JP7167725B2 - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for realizing cost reduction for image formation by laying out page images for a plurality of pages on a sheet of paper, forming the images, and then cutting the sheet for each page image (for example, patent Reference 1).

On the other hand, on the main transport path between the image forming unit that forms an image on the paper and the cutting unit that cuts the paper conveyed from the image forming unit, for example, interleaving paper, blank paper, paper on which images have been formed, etc. 2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses equipped with an insertion section for feeding sheets that do not require image formation (hereinafter collectively referred to as "insertion sheets") are widely used.

JP-A-2000-318245

In the above-described image forming apparatus, there is a demand to insert an insert sheet fed from an insertion unit between sheets (hereinafter referred to as "divided sheets") generated by cutting.
In response to such a request, in the image forming apparatus, because of its configuration, it is necessary for the inserted sheet to overtake the divided sheet whose page order is later. , and after the inserted sheet has passed, the evacuated split sheet is reversed and returned to the main transport path. However, by retracting to the retraction path, the front and back surfaces of the split sheets are reversed, and the page order is not aligned after the sheets are ejected.
Note that if a reversing path is provided downstream of the retraction path, it is also possible to align the page order after ejection by reversing the divided sheets whose front and back sides have been reversed before ejection. The reversal will reduce the productivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image forming apparatus and program capable of aligning page order without lowering productivity when inserting sheets between divided sheets. for the purpose.

In order to solve the above problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes:
an image forming unit that forms a plurality of page images on a sheet based on imposition information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of page images;
a cutting unit that cuts a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction to generate divided sheets that are divided for each page image;
an insertion section capable of feeding an insertion sheet into a sheet conveying path between the image forming section and the cutting section;
a stacking unit for stacking divided sheets generated by the cutting unit;
It is provided by branching from the sheet conveying path between the cutting section and the stacking section, and after pulling in the divided sheets conveyed from the cutting section, reverses the drawn divided sheets to return to the sheet conveying path again. an escape transport route for entering;
When the inserting section feeds the inserting sheet between the divided sheets generated by the trimming section, the retracting operation is performed to retract the divided sheet whose transport order is after the inserting sheet into the retracting transport path. a control unit that changes the arrangement of at least the page images of the divided sheets to be retracted in the imposition information;
characterized by comprising

Further, the program of the present invention is
an image forming unit that forms a plurality of page images on a sheet based on imposition information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of page images;
a cutting unit that cuts a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction to generate divided sheets that are divided for each page image;
an insertion section capable of feeding an insertion sheet into a sheet conveying path between the image forming section and the cutting section;
a stacking unit for stacking divided sheets generated by the cutting unit;
It is provided by branching from the sheet conveying path between the cutting section and the stacking section, and after pulling in the divided sheets conveyed from the cutting section, reverses the drawn divided sheets to return to the sheet conveying path again. an escape transport route for entering;
a computer of an image forming apparatus comprising
When the inserting section feeds the inserting sheet between the split sheets generated by the trimming section, the retracting operation is performed to retract the split sheet whose transport order is after the inserting sheet into the retracting transport path. It is a program that functions as a control unit that changes the arrangement of at least the page images of the divided sheets to be retracted in the imposition information.

According to the present invention, when inserting an insert sheet between divided sheets, the order of pages can be arranged without lowering productivity.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the operation procedure of the operation of case 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing sheets that are imposed in the operation of case 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing sheets that are imposed in the operation of case 1; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the operation procedure of the operation of case 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing sheets that are imposed in the operation of Case 2; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the operation procedure of the operation of case 3; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the operation procedure of the operation of case 3; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing sheets of paper that have been imposed in the operation of case 3; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the operation procedure of the operation of case 4; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the operation procedure of the operation of case 4; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing sheets that are imposed in the operation of Case 4;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus]
First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed unit 100, an image forming unit 200, an inserter (insertion section) 300, a cutting unit 400, a paper processing unit 500, and the like. It has a tandem configuration that is connected in series along the paper transport direction.
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the image forming unit 200 forms an image of a plurality of pages on one sheet of paper, and the cutting unit 400 cuts the sheet so as to divide it into pages, thereby generating It is possible to discharge the divided sheets in a state of being piled up.

