JPH1028201A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of easily obtaining a document laid out as desired when a large number of documents are processed at once. An image forming apparatus has a combining mode in which a large number of originals can be processed at one time by dividing and processing an appropriate number of originals. In the combining mode, a continuous reading combining mode 1001, a specific page inserting mode 1002, a cover combining mode 1003, and an external data combining mode 1004 are selected as combining methods. The continuous reading synthesis mode 1001 is a mode in which image data read in a plurality of times is continuously synthesized in the order of reading, and the specific page insertion mode 1002 is a mode in which the image data read nth time is m The cover data combining mode 1003 is a mode for inserting the data read after the k-th page of the image data read at the time, and the data read in the n-th is used as the cover image data in the cover mode. A mode 1004 inserts the image data input from the external I / F after page n.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an electronic sort function and an image forming method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic sort function for reading images of all originals to be copied, temporarily storing the image data in a memory such as a hard disk, and repeatedly reading out and printing out any image data from the memory. Digital copiers equipped with a printer are known. As a result, it is possible to discharge the copy sheets in a sorted state without having a sorter device having a plurality of bins.

In a so-called single-sided mode in which a single-sided original is printed on both sides, or when laying out a plurality of originals by reducing them to one sheet, the number of originals is counted and the image of the original is stored in a storage device. As a result, it is possible to open the document quickly.

[0004]

However, there is a limit to the number of documents that can be placed on the document feeder, and when processing a large number of documents at a time, copying is performed with the number of sheets laid out on one sheet. The effort required to divide the operation was required. Further, if the number of sheets to be divided is wrong, the result is different from the desired layout.

Further, in the slip sheet mode in which a separator sheet is inserted into a predetermined page, it is necessary to insert a document to be inserted between designated number of documents.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method which can easily obtain a document laid out as desired when a large number of documents are processed at one time.

[0007]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a document conveying unit configured to convey a plurality of placed documents to a reading position;
Document reading means for reading the conveyed document, conversion means for converting the read document into image data, storage means for storing the converted image data,
An image forming apparatus having visualization means for visualizing the converted image data on transfer paper, wherein the document reading means reads the plurality of conveyed documents, and the conversion means converts the read document to image data. And the storage means executes the respective operations of storing the converted image data a plurality of times, and after performing the reading operation, the converting operation and the storing operation a plurality of times, the visualizing means performs a visible operation. And control means for controlling the document reading means, the conversion means, the storage means, and the visualization means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, a method of synthesizing the image data corresponding to at least two of the originals read by the original reading means is specified. A combining method designating unit; and a document number determining unit that determines the number of the documents read by the document reading unit. The document number determining unit determines the number of the documents after the reading operation of the document reading unit is completed. Then, the combining method designating means changes or determines the combining method based on the determined number of documents.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, at least one method of synthesizing the external data input from the outside and the original read by the original reading means is provided. Another combining method designating means for designating, and a document number determining means for determining the number of the documents read by the document reading means, wherein the document number determining means after the reading operation of the document reading means is completed. Judge the number of the document,
The other synthesizing method designating means changes or determines the synthesizing method based on the determined number of documents.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein the synthesizing method includes a continuous reading synthesizing mode, a specific page inserting mode, and a cover in the original reading operation. It is characterized by including a combination mode and an external data combination mode.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the visualization unit uses the transfer paper according to the combination method designated by the combination method designation unit. A visualization operation is performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method comprising: a document transporting step of transporting a plurality of loaded documents to a reading position; a document reading step of reading the transported document; An image forming method comprising: a conversion step of converting a document into image data; a storage step of storing the converted image data; and a visualization step of visualizing the converted image data on transfer paper. In the reading of the plurality of conveyed documents, the read document is converted into image data in the conversion step, and each operation of storing the converted image data in the storage step is executed a plurality of times.
After the reading operation, the converting operation, and the storing operation are performed a plurality of times, a visual operation in the visualizing step is performed.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method of the sixth aspect, a method of synthesizing the image data corresponding to at least two of the originals read in the original reading step is specified. A document number determining step of determining the number of the documents read in the document reading step; and determining the number of documents in the document number determining step after the reading operation in the document reading step is completed. Then, the combining method is changed or determined in the combining specifying step based on the determined number of originals.

