JP2004160666A

JP2004160666A - Image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: JP2004160666A
Application number: JP2002325674A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Junichi Ishizuka; 純一石塚
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-08
Filing date: 2002-11-08
Publication date: 2004-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-08
Also published as: JP4133236B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce wasteful cost by automatically selecting a sheet feed section optimal for copying a document image. <P>SOLUTION: A digital copying machine makes a decision whether a document image or a variable magnification image is confined within a fixed form paper or not by comparing the size of a document image, i.e. the detection results from a scanner 1, (or the size of a variable magnification image calculated based on that size) with the size of the fixed form paper sheet, and calculates the size of the document image or the variable magnification image rotated by 90° or 270° based on the detection results when it is not confined. Subsequently, a decision is made whether the rotated image is confined within the fixed form paper sheet or not by comparing the size of the rotated image with the size of the fixed form paper, and rotates the document image or the variable magnification image by 90° or 270° only when it is confined. When the document image, the variable magnification image, or the rotated image is confined within the fixed form paper sheet, a sheet feed cassette capable of feeding a fixed form paper sheet (sheet feed cassette for fixed form paper sheet) is selected preferentially. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、広幅機を含むデジタル複写機，デジタル複合機，ファクシミリ装置等のデジタル式の画像形成装置に関し、特に画像変倍機能（画像変倍手段）および画像回転機能（画像回転手段）を有する画像形成装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば、デジタル複写機では、原稿画像を記憶する画像メモリ（画像記憶手段）と、原稿画像を読み取るスキャナ（画像読取手段）と、原稿画像を用紙上に形成するプロッタ（画像形成手段）とを備え、スキャナによって原稿画像を読み取らせ、その原稿画像を画像メモリに書き込む画像読取動作を行った後、画像メモリに記憶された原稿画像を読み出し、その原稿画像をプロッタによって用紙上に形成（印刷）させるようにしている。
ところで、近年、広幅デジタル複写機のニーズの多様化に伴い、従来のロール紙給紙部（ロール紙給紙トレイ）に加えて定形用紙給紙部（定形用紙給紙カセット）を装着したものが市場に登場してきている。
【０００３】
この種の広幅デジタル複写機として、次のような機能を備えたものが考えられる。例えば、原稿挿入口から原稿が挿入される（又はコンタクトガラス上に原稿がセットされている状態でコピー開始が指示される）と、その原稿のサイズを自動的に読み取り（検出し）、そのサイズの主走査方向（ロール紙の給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する）の長さと一致する幅のロール紙を給紙可能なロール紙給紙部を自動的に選択する自動用紙選択機能を備え、その機能によって選択したロール紙給紙部から給紙を行うようにした画像形成装置や、例えば特許文献１に示す画像形成装置のように、使用者（オペレータ）のコピー目的に応じて最適な定形サイズの用紙（定形用紙）を給紙可能な定形用紙給紙部を選択する自動用紙選択機能を備え、その機能によって選択した定形用紙給紙部から給紙を行う画像形成装置が提案されているが、それらの画像形成装置の機能を同時に備えた広幅デジタル複写機（以下「第１の広幅デジタル複写機」という）も考えられる。
【０００４】
広幅デジタル複写機として、使用者の操作を極力回避するために、自動用紙選択機能を備えたものがある。例えば、特許文献２に示す画像形成装置や、特許文献３に示す画像形成装置のように、原稿画像の変倍率や回転を含めた上で最適なロール紙を給紙可能なロール紙給紙部を選択し、そのロール紙給紙部から給紙を行うものが提案されている。また、コピーを行う場合に、ロール紙の搬送経路が一番少なく最もコピー所要時間（転写所要時間）が短くなるロール紙給紙部から優先的に給紙を行う機構が一般的であるが、使用者が任意に各ロール紙給紙部のいずれかを優先給紙部として設定できる優先給紙部設定機能（優先給紙部設定手段）を備えたもの（以下「第２の広幅デジタル複写機」という）も登場している。
【０００５】
さらに、広幅デジタル複写機として、例えば原稿がその主走査方向を短手方向、その副走査方向（ロール紙の給紙方向と一致する）を長手方向にして挿入されると、その原稿画像の主走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙を給紙可能なロール紙給紙部を選択する自動用紙選択機能を備え、その機能によって選択したロール紙給紙部から給紙を行うものも提案されている。さらに、自動用紙選択機能に加え、特許文献３に示す画像形成装置のように、原稿画像を回転させる機能も備え、それらの機能を用いてコピーを行うようにしたもの（以下「第３の広幅デジタル複写機」という）も考えられる。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−１８９８２６号公報
【特許文献２】
特開２００１−３０９１１５号公報
【特許文献３】
特開平３−６８２６７号公報
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、第１の広幅デジタル複写機では、長尺原稿をコピー（複写）することができるロール紙給紙部からの給紙と、定形サイズの原稿を手軽にコピーできる定形用紙給紙部からの給紙は、原稿や使用目的により区別されるが、定形用紙給紙部から給紙される定形用紙にコピーしたい場合でも、ロール紙給紙部が優先的に選択され、そのロール紙給紙部からロール紙が給紙されてコピーが行われてしまうケースもある。コピーする目的によっては、使用者が安価な定形用紙にコピーしたい場合もあるが、ロール紙給紙部が選択され、そのロール紙給紙部から給紙されたロール紙に対してコピーが行われる可能性もあるため、無駄な経費がかかってしまうという欠点もあり、この欠点を補うために使用者は定形用紙を給紙可能な定形用紙給紙部を手動で選択する必要があった。
【０００８】
第２の広幅デジタル複写機では、いずれかのロール紙給紙部が優先給紙部として設定されていた場合、その優先給紙部が優先的に選択されるが、その場合、その優先給紙部が原稿の主走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部とは限らず、原稿の主走査方向の長さと一致しない幅のロール紙を給紙可能なロール紙給紙部を選択し、そのロール紙給紙部から給紙を行ってしまうことも考えられ、無駄な経費につながるという問題がある。
【０００９】
第３の広幅デジタル複写機では、原稿画像の主走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が対応するロール紙給紙部にセットされている場合には、そのロール紙紙給紙部が自動的に選択されるため、その原稿画像が必ずしも回転されてロール紙にコピーされるわけではない。
ここで、ロール紙は使用した給紙方向の長さに応じて課金されるケースがあり、原稿画像の短手方向がロール紙の給紙方向と一致するようにしてコピーを行う方が使用者にとって経済的であり、コピー時間も低減されるなど、利点が多い。ところが、主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長い原稿が挿入され、その主走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が対応するロール紙給紙部にセットされている場合には、そのロール紙給紙部が自動的に選択されるため、上述したような利点がなくなる。
【００１０】
また、近年、広幅デジタル複写機の操作性が向上する反面、一方では使用目的が多様化し、汎用的な機能を打ち出すのが困難になってきている。自動用紙選択機能は、自動的に最適な給紙部を選択する機能であるが、最適な給紙部が使用者やコピー目的によって異なるため、汎用的な機能と呼べないケースが発生している。
さらに、広幅デジタル複写機においては、出力画像（コピー画像）の等倍性は必要不可欠なものであり、そのために１次変倍（原稿画像の読み取り時に行う変倍）機能および２次変倍（画像出力時に行う変倍）機能を備え、出力画像の等倍性を確保する方式が一般的であるが、自動用紙選択機能の使用により画像回転を伴う場合、原稿の主走査と副走査が入れ替わるために２次変倍後の原稿画像の主走査側と副走査側が入れ替わる結果となり、等倍性が得られなくなるという欠点が生じる。
【００１１】
この発明は上記の点に鑑みてなされたものであり、原稿画像（その原稿画像を変倍した変倍画像を含む）をコピーするのに最適な給紙部（定形用紙又はロール紙）を自動選択することにより、無駄な経費を削減できるようにすることを目的とする。また、自動用紙選択機能の使用により画像回転を伴う場合でも、出力画像の等倍性を得られるようにすることも目的とする。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明は、原稿画像を記憶する画像記憶手段と、原稿画像を読み取る画像読取手段と、原稿画像を用紙上に形成する画像形成手段と、上記画像読取手段によって原稿画像を読み取らせ、該原稿画像を上記画像記憶手段に書き込む画像読取動作を行う画像読取制御手段と、上記画像記憶手段に記憶された原稿画像を読み出し、上記画像形成手段によって用紙上に形成させる画像形成制御を行う画像形成制御手段とを有する画像形成装置であって、上記の目的を達成するため、次のようにしたことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
請求項１の発明による画像形成装置は、ロール状に巻かれた用紙であるロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部と、定形サイズの用紙である定形用紙が給紙可能にセットされた定形用紙給紙部とを備え、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像のサイズとして上記用紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび該給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知する画像サイズ検知手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を回転させる画像回転手段とを設け、
上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像サイズ検知手段によって検知された上記原稿画像のサイズと上記定形用紙のサイズとを比較し、該原稿画像が該定形用紙に収まるかどうかを判定する第１の比較判定手段と、該手段によって収まらないと判定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記原稿画像を９０度又は２７０回転させた場合の回転画像のサイズを算出する回転画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された回転画像のサイズと上記定形用紙のサイズとを比較し、該回転画像が該定形用紙に収まるかどうかを判定する第２の比較判定手段と、該手段によって収まると判定された場合にのみ、上記原稿画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる回転指示手段と、上記第１又は第２の比較判定手段によって収まると判定された場合に、上記定形用紙給紙部を優先的に選択する給紙部選択手段とを備えたものである。
【００１４】
請求項２の発明による画像形成装置は、それぞれロール状に巻かれた用紙である異なる幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされた複数のロール紙給紙部を備え、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像のサイズとして上記ロール紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび該給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知する画像サイズ検知手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を回転させる画像回転手段とを設け、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像サイズ検知手段によって検知された上記原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さと優先給紙部として予め設定されたロール紙給紙部から給紙されるロール紙の幅とを比較し、該原稿画像の主走査方向の長さと該ロール紙の幅とが一致するかどうかを判定する第１の比較判定手段と、該手段によって一致しないと判定された場合に、上記原稿画像のサイズの副走査方向の長さと上記優先給紙部として予め設定されたロール紙給紙部から給紙されるロール紙の幅とを比較し、該原稿画像の副走査方向の長さと該ロール紙の幅とが一致するかどうかを判定する第２の比較判定手段と、該手段によって一致すると判定された場合にのみ、上記原稿画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる回転指示手段と、上記第１又は第２の比較判定手段によって一致すると判定された場合に、上記優先給紙部として予め設定されたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択する給紙部選択手段とを備えたものである。
【００１５】
請求項３の発明による画像形成装置は、それぞれロール状に巻かれた用紙である異なる幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされた複数のロール紙給紙部を備え、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像のサイズとして上記ロール紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび該給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知する画像サイズ検知手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を回転させる画像回転手段とを設け、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知された上記原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さと副走査方向の長さとを比較し、該主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長いかどうかを判定する比較判定手段と、該手段によって長いと判定された場合にのみ上記原稿画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる回転指示手段と、上記比較判定手段によって上記原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さが副走査方向の長さより長いと判定された場合には、上記各ロール紙給紙部のうちの該主走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択し、上記原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長いと判定された場合には、上記各ロール紙給紙部のうちの該副走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択する給紙部選択手段とを備えたものである。
【００１６】
請求項４の発明による画像形成装置は、請求項１〜３のいずれかの画像形成装置において、変倍率を設定する変倍率設定手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を上記変倍率設定手段によって設定された変倍率に応じて変倍する画像変倍手段とを備え、上記回転指示手段を、上記画像記憶手段に記憶されている上記原稿画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる手段とし、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像記憶手段に記憶されている上記原稿画像を読み出す際に、上記変倍率設定手段による変倍率の設定がなされていた場合、もしくは該設定された変倍率が所定値以上の場合に、上記回転指示手段による上記画像回転手段に対する回転指示を禁止する回転指示禁止手段を備えたものである。