<Paper feed unit>
As shown in FIG. 1, the paper feeding unit 100 includes a plurality of paper feeding trays T1, and conveys and feeds the paper accommodated in each paper feeding tray T1 to the image forming unit 200. FIG.

<Image forming apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 200 includes an image forming section 20, and the image forming section 20 forms an image on a sheet. The paper to be used can be fed from either the paper feed tray T1 of the paper feed unit 100 or the paper feed tray T2 provided inside the image forming unit 200. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 200 includes, for example, a control section 11, a storage section 12, an operation section 13, a display section 14, an image reading section 15, an image processing section 16, an image forming section 20, and the like. It is

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 by reading and executing various programs from the storage unit 12 .

The storage unit 12 stores programs that can be read by the control unit 11 and the like, files that are used when the programs are executed, and the like. A large-capacity memory such as a hard disk can be used as the storage unit 12 .

The operation unit 13 and the display unit 14 are user interfaces provided on the upper part of the image forming unit 200, as shown in FIG.
The operation unit 13 generates an operation signal according to the user's operation and outputs it to the control unit 11 . As the operation unit 13, a keypad, a touch panel integrated with the display unit 14, or the like can be used.
The display unit 14 displays operation screens and the like according to instructions from the control unit 11 . As the display unit 14, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OELD (Organic Electro Luminescence Display), or the like can be used.

For example, the operation unit 13 and the display unit 14 are used when the user instructs the image forming mode. Image forming modes include, for example, a normal mode in which one image is formed on one sheet of paper, and a multi-imposition mode in which page images of a plurality of pages are formed on one sheet of paper. At this time, the image forming surface of the paper can be specified as one side (front side) or both sides (front and back sides).
The operation unit 13 and the display unit 14 also indicate whether or not a cutting process for cutting and dividing a sheet of paper is executed, whether or not an insert process for inserting an insert sheet between divided sheets generated by the cutting process is executed or not, and various information related to these processes. It is used when the user instructs settings, etc.
Such user-operated instruction items are added to the job information of the image forming job.
The job information also includes imposition information indicating the layout of a plurality of page images in the multiple imposition mode.

The image reading unit 15 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a scanner, etc., and reads an image of a document to generate image data.

The image processing unit 16 performs various image processing such as density correction processing and halftone processing on the image data. The density correction process is a process of converting each pixel value of the image data so that the density characteristics of the image on the paper become the target density characteristics. Halftone processing is processing for reproducing halftones in a pseudo manner, such as dither processing and error diffusion processing.
Further, the image processing unit 16 has a function of executing imposition processing of image data after image processing when the job information includes setting of multiple imposition mode. Imposition processing is processing for arranging a plurality of page images at specified positions on a sheet of paper according to the imposition information. This generates image formation data in which a plurality of page images are arranged on a single sheet of paper. be done.
Further, under the control of the control unit 11, the image processing unit 16 can change the layout of the page image in the imposition information from the original specified position to generate image forming data.

The image forming section 20 forms an image of four colors on paper according to the pixel values of the four colors C, M, Y and K of each pixel of the image forming data.
The image forming section 20 includes four writing units 21, an intermediate transfer belt 22, a secondary transfer roller 23, a fixing device 24, a reverse transport path 25, a plurality of paper feed trays T2, and the like.

The four writing units 21 are arranged in series (tandem) along the belt surface of the intermediate transfer belt 22 to form C, M, Y and K color images. Each writing unit 21 has the same configuration except that the colors of the images to be formed are different, and as shown in FIG. It has a roller 2f.

