Image forming apparatus and image forming system

Abstract

To improve operability.SOLUTION: An image reading device comprises control means that selects one of a normal mode for reading a document sheet bundle of document sheets of the same size and a mixed mode for reading a document sheet bundle of document sheets of different sizes, can execute the selected mode, and can execute a Japanese hyphenation function executable only on the document sheets of the same size during the execution of the normal mode. When sheet detection means detects that sheet support means is supporting the document sheets, the control means selects the mixed mode (step S52), and when the sheet detection means detects that the sheet support means is supporting the document sheets and input receiving means has designated the Japanese hyphenation function (YES in step S57), cancels the selection of the mixed mode and selects the normal mode (step S58).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to Image forming apparatus and image forming system for forming an image on a recording medium Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and multifunction machines are generally equipped with document reading devices that automatically read multiple documents in succession to generate image data. Such document reading devices generally have a normal mode in which multiple documents of the same size are read, and a mixed mode in which multiple documents of different sizes are read, and for example, a user manually switches between these two modes. In the mixed mode, for example, the document reading device automatically determines the size of each document and reads the document. Here, functions of the image forming apparatus that are premised on multiple documents of the same size, such as a page aggregation function in a copy function that reduces and lays out multiple pages on one page, and a bookbinding function, may be restricted from being executed as prohibited functions when the mixed mode is executed.

[0003] In such an image forming apparatus, if a user mistakenly sets and executes normal mode when scanning multiple documents including different sizes, the document reading device may execute scanning based on the size of the first document in the document stack or the document with the widest width as the reference size. In this case, all documents in the document stack are read as being the same size as the reference size, and there is a risk that unwanted image data will be generated. Therefore, in order to avoid mistakenly setting the normal mode when the mixed mode should be set, an image forming apparatus equipped with a document reading device that automatically sets the mixed mode when a document is placed on the document tray has been developed (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-187735 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the image reading device described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the mixed mode is automatically set simply by placing documents on the document tray, so that the mixed mode may be set even when documents of the same size are placed, for example. Therefore, even if documents of the same size are placed on the document tray and an attempt is made to execute a prohibition function in the mixed mode, such as a consolidation function or a bookbinding function, these prohibition functions cannot be selected as they are. In this case, in order to execute these prohibition functions, the automatically set mixed mode must be manually switched to the normal mode, or the setting to automatically become the mixed mode must be canceled, and then the function that was the prohibition function in the mixed mode must be selected again. Therefore, at least two steps of operation are required, and the operation is complicated.

[0006] The present invention can improve operability Image forming apparatus and image forming system The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, a sheet supporting means for supporting an original sheet, an image reading means for reading an image of the original sheet, a control means for executing a first reading mode for reading a bundle of original sheets of the same size and a second reading mode for reading a bundle of original sheets of a different size, and an input receiving means for specifying a function to be executed in a copy operation in which the image forming means forms an image on a recording medium based on image data of the original sheet read by the image reading means from a plurality of functions including the reading mode, the plurality of functions including a predetermined function that is executable in the first reading mode and cannot be executed in the second reading mode, the input receiving means is capable of setting the first reading mode and the second reading mode as initial settings of the reading mode in the copy operation, and the control means ,before When the second reading mode is set as the initial setting, the selection of the second reading mode is cancelled and the first reading mode is selected based on the specified function being designated by the input receiving means. When the first reading mode is set as the initial setting, the second reading mode is not released based on the designation of the predetermined function. It is characterized by:

[0009] An image forming system according to another aspect of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned image forming device and a binding means for binding sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming means, and is characterized in that the specified function is a function of binding the sheets by the binding means. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, operability can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of sensors in a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 6 is an image illustrating a copy function screen displayed on a display panel in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing a first part of a basic processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a second part of the basic processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 11A and 11B are image diagrams showing masked other function screens displayed on the display panel in the embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a table showing the relationship between prohibition functions of the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 11 is an image diagram showing a mixed function screen displayed on a display panel according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is an image illustrating an initial setting screen for mixed document sizes displayed on a display panel according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 5 is a flowchart showing a first part of a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a second part of the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a third part of the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] 11A and 11B are image diagrams showing other function screens that are not masked and are displayed on the display panel according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an image forming system according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a finisher unit 2. The image forming apparatus 1 includes, for example, a printer, a copier, a facsimile, and a multifunction machine, and forms an image on a sheet used as a recording medium based on image data read from an original D. The sheets used as recording media include paper such as paper and envelopes, plastic films such as overhead projector sheets (OHT), and cloth.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 3, which is an image reading device, a printer unit 4, and an operation unit 5 (see Fig. 4), which are integrally configured. The printer unit 4 is provided with a control device 225 that controls the entire image forming system 100. In this embodiment, the entire image forming system 100 is controlled by the control device 225 built into the image forming apparatus 1, but this is not limited to this. For example, the entire image forming system 100 may be controlled by a computer connected to the image forming system 100 as an external device.