[0014] The image forming method according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that:
7. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein another combining method designating step for designating a combining method of external data input from outside and at least one of the originals read in the original reading step; A document number determining step of determining the number of the read documents, and determining the number of the documents in the document number determining step after the reading operation in the document reading step is completed. And changing or determining the combining method in the other combining specifying step based on

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method comprising:
9. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the combining method includes a continuous reading combining mode, a specific page inserting mode, a cover combining mode, and an external data combining mode in the original reading operation. And

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the visualization step is performed by using the synthesizing method specified in the synthesizing method specifying step. A visualization operation is performed on paper.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a copying apparatus main body 100 and a circulating automatic document feeder (RDF) 180.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a platen glass as a document table, and reference numeral 102 denotes a scanner. The scanner 102 includes a document illumination lamp 103, a scanning mirror 104, and the like. Then, the scanner 102
Is reciprocally scanned in a predetermined direction by a motor (not shown), and the reflected light of the document S passes through a lens 108 via scanning mirrors 104 to 106 to form an image on an image sensor unit 109 using a CCD sensor. Reference numeral 120 denotes an exposure control unit including a laser, a polygon scanner, and the like. The laser light 1 is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor unit 109, and is modulated based on an image signal on which predetermined image processing described later is performed.
29 is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 110.

Around the photosensitive drum 110, a primary charger 112, a developing device 121, a transfer charger 118, a cleaning device 116, and a pre-exposure lamp 114 are provided. In the image forming unit 126, the photosensitive drum 110 is rotated by a motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1. After being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 112, the exposure control unit The laser light 129 is irradiated from 120 to form an electrostatic latent image.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is developed by the developing device 121 and is visualized as a toner image. On the other hand, pickup rollers 133 and 134 from the upper cassette 131 or the lower cassette 132.
Transfer paper fed by the paper feed rollers 135 and 136
Is sent to the copying apparatus main body 100 by the registration roller 1
The toner image which is fed to the transfer belt 130 by the 37 and is visualized is transferred to the transfer paper by the transfer charger 118. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 110 is placed in the cleaner device 1.
16 removes residual toner, and the pre-exposure lamp 114
As a result, residual charges are erased.

The transfer paper after the transfer is separated from the transfer belt 130, the toner image is recharged by pre-fixing chargers 139 and 140, sent to a fixing device 141, fixed by pressure and heat, and discharged by a discharge roller 142. Copier main body 100
Is discharged to the outside.

The image forming section 126 is used to rotate the transfer belt 130 by using an attraction charger (not shown) that attracts the transfer paper sent from the registration roller 137 to the transfer belt 130. Paired with a charger,
A transfer belt roller (not shown) that attracts and charges the transfer paper to the transfer belt 130 is provided.

The copying apparatus main body 100 has, for example, 40
A deck 150 capable of storing 00 transfer papers is provided. The lifter 151 of the deck 150 is
2 is provided with a multi-manual feed mechanism 153 that rises in accordance with the amount of transfer paper so that the transfer paper always contacts the transfer paper 2 and can accommodate 100 transfer papers.

Further, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 154 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which switches the path between the double-side recording side or the multiple recording side and the paper discharge side. The transfer paper sent out from the paper discharge roller 142 is switched by the paper discharge flapper 154 to a double-sided recording side or a multiple recording side. Reference numeral 158 denotes a lower transport path, which guides the transfer paper sent out from the paper discharge roller 142 to the re-feed tray 156 by turning over the transfer paper through the reversing path 155. Reference numeral 157 denotes a multiplex flapper for switching the path between double-sided recording and multiplex recording. By inclining the flapper to the left, the transfer paper is guided directly to the lower transport path 158 without passing through the reverse path 155. A feed roller 159 guides the transfer sheet to the photosensitive drum 110 through the path 160. A discharge roller 161 is disposed near the discharge flapper 154 and discharges the transfer paper switched to the discharge side by the discharge flapper 154 to the outside of the copying apparatus main body 100.

At the time of double-sided recording (double-sided copying) or multiple recording (multiple copying), the paper discharge flapper 154 is raised upward, and the copied transfer paper is turned over via the transport paths 155 and 158 to re-feed the tray. 156. At this time, at the time of double-sided printing, the multiplex flapper 157 is tilted to the right, and at the time of multiplex printing, the transfer sheets stored in the re-feed tray 156 are fed one by one from the bottom through the path 160 by the feed roller 159. Then, it is guided to the registration roller 137 of the copying apparatus main body 100.