In each writing unit 21, after the photosensitive member 2b is charged by the charging unit 2d, the laser beam modulated based on the image forming data is emitted from the exposure unit 2a, and the rotating photosensitive member 2b is scanned and electrostatically charged. form a latent image. The developing unit 2c supplies toner onto the photoreceptor 2b to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 2b. In this way, the images formed on the photoreceptors 2b of the four writing units 21 are sequentially superimposed and transferred (primary transfer) onto the intermediate transfer belt 22 by the respective primary transfer rollers 2f. An image of each color is formed on the belt 22 . After the primary transfer, the toner remaining on the photosensitive member 2b is removed by the cleaning section 2e.

When the paper is fed from the paper feed tray T1 or T2, the image is transferred (secondary transfer) from the intermediate transfer belt 22 onto the paper by the secondary transfer roller 23, the paper is heated and pressed by the fixing device 24, Fix it. When images are formed on both sides of the paper, the paper is transported to the reversing transport path 25 to reverse the surface of the paper, and then the paper is transported to the secondary transfer roller 23 again.

<Inserter>
The inserter 300 is installed between the image forming unit 20 and the cutting unit 410, and is inserted into the paper transport path between the image forming unit 20 and the cutting unit 410 (that is, the paper transport path upstream of the cutting unit 410). It is a device that can feed paper.
Specifically, the inserter 300 inserts paper (insertion paper) that does not require image formation, such as interleaving paper, blank paper, and paper on which an image has been formed, etc., in a paper feed tray T3 provided in the upper portion of the inserter 30. Then, the inserted sheet is fed to a sheet conveying path (main conveying path) conveyed from the image forming unit 200 upstream from the cutting section 410 .

<Cutting unit>
The cutting unit 400 is arranged downstream of the inserter 300 and is a device capable of dividing and cutting the paper conveyed through the inserter 300 .
The cutting unit 400 includes, for example, a cutting section 410, a retraction transport path 420, and the like.
Note that the cutting unit 400 may include, for example, a skew correction roller pair for correcting skew of the paper and a sensor for detecting the leading edge of the paper in the transport direction as a mechanism for accurately cutting the paper.

The cutting section 410 is configured with, for example, a CD cutter 411 and the like.
The CD cutter 411 has cutting blades arranged so that the blades face each other. Each of the cutting blades is formed in a plate shape with its longitudinal direction extending along the width direction of the paper.
The CD cutter 411 can cut the paper sandwiched between them along the width direction by bringing the upper and lower blades closer together as the paper is conveyed. Therefore, as the paper is transported, it is possible to divide the paper into a plurality of areas in the transport direction. A sheet generated by division is called a divided sheet.

The escape transport path 420 is a transport path that branches from a position downstream of the cutting section 410 in the main transport path and can pull the paper into the upper part of the cutting unit 400 .
The retraction transport path 420 can retract the sheet from the main transport path as necessary and stop the sheet, thereby retracting the sheet from the main transport path. In addition, the evacuation transport path 420 can reversely transport the sheet that has been pulled in and return it to the main transport path.
A switching gate is installed between the cutting section 410 and the evacuation transportation path 420 in the main transportation path. You can switch to any of paths 420 .

<Paper processing unit>
The paper processing unit 500 is provided above the paper processing unit 500, for example, the paper processing section 510, the sub-transport path 520, the main paper discharge tray T4 located at the most downstream position of the main transport path in the image forming apparatus 1, and the paper processing unit 500. and a sub-discharge tray T5.
The paper processing unit 510 has a function of predetermined paper processing (such as stapling), and performs paper processing on paper as necessary.
The sub-conveyance path 520 is branched from the main conveyance path and connected to the sub-discharge tray T5. can be made
Further, the sub-conveyance path 520 can draw in the paper conveyed from the cutting unit 400 via the main conveyance path, and then return the drawn-in sheet to the main conveyance path.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the control section 11 of the image forming unit 200 controls the operation of each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 1. However, this configuration is merely an example. It is not limited. For example, a control unit for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 may be separately provided, or each unit may be individually provided with a control section.