[0015] (Control device) 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment. The control device 225 including the CPU 201 is provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and functions as a control means for controlling the operation of the image forming system 100. The CPU 201 comprehensively controls various devices connected to the system bus 207 according to a control program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204, and also comprehensively controls various processes performed inside the control device 225. The RAM 202 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 201, and is also a memory for temporarily storing image data. The ROM 203 stores a boot program for the apparatus, etc. The HDD 204 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. The RAM 202, the ROM 203, and the HDD 204 all correspond to storage units capable of temporarily or permanently storing information used by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0016] The operation unit I / F 205 is an interface unit for connecting the system bus 207 and the operation unit 5. The operation unit I / F 205 receives image data to be displayed on the operation unit 5 from the system bus 207 and outputs the image data to the operation unit 5, and also outputs information input from the operation unit 5 to the system bus 207. The network I / F 206 connects the LAN or WAN 224 to the system bus 207, and exchanges data bidirectionally between the control device 225 and other devices.

[0017] The image bus 220 is a transmission path for exchanging image data, and is configured, for example, by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The scanner image processing unit 212 corrects, processes, and edits the image data received from the scanner unit 3 via the scanner I / F 211. The embedded information extraction unit 210 detects patterns embedded in the background image from the image data and extracts additional information. The compression unit 213 receives the image data and compresses the data.

[0018] The decompression unit 215 decompresses the image data acquired from the image bus 220, performs raster expansion, and sends the image data to the printer image processing unit 217. The printer image processing unit 217 receives the image data sent from the decompression unit 215, and performs image processing on the image data while referring to attribute data attached to the image data. In addition, if necessary, the printer image processing unit 217 combines the encoded image data generated by the encoded image generation unit 216 with the image data. The encoded image generation unit 216 generates encoded image data such as a two-dimensional code image, a barcode image, and an image generated by an information embedding technique. The encoded image is generated by executing a program stored in the RAM 202. The image data after the image processing is output to the printer unit 4 via the printer I / F 218. The image conversion unit 214 performs predetermined conversion processing such as rotation, color space conversion, binary / multi-value conversion, image synthesis, and thinning on the image data. The RIP unit 208 receives intermediate data generated based on the PDL code data, and generates bitmap data (multi-value). The generated bitmap data is compressed by a compression unit 209 and sent to an image bus 220. RIP is an abbreviation for raster image processor, and converts image data included in the intermediate data into a raster format.

[0019] The authentication processing unit 219 performs job authentication in addition to authenticating users and workgroups using user information input through the operation unit 5. It also manages information on authenticated users and workgroups. The finisher unit 2 bundles multiple sheets discharged from the printer unit 4 into a sheet stack, and performs various processes such as stapling, punching, and sorting.

[0020] A print job (image forming job) refers to a command input to the control device 225 to cause the image forming apparatus 1 to form an image on a sheet. In particular, in this embodiment, the print job includes a copy job in which an image is formed on a sheet based on image data read by the scanner unit 3 by a user operating a copy button or the like on the operation unit 5.

[0021] (Scanner section) As shown in Fig. 1, the scanner unit 3 has a document reading device 31 as an image reading means capable of reading an image of a document D, and a document feeding device (Auto Document Feeder, ADF) 32. The document feeding device 32 has a document tray 34 as a sheet supporting means for supporting documents D, which are document sheets, and the documents D are placed on the document tray 34. A document feed roller 35 of the document feeding device 32 is paired with a separation pad 36, and transports the documents D one by one. The transported documents D are sent into the document feeding device 32 by a pair of intermediate rollers 37, transported by a large roller 38 and a first driven roller 39, and further transported by the large roller 38 and a second driven roller 40.

[0022] The original D transported by the large roller 38 and the second driven roller 40 passes between the original glass 41 and the original guide plate 42, passes via a jump platform 43, and is transported by the large roller 38 and the third driven roller 44. The original D transported by the large roller 38 and the third driven roller 44 is discharged outside the original feeding device 32 by a pair of original discharge rollers 45. Note that between the original glass 41 and the original guide plate 42, the original D is transported by the original guide plate 42 in a state of contact with the original glass 41.

