9, and the second page of the original is printed in the second divided area 92a, as shown in FIG. 7A. That is, the first layout is a print layout in which the documents of both odd-numbered and even-numbered pages are arranged on either the front or back side of the sheet 9, and no documents are arranged on the other side.

[0048] On the other hand, when the folding method is "folding in two" and the cutting method is "paper knife", the user cuts the sheet 9 by inserting a paper knife into the area A1 inside the crease 91c and sliding it, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the sheet 9 is in a folded state discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 100. In this case, the first divided area 91a on the front side of the sheet 9 and the fourth divided area 92b on the back side of the sheet 9 face up (up), and the third divided area 91b on the back side of the sheet 9 and the second divided area 92a on the front side face up (down). Therefore, when two pages of the document are printed in the first layout, the user needs to turn over one of the cut sheets 9 in order to stack the sheets 9 in the order of the pages of the document. Therefore, in the second layout corresponding to the combination of the folding method being "folding in two" and the cutting method being "scissors", it is determined that the first page of the document is printed in the first divided area 91a on the front side of one sheet 9, and the second page of the document is printed in the fourth divided area 92b on the back side, as shown in FIG. 7(B). That is, the second layout is a printing layout in which the odd-numbered pages of the document are arranged in the first divided area 91a on the front side, and the even-numbered pages of the document are arranged in the third divided area 92b on the back side. Note that in other embodiments, the second layout may be a printing layout in which the even-numbered pages of the document are arranged in the first divided area 91a, and the odd-numbered pages of the document are arranged in the third divided area 92b on the back side. In other words, the second layout is a printing layout in which the odd-numbered pages of the document are arranged in the upstream divided area in the longitudinal direction R1 of either the front side or the back side, and the even-numbered pages of the document are arranged in the downstream divided area in the longitudinal direction R1 of the other side. This allows the user to cut the folded sheets 9 discharged from the sheet processing device 100 by simply inserting a paper knife into the area A1 inside the fold 91c and sliding it to stack the cut sheets 9 in the order of the pages of the document.

[0049] [Layout 3, Layout 4] As shown in Fig. 8, when the folding method is "fold in three", the sheet 9 discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 100 is folded in three, and creases 93c and 94c are formed in the sheet 9. Fig. 8(A) shows the state in which the creases 93c and 94c of the sheet 9 discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 100 are straightened. As shown in Fig. 8(A), the printable area of ​​the front surface of the sheet 9 is divided by the creases 93c and 94c along the longitudinal direction R1 perpendicular to the creases 93c and 94c, and includes a first divided area 93a, a second divided area 94a, and a third divided area 95a in which different pages of the document can be printed. Similarly, on the back side of sheet 9, the printable area is divided by folds 93c and 94c along the longitudinal direction R1 perpendicular to folds 93c and 94c, and includes a fourth divided area 93b, a fifth divided area 94b, and a sixth divided area 95b in which different pages of the original can be printed.

[0050] When the folding method is "folding in three" and the cutting method is "scissors", the user cuts the sheet 9 along the folds 93c and 94c using scissors while the sheet 9 discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 100 is in an unfolded state, as shown in FIG. 8B. In this case, the first divided area 93a, the second divided area 94a, and the third divided area 95a on the front side of the sheet 9 after the cut are in a state where they face front (upward), and the fourth divided area 93b, the fifth divided area 94b, and the sixth divided area 95b on the back side of the sheet 9 are in a state where they face back (downward). Therefore, the user can easily stack the cut sheets 9 in the order of the pages of the document without turning them over. 9A, in the third layout corresponding to the combination of the folding method being "fold in three" and the cutting method being "scissors," it is determined that the first page of the manuscript is printed in the first divided area 93a on the front side of one sheet 9, the second page of the manuscript is printed in the second divided area 94a, and the third page of the manuscript is printed in the third divided area 95a. In other words, the third layout is a printing layout in which the manuscripts of both the odd-numbered and even-numbered pages are placed on either the front or back side of the sheet 9, and no manuscript is placed on the other side.

