Image forming apparatus and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To facilitate double-sided printing on a recording medium formed in a bag shape.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes: a printer unit 120 for forming an image on a recording medium; an operation unit 110 for allowing a user to input information and display a screen; and a main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 displays, on the operation unit 110, a selection screen for selecting the type of recording medium and for selecting whether to perform double-sided printing, and performs conversion processing on one of an image signal representing an image to be printed on a front surface of the first recording medium and an image signal representing an image to be printed on a back surface thereof so that an orientation of the printed image is inverted by 180 degrees, in a case where a first recording medium formed by shaping a sheet material into a bag shape is selected as the recording medium and double-sided printing is selected through the operation unit 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material by an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices generally print images using paper or the like defined in the Japanese Industrial Standards as a recording material. Image forming devices can use various types and sizes of paper, as well as clear files, as recording materials. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming device that conveys clear files. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-198394 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A clear file has a shape in which at least one side is closed and at least one side is open. When forming an image on a recording material of this shape, there is a risk that the orientation of the recording material placed on the file may not match the orientation of the image formed on the file.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has as its main object to reduce the possibility that the orientation in which the recording material is placed and the orientation in which an image is formed will not match. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side; a stacking means for stacking the first recording material; an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material transported from the stacking means; a display means; and a control means for controlling the orientation of the image to be formed depending on the orientation in which the first recording material is placed on the stacking means when the first mode is selected by the selection means. Another aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side, a stacking means for loading the first recording material, an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material transported from the stacking means, a display means, and a control means for performing a conversion process to reverse the orientation of a first image formed on a first side of the first recording material or a second image formed on a second side opposite to the first side when the first mode is selected by the selection means and double-sided printing is performed, and is characterized in that the first image and the second image are formed with their orientations reversed in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction on the image forming surface of the recording material. The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device that is communicatively connected to an image forming device that has a loading means for loading a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side, and an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material transported from the loading means, and is characterized by having a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on the first recording material, a display means, and a control means for controlling the orientation of the image to be formed depending on the orientation in which the first recording material is placed on the loading means when the first mode is selected by the selection means. Another aspect of the information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device that is communicatively connected to an image forming device that includes a loading means for loading a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side, and an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material transported from the loading means, and is characterized in that it includes a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on the first recording material, a display means, and a control means that, when the first mode is selected by the selection means and double-sided printing is performed, performs a conversion process to reverse the orientation of a first image formed on a first side of the first recording material and a second image formed on a second side opposite the first side in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction on the image forming side of the recording material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the orientation in which the recording material is placed and the orientation in which the image is formed will not match. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] 10 is a view showing an example of a paper type selection screen. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an image forming process. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a selection screen for double-sided printing. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of guide screens. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 10(a) to 10(d) are explanatory diagrams of the placement of clear files. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of an input screen for inputting the recording material placement state. [Figure 12](a) to (d) are illustrations of image inversion. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a setting screen for setting whether or not conversion processing of an image signal is enabled. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a selection screen for double-sided printing. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an image forming process. [Figure 16] 10 is a view showing an example of a selection screen for selecting which side of a recording material an image is to be printed on. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be described as an example, but the present invention is also effective in other image forming apparatuses such as an inkjet type.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming system 1X includes an image forming apparatus 100 that forms a toner image on a recording material S, and an operation unit 110 that has a display 111.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a tandem-type full-color printer using an electrophotographic method. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may also be configured to form images using an electrostatic recording method. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit Pa that forms a yellow image, an image forming unit Pb that forms a magenta image, an image forming unit Pc that forms a cyan image, and an image forming unit Pd that forms a black image.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image on a recording material S based on data relating to the toner image contained in image data acquired from an external device 1000, such as a document reading device (not shown) or a personal computer, communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The recording material S may be a sheet material made of paper such as ordinary plain paper, cardboard, rough paper, textured paper, or coated paper, or in this embodiment, a clear file made of a plastic sheet material formed into a bag shape.

[0013] The conveying process of the recording material S will be described. The recording material S is stored and stacked in a cassette 10, or is stacked on a tray 17. The recording material S is fed from the cassette 10 or the tray 17 by a supply roller 13 in accordance with the timing of image formation. The tray 17 is provided so that it can be opened and closed by the user, for example. The recording material S fed by the supply roller 13 is conveyed to a registration roller 12 arranged midway along a conveying path 114. The registration roller 12 performs skew correction and timing correction on the recording material S before conveying it to a secondary transfer portion T2. ​​The secondary transfer portion T2 is a transfer nip formed by an inner secondary transfer roller 14 and an outer secondary transfer roller 11. The secondary transfer portion T2 transfers a toner image onto the recording material S by applying a secondary transfer voltage to the outer secondary transfer roller 11.

[0014] This section describes the image forming process in which a toner image is transported to the secondary transfer unit T2 at the same time as the process in which the recording material S is transported to the secondary transfer unit T2. The configuration of the image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd will be described. The image forming units Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd are configured in approximately the same manner except that the colors of the images (toner images) they form are different: yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Here, we will describe the image forming unit Pd, which forms a black toner image, and will omit descriptions of the other image forming units Pa, Pb, and Pc.

[0015] The image forming unit Pd mainly includes a developing unit 1d, a charging unit 2d, a photosensitive drum 3d, a photosensitive drum cleaner 4d, an exposure unit 5d, and a primary transfer roller 6d. The photosensitive drum 3d is a photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on its surface and rotates around the drum axis. The charging unit 2d uniformly charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 3d. The exposure unit 5d forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 3d by irradiating it with a laser beam driven based on an image signal. The developing unit 1d develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 3d using a developer to form a black toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3d.

[0016] The primary transfer roller 6d is disposed in a position facing the photosensitive drum 3d across the intermediate transfer belt 80. When a primary transfer voltage is applied, the primary transfer roller 6d transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3d onto the intermediate transfer belt 80. Residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 3d after transfer is collected by the photosensitive drum cleaner 4d.

[0017] Similarly, a yellow toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3a of the image forming station Pa, and the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 80 by the primary transfer roller 6a. A magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3b of the image forming station Pb, and the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 80 by the primary transfer roller 6b. A cyan toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 3c of the image forming station Pc, and the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 80 by the primary transfer roller 6c.

