Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that, when forming a new image while superimposing it on a document, can reduce waste of recording materials without increasing the size of the apparatus.SOLUTION: In a direction of documents loaded in a cassette displayed on an operating unit 450, a document image D1 which is a reversed read image of a document, and an appearance image 41 of the cassette are displayed. In a direction of documents loaded on a manual tray displayed on the operating unit 450, a document image D2 and an appearance image 501 of the manual tray are displayed. The document image D1 is an image created on the basis of a read image of the document, and the document image D2 is the read image of the document. In this way, the direction of documents loaded in the cassette or on the manual tray is displayed on the operating unit 450 by using the read image of the document. When forming a superimposed image while superimposing it on the image of the document, a user can refer to the loading direction displayed on the operating unit 450 to load the documents in the cassette or on the manual tray in the appropriate loading direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material, the need for an application in which a new image (referred to as an overlaid image) is overlaid on an image on a document has been increasing. As an example, in Patent Document 1, an image (including handwriting) of an answer sheet for a test conducted at a school or a cram school is read, an overlaid image indicating a correct answer or an incorrect answer is generated, and an apparatus that forms the read image and the overlaid image on a sheet (recording material) different from the answer sheet (document) has been proposed. However, in this case, since the image is formed on a separate sheet, waste of the sheet occurs.

[0003] Therefore, in order to eliminate waste of sheets, Patent Document 2 proposes an image forming apparatus capable of overwriting an overlaid image on a document on which an image has been read. In the case of the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a document on which an image has been read by an image reading unit is conveyed from the image reading unit to an image forming unit, and an overlaid image is formed on the document by the image forming unit. Thus, in Patent Document 2, since the overlaid image is formed on the document instead of a separate sheet, waste of the sheet can be suppressed as compared with Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the case of the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide a conveyance system for conveying the document from the image reading unit to the image forming unit. As a result, the apparatus becomes large-sized, and thus it has been difficult to adopt it in view of the recent demand for further miniaturization and cost reduction.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing waste of a recording material without increasing the size of the apparatus in a configuration where a new image is overwritten on a document on which an image has been read.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit, an image reading unit that reads an image formed on a recording material, a stacking unit that stacks the recording material, an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording material, and a control unit that controls to overwrite an image on the recording material conveyed from the stacking unit by the image forming unit when the recording material on which an image has been read by the image reading unit is stacked on the stacking unit. The control unit displays stacking information regarding the orientation when stacking the recording material on which an image has been read by the image reading unit on the stacking unit on the display unit when the image formed on the recording material is read by the image reading unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing waste of a recording material without increasing the size of the apparatus in a configuration where a new image is overwritten on an image read from a recording material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] <Image Forming Apparatus> Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described. First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called intermediate transfer type full-color printer in which four-color image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK are arranged to face an intermediate transfer belt 7. As shown in FIG. 1, above the housing 1A of the image forming apparatus 1, a document reading unit 160 for reading the image of a document is disposed, and in the housing 1A, a post-processing device 150 for performing post-processing such as stapling on the recording material S discharged from the housing 1A is disposed. Further, although not shown here, in the housing 1A, an operation unit 450 (see FIG. 2) having a display capable of displaying various information and keys capable of inputting various information according to user operations is disposed.

[0011] The document reading unit 160 as an image reading unit includes a reader 165 and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 170. The ADF 170 conveys the stacked document D to the reader 165. The reader 165 has a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or the like, and reads the image of the document D conveyed by the ADF 170. The image data of the document read by the reader 165 (hereinafter referred to as read image data) is transmitted to the control unit 400. The control unit 400 stores the read image data transmitted from the document reading unit 160 in a RAM or the like.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 includes image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK that form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images, respectively. The image forming apparatus 1 forms a toner image on a recording material S based on the read image data transmitted from the document reading unit 160 or the superimposed image data described later. Examples of the recording material S include sheet materials such as paper, plastic film, and cloth. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 forms a toner image on the recording material S based on the image data received from an external terminal (not shown) such as a personal computer, but this is not the gist of the present invention, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK are arranged side by side along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 7 inside the housing 1A. The intermediate transfer belt 7 is stretched over a plurality of rollers and rotated to carry the toner image that is primarily transferred as described later. A secondary transfer outer roller 341 is disposed at a position facing the secondary transfer inner roller 342 that stretches the intermediate transfer belt 7 with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween, forming a secondary transfer unit T2 that secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 to the recording material S.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 has a cassette 4 in which the recording material S can be set in a loaded state. The recording material S is supplied from the set cassette 4 by the conveyance rollers 5, respectively, and is conveyed toward the registration roller 6. Thereafter, the registration roller 6 starts rotating in synchronization with the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7, whereby the recording material S is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T2. A plurality of cassettes 4 having different sizes and thicknesses may be arranged so that the recording material S can be set, and in that case, the recording material S selected by the user from among the plurality of cassettes 4 is supplied. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 has a manual feed tray 50 in which the recording material S can be set in a loaded state, and the recording material S is also supplied from the manual feed tray 50. The user can overwrite the document D with a superimposed image described later as a new image on the document D by setting the document D read by the document reading unit 160 as the recording material S in these cassettes 4 or the manual feed tray 50.