【００１７】
請求項５の発明による画像形成装置は、それぞれロール状に巻かれた用紙である異なる幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされた複数のロール紙給紙部と、定形サイズの用紙である定形用紙が給紙可能にセットされた定形用紙給紙部とを備え、上記定形用紙給紙部を優先給紙部として設定する第１の優先給紙部設定手段と、上記各ロール紙給紙部のいずれかを優先給紙部として設定する第２の優先給紙部設定手段と、ロール紙に対するコピー時間の低減を優先するコピー時間低減モードを設定するコピー時間低減モード設定手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像のサイズとして上記用紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび該給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知する画像サイズ検知手段とを設け、上記画像形成制御手段に、それぞれ異なる給紙部選択制御を行う第１，第２，第３の給紙部選択制御手段を備え、上記第１の給紙部選択制御手段を、上記第１の優先給紙部設定手段によって上記定形用紙給紙部が優先給紙部として設定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段によって検知された上記原稿画像のサイズと上記定形用紙のサイズとを比較し、該原稿画像が該定形用紙に収まるかどうかを判定する第１の比較判定手段と、該手段によって収まらないと判定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記原稿画像を９０度又は２７０回転させた場合の回転画像のサイズを算出する第１の回転画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された回転画像のサイズと上記定形用紙のサイズとを比較し、該回転画像が該定形用紙に収まるかどうかを判定する第２の比較判定手段と、該手段によって収まると判定された場合にのみ、上記原稿画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる第１の回転指示手段と、上記第１又は第２の比較判定手段によって収まると判定された場合に、上記優先給紙部を優先的に選択する第１の給紙部選択手段とによって構成し、上記第２の給紙部選択制御手段を、上記第２の優先給紙部設定手段によっていずれかのロール紙給紙部が優先給紙部として設定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段によって検知された上記原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さと上記優先給紙部から給紙されるロール紙の幅とを比較し、該原稿画像の主走査方向の長さと該ロール紙の幅とが一致するかどうかを判定する第３の比較判定手段と、該手段によって一致しないと判定された場合に、上記原稿画像のサイズの副走査方向の長さと上記優先給紙部から給紙されるロール紙の幅とを比較し、該原稿画像の副走査方向の長さと該ロール紙の幅とが一致するかどうかを判定する第４の比較判定手段と、該手段によって一致すると判定された場合にのみ、上記原稿画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる第２の回転指示手段と、上記第３又は第４の比較判定手段によって一致すると判定された場合に、上記優先給紙部を優先的に選択する第２の給紙部選択手段とによって構成し、上記第３の給紙部選択制御手段を、上記コピー時間低減モード設定手段によってコピー時間低減モードが設定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段によって検知された上記原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さと副走査方向の長さとを比較し、該主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長いかどうかを判定する第５の比較判定手段と、該手段によって長いと判定された場合にのみ上記原稿画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる第３の回転指示手段と、上記第５の比較判定手段によって上記原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さが副走査方向の長さより長いと判定された場合には、上記各ロール紙給紙部のうちの該主走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択し、上記原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長いと判定された場合には、上記各ロール紙給紙部のうちの該副走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択する第３の給紙部選択手段とによって構成したものである。
【００１８】
請求項６の発明による画像形成装置は、請求項５の画像形成装置において、変倍率を設定する変倍率設定手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を上記変倍率設定手段によって設定された変倍率に応じて変倍する画像変倍手段とを備え、上記第１，第２，第３の回転指示手段をいずれも、上記画像記憶手段に記憶されている上記原稿画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる手段とし、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像記憶手段に記憶されている上記原稿画像を読み出す際に、上記変倍率設定手段による変倍率の設定がなされていた場合、もしくは該設定された変倍率が所定値以上の場合に、上記第１，第２，又は第３の回転指示手段による上記画像回転手段に対する回転指示を禁止する回転指示禁止手段を備えたものである。
【００１９】
請求項７の発明による画像形成装置は、ロール状に巻かれた用紙であるロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部と、定形サイズの用紙である定形用紙が給紙可能にセットされた定形用紙給紙部とを備え、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像のサイズとして上記用紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび該給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知する画像サイズ検知手段と、変倍率を設定する変倍率設定手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を上記変倍率設定手段によって設定された変倍率に応じて変倍する画像変倍手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を回転させる画像回転手段とを設け、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記画像変倍手段による変倍後の原稿画像である変倍画像のサイズを算出する変倍画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された変倍画像のサイズと上記定形用紙のサイズとを比較し、該変倍画像が該定形用紙に収まるかどうかを判定する第１の比較判定手段と、該手段によって収まらないと判定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記変倍画像を９０度又は２７０回転させた場合の回転画像のサイズを算出する回転画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された回転画像のサイズと上記定形用紙のサイズとを比較し、該回転画像が該定形用紙に収まるかどうかを判定する第２の比較判定手段と、該手段によって収まると判定された場合にのみ、上記変倍画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる回転指示手段と、上記第１又は第２の比較判定手段によって収まると判定された場合に、上記定形用紙給紙部を優先的に選択する給紙部選択手段とを備えたものである。
【００２０】
請求項８の発明による画像形成装置は、それぞれロール状に巻かれた用紙である異なる幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされた複数のロール紙給紙部を備え、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像のサイズとして上記ロール紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび該給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知する画像サイズ検知手段と、変倍率を設定する変倍率設定手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を上記変倍率設定手段によって設定された変倍率に応じて変倍する画像変倍手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を回転させる画像回転手段とを設け、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記画像変倍手段による変倍後の原稿画像である変倍画像のサイズを算出する変倍画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された変倍画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さと優先給紙部として予め設定されたロール紙給紙部から給紙されるロール紙の幅とを比較し、該変倍画像の主走査方向の長さと該ロール紙の幅とが一致するかどうかを判定する第１の比較判定手段と、該手段によって一致しないと判定された場合に、上記変倍画像サイズ算出手段によって算出された変倍画像のサイズの副走査方向の長さと上記優先給紙部として予め設定されたロール紙給紙部から給紙されるロール紙の幅とを比較し、該変倍画像の副走査方向の長さと該ロール紙の幅とが一致するかどうかを判定する第２の比較判定手段と、該手段によって一致すると判定された場合にのみ、上記変倍画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる回転指示手段と、上記第１又は第２の比較判定手段によって一致すると判定された場合に、上記優先給紙部として予め設定されたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択する給紙部選択手段とを備えたものである。
【００２１】
請求項９の発明による画像形成装置は、それぞれロール状に巻かれた用紙である異なる幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされた複数のロール紙給紙部を備え、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像のサイズとして上記ロール紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび該給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知する画像サイズ検知手段と、変倍率を設定する変倍率設定手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を上記変倍率設定手段によって設定された変倍率に応じて変倍する画像変倍手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を回転させる画像回転手段とを設け、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記画像変倍手段による変倍後の原稿画像である変倍画像のサイズを算出する変倍画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された変倍画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さと副走査方向の長さとを比較し、該主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長いかどうかを判定する比較判定手段と、該手段によって長いと判定された場合にのみ上記変倍画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる回転指示手段と、上記比較判定手段によって上記変倍画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さが副走査方向の長さより長いと判定された場合には、上記各ロール紙給紙部のうちの該主走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択し、上記変倍画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長いと判定された場合には、上記各ロール紙給紙部のうちの該副走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択する給紙部選択手段とを備えたものである。
【００２２】
請求項１０の発明による画像形成装置は、請求項７〜９のいずれかの画像形成装置において、上記回転指示手段を、上記画像記憶手段に記憶されている上記変倍画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる手段とし、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像記憶手段に記憶されている上記変倍画像を読み出す際に、上記変倍率設定手段による変倍率の設定変更がなされていた場合、もしくは該設定変更された変倍率が所定値以上の場合に、上記回転指示手段による上記画像回転手段に対する回転指示を禁止する回転指示禁止手段を備えたものである。
【００２３】
請求項１１の発明による画像形成装置は、それぞれロール状に巻かれた用紙である異なる幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされた複数のロール紙給紙部と、定形サイズの用紙である定形用紙が給紙可能にセットされた定形用紙給紙部とを備え、上記定形用紙給紙部を優先給紙部として設定する第１の優先給紙部設定手段と、上記各ロール紙給紙部のいずれかを優先給紙部として設定する第２の優先給紙部設定手段と、ロール紙に対するコピー時間の低減を優先するコピー時間低減モードを設定するコピー時間低減モード設定手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像のサイズとして上記用紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび該給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知する画像サイズ検知手段と、変倍率を設定する変倍率設定手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を上記変倍率設定手段によって設定された変倍率に応じて変倍する画像変倍手段と、上記画像読取手段によって読み取った原稿画像を回転させる画像回転手段とを設け、上記画像形成制御手段に、それぞれ異なる給紙部選択制御を行う第１，第２，第３の給紙部選択制御手段を備え、上記第１の給紙部選択制御手段を、上記第１の優先給紙部設定手段によって上記定形用紙給紙部が優先給紙部として設定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記画像変倍手段による変倍後の原稿画像である変倍画像のサイズを算出する第１の変倍画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された変倍画像のサイズと上記定形用紙のサイズとを比較し、該変倍画像が該定形用紙に収まるかどうかを判定する第１の比較判定手段と、該手段によって収まらないと判定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記変倍画像を９０度又は２７０回転させた場合の回転画像のサイズを算出する第１の回転画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された回転画像のサイズと上記定形用紙のサイズとを比較し、該回転画像が該定形用紙に収まるかどうかを判定する第２の比較判定手段と、該手段によって収まると判定された場合にのみ、上記変倍画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる第１の回転指示手段と、上記第１又は第２の比較判定手段によって収まると判定された場合に、上記優先給紙部を優先的に選択する第１の給紙部選択手段とによって構成し、上記第２の給紙部選択制御手段を、上記第２の優先給紙部設定手段によっていずれかのロール紙給紙部が優先給紙部として設定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記画像変倍手段による変倍後の原稿画像である変倍画像のサイズを算出する第２の変倍画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された変倍画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さと上記優先給紙部から給紙されるロール紙の幅とを比較し、該変倍画像の主走査方向の長さと該ロール紙の幅とが一致するかどうかを判定する第３の比較判定手段と、該手段によって一致しないと判定された場合に、上記第２の変倍画像サイズ算出手段によって算出された変倍画像のサイズの副走査方向の長さと上記優先給紙部から給紙されるロール紙の幅とを比較し、該変倍画像の副走査方向の長さと該ロール紙の幅とが一致するかどうかを判定する第４の比較判定手段と、該手段によって一致すると判定された場合にのみ、上記変倍画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる第２の回転指示手段と、上記第３又は第４の比較判定手段によって一致すると判定された場合に、上記優先給紙部を優先的に選択する第２の給紙部選択手段とによって構成し、上記第３の給紙部選択制御手段を、上記コピー時間低減モード設定手段によってコピー時間低減モードが設定された場合に、上記画像サイズ検知手段による検知結果に基づいて上記画像変倍手段による変倍後の原稿画像である変倍画像のサイズを算出する第３の変倍画像サイズ算出手段と、該手段によって算出された変倍画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さと副走査方向の長さとを比較し、該主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長いかどうかを判定する第５の比較判定手段と、該手段によって長いと判定された場合にのみ上記変倍画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる第３の回転指示手段と、上記第５の比較判定手段によって上記変倍画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さが副走査方向の長さより長いと判定された場合には、上記各ロール紙給紙部のうちの該主走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択し、上記変倍画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長いと判定された場合には、上記各ロール紙給紙部のうちの該副走査方向の長さと一致する幅のロール紙が給紙可能にセットされたロール紙給紙部を優先的に選択する第３の給紙部選択手段とによって構成したものである。