[0018] The intermediate transfer belt 80 is an endless belt that is stretched around the inner secondary transfer roller 14 and tension rollers 15 and 16, and is driven in the direction of arrow R2. In this embodiment, the tension roller 16 also serves as a drive roller that drives the intermediate transfer belt 80. The image formation processes of the image forming units Pa to Pd are performed at such a timing that the transferred toner images of each color are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 80. As a result, a full-color toner image is finally formed on the intermediate transfer belt 80.

[0019] The intermediate transfer belt 80 rotates to transport the toner image to the secondary transfer portion T2. ​​The transport of the toner image to the secondary transfer portion T2 is synchronized with the timing at which the recording material S is transported to the secondary transfer portion T2. ​​This allows the toner image to be transferred to a predetermined position on the recording material S. Any residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 80 after transfer by the secondary transfer portion T2 is removed by a transfer cleaner 22.

[0020] Through the above-described conveying process and image forming process, a toner image is carried on the recording material S. The recording material S is conveyed from the secondary transfer unit T2 to the fixing unit 50. The fixing unit 50 applies heat and pressure to the recording material S bearing the toner image, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording material S. To this end, the fixing unit 50 has a first roller incorporating a heat source and a second roller biased toward the first roller, and the recording material S is nipped and conveyed between the first roller and the second roller. During this process, the recording material S is heated by the heat source and pressurized by the second roller. As a result, the toner image carried by the recording material S is melted and mixed, and fixed to the recording material S as a full-color image.

[0021] The recording material S on which the image has been fixed is guided by a flapper 300 to either a conveying path 301 or a conveying path 305. The flapper 300 guides the recording material S to the conveying path 305 when the printing surface (image forming surface) is not turned over in single-sided printing or when printing on both sides is completed in double-sided printing. The recording material S guided to the conveying path 305 is discharged outside the image forming apparatus 100.

[0022] When printing on the front side (first side) is completed in double-sided printing, or when the printed side is to be reversed in single-sided printing, the flapper 300 guides the recording material S to a conveying path 301. The recording material S is conveyed to a reversing unit 302 via the conveying path 301. The recording material S conveyed to the reversing unit 302 has its conveying direction reversed, and is guided by a flapper 303 to either the conveying path 301 or a double-sided conveying path 304. The conveying direction is reversed in the reversing unit 302, and the recording material S is conveyed to the conveying path 301 or the double-sided conveying path 304, whereby the printed side of the recording material S is reversed.

[0023] When the printing surface is to be reversed in single-sided printing, the flapper 303 guides the recording material S to a conveying path 301. The recording material S guided to the conveying path 301 is discharged from the conveying path 301 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 via a conveying path 305. When printing on the front side is completed in double-sided printing, the flapper 303 guides the recording material S to a double-sided conveying path 304. The recording material S guided to the double-sided conveying path 304 is conveyed to a secondary transfer unit T2. As a result, an image is printed on the back side (second side) of the recording material S.

[0024] The developer used in this embodiment is a two-component developer containing toner and a carrier. The toner contains a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent (wax). Known binder resins can be used. Examples of binder resins that can be used include vinyl copolymers such as styrene-(meth)acrylic copolymers, polyester resins, hybrid resins in which vinyl copolymer units and polyester units are chemically bonded, epoxy resins, and styrene-butadiene copolymers. Known colorants can be used for each of the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

[0025] Examples of the release agent that can be used include aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes, oxides of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes, and block copolymers thereof. Examples of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes include low-molecular-weight polyethylene, low-molecular-weight olefin copolymer waxes, microcrystalline waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes, and paraffin waxes. Examples of oxides of aliphatic hydrocarbon waxes include oxidized polyethylene waxes. Block copolymers include waxes whose main component is fatty acid ester, ester waxes, and partially or completely deoxidized fatty acid esters such as deoxidized carnauba wax. Examples of waxes whose main component is fatty acid ester include carnauba wax and Montan acid ester wax. Ester waxes are synthetic reaction products of higher fatty acids, such as behenyl behenate and behenyl stearate, with higher alcohols.

[0026] The operation of such an image forming apparatus 100 is controlled by a main control unit 101. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 can communicate with a printer unit 120 and an operation unit 110. The printer unit 120 includes each unit used in the image forming process described above.

[0027] The main control unit 101 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, and an image processing unit 105. The CPU 102 controls the operation of the entire image forming system 1X by executing computer programs stored in the ROM 103. The RAM 104 provides a work area for the CPU 102 when executing processing. The image processing unit 105 performs predetermined image processing on image data obtained from the external device 1000, such as converting the image data into a format processable by the exposure devices 5a to 5d of the image forming units Pa to Pd, to generate image signals, which are then transmitted to the image forming units Pa to Pd.

[0028] The printer unit 120 includes a stacking unit 124, a conveying unit 123, a fixing unit 122, and an image forming unit P. The image forming unit P represents the image forming units Pa to Pd described above. The stacking unit 124 is a cassette 10 and a tray 17, and stores or stacks the recording material S. The conveying unit 123 feeds the recording material S from the stacking unit 124, conveys it to the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fixing unit 50, and discharges it outside the image forming system 1X. The conveying unit 123 includes a supply roller 13 and a registration roller 12. The fixing unit 122 is the fixing unit 50 described above, and fixes the toner image on the recording material S. The image forming unit P forms toner images of each color as described above. The image forming unit P controls the driving of laser light output from the exposure units 5a to 5d based on an image signal acquired from the image processing unit 105.

[0029] In order to perform optimal print settings, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment requires that the paper type be set according to instructions from the user using the operation unit 110. The operation unit 110 is a user interface having a display 111 which is an input interface and an output interface. The operation unit 110 is used, for example, to acquire the paper type setting for the recording material S used in image formation. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the operation unit 110.