[0015] In the case of this embodiment, the recording material S set (loaded) in the cassette 4 as the first loading unit is conveyed with its front and back sides reversed toward the registration roller 6. That is, the recording material S supplied from the cassette 4 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T2 in a state where the back side (not the front side when set in the cassette 4) is directed toward the intermediate transfer belt 7, and the toner image is secondarily transferred to the back side. On the other hand, the recording material S set (loaded) in the manual feed tray 50 as the second loading unit is conveyed toward the registration roller 6 without being reversed in terms of front and back. That is, the recording material S supplied from the manual feed tray 50 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T2 in a state where the front side (when set in the manual feed tray 50) is directed toward the intermediate transfer belt 7, and the toner image is secondarily transferred to the front side.

[0016] Note that as the image forming apparatus 1, there is also a specification in which the recording material S set in the cassette 4 is conveyed without being reversed in terms of front and back, and the recording material S set in the manual feed tray 50 is conveyed with its front and back sides reversed. For example, this is the case of an image forming apparatus with a vertical (perpendicular) conveyance system instead of the horizontal conveyance system image forming apparatus 1 as in this embodiment.

[0017] The four image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK provided in the image forming apparatus 1 have substantially the same configuration except that the developing colors are different. Therefore, here, the yellow image forming unit PY will be described as a representative, and the description of the other image forming units PM, PC, and PK will be omitted. In the image forming unit PY, a cylindrical photosensitive drum 3Y is disposed as a photoreceptor. The photosensitive drum 3Y is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction. Around the photosensitive drum 3Y, a charger 10Y, an exposure device 2Y, a developing device 20Y, and a primary transfer roller 30Y are arranged.

[0018] The process of forming, for example, a full-color image by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. First, when the image forming operation is started, the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 3Y is uniformly charged by the charger 10Y. The charger 10Y is, for example, a corona charger that irradiates charged particles associated with corona discharge to charge the photosensitive drum 3Y to a uniform negative dark potential. Next, the photosensitive drum 3Y is scanned and exposed by laser light corresponding to the image signal emitted from the exposure device 2Y. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3Y.

[0019] The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3Y is developed into a toner image by a developer containing toner and a carrier housed in the developing device 20Y. The developing device 20Y has a developing sleeve 20aY. The developing device 20Y agitates, conveys, and charges the toner in the developing container, and attaches the toner to the photosensitive drum 3Y by the electric field generated between the developing sleeve 20aY and the photosensitive drum 3Y. A secondary transfer voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 20aY by a power source (not shown) during the developing process, thereby generating an electric field between the developing sleeve 20aY and the photosensitive drum 3Y.

[0020] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3Y is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 at the primary transfer portion formed between the primary transfer roller 30Y disposed with the intermediate transfer belt 7 interposed therebetween. At this time, a primary transfer voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 30Y by a power source (not shown). Due to the electric field generated between the primary transfer roller 30Y and the photosensitive drum 3Y when the primary transfer voltage is applied, the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 3Y moves to the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0021] Such operations are sequentially performed by the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image forming units PY to PK, and the four-color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Then, in accordance with the toner image formation timing, the recording material S set in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T2. Then, a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer outer roller 341 by a power source (not shown), and the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is collectively secondarily transferred to the recording material S. Due to the electric field between the secondary transfer outer roller 341 and the secondary transfer inner roller 342 generated by applying the secondary transfer voltage, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 7 moves to the recording material S. In this embodiment, an image forming unit 900 capable of forming a toner image on the recording material S is configured by tension rollers such as the image forming units PY to PK, the intermediate transfer belt 7, the secondary transfer inner roller 342, and the secondary transfer outer roller 341.

[0022] The recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 8. The fixing unit 8 has a rotating fixing belt and a pressure belt, and heat and pressure are applied to the recording material S by sandwiching and conveying the recording material S on which the toner image has been formed in the fixing nip portion formed by them, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material S.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can execute a single-sided mode in which an image is formed and fixed on one side of the recording material S, and a double-sided mode in which images are formed and fixed on one side and the other side opposite to the one side of the recording material S. In the single-sided mode, the recording material S with the toner image fixed on the one side by the fixing device 8 is discharged to the post-processing device 150. On the other hand, in the double-sided mode, the recording material S with the toner image fixed on the one side by the fixing device 8 is conveyed to the double-sided conveyance unit 9. In the double-sided conveyance unit 9, the recording material S is reversed while being conveyed, and the one side and the other side of the recording material S are interchanged. The reversed recording material S is re-conveyed from the double-sided conveyance unit 9 toward the registration roller 6. Then, the recording material S is conveyed toward the secondary transfer unit T2 in a state where the non-printed other side is directed toward the intermediate transfer belt 7 by the registration roller 6. In the secondary transfer unit T2, the full-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7 is collectively secondarily transferred to the other side of the recording material S. Thereafter, the toner image on the recording material S is fixed by the fixing device 8, and the recording material S with the toner images formed on both sides is discharged to the post-processing device 150.

