JP2003276285A - Imaging apparatus, its control method, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To match a printing direction of all pages also in the case where a difference of the printing direction causes trouble in double-sided printing, to reduce a paper jamming frequency and to suppress abrasion of parts. <P>SOLUTION: For exerting an effect of obtaining proper output results without inconsistency and without generating the difference of the printing direction or the like in output results of double-sided printing, and for satisfying both this effect and the effect of improving a productivity and preventing jamming, a CPU 103 of an imaging apparatus 109 controls on the basis of a control program stored in a ROM 104 to print all pages in a double-sided printing sequence when a total printing number is an odd number, and the double-sided printing and one-sided printing are set to have the printing direction matched, and to print a last page in a one-sided printing sequence when the total printing number is an odd number, the double-sided printing and one-sided printing are not set to have the printing direction matched, and a printing page is the last page. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a double-sided printable image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, a storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of performing double-sided printing by an image forming apparatus, first, one side of a sheet of paper is printed, and a semi-finished double-sided printing sheet with one side printed is held in an intermediate tray,
There is a method of performing printing on the other side of the paper by reversing the paper (first double-sided printing example). Further, as another method of performing double-sided printing by the image forming apparatus, after printing on one side of the sheet, the sheet is conveyed to the sheet reversing path and the sheet is reversed to perform printing on the other side of the sheet. There is a method (second double-sided printing example).

For convenience of the second double-sided printing example, the operation of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 2 used in the embodiment of the present invention as an example. FIG. 2 schematically shows a color image forming apparatus including four photosensitive drums. When double-sided printing is started, first, the paper cassette 221
More paper is picked up. The paper is transported Y
MCK (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) is printed on one side of the sheet through four photosensitive drums, that is, YMCK image formation is performed. The paper for which printing on one side is completed is once discharged from the paper discharge port and is switched back to be conveyed to the paper inversion path. Then, the sheet is reversed, and YMCK image formation is also performed on the other side of the sheet. After that, the paper for which printing on both sides is completed is ejected from the paper ejection port.

An advantage of the second double-sided printing example is that it does not require an intermediate tray for receiving the semi-finished double-sided printing paper as mentioned in the first double-sided printing example. However, in both the first double-sided printing example and the second double-sided printing example, the paper is re-conveyed even when there is only a single-sided print image such as a document print in which the total number of printed sheets is odd. Therefore, problems such as an increase in the frequency of occurrence of paper jams and a decrease in durability due to wear of parts for paper transportation have occurred due to wasteful paper transportation.

In order to deal with the problem, in the conventional printing apparatus, the page image determining means for determining whether or not there is an image to be printed on the page and the print image only on one side of the page by the page image determining means. A printing control unit that performs a single-sided printing process without recirculating the paper that is determined not to be provided is provided. As a result, since the single-sided printing process is performed for the sheet for which only one-sided printing is designated, it is possible to prevent wasteful conveyance of the sheet, reduce paper jams, and prevent deterioration of durability due to component wear (for example, See Patent Document 1.).

[0006]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-254471

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has the following problems. That is, according to the above-mentioned conventional technique, the control is performed so that the single-sided printing process is performed for all the sheets determined to have the print image on only one side. However, when the above control is applied to perforated paper with holes for binding sheets or preprinted paper on which an image is printed in advance, the problem that the printing directions are different due to a mechanical problem of double-sided printing There is. This problem will be briefly explained using FIG. 7.
Here, a 5-page document (first sheet (first page,
Consider a case where double-sided printing is performed on a second sheet (second page), a second sheet (third page, fourth page), and a third sheet (fifth page). In the above-described control method of the related art, since the third sheet has a print image on only one side (fifth page), printing is performed according to the one-sided printing sequence.

In the printing operation, first, the first sheet of paper is picked up and the image of the second page is printed. afterwards,
After the sheet is conveyed to the sheet reversing path and the sheet is reversed, the image of the first page is printed and discharged to the discharge tray. Similarly, for the second sheet, the images are printed in the order of the fourth page and the third page, and the images are ejected to the paper ejection tray. Finally, for the third sheet, the double-sided printing sequence is switched to the single-sided printing sequence, and after printing the image of the fifth page,
The paper is ejected to the paper ejection tray. When the three ejected sheets are aligned with the binding holes, the printing direction of the fifth page is reversed as shown on the right side of FIG. 7. The problem that the printing direction is reversed is also a problem that occurs in preprinted paper on which an image is printed in advance.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, a storage medium, and a program that solve the above-mentioned problems.

Further, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of aligning the print directions of all pages, a control method therefor, a storage medium, even when the print direction discrepancy in double-sided printing poses a problem. The second purpose is to provide a program.

Further, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, a storage medium, and an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the frequency of paper jam and suppressing the wear of parts even when the printing directions in double-sided printing are different from each other are provided. And the third purpose is to provide a program.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of the sheet. A sheet number determining means for determining whether the number of sheets is an even number or an odd number, a print direction setting means for setting for aligning the print directions of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing, and the total number of printed sheets by the number of sheet determining means. Is determined to be an odd number and the print direction setting means sets the print directions to be uniform, the print control means controls the printing of all pages in the double-sided printing sequence.

The present invention is also an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of a sheet, wherein the sheet is printed second in a double-sided printing sequence. The one-sided judging means for judging whether or not there is print data to be printed on two sides, the printing direction setting means for setting the printing directions for the two-sided printing and the one-sided printing, and the one-sided judging means. The second paper
If it is determined that there is no print data to be printed on one side and the setting for aligning the printing directions is not made by the printing direction setting means, printing is performed in the single-sided printing sequence, otherwise, in the double-sided printing sequence. And a print control unit for controlling printing.

Further, the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of the sheet, and determines whether or not the total number of printed sheets is an even number. A number of sheets determining means, a printing direction setting means for making settings for aligning the printing directions of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing, and the total number of printed sheets is judged to be an odd number by the number of sheets judging means and the printing is performed by the printing direction setting means. The present invention is characterized by having a print control unit that controls printing in a single-sided printing sequence even when settings are made to align the directions.

The present invention is also an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of a sheet, wherein the sheet is printed second in a double-sided printing sequence. If the print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet is judged not to exist by the single-sided judging means, the single-sided judging means for judging whether or not the print data to be printed on the second side exists A printing control unit that controls printing on a sheet to be printed in a single-sided printing sequence is provided.

Further, the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of double-sided printing of a job consisting of a plurality of pages, which is included in a predetermined page in the job in which the double-sided print mode is set and in the job other than the predetermined page. A first mode in which all pages are processed in a double-sided print sequence, pages other than the predetermined page included in the job in which the double-sided print mode is set are processed in the double-sided print sequence, and the predetermined page is processed in a single-sided print sequence. And a control means for selectively executing the second mode processed in step 1.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First, an outline of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the embodiment of the present invention described below, in an image forming apparatus equipped with a mechanism for switching between double-sided printing and single-sided printing, switching between double-sided printing and single-sided printing is performed when a difference in the printing directions in double-sided printing is a problem. By realizing the control method not performed, it is possible to align the printing directions of all pages, and it is possible to reduce the frequency of paper jams and suppress wear of parts. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. The image forming apparatus 109 includes a host interface unit 102, a CPU 103, a ROM 104, and an R.
AM 105, paper feed mechanism unit 106, image output unit 107,
The bus 108 is provided. Reference numeral 101 in the drawing denotes a host computer which is an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus 109 so as to be capable of data communication.

