JPH0993377A - Digital copier - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a digital copying machine capable of collectively outputting stored image data in a specific size and copying the same to simplify sorting work. A scanner 1 for reading a document image, a memory unit 2 for storing a plurality of image data, a plotter 5 for transferring and outputting image data, an operation unit 3 for setting a mode of a function, and each of these units. And a control unit 4 for controlling the. The control unit 4 has a function of rearranging only image data of a specific paper size designated in advance from a plurality of image data in a continuous order, and outputting image data smaller than a specific paper size in size order. It has a function to output and a function to sort and output image data larger than a specific paper size in order of size. Therefore, even if a plurality of image data of different sizes are mixed and read, it is possible to output them all together in a desired paper size, and the sorting work for each size becomes unnecessary.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copying machine capable of digitally reading a plurality of original images, storing the image data in a storage unit, and performing various processes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since a digital copying machine can store image data in a memory, it can have a function which cannot be obtained by an analog copying machine. For example, there is a so-called electronic sort function that can sort and output a plurality of stored image data without attaching a sorter. Conventionally, as a digital copying machine having an electronic sort function of this kind, by reading a plurality of original images, storing the image data in a memory, sequentially transferring and outputting the image data in the order of reading, and repeating this. There is known one that can be sorted in the reading order (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-64354).

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above conventional copying machine is
Since images are only formed and output in the order of input, if image data of different document sizes are mixed, output sheets of various sizes will be randomly output, making sorting difficult and re-creating the size by the user. There is a problem that they have to be put together again.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the stored image data is sorted and output so as to be collected into a specific size, so that the user can simplify the sorting work of the output papers and also the output papers can be sorted according to the size of the output papers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a user-friendly digital copying machine which can omit reassembly.

[0005]

The digital copying machine of the present invention comprises a reading means for digitally reading an image of an original,
Storage means for storing a plurality of read image data,
An image forming means for forming and outputting an image on a recording medium based on image data, an operation means for setting a mode of a function, and a control means for controlling these means are provided, and a plurality of image data are sequentially transferred and output. In the digital copying machine which repeats the set number of sheets, the control means is provided with a function of rearranging a plurality of image data of image data of a predetermined paper size in a continuous order to obtain an output order. And

Here, the control means may be provided with a function of rearranging only the image data of one specific paper size designated in advance from a plurality of image data in a continuous order to obtain the output order. it can. In addition, the control means may be configured to have a function of rearranging only image data smaller than one specific paper size designated in advance from a plurality of image data in the order of size to set the output order. Furthermore, the control means may be configured to have a function of rearranging the sheets of a size larger than one specific sheet size designated from a plurality of image data in the order of size to output the sheets. Further, the operation means may be provided with a function of selectively setting whether or not to rearrange the image data.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a scanner (reading means), which includes a light source, a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD, and a scanning mechanism, and photoelectrically converts a read image,
It is output as an image signal. Reference numeral 2 denotes a memory unit (storage unit) that receives the image signal sent from the scanner 1 and records it as image data, and outputs the image data when copying. Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation unit (operation display unit) on which the user sets various functions or displays various information such as a state. Reference numeral 4 denotes a control unit (control means) that controls the entire copying machine. Reference numeral 5 is a plotter (image forming means) that transfers an image onto a transfer sheet by an electrophotographic method using an image signal sent from the memory section 2. A three-stage paper feed tray 6 is provided at the rear of the plotter 5, and a one-stage paper discharge tray 7 is provided at the front. The plotter 5 outputs a paper feed signal to the paper feed tray 6 so that the paper corresponding to the size of the image data is fed from each paper feed stage.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 4 includes a ROM 41 in which a control program is written, a RAM 42 in which various variable data are recorded, a CPU 43, and a plurality of I / Os.
It has ports 44 and 45. The control unit 4 controls the memory unit 2 and the operation unit 3 through the I / O port 44, and controls the scanner 1 and the plotter 5 through the I / O port 45.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 3 sequentially displays the status of the digital copying machine and sets an LCD 31 with a touch sensor capable of setting various functions, an electronic sort key 32, a designated size sort key 33, the number of copies and the like. A numeric keypad 34 for canceling the setting, a clear / stop key 35 for canceling the setting or stopping the copying, and a start key 36 for starting the copying are provided. The electronic sort key 32 is a key for setting a mode in which the image data is output in the input order and the electronic sort copy is performed in which the set number of copies is repeated. The designated size sort key 33 is a key for placing the designated size image data in a continuous order and outputting the image data. In this mode, the LCD 31 as shown in FIG.
Screen is displayed.

The LCD 31 has a touch sensor 37a for sorting only a size larger than a designated size, a touch sensor 37b for sorting only a size smaller than a designated size, a touch sensor 37c for sorting only a designated size, and a size. The touch sensor 38 for designation is provided. When the touch sensor 37c is touched, the size-specified touch sensor 38 is sequentially displayed on the lower part of the LCD (A0 to A4), so that a desired size can be selected.

FIG. 5 shows a control process in the designated size sort mode in which the control unit 4 sorts only designated sizes. In this mode, first, copy output of only the designated size is performed. First, it is checked whether or not only the designated size sort is set (S1). If it is set, the process proceeds to the next process (S2), but if not set, the process ends. If the sorting of the designated size is set, it is checked whether each image data stored in the memory unit 2 has the designated size (S
2) If the designated size, copy output (S3),
This is performed up to the final manuscript (S4). Then, this is repeated for the set number of copies (S5, S6).