【００２４】
請求項１２の発明による画像形成装置は、請求項１１の画像形成装置において、上記第１，第２，第３の回転指示手段をいずれも、上記画像記憶手段に記憶されている上記変倍画像を上記画像回転手段によって９０度又は２７０回転させる手段とし、上記画像形成制御手段に、上記画像記憶手段に記憶されている上記変倍画像を読み出す際に、上記変倍率設定手段による変倍率の設定変更がなされていた場合、もしくは該設定変更された変倍率が所定値以上の場合に、上記１，第２，又は第３の回転指示手段による上記画像回転手段に対する回転指示を禁止する回転指示禁止手段を備えたものである。
【００２５】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて具体的に説明する。
図２は、この発明の一実施形態であるデジタル複写機の概略構成例を示す図である。図１は、その制御部の構成例を示すブロック図である。
このデジタル複写機は、スキャナ１，操作部２，プロッタ１０，および制御部１００を備えている。
スキャナ１は、原稿画像を読み取る画像読取手段であり、光源およびＣＣＤ等の固体撮像素子を用いたラインイメージセンサを含む光学走査系と、図示しない原稿挿入口から挿入される原稿を排紙口に向けて搬送する原稿搬送機構とを有するメカ機構、およびＡ／Ｄコンバータを備えている。
【００２６】
このスキャナ１は、原稿挿入口から挿入された原稿を原稿搬送機構によって搬送し、その画像面を光源によって露光（照明）し、その反射光像をラインイメージセンサの受光面に結像させることにより、原稿の画像を読み取り（このとき原稿面からの反射光像をラインイメージセンサによって光電変換し、Ａ／Ｄコンバータによりデジタル情報に変換する）、その原稿画像（デジタル情報）を出力する。
このスキャナ１によれば、原稿搬送機構によって搬送される原稿の画像を読み取ることができるため、原稿搬送機構内にセンサを設け、そのセンサによって原稿画像のサイズとして用紙（定形サイズの用紙である定形用紙あるいはロール状に巻かれた用紙であるロール紙）の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向（原稿の搬送方向）の長さおよび幅方向（給紙方向と直交する方向）と一致する主走査方向（ラインイメージセンサの長さ方向）の長さを検知することができる。あるいは、読み取った原稿画像を解析することによっても、原稿画像のサイズを検知することができる。
【００２７】
なお、スキャナ１に代え、別体のＡＤＦ（自動原稿給送装置）によって原稿台から自動給送され、コンタクトガラス上にセットされた原稿、あるいはオペレータによってコンタクトガラス上にセットされた原稿の下面（画像面）を、光源およびラインイメージセンサを含む光学走査系（走行体）の移動によって露光走査し、その画像面からの反射光像をラインイメージセンサの受光面に結像させることにより、原稿の画像を読み取り、その原稿画像を出力するスキャナを搭載することもできる。
このスキャナによれば、コンタクトガラス上にセットされた原稿の画像面を光学走査系の移動により露光走査してその原稿画像を読み取ることができるため、コンタクトガラスの下方又は光学走査系にセンサを設け、そのセンサによって原稿画像のサイズとして用紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよび幅方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知することができる。あるいは、読み取った原稿画像を解析することによっても、原稿画像のサイズを検知することができる。
したがって、スキャナ１は画像サイズ検知手段としての機能も果す。
【００２８】
操作部２は、オペレータ（ユーザ）が各種の設定を行なうための各種操作キー２ａ、および各種の情報を表示するためのＬＥＤやＬＣＤ等からなる表示パネル２ｂとを備えている。
プロッタ１０は、原稿画像を用紙上に形成する画像形成手段であり、それぞれロール状に巻かれた用紙である異なる幅のロール紙１１ａ〜１４ａが給紙可能にセット（収納）された複数のロール紙給紙トレイ（ロール紙給紙部）１１〜１４、およびそれぞれ定形サイズの用紙である異なるサイズの定形用紙が給紙可能にセットされた複数の定形用紙給紙カセット（定形用紙給紙部）１５，１６を装備し、原稿画像又はその原稿画像を変倍又は回転した画像をいずれかのロール紙給紙トレイ（以下単に「給紙トレイ」ともいう）あるいは定形用紙給紙カセット（以下単に「給紙カセット」ともいう）から給紙された用紙に電子写真方式を用いて画像を形成する。
【００２９】
ここで、プロッタ１０による電子写真方式を用いた画像形成の一例について、もう少し詳細に説明する。
プロッタ１０では、原稿画像（デジタル情報）に応じて書き込みユニット内のレーザ光源を変調（ＯＮ／ＯＦＦ）駆動し、対応するレーザビームを射出させる。そして、そのレーザビームを回転多面鏡（ポリゴンミラー）により周期的に偏向させ、副走査方向に回動する感光体上（帯電器によって予め一様に帯電されている）を主走査方向に反復走査（主走査）することにより、その感光体上に静電画像（静電潜像）の書き込みを行ない、その静電画像を現像ユニットからのトナーにより現像してトナー画像を形成させる。更に、そのトナー画像を予め選択された給紙部（以下「給紙段」ともいう）から給紙した用紙上に転写器によって転写させ、その転写後の用紙を定着ユニットに搬送し、その用紙上のトナー画像を熱定着させることにより一連の画像形成を完了させ、その画像形成完了後の用紙を機外の排紙トレイに排紙させる。
【００３０】
このプロッタ１０は、残量検出装置１７およびカッタ装置１８も備えている。残量検出装置１７は、選択された給紙トレイにセットされているロール紙の残量を検出する。
カッタ装置１８は、選択された給紙トレイから給紙されたロール紙を指定された長さ（例えば原稿の副走査方向の長さ）にカットする。
制御部１００は、図１に示すように、ＣＰＵ１０１，ＲＯＭ１０２，ＲＡＭ１０３，エンジン入出力部（以下「入出力部」を「Ｉ／Ｏ」という）１０４，画像処理部１０５，および操作部インタフェース（以下「インタフェース」を「Ｉ／Ｆ」という）１０６等によって構成されている。
【００３１】
ＣＰＵ１０１は、ＲＯＭ１０２内の制御プログラムに従ってこのデジタル複写機全体を統括的に制御する中央処理装置（マイクロプロセッサ）である。
ＲＯＭ１０２は、ＣＰＵ１０１を動作させるためのプログラムおよび固定データを格納している読み出し専用メモリである。
ＲＡＭ１０３は、ＣＰＵ１０１がデータ処理を行う際に使用するワークメモリや、画像情報（スキャナ１によって読み取られた原稿画像等）を記憶する画像メモリ（画像記憶手段）等として使用する読み出し可能なメモリである。
エンジンＩ／Ｏ１０４は、スキャナ１およびプロッタ１０との画像情報とのやりとりを行うものである。
画像処理部１０５は、スキャナ１によって読み取られた原稿画像を予め設定された変倍率に応じて変倍したり、その原稿画像（変倍後の原稿画像を含む）を回転させたりするものであり、画像変倍手段および画像回転手段としての機能を果たす。
操作部Ｉ／Ｆ１０６は、操作部２との情報のやりとりを行うものである。
【００３２】
ここで、ＣＰＵ１０１は、ＲＯＭ１０２内の制御プログラムに従って論理演算を行い、スキャナ１によって原稿画像を読み取らせ、その原稿画像をＲＡＭ１０３に書き込む画像読取動作を行ったり、ＲＡＭ１０３に記憶した原稿画像を読み出し、プロッタ１０によって用紙上に形成（印刷）させる画像読取動作を行うことにより、コピー処理を行うことができる。
【００３３】
スキャナ１は、原稿画像の読み取り時に、その原稿画像のサイズとして用紙の給紙方向と一致する副走査方向の長さおよびその給紙方向と直交する方向と一致する主走査方向の長さを検知し、その検知情報をエンジンＩ／Ｏ１０４へ送信すると共に、原稿画像を予め主走査方向と副走査方向に指定された解像度にて読み取り、ドット単位でデジタル情報としてエンジンＩ／Ｏ１０４へ送信する。
ＣＰＵ１０１は、エンジンＩ／Ｏ１０４を介して送られてくるデジタル情報（原稿画像）をＲＡＭ１０３に書き込んだ後、必要に応じて画像処理部１０５により予め設定された変倍率に応じて変倍したり、回転させたりするなどの画像処理を行わせた後、エンジンＩ／Ｏ１０４を介してプロッタ１０へ送出する。
【００３４】
ＣＰＵ１０１は、操作部２の各種操作キー２ａの操作により、その操作キー情報（変倍率指定情報，給紙段指定情報，モード指定情報など）が操作部Ｉ／Ｆ１０６を介して送られてくるため、その操作キー情報に応じて変倍率を設定したり、給紙カセットを優先給紙段として設定したり、給紙トレイ１１〜１４のいずれかを優先給紙段（優先給紙トレイ）として設定したり、ロール紙に対するコピー時間の低減を優先するコピー時間低減モードを設定したりする。また、操作部Ｉ／Ｆ１０６を介して変倍率情報や余白，画像欠けのメッセージ情報等の各種情報を表示パネル２ｂのＬＣＤ上に文字列によって表示させたり、対応するＬＥＤの点灯／消灯によって表示させたりする。
【００３５】
したがって、ＣＰＵ１０１が、ＲＯＭ１０２内の制御プログラムに従って動作することにより、変倍率設定手段，第１の優先給紙部設定手段，第２の優先給紙部設定手段，コピー時間低減モード設定手段，画像読取制御手段，および画像形成制御手段としての機能を果たすことができる。画像形成制御手段としての機能には、自動用紙（給紙部）選択機能が含まれている。
【００３６】
図３，図４は、図１のＣＰＵ１０１によるコピー処理のメインルーチンの一例を示すフローチャートである。
ＣＰＵ１０１は、スキャナ１の原稿挿入口に原稿が挿入（セット）されると、その原稿を図示しないセンサによって検知して原稿有りと検知するため、図３，図４の処理ルーチンを開始し、まずステップＳ１でその原稿をスキャナ１内の原稿搬送機構によって搬送させ、その原稿画像の読み取りを含む画像読取動作を行う。このとき、変倍率が設定されていなければ、読み取った原稿画像をそのままＲＡＭ１０３に書き込むが、変倍率が設定されていれば、読み取った原稿画像を画像処理部１０５によりその変倍率に応じて変倍（拡大又は縮小）させ、その変倍後の原稿画像（変倍画像）をＲＡＭ１０３に書き込む。また、スキャナ１が原稿画像のサイズ（主走査方向の長さと副走査方向の長さ）を検知し、その検知情報を出力するため、その検知情報を取得する。
【００３７】
なお、スキャナ１の代わりに、コンタクトガラスを備えたスキャナを使用する場合には、コンタクトガラス上に原稿が載置（セット）された状態（センサによって原稿有りが検知されている状態）で、操作部２上のコピーキーが押下されると、図３，図４の処理ルーチンを開始し、その原稿画像の読み取りを含む画像読取動作を行う。あるいは、コンタクトガラスの上方にＡＤＦを備えたスキャナを使用する場合には、ＡＤＦの原稿台上に原稿が載置された状態で、操作部２上のコピーキーが押下されると、図３，図４の処理ルーチンを開始し、その原稿をＡＤＦ内の原稿給紙機構によって自動給紙してコンタクトガラス上にセットし、その原稿画像の読み取りを含む画像読取動作を行う。
【００３８】
次に、ステップＳ２でスキャナ１の状態を監視して原稿画像の読み取りが終了したか否かを判断（判定）し、終了した場合に、ステップＳ３で原稿画像のサイズの主走査方向の長さおよび副走査方向の長さにそれぞれ変倍率を掛けて変数ｘ，ｙを算出する。なお、変倍率が１００％以外であれば、変倍率の設定により原稿画像が変倍されるため、変数ｘ，ｙはその変倍後の原稿画像のサイズ（主走査方向の長さおよび副走査方向の長さ）を示す。なお、その変倍は原稿画像の読み取り時に行うため、１次変倍という。原稿画像（原稿画像を１次変倍した後の原稿画像である回転画像やそれらを回転した後の原稿画像である回転画像を含む）の出力（ＲＡＭ１０３からの読み出してプロッタ１０により画像形成する）時に行う変倍は、２次変倍という。この２次変倍とは、出力画像（コピー画像）と原稿のオリジナル画像との変倍率の誤差を吸収するために、２次変倍用の変倍率である補正倍率を用いて変倍する処理のことをいう。また、変倍率が１００％であれば、変倍率が設定されておらず、原稿画像が変倍されないため、変数ｘ，ｙは原稿画像のサイズを示す。
【００３９】
次に、ステップ４で２次変倍（補正倍率）が設定されたか（又は補正倍率が所定値以上か）どうかを判断（判定）し、２次変倍が設定されていなければ（又は補正倍率が所定値以上でなければ）ステップＳ５へ移行する。２次変倍が設定されていれば（又は補正倍率が所定値以上であれば）、ステップ７へ移行する。
ステップＳ５では、先に算出した変数ｘ，ｙを比較してｘ≧ｙ（原稿画像の主走査方向の長さが副走査方向の長さ以上）かどうかを判断する。
【００４０】
そして、ｘ≧ｙであればステップＳ７へ移行する。ｘ＜ｙであれば（原稿画像又は変倍画像の主走査方向の長さより副走査方向の長さが長い場合）、つまり原稿画像又は変倍画像がタテ向きの場合には、ステップＳ６でコピー時間低減モード（ヨコ出力優先モード）が設定されているかどうかを判断し、設定されていなければステップＳ７へ移行するが、設定されていればステップ８へ移行し、処理Ａを実行する。
処理Ａは、コピー時間低減機能（ヨコ出力優先機能）による自動用紙選択モジュールであり、該当給紙トレイ（該当給紙段）の有無および画像回転（原稿画像又は変倍画像の回転）の有無をチェックし、ステップＳ１１へ移行する。
【００４１】
ステップＳ１１では、処理Ａの実行結果に基づいて該当給紙トレイの有無を判断し、該当給紙トレイがない場合には、ステップＳ１５でその旨を操作部２の表示パネル２ｂのＬＣＤ又はＬＥＤにてアラート表示し、ステップＳ１６でコピー処理を中断する。該当給紙トレイがある場合には、ステップＳ１２で該当給紙トレイの指定情報（給紙段番号）および画像回転有無の情報をプロッタ（エンジン）１０に通知することにより、ステップＳ１３でプロッタ１０に画像形成処理を行わせる。つまり、該当給紙トレイを選択させて給紙を行わせると共に、ＲＡＭ１０３に記憶されている原稿画像又は変倍画像をそのまま、あるいは９０度又は２７０度回転させて給紙された用紙（ロール紙）上に形成させる。
【００４２】
その後、スキャナ１の原稿挿入口に次の原稿が挿入されると、その原稿がセンサによって検知されるため、ステップＳ１４で原稿有りと判断し、ステップ１に戻って上述と同様の処理を行う。次の原稿がセンサによって検知されなかった場合には、ステップＳ１４で原稿無しと判断し、図３，４の処理を終了する。
なお、スキャナ１の代わりに、コンタクトガラスの上方にＡＤＦを備えたスキャナを使用する場合には、ＡＤＦの原稿台上に次の原稿が載置されていれば、その原稿がセンサによって検知されるため、ステップＳ１４で原稿有りと判断し、ステップ１に戻って上述と同様の処理を行う。ＡＤＦを使用しない場合、あるいはＡＤＦが搭載されていない場合には、ステップＳ１４の判断を行わず、そのまま図３，４の処理を終了する。
【００４３】
一方、ステップＳ７では、給紙カセットが優先給紙段として設定されているかどうかを判断し、設定されていればステップ９へ移行し、処理Ｂを実行する。
処理Ｂは、給紙カセット優先機能による自動用紙選択モジュールであり、該当給紙カセット又は給紙トレイ（該当給紙段）の有無および画像回転の有無をチェックし、ステップＳ１１へ移行する。
【００４４】
ステップＳ１１では、処理Ｂの実行結果に基づいて該当給紙カセット又は該当給紙トレイの有無を判断し、該当給紙カセットも該当給紙トレイもない場合には、ステップＳ１５でその旨を操作部２の表示パネル２ｂのＬＣＤ又はＬＥＤにてアラート表示し、ステップＳ１６でコピー処理を中断する。該当給紙カセット又は該当給紙トレイがある場合には、ステップＳ１２で該当給紙カセット又は該当給紙トレイの指定情報および画像回転有無の情報をプロッタ１０に通知することにより、ステップＳ１３でプロッタ１０に画像形成処理を行わせる。つまり、該当給紙カセット又は該当給紙トレイを選択させて給紙を行わせると共に、ＲＡＭ１０３に記憶されている原稿画像又は変倍画像をそのまま、あるいは９０度又は２７０度回転させて給紙された用紙（定形用紙又はロール紙）上に形成させる。このとき、２次変倍が設定されていれば、プロッタ１０による用紙への画像形成前に、ＲＡＭ１０３に記憶されている原稿画像又は変倍画像を補正倍率を用いて２次変倍する処理も行う。
【００４５】
給紙カセットが優先給紙段として設定されていなかった場合には、ステップ１０へ移行し、処理Ｃを実行する。
処理Ｃは、給紙トレイ優先機能による自動用紙選択モジュールであり、該当給紙給紙トレイの有無および原稿画像又は変倍画像の回転有無をチェックし、ステップＳ１１へ移行する。
【００４６】
ステップＳ１１では、処理Ｃの実行結果に基づいて該当給紙トレイの有無を判断し、該当給紙トレイがない場合には、ステップＳ１５でその旨を操作部２の表示パネル２ｂのＬＣＤ又はＬＥＤにてアラート表示し、ステップＳ１６でコピー処理を中断する。該当給紙トレイがある場合には、ステップＳ１２で該当該当給紙トレイの指定情報および画像回転有無の情報をプロッタ１０に通知することにより、ステップＳ１３でプロッタ１０に画像形成処理を行わせる。つまり、該当給紙トレイを選択させて給紙を行わせると共に、ＲＡＭ１０３に記憶されている原稿画像又は変倍画像をそのまま、あるいは９０度又は２７０度回転させて給紙された用紙（ロール紙）上に形成させる。
【００４７】
図５は、図３の処理Ａのサブルーチンの一例を示すフローチャートである。
処理Ａ（コピー時間低減機能による自動用紙選択モジュール）は、原稿画像又は変倍画像を９０度又は２７０度回転した場合に、その回転画像を形成でき、カット時に幅方向の長さ（幅）より給紙方向の長さが短くなるロール紙を給紙可能な給紙トレイを検索したり、その検索により該当する給紙トレイがなかった場合には、原稿画像又は変倍画像を回転せずにそのまま形成でき、カット時に幅方向の長さより給紙方向の長さが長くなるロール紙を給紙可能な給紙トレイを検索するプログラムである。
【００４８】