[0023] When the original D passes over the original glass 41, the surface of the original D that is in contact with the original glass 41 is exposed by the exposure unit 33 of the scanner unit 3. The resulting reflected light from the original D is transmitted to the mirror unit 46. The transmitted reflected light passes through a lens 47 and is collected, and is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD sensor unit 48 and output. That is, the image on the original D is read by moving the original D relatively to the exposure unit 33 of the original reading device 31. The image data output from the CCD sensor unit 48 is subjected to a predetermined process in the scanner image processing unit 212 (see FIG. 2), and then input to the laser unit 11 of the printer unit 4 via the printer image processing unit 217 (see FIG. 2).

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing the positions of various sensors for detecting the presence or absence and size of the document D when the document feeder 32 of the scanner unit 3 in FIG. 1 is viewed from above. The document feeder 32 has a document presence sensor 70 for detecting whether the document D is placed on the document tray 34. That is, the document presence sensor 70 corresponds to a sheet detection means for detecting whether the document D is supported on the document tray 34. The document feeder 32 also has document guides 71 and 72 that abut on both ends of the document D in the width direction to guide the document D, and a document width detection sensor 73 that detects the length between the document guides 71 and 72 to detect the width of the document D placed on the document tray 34. The document feeder 32 also has document length detection sensors 74 and 75 for detecting the length of the document D, and a plurality of document width detection sensors 76 for detecting the width of the document D being transported. That is, the document width detection sensors 73 and 76 and the document length detection sensors 74 and 75 correspond to a size detection unit that detects the size of the document D read by the document reading device 31.

[0025] Incidentally, there are two selectable reading modes for the original D in the scanner unit 3: a normal mode (first reading mode) for reading a stack of original sheets of the same size of the original D, and a mixed mode (second reading mode) for reading a stack of original sheets of different sizes of the original D. The selection of these two reading modes is made automatically by the control device 225 or by user setting.

[0026] (Printer section) The printer unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to an image forming means for forming an image of the document D read by the document reading device 31 on another sheet. The printer unit 4 is an electrophotographic full-color printer having image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK of four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) in the main body of the printer. The image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK of each color have the same configuration. Each image forming unit PY, PM, PC, and PK includes photosensitive drums 12, 13, 14, and 15, and developing units 16, 17, 18, and 19 arranged around the photosensitive drums. The image data transferred to the printer unit 4 is converted from image data to laser light by the laser unit 11, and the laser light emitted from the laser unit 11 forms an image on each of the photosensitive drums 12, 13, 14, and 15. The formed images are developed by developing units 16, 17, 18, and 19 that attract toner by the electrostatic capacitance of the images formed on the photosensitive drums 12, 13, 14, and 15. The developed toner images are transferred to a sheet fed from sheet cassettes 20 and 21, and the unfixed toner image transferred to the sheet is fixed by a fixing device 22 and discharged to the finisher section 2 via discharge rollers 23.

[0027] In the case of double-sided printing, the sheet with an image formed on the first side is guided by the flap 24 to the inversion conveying path 25 and switched back, and with the first and second sides swapped, an image is formed on the second side by each of the image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK. After the toner image is fixed by the fixing device 22, the sheet is discharged to the finisher unit 2 via the discharge rollers 23. Note that a known configuration can be appropriately applied to the image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK, so detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0028] (Finisher section) The finisher unit 2 corresponds to a bookbinding unit that binds sheets on which images are formed by the printer unit 4. The finisher unit 2 is configured to be detachable from the printer unit 4. The finisher unit 2 includes a pair of intake rollers 60 that takes in sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus 1, a pair of discharge rollers 63 that discharges the sheets, and a discharge tray 64 that stacks the discharged sheets. A buffer unit 61 and a binding unit 62 are provided between the pair of intake rollers 60 and the pair of discharge rollers 63. The buffer unit 61 stacks and aligns a plurality of sheets when the binding unit 62 is operating. The binding unit 62 binds the plurality of sheets that are bundled by the buffer unit 61 into a bundle. The binding unit 62 includes a stapler unit that drives metal needles (not shown) into the sheet bundle, and a folding unit that folds the binding margin of the sheet bundle bound by the stapler unit to form a booklet. Incidentally, since known configurations can be appropriately applied to the buffer unit 61 and the bookbinding unit 62, detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0029] (Operation unit) Next, the operation unit 5, which is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 1, will be described with reference to configuration examples shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 4, the operation unit 5 has a display panel 50 having a liquid crystal pressure-sensitive touch panel, a numeric keypad 51, a start key 52, a stop key 53, a reset key 54, a user setting key 55, and the like. When a user operates the display panel 50, the numeric keypad 51, the start key 52, the stop key 53, the reset key 54, the user setting key 55, and the like, the information is input to the CPU 201 via the operation unit I / F 205 (see Fig. 2).