[0024] <Control unit> As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 400 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a control system related to image formation in the image forming apparatus 1. Although various devices such as a motor and a power supply for operating the image forming apparatus 1 are connected to the control unit 400, illustration and description thereof are omitted here because they are not essential to the gist of the invention.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 420, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 421, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 422. In the ROM 421, various programs such as "image forming process" are stored. In the RAM 422, various data such as the read image data transmitted from the document reading unit 160 and the superimposed image data (to be described later) created according to the read image data are stored. By executing the "image forming process (program)" stored in the ROM 421, the CPU 420 controls the image forming unit 900 to form an image on the recording material S based on those various image data. Note that the RAM 428 can also temporarily store the calculation processing results and the like accompanying the execution of various programs.

[0026] The operation unit 450 as an input unit receives various setting inputs by the user and operation instructions for the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, the reading start instruction and the image forming start instruction to be described later). Further, the operation unit 450 has a display capable of displaying various screens as a display unit, and displays various screens on the display according to a display instruction from the CPU 420. Note that the operation unit 450 may be a touch panel that enables various operations pre-assigned to the operated software key to be executed when the user touches a software key or the like displayed on the display.

[0027] When the document reading unit 160 receives a document D reading start instruction from the CPU 420, it reads an image of the document D conveyed by the ADF 170 with the reader 165. The read image data of the image read by the reader 165 is transmitted to the CPU 420, and the CPU 420 stores the read image data in the RAM 422. Further, the CPU 420 analyzes the read image data, newly generates image data of a superimposed image (referred to as superimposed image data), and stores it in the RAM 422.

[0028] With the execution of the "image formation process (program)", an image formation start instruction and image data are transmitted from the CPU 420 to the image forming unit 900, and the image forming unit 900 executes image formation on the recording material S. In the case of this embodiment, the user can operate the operation unit 450 to set the operation mode to either the "normal printing mode" or the "overlay printing mode". When the operation mode is the "normal printing mode", the image data transmitted to the image forming unit 900 is the read image data transmitted from the reader 165, and the read image is formed on a recording material S different from the original document D. Thus, in the "normal printing mode", the image of the original document D is copied onto another recording material S.

[0029] On the other hand, when the operation mode is the "overlay printing mode", the image data transmitted to the image forming unit 900 is the overlay image data created according to the read image data transmitted from the reader 165. The "overlay printing mode" is an image forming mode in which, for the original document D read by the reader 165, new overlay image data is generated as additional information according to the read image data of the original document D, and an overlay image is formed based on the generated overlay image data. In the "overlay printing mode", an overlay image is superimposed on the image (which may include handwriting) on the original document D. To do so, in the case of the "overlay printing mode", the original document D read by the reader 165 is set in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 and used as the recording material S for forming the overlay image.

[0030] A specific example of the overlay image will be described with reference to FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c). FIG. 3(a) shows the image formed on the original document D, that is, the read image, FIG. 3(b) shows the overlay image, and FIG. 3(c) shows the case where the overlay image is superimposed on the image formed on the original document D. The original document D is, for example, an answer sheet for a test widely implemented in general educational institutions, and here, among the images on the original document D, the right sides (2, 6, 7) of each form are handwritten images.

[0031] When the overlay printing mode is executed, an image of the original document D shown in Fig. 3(a) is read, and thus, overlay image data of circles and check marks shown in Fig. 3(b) is created. Here, when the answer on the right side is correct, overlay image data of circles is created, and when the answer on the right side is incorrect, overlay image data of check marks is created. Regarding the method of creating overlay image data corresponding to the read image data of the original document D, various methods are known depending on the purpose, so the explanation is omitted here. By forming the overlay image on the original document D, the image on the original document D becomes an image in which the read image shown in Fig. 3(a) and the overlay image shown in Fig. 3(b) are superimposed, as shown in Fig. 3(c).

[0032] By the way, in order to form the overlay image at the correct position on the original document D in the above-mentioned "overlay printing mode", it is necessary for the user to set the original document in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 in an appropriate set orientation. For example, when the original document D is an answer sheet, since different images are formed on each answer sheet, it is important to suppress misprints. However, it is difficult for the user to remember and apply the appropriate set orientation in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50. Here, the set orientation refers to the supply direction of the original document D supplied from the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 and the front and back orientation of the original document D in the state set in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50.

[0033] Even if the user has knowledge of the appropriate set orientation in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50, the user may forget the set state when setting the original document D on the ADF 170. In that case, the user will not know the appropriate set orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50. This is because the appropriate set orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 is determined by the set state of the original document D in the ADF 170. That is, the orientation of the read image data depends on the orientation of the original document D conveyed to the reader 165, in other words, the set state of the original document D set on the ADF 170. In particular, when the time from taking out the original document D from the ADF 170 until setting the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 is long, the user is likely to forget the set state when setting the original document D on the ADF 170. Also, for example, if the image on the original document D is an image where it is difficult to consciously judge up, down, left, or right as shown in FIG. 4, it is difficult for the user to remember the set state when setting the original document D on the ADF 170.