ＣＰＵ１０１は、まずステップＳ２１で給紙トレイの段数を変数ｎとし、その変数ｎに初期値として「１」を代入し、ステップＳ２２でｎ段目の給紙トレイ（最初はｎ＝１なので給紙トレイ１１）から給紙されるロール紙の幅を変数ｗに代入した後、ステップＳ２３へ進み、変数ｙ（原稿画像又は変倍画像の副走査方向の長さ）と変数ｗとを比較し、その各変数ｙ，ｗが一致する（ｙ＝ｗ）かどうかを判断する。
そして、各変数ｙ，ｗが一致した場合には、このときの変数ｎ、つまりｎ段目の給紙トレイの指定情報（給紙段番号）と画像回転有りの情報を返り値（プロッタ１０への通知情報）としてリターンする。
【００４９】
各変数ｙ，ｗが一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ２４で変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数（この例では「４」）に達したか否かを判断するが、この時点ではまだ「１」なのでステップＳ２５へ進み、変数ｎをインクリメント（＋１）してステップＳ２２に戻って上述と同様の処理を行う。
そして、その処理を数回繰り返して、変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達すると、ステップＳ２４で変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達したと判断するので、ステップＳ２６へ移行する。つまり、原稿画像又は変倍画像を回転せずにそのまま形成でき、カット時に幅方向の長さより給紙方向の長さが長くなるロール紙を給紙可能な給紙トレイを検索する処理へ移行する。
【００５０】
ステップＳ２６では、再び給紙トレイの段数を変数ｎとし、その変数ｎに初期値として「１」を代入し、ステップＳ２７でｎ段目の給紙トレイから給紙されるロール紙の幅を変数ｗに代入した後、ステップＳ２８へ進み、変数ｘ（原稿画像又は変倍画像の主走査方向の長さ）と変数ｗとを比較し、その各変数ｘ，ｗが一致する（ｘ＝ｗ）かどうかを判断する。
そして、各変数ｘ，ｗが一致した場合には、このときの変数ｎ、つまりｎ段目の給紙トレイの指定情報と画像回転無しの情報を返り値（プロッタ１０への通知情報）としてリターンする。
【００５１】
各変数ｘ，ｗが一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ２９で変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達したか否かを判断するが、この時点ではまだ「１」なのでステップＳ３０へ進み、変数ｎをインクリメント（＋１）してステップＳ２７に戻って上述と同様の処理を行う。
そして、その処理を数回繰り返して、変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達すると、ステップＳ２９で変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達したと判断するので、該当給紙トレイ無しを返り値としてリターンする。
【００５２】
図６は、図３の処理Ｂのサブルーチンの一例を示すフローチャートである。なお、説明の都合上、給紙カセットが１段しかないものとする。また、その給紙カセットを１段目の給紙段とし、各給紙トレイ１１〜１４を２〜５段目が給紙段とする。
処理Ｂ（給紙カセット優先機能による自動用紙選択モジュール）は、給紙カセットから給紙される定形用紙の向きに係わらずサイズをチェックし、その給紙カセットが選択すべき給紙カセットに該当しない場合には、原稿画像又は変倍画像をそのまま又は回転して形成できるロール紙を給紙可能な給紙トレイを検索するプログラムである。
【００５３】
ＣＰＵ１０１は、まずステップＳ３１で給紙カセットの段数を変数ｋ（この例ではｋ＝１となる）として代入し、ステップＳ３２で給紙カセットから給紙されるロール紙の幅（幅方向の長さ）を変数ｗ１に、給紙方向の長さを変数ｗ２にそれぞれ代入した後、ステップＳ３３へ進み、変数ｘ（原稿画像又は変倍画像の主走査方向の長さ）と変数ｗ１とを比較すると共に変数ｙ（原稿画像又は変倍画像の副走査方向の長さ）と変数ｗ２とを比較し、各変数ｘ，ｗ１が一致し（ｘ＝ｗ１）、且つ各変数ｙ，ｗ２が一致する（ｙ＝ｗ２）かどうかを判断する。
【００５４】
そして、各変数ｘ，ｗ１が一致し、且つ各変数ｙ，ｗ２が一致した場合には、ステップＳ４４で変数ｎに給紙カセット段数の変数ｋを代入し、このときの変数ｎ、つまり給紙カセットの指定情報（給紙段番号）と画像回転無しの情報を返り値（プロッタ１０への通知情報）としてリターンする。
各変数ｘ，ｗ１あるいは各変数ｙ，ｗ２が一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ３４へ進み、変数ｘと変数ｗ２とを比較すると共に変数ｙと変数ｗ１とを比較し、各変数ｘ，ｗ２が一致し（ｘ＝ｗ２）、且つ各変数ｙ，ｗ１が一致する（ｙ＝ｗ１）かどうかを判断する。
【００５５】
そして、各変数ｘ，ｗ２が一致し、且つ各変数ｙ，ｗ１が一致した場合には、ステップＳ４３で変数ｎに給紙カセット段数の変数ｋを代入し、このときの変数ｎ、つまり給紙カセットの指定情報と画像回転有りの情報を返り値としてリターンする。
各変数ｘ，ｗ２あるいは各変数ｙ，ｗ１も一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ３５へ移行する。つまり、原稿画像又は変倍画像をそのまま又は回転して形成できるロール紙を給紙可能な給紙トレイを検索する処理へ移行する。
【００５６】
ステップＳ３５では、給紙トレイの段数を変数ｎとし、その変数ｎに初期値として「１」を代入し、ステップＳ３６でｎ段目の給紙トレイから給紙されるロール紙の幅を変数ｗに代入した後、ステップＳ３７で変数ｎ，ｋが一致するかどうかを判断するが、最初はｎ＝ｋ＝１なので、ステップＳ３８で変数ｎをインクリメント（＋１）して「２」にする。
その後、ステップＳ３９で変数ｘと変数ｗとを比較し、その各変数ｘ，ｗが一致する（ｘ＝ｗ）かどうかを判断し、一致した場合にはこのときの変数ｎ、つまりｎ段目の給紙トレイの指定情報と画像回転無しの情報を返り値（プロッタ１０への通知情報）としてリターンする。
【００５７】
各変数ｘ，ｗが一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ４０で変数ｙと変数ｗとを比較し、その各変数ｙ，ｗが一致する（ｙ＝ｗ）かどうかを判断し、一致した場合にはこのときの変数ｎ、つまりｎ段目の給紙トレイの指定情報と画像回転有りの情報を返り値としてリターンする。
各変数ｙ，ｗが一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ４１で変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数（この例では「５」）に達したか否かを判断するが、この時点ではまだ「２」なのでステップＳ４２へ進み、変数ｎをインクリメント（＋１）してステップＳ３６に戻る。
【００５８】
ステップＳ３６では、ｎ段目の給紙トレイから給紙されるロール紙の幅を変数ｗに代入した後、ステップＳ３７で変数ｎ，ｋが一致するかどうかを判断するが、現時点ではｎ＝３であり、変数ｎ，ｋは一致しないため、ステップＳ３９へ移行し、以後上述と同様の処理を行う。
そして、その処理を数回繰り返して、変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達すると、ステップＳ４１で変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達したと判断するので、該当給紙トレイ無しを返り値としてリターンする。
【００５９】
図７は、図３の処理Ｃのサブルーチンの一例を示すフローチャートである。なお、説明の都合上、優先給紙トレイ（各給紙トレイ１１〜１４のうちの優先給紙段として設定された給紙トレイ）を１段目の給紙段とし、他の各給紙トレイを２〜４段目の給紙段とする。
処理Ｃ（給紙トレイ優先機能による自動用紙選択モジュール）は、優先給紙トレイから給紙されるロール紙の向きに係わらずサイズをチェックし、その優先給紙トレイが選択すべき給紙トレイに該当しない場合には、原稿画像又は変倍画像をそのまま又は回転して形成できるロール紙を給紙可能な給紙トレイを検索するプログラムである。
【００６０】
ＣＰＵ１０１は、まずステップＳ５１で優先給紙トレイの段数を変数ｍとして代入し、ステップＳ５２で変数ｎに変数ｍを代入し、ステップＳ５３でｎ段目の優先給紙トレイから給紙されるロール紙の幅を変数ｗに代入した後、ステップＳ５４へ進み、変数ｘ（原稿画像又は変倍画像の主走査方向の長さ）と変数ｗとを比較し、各変数ｘ，ｗが一致する（ｘ＝ｗ）かどうかを判断する。
そして、各変数ｘ，ｗが一致した場合には、このときの変数ｎ、つまり優先給紙トレイの指定情報と画像回転無しの情報を返り値（プロッタ１０への通知情報）としてリターンする。
【００６１】
各変数ｘ，ｗが一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ５５で変数ｙ（原稿画像又は変倍画像の副走査方向の長さ）と変数ｗとを比較し、各変数ｙ，ｗが一致する（ｙ＝ｗ）かどうかを判断し、一致した場合には、このときの変数ｎ、つまり優先給紙トレイの指定情報と画像回転有りの情報を返り値としてリターンする。各変数ｙ，ｗも一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ５６へ移行する。つまり、原稿画像又は変倍画像をそのまま又は回転して形成できるロール紙を給紙可能な給紙トレイを検索する処理へ移行する。
【００６２】
ステップＳ５６では、給紙トレイの段数を変数ｎとし、その変数ｎに初期値として「１」を代入し、ステップＳ５７でｎ段目の給紙トレイから給紙されるロール紙の幅を変数ｗに代入した後、ステップＳ５８で変数ｎ，ｍが一致するかどうかを判断するが、最初はｎ＝ｍ＝１なので、ステップＳ５９で変数ｎをインクリメント（＋１）して「２」にする。
その後、ステップＳ６０で変数ｘと変数ｗとを比較して、その各変数ｘ，ｗが一致する（ｘ＝ｗ）かどうかを判断し、一致した場合にはこのときの変数ｎ、つまりｎ段目の給紙トレイの指定情報と画像回転無しの情報を返り値（プロッタ１０への通知情報）としてリターンする。
【００６３】
各変数ｘ，ｗが一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ６１で変数ｙと変数ｗとを比較して、その各変数ｙ，ｗが一致する（ｙ＝ｗ）かどうかを判断し、一致した場合にはこのときの変数ｎ、つまりｎ段目の給紙トレイの指定情報と画像回転有りの情報を返り値としてリターンする。
各変数ｙ，ｗが一致しなかった場合には、ステップＳ６２で変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数（この例では「４」）に達したか否かを判断するが、この時点ではまだ「２」なのでステップＳ６３へ進み、変数ｎをインクリメント（＋１）してステップＳ５７に戻る。
【００６４】
ステップＳ５７では、ｎ段目の給紙トレイから給紙されるロール紙の幅を変数ｗに代入した後、ステップＳ５８で変数ｎ，ｍが一致するかどうかを判断するが、現時点ではｎ＝３であり、変数ｎ，ｍは一致しないため、ステップＳ６０へ移行し、以後上述と同様の処理を行う。
そして、その処理を数回繰り返して、変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達すると、ステップＳ６２で変数ｎが給紙トレイの最終段数に達したと判断するので、該当給紙トレイ無しを返り値としてリターンする。
なお、２次変倍が設定されている場合（又は補正倍率が所定値以上の場合）には、プロッタ１０による用紙への画像形成前に、ＲＡＭ１０３に記憶されている原稿画像又は変倍画像を補正倍率を用いて２次変倍する処理も行うようにしたが、その際に画像処理部１０５に対する回転指示、つまり画像処理部１０５による原稿画像又は変倍画像の回転を禁止することもできる。
【００６５】
この実施形態のデジタル複写機によれば、以下の（１）〜（５）に示すような効果を得ることができる。
（１）使用者が給紙トレイからのロール紙の給紙ではなく、給紙カセットからの定形用紙の給紙を要望しているケースにおいて、原稿画像又は変倍画像（原稿画像を予め設定された変倍率で変倍した後の原稿画像）のサイズと給紙カセットから給紙される定形用紙のサイズとが一致するかどうかを使用者が判断し、一致している場合に給紙カセットを手動で選択することなく、より操作の簡単な自動用紙選択機能にて該当する給紙カセットを自動判別して選択し、そこから給紙を行うため、無駄な経費を削減できるだけでなく、使用者の作業量が低減し、デジタル複写機の操作を簡単に行えるという効果を得ることができる。
【００６６】
（２）使用者の目的により、いずれかの給紙トレイが優先給紙トレイとして設定された場合、操作の簡単な自動用紙選択機能にて原稿画像の向きを考慮し、できるだけ優先給紙トレイを選択してそこから給紙を行うため、原稿画像のサイズや向きあるいは変倍率により優先給紙トレイ以外の給紙トレイから給紙が行われることがほとんどなくなり、使用者により優先給紙トレイとして設定された給紙トレイから給紙してコピーを行える確率が高まり、無駄な経費を削減することができる。
【００６７】
（３）使用者の目的により、ロール紙に対するコピー時間の低減を優先するコピー時間低減モードが設定された場合、つまりロール紙のカット時の給紙方向の長さを短くして経済的で時間のかからないコピーを要望するケースにおいて、原稿画像の向きを意識することなく、操作の簡単な自動用紙選択機能にて優先的にロール紙のカット時の給紙方向の長さが幅方向の長さより短くなる給紙トレイを選択してそこから給紙を行うため、使用者の労力を低減すると同時に、使用者が意識することなくロール紙の使用を抑え、ランニングコストを低下できるという効果を得ることができる。
【００６８】
（４）（１）〜（３）の自動用紙選択機能による給紙段の選択制御を任意に選択できるため、より使用者の目的を達成できる給紙段の選択が可能となり、使用者層を拡大できるという効果を得ることができる。
（５）原稿画像又は変倍画像（原稿画像を１次変倍した後の原稿画像）を補正倍率を用いて２次変倍する場合に、それらの画像の回転を禁止することにより、２次変倍機能および自動用紙選択機能にてコピーを行う際に、予想外の画像回転による主走査方向の補正と副走査方向の補正が逆転することがなくなり、ミスコピーを防止でき、無駄なコストを低減でき、使用者が安心して作業を行えるという効果を得ることができる。
【００６９】
以上、この発明をデジタル複写機に適用した実施形態について説明したが、この発明はこれに限らず、画像変倍機能および画像回転機能を有するデジタル複合機やファクシミリ装置等の各種画像形成装置に適用し得るものである。
【００７０】
【発明の効果】
以上説明してきたように、この発明の画像形成装置によれば、原稿画像（原稿画像を変倍した後の変倍画像を含む）をコピーするのに最適な給紙部を自動選択するため、無駄な経費を削減することができる。また、自動用紙選択機能の使用により画像回転を伴う場合でも、出力画像の等倍性を得ることもできる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図２に示した制御部１００の構成例を示すブロック図である。
【図２】この発明の一実施形態であるデジタル複写機の概略構成例を示す図である。
【図３】図１のＣＰＵ１０１によるコピー処理のメインルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【図４】図３の続きを示すフロー図である。
【図５】図３の処理Ａのサブルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【図６】図３の処理Ｂのサブルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【図７】図３の処理Ｃのサブルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【符号の説明】
１：スキャナ２：操作部
１０：プロッタ１１〜１４：給紙トレイ
１５，１６：給紙カセット１００：制御部
１０１：ＣＰＵ１０２：ＲＯＭ
１０３：ＲＡＭ１０４：エンジンＩ／Ｏ
１０５：画像処理部１０６：操作部Ｉ／Ｆ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital image forming apparatus such as a digital copier, a digital multifunction peripheral, a facsimile machine, etc., including a wide-area machine, and particularly has an image scaling function (image scaling means) and an image rotation function (image rotation means). The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a digital copying machine includes an image memory (image storage unit) for storing a document image, a scanner (image reading unit) for reading the document image, and a plotter (image forming unit) for forming the document image on paper. Then, after performing an image reading operation in which a document image is read by a scanner and the document image is written in an image memory, the document image stored in the image memory is read, and the document image is formed (printed) on a sheet by a plotter. Like that.
In recent years, with the diversification of needs for wide-width digital copiers, those equipped with a standard paper feed unit (standard paper feed cassette) in addition to the conventional roll paper feed unit (roll paper feed tray) have been installed. It is appearing on the market.
[0003]