[0030] The numeric keypad 51 has a function of enabling numbers to be input. The start key 52 has a function of accepting an instruction to start scanning by the scanner unit 3. The stop key 53 has a function of accepting an instruction to delete a job that is on hold or suspended by the device, and an instruction to interrupt a job that is being executed. The reset key 54 has a function of resetting the current settings and returning to the initial screen. The user setting key 55 has a function of accepting an instruction to transition to a user mode screen for setting functions of the image forming device 1.

[0031] The display panel 50 is integrally formed with a liquid crystal panel for displaying a screen and a touch panel for receiving touch operations by the user. The display panel 50 corresponds to a display means capable of displaying messages and device status to the user by screen display. The various physical keys (51-55) and the touch panel function of the display panel 50 correspond to an input receiving means by which the user can input information, such as the specification of a predetermined function to be described later, to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0032] The CPU 201 (see FIG. 2) can display a function screen on the display panel 50 of the operation unit 5 via the operation unit I / F 205 in accordance with a control program loaded from the HDD 204 to the RAM 202. The function screen can display a screen for making various settings when using individual functions of the image forming apparatus 1, such as copying and fax transmission. Here, a copy function screen 500 used when performing a copy job will be described as an example.

[0033] The paper selection key 501 sets the sheet (paper) to be printed by selecting one of the sheet cassettes 20, 21 (see FIG. 1) provided in the image forming apparatus 1, or by having the image forming apparatus 1 automatically select the sheet cassette 20, 21. The same magnification key 502 is a key for designating when printing out at the same scale as the original (at the same magnification), and when the zoom key 503 is selected, it is possible to designate any magnification. The color mode selection key 504 allows the setting of the color mode at the time of printing out (for example, selection of full color / monochrome). In addition, as shortcut keys, a finishing key 505, a double-sided key 506, a density key 507, an original type key 508, an ID card copy key 509, and other function keys 510 are provided, and various functions provided in the image forming apparatus 1 can be set. For example, the finishing key 505 has a function of setting the finishing setting to set the presence or absence of a bookbinding function by the finisher unit 2. The double-sided key 506 has a function of setting double-sided printing / single-sided printing. A density key 507 has a function of setting the density of an output image. A document type key 508 has a function of setting the document type for performing a copy operation with optimal settings according to the document type. Various settings selected on the function screen are stored in the RAM 202 for each job.

[0034] Next, the basic operations of the processing procedure for reading an image of the document D placed on the document tray 34 in the image forming system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

[0035] When the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on and processing is started, the CPU 201 displays the copy function screen 500 on the display panel 50 via the operation unit I / F 205 in accordance with the control program loaded from the HDD 204 to the RAM 202 (step S11). At this time, the data of the copy function screen 500 loaded in the RAM 202 by the CPU 201 is displayed on the display panel 50 via the operation unit I / F 205. The CPU 201 waits for an operation by the user in this state (step S12). When the user operates the display panel 50, the numeric keypad 51, the start key 52, the stop key 53, the reset key 54, or the like, the information is notified to the CPU 201 via the operation unit I / F 205.

[0036] Here, a case will be described in which the CPU 201 turns on the other function key 510 displayed on the copy function screen 500 of the display panel 50 to display the other function screen 600 shown in FIG. 8. The other function screen 600 is provided with function selection keys (601 to 612). The CPU 201 determines whether or not a function setting has been input by the user (step S13). The CPU 201 determines whether or not a function setting has been input based on whether or not a function has been selected by operating the function selection keys (601 to 612) on the other function screen 600. If the CPU 201 determines that a function setting has been input by the user (YES in step S13), it stores information on the selected function in the RAM 202 (step S14).

[0037] Here, there are cases where the relationship between the functions makes it impossible to combine and process a plurality of functions. For example, when a stack of original sheets D of the same size is read (normal mode), the binding function by the finisher unit 2 is possible. On the other hand, when a stack of original sheets D of different sizes is read (mixed mode), the binding function is not possible, so the binding function is prohibited in the mixed mode. Similarly, in the mixed mode, the two-page spread function (page separation function) for dividing an image read by the original reading device 31 into multiple pages and the page consolidation function for consolidating an image read by the original reading device 31 into one page are also prohibited. The binding function, two-page spread function, and page consolidation function in the mixed mode correspond to predetermined functions that can be executed only for originals D of the same size and cannot be executed for originals D of different sizes. FIG. 9 shows an example of a prohibited function of the image forming device 1. In the figure, "1" indicates that the functions can be combined and processed, and "0" indicates that the functions cannot be combined and processed.