[0030] The operation unit 110 of this embodiment has, as input interfaces, a setting key 1002, a power saving key 1003, a group of hard keys 1104, a reset key 1105, a stop key 1106, and a start key 1107. The operation unit 110 may also have, as an input interface, a touch panel provided on the display 111. The contents input via the input interface (for example, information necessary for creating job information such as the type of recording material S, the number of copies to be printed, and output attribute information) are transmitted to the CPU 102. Using the input interface, the user can input information.

[0031] The setting key 1002 is pressed to perform various settings such as paper type settings. The power-saving key 1003 is pressed to transition the image forming apparatus 100 to or from sleep mode. When the power-saving key 1003 is pressed in normal mode, the image forming apparatus 100 transitions to sleep mode, and when the power-saving key 1003 is pressed in sleep mode, the image forming apparatus 100 transitions to normal mode. The hard key group 1104 includes a numeric keypad, a clear key, and an authentication key. The reset key 1105 is pressed to reset various settings. The stop key 1106 is pressed to stop an ongoing operation. The start key 1107 is pressed to start a printing operation or to instruct the start of other functions. The start key 1107 is equipped with a two-color LED (light emitting diode) of green and red (not shown). The start key 1107 indicates that operation can be started when lit green, and indicates that operation cannot be started when lit red.

[0032] The various keys described above are hardware keys, but may also be realized as software keys displayed on the display 111. Also, the various keys may be realized as a combination of hardware keys and software keys.

[0033] (Examples of other image forming devices) The image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 prints an image on a recording material S while transporting the recording material S in a horizontal direction parallel to the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, the transport path 114 along which the recording material S is transported is a horizontal path extending horizontally. Some image forming apparatuses print images on the recording material S while transporting it in a vertical direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the bottom surface of the image forming apparatus (vertical path). FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of such an image forming apparatus. This image forming apparatus 201 is a tandem-intermediate transfer laser beam printer that utilizes an electrophotographic process. The image forming apparatus 201 forms and outputs a full-color or monochrome image on the recording material S, which is a recording medium, based on image data acquired from an external device 1000 (see FIG. 1) via a network or image data acquired from an image reading device 202 provided above.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 201 has components for forming an image inside a main body 201A, and is provided with an image reading device 202 and an operation unit 502 having a configuration similar to that of the operation unit 110 in Fig. 1 on the upper part of the main body 201A. Between the main body 201A and the image reading device 202 of the image forming apparatus 201, there is provided a discharge space D having a stacking section 223 to which the recording material S after image formation is discharged.

[0035] The image reading device 202 is a scanner that reads an image from a document and generates image data. The image reading device 202 is used, for example, when copying a document. The image reading device 202 of this embodiment is configured as a part of the image forming device 201. However, the image reading device 202 may also be configured as a separate device from the image forming device 201 and electrically connected to the image forming device 201.

[0036] The image forming apparatus 201 includes, in a main body 201A, an image forming mechanism 201B, an intermediate transfer unit 201C, a secondary transfer unit 201D, a fixing unit 201E, and a cassette paper feed unit 230. The main body 201 is also provided with a manual paper feed unit 235.

[0037] The cassette paper feed unit 230 feeds the recording material S from a paper feed cassette 231 that stores the recording material S. The cassette paper feed unit 230 includes a pickup roller 232 and a separation unit that includes a feed roller 233 and a retard roller 234 for separating the recording material S fed from the pickup roller 232. The recording material S is fed one sheet at a time from the paper feed cassette 231 by the pickup roller 232 and the separation unit. In this embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of cassette paper feed units 230 (four in this example) are provided will be described, but the number of cassette paper feed units 230 may be any number. The recording material S fed from the cassette paper feed unit 230 is conveyed to the registration rollers 240 via conveyance rollers 280 and 290.

[0038] In addition to the cassette paper feed unit 230, the recording material S can also be fed from a manual paper feed unit 235. The manual paper feed unit 235 is provided with a tray 236 on which the user manually places the recording material S. Similar to the cassette paper feed unit 230, the manual paper feed unit 235 is provided with a pickup roller and a separation unit, and feeds the recording material S one sheet at a time from the tray 236. The recording material S fed from the manual paper feed unit 235 is also conveyed to the registration rollers 240 via conveyance rollers 280 and 290.

[0039] The image forming mechanism 201B is a four-drum full-color system and includes a laser scanner 210 and four image forming units 211 for forming toner images of four colors: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Each image forming unit 211 includes a photosensitive drum 212, a charger 213, and a developing unit 214. A toner cartridge 215 is disposed above the image forming unit 211. The toner cartridge 215 supplies toner to the developing unit 214.

[0040] The intermediate transfer unit 201C includes an intermediate transfer belt 216 wound around a drive roller 216a and a tension roller 216b. Four primary transfer rollers 219 are provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 216 and contact the intermediate transfer belt 216 at positions facing the respective photosensitive drums 212. The intermediate transfer belt 216 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by a drive roller 216a driven by a drive unit (not shown).

[0041] The secondary transfer unit 201D includes a secondary transfer roller 217 disposed opposite the drive roller 216a with the intermediate transfer belt 216 interposed therebetween. The fuser 201E is disposed downstream of the secondary transfer roller 217 in the conveyance direction of the recording material S, and includes a pressure roller 220a and a heating roller 220b. A first discharge roller 225a, a second discharge roller 225b, and a duplex reversing unit 201F are disposed downstream of the fuser 201E in the conveyance direction of the recording material S. The duplex reversing unit 201F includes a reversing roller 222 that can rotate forward and backward, and a re-conveying path R that conveys the recording material S with an image formed on one side thereof to the image forming mechanism 201B.

[0042] The image forming apparatus 201 configured as described above operates as follows. The image forming apparatus 201 receives an instruction to start a print job, as well as image data from the image reading device 202 or the external device 1000, and forms an image on the recording material S according to the image data. Note that a print job refers to a series of operations that execute a conveying process and an image forming process based on a print signal that instructs image formation on the recording material S, from when printing of the image is completed until the recording material S is discharged onto the stacking unit 223. The image forming apparatus 201 receives an instruction to start the print job from the operation unit 502 or the external device 1000.