[0051] On the other hand, when the folding method is "folding in three" and the cutting method is "paper knife", as shown in FIG. 8(C), the user cuts the sheet 9 by inserting and sliding the paper knife into the area A2 inside the fold 93c while the sheet 9 is in a folded state discharged from the sheet processing apparatus 100, and then cuts the sheet 9 by inserting and sliding the paper knife into the area A3 inside the fold 94c. In this case, in the cut sheet 9, the first divided area 93a on the front side of the sheet 9, the fifth divided area 94b on the back side, and the third divided area 95a on the front side face up (up), and the fourth divided area 93b on the back side of the sheet 9, the second divided area 94a on the front side, and the sixth divided area 95b on the back side face down (down). Therefore, when three pages of the document are printed according to the third layout, the user needs to turn over one of the cut sheets 9 in order to stack the sheets 9 in the order of the pages of the document. Therefore, in the fourth layout corresponding to the combination of the folding method being "fold in three" and the cutting method being "scissors", as shown in FIG. 9(B), it is determined that the first page of the manuscript is printed in the first divided area 93a on the front side of one sheet 9, the second page of the manuscript is printed in the fifth divided area 94b on the back side, and the third page of the manuscript is printed in the third divided area 95a on the front side. That is, the fourth layout is a printing layout in which the manuscripts of odd-numbered pages are arranged in the first divided area 93a and the third divided area 95a on the front side, and the manuscripts of even-numbered pages are arranged in the fifth divided area 94b on the back side. Note that in other embodiments, the fourth layout may be a printing layout in which the manuscripts of even-numbered pages are arranged in the third divided area 93b and the sixth divided area 95b on the front side, and the manuscripts of odd-numbered pages are arranged in the second divided area 92a on the back side. In short, the fourth layout is a printing layout in which the manuscripts of odd-numbered pages are arranged in the divided areas at both ends on either the front side or the back side of the sheet 9, and the manuscripts of even-numbered pages are arranged in the divided area in the center on the other side.This allows the user to cut the folded sheet 9 discharged from the sheet processing device 100 by simply sliding a paper knife into the areas A2 and A3 inside the folds 93c and 94c, and stacking the cut sheets 9 in the order of the pages of the original document.

[0052] [Print control process] An example of the print control process executed by the control unit 15 will be described below with reference to Fig. 10. The print control process is started when the sheet processing apparatus 100 is powered on or when the sheet processing apparatus 100 returns from the power saving mode.

[0053] <Step S10> In step S10, the control unit 15 judges whether or not a print start request has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus 100. If it is judged that a print start request has occurred (S10: Yes), the process proceeds to step S11, and step S10 is repeatedly executed until it is judged that a print start request has occurred (S10: No).

[0054] Specifically, when image data and printing conditions are input to the sheet processing device 100 from an information processing device such as a personal computer (not shown), the control unit 15 determines that a request to start printing of the image data has occurred. Also, when a user operates the operation display unit 14 to set printing conditions for a copy process of a document set in the image reading device 20 and to request the start of the copy process (such as operating a start key (not shown)), the control unit 15 determines that a request to start printing has occurred. Furthermore, when a user operates the operation display unit 14 to set printing conditions for a print process based on image data stored in a storage unit such as the secondary storage device 154 and to request the start of the print process (such as operating a start key (not shown)), the control unit 15 determines that a request to start printing has occurred.

[0055] <Step S11> In step S11, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the cutting mode is set to "on" in the printing conditions. If the cutting mode is set to "on" (S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, and if the cutting mode is not set to "on" (S11: No), the process proceeds to step S19. In this case, in step S19, printing process is performed based on the image data in accordance with the printing conditions.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the cutting mode is set to on (when the operation key K3 is displayed), the folding process is set to "fold in two" or "fold in three", and the folding process is not set to "none", so there is no need to determine the setting of the folding process. Meanwhile, in other embodiments, in step S11, if both conditions are satisfied, that the cutting mode is set to "on" and the folding process is set to "fold in two" or "fold in three", the process may proceed to step S12, and if at least one of the conditions is not satisfied, the process may proceed to step S19.

[0057] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 15 judges whether or not the cutting method is set to "scissors" in the printing conditions set in response to a user operation, i.e., whether or not the second cutting method is selected as the cutting method. If it is judged that the cutting method is "scissors" (second cutting method) (S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13, and if it is judged that the cutting method is not "scissors" (second cutting method) (S12: No), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0058] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 15 judges whether or not the folding process is set to "fold in two" in the printing conditions. If the folding process is set to "fold in two" (S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14, and if the folding process is not set to "fold in two" (if the folding process is set to "fold in three") (S13: No), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0059] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 15 sets the print layout to the first layout for the printing conditions corresponding to the image data corresponding to the print start request generated in step S10, and proceeds to step S19. That is, if the folding process is set to "fold in two" and the cutting method is set to "scissors" in the printing conditions, the first layout is selected.

[0060] <Step S15> In step S15, the control unit 15 sets the print layout to the third layout for the printing conditions corresponding to the image data corresponding to the print start request generated in step S10, and proceeds to step S19. That is, if the folding process is set to "fold in two" and the cutting method is set to "paper knife" in the printing conditions, the third layout is selected.

[0061] <Step S16> In step S16, the control unit 15 judges whether or not the folding process is set to "fold in two" in the printing conditions. If the folding process is set to "fold in two" (S16: Yes), the process proceeds to step S17, and if the folding process is not set to "fold in two" (if the folding process is set to "fold in three") (S16: No), the process proceeds to step S18.