As this kind of wide-width digital copying machine, one having the following functions can be considered. For example, when a document is inserted from the document insertion slot (or a copy start is instructed while the document is set on the contact glass), the size of the document is automatically read (detected) and the size of the document is detected. Automatic paper selection function that automatically selects a roll paper feeder that can feed roll paper with a width that matches the length of the main scan direction (matches the direction perpendicular to the roll paper feed direction) An image forming apparatus configured to feed paper from a roll paper feeding unit selected by the function, or an image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-163,972, which is optimal for a user (operator) to copy. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus has been proposed that has an automatic paper selection function for selecting a fixed-size paper feeding unit capable of feeding fixed-size paper (standard-size paper), and feeds paper from the fixed-size paper feeding unit selected by the function. Is Their functions at the same time with a wide digital copier of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "the first wide digital copier") it is also contemplated.
[0004]
2. Description of the Related Art Some wide-area digital copying machines have an automatic paper selection function in order to minimize user operations. For example, as in an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 2 and an image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 3, a roll paper feeding unit capable of feeding an optimum roll paper including a magnification and rotation of a document image is included. Is selected, and paper is fed from the roll paper feeding unit. In addition, when performing copying, a mechanism is generally used in which the roll paper is transported preferentially from a roll paper feeding unit which has the shortest roll paper transport path and the shortest copy required time (transfer required time). A device provided with a priority paper feeding unit setting function (priority paper feeding unit setting means) that allows a user to arbitrarily set any one of the roll paper feeding units as a priority paper feeding unit (hereinafter referred to as “second wide-width digital copying machine”). ] Has also appeared.
[0005]
Further, as a wide digital copying machine, for example, when a document is inserted with its main scanning direction being a short direction and its sub-scanning direction (corresponding to the roll paper feeding direction) being a long direction, the main image of the document is An automatic paper selection function that selects a roll paper feeding unit that can feed roll paper with a width that matches the length in the scanning direction is provided, and paper feeding from the selected roll paper feeding unit is also proposed. ing. Further, in addition to an automatic paper selection function, a function of rotating a document image as in an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3 is provided, and copying is performed using these functions (hereinafter, referred to as “third wide width”). Digital copier ”) is also conceivable.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-189826 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-309115 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-3-68267
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the first wide-width digital copying machine, paper is fed from a roll paper feeding unit capable of copying (copying) a long document, and from a fixed paper feeding unit capable of easily copying a fixed size document. Paper feed is distinguished by the original and the purpose of use, but even if you want to copy to standard paper fed from the standard paper feed unit, the roll paper feed unit is selected with priority and the roll paper feed unit is selected. In some cases, copying is performed by feeding roll paper from the printer. Depending on the purpose of copying, the user may want to copy on inexpensive fixed-size paper.However, the roll paper feeding unit is selected, and copying is performed on the roll paper fed from the roll paper feeding unit. There is also a drawback that unnecessary costs are incurred due to the possibility, and to compensate for this drawback, the user has to manually select a fixed form paper feeding section capable of feeding fixed form paper.
[0008]
In the second wide-width digital copying machine, if any one of the roll paper feeding units is set as the priority paper feeding unit, that priority paper feeding unit is selected preferentially. The paper is not limited to the roll paper feeder set to be able to feed roll paper whose width is the same as the length of the document in the main scanning direction. It is also conceivable that a roll paper feed unit capable of paper is selected and paper is fed from the roll paper feed unit, resulting in a problem that wasteful costs are incurred.
[0009]
In the third wide-width digital copying machine, when a roll paper having a width corresponding to the length of the document image in the main scanning direction is set in the corresponding roll paper feeding section, the roll paper feeding section is automatically set. Therefore, the original image is not necessarily rotated and copied on roll paper.
Here, there is a case where the roll paper is charged according to the length of the paper feeding direction used, and it is preferable that the user performs copying so that the short side direction of the original image matches the paper feeding direction of the roll paper. And it has many advantages such as reduced copy time. However, when a document whose length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction is inserted, and roll paper having a width corresponding to the length in the main scanning direction is set in the corresponding roll paper feeding unit, Since the roll paper feeding unit is automatically selected, the above-described advantages are eliminated.
[0010]
In recent years, the operability of the wide digital copying machine has been improved, but on the other hand, the purpose of use has been diversified, and it has become difficult to launch general-purpose functions. The automatic paper selection function is a function that automatically selects the optimal paper feed unit. However, since the optimal paper feed unit differs depending on the user and the purpose of copying, there are cases where it cannot be called a general-purpose function. .
Further, in a wide-width digital copying machine, the equal magnification of an output image (copy image) is indispensable, and therefore, a primary magnification (magnification performed when reading an original image) function and a secondary magnification (magnification) are used. In general, there is a method of providing the same magnification of the output image by providing a function of changing the magnification at the time of image output. However, when the image is rotated by using the automatic paper selection function, the main scanning and the sub-scanning of the original are switched. As a result, the main scanning side and the sub-scanning side of the original image after the secondary magnification change are switched, and there is a disadvantage that equal magnification cannot be obtained.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an automatic paper feeding unit (standard size paper or roll paper) that is optimal for copying an original image (including a scaled image obtained by scaling the original image). The purpose is to reduce wasteful expenses by making a selection. It is another object of the present invention to obtain the same magnification of an output image even when an image is rotated by using an automatic paper selection function.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention relates to an image storage device for storing a document image, an image reading device for reading the document image, an image forming device for forming the document image on a sheet, and reading the document image by the image reading device. Image reading control means for performing an image reading operation of writing image data in the image storage means, and image forming control means for performing image formation control for reading an original image stored in the image storage means and forming the image on a sheet by the image forming means In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus having the following features is provided.