[0038] The CPU 201 refers to the data of the prohibited functions as shown in FIG. 9, which is loaded from the HDD 204 to the RAM 202 together with the control program, and performs masking (shading) processing so that the user cannot select the functions that cannot be combined (step S15). The CPU 201 redisplays the masked copy function screen 500 (step S16). For example, assume that the user presses the mixed document size key 612 in FIG. 8, selects a different width key 701 on the mixed document size function screen 700 shown in FIG. 10 displayed by the CPU 201, and presses the OK key 702. In this case, the CPU 201 searches for the mixed document size function in the data of the prohibited functions shown in FIG. 9, and obtains the function 0 that cannot be combined as a function. In this case, the functions that cannot be combined with the mixed document size function are the two-page spread function, the bookbinding function, and the page merging function. Therefore, the CPU 201 masks the icons of the two-page spread function key 604, the bookbinding function key 601, and the page merging function key 607 to prevent the user from selecting the corresponding functions, and redisplays the screen as shown in FIG. 8. After that, the CPU 201 waits for a user operation again (step S12).

[0039] On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the user has not input function settings (NO in step S13), it determines whether the start key 52 has been pressed (step S17). If the CPU 201 determines that the start key 52 has not been pressed (NO in step S17), it waits for a user operation again (step S12). If the CPU 201 determines that the start key 52 has been pressed (YES in step S17), it reads the document D on the document tray 34 according to the information set by the user stored in the RAM 202, and generates image data.

[0040] First, when the CPU 201 determines that the start key 52 has been pressed, it determines whether or not the mixed document size function is set to ON (step S18). If the mixed document size function is set to ON, the mixed document mode is selected, and if not, the normal mode is selected. If the CPU 201 determines that the mixed document size function is not set to ON (NO in step S18), the CPU 201 sets and executes a continuous document transport process for continuously transporting the documents D on the document tray 34 in the CPU of the scanner unit 3 (step S21). In addition, in order to continuously transport the documents D on the document tray 34 according to an instruction from the CPU 201, the CPU of the scanner unit 3 transports the top document of the documents D on the document tray 34 by the document feed roller 35 and the separation pad 36. At this time, the CPU 201 detects the first document, which is the same size as the second and subsequent documents, using the document width detection sensors 73, 76 and the document length detection sensors 74, 75 (step S22).

[0041] The CPU 201 is notified of the detected size of the original D. The CPU 201 performs the same-size original layout calculation based on the data set by the user on the copy function screen 500 or other function screen 600 displayed on the display panel 50 and stored in the RAM 202 (step S23). Here, the CPU 201 performs processing such as selecting the size when reading the original D and which of the sheet cassettes 20 and 21 is to be used when printing. The CPU 201 performs the reading processing of the original D on the original tray 34 by instructing the CPU of the scanner unit 3 based on this calculation (step S24), and performs image processing in the printer image processing unit 217 (step S25). After notifying the CPU of the printer unit 4 of which of the sheets of the sheet cassettes 20 and 21 is to be printed on, the CPU 201 transfers the image data that has been subjected to the image processing in the RAM 202 to perform the printing processing (step S26). It is not necessary to perform the printing processing every time one sheet of the original D is read, but it is performed appropriately according to the selected function. Furthermore, printing is not always necessary. For example, image data that has been read and processed may be sent to an external device.

[0042] After the printing process is completed, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the document D remains in the document tray 34 based on, for example, the detection result of the document presence / absence sensor 70 (step S27). If the CPU 201 determines that the document D remains in the document tray 34 (YES in step S27), it executes the document reading process again (step S24). At this time, since the mixed document size function is not set to ON, the document D on the document tray 34 is determined to be a document of the same size as the first sheet. Therefore, the CPU 201 repeats the document reading process (step S24), image processing (step S25), and printing process (step S26) without performing the same-size document detection process (step S22) and same-size document layout calculation (step S23). That is, in the normal mode, the CPU 201 detects the size of the first document D in the document sheet stack using the sensors 73, 74, 75, and 76, and reads the images of the second and subsequent documents D in the document sheet stack using the document reader 31 without detecting the sizes. If the CPU 201 determines that no documents D remain in the document tray 34 (NO in step S27), it returns to the start and displays the copy function screen 500 on the display panel 50 of the operation unit 5 (step S11).