When the transfer sheet is inverted and discharged from the copying apparatus main body 100, the discharge flapper 154 is raised upward,
The flapper 157 is tilted rightward to convey the copied transfer paper to the conveyance path 155, and after the rear end of the transfer paper has passed the first feed roller 162, the reversing roller 163 moves the transfer paper toward the second feed roller 162a. Convey and discharge rollers 161
As a result, the transfer paper is turned over and discharged outside the copying apparatus main body 100.

FIG. 2 shows an operation unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 451 denotes a numeric keypad, which is used to set the number of images to be formed and to input numerical values for mode setting. 452
A clear / stop key is used to stop the set number of images to be formed and the image forming operation. 45
Reference numeral 3 denotes a reset key for returning the set number of images to be formed, the operation mode, the selected paper feed mode, and the like to a specified value. Reference numeral 454 denotes a copy start key. Pressing the copy start key 454 starts an image forming operation.

Reference numeral 469 denotes a display panel composed of a liquid crystal or the like. The display content changes according to the setting mode to facilitate detailed mode setting. In this operation unit, the cursor on the display panel 469 is moved with the cursor keys 465 to 468, and the setting is determined with the OK key 464. This setting method can be configured by a touch panel.

Reference numeral 471 denotes a combination designation key for designating a plurality of reading operations. When the combination mode is set by the combination key 471, the LED 470 is turned on.

Reference numeral 475 denotes a double-sided mode setting key, for example, a "single-sided mode" for performing single-sided output from a single-sided original, a "single-sided mode" for performing double-sided output from a single-sided original, and a "single-sided mode" for performing double-sided output from a double-sided original. Two-sided mode, two-sided original to 2
It is possible to set four types of two-sided mode, that is, a "two-sided mode" for outputting one side of a sheet. The LEDs 472 to 474 are turned on in accordance with the set double-sided mode, and the “single-single mode” is set.
, All of the LEDs 472 to 474 are turned off, only the LED 472 is turned on in the “single-both mode”, only the LED 473 is turned on in the “both-both mode”, and LE in the “both-single mode”.
Only D474 lights up.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG.
It comprises a lens 108, an image sensor unit (CCD) 109, an analog signal processing unit 202 and the like.

The analog signal processing unit 202 is connected to the electronic sorter unit 203 and the printer unit 204 in series. The electronic sorter unit 203 is connected to the external I / F processing unit 209. Image reading unit 201, electronic sorter unit 2
03 and the printer unit 204, respectively.
05.

The original image formed on the image sensor unit 109 via the lens 108 is converted by the image sensor unit 109 into an analog electric signal. The converted image information is input to the analog signal processing unit 202, and is subjected to analog-to-digital conversion (A / D conversion) after performing sample & hold, dark level correction, and the like. The digitized signal is input to the electronic sorter unit 203 after shading correction (variation of a sensor for reading a document and correction of light distribution characteristics of a document illumination lamp) and scaling processing.

The external I / F processing unit 209 expands image information input from an external computer and outputs the image information to the electronic sorter unit 203 as image data.

The electronic sorter unit 203 performs correction processing necessary for an output system such as γ correction, smoothing processing, edge enhancement,
Other processing, processing, and the like are performed, and the result is output to the printer unit 204 that is an image output unit.

The printer unit 204 includes an exposure control unit 120 composed of a laser or the like described with reference to FIG.
6. It is composed of a transfer control unit for the transfer paper, and records an image on the transfer paper according to the input image signal.

The CPU circuit unit 205 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 206, a ROM (read only memory) 207, and a RAM (read / write memory) 208.
And the like, and controls the image reading unit 201, the electronic sorter unit 203, the printer unit 204, and the like, and totally controls the sequence of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed configuration of the electronic sorter unit 203. The electronic sorter unit 203 includes a logarithm connected in series.
It includes a conversion unit 301, a binarization unit 302, a control unit 303, a smoothing unit 305, and a γ correction unit 306. The control unit 303 is connected to the image storage unit 304.

In FIG. 4, the image sent from the image reading unit 201 is input as black luminance data and sent to the log conversion unit 301. The log conversion unit 301 stores a line connection device (LUT) for converting input luminance data into density data, and outputs a table value corresponding to the input data to convert the luminance data into density data. Convert to data.

Thereafter, the density data is sent to the binarizing section 302. The binarization unit 302 binarizes the multi-valued density data, and the density value becomes “0” or “255”. The binarized 8-bit (bit) image data is converted to 1-bit (0) or 1-bit image data, and the amount of image data stored in the memory is reduced.