[0043] The image forming mechanism 201B uniformly charges the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 212 to a potential of a predetermined polarity using the chargers 213. The laser scanner 210 irradiates the uniformly charged surfaces of the photosensitive drums 212 with laser light modulated based on image data. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the corresponding color (yellow, magenta, cyan, or black) is formed on the surface of each photosensitive drum 212.

[0044] The image forming mechanism 201B develops the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 212 by the developing devices 214. On each photosensitive drum 212, the electrostatic latent images are developed with toner of the corresponding color, thereby forming a toner image of the corresponding color. The toner images are sequentially transferred by primary transfer rollers 219 from the photosensitive drums 212 onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 216 in a superimposed state. As a result, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 216. The intermediate transfer belt 216 conveys the toner image to the secondary transfer unit 201D by rotating.

[0045] In parallel with this toner image formation operation, recording material S is conveyed one sheet at a time to registration rollers 240 by cassette paper feed unit 230 or manual paper feed unit 235. Registration rollers 240 correct skew of the conveyed recording material S. After skew correction, the recording material S is conveyed by registration rollers 240 to secondary transfer unit 201D in accordance with the timing at which the toner image carried by intermediate transfer belt 216 is conveyed to secondary transfer unit 201D. Secondary transfer unit 201D transfers the full-color toner image from intermediate transfer belt 216 onto recording material S by a secondary transfer bias applied to secondary transfer roller 217.

[0046] The recording material S onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 201E. The fixing device 201E sandwiches and transports the recording material S in a roller nip formed by a pressure roller 220a and a heating roller 220b. When sandwiching and transporting the recording material S, the fixing device 201E heats the recording material S with the heating roller 220b, thereby melting and mixing the toner of each color on the recording material S. The fixing device 201E also pressurizes the recording material S with the pressure roller 220a, thereby fixing the melted and mixed toner to the recording material S. At this time, the adhesive force of the melted toner causes the recording material S to stick to the heating roller 220b.

[0047] The recording material S with the fixed image is discharged to the discharge space D by either the first discharge roller 225a or the second discharge roller 225b. The recording material S is stacked on a stacking section 223 that protrudes from the bottom surface of the discharge space D. When an image is to be formed on both sides of the recording material S, the recording material S with the image fixed on one side is transported to a re-conveyance path R by the reversing roller 222 and transported again to the image forming mechanism 201B, where an image is formed on the inverted side. The re-conveyance path R is configured to transport the recording material S to a transport path between the transport roller 290 and the registration roller 240.

[0048] In this way, in the image forming apparatus 201, the recording material S is transported along a transport path (vertical path) that extends in the vertical direction. During image formation, the recording material S is transported from the registration roller 240 to the fixing device 201E from the bottom to the top in the vertical direction, with the top side at the leading edge. When transported along the re-conveyance path R, the recording material S is transported from the top to the bottom in the vertical direction, with the bottom side at the leading edge.

[0049] The operation of the image forming apparatus 201 is controlled by a main control unit 101 similar to that shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the stacking unit 124 of the printer unit 120 includes a cassette paper feed unit 230 and a manual paper feed unit 235. The conveying unit 123 includes various rollers such as conveying rollers 280 and 290 and a registration roller 240. The fixing unit 122 includes a fixing device 201E. The image forming unit P includes an image forming unit 211.

[0050] The recording material S used for printing in the image forming apparatuses 100 and 201 described above can be a paper sheet or a clear file made by folding a plastic sheet material into a bag shape. A clear file is made by folding, for example, a plastic sheet material, so that at least one of the overlapping edges (edges) is open and the remaining edges (edges) are closed. The open edge (edge) is called the "open portion," and the closed edge (edge) is called the "fixed portion." The fixed portion includes a folded portion formed by folding the plastic material, and a closed portion where the edges (edges) are fixed by welding using heat or ultrasound, or by bonding with an adhesive or the like. Typically, a clear file is closed by fixing two edges, and the remaining two edges are open.

[0051] When a clear file is transported with the open end at the leading edge, the unsecured side of the open end opens up during transport. This reduces the transport speed and can cause transport problems such as paper jams. Therefore, to prevent image transport problems, clear files are transported with the fixed end at the leading edge in the transport direction.

[0052] Both image forming apparatuses 100 and 201 have a transport path for double-sided printing (double-sided transport path 304, re-transport path R). When double-sided printing is performed on a clear file, an image is printed on the first side (front side) of the clear file, and then the printed side is inverted to the second side (back side) and transported to the transport path for double-sided printing. When printing on the first side, the clear file is transported with the fixed part at the leading edge in the transport direction, which prevents transport errors. However, by inverting the printed side, the clear file is transported through the transport path for double-sided printing with the open part at the leading edge. As described above, transport errors occur when the clear file is transported with the open part at the leading edge.

[0053] For this reason, when double-sided printing is performed on a clear file, the clear file is ejected from the image forming apparatus 100, 201 after an image is printed on the first side, and then the printed side is inverted to the second side and fed again from the paper feed unit. Because the clear file is transported with the fixed part (e.g., the folded part) at the leading edge, the orientation of the image is reversed 180 degrees between when printing on the first side and when printing on the second side. For this reason, when double-sided printing is performed on a clear file, the image signal must be optimized to align the orientation of the images printed on the first and second sides. However, it is difficult for the user to perform such optimization.

[0054] In this embodiment, printing on a clear file is possible by selecting the type of paper (recording material S) to be used for printing from a paper type selection screen. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the paper type selection screen. A selection screen 1201 is displayed on the display 111. On the selection screen 1201, any recording material S can be selected, and a clear file is provided as an optional paper type.

[0055] When the user selects and presses "clear file" from the pull-down menu on the selection screen 1201, the background of the selected area is displayed in inverse video. Then, when the user presses the confirm button 1203, the fact that the clear file has been selected as the paper type is input to the main control unit 101. The CPU 102 then sets the type of recording material S to clear file.

[0056] In this embodiment, the print side can be set using a print side setting screen displayed on the display 111. Here, print side setting refers to setting whether to print on one side or both sides, and also to setting which side of the clear file to print the image on when printing on one side.

[0057] ROM 103 stores setting information (image forming conditions) for image formation to prevent deterioration in conveyance and image quality in accordance with the clear file. CPU 102 acquires the setting information for the clear file from ROM 103 and uses it to control image formation by printer unit 120. This prevents deterioration in conveyance and image quality when printing on a clear file.