[0034] In view of the above points, in this embodiment, the appropriate set orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 in the double-sided image mode is presented to the user by displaying the read image of the original document D read by the reader 165 on the operation unit 450. Hereinafter, the image forming process of this embodiment for realizing this will be described. Before that, the work steps performed by the user to obtain the final product in the double-sided printing mode and the normal printing mode will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the work steps performed by the user in the double-sided printing mode or the normal printing mode.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the user sets whether to execute either the "double-sided printing mode" or the "normal printing mode" as the operation mode (K1). When executing the "double-sided printing mode" (YES in K1), the user can obtain the final product through the double-sided printing process (K10 to K15). On the other hand, when executing the "normal printing mode" (NO in K1), the user can obtain the final product through the normal printing process (K20 to K22).

[0036] The overlapping printing process (K10 to K15) will be described. The user sets the original document D on the ADF170 (K10). In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the original reading unit 160 reads the image on one side of the original document D, the user sets the original document D on the ADF170 so that the side to be read faces upward. After the user sets the original document D on the ADF170, the user inputs an instruction to start reading the original document D from the operation unit 450 (K11). Thereby, the image forming apparatus 1 reads the original document D set on the ADF170. The user waits until the reading of all the original documents D is completed (NO in K12). When the reading of all the original documents D is completed (YES in K12), the user checks the "setting orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50" (loading information regarding the orientation when loading the original document D) displayed on the operation unit 450 (K13), and moves and sets the original document D whose image has been read to the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 according to the display (K14).

[0037] The user can check the appropriate setting orientation of the original document D to be set in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 from the setting orientation displayed on the operation unit 450. The setting orientation of the original document D displayed on the operation unit 450 will be described later (see FIGS. 13 and 14). After the user finishes setting the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50, the user inputs an instruction to start image formation from the operation unit 450 (K15). Thereby, the image forming apparatus 1 forms an overlapping image on the original document D whose image has been read, so that the user can obtain the original document D with the overlapping image added to the original image as a result.

[0038] The general printing process (K20 - K22) will be described. The user sets the original document D on the ADF170 (K20). Also, the user sets a recording material S (e.g., unused paper), which is different from the original document D, in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 (K21). At this time, the user inputs from the operation unit 450 which of the cassette 4 and the manual feed tray 50 the recording material S is set in. After the user finishes setting the original document D on the ADF170 and also finishes setting another recording material S in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50, the user inputs an instruction to start reading the original document D from the operation unit 450 (K22). Thereby, the image forming apparatus 1 reads the original document D set on the ADF170 and forms a read image on the recording material S set in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50, so that the user can obtain the recording material S on which the image of the original document D is copied as a result.

[0039] <Image forming process> Next, the image forming process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 and using FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the image forming process of the present embodiment. The image forming process shown in FIG. 6 is started by the control unit 400 (specifically, the CPU 420) in response to, for example, the operation mode being selected by the user from the operation unit 450.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 400 determines whether the operation mode set by the user from the operation unit 450 is the "duplex printing mode" or the "general printing mode" (S1). When the operation mode is the "general printing mode" (NO in S1), the control unit 400 determines whether it has received an instruction to start reading the original document D input by the user from the operation unit 450 (see K22) (S8). The control unit 400 waits for the process until it receives the instruction to start reading the original document D (NO in S8). When it receives the instruction to start reading the original document D (YES in S8), the control unit 400 causes the reader 165 to read the image of the original document D set on the ADF170 (K20 reference) (S9), and stores the read image data transmitted from the original document reading unit 160 in the RAM 422.

[0041] After the control unit 400 finishes reading the original document D by the original document reading unit 160, an image is formed on the recording material S (refer to K21) set in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 based on the read image data by the image forming unit 900 (S10). In this case, after the control unit 400 finishes reading the original document D, it automatically sends an image forming start instruction to the image forming unit 900 to cause the image forming unit 900 to start image formation. Also, the control unit 400 appropriately sends the read image data stored in the RAM 422 to the image forming unit 900.

[0042] On the other hand, when the operation mode is the "duplex printing mode" (YES in S1), the control unit 400 determines whether or not it has received an original document D reading start instruction (refer to K11) input from the operation unit 450 by the user (S2). The control unit 400 waits for processing until it receives the original document D reading start instruction (NO in S2). When it receives the original document D reading start instruction (YES in S2), the control unit 400 causes the reader 165 to read the image of the original document D (refer to K10) set in the ADF 170 (S3), and stores the read image data transmitted from the original document reading unit 160 in the RAM 422. In the case of the "duplex printing mode", after the control unit 400 finishes reading the original document D, it notifies the user by, for example, displaying on the operation unit 450 that the reading of the original document D has been completed.

[0043] After the control unit 400 finishes reading the original document D (refer to K12), it analyzes the read image based on the read image data stored in the RAM 422 to create superimposed image data corresponding to the read image (S4), and stores the created superimposed image data in the RAM 422. Since the method for creating the superimposed image data is well-known, the description thereof is omitted. Then, the control unit 400 displays on the operation unit 450 the loading information for allowing the user to correctly set the original document D read by the original document reading unit 160 in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 (S5). In the present embodiment, the loading information is information regarding the setting orientation of how the user sets the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 so that the superimposed image is formed superimposed on the image on the corresponding original document D on the recording material S when the "superimposed printing mode" is executed, and is displayed on the operation unit 450 as an original document image to be described later. The original document image is generated based on the read image. As described above, the user can correctly set the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 by referring to the loading information displayed on the operation unit 450 (refer to K13, K14). The loading information to be displayed on the operation unit 450 will be described later.