Next, in order to copy and output the image data other than the designated size, it is checked whether each image data stored in the memory unit 2 is other than the designated size (S7). If it is, the set number of copies are output (S8), and it is determined whether the image data is the image data of the final document (S9). If the size is the designated size, the process is skipped to the next process (S9). Then, this process is performed up to the final document (S10).

By performing the above processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of image data having different sizes are mixed and read at random, and then the designated size (A4) is set.
When only these are sorted and output, first, the image data of A4 is continuously output in the input order, this is repeated for the set number of copies, and then the other image data is output for each of the set number of copies in the input order.

FIG. 6 shows a control process in the designated size sort mode in which the controller 4 sorts image data smaller than the designated size. In this mode, image data smaller than the designated size is first copied and output. First, it is checked whether or not sorting of image data smaller than the designated size is set (S11), and if it is set, the process proceeds to the next process (S12), but if it is not set, the process is performed. finish. If a sort smaller than the specified size is set, it is checked whether each image data stored in the memory unit 2 is smaller than the specified size (S12), and if smaller than the specified size, a copy is output (S13), Do this until the final manuscript (S1
4). Further, this is repeated for the set number of copies (S15, S
16).

Next, in order to copy out image data of a specified size or more, it is checked whether or not each image data stored in the memory unit 2 is smaller than the specified size (S17), and it must be smaller than the specified size. For example, the set number of copies is output (S18), and it is determined whether the image data is the image data of the final document (S19). If the size is smaller than the specified size, the next process (S1
Go to 9). Then, this process is performed up to the final document (S
20).

By performing the above processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of image data having different sizes are mixed and read at random, and then the designated size (A2).
When smaller image data is sorted and output, first, A
The image data from 4 to A3 are continuously output in ascending order of size and in the input order, and this is repeated for the set number of copies, and then the other image data is output for each set number of copies in the input order.

FIG. 7 shows a control process in the designated size sort mode in which the controller 4 sorts image data larger than the designated size. In this mode, image data larger than the designated size is first copied and output. First, it is checked whether or not the sorting of image data larger than the designated size is set (S21), and if it is set, the process proceeds to the next process (S22), but if it is not set, the process is performed. finish. If the sort larger than the specified size is set, it is checked whether or not each image data stored in the memory unit 2 is larger than the specified size (S22), and if it is larger than the specified size, a copy is output (S23), Do this until the final manuscript (S2
4). Further, this is repeated for the set number of copies (S25, S
26).

Next, in order to copy and output the image data of the specified size or less, it is checked whether or not each image data stored in the memory unit 2 is larger than the specified size (S27), and it is not larger than the specified size. In this case, the set number of copies is output (S28), and it is determined whether the image data is the image data of the final document (S29). If the size is larger than the specified size, the next process (S2
Go to 9). Then, this process is performed up to the final document (S
30).

By performing the above processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of image data having different sizes are mixed and read at random, and then the designated size (A
2) When the larger image data is sorted and output, first, the image data from A0 to A1 is repeatedly output by the set number of copies in the order of increasing size and in the input order,
Next, the other image data are output in the order of input for each set number of copies.

[0020]

According to the digital copying machine of claim 1,
Even if the image data of a plurality of originals of different sizes are mixed and stored, the image data of the required size can be sorted and output for copying. Therefore, the user rearranges the output transfer papers by size. It is possible to save time and sort easily.

In the digital copying machine according to the second aspect, the third aspect, and the fourth aspect, the image data can be rearranged and output according to the designated size, so that the labor of rearranging can be further reduced. In addition, the rearranged transfer paper can be used as a guide for the sorting range, which facilitates the sorting work.

In the digital copying machine of claim 5, since the sorting function can be selectively used,
Used or unused can be selected according to the number of originals and the combination of original sizes at the time of input, and the efficiency of copying work can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a screen on which an electronic sort mode is being set.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a sorting process of image data of a designated size.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a sorting process of image data smaller than a designated size.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a sorting process of image data larger than a designated size.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing sorting of designated sizes.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing sorting of a size larger than a designated size.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing sorting of a size smaller than a designated size.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Scanner (Reading Means) 2 Memory Unit (Storage Means) 3 Operation Unit (Operation Display Means) 4 Control Unit (Control Means) 5 Plotter (Image Forming Means)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masafumi Yamagami 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit that digitally reads an image of a document, a storage unit that stores a plurality of read image data, an image forming unit that forms and outputs an image on a recording medium based on the image data, and functions. In the digital copying machine, which comprises operation means for performing the mode setting and control means for controlling the respective means, and which reads a plurality of image data and sequentially forms and outputs images, the control means stores in the storage means. A digital copying machine characterized in that image data of a predetermined paper size is rearranged in a continuous order from a plurality of stored image data to obtain an output order. 2. The control means rearranges only the image data of one specific paper size designated in advance from the plurality of image data stored in the storage means in a continuous order to obtain an output order. The digital copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the digital copying machine is provided. 3. The control means rearranges only image data smaller than one specific paper size designated in advance out of a plurality of image data stored in the storage means, in order of size, and outputs them. Claim 1 characterized by the above.
Digital copier described in. 4. The control means sorts a plurality of image data larger than one specific paper size designated from a plurality of image data stored in the storage means, in order of size, and outputs them. The digital copying machine according to claim 1. 5. The digital copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit can selectively set whether or not to rearrange image data.