[Operation of Image Forming Apparatus]
Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming unit 200 forms page images of a plurality of pages on one sheet (image forming process), and the cutting unit 400 cuts the sheet so as to divide it into pages (cutting process). ), the generated divided sheets can be discharged in a state of being superimposed.
Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, an insertion sheet can be fed from the inserter 300 between the generated divided sheets (insertion processing). In the inserting process, after the cutting process, the divided sheets that need to be overtaken by the inserting sheet in the conveying order are retracted to the retracting conveying path 420, and after the inserting sheet has passed, the operation of returning to the main conveying path (retreat operation) is performed. At this time, the front and back sides of the evacuated divided sheets are reversed, and the page order after ejection is not aligned. Therefore, when performing the evacuating operation, at least the layout of the page images of the divided sheets to be evacuated in the imposition information is changed. processing takes place.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation flow of the image forming apparatus 1 described above.
Triggered by the input of an image forming job, the control unit 11 executes such operations according to the program stored in the storage unit 12 .
The job information of the image forming job includes the image forming mode, image data to be formed on paper, imposition information, execution/non-execution of cutting processing, whether or not to execute insert processing, and various settings related to cutting and insert processing. there is

As shown in FIG. 3, first, based on the job information, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a cutting process setting for cutting one sheet to generate a plurality of divided sheets (step S1), if there is a setting for cutting processing (step S1: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether there is a setting for insert processing for inserting an insert sheet between divided sheets (step S2).
Next, if there is a setting for insert processing (step S2: YES), the control section 11 determines whether or not there is a need for a retraction operation for retracting the divided sheets (step S3).
Next, if the retraction operation is necessary (step S3: YES), the control unit 11 causes the image processing unit 16 to change the layout of at least the page image of the split sheet to be retracted from the original position in the imposition information. to generate image forming data (step S4).

On the other hand, if there is no setting for cutting processing (step S1: NO), if there is no setting for insert processing (step S2: NO), and if there is no need for retraction operation (step S3: NO), the control unit 11 generates imposition image forming data based on the imposition information by the image processing unit 16 (step S5).

Next, the control section 11 causes the image forming section 20 to form an image on a sheet based on the image forming data (step S6).
Next, the control unit 11 executes various processes (cutting process, insert process, retraction operation) according to the settings of the job information (step S7), stacks the paper on the main paper discharge tray T4 (step S8), End this process.

With this processing, in the split paper whose front and back surfaces are reversed by the retraction operation, the page images on the front and back surfaces are formed by being changed from the original specified position, so that the page order can be arranged when the paper is discharged. It will be possible.
The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 described above will be described below with a specific example.

<Case 1: When insert paper is not inserted between split sheets>
First, the case where the insert processing is not performed (the save operation is not performed) will be described.
FIGS. 4A to 4D are schematic diagrams showing an operation procedure when one sheet P having images formed on both sides thereof is divided into two divided sheets A and B and discharged. . In FIG. 4, the paper P with the front side up is indicated by a solid line, and the paper P with the back side up is indicated by a broken line.

First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the paper P is fed from the paper feed unit 100 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the image forming section 20 of the image forming unit 200 forms an image on the front surface of the paper P, and then the paper P is reversed to form an image on the back surface.
Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the front and back surfaces of the paper P on which an image has been formed.
As shown in FIG. 5, on the surface of the sheet P, a page image "β" corresponding to the divided sheet B is formed on the front side in the transport direction, and a page image "α" corresponding to the divided sheet A is formed on the rear side in the transport direction. be done. On the rear surface of the sheet P, a page image "α'" corresponding to the divided sheet A is formed on the front side in the transport direction, and a page image "β'" corresponding to the divided sheet B is formed on the rear side in the transport direction.
Such paper P is transported downstream on the main transport path with the back surface facing up.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the cutting unit 400 cuts the sheet P at the center in the transport direction, and divides the sheet into divided sheets A and B. Next, as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4(d), the divided sheets A and B are sequentially discharged onto the main discharge tray T4 of the sheet processing unit 500 with the back side facing up.