In detail, the host computer 101 creates a document and notifies the image forming apparatus 109 of a document print request. In the image forming apparatus 109, the host interface unit 102 is configured as a serial interface circuit, a parallel interface circuit, or a LAN interface circuit, and sends a document print request from the host computer 101 to the CPU 1
Tell 03. In addition, the host interface unit 102
Conversely, the information of the image forming apparatus 109 is also transmitted to the host computer 101. The ROM 104 stores a control program for controlling the operation of each unit.
The RAM 105 stores a control program,
The print image transmitted from the host computer 101 to the image forming apparatus 109 is stored.

The image output unit 107 forms the print image stored in the RAM 105 on the photosensitive drum by scanning the laser beam. The paper feed mechanism unit 106 controls the rollers for paper conveyance provided in each unit of the paper conveyance system to convey the paper in accordance with the formation of the print image on the photosensitive drum. The sheet is conveyed to the transfer position of the photosensitive drum on which the print image is formed, so that the image is transferred to the sheet and the printing is completed. CPU103 is R
Based on the control program stored in the OM 104, each of these parts is controlled. Further, the CPU 103 executes the processing shown in each flowchart described later based on the control program. The bus 108 connects the respective units in the image forming apparatus 109 and is used as a communication path.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic internal structure of the image forming apparatus 109 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 109 includes a sheet discharge tray 201, a sheet discharge roller / conveyance path switching roller 202 for double-sided printing, an operation panel 203, a conveyance roller 204, a sheet discharge sensor 205, a fixing device 206, a double-sided conveyance roller, in each part of the housing. 207, 208, 210,
211, conveying path 209 for double-sided printing, rotating roller 212,
213, 214, 215, paper transport belt 216, suction roller 217, cassette clutch 218, manual feed tray 219, manual paper feed clutch 220, paper cassette 22.
1, a paper feed roller 222, a manual paper feed roller 223, image recording units 225, 226, 227 and 228, and a registration shutter 229.

The operation panel 203 will be described in detail.
A switch for allowing the user to give various instructions, an LED display for displaying messages and setting contents of the image forming apparatus 109, an LCD display, and the like are provided in the.
The paper cassette 221 holds the paper (recording medium) 224, and has a mechanism for electrically detecting the paper size by a partition plate (not shown). Cassette clutch 2
18 is a sheet 224 placed on the sheet cassette 221.
It has a cam that takes out the uppermost one of the sheets and conveys the taken-out sheet 224 to the sheet feeding roller 222 by a driving force transmitted from a driving unit (not shown). The cam intermittently rotates each time the paper is fed, and feeds one sheet 224 corresponding to one rotation.

The paper feed roller 222 is a roller that conveys the leading end of the paper 224 to the registration shutter 229.
The registration shutter 229 can stop the sheet feeding by pressing the sheet 224. Bypass tray 21
Reference numeral 9 is for placing a sheet when manually feeding. The manual paper feed clutch 220 is for conveying the leading end of the paper 224 to the manual paper feed roller 223. The manual paper feed roller 223 is for conveying the leading end of the paper 224 to the registration shutter 229.
The sheet 224 to be used for image recording is fed by selecting one of the sheet cassette 221 and the manual feed tray 219.

Image recording units 225, 226, 227, 22
Reference numeral 8 has a photosensitive drum, a toner holding portion, etc., and forms a toner image on the paper 224 by an electrophotographic process. In addition, the image recording units 225, 226, 22
A laser scanner unit is provided in each of 7, 228, and image information is supplied by a laser beam. On the sides of the image recording units 225, 226, 227, and 228, the paper 22
A paper transport belt 216 that transports 4 is stretched flat in the paper transport direction (from the bottom to the top in FIG. 2) by a plurality of rotating rollers 212 to 215. Paper transport belt 21
In the uppermost stream portion of 6, the sheet is electrostatically attracted to the sheet conveying belt 216 by the attracting roller 217 to which the bias is applied. In addition, the image recording units 225, 226, 22
In each of 7, 7 and 228, a charging device and a developing device are arranged so as to sequentially surround the periphery of the photosensitive drum.

The fixing device 206 includes image recording units 225 and 22.
The toner image formed on the paper 224 is thermally fixed by 6, 227, and 228. The transport roller 204 is configured to feed the paper 22.
4 is conveyed to the discharge tray 201 side. Paper ejection sensor 205
Detects the discharge state of the sheet 224. The paper ejection roller / double-sided printing conveyance path switching roller 202 conveys the paper 224 in the paper ejection direction. When the paper 224 is instructed to be ejected, the paper 224 is directly ejected.
When the paper 224 is ejected to the both sides and the conveyance instruction of the paper 224 is double-sided
Immediately after the trailing edge of the paper 224 has passed the paper discharge sensor 205, the rotation direction of the paper 224 is changed to the opposite direction and switched back, whereby the paper 224 is conveyed to the double-sided printing conveyance path 209.
Transport to.

The double-sided printing conveyance path 209 is a conveyance path along which the paper 224 is conveyed during double-sided printing. The paper 224 that has been conveyed through the double-sided printing conveyance path 209 for double-sided printing by the paper ejection roller / double-sided printing conveyance path switching roller 202 is
After being conveyed again to the registration shutter 229 by the double-sided conveyance rollers 207, 208, 210, 211, it waits for a conveyance instruction to the image recording units 225, 226, 227, 228.

Next, the double-sided printing process in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of double-sided / single-sided printing switching of double-sided printing according to the first embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is performed by the CPU 10 of the image forming apparatus.
3 executes based on the control program stored in the ROM 104.

This double-sided printing process is a process for switching between double-sided printing and single-sided printing according to the situation and performing double-sided printing with the printing directions aligned. Note that FIG. 3 shows processing after the image forming apparatus receives data from the host computer and generates a print image. In addition, the "perforated paper mode" below, which aligns the printing direction for double-sided printing and single-sided printing for perforated paper (pre-punched sheet) with holes for binding paper, is specified by the printer driver on the host computer side. There is a method and a method of designating with the operation panel 203 on the image forming apparatus side. The present invention can be applied by either method.

First, in step S101, the CPU 103 of the image forming apparatus prints the total number of print data received from the host computer via the host interface unit 102 (that is, the total number of pages of all pages included in one job). Determines whether is even. If it is determined in step S101 that the total number of printed sheets is an even number,
Since it is not necessary to switch between double-sided printing and single-sided printing,
In step S102, the CPU 103 causes the image recording unit to print all pages in the double-sided printing sequence.

The "double-sided printing sequence" in this embodiment means, for example, that the printing order of two pages of original data to be printed on both sides of one recording sheet is 2N.
This is a sequence for printing in the order of the page, the (2N-1) th page (if there are three or more pages to be printed, the printing order of the 2Nth page and the (2N-1) th page is repeated in units of two pages. ). Further, after printing on one of the front and back sides of the recording paper, the front and back sides of the recording paper are reversed through a sheet reversing unit (including the double-sided printing conveyance path 209), and then the second surface of the recording paper is reversed. This is a sequence in which the sheet reversing operation is interveningly executed in a series of print processing steps such as printing on the sheet and discharging.