[0013]
The image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured such that a roll paper feeding unit in which roll paper, which is a paper wound in a roll, is set so as to be capable of feeding, and a fixed size paper, which is a fixed size sheet, can be fed. And a size of a document image read by the image reading means, the length of the document in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction, and the size of the original image read by the image reading means and the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Image size detecting means for detecting the length in the main scanning direction, and image rotating means for rotating the document image read by the image reading means,
A first comparing unit configured to compare the size of the original image detected by the image size detecting unit with the size of the standard size paper and determine whether the original image fits on the standard size paper; Determining means for calculating the size of the rotated image when the original image is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 based on the detection result of the image size detecting means when it is determined that the image cannot be accommodated by the determining means; Calculating means, comparing the size of the rotated image calculated by the means with the size of the fixed form paper, and second comparing and judging means for judging whether the rotated image fits on the fixed form paper, The rotation instructing means for rotating the document image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means only when it is determined that the document can be accommodated, and the first or second comparison If it is determined that fits the constant unit, in which a sheet feeding unit selection means for selecting the standard size paper feeding unit preferentially.
[0014]
An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of roll paper feeding units in which roll papers of different widths, each of which is wound in a roll shape, are set so as to be capable of feeding paper, and read by the image reading unit. Image size detecting means for detecting the length of the original image in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction of the roll paper and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction; Image rotation means for rotating the document image read by the image reading means, wherein the image formation control means has a length in the main scanning direction of the size of the document image detected by the image size detection means, and a priority paper feed unit Compares the width of the roll paper fed from the roll paper feed unit set in advance as a reference, and determines whether the length of the document image in the main scanning direction matches the width of the roll paper. If the first comparison and determination unit determines that the two do not match, the length of the document image in the sub-scanning direction and the supply from the roll paper feed unit preset as the priority feed unit are determined. Second comparison / judgment means for comparing the width of the rolled paper to be printed and determining whether or not the length of the document image in the sub-scanning direction matches the width of the rolled paper; Only when this is done, if the rotation instruction means for rotating the document image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotation means and the first or second comparison and determination means determine that they match, the priority paper feeding unit And a paper feeder selecting means for preferentially selecting a roll paper feeder set in advance.
[0015]
An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of roll paper feed units in which roll papers of different widths, each of which is wound in a roll shape, are set so as to be capable of feeding, and read by the image reading unit. Image size detecting means for detecting the length of the original image in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction of the roll paper and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction; Image rotation means for rotating the document image read by the image reading means, wherein the image formation control means has a main scanning direction length and a sub-scanning direction size of the document image detected by the image size detection means. Comparison determination means for determining whether the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction, and the document only when the length is determined to be longer by the means. A rotation instructing unit that rotates the image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating unit; and a case in which the comparison determining unit determines that the length of the document image in the main scanning direction is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction. Of the roll paper feeders, the roll paper feeder in which the roll paper having the width corresponding to the length in the main scanning direction is set to be capable of feeding the paper is preferentially selected, and the size of the original image is selected. If it is determined that the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction, a roll paper of a width corresponding to the length in the sub-scanning direction of each of the roll paper feeding units can be fed. Paper feed unit selection means for preferentially selecting the set roll paper feed unit.
[0016]
An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the variable magnification setting means for setting a magnification and the original image read by the image reading means are set to the variable magnification setting. Means for scaling the image in accordance with the scaling factor set by the means, wherein the rotation instructing means rotates the original image stored in the image storage means by 90 degrees or 270 rotations by the image rotating means. Means for causing the image forming control means to read the original image stored in the image storage means when the magnification setting has been made by the magnification setting means, or When the magnification is equal to or more than a predetermined value, a rotation instruction prohibiting unit that prohibits the rotation instruction unit from rotating the image rotation unit is provided.
[0017]
An image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of roll paper feeding units each set to be capable of feeding roll paper of different widths, each being a roll of paper, and a fixed size paper having a fixed size. A first priority paper supply unit setting means for setting the regular paper supply unit as a priority paper supply unit, the first priority paper supply unit setting means comprising: A second priority sheet feeding unit setting unit that sets any one of the above as a priority sheet feeding unit; a copy time reduction mode setting unit that sets a copy time reduction mode that prioritizes a reduction in copy time for roll paper; Means for detecting the length of the original image read by the means in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction of the paper and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction; Set The image forming control means includes first, second, and third paper supply section selection control means for performing different paper supply section selection control, and the first paper supply section selection control means is provided with the first paper supply section selection control means. When the standard paper feeding unit is set as the priority paper feeding unit by the priority paper feeding unit setting unit, the size of the original image detected by the image size detecting unit is compared with the size of the standard paper. A first comparison / judgment unit for judging whether or not the original image fits on the fixed size paper; and, when it is judged that the original image does not fit, the original image is determined based on a detection result by the image size detecting unit. First rotating image size calculating means for calculating the size of the rotated image when rotated by 90 degrees or 270, and comparing the size of the rotated image calculated by the means with the size of the fixed form paper, A second comparison / judgment means for judging whether or not the image fits on the fixed size paper; and a first means for rotating the original image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotation means only when it is judged that the image fits. The first or second comparison / determination unit determines that the rotation can be accommodated; and the first paper supply unit selection unit that preferentially selects the priority paper supply unit. In the case where any one of the roll paper feeding units is set as the priority feeding unit by the second priority feeding unit setting unit, the image size detection unit detects the second paper feeding unit selection control unit. The length of the document image in the main scanning direction is compared with the width of the roll paper fed from the priority paper feeding unit, and the length of the document image in the main scanning direction matches the width of the roll paper. The third to determine whether Comparing the length of the document image in the sub-scanning direction with the width of the roll paper fed from the priority paper feed unit, and Fourth comparison / determination means for determining whether or not the length of the image in the sub-scanning direction and the width of the roll paper match; and The second sheet feeding means for preferentially selecting the priority sheet feeding section when it is determined by the third or fourth comparison / judgment means that the second sheet is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 according to the above. And the third paper feed unit selection control means is detected by the image size detection means when the copy time reduction mode is set by the copy time reduction mode setting means. A fifth comparison / determination unit that compares the length of the document image in the main scanning direction with the length in the sub-scanning direction and determines whether the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction; Third rotation instructing means for rotating the original image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means only when it is determined that the original image is long, and main scanning of the size of the original image by the fifth comparing and judging means If it is determined that the length in the direction is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction, the roll paper of the respective roll paper feeding units having the width corresponding to the length in the main scanning direction is set to be capable of feeding. Roll paper feeding section is preferentially selected, and if it is determined that the length of the original image in the main scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction, the roll Of the width corresponding to the length of the Lumpur paper are those constituted by the third sheet feeding unit selection means for selecting preferentially a feedable to the set roll paper feeding unit.
[0018]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the variable magnification setting means for setting a magnification and the original image read by the image reading means are set by the variable magnification setting means. Image scaling means for changing the magnification in accordance with the magnification, and all of the first, second and third rotation instruction means for converting the original image stored in the image storage means to the image rotation means. Means for rotating the image by 90 degrees or 270, and when the image forming control means has set the magnification by the magnification setting means when reading the original image stored in the image storage means, Alternatively, when the set magnification is equal to or more than a predetermined value, a rotation instruction prohibiting means for prohibiting the first, second, or third rotation instruction means from instructing the image rotation means to rotate. It is those with a.
[0019]
An image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is configured such that a roll paper feed unit in which roll paper, which is a roll of paper, is set so as to be capable of feeding, and a fixed size paper, which is a fixed size sheet, can be fed. And a size of a document image read by the image reading means, the length of the document in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction, and the size of the original image read by the image reading means and the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Image size detection means for detecting the length in the main scanning direction, magnification change setting means for setting the magnification, and changing the original image read by the image reading means in accordance with the magnification set by the magnification change means. Image scaling means for changing the size of the original image, and image rotation means for rotating the original image read by the image reading means. Scaled image size calculation means for calculating the size of a scaled image, which is the original image after scaling by the image scaling means, based on the size of the scaled image calculated by the means and the size of the standard paper And a first comparison / judgment means for judging whether or not the resized image fits on the fixed-size paper. A rotated image size calculating means for calculating the size of the rotated image when the resized image is rotated by 90 degrees or 270, and comparing the size of the rotated image calculated by the means with the size of the standard paper, A second comparison / judgment means for judging whether the rotated image fits on the fixed-size paper, and the scaled image is converted by the image rotation means only when it is judged that the rotated image fits. A rotation instructing unit for rotating 0 degrees or 270 rotations; and a paper feeding unit selecting unit for preferentially selecting the standard paper feeding unit when the first or second comparison determining unit determines that the paper can be accommodated. It is something.
[0020]
An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of roll paper feeding units in which roll papers of different widths, each of which is a paper wound in a roll shape, are set so as to be capable of feeding paper, and read by the image reading means. Image size detecting means for detecting the length of the original image in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the roll paper feeding direction and the length in the main scanning direction matching the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction; Magnification setting means for setting a magnification, image magnification means for enlarging the original image read by the image reading means according to the magnification set by the magnification setting means, and image reading by the image reading means Image rotating means for rotating a document image, wherein the image forming control means includes a document after being scaled by the image scaling means based on a detection result by the image size detecting means. A scaled image size calculating means for calculating the size of a scaled image as an image; a length of the scaled image size calculated by the means in the main scanning direction; First comparing and judging means for comparing the width of the roll paper fed from the set, and judging whether or not the length of the scaled image in the main scanning direction and the width of the roll paper coincide with each other; If it is determined that they do not match, the length of the scaled image size calculated by the scaled image size calculation means in the sub-scanning direction and the supply from the roll sheet feeding unit preset as the priority sheet feeding unit. A second comparison / determination unit that compares the width of the rolled paper to be printed and determines whether the length of the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction matches the width of the roll paper; Only when judged, the above scaled image is A roll sheet feeding unit preset as the priority sheet feeding unit when the rotation instructing unit that rotates the image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating unit and the first or second comparing and judging unit determine that they match. And paper feeder selecting means for selecting the priority.
[0021]
An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of roll paper feeding units in which roll papers of different widths, each of which is a paper wound in a roll shape, are set so as to be capable of feeding, and read by the image reading unit. Image size detecting means for detecting the length of the original image in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the roll paper feeding direction and the length in the main scanning direction matching the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction; Magnification setting means for setting a magnification, image magnification means for enlarging the original image read by the image reading means according to the magnification set by the magnification setting means, and image reading by the image reading means Image rotating means for rotating a document image, wherein the image forming control means includes a document after being scaled by the image scaling means based on a detection result by the image size detecting means. A scaled image size calculating means for calculating the size of the scaled image as an image, and comparing the length of the scaled image size calculated by the means with the length in the main scanning direction and the length in the sub-scanning direction, Comparing and judging means for judging whether or not the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the direction, and a rotation for rotating the resized image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means only when judged to be longer by the means. When the instructing means and the comparing and judging means determine that the length of the scaled image in the main scanning direction is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction, Preferentially select a roll paper feeder set to be capable of feeding roll paper with a width that matches the length in the scanning direction, and set the length of the above-mentioned variable-size image in the sub-scanning direction to the length in the main scanning direction. Is determined to be long Paper feed unit selection means for preferentially selecting a roll paper feed unit in which the roll paper of the width corresponding to the length in the sub-scanning direction among the roll paper feed units is set to be capable of feeding paper. It is something.
[0022]
An image forming apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, wherein the rotation instructing means is controlled by the image rotating means to change the scaled image stored in the image storing means. Means for rotating the image by 90 degrees or 270, and when the image forming control unit reads out the scaled image stored in the image storage unit, the setting of the scale ratio is changed by the scale setting unit. Alternatively, a rotation instruction prohibition unit for prohibiting the rotation instruction unit from instructing the image rotation unit to rotate when the setting-changed magnification is equal to or more than a predetermined value is provided.