In this way, in the case of such processing, all of the divided sheets are ejected with the back side facing up, so the image forming data imposed at the original specified position based on the imposition information included in the job information is displayed. is generated, and image formation is performed based on the image formation data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the front and back surfaces of the paper P on which images have been formed on both sides, when the paper P is divided into three divided papers A to C and discharged. is.
As shown in FIG. 6, on the surface of the sheet P, from the front side in the transport direction, a page image "γ" corresponding to the divided sheet C, a page image "β" corresponding to the divided sheet B, and a page image corresponding to the divided sheet A A page image "α" is formed. Further, on the back surface of the sheet P, from the front side in the transport direction, a page image "α'" corresponding to the divided sheet A, a page image "β'" corresponding to the divided sheet B, and a page image "β'" corresponding to the divided sheet C are printed. γ′” is formed.
Even if the number of paper divisions is 3 or more, the divided papers A, B, and C are sequentially placed with the back side facing up in the same manner as the operation procedure shown in FIGS. Since the paper is discharged, the image forming data that is imposed on the original designated position is generated based on the imposition information included in the job information, and the image forming is performed based on the image forming data.

<Case 2: Inserting an insert sheet between two divided sheets>
FIGS. 7A to 7E show that one sheet P having page images formed on both sides is divided into two divided sheets A and B, and a FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure when inserting an insert sheet M and ejecting the sheet; In FIG. 7, the paper P with the front side facing up is indicated by a solid line, and the paper P with the back side facing up is indicated by a broken line.

First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the paper P is fed from the paper feed tray T1 of the paper feed unit 100, and then the image forming section 20 of the image forming unit 200 forms images on the front and back surfaces of the paper P. is formed.
Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the front and back surfaces of the paper P on which an image has been formed.
As shown in FIG. 8, on the surface of the sheet P, the page image "β'" corresponding to the divided sheet B is located on the front side in the transport direction, and the page image "α" corresponding to the divided sheet A is located on the rear side in the transport direction. It is formed.
On the rear surface of the sheet P, a page image "α'" corresponding to the divided sheet A is formed on the front side in the transport direction, and a page image "β" corresponding to the divided sheet B is formed on the rear side in the transport direction.
In other words, the page images on the front and back surfaces of the split sheet B are reversed when compared to the imposition in the case where the insert sheet M is not inserted in FIG.
Such paper P is transported downstream on the main transport path with the back surface facing up.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the cutting unit 400 cuts the sheet P at the center in the transport direction, and divides the sheet into divided sheets A and B. Next, as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7(c), the divided sheet A is discharged to the main discharge tray T4 of the sheet processing unit 500 with the back surface facing up. Also, the divided sheet B is conveyed to the retreat conveying path 420 of the cutting unit 400 . In the evacuation transport path 420, the split sheet B is in a state where the front side faces upward.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7D, the insertion sheet M fed from the sheet feeding tray T3 of the inserter 300 passes the division sheet B, is conveyed, and is discharged onto the division sheet A. .
Note that the insert sheet M may be fed from another paper feed tray (for example, the paper feed tray T2) instead of the paper feed tray T3 of the inserter 300. FIG. That is, since paper can be fed from the paper feed tray T3 of the inserter 300 to the paper feed position to the main transport path from the paper feed tray T3 of the inserter 300, the paper feed tray T2 can be fed instead of the paper feed tray T3 of the inserter 300. It is possible to feed the insertion sheet M by using the like.
That is, not only the paper feed tray T3 of the inserter 300 but also the paper feed tray T2 and the like feed the insertion paper M into the paper transport path between the image forming section 20 and the cutting section 410 (the paper transport path upstream from the cutting section 410). It functions as an insertion section that can feed paper.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7E, the divided sheet B that has been conveyed to the evacuation conveying path 420 is discharged onto the insertion sheet M with the surface facing up.

In this way, in the case of such processing, the divided sheet B is reversed by the retraction operation and discharged with the front side facing up. Therefore, for the divided sheet B, image forming data is generated in which the front and back page images are interchanged. Then, image formation is performed based on the image formation data.
As a result, it is possible to align the page order of the sheets after being discharged.