[0043] Furthermore, when the CPU 201 determines that the mixed document size function is set to ON (YES in step S18), it sets and executes intermittent document transport processing (step S31). In the intermittent document transport processing, the CPU 201 causes the CPU of the scanner unit 3 to detect the document size of each document D on the document tray 34 and then transports the documents. The CPU of the scanner unit 3 transports the documents D on the document tray 34 to the position of the document width detection sensor 76 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 201, and performs detection processing for the mixed size documents D (step S32). Here, the CPU 201 detects the length of each document D based on the transport amount, and detects the width of the documents D based on whether any of the document width detection sensors 76 is ON.

[0044] The detected size of the original D is notified to the CPU 201. The CPU 201 performs a mixed size original layout calculation based on the data set by the user on the copy function screen 500 or other function screen 600 displayed on the display panel 50 and stored in the RAM 202 (step S33). Here, the CPU 201 performs processing such as selecting the size when reading the original D and which of the sheet cassettes 20 and 21 is to be used when printing. The CPU 201 performs a reading process of the original D on the original tray 34 by instructing the CPU of the scanner unit 3 based on this calculation (step S34), and performs image processing in the printer image processing unit 217 (step S35). After notifying the CPU of the printer unit 4 of which of the sheets of the sheet cassettes 20 and 21 is to be printed on, the CPU 201 performs a printing process by transferring the image data that has been subjected to the image processing in the RAM 202 (step S36). It is not necessary to perform the printing process every time one sheet of the original D is read, but it is performed appropriately according to the selected function. Furthermore, printing is not always necessary. For example, image data that has been read and processed may be sent to an external device.

[0045] After the end of the process such as printing, the CPU 201 judges whether the document D remains in the document tray 34 based on, for example, the detection result of the document presence / absence sensor 70 (step S37). If the CPU 201 judges that the document D remains in the document tray 34 (YES in step S37), the document size mixed loading function is set to ON, so the documents D on the document tray 34 are judged as documents of different sizes. Therefore, the CPU 201 sets and executes the document intermittent transport process again (step S31). That is, in the mixed loading mode, the CPU 201 reads the image by the document reader 31 while detecting the size of the document D of the document sheet stack one by one by the sensors 73, 74, 75, and 76. If the CPU 201 judges that the document D does not remain in the document tray 34 (NO in step 37), the process returns to the start and the copy function screen 500 is displayed on the display panel 50 of the operation unit 5 (step S11).

[0046] In this way, the CPU 201 can select in the selection step either a first reading step for reading a bundle of original sheets of originals D of the same size in the normal mode or a second reading step for reading a bundle of original sheets of originals D of different sizes in the mixed load mode. The CPU 201 can also execute the selected reading step. When executing the first reading step, the CPU 201 can also execute the prohibition function of the mixed load mode that can only be executed for originals D of the same size.

[0047] Incidentally, in order to avoid accidentally setting the normal mode when the mixed mode should be set, an image forming apparatus has been developed that has an automatic mixed mode setting function that automatically sets the mixed mode when a document is placed on the document tray 34. However, in an image reading apparatus having the automatic mixed mode setting function, the mixed mode may be automatically set by simply placing a document on the document tray 34, so that the mixed mode may be set even when documents of the same size are placed, for example. For this reason, even if documents of the same size are placed on the document tray 34 and prohibition functions in the mixed mode such as the consolidation function and the bookbinding function are attempted to be executed, these prohibition functions cannot be selected as they are due to mask processing (see FIG. 8). In this case, in order to execute these prohibition functions, the automatically set mixed mode must be manually switched to the normal mode, or the automatic mixed mode setting must be released, and then the function that was the prohibition function in the mixed mode must be selected again. Therefore, at least two steps of operation are required, and the operation is complicated. Therefore, in this embodiment, the following configuration is adopted to improve operability.

[0048] First, in this embodiment, the user presses user setting key 55 (see FIG. 4) to display mixed size document initial setting 800 shown in FIG. 11. On the screen of mixed size document initial setting 800, the user can set so that the mixed size document mode is automatically turned on when document D is placed on document tray 34 for each function by pressing copy ON key 801, transmission ON key 802, and fax ON key 803. That is, when document presence / absence sensor 70 detects that document tray 34 is supporting document D, CPU 201 can automatically select the mixed size document mode. Information set by the user on the screen of mixed size document initial setting 800 is notified to CPU 201 and saved in RAM 202.

[0049] The process of reading the document D placed on the document tray 34 in the image forming system 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.