[0044] Thereafter, the control unit 400 determines whether or not it has received an image formation start instruction input from the operation unit 450 by the user (refer to K15) (S6). The control unit 400 waits for processing until it receives the image formation start instruction for the original document D (NO in S6). When it receives the image formation start instruction for the original document D (YES in S6), the control unit 400 starts image formation on the original document D by the image forming unit 900 (S7). The image forming unit 900 starts image formation on the recording material S upon receiving the image formation start instruction from the control unit 400, and forms a superimposed image on the original document D set in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 according to the superimposed image data received from the control unit 400. In this way, a superimposed image is newly formed on the original image on the original document D, that is, the read image.

[0045] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7(a) to 14, specific examples will be given to explain the loading information displayed on the operation unit 450. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the user sets the original document D on the ADF 170, the setting directions are, for example, four directions in which any one of the right end, left end, upper end, and lower end of the original document D shown in FIG. 3(a) becomes the leading end in the conveyance direction of the original document D conveyed from the ADF 170. In the following description, since the description may be the same regardless of which of the right end, left end, upper end, and lower end of the original document D is the leading end in the conveyance direction, in this specification, the case where the original document D is set on the ADF 170 such that the left end or the right end of the original document D becomes the leading end in the conveyance direction will be described as an example. That is, two states in which the original document D is set with respect to the ADF 170 in the states shown in FIGS. 7(a) or 7(b) will be described as examples. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing the setting states of the original document D in the ADF 170. FIG. 7(a) shows a setting state in which the image is oriented in the same direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the original document D, and FIG. 7(b) shows a setting state in which the image is oriented in the opposite direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the original document D. In FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the conveyance direction of the original document D conveyed from the ADF 170 is the arrow Z direction.

[0046] Also, in this case, the read images in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b). FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are diagrams showing an example of the read image read by the original document reading unit 160. FIG. 8(a) shows the case where the image is set on the ADF 170 in the same direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the original document D, and FIG. 8(b) shows the case where the image is set on the ADF 170 in the opposite direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the original document D. The orientation of the read image is the same as the setting orientation of the original document D in the ADF 170. Further, the superimposed images created according to the read images in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are as shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b). FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) are diagrams showing an example of the superimposed image created based on the read image. FIG. 9(a) shows the case where the image is set on the ADF 170 in the same direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the original document, and FIG. 9(b) shows the case where the image is set on the ADF 170 in the opposite direction with respect to the conveyance direction of the original document D.

[0047] For example, in Fig. 9(a), the left superimposed image "circle" corresponds to the read image of "1 + 1 = 2" in Fig. 8(a), the right superimposed image "circle" corresponds to the read image of "3 + 4 = 7" in Fig. 8(a), and the middle superimposed image "check mark" sandwiched between them corresponds to "2 + 3 = 6" in Fig. 8(a). Here, since "1 + 1 = 2" and "3 + 4 = 7" are correct answers, the superimposed image "circle" is created, and since "2 + 3 = 6" is an incorrect answer, the superimposed image "check mark" is created.

[0048] First, taking the case where the original document D is set in the state shown in Fig. 7(a) for the ADF 170 as an example, the proper setting orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 will be described. As described above, in the case of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the original document D set in the cassette 4 is turned over front to back and conveyed to the secondary transfer section T2, the toner image is secondarily transferred to the back side instead of the front side when it is set in the cassette 4. Therefore, the user needs to set the original document D in the cassette 4 with the set state of the original document reading unit 160 reversed front to back.

[0049] There are two orientations for setting the original document D in the cassette 4 with the set state of the original document reading unit 160 reversed front to back. The first is the orientation shown in Fig. 10(a), and the second is the orientation shown in Fig. 10(b). Fig. 10(a) shows the incorrect setting orientation of the original document in the cassette 4 when the image is oriented in the same direction as the conveyance direction for reading the original document by the ADF 170. Fig. 10(b) shows the correct setting orientation of the original document in the cassette 4 when the image is oriented in the same direction as the conveyance direction for reading the original document by the ADF 170.

[0050] In FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the feeding direction of the document D fed from the cassette 4 is the direction of arrow X. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment forms the middle superimposed image and the right-end superimposed image in this order on the document D set in the cassette 4, starting from the left-side superimposed image shown in FIG. 9(a). To do so, in the secondary transfer unit T2, the document D needs to pass through the secondary transfer unit T2 from the left end to the right end as shown in FIG. 3(a) so that the three superimposed images shown in FIG. 9(a) are sequentially secondarily transferred from the left end to the right end of the document D. Therefore, in the case of the document D shown in FIG. 3(a), the document D needs to be set in the cassette 4 so that the left end of the document D becomes the leading end in the feeding direction of the document D fed from the cassette 4. That is, when the user reads the document D in the set state shown in FIG. 7(a) with respect to the ADF 170, it is correct to set the document D in the cassette 4 in the set orientation shown in FIG. 10(b). If the user sets the document D in the cassette 4 in the set orientation shown in FIG. 10(a), an image defect occurs in which the superimposed image as shown in FIG. 11 does not overlap the corresponding read image on the document D.