<Case 3: Inserting an insert sheet between three divided sheets>
9(a) to (c) and FIGS. 10(d) to (f) show that one sheet of paper P with images formed on both sides is divided into three divided sheets A to C, and one sheet FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an operation procedure for inserting an insertion sheet M between the first and second divided sheets A and B and ejecting the sheet; In FIGS. 9 and 10, the paper P with the front side facing up is indicated by solid lines, and the paper P with the back side facing up is indicated by broken lines.

First, as shown in FIG. 9A, the paper P is fed from the paper feed unit 100, and then images are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the paper P by the image forming section 20 of the image forming unit 200. FIG.
Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the front and rear surfaces of the paper P on which an image has been formed.
As shown in FIG. 11, on the surface of the sheet P, from the front side in the transport direction, an image "β'" corresponding to the divided sheet C, an image "γ'" corresponding to the divided sheet B, and an image corresponding to the divided sheet A An image "α" is formed.
On the back surface of the sheet P, an image "α'" corresponding to the divided sheet A, an image "γ" corresponding to the divided sheet B, and an image "β" corresponding to the divided sheet C are formed from the front side in the transport direction. be done.
In other words, compared to the imposition without insertion sheet M shown in FIG. The front and back page images are replaced.
Such paper P is transported downstream on the main transport path with the back surface facing up.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the cutting unit 400 cuts the sheet P at two points in the transport direction, and divides the sheet into divided sheets A, B, and C. As shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9(c), the divided sheet A is discharged to the main discharge tray T4 of the sheet processing unit 500 with the back surface facing up. Also, the divided sheets B and C are conveyed to the retreat conveying path 420 of the cutting unit 400 . In the evacuation transport path 420, the divided sheets B and C are in a state in which the front side faces upward.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10D, the insert sheet M fed from the sheet feed tray T3 of the inserter 300 passes the divided sheets B and C, is conveyed, and is discharged onto the divided sheet A. be done.
As in case 2, the insert sheet M may be fed from another paper feed tray (for example, paper feed tray T2) instead of the paper feed tray T3 of the inserter 300. FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10(e), the split sheet C transported to the evacuation transport path 420 is ejected onto the insertion sheet M with the surface facing up.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10(f), the divided sheet B that has been conveyed to the evacuation conveying path 420 is discharged onto the insertion sheet M with the surface facing up.

As described above, in the case of such processing, the divided sheets B and C are conveyed in the opposite order due to the retraction operation, and are also turned upside down and discharged with the front side up. For this reason, image forming data is generated by reversing the page images of the divided sheets B and C and interchanging the front and back page images on the divided sheets B and C, and image forming is performed based on the image forming data. is done.
As a result, it is possible to align the page order of the sheets after being discharged.