The above will be described with a specific example. In the case where one job prints four pages of an original on both sides of two recording surfaces, if all pages are processed in the double-sided printing sequence, the following processing is performed. Printing the image of the second page on one side of the first sheet of recording paper → Reversing the front and back of the recording paper → Printing the image of the first page on the other side of the recording paper → The first sheet of the recording paper Eject recording paper → 2
Printing the image of the fourth page on one side of the recording paper → Reversing the front and back of the recording paper → Printing the image of the third page on the other side of the recording paper → Recording the second sheet Eject the paper. In this way, the CPU 103 controls each unit.

If it is determined in step S101 that the total number of printed sheets is odd, the process proceeds to step S103, and the CPU 103 determines whether the perforated paper mode is designated.

The "perforated paper mode" means that a sheet to be printed is preliminarily punched (punched).
This is a mode in which a sheet of a type (also referred to as a pre-punched sheet) is used, and a mode in which a printing process is performed on the pre-punched sheet. The setting method of the mode is to select the paper feed tray in which the pre-punched sheet is stored in the "Paper selection" setting item on the print setting screen (not shown) when setting the printing conditions, or to print. The user selects "pre-punched sheet" by specifying the media type of the sheet to be printed. As a result, the perforated paper mode is designated and set as the print setting condition.

By confirming the print setting conditions from the operation unit by the user, the CPU 103 confirms whether or not the perforated paper mode has been designated by the determination in step S103. In addition, as information of a plurality of paper feed stages included in the image forming apparatus, information about what type of sheet is stored in each paper feed stage (media size information that specifies the size of the sheet, sheet type, etc. The specified media type information) is stored in advance in the memory. By reading out and referring to the memory information, the CPU 103 confirms which type of sheet is stored in which sheet feeding unit, and determines the sheet to be printed based on the sheet feeding stage information and the user setting conditions. The selection process and the print process for the sheet of the selected paper feed unit are executed.

When it is determined in step S103 that the perforated paper mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S105, and the CPU 103 prints all pages by the image recording unit in the double-sided printing sequence.

By the processing in step S105, the following control is performed. For example, when the total number of printed pages in one job is 5, the CPU 103 first sets 1
A printer that processes the 4th to 4th pages, one on the front and one on the back of the recording paper, and in units of two pages for each recording paper according to the above-described double-sided sequence (including control of the printing order and reversal processing of the recording paper). Unit, the reversing unit (including the double-sided printing conveyance path 209), etc.
The type of recording paper to be used here is the above step S10.
After determining YES in 3), the pre-punched sheet is controlled to be selected as a recording sheet. As a result, double-sided printing of two sheets of recording paper is executed.

Then, only the fifth page, which is the final page, is printed on the third recording sheet. Where 3
Although only the printing process for one page (printing of the fifth page) is executed on the first recording sheet, the CPU 103
The single-sided printing sequence is not executed, and the double-sided sequence is processed in the same manner as other pages. in this case,
The image of the fifth page is printed on one surface of the third recording paper, and then the front and back of the recording paper is reversed by the sheet reversing unit (including the double-sided printing conveyance path 209).
Then, the discharge operation of the third recording sheet is executed with the recording surface on which the image of the fifth page is printed facing downward. In this way, when the image of the fifth page is printed on the recording sheet, the reversing process of the recording sheet by the reversing unit is executed by the double-sided sequence in the printing of the fifth page.

The recording paper used in this series of recording processing is pre-punched paper as described above. Therefore, the last page included in the job in which the total number of printed pages is an odd number of pages is controlled to be processed in the double-sided sequence like the other pages without performing the single-sided printing sequence. As a result, in the output result, there is no inconvenience that the punch position is not aligned with other pages and the final page, and the proper output result in which all pages have the same image orientation, print direction, punch position, etc. Can be obtained.

If it is determined in step S103 that the perforated paper mode is not designated, the process proceeds to step S104, and the CPU 103 determines whether the page to be printed is the last page. When determining in step S104 that the page to be printed is not the final page, the CPU 103 causes the image recording unit to print two pages (one sheet) in the double-sided printing sequence. After printing is completed, the process returns to step S104, and the CPU 103 determines again whether the page to be printed is the final page. If it is determined in step S104 that the page to be printed is the final page (only one page is printed), the process proceeds to step S107, and the CPU 10
In No. 3, the image recording unit prints the final page in the one-sided printing sequence, and the printing is completed.

The "single-sided printing sequence" will be described. The one-sided printing sequence is different from the above-mentioned two-sided printing sequence, is a sequence in which printing is performed in the print order of (2N-1) pages and 2N pages (printing is performed in order from the first page to the first page). In the processing step, the sequence is such that the recording sheet on which printing has been performed is discharged to the discharge section as it is without executing the above-described processing for reversing the front and back sides of the recording sheet by the sheet reversing unit.

Steps S104 and S10 described above
6. The following control is performed by the processing in step S107. For example, when the total number of printed pages in one job is 5, the CPU 103 first reads 4 pages from the first page.
The pages up to the page are processed by the above-mentioned double-sided sequence (including control of printing order, recording paper reversal processing, etc.) in units of two pages for each recording paper by controlling the front and back of the recording paper by the control of step S104. The printer unit, the reversing unit, and the like are controlled (note that the type of recording paper to be used here is controlled so that an appropriate recording paper other than the pre-punched sheet is selected according to the determination result of step S103). As a result, double-sided printing of two sheets of recording paper is executed.

Then, only the fifth page, which is the final page, is printed on the third recording sheet (the recording sheet other than the pre-punched sheet is also used). Where the CPU
Unlike the previous control, step 103 does not execute the above-mentioned double-sided sequence like other pages, and step 107
In the printing of the fifth page, the print processing is executed in the single-sided print sequence. In this case, if you print the image of the 5th page on one side of the 3rd recording paper,
Without performing the reversing operation of the recording paper as described above, the discharging operation is executed to the discharging tray outside the machine through the sheet conveying path as it is. As a result, the last page can be printed in a single-sided print sequence, so that the output results can be discharged faster, productivity is improved, and the period of passing through the in-machine transport path is shortened. Can be lowered. In this way, productivity improvement and jam prevention can be achieved.

In addition, in this embodiment, the step S
105, a series of controls for "processing all pages in one job including the final page in a double-sided printing sequence" (first
Print mode), and "process pages other than the last page in one job in the double-sided printing sequence and process the last page in the single-sided sequence" in steps S106 and S107. Both of them are provided so that both controls (both modes) can be selectively executed, and the CPU 103 determines which control (mode) to execute based on the determination result of step S101 or the determination result of step S103. As a result, in order to obtain the effect of improving productivity and preventing jam, the punch positions are not aligned when printing on pre-punched paper, and an improper output result such as a discrepancy in the printing direction between pages occurs. It is possible to obtain an appropriate output result having no inconsistency in the punch position and the printing direction without causing problems such as the above. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the effect of improving productivity and preventing jam and the effect of obtaining a proper output result without contradiction.

A concrete control example by the processing of the flow chart of FIG. 3 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

In FIG. 8, the double-sided print mode is set by the user for a print job (1 job) consisting of document data for 5 pages, and the user selects the perforated paper mode or preselects in the paper selection mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control example and an output result in the case where a sheet to be printed is a pre-punched sheet due to selection of punched sheets or the like.