[0058] Example 1 The following describes the case where an image is printed on a clear file. The main control unit 101 determines an image signal for forming an electrostatic latent image based on image data. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the image formation process when a print job is acquired. Here, the process when using the image forming apparatus 100 is described, but similar processes are possible in the case of the image forming apparatus 201. In this embodiment, the user loads the clear file (recording material S) on the stacking unit 124 so that the fixed portion of the clear file is at the leading edge in the conveyance direction of the recording material S. As described above, the fixed portion of the clear file is the folded portion and the closed portion.

[0059] The main control unit 101 receives a print job including image data (S101). The print job is input, for example, from the external device 1000. The main control unit 101 determines whether a clear file is set for the recording material S using the image processing unit 105 (S102). The paper type is set using the selection screen 1201 shown in FIG. 5 when the print job is received. A first mode is when a clear file is set, and a second mode is when a single sheet other than a clear file that does not have a fixed portion or an open portion is set. If a clear file is not set for the recording material S (S102: N), the main control unit 101 forms an image on the recording material S using the printer unit 120 without converting the image signal using the image processing unit 105 (S107).

[0060] If a clear file is set for the recording material S (S102: Y), the main control unit 101 determines whether double-sided printing is set (S103). FIG. 7 is an example of a double-sided printing selection screen displayed on the display 111. The double-sided printing selection screen is a screen for setting the print side. The double-sided printing selection screen includes a single-sided / double-sided selection screen 1401. When the user selects either single-sided printing or double-sided printing from the single-sided / double-sided selection screen 1401 and presses the confirm button 1402, the main control unit 101 sets the selected single-sided printing or double-sided printing.

[0061] If single-sided printing is set (S103: N), the main control unit 101 causes the printer unit 120 to form an image on the recording material S (S107) without converting the image signal using the image processing unit 105. During single-sided printing, the main control unit 101 may display a guide screen on the display 111 to guide the orientation of the recording material S when it is placed, as shown in FIG. 8. The guide screen 1701 in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) not only instructs the user to place the clear file on the tray 17 with the folded portion facing the leading edge in the conveyance direction, but also instructs the printing side. Here, the printing side is defined as the obverse side. 8A is a message urging the user to place the clear file with the folded portion of the clear file facing up in the conveying direction. The image forming apparatus 100 prints an image on the recording material S while conveying it in a horizontal lateral path. In this case, by placing the clear file on the tray 17 with the print surface facing up, the image is printed on the surface of the clear file. 8(b) is a message urging the user to place the clear file with the folded portion of the clear file facing up in the conveying direction. The image forming apparatus 201 prints an image on the recording material S while conveying it in a vertical path. In this case, the clear file is placed on the tray 236 with the front side, which is the printing side, facing down, so that the image is printed on the front side of the clear file.

[0062] If double-sided printing is set (S103: Y), the main control unit 101 determines whether image signal conversion processing by the image processing unit 105 is enabled (S104). The determination of whether image signal conversion processing by the image processing unit 105 is enabled is made based on whether an image signal conversion enable setting by the user, which will be described later, is enabled. If image signal conversion processing is set to disabled (S104: N), the main control unit 101 forms an image on the recording material S using the printer unit 120 without converting the image signal using the image processing unit 105 (S107). In this case, the clear file is ejected from the image forming apparatus 100 after an image is printed on the first side, and is stacked on the stacking unit 124 with the printed side facing down, and an image is printed on the second side. Image signal conversion processing is not performed when printing an image on the second side.

[0063] If the image signal conversion process is enabled (S104: Y), the main control unit 101 forms an image on the first side, which is the front side, of the recording material S using the printer unit 120 and discharges the recording material S (S105) without converting the image signal. The first side is the side on which an image is first printed during double-sided printing. In this case, the image signal representing the image to be printed on the first side is not converted. The user stacks the recording material S with the image printed on the first side in the stacking unit 124 with the printed side turned over (to the second side). The main control unit 101 converts the image signal representing the image to be printed on the second side so that the image to be printed on the second side, which is the back side, is flipped 180 degrees using the image processing unit 105 (S106). The second side is the side opposite to the first side. The main control unit 101 forms an image on the second side of the recording material S using the printer unit 120 based on the image signal converted by the image processing unit 105 (S107). The printing of an image on the first surface and the printing of an image on the second surface are both performed on the clear file conveyed with the folded portion at the leading edge in the conveyance direction.

[0064] When double-sided printing is performed, the main control unit 101 may display a guide screen on the display 111, as in single-sided printing, that guides the orientation of the recording material S when it is placed, as shown in Fig. 8. Although this is the same guide screen as in single-sided printing, its meaning is different.

[0065] The guide screen 1701 in FIG. 8(a) is a message urging the user to place the clear file with the front side (first side) facing up, with the folded part of the clear file at the leading edge in the conveyance direction and the closed part at the rear side. The guide screen 1701 in FIG. 8(a) is displayed during the processing of S105. The guide screen 1701 in FIG. 8(b) is a message urging the user to place the clear file with the back side (second side) facing up, with the folded part of the clear file at the leading edge in the conveyance direction and the closed part at the front side. The guide screen 1701 in FIG. 8(b) is displayed during the processing of S107 after printing on the first side is completed. Note that the front side and the rear side are directions perpendicular to the conveyance direction, and the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 is the front side, and the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100 is the rear side.

[0066] This instruction is a message to be displayed when placing a clear file on tray 17 of image forming apparatus 100, and when placing a clear file on tray 236 of image forming apparatus 201, the front and back sides are instructed to be reversed. That is, when image forming apparatus 201 is used, guide screen 1701 of Fig. 8(b) is displayed in the processing of S105, and guide screen 1701 of Fig. 8(a) is displayed in the processing of S107.

[0067] Furthermore, when performing double-sided printing, the main control unit 101 may display an instruction screen shown in Fig. 9 on the display 111. This instruction screen is displayed on the display 111 when the processing of S105 or S107 starts. When the main control unit 101 detects that printing on the front side (first side) has finished and a clear file has been placed on the tray 17, it erases the instruction screen of Fig. 9 from the display 111 and starts printing on the back side (second side).