However, when an image is binarized, the number of gradations of the image is changed from 256 gradations to two gradations. Therefore, binarization of image data having a large number of halftones such as a photographic image generally deteriorates the image. Remarkable. Therefore, it is necessary to perform pseudo halftone expression using binary data.

Here, an error diffusion method is used as a technique for pseudo-halftone expression using binary data. This method is used when the density of a certain image is larger than a certain threshold value.
55, and if it is below a certain threshold value, it is binarized as density data of "0",
In this method, the difference between the actual density data and the binarized data is distributed to surrounding pixels as an error signal. The distribution of the error is performed by setting the weight coefficient on the matrix prepared in advance to 2
This is performed by multiplying the error caused by the binarization and adding the result to surrounding pixels. As a result, the average density value of the entire image is stored, and the halftone can be represented in a pseudo binary manner.

The binarized image data is supplied to the control unit 303.
Sent to Also, input from an external I / F processing unit,
Since the image data from the computer has been processed as binary image data by the external I / F processing unit, it is sent to the control unit 303 as it is. The control unit 303 stores the image data in the image storage unit 3 according to a command from the copying apparatus main body 100.
At the same time as storing the image in the image storage unit 304, the mode in which the image is output in parallel (direct mode) or the image of the original to be copied is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 304 without being output at the time of reading. The mode in which the image data is read from and output is selected. For example, in the case of sorting, the first set is processed in the former mode, and the second and subsequent sets are processed in the latter mode. Pamphlet mode, etc.
If output paper cannot be generated until all originals S have been read, processing is performed only in the latter mode.

The image storage unit 304 is a scuzzy (SCSI)
It has a controller and a hard disk (memory), and writes image data to the hard disk according to a command from the scuzzy controller. The plurality of image data stored on the hard disk are output in an order corresponding to the editing mode specified by the operation unit of the copying apparatus main body 100. For example,
In the case of sorting, the first copy is a circulation type automatic document feeder 18.
0, the document is read in order from the last page to the first page of the document bundle, and output while being stored in the hard disk. For the second and subsequent copies, the image data of the document S stored for the first copy is read from the hard disk and output in order from the last page to the first page. Thereby, it can play the same role as a sorter having a plurality of bins.

The image data called from the image storage unit 304 and the image data not stored in the image storage unit 304 are sent to the smoothing unit 305. In the smoothing unit 305, first, 1
Bit data is converted into 8-bit data, and the signal of the image data is set to “0” or “25”.
5 ”.

The converted image data is obtained as a sum of products obtained by multiplying a coefficient on a predetermined matrix by a density value of a neighboring pixel, and is replaced with a weighted average value. As a result, the binary data is converted into multi-valued data in accordance with the density value of the neighboring pixels, and an image quality closer to the read image can be reproduced. The smoothed image data is input to the gamma correction unit 306. When outputting the density data, the γ correction unit 306 performs conversion using a table in consideration of the characteristics of the printer, and adjusts the output according to the density value set by the scanning unit.

Next, a method of designating the combination mode will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 5 shows the display panel 469 when the combination designation key 471 is pressed in the operation unit of FIG.
The content of (A) is displayed. Specifically, the combination mode designation is displayed. Continuous reading combination mode (1001) Specific page insertion mode (1002) Cover combination mode (1003) External data combination mode (1004). Using the cursor keys 466 to 468, a continuous reading combining mode 1001, a specific page inserting mode 1002, a cover combining mode 1003, and an external data combining mode 1004 are selected.

The continuous reading / combining mode 1001 is a mode in which image data read in a plurality of times is continuously combined in the reading order. The specific page inserting mode 1002 is an n-th image reading mode. In this mode, data is inserted after page k of the image data read m-th time. The cover combining mode 1003 is a mode in which the data read n-th is used as cover image data in the cover mode. The data synthesis mode 1004 is
In this mode, the image data input from the external I / F is inserted after page n.

FIG. 5B shows a specific page insertion mode 100.
2 is displayed on the display panel 469 when “2” is selected. More specifically, the specific page insertion mode (1100) the “n” -th data read from the “m” -th data (1101) Insert after the "k" page (1102). Is displayed. FIG. 5 (C) shows the contents displayed on the display panel 469 when the cover combining mode 1003 is selected. Specifically, the data read in the “n” th cover combining mode is used as the cover data (1200). ). Is displayed. FIG. 5D shows the external data synthesis mode 10
This is the content displayed on the display panel 469 when 04 is selected. Specifically, the external data synthesis mode inserts the data input from the external I / F after the “n” page (1300). Is displayed. "N" (1100, 1200, 130
Numerals corresponding to “0”, “m” (1101), and “k” (1102) are the numeric keys 452 of the operation unit in FIG.
Enter from.