The CPU 103 acquires, as the attribute information of the job to be printed, page number information for specifying how many pages the job is made up of. As a method of acquiring the information, the information may be acquired from a document number counter (not shown) that counts the number of documents of an input job included in the apparatus, or may be obtained based on print attribute information from a PC that is an input source. Is also good. At the same time, the print setting information including the image forming mode for the job is acquired based on the setting information by the user.

As a result, the CPU 103 determines that the job is an odd page job consisting of 5 pages, and
Make sure that the duplex print mode is set for the job, and that the sheet to be used as print paper in the job is a pre-punched sheet (pre-punched mode is selected as the image forming mode). The information is confirmed and held in the memory as print setting conditions (job information, attribute information) of the job.

Then, the CPU 103 executes the processing of the job according to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 3 based on the above information and the like. That is, the CPU 103 causes the print processing steps of all pages of the job including the original pages 1 to 4 corresponding to pages other than the final page of the job and the final page to be processed in the double-sided printing sequence. (Execution of the first mode).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the data of the first page and the data of the second page are printed on the front and back sides of the first recording sheet in the first page in the printing order for the above-mentioned double-sided sequence. And the printing process of the second page and the process of interposing the reversing process of the recording paper by the reversing unit are performed in the double-sided printing sequence, and then the data of the third page and the fourth page are recorded. The front and back sides of the paper are processed in a double-sided printing sequence including the print processing of the third and fourth pages in the print order for the above-described double-sided sequence and the processing of interposing the reversal processing by the reversing unit, and then the final page. Data of the 5th page which is 3
The double-sided printing sequence including the printing process for the fifth page and the process for interposing the reversing process by the reversing unit on the first recording sheet is controlled.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to obtain an output result in which there is no discrepancy in the printing directions and the punch positions are appropriate and consistent.

Next, the control example of FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which the double-sided print mode is set by the user for a print job (1 job) including document data for five pages, and the perforated paper mode is not selected by the user, or the paper selection setting. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a control example and an output result in the case where the sheet to be printed is a sheet (plain paper or the like) other than the pre-punched sheet due to selection of a sheet other than the pre-punched sheet in FIG.

The CPU 103 acquires the attribute information of the job to be printed, the print setting information by the user, and the like as in the example of FIG. As a result, the CPU 103 determines that the job is an odd-page job consisting of five pages, that the duplex print mode has been set for the job, and that the sheet to be used as print paper in the job. Is a sheet of a media type other than the pre-punched sheet (plain paper, etc.), etc. (whether the pre-punch mode is not selected as the image forming mode), and the above information is used to set the print setting conditions of the job. Hold in memory as.

Then, the CPU 103 executes the processing of the job according to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 3 based on the above information and the like. That is, in the print processing steps of the first to fourth original pages corresponding to pages other than the last page of the job, the double-sided printing sequence is performed, and in the fifth page print processing step corresponding to the last page, the single-sided printing sequence is performed. Process (execution of the second mode).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the data of the first page and the data of the second page are printed on the front and back sides of the first recording sheet.
Processing is performed in the double-sided printing sequence including the print processing for the first and second pages and the processing for interposing the reversing processing by the reversing unit in the above-described printing order for the double-sided sequence, and then for the third and fourth pages. Data and a double-sided printing sequence including front and back sides of the second recording sheet, including the printing process for the third and fourth pages in the printing sequence for the double-sided sequence described above and the process for interposing the reversing process by the reversing unit. Processed, then the 5th page data, which is the last page, is printed on the 3rd sheet of recording paper.
The single-sided printing sequence is controlled so as to include the print processing of the page and the discharge processing in which the reverse processing by the reverse unit is prohibited (the discharge is performed without intervention of the reverse processing).

As a result, the output result as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained, and the number of times, time and opportunity for the recording paper to pass through the reversing unit pass, so that the output time and the jam occurrence rate can be shortened. Since the recording paper is not a recording paper in which the printing direction is already regulated before printing, such as pre-punched paper, the discrepancy between the printing directions cannot occur. Therefore, also in this case, an appropriate output result can be obtained.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, by designating the perforated paper mode, even if the total number of printed sheets is odd, the last page of the print job is Printing is performed in the double-sided printing sequence in the same manner as pages other than the last page of the job. As a result, it is possible to solve the problem that the printing directions of the single-sided printing and the double-sided printing are different due to the mechanical problem of the image forming apparatus. If the perforated paper mode is not specified, the pages other than the last page of the print job are printed in the double-sided printing sequence, and the last page is printed in the single-sided printing sequence, so that the paper is wastefully conveyed for double-sided printing. Since it does not pass through the path 209, it is possible to reduce the frequency of paper jams and prevent component wear.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment (see FIG. 1) and the schematic internal structure of the image forming apparatus (see FIG. 2) are the same as those of the first embodiment, and are described above. Therefore, the description is omitted.

In the first embodiment, the double-sided printing sequence is switched to the single-sided printing sequence only when the total number of printed sheets is odd and the final page (predetermined page in the print job). In the second embodiment, the second sheet of the next sheet is printed every time one sheet of paper is printed.
Whether or not there is print data to be printed on the first side, and if there is no print data to be printed on the second side of the next sheet and the perforated paper mode is not set, printing is performed in a single-sided printing sequence. This is effective, for example, to control unnecessary paper conveyance when blank pages are mixed in a series of documents for which double-sided printing is designated.

Here, the case where there is no print data to be printed on the second side of the next sheet means the case of a blank page or the case of the last page. The second surface refers to the surface on which the second printing is performed in the double-sided printing sequence. For example, in the case of a print job including print data for 6 pages, the second, fourth, and sixth pages (corresponding to the 2Nth page) correspond to the second printed surface of each recording sheet. Further, in this case, the first, third, and fifth pages (corresponding to the (2N-1) th page) are the first side, and the first side of the recording paper is printed.

Next, the double-sided printing process in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of double-sided / single-sided printing switching in double-sided printing according to the second embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is performed by the CPU 10 of the image forming apparatus.
3 executes based on the control program stored in the ROM 104.

First, in step S201, the CPU 103 of the image forming apparatus determines whether or not there is print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet to be printed. If it is determined in step S201 that there is print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet, the process proceeds to step S202 and CP
U103 prints one sheet in a double-sided printing sequence by the image recording unit. As a result, the CPU 103 may, for example, print the (2N-1) th page of the print job and
When printing the page on the front and back of the Nth recording sheet, each page is printed in the double-sided printing sequence.

If it is determined in step S201 that there is no print data to be printed on the second surface of the paper (the surface corresponding to the 2Nth page), the process proceeds to step S203 and the CPU 10
Step 3 determines whether the perforated paper mode is designated. The determination is step S in the first embodiment.
The determination is made in the same manner as 103.

If it is determined in step S203 that the perforated paper mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S204, and the CPU 103 causes the image recording unit to perform printing in the following double-sided printing sequence. CPU 103
For example, if the (2N-1) th page of the print job
When printing the Nth page and each side of the Nth recording sheet, even if there is no image data to be printed on the page corresponding to the 2Nth page (such as when the 2Nth page is a blank page), the recording is performed. Since the paper is a recording paper (pre-punched sheet) selected by designating the perforated paper mode, the Nth recording paper is printed in the double-sided printing sequence. In this case, there is no image on the 2Nth page. Therefore, although only the (2N-1) th page is printed on the Nth recording sheet and the printing operation itself of the 2Nth page is not performed,
As a double-sided printing sequence, the recording paper is reversed by the reversing unit.