[0062] <Step S17> In step S17, the control unit 15 sets the print layout to the second layout for the printing conditions corresponding to the image data corresponding to the print start request generated in step S10, and proceeds to step S19. That is, if the folding process is set to "fold in three" and the cutting method is set to "scissors" in the printing conditions, the second layout is selected.

[0063] <Step S18> In step S18, the control unit 15 sets the print layout to the fourth layout for the printing conditions corresponding to the image data corresponding to the print start request generated in step S10, and proceeds to step S19. That is, if the folding process is set to "fold in three" and the cutting method is set to "paper knife" in the printing conditions, the fourth layout is selected.

[0064] In this manner, in steps S12 to S18, the control unit 15 executes a setting step of setting the print layout of a document of multiple pages on one sheet 9 based on a folding method and a cutting method that are preset for the sheet 9. The setting step is a process executed by the setting processing unit 156 of the control unit 15.

[0065] <Step S19> Then, in step S19, the control unit 15 controls the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing apparatus 40 based on the image data and the printing conditions, and executes a printing step in which printing processing, post-processing, and the like are executed.

[0066] In particular, when any one of the first layout to the fourth layout is set as the printing condition by steps S12 to S18, in the printing step of step S19, a process of printing multiple pages of manuscript onto one sheet 9 based on the print layout is executed by image forming device 10, and post-processing such as folding of printed sheet 9 is executed by post-processing device 40. Note that the printing step is a process executed by print processing unit 157 of control unit 15.

[0067] Specifically, when the number of pages of the manuscript to be printed is two and the print layout is the first layout, the manuscript of the first and second pages is printed in the first division area 91a and the second division area 92a of the sheet 9. When the number of pages of the manuscript to be printed is two and the print layout is the second layout, the manuscript of the first and second pages is printed in the first division area 91a and the fourth division area 92b of the sheet 9. In this way, when the cutting method set as the printing condition is scissors, the manuscript of each page is arranged and printed on the front side, which is one of the predetermined sides of the sheet 9, based on the first layout or the third layout, and no manuscript is arranged and printed on the back side, which is the other side. Therefore, by cutting the sheet 9 with scissors while the sheet 9 is not folded, the user can easily arrange the cut sheets 9 in the order of the pages of the manuscript with all the cut sheets 9 facing up.

[0068] On the other hand, when the number of pages of the document to be printed is two and the printing layout is the third layout, the first, second, and third pages of the document are printed in the first division area 93a, the second division area 94a, and the third division area 95a of the first sheet 9. When the number of pages of the document to be printed is two and the printing layout is the fourth layout, the first, second, and third pages of the document are printed in the first division area 93a, the fifth division area 94b, and the third division area 95a of the sheet 9. In this way, when a folding method in which at least one or more specific numbers of folds are formed is set as the printing condition and the cutting method set as the printing condition is a paper knife, the documents of each page are printed alternately in the division area on the front side and the division area on the back side along the longitudinal direction R1 of the sheet 9 based on the second layout or the fourth layout. Therefore, the user can easily realize a state in which the sheets 9 after cutting are arranged in the order of the pages of the document by simply cutting the sheet 9 with a paper knife in a state where the sheet 9 is folded in half or in three.

[0069] In addition, in the printing process in step S19, even if one or more image data to be printed is one or more pages of a document that is greater than the number of divided areas on one sheet 9, printing is similarly performed based on one of the first to fourth layouts.

[0070] For example, when the number of pages of the document to be printed is three and the print layout is the first layout, a total of two sheets 9 are printed. In this case, the first and second pages of the document are printed in the first divided area 91a and the second divided area 92a of the first sheet 9, and the third page of the document is printed in the first divided area 91a of the second sheet 9. Also, when the number of pages of the document to be printed is three and the print layout is the second layout, a total of two sheets 9 are printed. In this case, the first and second pages of the document are printed in the first divided area 91a and the fourth divided area 92b of the first sheet 9, and the third page of the document is printed in the first divided area 91a of the second sheet 9.

[0071] Similarly, when the number of pages of the document to be printed is four and the print layout is the third layout, a total of two sheets 9 are printed. In this case, the first, second, and third pages of the document are printed in the first divided area 93a, the second divided area 94a, and the third divided area 95a of the first sheet 9, and the fourth page of the document is printed in the first divided area 93a of the second sheet 9. Also, when the number of pages of the document to be printed is four and the print layout is the fourth layout, a total of two sheets 9 are printed. In this case, the first, second, and third pages of the document are printed in the first divided area 93a, the fifth divided area 94b, and the third divided area 95a of the first sheet 9, and the fourth page of the document is printed in the first divided area 93a of the second sheet 9.

[0072] As described above, in the sheet processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, multiple pages of a document are printed on one sheet based on a printing layout that is set based on the folding method and cutting method, thereby reducing the workload of the user in arranging the cut sheets in the order of the pages of the document.