[0051] Next, taking the case where the document D is set in the state shown in FIG. 7(a) with respect to the ADF 170 as an example, the appropriate set orientation of the document D on the manual feed tray 50 will be described. As described above, in the case of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the document D set on the manual feed tray 50 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T2 without being turned over, the toner image is secondarily transferred to the front side when the document D is set on the manual feed tray 50. Therefore, the user needs to set the document D on the manual feed tray 50 with the set state of the document reading unit 160 being the same as the front and back.

[0052] Also, in the secondary transfer section T2, the document D needs to pass through the secondary transfer section T2 from the left end to the right end as shown in FIG. 3(a) so that the three overlapping images shown in FIG. 9(a) are sequentially secondarily transferred from the left end to the right end of the document D. Therefore, in the case of the document D shown in FIG. 3(a), the document D needs to be set on the manual feed tray 50 so that the left end of the document D becomes the leading end in the supply direction of the document D supplied from the manual feed tray 50. FIG. 12 shows the correct setting orientation of the document D on the manual feed tray 50 when the document D is read by the ADF170 with the image oriented in the same direction as the conveyance direction. When the user reads the document D in the set state shown in FIG. 7(a) with respect to the ADF170, it is correct to set the document D on the manual feed tray 50 in the setting orientation shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, the supply direction of the document D supplied from the manual feed tray 50 is the arrow Y direction.

[0053] FIG. 13 shows an example of the display of the setting orientation of the document D displayed on the operation unit 450 when the document D is set in the state shown in FIG. 7(a) with respect to the ADF170. However, here, the case of displaying the setting orientation of the document D in the cassette 4 and the setting orientation in the manual feed tray 50 is shown as an example. In the case where the user has previously input from the operation unit 450 whether to set the document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50, the setting orientation of either the input cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 may be displayed.

[0054] As shown on the left side of FIG. 13, in the set orientation of the document D in the cassette 4 displayed on the operation unit 450, a document image D1 obtained by horizontally flipping the read image of the document D (see FIG. 8(a)) and an appearance image 41 of the cassette 4 are displayed. The document image D1 indicates that the document D is set in the cassette 4 with the set mode of the ADF 170 reversed front and back, and that the leading end in the conveyance direction of the document D in the set mode of the ADF 170 is the leading end in the supply direction of the document D in the cassette 4 (see the direction of arrow X). The document image D1 as the second image is generated based on the read image as the first image stored in the RAM 422 by the control unit 400. The control unit 400 performs image processing such as rotating and flipping the read image shown in FIG. 8(a) according to the image deformation processing prestored in the ROM 421, and displays the document image D1 on the operation unit 450 in order to display the set orientation of the document D in the cassette 4. The appearance image 41 of the cassette 4 is prestored in the ROM 421 and is displayed to make it easier for the user to grasp the set position of the document D. In this way, the leading end in the conveyance direction of the document D read by the document reading unit 160 coincides with the leading end in the supply direction of the document D in the cassette 4, and the document image D1 with the surface for forming an image by the image forming unit 900 facing the back side is displayed.

[0055] On the other hand, as shown on the right side of FIG. 13, in the setting orientation of the original document D in the manual feed tray 50 displayed on the operation unit 450, the original document image D2 and the appearance image 501 of the manual feed tray 50 are displayed. When the control unit 400 displays the setting orientation of the original document D in the manual feed tray 50, it displays the read image of the original document D (see FIG. 8(a)) as the original document image D2 on the operation unit 450. The original document image D2 indicates that the original document D is set in the manual feed tray 50 without inverting the front and back of the set mode of the ADF 170, and that the leading end in the conveyance direction of the original document D in the set mode of the ADF 170 is the leading end in the supply direction of the original document D in the setting orientation of the manual feed tray 50 (see the arrow Y direction). The appearance image 501 of the manual feed tray 50 is stored in advance in the ROM 421 and is displayed to make it easier for the user to grasp the setting position of the original document D. In this way, the leading end in the conveyance direction of the original document D whose image is read by the original document reading unit 160 coincides with the leading end in the supply direction of the original document D in the manual feed tray 50, and the original document image D2 with the side on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 900 facing the front side is displayed.

[0056] Next, regarding the case where the original document D is set in the ADF 170 in the state shown in FIG. 7(b), the appropriate setting orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 will be described. The case where the original document D is set in the ADF 170 in the state shown in FIG. 7(b) can be considered in the same way as the case where the original document D is set in the ADF 170 in the state shown in FIG. 7(a) described above. FIG. 14 shows an example of the display of the setting orientation of the original document D displayed on the operation unit 450 when the original document D is set in the ADF 170 in the state shown in FIG. 7(b).

[0057] As shown on the left side of FIG. 14, in the setting orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 displayed on the operation unit 450, the original document image D1 obtained by horizontally inverting the read image of the original document D (see FIG. 8(b)) and the appearance image 41 of the cassette 4 are displayed. The original document image D1 indicates that the original document D is set in the cassette 4 with the front and back of the set mode of the ADF 170 inverted, and that the leading end in the conveyance direction of the original document D in the set mode of the ADF 170 is the trailing end in the supply direction of the original document D in the cassette 4 (see the arrow X direction).