If it is determined in step S203 that the perforated paper mode has not been designated, step S2
In step 05, the CPU 103 causes the image recording unit to perform printing in the following single-sided printing sequence. CPU1
Reference numeral 03 denotes image data to be printed on the page corresponding to the 2Nth page, for example, when the (2N-1) th page and the 2Nth page of the print job are printed on each side of the Nth recording sheet. If there is no sheet (for example, if the 2Nth page is a blank page), the recording sheet does not correspond to the recording sheet selected by the perforated sheet mode designation (because it is not a pre-punched sheet), the Nth sheet. Only the (2N-1) th page is printed on the recording paper, and the N-th recording paper is not passed through the sheet reversing unit as a single-sided printing sequence (reversing the front and back sides of the recording paper). Discharge to the output tray outside the machine (without performing processing).

After the printing of one sheet is completed, the process proceeds to step S206, and the CPU 103 determines whether the printing up to the final page is completed (processing for all recording sheets for one print job). Is determined). If it is determined in step S206 that printing has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S201,
After that, the same processing as described above is performed. For example, if one print job is composed of print data for 6 pages, one page of recording paper corresponds to 2 pages, and therefore the above series of processing is repeated three times for three sheets of recording paper. If it is determined in step S206 that printing has been completed, this processing ends.

As described above, the present embodiment is (2N-
1) When printing the print data of the page 2 and the print data of the 2Nth page on each recording surface of the Nth recording sheet, “(2N−1) th page and 2Nth page of 2Nth page Even if there is no data to be printed (in the case of a blank page), the N-th recording paper is printed in the double-sided printing sequence, a series of control (third print mode) and “(2N− 1) If there is no data to be printed on the 2N-th page of the 2nd-page and the 2N-th page (in the case of a blank page), the N-th recording sheet is printed in the single-sided printing sequence. " A fourth print mode), and both controls (both modes) can be selectively executed.
The CPU 103 determines which control (mode) to execute, based on the determination result of step S203.

A specific control example by the processing of the flow chart of FIG. 4 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

In FIG. 10, a double-sided print mode is set by the user for a print job (1 job) in which the fourth page is blank page data and five pages of document data, and the user selects the perforated paper mode. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a control example and an output result in the case where the sheet to be printed is a pre-punched sheet due to selection of a pre-punched sheet or the like in the paper selection mode.

The CPU 103 acquires the attribute information of the job to be printed, the print setting information by the user, and the like, as in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment. Based on the attribute information, it is possible to recognize whether or not there is a blank page in the job and how many pages are blank pages. As a result, the CPU 103 determines that the job is an odd page job consisting of five pages, that the duplex print mode has been set for the job, and that the fourth page is blank sheet data (no image is present). ), And
It is confirmed that the sheet to be used as print paper in the job is a pre-punched sheet, and the like, and these pieces of information are held in the memory as print setting conditions for the job.

Then, the CPU 103 executes the print processing of the job according to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 4 based on the above information and the like. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 103 performs the following control. First, 1
The first and second pages are processed in a double-sided printing sequence including the print processing of the first and second pages in the double-sided printing order and the reversing processing of the recording paper by the reversing unit, and then two sheets are printed. At the time of the print processing step for the second recording sheet, although the fourth page corresponding to the second surface of the recording sheet is a blank page, since the recording sheet is a pre-punched sheet, the third page and the fourth page. The eyes are processed in a double-sided printing sequence including the printing process of the third page and the reversing process of the recording paper by the reversing unit (when printing on the second recording paper, the fourth page is blank, The second page is not printed, but only the third page is printed on the first side of the recording paper.) It is the final page in the print processing step for the third recording paper. 5 The over-di th is treated with double-sided printing sequence including inversion processing of the recording sheet by the fifth page of the print processing and the reversing unit (execution of the third mode).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, even if a blank page is included in the intermediate page, there is no discrepancy in the printing directions, and the punch position can obtain an appropriate output result without contradiction.

Next, the control example of FIG. 11 will be described.
In FIG. 11, the double-sided print mode is set by the user for a print job (one job) in which the fourth page is blank page data and document data for five pages, and the perforated paper mode is not selected by the user. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a control example and an output result in a case where the sheet to be printed is a sheet (plain paper or the like) other than the pre-punched sheet due to a state or a sheet other than the pre-punched sheet is selected in the sheet selection setting. Is.

The CPU 103 acquires the attribute information of the job to be printed, the print setting information by the user, and the like, as in FIG. 8 of the first embodiment. This makes CP
In U103, the job is an odd page job consisting of five pages, the duplex print mode is set for the job, and the fourth page is blank data (no image). And that the sheet to be used as the print sheet in the job is a sheet other than the pre-punched sheet (plain paper, etc.), and holds this information in the memory as print setting conditions for the job. .

Then, the CPU 103 causes the print processing of the job according to the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 4 to be executed based on the above information and the like. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, in the print processing step for the first recording sheet, the second page corresponding to the second side of the recording sheet is not a blank page (there is an image). 1st and 2nd pages are the 1st and 2nd pages in the printing order for both sides.
A double-sided printing sequence including each print processing of the page and the reversal processing of the recording paper by the reversing unit is performed. Then, in the print processing step for the second recording paper, the second recording paper of the second recording paper is processed. Since the fourth page corresponding to the surface is a blank page and the recording sheet is not a pre-punched sheet, the third and fourth pages are printed and the recording sheet is reversed by the reversing unit. Use a single-sided printing sequence that includes the process of ejecting as it is without intervening the process. (When printing on the second sheet of recording paper, the fourth page is blank, so printing on the second side of the recording paper itself Not performed). The printing is performed in a single-sided printing sequence including the printing process of the fifth page of the final page and the process of ejecting the recording paper by the reversing unit without interposing it (the fourth mode is executed).

As a result, the output result shown in FIG. 11 is obtained, and the number of times, time, and opportunities for the recording paper to pass through the reversing unit pass, so that the output time and the jam occurrence rate can be shortened. Further, the effect of the fourth mode can be achieved while the effect of the third mode is achieved.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, not only the last page but also the second side of the sheet (corresponding to the 2Nth page for the Nth recording sheet) ) For which there is no print data to be printed, the single-sided printing sequence is performed on the paper to be processed, provided that the paper is a sheet other than the sheet selected in the perforated paper mode. . Therefore, it is necessary to determine the presence / absence of print data every time one sheet of paper is printed. However, in comparison with the first embodiment, the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the paper jam can be further reduced. It is possible to suppress the occurrence frequency and prevent wear of parts. When the perforated paper mode is designated, even if there is no print data to be printed on the second surface of the paper (corresponding to the 2Nth page for the Nth recording paper), the processing target Since printing is performed on the paper in the double-sided printing sequence, there is no discrepancy in the printing direction.

[Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment (see FIG. 1) and the schematic internal structure of the image forming apparatus (see FIG. 2) are the same as those of the first embodiment, and are described above. Therefore, the description is omitted.

In the first and second embodiments, in the case of the perforated paper mode (when the discrepancy in the printing directions is a problem), the problem is dealt with by not switching from double-sided printing to single-sided printing. Was. In the third embodiment, in the case of the perforated paper mode, the print image of the last page is vertically inverted to eliminate the discrepancy in the printing directions, and the printing is performed in the single-sided printing sequence. .