Next, the operation in the combining mode will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIGS. 6 and 7 determine whether or not the multiple reading mode key 471 of the operation unit in FIG. 2 is ON (step S601).
If 71 is ON, the reading mode flag is set a plurality of times (step S602), and it is further determined whether or not the copy start key 454 has been pressed (step S60).
3). If the copy start key 454 has been pressed, it is determined from the copy request flag whether or not the copy start key has already been pressed (step S604). In the case of the first copy request, the original number count is cleared to zero (step S604). Step S605). After that, a copy request flag is set (step S606),
Start reading the document. One document is read (step S607), 1 is added to the document number counter (step S608), and the document reading operation is repeated until the last document (step S609). When the reading of the last document is completed, it is determined whether or not the reading mode flag has been set a plurality of times (step S610). If the reading mode flag has not been set, the process proceeds to step S612 to start a printing operation. If there is, the process from step S601 is repeated to read the next bundle of documents. Here, a plurality of reading mode keys 471
Is OFF (step S601), and if the read mode flag is ON or the copy request is ON (step S611), the process proceeds to step S612 to start the printing operation.

In order to rearrange the image data read by the synthesis before the printing operation in the designated order, first, in the case of the continuous reading synthesis mode (step S612), whether the mode is the single-sided mode or not. It is determined whether or not the number of continuously read originals is an even number or an odd number using a document number counter (step S614). In the case of the single-sided mode, the output for the last page is a single-sided blank page when the number is an odd number. Is set (step S615), and the image data divided and read in a plurality of times is sequentially synthesized (step S6).
16). Image data synthesis is to synthesize a plurality of image data files stored in the electronic sorter unit 203 into one image data file. In the present embodiment, the image data files are combined, but need not be combined.

Further, it is determined whether or not the cover combining mode is set (step S617). In the case of the cover combining mode, the image of the image data file designated as the cover image data is copied to a predetermined page. Combine (Step S6
18) Then, it is determined whether the mode is the external data input mode (step S619), and the image data already input from the external I / F and stored in the electronic sorter unit 203 is synthesized into a predetermined page. (Step S620), the printing operation is started (Step S621), and a series of processing is ended by the end of the printing operation.

Although not shown here, in the process of the specific page insertion mode 1002, the designated image file is similarly inserted into a predetermined page and synthesized.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a large number of documents that cannot be placed on the circulating automatic document feeder (RDF) 180 and the deck 150 are processed at one time, the combining mode is used. Thus, the document can be divided and processed by an appropriate number of documents. Further, since the printing operation is started after the completion of the synthesis, it is possible to avoid a problem that the output result differs depending on the number of divided sheets.

When a predetermined image is to be inserted into a specific page, only the specific page is stored and inserted without inserting the original into the specific page of the bundle of originals, or input from an external data input unit. The inserted image can be inserted.

[0057]

As described above in detail, according to the apparatus of the first aspect and the method of the sixth aspect, when a large number of originals exceeds the number that can be placed on the original transporting apparatus, the original is transported. The document reading unit reads the plurality of conveyed documents after the document is divided by the number of sheets that can be placed on the apparatus, the converting unit converts the read document into image data, and the storage unit converts the converted image data. After performing the reading operation, the converting operation, and the storing operation a plurality of times, the visualizing unit performs the visualizing operation, so that the number exceeds the number of sheets that can be placed on the document feeder. A large number of documents can be processed at once.

According to the apparatus of the second aspect and the method of the seventh aspect, the number of originals is determined after the reading operation is completed, and the combining method is changed or determined based on the determined number of originals. You can insert a given image on the page, or
Only a specific page can be stored and inserted separately without inserting a document into a specific page of the document bundle.

According to the apparatus of the third aspect and the method of the eighth aspect, after the operation of reading the conveyed original is performed a plurality of times, the external data input from the outside and at least one of the read originals are combined. Since the combination method is specified, data input from outside can be inserted into a specific page.