[0068] When the image forming process in S107 is completed, the main control unit 101 determines whether the print job is completed (S108). If the print job is not completed (S108: N), the main control unit 101 repeats the processes from S102 onwards. If the print job is completed (S108: Y), the main control unit 101 terminates the image forming process.

[0069] In the above process, by feeding the recording material S with the folded portion at the leading edge, it is possible to print an image on the clear file while preventing the clear file from folding or being transported improperly. Furthermore, when a clear file is selected as the type of recording material S and double-sided printing is selected, the main control unit 101 processes the image signal of the image on the second side to flip it 180 degrees so that the image to be printed on the second side matches the orientation of the image to be printed on the first side. This allows images to be printed on both sides of the clear file with the orientation of the images on the front and back sides aligned.

[0070] In this embodiment, the orientation of the image on the first side is not changed, and the orientation of the image on the second side is changed, but this may be reversed. That is, the orientation of the image on the first side may be reversed 180 degrees, and the orientation of the image on the second side may not be changed. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the recording material S is transported with the folded portion as the leading edge, but it may also be transported with the closed portion as the leading edge.

[0071] A clear file has two fixed sides (a folded part and a closed part). Therefore, there are four possible positions for a clear file, depending on whether the folded part (long side) or the closed part (short side) is placed so that it faces the leading edge in the conveying direction, and whether the first side (front side) or the second side (back side) is placed facing up. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of clear file placement. Figure 10(a) shows an example in which the folded part (long side) is placed so that the front side faces up, with the folded part (long side) at the leading edge in the conveying direction. Figure 10(b) shows an example in which the folded part (long side) is placed so that the back side faces up, with the folded part (long side) at the leading edge in the conveying direction. Figure 10(c) shows an example in which the closed part (short side) is placed so that the front side faces up, with the closed part at the leading edge in the conveying direction. Figure 10(d) shows an example in which the closed part (short side) is placed so that the back side faces up, with the closed part at the leading edge in the conveying direction.

[0072] In the case of double-sided printing, the main control unit 101 instructs the sheet to be placed as shown in Fig. 10(a), and then instructs the sheet to be placed as shown in Fig. 10(b) before starting printing on the second side. Alternatively, the main control unit 101 instructs the sheet to be placed as shown in Fig. 10(c), and then instructs the sheet to be placed as shown in Fig. 10(d) before starting printing on the second side.

[0073] The following describes the reversal of the image orientation when the file is placed so that the folded portion is at the front end (Figures 10(a) and (b)). In this case, if the image is printed with the closed portion at the bottom (vertical direction), the image needs to be reversed, but if the image is printed with the folded portion at the bottom (horizontal direction), the image does not need to be reversed. The following describes the reversal of the image orientation when the file is placed so that the closed portion is at the front end (Figures 10(c) and (d)). In this case, if the image is printed with the folded portion at the bottom (horizontal direction), the image needs to be reversed, but if the image is printed with the closed portion at the bottom (vertical direction), the image does not need to be reversed. In this way, whether or not the image needs to be reversed (rotated) depends on how the clear file is placed and the orientation of the image (vertical direction, horizontal direction).

[0074] The image signal conversion enablement setting may be set based on the placement state of the clear file and the orientation of the image, which is determined based on information included in the accepted print job.

[0075] In addition to the main control section 101 instructing the posture of the recording material S when it is placed, a configuration may also be adopted in which the user inputs the placement state of the recording material S when it is placed into the main control section 101. In this case, the main control section 101 displays an input screen for inputting the placement state of the recording material S on the display 111. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of such an input screen.

[0076] The input screen 1501 in FIG. 11 allows input of four different loading states of the recording material S: "portrait: front side," "portrait: back side," "landscape: front side," and "landscape: back side." The user can input the loading states of the recording material S for front side printing and back side printing by selecting the loading states of the recording material S for front side printing and back side printing from the input screen 1501 using the operation unit 110 and pressing the confirm button 1503. The main control unit 101 can determine whether or not image inversion (rotation) is required based on the input loading states of the recording material S for front side printing and back side printing and the image orientation (portrait, landscape). Note that the portrait loading state is a state in which the recording material S is loaded on the tray 17 so that the long side is parallel to the transport direction. FIGS. 10(c) and 10(d) are examples of the portrait loading state. The landscape loading state is a state in which the recording material S is loaded on the tray 17 so that the short side is parallel to the transport direction. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are examples of the landscape loading state.

[0077] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of image inversion. FIG. 12(a) shows a case where the folded portion is placed at the leading edge (FIGS. 10(a) and (b)), and an image is printed with the closed portion at the bottom (vertical direction). In this case, the image is inverted between the front and back sides. FIG. 12(b) shows a case where the folded portion is placed at the leading edge (FIGS. 10(a) and (b)), and an image is printed with the folded portion at the bottom (horizontal direction). In this case, the image is not inverted between the front and back sides. FIG. 12(c) shows a case where the closed portion is placed at the leading edge (FIGS. 10(c) and (d)), and an image is printed with the folded portion at the bottom (horizontal direction). In this case, the image is inverted between the front and back sides. FIG. 12(d) shows a case where the closed portion is placed at the leading edge (FIGS. 10(c) and (d)), and an image is printed with the closed portion at the bottom (vertical direction). In this case, the image is not inverted between the front and back sides. In this way, the image formed on the front side and the image formed on the back side are reversed in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0078] FIG. 13 is an example of a setting screen for setting whether or not the image signal conversion process by the image processing unit 105 is enabled. The image signal conversion enable setting is performed based on a user instruction. For example, if the user prepares an image signal in advance according to the orientation of the recording material S when it is loaded, the image processing unit 105 does not need to perform the image signal conversion process. Also, as described above, whether or not the image needs to be inverted (rotated) is determined based on the placement state of the clear file and the orientation of the image (portrait or landscape). For this reason, it is preferable that the image signal conversion enable setting be set individually for each print job. If the user determines that the image signal conversion process cannot be performed normally due to an unexpected situation such as a malfunction of the image forming apparatus 100, the image signal conversion enable setting is disabled.