Next, the double-sided printing process in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of double-sided / single-sided printing switching in double-sided printing according to the third embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is performed by the CPU 10 of the image forming apparatus.
3 executes based on the control program stored in the ROM 104.

First, in step S301, the CPU 103 of the image forming apparatus determines whether the total number of printed sheets is an even number. When it is determined in step S301 that the total number of printed sheets is an even number, the process proceeds to step S305, and the CPU 1
In 03, the image recording unit prints all pages in a double-sided printing sequence. If it is determined in step S301 that the total number of printed sheets is odd, the process proceeds to step S302, and the CPU 103 determines whether the current page is the last page. If it is determined in step S302 that the current page is not the last page, step S3
In step S <b> 30, the CPU 103 performs printing by the image recording unit in the double-sided printing sequence, and then again performs step S <b> 30
In step 2, it is determined whether the current page is the last page.

When it is determined in step S302 that the current page is the last page, the process proceeds to step S304, and the CPU 103 determines whether the perforated paper mode is designated. If it is determined in step S304 that the perforated paper mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S306, the CPU 103 vertically inverts the print image of the last page, and the process proceeds to step S307. If it is determined in step S304 that the perforated paper mode has not been designated, the process directly proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the CPU 103 prints the final page in the single-sided printing sequence by the image recording unit regardless of the designation of the perforated paper mode.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the previous embodiment is obtained, and even when the perforated paper mode is designated, the print image is not printed. By performing the upside-down inversion, it is possible to print the odd-numbered last page in the single-sided printing sequence. In this case, in order to vertically invert the print image, it is necessary that the image forming apparatus side has a certain amount of resources.

[Fourth Embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment (see FIG. 1) and the schematic internal structure of the image forming apparatus (see FIG. 2) are the same as those of the first embodiment, and are described above. Therefore, the description is omitted.

In the third embodiment, the print image is turned upside down only on the final page for which the total number of printed sheets is odd and the perforated paper mode is designated. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in the second embodiment, it is confirmed whether or not there is print data to be printed on the second side of the next sheet after every printing of one sheet, and If there is no print data to be printed on the second side of the paper and it is in perforated paper mode,
The print image is turned upside down.

Next, the double-sided printing process in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of double-sided / single-sided printing switching in double-sided printing according to the fourth embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is performed by the CPU 10 of the image forming apparatus.
3 executes based on the control program stored in the ROM 104.

First, in step S401, the CPU 103 of the image forming apparatus determines whether or not there is print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet to be printed. If it is determined in step S401 that there is print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet, the process proceeds to step S404 and CP
U103 performs printing in the double-sided printing sequence by the image recording unit. If it is determined in step S401 that there is no print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet, step S40
In step 2, the CPU 103 determines whether the perforated paper mode has been designated.

If it is determined in step S402 that the perforated paper mode is designated, the process proceeds to step S403, and the CPU 103 vertically inverts the print image of the current page, and then the process proceeds to step S405. . If it is determined in step S402 that the perforated paper mode is not designated, the process directly proceeds to step S405.
In step S405, the CPU 103 causes the image recording unit to perform printing in the single-sided printing sequence. After that, in step S406, the CPU 103 determines whether or not the printing of the final page is completed. If it is determined in step S406 that the last page has not been printed,
Returning to step S401, the same processing as above is performed.
If it is determined in step S406 that the printing of the final page has been completed, this processing ends.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, for the print data only on the first side, the perforated paper mode is not specified.
Print in the single-sided printing sequence with all printing directions aligned. Therefore, even when compared with the first to third embodiments, the same effects as the effects of the above-described embodiment are obtained, and
The frequency of paper jams and wear of parts can be suppressed most. On the other hand, it is necessary to check the presence / absence of print data for each sheet, and the print image may need to be turned upside down even on pages other than the last page. Will be needed.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment,
A method of controlling switching between double-sided printing and single-sided printing by providing a perforated paper mode for aligning the printing directions of double-sided printing and single-sided printing on perforated paper has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. According to the present invention, when a discrepancy between the output results of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing in one print job becomes a problem, for example, a predetermined image such as a form image, a logo, a mark, or a fixed text is printed in advance. Similarly, it is possible to apply a method of controlling switching between double-sided printing and single-sided printing by providing a pre-printed paper mode in which the printing directions are aligned for double-sided printing and single-sided printing on the pre-printed paper. it can.

As for the specific control of this process, for example, the determination in step S103 of FIG. 3 of the flowchart of the first embodiment or the determination of step S203 of FIG. 4 of the flowchart of the second embodiment. The determination, the determination of step S304 of FIG. 5 of the flowchart of the third embodiment, and the determination content of step S402 of the flowchart of FIG. It is replaced in each embodiment with the judgment of "is it a sheet?" Or the judgment of "has the preprinted paper mode been selected?", And other judgments / controls / processes are performed by the CPU 103 as in the respective embodiments. It can be applied by executing it.

Further, the judgment of step S103 in FIG. 3 of the flowchart of the first embodiment, the judgment of step S203 of FIG. 4 in the flowchart of the second embodiment,
Step S of FIG. 5 of the flowchart of the third embodiment
The determination content of 304 or the determination content of step S402 of the flowchart of FIG. 6 of the fourth embodiment is as follows: "If the sheet used for the printing process is a sheet of a predetermined media type including a pre-punched sheet and a pre-printed sheet. It may be replaced with the judgment “Are there?”, And other judgments / controls / processes may be executed by the CPU 103 as in the respective embodiments.

The pre-punched sheet that has been pre-punched, the pre-printed sheet that has been printed with a predetermined image, and the like are sheets for which the proper printing direction is predetermined. Therefore, the above steps are performed by the judgment "whether the sheets need to be aligned in the printing direction?" Or the judgment "whether the printing direction is set?" Or the "pre-punch mode for printing on the pre-punched sheet". And the image forming mode that requires at least one of the image forming modes of the pre-printing mode for printing on the pre-print sheet is set by the user? ”And the like. Similarly, processing may be performed.

As described above, the present embodiment can be variously modified. As a result, the same effects as those of the above-described respective embodiments can be obtained, and it is possible to flexibly meet a wide range of needs and obtain a desired output result of the user.

In the above embodiment, the case where the printing method of the image forming apparatus is the electrophotographic method is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to various printing methods such as an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a heat sensitive method, and an electrostatic method.

In the above embodiment, the case where one image forming apparatus and one information processing apparatus are connected has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to a system in which an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN.

In the above embodiment, the case where the invention is applied to the single-sided / double-sided printing switching control in the image forming apparatus (printer) having only the image forming function has been described (in the case of the printer, an external host which is a data generation source). The above-mentioned control is performed on an input job from a computer), but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention has an image reading function
Single-sided / double-sided printing switching control in an image forming apparatus (copying machine) having an image forming function (in the case of a copying machine, for a job input from an image reading unit such as a scanner as a data generation source having an image reading function) Perform the above control),
It can also be applied to single-sided / double-sided printing switching control in an image forming apparatus (multi-function peripheral) having a plurality of functions such as an image reading function, an image forming function, and a facsimile function (a composite having a copy function, a facsimile function, and a print function). In the case of a copy machine, the above control is performed for the input job from the scanner of the own apparatus in the copy mode, and the above control is performed for the input job from the destination facsimile machine in the facsimile reception print mode. Under the mode, the above control is performed for the input job from the external computer).