[0058] On the other hand, as shown on the right side of FIG. 14, in the set orientation of the original document D in the manual feed tray 50 displayed on the operation unit 450, the original document image D2 and the appearance image 501 of the manual feed tray 50 are displayed. When the control unit 400 displays the set orientation of the original document D in the manual feed tray 50, the read image of the original document D (see FIG. 8(b)) is displayed on the operation unit 450 as the original document image D2. The original document image D2 indicates that the original document D is set in the manual feed tray 50 without inverting the front and back of the set orientation of the ADF 170, and that the leading end in the conveyance direction of the original document D in the set mode of the ADF 170 is the trailing end in the supply direction of the original document D in the set orientation of the manual feed tray 50 (see the arrow Y direction).

[0059] Note that in order to display the original document images D1 and D2 at predetermined positions of the appearance images 41 and 501 on the operation unit 450, it is preferable that the control unit 400 enlarges or reduces the read image according to the display sizes of the appearance images 41 and 501 and then displays the original document images D1 and D2.

[0060] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses the read image of the document D read by the document reading unit 160 in the "duplex printing mode" to display the setting orientation of the document D set in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 on the operation unit 450. In the "duplex printing mode", the user can refer to the setting orientation displayed on the operation unit 450 to set the document D in an appropriate setting orientation with respect to the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50 in order to form an overlay image at the correct position on the image of the document D. In the present embodiment, the user sets the document D, from which the image has been read, in the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50. Therefore, there is no need to provide a mechanism for transporting the document D, from which the image has been read by the document reading unit 160, to the image forming unit 900. Further, even if the user does not remember the setting state of the document D in the ADF 170 when the document D was read, the user can set the document D in an appropriate setting orientation by looking at the display on the operation unit 450, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image defects due to incorrect setting orientation. Thus, in the present embodiment, when forming an overlay image by overlaying a newly generated overlay image corresponding to the read image on the document D from which the image has been read, it is possible to suppress waste of the recording material without increasing the size of the apparatus.

[0061] <Other Embodiments> Note that, in the above-described embodiment, when executing the duplex printing mode, the document D is read to create overlay image data corresponding to the read image data, and the overlay image is formed on the document D using this data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an overlay image may be formed on the document D using overlay image data that has been previously stored in a RAM or the like.

[0062] Note that, in the above-described embodiment, in order to display the setting orientation of the document D in the cassette 4, a document image D1 obtained by horizontally inverting the read image of the document D is displayed. However, when the document reading unit 160 reads the images on both sides of the document D, the document image may be displayed on the operation unit 450 using the read image of the side opposite to the side that was read later, instead of the read image of the first-read side.

[0063] In addition, when there are multiple sheets of the original document D, the reading images on the second side of the last-read original document D are used to display the original document images D1 and D2 on the operation unit 450. Alternatively, the user may input the page number of any one of multiple pages of the multiple sheets of the original document D from the operation unit 450, and the reading images of the input page number may be used to display the original document images D1 and D2 on the operation unit 450. For example, when the set orientation is displayed on the operation unit 450 using a reading image where it is difficult to determine up, down, left, or right as shown in FIG. 4, it is difficult for the user to grasp the set orientation of the original document D. In such a case, the user inputs a page number other than the page of the image where it is difficult to determine up, down, left, or right, and the set orientation of the original document D is displayed on the operation unit 450 using the reading image of the input page number. In this way, by displaying the set orientation of the original document D using a reading image that is easy to grasp, the convenience for the user is improved.

[0064] In addition, when the user confirms the set orientation of the original document D displayed on the operation unit 450 (see K13 in FIG. 5), it is possible to input from the operation unit 450 to display a preview image and have the preview image displayed on the operation unit 450. That is, the user can switch between the set orientation of the original document D and the preview image and have them displayed on the operation unit 450. When an input is made to display the preview image, the control unit 400 displays a preview image obtained by overlapping and synthesizing the reading image and the overlay image on the operation unit 450. For example, when the reading image is the image shown in FIG. 3(a) and the overlay image is the image shown in FIG. 3(b), a composite image as shown in FIG. 3(c) is displayed on the operation unit 450 as the preview image.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the set orientation of the original document D is displayed on the operation unit 450 using the original document image generated based on the reading image of the original document D, but it is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 400 may display a mark image corresponding to the set orientation of the original document D on the operation unit 450 without displaying the above-described original document image. FIG. 15 shows another display example of the set orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 and the manual feed tray 50.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 15, in the operation unit 450, in addition to the set orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4 and the manual feed tray 50, the set state of the original document D in the ADF 170 is displayed. Here, an external appearance image 1701 of the ADF 170, an image D3 showing the original document D, an external appearance image 41 of the cassette 4, an image D4 showing the original document D, an external appearance image 501 of the manual feed tray 50, and an image D5 showing the original document D are displayed. Predetermined marks (P, Q) are attached to the image D3. The marks (P, Q) are not images actually formed on the original document D but symbols displayed on the operation unit 450, and indicate the set state of the original document D in the ADF 170. Here, the marks (P, Q) are displayed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction (arrow Z direction) of the ADF 170 in the image D3 so that the user can have the ADF 170 convey the original document D from the side where the user wants to read the image first on the original document D. In this way, the user can remember the set state of the original document D set in the ADF 170 by the marks (P, Q). Note that the image D3 with the marks (P, Q) may be stored in the ROM 421 (see FIG. 2) in advance.