[0079] That is, the image signal conversion enable setting is enabled or disabled depending on the usage situation of each individual user and the deliverable product. This makes it possible to provide a deliverable product of higher quality. In this embodiment, a selection screen for enabling / disabling the image signal conversion process is displayed on the display 111 of the operation unit 110. The user selects either enable or disable from this selection screen using the operation unit 110.

[0080] In the process of S101 in Fig. 6, in addition to the paper type selection screen 1201 illustrated in Fig. 5, a setting screen 1202 for enabling / disabling the image signal conversion enable setting in Fig. 13 is displayed. In this case, the setting screen 1202 is displayed by pressing a button for starting paper type selection from a menu screen (not shown). The user can select whether to enable or disable the image signal conversion enable setting from the setting screen 1202 using the operation unit 110.

[0081] The user selects the paper type from a selection screen 1201 using the operation unit 110, selects whether to enable or disable the image signal conversion enablement setting from a setting screen 1202, and presses a confirm button 1203. This causes the CPU 102 to acquire the selection results of the paper type and the image signal conversion enablement setting. Based on these acquired selection results, the CPU 102 stores information indicating the selected type of recording material S (paper type) and the image signal conversion enablement setting in the RAM 104. In this way, the main control unit 101 sets the type of recording material S and whether the image signal conversion process is enabled or disabled. The main control unit 101 performs image formation processing based on the information stored in the RAM 104.

[0082] In the present embodiment, various printing-related settings are configured by the user operating the operation unit 110. However, similar processing is possible when the user operates the external device 1000. The external device 1000 is an information processing device equipped with an input device and a display. The external device 1000 has the functions of the main control unit 101 and, for example, a printer driver for using the image forming system 1X is installed in the external device 1000. The printer driver displays screens for selecting items to be configured in the screens of FIGS. 5, 7, and 13 on the display of the external device 1000 as the processing progresses. Furthermore, the display of the external device 1000 displays the guide screen of FIG. 8 and the instruction screen of FIG. 9 as the processing progresses. FIG. 14 is an example diagram of a double-sided printing selection screen displayed on the display 1502 of the external device 1000. This selection screen corresponds to the selection screen of FIG. 7. Even when the settings are configured by the external device 1000, printing on a clear file is possible.

[0083] Example 2 The following describes the case where an image is printed on a clear file. The main control unit 101 determines an image signal for forming an electrostatic latent image based on image data. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the image formation process when a print job is acquired. Here, the process when using the image forming apparatus 100 is described, but similar processes are possible in the case of the image forming apparatus 201. In this embodiment, the user loads the clear file (recording material S) on the loading unit 124 so that the fixed portion of the clear file is at the leading edge in the transport direction of the recording material S.

[0084] 6, the main control unit 101 receives a print job including image data and determines whether a clear file is set for the recording material S in the paper type setting (S201, S202). If a clear file is not set for the recording material S (S202: N), the main control unit 101 forms an image on the recording material S using the printer unit 120 without converting the image signal using the image processing unit 105 (S207).

[0085] If a clear file is set for the recording material S (S202: Y), the main control unit 101 determines whether single-sided printing is set (S203). The single-sided / double-sided printing setting is set using the double-sided printing selection screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. 14. If double-sided printing is set (S203: N), the main control unit 101 causes the printer unit 120 to form images on both sides of the recording material S (S207) without performing image signal conversion processing by the image processing unit 105.

[0086] If single-sided printing is set (S203: Y), the main control unit 101 determines whether or not the conversion processing of the image signal by the image processing unit 105 is enabled (S204), similar to the processing of S104 in Fig. 6. If the conversion processing of the image signal is set to disabled (S204: N), the main control unit 101 forms an image on the recording material S by the printer unit 120 without converting the image signal by the image processing unit 105 (S207).

[0087] If the image signal conversion process is enabled (S204: Y), the main control unit 101 determines whether or not to perform conversion process (image inversion) of the image signal representing the image to be printed on one side so as to invert the image 180 degrees (S205). If the image signal conversion process is not to be performed (S205: N), the main control unit 101 causes the printer unit 120 to form an image on the recording material S without performing image signal conversion process by the image processing unit 105 (S207).

[0088] The determination of whether to perform conversion processing of the image signal so as to flip the image 180 degrees is made as follows. ROM 103 stores information beforehand as to whether the image should be flipped when printed on which side of the recording material S. For example, when the closed end of a clear file folder is facing forward, if the leading edge is the folded part, the image will not be flipped, and if the trailing edge is the folded part, the image will be flipped. Note that there is no problem if the determination of which side the image should be flipped when printed on is reversed.

[0089] When a job is input, the main control unit 101 displays on the display 111 a selection screen 1601 for selecting which side of the recording material S (clear file) an image is to be printed on, as shown in Fig. 16. In Fig. 16, the side that becomes the folded part at the leading end when the closed part is facing forward is called side A, and the side that becomes the folded part at the trailing end when the closed part is facing forward is called side B.

[0090] The user selects either the A side or the B side item from the selection screen 1601 using the operation unit 110 and presses the confirm button 1602. This causes the operation unit 110 to send information about the selected item to the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 acquires the information about the selected item from the operation unit 110 and recognizes whether the A side or the B side has been selected. FIG. 16 may also display information indicating on which side the image signal of the image to be printed is to be converted.

[0091] The main control unit 101 makes a determination in S205 based on the selection made on the selection screen 1601 and information stored in ROM 103 as to which side of the recording material S the image will be inverted when printed. If the selected side is the side on which the image will be inverted when printed, the main control unit 101 determines to convert the image signal of the image to be printed on the selected side (S205: Y). In this case, the main control unit 101 performs a conversion process of the image signal so that the image to be printed by the image processing unit 105 is inverted 180 degrees (S206). After the image processing unit 105 has converted the image signal, the main control unit 101 causes the printer unit 120 to form an image on the second side of the recording material S (S207).