[0023]
An image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of roll paper feeding units each set to be capable of feeding roll paper of different widths, each of which is a paper wound in a roll, and a fixed size paper having a fixed size. A first priority paper supply unit setting means for setting the regular paper supply unit as a priority paper supply unit, the first priority paper supply unit setting means comprising: A second priority sheet feeding unit setting unit that sets any one of the above as a priority sheet feeding unit; a copy time reduction mode setting unit that sets a copy time reduction mode that prioritizes a reduction in copy time for roll paper; Means for detecting the length of the original image read by the means in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction of the paper and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction; , Magnification setting means for setting a magnification, image magnification means for enlarging the original image read by the image reading means according to the magnification set by the magnification setting means, and image reading by the image reading means Image rotation means for rotating a document image, the image formation control means comprising first, second, and third paper supply section selection control means for performing different paper supply section selection controls, When the fixed-size sheet feeding unit is set as the priority sheet feeding unit by the first priority sheet feeding unit setting unit, the image forming unit selects the sheet feeding unit selection control unit based on the detection result of the image size detecting unit. First scaled image size calculation means for calculating the size of a scaled image, which is the original image after scaling by the scaling means, and the size of the scaled image calculated by the means and the size of the standard paper. A first comparison / judgment means for judging whether or not the resized image fits on the fixed size paper, and, if it is judged that the image cannot be accommodated by the means, based on a detection result by the image size detecting means. First rotating image size calculating means for calculating the size of the rotated image when the resized image is rotated by 90 degrees or 270; and comparing the size of the rotating image calculated by the means with the size of the standard paper. Second comparison / judgment means for judging whether or not the rotated image fits on the fixed-size paper, and rotating the resized image by 90 ° or 270 rotation by the image rotation means only when judged by the means to fit. A first rotation instruction unit that causes the first paper feed unit to be selected by the first or second comparison determination unit and a first paper feed unit selection unit that preferentially selects the priority paper supply unit when the first or second comparison determination unit determines that the paper is contained. The second paper feed unit selection control means is configured to output the image data when one of the roll paper feed units is set as the priority paper feed unit by the second priority paper feed unit setting means. A second scaled image size calculating means for calculating a size of a scaled image which is an original image after scaling by the image scaling means based on a detection result by the size detecting means; and a scaled image calculated by the means. The length of the image size in the main scanning direction is compared with the width of the roll paper fed from the priority paper feeding unit, and the length of the scaled image in the main scanning direction and the width of the roll paper match. A third comparison / judgment means for judging whether or not the size of the scaled image calculated by the second scaled image size calculation means is determined by the second scaled image size calculation means, Width of roll paper fed from the priority paper feeder And a fourth comparing and judging means for judging whether or not the length of the resized image in the sub-scanning direction and the width of the roll paper coincide with each other. If the second rotation instructing means for rotating the resized image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means and the third or fourth comparing and judging means determine that they match, the priority sheet feeding section is given priority. And the third paper supply unit selection control means is configured to control the image size when the copy time reduction mode is set by the copy time reduction mode setting means. A third scaled image size calculation unit for calculating a size of a scaled image which is a document image after scaling by the image scaling unit based on a detection result by the detection unit; and a scaled image calculated by the unit. A fifth comparison / determination unit that compares the length in the main scanning direction with the length in the sub-scanning direction and determines whether the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction. Third rotation instructing means for rotating the resized image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means only when it is determined to be long, and main scanning direction of the size of the resized image by the fifth comparing and judging means. If it is determined that the length of the roll paper is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction, the roll paper having the width corresponding to the length in the main scanning direction among the roll paper feeding units is set to be capable of feeding. If the roll paper feed unit is preferentially selected, and it is determined that the length of the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction, the roll paper feeding unit Roll paper with a width that matches the length of And a third paper feed unit selecting means for preferentially selecting a roll paper feed unit set so as to be possible.
[0024]
An image forming apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, wherein each of the first, second, and third rotation instruction means is stored in the image storage means. Means for rotating the image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means. When reading the scaled image stored in the image storage means, the image forming control means sets the scaling by the scale setting means. If the change has been made, or if the changed magnification ratio has been changed to a predetermined value or more, a rotation instruction prohibition that prohibits the first, second, or third rotation instruction means from rotating the image rotation means. Means.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control unit.
The digital copying machine includes a scanner 1, an operation unit 2, a plotter 10, and a control unit 100.
The scanner 1 is an image reading unit that reads a document image. The scanner 1 includes an optical scanning system including a line image sensor using a light source and a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD, and a document inserted from a document insertion port (not shown). And a mechanical mechanism having a document transport mechanism for transporting the original toward the printer, and an A / D converter.
[0026]
The scanner 1 conveys a document inserted from a document insertion port by a document conveying mechanism, exposes (illuminates) an image surface of the document by a light source, and forms a reflected light image on a light receiving surface of a line image sensor. Then, the image of the document is read (at this time, the reflected light image from the document surface is photoelectrically converted by the line image sensor and converted into digital information by the A / D converter), and the document image (digital information) is output.
According to the scanner 1, since an image of a document conveyed by the document conveying mechanism can be read, a sensor is provided in the document conveying mechanism, and the sensor uses the sensor to set the size of the document image to a sheet (standard size Main scanning that matches the length and width direction (the direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction) in the sub-scanning direction (the direction in which the document is conveyed) that matches the paper feeding direction of the paper or rolled paper that is wound in a roll. The length in the direction (the length direction of the line image sensor) can be detected. Alternatively, the size of the document image can be detected by analyzing the read document image.
[0027]
Note that, in place of the scanner 1, the lower surface of the original document which is automatically fed from the original platen by the separate ADF (automatic original feeder) and set on the contact glass or the original set on the contact glass by the operator ( The image surface) is exposed and scanned by the movement of an optical scanning system (traveling body) including a light source and a line image sensor, and a reflected light image from the image surface is formed on a light receiving surface of the line image sensor, thereby forming a document. A scanner that reads an image and outputs the original image can also be mounted.
According to this scanner, since the image surface of the document set on the contact glass can be exposed and scanned by moving the optical scanning system to read the document image, a sensor is provided below the contact glass or in the optical scanning system. The sensor can detect the length of the document image in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the width direction. Alternatively, the size of the document image can be detected by analyzing the read document image.
Therefore, the scanner 1 also functions as an image size detecting unit.
[0028]
The operation unit 2 includes various operation keys 2a for an operator (user) to perform various settings, and a display panel 2b including LEDs and LCDs for displaying various information.
The plotter 10 is an image forming unit that forms a document image on a sheet, and a plurality of rolls in which roll papers 11 a to 14 a having different widths, each of which is wound in a roll shape, are set (stored) so as to be capable of feeding. Paper feed trays (roll paper feed units) 11 to 14, and a plurality of standard paper feed cassettes (standard paper feed units) set to be able to feed standard paper of different sizes, each of which is a standard size paper 15 and 16, the original image or an image obtained by scaling or rotating the original image is converted into a roll paper feed tray (hereinafter simply referred to as “feed tray”) or a standard paper feed cassette (hereinafter simply referred to as “paper tray”). An image is formed on a sheet fed from a sheet cassette by using an electrophotographic method.
[0029]
Here, an example of image formation using the electrophotographic method by the plotter 10 will be described in more detail.
In the plotter 10, the laser light source in the writing unit is modulated (ON / OFF) in accordance with the document image (digital information) to emit a corresponding laser beam. Then, the laser beam is periodically deflected by a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror) to repeatedly scan the photosensitive member rotating in the sub-scanning direction (charged uniformly by a charger) in the main scanning direction. By performing (main scanning), an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is written on the photoreceptor, and the electrostatic image is developed with toner from a developing unit to form a toner image. Further, the toner image is transferred by a transfer unit onto a sheet fed from a pre-selected sheet feeding unit (hereinafter also referred to as a “sheet feeding stage”), and the sheet after the transfer is conveyed to a fixing unit. A series of image formation is completed by thermally fixing the upper toner image, and the sheet after the image formation is completed is discharged to a discharge tray outside the apparatus.
[0030]
The plotter 10 also includes a remaining amount detection device 17 and a cutter device 18. The remaining amount detection device 17 detects the remaining amount of roll paper set in the selected paper feed tray.
The cutter device 18 cuts the roll paper fed from the selected paper feed tray to a designated length (for example, the length of the document in the sub-scanning direction).
As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an engine input / output unit (hereinafter, “input / output unit” is referred to as “I / O”) 104, an image processing unit 105, and an operation unit interface (hereinafter, referred to as “I / O”). The “interface” is referred to as an “I / F” 106 or the like.
[0031]
The CPU 101 is a central processing unit (microprocessor) that controls the entire digital copying machine according to a control program in the ROM 102.
The ROM 102 is a read-only memory that stores a program for operating the CPU 101 and fixed data.
The RAM 103 is a readable memory used as a work memory used when the CPU 101 performs data processing, an image memory (image storage unit) for storing image information (eg, a document image read by the scanner 1), and the like. .
The engine I / O 104 exchanges image information with the scanner 1 and the plotter 10.
The image processing unit 105 changes the size of an original image read by the scanner 1 in accordance with a preset scaling ratio, and rotates the original image (including the original image after scaling). Function as image scaling means and image rotation means.
The operation unit I / F 106 exchanges information with the operation unit 2.
[0032]
Here, the CPU 101 performs a logical operation according to a control program in the ROM 102, causes the scanner 1 to read a document image, performs an image reading operation of writing the document image in the RAM 103, reads a document image stored in the RAM 103, By performing an image reading operation for forming (printing) on a sheet by the use of 10, a copy process can be performed.
[0033]
When reading a document image, the scanner 1 detects the length of the document image in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction and the length in the main scanning direction matching the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Then, the detection information is transmitted to the engine I / O 104, and the original image is read in advance in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction at a designated resolution, and is transmitted to the engine I / O 104 as digital information in dot units.
After writing the digital information (original image) sent via the engine I / O 104 into the RAM 103, the CPU 101 changes the magnification according to a magnification set in advance by the image processing unit 105, if necessary. After performing image processing such as rotation, the image is sent to the plotter 10 via the engine I / O 104.
[0034]
The CPU 101 operates the various operation keys 2a of the operation unit 2 so that the operation key information (magnification / magnification designation information, sheet feeding stage designation information, mode designation information, etc.) is transmitted via the operation unit I / F 106. The magnification is set according to the operation key information, the paper cassette is set as the priority paper tray, and any of the paper trays 11 to 14 is set as the priority paper tray (priority paper tray). Or sets a copy time reduction mode in which the reduction of copy time for roll paper is prioritized. Further, various information such as scaling information, margin information, and message information of missing images are displayed as character strings on the LCD of the display panel 2b via the operation unit I / F 106, or displayed by turning on / off a corresponding LED. Or
[0035]
Therefore, when the CPU 101 operates according to the control program in the ROM 102, the magnification setting unit, the first priority sheet feeding unit setting unit, the second priority sheet feeding unit setting unit, the copy time reduction mode setting unit, the image reading It can function as a control unit and an image formation control unit. The function as the image forming control means includes an automatic paper (paper feed unit) selecting function.
[0036]
FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of a main routine of a copy process by the CPU 101 of FIG.
When a document is inserted (set) into the document insertion slot of the scanner 1, the CPU 101 starts the processing routine of FIGS. 3 and 4 in order to detect the document by a sensor (not shown) and to detect the presence of the document. In step S1, the original is transported by the original transport mechanism in the scanner 1, and an image reading operation including reading of the original image is performed. At this time, if the magnification is not set, the read original image is written in the RAM 103 as it is, but if the magnification is set, the read original image is scaled by the image processing unit 105 in accordance with the magnification. (Magnification or reduction), and the original image (magnified image) after the magnification is written into the RAM 103. Further, the scanner 1 detects the size of the document image (the length in the main scanning direction and the length in the sub-scanning direction), and acquires the detection information in order to output the detection information.
[0037]
When a scanner having a contact glass is used instead of the scanner 1, the operation is performed in a state where the original is placed (set) on the contact glass (a state in which the presence of the original is detected by the sensor). When the copy key on the unit 2 is pressed, the processing routines shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are started, and an image reading operation including reading of the original image is performed. Alternatively, when using a scanner having an ADF above the contact glass, if the copy key on the operation unit 2 is pressed while the original is placed on the original platen of the ADF, FIG. The processing routine of FIG. 4 is started, the original is automatically fed by the original feeding mechanism in the ADF, set on the contact glass, and an image reading operation including reading of the original image is performed.
[0038]
Next, in step S2, the state of the scanner 1 is monitored to determine whether or not the reading of the document image has been completed (determined). When the reading has been completed, the length of the size of the document image in the main scanning direction is determined in step S3. Then, the variables x and y are calculated by multiplying the length in the sub-scanning direction by the magnification. If the scaling factor is other than 100%, the original image is scaled by setting the scaling factor. Therefore, the variables x and y are the size of the scaled original image (length in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning). Direction length). Since the scaling is performed at the time of reading the original image, the scaling is referred to as primary scaling. Output of an original image (including a rotated image which is an original image after the original image is firstly scaled and a rotated image which is an original image after rotating the original image) (read from RAM 103 and form an image by plotter 10) The scaling performed sometimes is called secondary scaling. The secondary magnification is a process of performing magnification using a correction magnification which is a magnification for secondary magnification in order to absorb an error in magnification between an output image (copy image) and an original image of a document. Means If the scaling factor is 100%, the scaling factor is not set and the document image is not scaled, so the variables x and y indicate the size of the document image.