[0073] In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the print layout is set based on the folding method of the folding process executed by the post-processing device 40. Meanwhile, in other embodiments, it is also possible that the sheet processing device 100 does not include the post-processing device 40, or that the folding process is not executed by the post-processing device 40. In this case, the control unit 15 accepts a selection of a folding method for when the user manually folds the printed sheet 9 in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 14, and sets the print layout based on the selected folding method.

[0074] In another embodiment, the secondary storage device 154 may store correspondence information in which a combination of a folding method and a cutting method is associated with a first to fourth layouts that have been set in advance. In this case, the control unit 15 selects one of the first to fourth layouts based on the combination of a folding method and a cutting method set in the printing conditions and the correspondence information. Specifically, when the folding method is "fold in two" and the cutting method is "scissors", the first layout is associated, and when the folding method is "fold in two" and the cutting method is "paper knife", the second layout is associated. Similarly, when the folding method is "fold in three" and the cutting method is "scissors", the third layout is associated, and when the folding method is "fold in three" and the cutting method is "paper knife", the fourth layout is associated.

[0075] [Notes on the invention] The following will provide an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0076] <Appendix 1> a setting processing unit that sets a print layout of a plurality of pages of a document on one sheet based on a cutting method that is set in advance as a method for cutting the sheet; a print processing unit that prints a document of multiple pages onto one sheet based on a print layout set by the setting processing unit; A sheet processing apparatus comprising:

[0077] <Appendix 2> the setting processing unit sets a print layout in accordance with a combination of a preset folding method for the sheet and the cutting method. 2. The sheet processing device according to claim 1.

[0078] <Appendix 3> The setting processing unit: When the folding method is a method in which at least one or more specific number of creases are formed in the sheet, and the cutting method is a first cutting method in which the sheet is cut in a folded state, selecting a print layout in which the manuscripts of the respective pages are arranged alternately on the front and back sides of the division areas divided by the fold lines along the longitudinal direction of the sheet; 3. The sheet processing device according to claim 2.

[0079] <Appendix 4> The setting processing unit: When the folding method is a method in which at least one or more specific number of creases are formed in the sheet, and the cutting method is a second cutting method in which the sheet is cut in an unfolded state, selecting a print layout in which each page of manuscript is placed on one predetermined side of the sheet and not on the other side; 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

[0080] <Appendix 5> a post-processing device that folds the sheet on which the document is printed by the print processing device, using a folding method that is set in response to a user operation; the setting processing unit sets the print layout based on a folding method of the folding process executed by the post-processing device. 5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet processing apparatus comprises:

[0081] <Appendix 6> the setting processing unit sets the print layout based on the cutting method set in response to a user operation. 6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,

[0082] <Appendix 7> One or more processors, A setting step of setting a print layout of a document of multiple pages on one sheet based on a preset folding method and a preset cutting method; a printing step of printing a document of a plurality of pages onto one sheet based on the print layout set by the setting step; A program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 Image forming device 15 Control section 155 Reception department 156 Setting processing section 157 Print processing unit 20 Image reader 30. Intermediate transport equipment 40 Aftertreatment device 44 Sheet folding device 100 Sheet processing device

Claims

1. a setting processing unit that sets a print layout of a plurality of pages of a document on one sheet based on a cutting method that is set in advance as a method for cutting the sheet; a print processing unit that prints a document of multiple pages onto one sheet based on a print layout set by the setting processing unit; A sheet processing apparatus comprising:

2. the setting processing unit sets a print layout in accordance with a combination of a preset folding method for the sheet and the cutting method. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The setting processing unit: When the folding method is a method in which at least one or more specific number of creases are formed in the sheet, and the cutting method is a first cutting method in which the sheet is cut in a folded state, selecting a print layout in which the manuscripts of the respective pages are arranged alternately on the front and back sides of the division areas divided by the fold lines along the longitudinal direction of the sheet; The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. The setting processing unit: When the folding method is a method in which at least one or more specific number of creases are formed in the sheet, and the cutting method is a second cutting method in which the sheet is cut in an unfolded state, selecting a print layout in which each page of manuscript is placed on one predetermined side of the sheet and not on the other side; The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a post-processing device that folds the sheet on which the document is printed by the print processing device, using a folding method that is set in response to a user operation; the setting processing unit sets the print layout based on a folding method of the folding process executed by the post-processing device. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 .

6. the setting processing unit sets the print layout based on the cutting method set in response to a user operation. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 .

7. One or more processors, A setting step of setting a print layout of a document of multiple pages on one sheet based on a preset folding method and a preset cutting method; a printing step of printing a document of a plurality of pages onto one sheet based on the print layout set by the setting step; A program for executing the above.

Images