[0067] An image with a mark image in which the marks (P, Q) are horizontally flipped is attached to the image D4, and the mark image indicates the set orientation of the original document D in the cassette 4. The horizontally flipped mark image indicates that the original document D is set in the cassette 4 so that the surface opposite to the marks (P, Q) in the image D3 on the original document D faces upward. In the present embodiment, as described above, since the original document D set in the cassette 4 is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit T2 after being turned over, an image with a mark image in which the marks (P, Q) are horizontally flipped is attached. Note that the image D4 with the mark image may be stored in the ROM 421 (see FIG. 2) in advance.

[0068] The image D5 is attached with a mark image in the same direction as the marks (P, Q), and the mark image indicates the set orientation of the manual feed tray 50. Here, it shows that the original document D is set on the manual feed tray 50 so that the original document D is in the same set mode as that of the original document D in the ADF170. In this embodiment, as described above, since the original document D set in the cassette 4 is conveyed to the secondary transfer section T2 without being reversed front and back, the same mark image as the marks (P, Q) is attached. Note that the image D5 with the mark image may be stored in the ROM421 (see FIG. 2) in advance.

[0069] In this way, the set orientations of the original document D in the cassette 4 and the manual feed tray 50 are displayed as images (D4, D5) with mark images related to the marks (P, Q) indicating the set state of the original document D when set in the ADF170. The user can remember the set state of the original document D set in the ADF170 together with the marks (P, Q), and by referring to the images (D4, D5) with the mark images, the original document D can be set in the appropriate set orientation with respect to the cassette 4 or the manual feed tray 50.

[0070] Also, in this case, the original document image generated based on the read image of the original document D is not displayed. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the usage amount of the RAM422 (see FIG. 2). This is because after creating the superimposed image data from the read image data of the original document D, only the superimposed image data needs to be saved. Note that the effect of reducing the usage amount of the RAM422 becomes greater as the number of original documents D increases.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the original document reading unit 160 that automatically conveys the original document D loaded on the ADF170 to the reader 165 to read the image of the original document D is taken as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be an original document reading unit in which the user manually places the original document D on the platen glass and the reader 165 reads the image of the original document D placed on the platen glass. The image of the original document D placed on the platen glass is read by a CCD or CIS that the reader 165 has.

[0072] Note that the above-described embodiments are not limited to electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, and may be applied to other types of image forming apparatuses such as inkjet printers.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 1…Image forming apparatus, 4…Loading section (first loading section, cassette), 50…Loading section (second loading section, manual feed tray), 160…Image reading section (document reading unit), 400…Control section, 450…Display section (input section, operation section), 900…Image forming unit, S…Recording material

Claims

1. A display unit, An image reading unit that reads an image formed on a recording material, A loading unit for loading the recording material, An image forming unit that forms an image on the recording material, A control unit that controls to overwrite an image on the recording material conveyed from the loading unit when the recording material on which the image has been read by the image reading unit is loaded on the loading unit, and When the control unit reads an image formed on the recording material by the image reading unit, the control unit displays loading information regarding the orientation when loading the recording material on which the image has been read by the image reading unit on the display unit, An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The control unit displays a second image corresponding to the set orientation of the loading unit based on a first image read by the image reading unit as the loading information, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. When images of a plurality of sheets of recording materials are read by the image reading unit, an input unit capable of inputting a page number of any one of the plurality of sheets is provided, The control unit displays the second image based on the first image of the page number input by the input unit as the loading information, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The loading unit is a first loading unit in which the loaded recording material is turned over and supplied to the image forming unit, A second loading unit in which the loaded recording material is supplied to the image forming unit without being turned over is provided, The control unit, as the loading information, When loading the recording material on the first loading unit, the second image is displayed, When loading the recording material on the second loading unit, the first image read by the image reading unit is displayed, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. The control unit, When loading the recording material on the second loading unit, as the first image, an image is displayed in which the leading end in the conveyance direction of the recording material on which the image is read by the image reading unit coincides with the leading end in the supply direction of the recording material in the second loading unit, and the surface on which the image is formed by the image forming unit faces the front side, When loading the recording material on the first loading unit, as the second image, an image is displayed in which the leading end in the conveyance direction of the recording material on which the image is read by the image reading unit coincides with the leading end in the supply direction of the recording material in the first loading unit, and the surface on which the image is formed by the image forming unit faces the back side, The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that...

6. The control unit displays, as the loading information, the set orientation of the recording material in the image reading unit by a predetermined mark, and displays a mark image related to the mark corresponding to the set orientation of the loading unit based on the predetermined mark. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that...

7. The apparatus includes an input unit capable of inputting a display instruction for causing the display unit to display a preview image. When the display instruction is input by the input unit, the control unit displays, on the display unit, a composite image obtained by superimposing an image read by the image reading unit and an image to be overwritten. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that...

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