[0092] When the image forming process in S207 is completed, the main control unit 101 determines whether the print job is completed (S208). If the print job is not completed (S208: N), the main control unit 101 repeats the processes from S202 onwards. If the print job is completed (S208: Y), the main control unit 101 terminates the image forming process.

[0093] In the above process, by feeding the recording material S with the folded portion at the leading edge, it is possible to print an image on the clear file while preventing the clear file from folding or being transported improperly. Furthermore, by aligning the image orientation on the front and back sides of the clear file, it is possible to print an image on both sides of the clear file. When a clear file is selected as the type of recording material S and single-sided printing is selected, image signal conversion processing is enabled, and if the side to be printed on one side is the side targeted for conversion processing, conversion processing of the image signal representing the image to be printed on that side is performed.

[0094] As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the user can configure various settings related to printing by operating the external device 1000. Screens for setting the items to be set on the screens of Figures 5, 14, and 16 are displayed on the display of the external device 1000 by the printer driver as the processing progresses. Even when the settings are made by the external device 1000, printing onto a clear file is possible.

[0095] In the second embodiment, when double-sided printing is set, the image signal conversion process is not performed, but when double-sided printing is set, the image signal conversion process may be performed by the processes of S104 to S106 in Fig. 6. In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the recording material S is conveyed with the folded portion as the leading edge, but it may also be conveyed with the closing portion as the leading edge. In this case, double-sided printing is possible by temporarily ejecting the recording material S after printing an image on the first side, and then stacking it on the stacking unit 124 when printing an image on the second side.

Claims

1. a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side; a stacking means for stacking the first recording material; an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material conveyed from the stacking means; A display means; and a control unit that controls the orientation of an image to be formed in accordance with the orientation of the first recording material placed on the stacking unit when the first mode is selected by the selection unit. Image forming device.

2. further comprising an input means for inputting the orientation of the side and the orientation of the face of the first recording material placed on the stacking means, the control means controls the orientation of the image to be formed in accordance with the orientation of the side and the orientation of the face of the first recording material acquired from the input means.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the first side is formed by folding a sheet of the first recording material, The second side is formed by folding the sheet material to close the overlapping side.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. a conveying path extending in a vertical direction perpendicular to a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus; a conveying unit that conveys the first recording material from the stacking unit to the image forming unit by conveying the first recording material from the lower side to the upper side of the conveying path, When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message prompting the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means with the print surface of the first recording material facing downwards.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

5. a conveying path extending horizontally on a bottom surface of the image forming apparatus; a conveying means for conveying the first recording material from the stacking means to the image forming means via the conveying path, When the first mode is selected by the selection means, the display means displays a message prompting the user to place the first recording material on the stacking means with the print surface of the first recording material facing up.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

6. a double-sided conveying path for inverting the recording material on which the image has been printed by the image forming means on a first side thereof and conveying the recording material again to the image forming means; a discharge means for discharging the recording material; a conveying means for conveying the recording material, When the first mode is selected by the selection means and double-sided printing is set, the conveying means causes the image forming means to print an image on the first side of the first recording material, and then discharges the first recording material to the discharge means without guiding the first recording material to the double-sided conveying path.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

7. the display means displays a message urging the user to place the first recording material discharged to the discharge means on the stacking means in a second orientation that is inverted from a first orientation when the first recording material was placed on the stacking means in order to print an image on the first side.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.

8. a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side; a stacking means for stacking the first recording material; an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material conveyed from the stacking means; A display means; and control means for performing a conversion process to invert the orientation of a first image formed on a first surface of the first recording material or a second image formed on a second surface opposite to the first surface when the first mode is selected by the selection means and double-sided printing is performed, the first image and the second image are formed in a reversed orientation in a width direction perpendicular to a conveying direction on an image forming surface of the recording material, Image forming device.

9. The control means performs the conversion process on the second image.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

10. the control means causes the image forming means to form the first image on the first surface of the first recording material, and then performs the conversion process on the second image.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

11. the control means causes the image forming means to form the second image, which has been subjected to the conversion process, on the second surface of the recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The control means performs the conversion process on the first image.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

13. the control means performs the conversion process on the first image, and then causes the image forming means to form the converted first image on the first surface of the recording material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12.

14. the control means causes the display means to display a setting screen for setting whether or not to perform the conversion process of the image, and when it is selected from the setting screen that the conversion process is not to be performed, the control means does not perform the conversion process.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

15. The apparatus further includes a storage means for storing information indicating on which side of the recording material the conversion process is to be performed when printing is performed, The control means is characterized in that, when the first mode is selected by the selection means and single-sided printing is selected, the control means determines, based on the information stored in the storage means, whether or not to perform the conversion process on the image to be formed on the side selected to form the image in single-sided printing.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9.

16. The control means performs the conversion process when printing an image on a side selected for single-sided printing based on the information.

16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15.

17. The control means causes the display means to display a setting screen for setting whether or not to perform the conversion process of the image, and when it is selected to perform the conversion from the setting screen, if the side selected to print the image in single-sided printing is the side on which the conversion process is to be performed when printing according to the information, the control means performs the conversion process.

17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16.

18. The first recording material is a clear file.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

19. The recording medium conveying device further includes a conveying means for conveying the recording material, the image forming means forms an image on the recording material conveyed by the conveying means, The conveying means conveys the clear file with the folded portion of the clear file as the leading edge in the conveying direction.

19. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18.

20. An information processing device communicably connected to an image forming device including: a stacking means for stacking a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side; and an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material conveyed from the stacking means, a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on the first recording material; A display means; and a control unit that controls the orientation of an image to be formed in accordance with the orientation of the first recording material placed on the stacking unit when the first mode is selected by the selection unit. Information processing device.

21. An information processing device communicably connected to an image forming device including: a stacking means for stacking a first recording material having a closed first side, a closed second side, an open third side, and an open fourth side; and an image forming means for forming an image on the first recording material conveyed from the stacking means, a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming an image on the first recording material; A display means; and a control unit that performs a conversion process to reverse the orientation of a first image formed on a first surface of the first recording material and a second image formed on a second surface opposite to the first surface in a width direction perpendicular to a conveying direction on the image forming surface of the recording material when the first mode is selected by the selection unit and double-sided printing is performed. Information processing device.

Images