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. A medium such as a storage medium that stores a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the medium in the medium such as the storage medium. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the executed program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the medium such as the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the medium such as the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. It will be. As a medium such as a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO.
M, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-
RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, ROM, or download via a network can be used.

Further, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where a part or all of the processing of (1) is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Furthermore, after the program code read from a medium such as a storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the instruction of the program code is given. Based on the above, a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is not included in the present invention. Needless to say.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image forming apparatus equipped with a mechanism that switches between double-sided printing and single-sided printing, if a discrepancy in the printing direction in double-sided printing is a problem, by providing a mode that does not switch the odd last page to single-sided printing, You can align the printing direction of the pages. Also, if the printing directions in double-sided printing are inconsistent, you can perform printing in the single-sided printing sequence while aligning the printing directions by flipping the print image upside down, reducing the frequency of paper jams and wearing parts. It can be suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an image forming apparatus according to first to fourth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to first to fourth embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of double-sided / single-sided printing switching of double-sided printing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of double-sided / single-sided printing switching of double-sided printing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of double-sided / single-sided printing switching of double-sided printing according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of double-sided / single-sided printing switching of double-sided printing according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a difference in printing direction between double-sided printing and single-sided printing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific control example according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific control example according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific control example according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific control example according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Host Computer (External Device) 102 Host Interface Unit 103 CPU (Number of Sheets Judging Means, Printing Direction Setting Means, Final Page Judging Means, Single-Sided Judging Means, End Judging Means, Reversing Means, Printing Control Means, Control Means) 104 ROM 105 RAM 106 paper feed mechanism section 107 image output section 109 image forming apparatus 203 operation panel (print direction setting means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification Code FI Theme Coat (Reference) H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387