According to the apparatus of the fourth aspect and the method of the ninth aspect, the combining method includes a continuous reading combining mode, a specific page inserting mode, a cover combining mode, and an external data combining mode in the original reading operation. And so
Documents laid out as desired can be easily obtained.

According to the apparatus of the fifth aspect and the method of the tenth aspect, the visualizing operation is performed on the transfer paper by the designated synthesizing method, so that the original laid out as desired can be visualized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an electronic sorter unit 203.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a method of specifying a combination mode.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation in a synthesis mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation in the synthesis mode, which is a continuation of FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Copier main body 109 Image sensor unit 110 Photoconductor drum 120 Exposure control unit 126 Image forming unit 150 Deck 180 Recirculating automatic document feeder (RDF) 201 Image reading unit 202 Analog signal processing unit 203 Electronic sorter unit 204 Printer unit 205 CPU Circuit unit 209 External I / F processing unit 1001 Continuous reading synthesis mode 1002 Specific page insertion mode 1003 Cover synthesis mode 1004 External data synthesis mode

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masanari Inui 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Rieko Inoue 3- 30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Non Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akinobu Nishikata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Noriaki Miyahara 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hirohiko Tashiro 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Nobuo Sekiguchi 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A document conveying means for conveying a plurality of placed documents to a reading position, a document reading means for reading the conveyed document, and a converting means for converting the read document into image data. A storage unit that stores the converted image data; and a visualization unit that visualizes the converted image data on transfer paper, wherein the document reading unit reads the plurality of conveyed documents. Reading, the converting means converts the read original into image data, and the storage means executes each operation of storing the converted image data a plurality of times,
The document reading unit, the conversion unit, the storage unit, the visualization unit, and the reading operation, the conversion operation, and the storage operation are performed a plurality of times, so that the visualization unit performs the visible operation, the document reading unit, the conversion unit, the storage unit, the visualization unit, An image forming apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling the image forming apparatus. 2. A combining method designating means for designating a combining method of the image data corresponding to at least two of the originals read by the original reading means, and a number of the originals read by the original reading means. Means for judging the number of originals, wherein after the reading operation of the original reading means is completed, the number of originals judging means judges the number of the originals, and based on the determined number of the originals, the combining method designating means 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus changes or determines the combining method. 3. An original data read from the original reading means, and another synthesizing method specifying means for specifying at least one synthesizing method of the external data inputted from outside and the original read by the original reading means. And a document number determining means for determining the number of the documents, wherein after the reading operation of the document reading means is completed, the document number determining means determines the number of the documents and based on the determined number of the documents. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the other combining method designating means changes or determines the combining method.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the combining method includes a continuous reading combining mode, a specific page inserting mode, a cover combining mode, and an external data combining mode in the original reading operation. 3. The image forming apparatus according to 3. 5. The visualization unit according to claim 2, wherein the visualization unit performs a visualization operation on the transfer sheet using a combination method designated by the combination method designation unit.
An image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. 6. A document transporting step of transporting a plurality of loaded documents to a reading position, a document reading step of reading the transported document, and a converting step of converting the read document into image data. A storage step of storing the converted image data, and a visualization step of visualizing the converted image data on a transfer sheet, wherein in the document reading step, the plurality of conveyed originals are conveyed in the original reading step. Reading, converting the read original into image data in the conversion step, performing each operation of storing the converted image data in the storage step a plurality of times, and performing the reading operation, the converting operation, and the storing. Performing the visualizing operation in the visualizing step after performing the performing operation a plurality of times. 7. A combining method designating step of designating a combining method of the image data corresponding to at least two of the originals read in the original reading step, and a number of the originals read in the original reading step. Determining the number of originals, and determining the number of the originals in the number of originals after the reading operation in the original reading step, and determining the number of the originals in the combining designation step based on the determined number of originals. 7. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the combining method is changed or determined. 8. An external data input from the outside and another synthesizing method designating step for designating at least one synthesizing method of the original read in the original reading step, and the synthesizing method read in the original reading step. A document number determining step of determining the number of documents, and after the reading operation in the document reading step is completed, determining the number of the documents in the document number determining step, based on the determined number of documents, 7. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the combining method is changed or determined in another combining designation step. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the combining method includes a continuous reading combining mode, a specific page inserting mode, a cover combining mode, and an external data combining mode in the original reading operation. 9. The image forming method according to 8. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein in the visualizing step, a visualizing operation is performed on the transfer paper using the synthesizing method specified in the synthesizing method specifying step. Method.