[0050] When the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on and processing is started, the CPU 201 displays the copy function screen 500 on the display panel 50 (step S41) and waits for a user operation in this state (step S42). The CPU 201 determines whether or not a function setting has been input by the user (step S43). If the CPU 201 determines that a function setting has been input by the user (YES in step S43), it stores information on the selected function in the RAM 202 (step S44).

[0051] The CPU 201 refers to data of the prohibited functions as shown in FIG. 9, which is loaded from the HDD 204 to the RAM 202 together with the control program, and performs masking (shading) processing so that the user cannot select functions that cannot be combined (step S45). The CPU 201 redisplays the masked copy function screen 500 (step S46). Here, masking is not performed for the prohibited functions for the mixed mode. That is, even when the mixed mode is selected, masking is not performed for the icons of the two-page spread function key 904, the bookbinding function key 901, and the page aggregation function key 907 on the other function screen 900 as shown in FIG. 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, the prohibited function key can be pressed even when the mixed mode is selected. That is, the CPU 201 can execute an input reception process using the display panel 50 that can input the designation of the prohibited function. After that, the CPU 201 waits for an operation by the user again (step S42).

[0052] On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the user has not input the function settings (NO in step S43), it determines whether or not the document D is placed on the document tray 34 based on, for example, the detection result of the document presence / absence sensor 70 (step S47). If the CPU 201 determines that the document D is not placed on the document tray 34 (NO in step S47), it again waits for an operation by the user (step S42).

[0053] When the CPU 201 determines that the document D is placed on the document tray 34 (YES in step S47), it determines whether the automatic mixed mode setting is on (step S51). When the CPU 201 determines that the automatic mixed mode setting is on (YES in step S51), it sets the mixed mode (step S52). That is, when the CPU 201 detects that the document tray 34 supports the document D in the selection step, it selects the second reading step. In addition, the CPU 201 automatically selects and sets the document width (step S53). For example, in an area where the paper sizes A and B are mixed, it sets the width to be different, and in an area where the paper size A is mainly distributed, it sets the width to be the same. Alternatively, the user may input the width manually.

[0054] After setting the different document widths, or when the CPU 201 determines that the automatic mixed document mode setting is not on (NO in step S51), the CPU 201 determines whether the start key 52 has been pressed (step S54). When the CPU 201 determines that the start key 52 has not been pressed (NO in step S54), the CPU 201 waits for a user operation again (step S42). When the CPU 201 determines that the start key 52 has been pressed (YES in step S54), the CPU 201 determines whether the mixed document size function has been set to on (step S55). When the CPU 201 determines that the mixed document size function has been set to on (YES in step S55), the CPU 201 determines whether the mixed document size initial setting is set to copy on based on the data stored in the RAM 202 (step S56). That is, if the user has previously pressed the copy on key 801 in the mixed document size initial setting 800, the mixed document size initial setting is determined to be copy on.

[0055] When the CPU 201 determines that the mixed document size initial setting is set to copy ON (YES in step S56), it determines whether or not there is a setting input for the prohibition function (step S57). When the CPU 201 determines that there is a setting input for the prohibition function (YES in step S57), it sets the mixed document size function to OFF and switches from the mixed mode to the normal mode (step S58).

[0056] That is, the CPU 201 selects the mixed mode when it detects that the document tray 34 supports the document D. Thereafter, when the prohibition function for the mixed mode is designated by the display panel 50 before the document reading device 31 starts reading the image of the document D, the CPU 201 cancels the selection of the mixed mode and selects the normal mode. In this way, since the CPU 201 does not execute mask processing for the prohibition function for the mixed mode, for example, when the user places documents D of the same size on the document tray 34 and wants to execute the prohibition function, the user can press the prohibition function key. This allows the prohibition function to be executed with a single operation, for example, when documents D of the same size are placed on the document tray 34, but the reading mode of the image forming device 1 automatically becomes the mixed mode because the automatic mixed mode setting is on.

[0057] When the CPU 201 determines that the start key 52 has been pressed after switching from the mixed mode to the normal mode, it determines whether the mixed size document function is set to ON (step S18). The same applies when the CPU 201 determines that the mixed size document function is not set to ON (NO in step S55) or that the initial setting for mixed size document is not set to copy ON (NO in step S56). The same applies when the CPU 201 determines that there is no input for setting the prohibition function (NO in step S57). Note that the processes from step S18 onwards are the same as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, and therefore the same reference numerals are used and detailed description will be omitted.