Claims (45)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of a sheet, and determining the total number of printed sheets is an even number or an odd number. Means, a printing direction setting means for making settings for aligning the printing directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing, and the total number of printed sheets is judged to be an odd number by the number-of-sheets determining means, and the printing direction is determined by the printing-direction setting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a print control unit that controls to print all pages in a double-sided printing sequence when settings for alignment are made. 2. A final page determination means for determining whether or not the print page is the final page, wherein the print control means determines that the total print number is an odd number by the number determination means and sets the print direction. When the final page determining unit determines that the print page is the final page, the final page determining unit controls the printing of the final page in a single-sided printing sequence. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The setting for aligning the printing directions of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing by the printing direction setting means includes the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing on a perforated paper in which holes for binding the paper are preliminarily formed. Setting of perforated paper mode in which printing is performed by aligning the printing directions with each other, and setting of preprinted paper mode in which printing is performed by aligning the printing directions between the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing on a paper on which an image is printed in advance The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. The setting for aligning the printing directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing can be performed from an external device connected to the image forming apparatus so as to be capable of data communication. 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 3 to 3. 5. An image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of the sheet, wherein the sheet is printed second in a double-sided printing sequence.
Single-sided determining means for determining whether or not there is print data to be printed on one side, print direction setting means for setting to align the print directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing, and the single-sided determining means If it is determined that there is no print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet and the setting for aligning the printing directions has not been made by the printing direction setting means, printing is performed in a single-sided printing sequence, otherwise double-sided printing is performed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a print control unit that controls printing in a print sequence. 6. An end judgment means for judging whether or not printing of the final page is completed is provided.
The image forming apparatus described. 7. The setting for aligning the printing directions of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing by the printing-direction setting means includes the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing on a perforated paper in which holes for binding the paper are preliminarily formed. Setting of perforated paper mode in which printing is performed by aligning the printing directions with each other, and setting of preprinted paper mode in which printing is performed by aligning the printing directions between the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing on a paper on which an image is printed in advance The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: 8. The setting for aligning the printing directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing can be performed from an external device connected to the image forming apparatus so as to be capable of data communication. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 7 to 7. 9. An image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of the sheet, and a sheet number determination means for determining whether or not the total number of printed sheets is an even number. A printing direction setting means for setting the printing directions for the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing, and the total number of printed sheets is determined to be an odd number by the number-of-sheets determining means, and the printing directions are aligned by the printing-direction setting means. And a print control unit that controls printing in a single-sided printing sequence even when the above setting is made. 10. A final page determination means for determining whether or not a print page is the final page, and a reversal means for vertically reversing a print image, wherein the print control means is a total number determination means. When it is determined that the number of printed sheets is an odd number, the final page determining unit determines that the print page is the final page, and the print direction setting unit sets the print direction to be uniform, the reversing unit determines the final page. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print image of the page is turned upside down and then the printing is controlled in a single-sided printing sequence. 11. The setting for aligning the printing directions of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing by the printing-direction setting means includes the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing on a perforated paper in which holes for binding the paper are preliminarily formed. Setting of perforated paper mode in which printing is performed by aligning the printing directions with each other, and setting of preprinted paper mode in which printing is performed by aligning the printing directions between the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing on a paper on which an image is printed in advance The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: 12. The setting for aligning the printing directions of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing can be performed from an external device connected to the image forming apparatus so that data communication can be performed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 11. 13. An image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of the sheet, wherein the sheet is printed second in a double-sided printing sequence.
A single-sided determination unit that determines whether or not print data to be printed on the first side exists; and if the single-sided determination unit determines that there is no print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet, then the second printing is performed. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a print control unit that controls printing on a sheet on which a single-sided printing sequence is performed. 14. A print direction setting means for setting the print directions to be the same for the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing, and a reversing means for reversing a print image upside down. When the one-sided determining means determines that there is no print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet and the print direction setting means makes a setting for aligning the print directions, the reversing means prints the current page. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein after the image is turned upside down, printing is controlled in a single-sided printing sequence. 15. The setting for aligning the printing directions of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing by the printing-direction setting means means the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing on a perforated paper in which holes for binding the paper are preliminarily formed. Setting of perforated paper mode in which printing is performed by aligning the printing directions with each other, and setting of preprinted paper mode in which printing is performed by aligning the printing directions between the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing on a paper on which an image is printed in advance The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: 16. The external device connected to the image forming apparatus so as to be capable of data communication can be set to align the printing directions of the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing. 16. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 15 to 15. 17. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of paper and single-sided printing for printing on one side of paper, the number of sheets for determining whether or not the total number of printed sheets is an even number. If the total number of prints is determined to be an odd number in the determination step and the number of prints determination step and the setting for aligning the printing directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing is made, all pages are printed in the double-sided printing sequence. And a print control step for performing control. 18. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of the sheet, wherein the second printing is performed in a double-sided printing sequence.
A single-sided determination step of determining whether or not print data to be printed on the first side exists, and it is determined in the single-sided determination step that print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet does not exist, and the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing are performed. If the setting for aligning the printing directions is not made in, the printing is performed in a single-sided printing sequence, and in other cases, a printing control step is performed to perform printing in the double-sided printing sequence. . 19. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of paper and single-sided printing for printing on one side of paper, the number of sheets for determining whether or not the total number of printed sheets is an even number. Even if the total number of printed sheets is determined to be an odd number in the determination step and the number-of-sheets determination step and the setting for aligning the printing directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing is made, the control for printing in the single-sided printing sequence is performed. A print control step. 20. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of the sheet, wherein the second printing is performed in a double-sided printing sequence.
A single-sided determination step of determining whether print data to be printed on the first side exists, and if it is determined in the single-sided determination step that print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet does not exist, the second print A printing control step for controlling printing on a sheet to be printed in a single-sided printing sequence. 21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a control method applied to an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of a sheet. In the control method, the total number of printed sheets is determined to be an even number, the total number of printed sheets is determined to be an odd number in the number of sheets determination step, and the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing are performed. And a print control step of performing control to print all pages in a double-sided printing sequence when the settings for aligning the directions are made. 22. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing a control method of an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of paper and single-sided printing for printing on one side of paper. The control method includes a single-sided determination step of determining whether or not print data to be printed exists on the second side of the sheet to be printed second in the double-sided printing sequence, and the second side of the sheet is determined by the single-sided determination step. If it is determined that the print data to be printed does not exist and the setting for aligning the printing directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing is not made, the printing is performed in the single-sided printing sequence, otherwise, the double-sided printing sequence is performed. And a print control step of performing control for printing by the storage medium. 23. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a control method of an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of a sheet, In the control method, the total number of printed sheets is determined to be an even number, a total number of printed sheets is determined to be an odd number in the number of printed sheets determination step, and the printing directions are aligned in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing. And a print control step for performing control for printing in a single-sided printing sequence even when the setting is made. 24. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a control method of an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of a sheet, The control method includes a single-sided determination step of determining whether or not print data to be printed exists on the second side of the sheet to be printed second in the double-sided printing sequence, and the second side of the sheet is determined by the single-sided determination step. And a print control step of performing control to print in a single-sided printing sequence on a sheet to be printed second when it is determined that there is no print data to be printed. 25. A program supplied to an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of paper and single-sided printing for printing on one side of paper, determining whether the total number of printed sheets is an even number If the total number of printed sheets is determined to be an odd number by the number of sheets determination module and the number of sheets determination module, and setting is made to align the printing directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing, all pages are printed in the double-sided printing sequence. A program having a print control module for controlling printing. 26. A program supplied to an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of a sheet, the sheet being printed second in a double-sided printing sequence. Second
A single-sided determination module for determining whether or not print data to be printed on the first side is present, and it is determined in the single-sided determination step that print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet does not exist, and the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing are performed. A program that has a print control module that controls printing in a single-sided printing sequence when the setting for aligning the printing directions is not performed in step 1 and printing in a double-sided printing sequence in other cases. 27. A program supplied to an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of the sheet, and determining whether or not the total number of printed sheets is an even number Control for printing in the single-sided printing sequence even when the total number of printed sheets is judged to be an odd number in the number-of-sheets determination step and the setting for aligning the printing directions in the double-sided printing and the single-sided printing is made. A program having a print control module for performing the program. 28. A program supplied to an image forming apparatus capable of switching between double-sided printing for printing on both sides of a sheet and single-sided printing for printing on one side of a sheet, the sheet being printed second in a double-sided printing sequence. Second
A single-sided determination module that determines whether or not there is print data to be printed on the first side, and if the single-sided determination step determines that there is no print data to be printed on the second side of the sheet, then the second And a print control module that controls printing on a sheet on which a single-sided printing sequence is performed. 29. An image forming apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing of a job having a plurality of pages, wherein a predetermined page in a job for which a double-sided printing mode is set and all pages included in the job other than the predetermined page A first mode in which a double-sided print sequence is processed, a page other than the predetermined page included in the job in which the double-sided print mode is set, is processed in the double-sided print sequence, and the predetermined page is processed in a single-sided print sequence. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that selectively executes two modes. 30. Based on print condition information of the job, wherein the control means has at least information for determining whether the total number of printed sheets of the job is an odd number or an even number, 30. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein any one of the second modes is executed. 31. The control unit executes the first mode when the total number of printed sheets of the job is an even number,
If the total number of printed sheets of the job is an odd number, the second
The mode is executed, wherein the mode is executed.
The image forming apparatus according to item 0. 32. The image forming apparatus is capable of selectively printing on any type of sheet among a plurality of types of sheets including a predetermined type of sheet, and the control unit controls the job to perform the predetermined number of sheets. Causing the processing means to execute any one of the first mode and the second mode based on the print condition information of the job that has at least information for determining whether the job uses a type of sheet 32. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29. 33. The predetermined type of sheet includes at least one of a pre-punched sheet pre-punched and a pre-printed sheet pre-printed. 33. The image forming apparatus according to claim 32, which is characterized in that. 34. The control unit causes the first mode to be executed when the job is a job that uses a sheet of the predetermined type, and when the job is a job that uses a sheet of a type other than the predetermined type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that the image forming apparatus executes the second mode. 35. The first control unit based on the print condition information of the job, which has at least information for determining whether an even-numbered page included in the job is a blank page (blank sheet). 35. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the image forming apparatus executes any one of the mode and the second mode. 36. The control unit causes the first mode to be executed when an even page included in the job is a blank page, and the second mode when the even page included in the job is not a blank page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the image forming apparatus executes a mode. 37. The image forming mode, wherein the control means includes at least one of a pre-punch mode for printing on a pre-punched sheet and a pre-print mode for printing on a pre-printed sheet, and in which the printing direction needs to be aligned. 37. One of the first mode and the second mode is executed based on print condition information of the job having information for determining whether or not a job is set. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1. 38. The control unit executes the first mode when the job is set in the image forming mode of the pre-punch mode or the pre-print mode, and the pre-punch mode and the pre-print mode are executed. 38. The image forming apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the second mode is executed when a job is not set in any of the above. 39. The control unit executes the first mode when the total number of printed sheets of the job is an odd number and the print sheet of a predetermined type is used, and the total number of printed sheets of the job is an odd number. 39. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the second mode is executed for a job that uses a print sheet of a type other than the print sheet of the predetermined type. 40. The predetermined image formation in which the control means includes at least one of a pre-punch mode for printing on a pre-punched sheet and a pre-print mode for printing on a pre-printed sheet, and in which it is necessary to align printing directions. The first mode is executed in the case of a job in which the total number of printed sheets for which the mode is set is an odd number, and the first mode is executed in the case of a job in which the predetermined image forming mode is not set for the odd number of sheets. 40. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the image forming apparatus executes two modes. 41. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the predetermined page is a final page of the job. 42. The image forming apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the predetermined page is an even-numbered page of the job. 43. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus capable of double-sided printing of a job consisting of a plurality of pages, wherein a predetermined page in a job for which a double-sided print mode is set and all of the jobs included in the job other than the predetermined page The first mode in which the pages are processed in the double-sided print sequence, and pages other than the predetermined pages included in the job in which the double-sided print mode is set are processed in the double-sided print sequence, and the predetermined pages are processed in the single-sided print sequence. A control method comprising selectively executing a second mode for processing. 44. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a control method of an image forming apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing of a job including a plurality of pages, wherein the control method sets a double-sided print mode. A predetermined mode in the specified job and a first mode in which all pages other than the predetermined page included in the job are processed in a double-sided print sequence, and other than the predetermined page included in the job in which the double-sided print mode is set Storage medium having a control step for selectively executing a second mode of processing the page in the double-sided printing sequence and processing the predetermined page in the single-sided printing sequence. 45. The image forming apparatus includes at least one of a printer, a copying machine, and a multi-function peripheral having a plurality of functions including a print function and a copy function. 42. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 42 to 42.