<Case 4: Modification of Case 2>
In the above cases 1 to 3, the process of changing the imposition of page images on the front and back sides of a sheet of paper has been described. It also includes shifting the imposition of the page image to the succeeding sheet without forming an image on the divided sheet to be retracted (reversed) (discharged as invalid sheet).
As an example, FIGS. 12(a) to 12(c) and 13(d) to (f) show, as a modification of Case 2, one sheet P having page images formed on both sides is divided into two divided sheets. An example of an operation procedure in the case of dividing a sheet into A and B, inserting an insertion sheet M between the two divided sheets A and B, and ejecting the sheet will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 12A, the paper P1 is fed from the paper feed unit 100, and then the image forming section 20 of the image forming unit 200 forms images on the front and back surfaces of the paper P1.
Here, FIG. 14(a) is a diagram showing the front and rear surfaces of the paper P1 on which an image has been formed.
As shown in FIG. 14A, on the front side of the sheet P1, no image is formed on the front side in the transport direction (blank state), and the page image "α" corresponding to the divided sheet A is formed on the rear side in the transport direction. It is formed. Further, on the rear surface of the sheet P1, an image "α'" corresponding to the divided sheet A is formed on the front side in the conveying direction, and no image is formed on the portion corresponding to the divided sheet B on the rear side in the conveying direction (blank sheet state). ).
The sheet P1 is conveyed downstream on the main conveying path with the back surface facing up.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the cutting unit 400 cuts the sheet P1 into two sheets to generate a divided sheet A. Then, as shown in FIG. The surplus portion of the sheet P1 is hereinafter referred to as "divided sheet A'" for convenience.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the divided sheet A is discharged to the main discharge tray T4 of the sheet processing unit 500 with the back surface facing up. Also, the divided sheet A′ in a blank state is discharged to the sub-discharge tray T5 of the sheet processing unit 500 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 13D, the insert sheet M fed from the sheet feed tray T3 of the inserter 300 is ejected onto the division sheet A. As shown in FIG. As in case 2, the insert sheet M may be fed from another paper feed tray (for example, paper feed tray T2) instead of the paper feed tray T3 of the inserter 300. FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13D, the paper P2 is fed from the paper feed unit 100, and the image forming section 20 of the image forming unit 200 forms images on the front and rear surfaces of the paper P2.
Here, FIG. 14B is a diagram showing the front and rear surfaces of the paper P2 on which the image is formed.
As shown in FIG. 14B, on the surface of the sheet P2, the front side in the transport direction is blank, and the page image "β" corresponding to the divided sheet B is formed on the rear side in the transport direction. Further, on the back surface of the sheet P2, the page image "β'" corresponding to the divided sheet B is formed on the front side in the transport direction, and the rear side in the transport direction is blank.
The paper P2 is conveyed downstream on the main conveying path with the back surface facing up.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13(e), the cutting unit 400 cuts the sheet P2 into two sheets, and the divided sheet B is generated. The surplus portion of the sheet P1 is hereinafter referred to as "divided sheet B'" for convenience.

Next, as shown in FIG. 13(f), the divided sheet B is discharged to the main discharge tray T4 of the sheet processing unit 500 with the back surface facing up. Also, the divided sheet B′ in the blank state is discharged to the sub-discharge tray T5 of the sheet processing unit 500 .

In this way, the image forming data is generated so that the imposition of the page image is shifted to the succeeding sheets without forming images on the divided sheets that are retracted (reversed) (discharged as invalid sheets). It is also possible to align the page order of the paper after the paper is discharged.
The blank divided sheets A' and B' can be used later.

[Effects of Embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image forming unit 20 forms a plurality of page images on a sheet of paper based on the imposition information indicating the layout of the plurality of page images, and the image forming unit 20 performs image formation. A cutting section 410 that cuts the sheet in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction to generate divided sheets that are divided for each page image, and an insertion sheet in the sheet conveying path between the image forming section 20 and the cutting section 410 . From the paper feed tray T3 and paper feed tray T2 that can feed paper, the main paper discharge tray T4 that stacks divided paper generated by the cutting unit 410, and the paper transport path between the cutting unit 410 and the main paper discharge tray T4 A retraction conveying path 420 is provided in a branched manner, and after pulling in the divided sheets conveyed from the cutting section 410, reversely feeds the pulled-in divided sheets and enters the sheet conveying path again.
Then, when the inserter 300 feeds the insert sheet between the split sheets generated by the cutting unit 410, the control unit 11 draws the split sheet whose transport order is after the insert sheet into the evacuation transport path 420. Along with performing the retraction operation, at least the layout of the page images of the divided sheets to be retracted in the imposition information is changed.
For this reason, the imposition information can be changed so that the page image of the divided sheet to be retracted and the page image of the other divided sheet are aligned when stacked on the main discharge tray T4, thereby reducing productivity. You can arrange the page order without
In addition, it is possible to align the order of pages without changing the device configuration.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 11 changes the layout of the plurality of page images in the imposition information such that the page images on the front and back surfaces of the divided sheets to be retracted are switched.
Therefore, even if the front and back sides of a split sheet are reversed by the retraction operation, the front and back page images are formed on that split sheet in reverse order. be able to.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when successively pulling a plurality of divided sheets into the evacuation conveying path 420 as the evacuation operation, the control unit 11 moves the page images of the plurality of divided sheets to the evacuation conveyance path 420. The arrangement of a plurality of page images in imposition information is changed so that the earlier the order of drawing into the page, the later the page number.
For this reason, by retracting the plurality of divided sheets, even if the transportation order of the plurality of divided sheets is changed, the page images are formed on the divided sheets so as to match the transportation order. Therefore, it is possible to align the page order with other divided sheets when stacking.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 11 controls the surface area so that a page image is not formed on the split sheet to be retracted, and a page image is formed on the succeeding sheet for the split sheet to be retracted. Change the arrangement of multiple page images in attached information.
For this reason, the split sheets whose front and back sides are reversed by the retraction operation are ejected as blank sheets, and the page images that were supposed to be formed on the split sheets can be formed on subsequent sheets. can be aligned.

Embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, instead of the retraction transport path 420, the sub-transport path 520 may be used for the retraction operation.

1 Image forming apparatus 100 Paper feed unit T1 Paper feed tray 200 Image forming unit 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Operation section 14 Display section 15 Image reading section 16 Image processing section 20 Image forming section T2 Paper feed tray 30 Inserter 300 Inserter T3 paper tray (insertion part)
400 Cutting unit 410 Cutting section 420 Escape transport path 500 Paper processing unit 510 Paper processing section 520 Sub-transport path T4 Main paper discharge tray (stacking section)
T5 Sub-output tray A, B, C Divided paper M Inserted paper P, P1, P2 Paper

Claims (5)

an image forming unit that forms a plurality of page images on a sheet based on imposition information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of page images;
a cutting unit that cuts a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction to generate divided sheets that are divided for each page image;
an insertion section capable of feeding an insertion sheet into a sheet conveying path between the image forming section and the cutting section;
a stacking unit for stacking divided sheets generated by the cutting unit;
It is provided by branching from the sheet conveying path between the cutting section and the stacking section, and after pulling in the divided sheets conveyed from the cutting section, reverses the drawn divided sheets to return to the sheet conveying path again. an escape transport route for entering;
When the inserting section feeds the inserting sheet between the split sheets generated by the trimming section, the retracting operation is performed to retract the split sheet whose transport order is after the inserting sheet into the retracting transport path. a control unit that changes the arrangement of at least the page images of the divided sheets to be retracted in the imposition information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the arrangement of the plurality of page images in the imposition information so that the page images on the front and back surfaces of the divided sheets to be evacuated are switched. . When successively pulling a plurality of divided sheets into the retraction transport path as the retraction operation, the control unit stores the page images of the plurality of split sheets as the order in which the sheets are retracted into the retraction transport path is earlier. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the plurality of page images in the imposition information is changed so that the number becomes later. The controller controls a plurality of page images in the imposition information so that a page image is not formed on the split sheet to be retracted, and a page image for the split sheet to be retracted is formed on a succeeding sheet. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of the is changed. an image forming unit that forms a plurality of page images on a sheet based on imposition information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of page images;
a cutting unit that cuts a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction to generate divided sheets that are divided for each page image;
an insertion section capable of feeding an insertion sheet into a sheet conveying path between the image forming section and the cutting section;
a stacking unit for stacking divided sheets generated by the cutting unit;
It is provided by branching from the sheet conveying path between the cutting section and the stacking section, and after pulling in the divided sheets conveyed from the cutting section, reverses the drawn divided sheets to return to the sheet conveying path again. an escape transport route for entering;
a computer of an image forming apparatus comprising
When the inserting section feeds the inserting sheet between the split sheets generated by the trimming section, the retracting operation is performed to retract the split sheet whose transport order is after the inserting sheet into the retracting transport path. A program that functions as a control unit that changes the arrangement of at least the page images of the divided sheets to be retracted in imposition information.

Images