[0058] As described above, the image forming system 100 of this embodiment operates as follows. When it is detected that the document tray 34 is supporting the document D, the mixed mode is selected, and then, when the prohibition function is specified by the display panel 50 before starting to read the image of the document D, the mixed mode is deselected and the normal mode is selected. As a result, even if the automatic mixed mode setting function is turned on and the mixed mode is automatically selected, the prohibition function can be directly selected, so that switching to the normal mode and execution of the prohibition function can be achieved with a single operation. This improves operability.

[0059] In the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above, the CPU 201 selects the mixed mode when it detects that the document tray 34 supports the document D. Thereafter, when the prohibition function of the mixed mode is specified by the display panel 50 before the document reading device 31 starts reading the image of the document D, the CPU 201 cancels the selection of the mixed mode and selects the normal mode. However, this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the CPU 201 cancels the selection of the mixed mode and selects the normal mode when it detects that the document tray 34 supports the document D and the prohibition function of the mixed mode is specified by the display panel 50. In this case, when the CPU 201 detects that the document tray 34 supports the document D in the selection process and the prohibition function is specified by the display panel 50 in the input receiving process, the CPU 201 cancels the selection of the second reading mode and selects the first reading mode. That is, for example, even if the prohibition function of the mixed load mode is specified in advance before placing the document D on the document tray 34, and then the document D is placed on the document tray 34, the first reading mode may be selected regardless of the automatic mixed load mode setting.

[0060] In addition, in the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above, the document tray 34 of the ADF is used as the sheet supporting means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a document reading glass on the upper surface of the document reading device 31 and a pressure plate capable of opening and closing the document reading glass may be used. In this case, the user will perform the reading operation one sheet at a time, but when reading a stack of document sheets of different sizes, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained by displaying and making the prohibition function selectable.

[0061] In addition, in the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above, the prohibition functions in the mixed mode are the bookbinding function, the two-page spread function, and the page aggregation function, but this is not limited to these and may be some of these, or may include other functions.

[0062] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...image forming apparatus, 2...finisher section (bookbinding means), 3...scanner section (image reading device), 4...printer section (image forming means), 31...original reading device (image reading means), 34...original tray (sheet supporting means), 50...display panel (input receiving means), 70...original presence sensor (sheet detection means), 73, 76...original width detection sensor (size detection means), 74, 75...original length detection sensor (size detection means), 100...image forming system, 225...control device (control means), D...original (original sheet).

Claims

1. an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium; a sheet supporting means for supporting an original sheet; an image reading means capable of reading an image on a document sheet; a control means for controlling a first reading mode for reading a stack of original sheets having the same size and a second reading mode for reading a stack of original sheets having different sizes; an input receiving means for specifying a function to be executed in a copy operation in which the image forming means forms an image on a recording medium based on image data of a document sheet read by the image reading means, from a plurality of functions including the reading mode; the plurality of functions include a predetermined function that is executable in the first reading mode and cannot be executed in the second reading mode; the input receiving unit is capable of setting the first reading mode and the second reading mode as an initial setting of the reading mode in the copy operation, The control means When the second reading mode is set as the initial setting, the selection of the second reading mode is cancelled and the first reading mode is selected based on the specified function being designated by the input receiving means; when the first reading mode is set as the initial setting, the second reading mode is not released based on the designation of the predetermined function; 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. a sheet detection means for detecting whether or not an original sheet is supported on the sheet support means, the control means, when the second reading mode is selected as the initial setting, selects the second reading mode based on the sheet detection means detecting an original sheet supported by the sheet support means, and thereafter, when the predetermined function is designated by the input acceptance means before the image reading means starts reading the image of the original sheet, cancels the selection of the second reading mode and selects the first reading mode.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. a size detection unit for detecting a size of the document sheet to be read by the image reading unit; the control means, in the first reading mode, causes the size detection means to detect the size of a first original sheet of a bundle of original sheets, and causes the image reading means to read images of the second and subsequent original sheets of the bundle of original sheets without detecting the sizes thereof.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

4. a size detection unit for detecting a size of the document sheet to be read by the image reading unit; the control means, in the second reading mode, causes the size detection means to detect the size of each of the original sheets of the original sheet stack while reading the image with the image reading means; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

5. the input receiving means is capable of selecting the first reading mode or the second reading mode as an initial setting of the reading mode for each of the copy operation and the transmission operation of transmitting the image data of the document sheet read by the image reading means to an external device; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

6. the predetermined function is a page division function for dividing an image read by the image reading means into a plurality of pages; 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

7. the predetermined function is a page aggregation function of aggregating images read by the image reading means onto one page; 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

8. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a bookbinding unit that binds the sheets on which the images are formed by the image forming unit, the predetermined function is a function of binding sheets by the binding means; 1. An image forming system comprising:

Images