[0039]
Next, in step 4, it is determined whether the secondary magnification (correction magnification) is set (or the correction magnification is equal to or more than a predetermined value), and if the secondary magnification is not set (or correction magnification). Is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value). If the secondary magnification has been set (or if the correction magnification is equal to or more than the predetermined value), the process proceeds to step 7.
In step S5, it is determined whether x ≧ y (the length of the document image in the main scanning direction is equal to or greater than the length in the sub-scanning direction) by comparing the variables x and y calculated above.
[0040]
If x ≧ y, the process proceeds to step S7. If x <y (when the length of the original image or the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length of the original image or the scaled image in the main scanning direction), that is, if the original image or the scaled image is in the vertical direction, copy in step S6 It is determined whether or not the time reduction mode (horizontal output priority mode) is set. If the time reduction mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S7. If the time reduction mode is set, the process proceeds to step 8 and the process A is performed.
Process A is an automatic paper selection module using a copy time reduction function (width output priority function), and determines whether or not the corresponding paper tray (corresponding paper tray) and whether or not image rotation (rotation of a document image or a scaled image) is performed. Check and proceed to step S11.
[0041]
In step S11, the presence or absence of the corresponding paper feed tray is determined based on the execution result of the process A. If the relevant paper feed tray does not exist, the fact is indicated on the LCD or LED of the display panel 2b of the operation unit 2 in step S15. Alert is displayed, and the copying process is interrupted in step S16. If there is a corresponding paper feed tray, the plotter (engine) 10 is notified of the designation information (paper feed stage number) of the relevant paper feed tray and the information of the presence or absence of image rotation in step S12, and the plotter 10 is notified in step S13. The image forming process is performed. That is, the paper is fed by selecting the corresponding paper feed tray, and the paper (roll paper) fed as it is by rotating the original image or the resized image stored in the RAM 103 or by rotating it by 90 degrees or 270 degrees. Form on top.
[0042]
Thereafter, when the next original is inserted into the original insertion slot of the scanner 1, the original is detected by the sensor. Therefore, it is determined in step S14 that there is an original, and the process returns to step 1 to perform the same processing as described above. If the next document is not detected by the sensor, it is determined in step S14 that there is no document, and the processing in FIGS.
When a scanner having an ADF above the contact glass is used instead of the scanner 1, if the next original is placed on the original plate of the ADF, that original is detected by the sensor. Therefore, it is determined in step S14 that there is a document, and the process returns to step 1 to perform the same processing as described above. When the ADF is not used, or when the ADF is not mounted, the determination in step S14 is not performed, and the processing in FIGS.
[0043]
On the other hand, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the paper feed cassette is set as the priority paper feed stage. If the paper feed cassette is set, the process proceeds to step 9, and the process B is executed.
Process B is an automatic paper selection module using the paper cassette priority function, and checks the presence or absence of the corresponding paper cassette or paper tray (the corresponding paper tray) and the presence or absence of image rotation, and proceeds to step S11.
[0044]
In step S11, the presence or absence of the corresponding sheet cassette or the corresponding sheet tray is determined based on the execution result of the process B. If there is no corresponding sheet cassette or the corresponding sheet tray, the fact is determined in step S15. An alert is displayed on the LCD or LED of the second display panel 2b, and the copying process is interrupted in step S16. If there is the relevant paper cassette or the relevant paper tray, the plotter 10 is notified of the specification information of the relevant paper cassette or the relevant paper tray and the information of the presence or absence of the image rotation in a step S12. Performs image forming processing. In other words, the sheet is fed by selecting the corresponding sheet cassette or the corresponding sheet tray and feeding the original image or the scaled image stored in the RAM 103 as it is or by rotating the image by 90 degrees or 270 degrees. It is formed on paper (regular paper or roll paper). At this time, if the secondary scaling is set, the process of secondary scaling of the original image or the scaled image stored in the RAM 103 before the image formation on the paper by the plotter 10 is also performed. Do.
[0045]
If the sheet cassette is not set as the priority sheet cassette, the process proceeds to step S10, and the process C is executed.
Process C is an automatic paper selection module using the paper feed tray priority function, and checks the presence or absence of the corresponding paper feed tray and the rotation of the document image or the scaled image, and proceeds to step S11.
[0046]
In step S11, the presence or absence of the corresponding paper feed tray is determined based on the execution result of the process C. If there is no corresponding paper feed tray, in step S15 the fact is indicated on the LCD or LED of the display panel 2b of the operation unit 2. Alert is displayed, and the copying process is interrupted in step S16. If there is a corresponding paper feed tray, the plotter 10 notifies the plotter 10 of the designation information of the relevant paper feed tray and information of the presence or absence of image rotation in step S12, and causes the plotter 10 to perform image forming processing in step S13. That is, the paper is fed by selecting the corresponding paper feed tray, and the paper (roll paper) fed as it is by rotating the original image or the resized image stored in the RAM 103 or by rotating it by 90 degrees or 270 degrees. Form on top.
[0047]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine of the process A in FIG.
Process A (automatic paper selection module using the copy time reduction function) can form a rotated image when a document image or a resized image is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 degrees. If a search is made for a paper feed tray that can supply roll paper whose length in the paper feed direction is short, and there is no applicable paper feed tray as a result of the search, without rotating the original image or This is a program for searching for a paper feed tray that can be formed as it is and can feed roll paper whose length in the paper feed direction is longer than the length in the width direction at the time of cutting.
[0048]
First, the CPU 101 sets the number of paper feed trays to a variable n in step S21 and substitutes “1” for the variable n as an initial value. In step S22, the n-th paper feed tray (in the first case, n = 1, After substituting the width of the roll paper fed from the tray 11) into the variable w, the process proceeds to step S23, where the variable y (the length of the original image or the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction) is compared with the variable w. It is determined whether the variables y and w match (y = w).
If the variables y and w match, the variable n at this time, that is, the specification information of the n-th paper feed tray (paper feed tray number) and the information indicating that the image is rotated are returned (to the plotter 10). As notification information).
[0049]
If the variables y and w do not match, it is determined in step S24 whether or not the variable n has reached the last number of paper feed trays ("4" in this example). Since it is "1", the process proceeds to step S25, where the variable n is incremented (+1), and the process returns to step S22 to perform the same processing as described above.
Then, the process is repeated several times, and when the variable n reaches the final number of paper feed trays, it is determined in step S24 that the variable n has reached the final number of paper feed trays, and the process proceeds to step S26. In other words, the process proceeds to a process of searching for a paper feed tray capable of feeding roll paper in which the original image or the scaled image can be formed as it is without rotating and the length in the paper feed direction is longer than the length in the width direction at the time of cutting. .
[0050]
In step S26, the number of paper feed trays is again set as a variable n, and "1" is substituted for the variable n as an initial value. In step S27, the width of the roll paper fed from the n-th paper feed tray is set as a variable. After substituting for w, the process proceeds to step S28, where the variable x (the length of the original image or the scaled image in the main scanning direction) is compared with the variable w, and the variables x and w match (x = w). Determine whether or not.
If the variables x and w match, the variable n at this time, that is, the specification information of the n-th paper feed tray and the information of no image rotation are returned as return values (notification information to the plotter 10). I do.
[0051]
If the variables x and w do not match, it is determined in step S29 whether or not the variable n has reached the final number of paper feed trays. At this point, since it is still "1", the flow proceeds to step S30. The variable n is incremented (+1), and the process returns to step S27 to perform the same processing as described above.
The process is repeated several times, and when the variable n reaches the last number of paper feed trays, it is determined in step S29 that the variable n has reached the last number of paper feed trays. Return as value.
[0052]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine of the process B in FIG. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that there is only one sheet cassette. In addition, the sheet cassette is set as a first sheet feeding stage, and each of the sheet trays 11 to 14 is set as a second sheet feeding stage.
Process B (automatic paper selection module using the paper cassette priority function) checks the size regardless of the orientation of the standard paper fed from the paper cassette, and the paper cassette does not correspond to the paper cassette to be selected. In this case, it is a program for searching for a paper feed tray capable of feeding roll paper that can form a document image or a scaled image as it is or by rotating it.
[0053]
First, in step S31, the CPU 101 substitutes the number of paper feed cassettes as a variable k (k = 1 in this example), and in step S32, the width (length in the width direction) of the roll paper fed from the paper feed cassette. ) Is substituted for the variable w1 and the length in the sheet feeding direction is substituted for the variable w2, and then the process proceeds to step S33 to compare the variable x (the length of the original image or the scaled image in the main scanning direction) with the variable w1. At the same time, the variable y (the length of the original image or the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction) is compared with the variable w2, and the variables x and w1 match (x = w1), and the variables y and w2 match ( It is determined whether y = w2).
[0054]
If the variables x and w1 match and the variables y and w2 match, in step S44, the variable k of the number of sheet cassettes is substituted for the variable n, and the variable n at this time, that is, the sheet feeding is performed. The information specifying the cassette (paper feed stage number) and the information indicating no image rotation are returned as return values (notification information to the plotter 10).
If the variables x and w1 or the variables y and w2 do not match, the process proceeds to step S34, where the variables x and w2 are compared, the variables y and w1 are compared, and the variables x and w2 are compared. Are determined (x = w2), and whether the variables y and w1 match (y = w1).
[0055]
If the variables x and w2 match, and the variables y and w1 match, in step S43, the variable k of the number of sheet cassettes is substituted for the variable n, and the variable n at this time, that is, the sheet feeding is performed. The cassette designation information and the information indicating that the image is rotated are returned as return values.
If the variables x and w2 or the variables y and w1 do not match, the process proceeds to step S35. In other words, the process proceeds to a process of searching for a paper feed tray capable of feeding roll paper that can form a document image or a scaled image as it is or by rotating it.
[0056]
In step S35, the number of paper feed trays is set as a variable n, and "1" is substituted for the variable n as an initial value. In step S36, the width of the roll paper fed from the n-th paper feed tray is set as a variable w. Is determined in step S37 whether or not the variables n and k match. Initially, since n = k = 1, the variable n is incremented (+1) to "2" in step S38.
Thereafter, in step S39, the variable x and the variable w are compared to determine whether the respective variables x and w match (x = w). If they match, the variable n at this time, that is, the n-th stage The return information (notification information to the plotter 10) is returned as the return information (notification information to the plotter 10).
[0057]
If the variables x and w do not match, the variable y and the variable w are compared in step S40 to determine whether the variables y and w match (y = w). Returns the variable n at this time, that is, the specification information of the n-th paper feed tray and the information indicating that the image is rotated, as a return value.
If the variables y and w do not match, it is determined in step S41 whether or not the variable n has reached the last number of paper feed trays (in this example, "5"). 2 ”, the process proceeds to step S42, where the variable n is incremented (+1), and the process returns to step S36.
[0058]
In step S36, the width of the roll paper fed from the n-th paper feed tray is substituted for the variable w, and it is determined in step S37 whether the variables n and k match. Since the variables n and k do not match, the process proceeds to step S39, and thereafter, the same processing as described above is performed.
The process is repeated several times, and when the variable n reaches the last number of paper feed trays, it is determined in step S41 that the variable n has reached the last number of paper feed trays. Return as value.
[0059]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine of the process C in FIG. For convenience of explanation, the priority paper feed tray (the paper feed tray set as the priority paper feed tray among the respective paper feed trays 11 to 14) is set as the first paper feed tray, and the other paper feed trays are used. Are the second to fourth paper feed stages.
Process C (automatic paper selection module using the paper feed tray priority function) checks the size regardless of the direction of the roll paper fed from the priority paper feed tray, If not, the program searches for a paper feed tray capable of feeding roll paper that can be formed by rotating or rotating the original image or the scaled image.
[0060]
The CPU 101 first substitutes the number of priority paper trays as a variable m in step S51, substitutes a variable m for variable n in step S52, and rolls paper fed from the n-th priority paper supply tray in step S53. Is substituted for the variable w, the process proceeds to step S54, where the variable x (the length of the original image or the scaled image in the main scanning direction) is compared with the variable w, and the variables x and w match (x = W).
When the variables x and w match each other, the variable n at this time, that is, the priority sheet tray designation information and the information of no image rotation are returned as return values (notification information to the plotter 10).
[0061]
When the variables x and w do not match, in step S55, the variable y (the length of the original image or the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction) is compared with the variable w, and the variables y and w match. It is determined whether or not (y = w), and if they match, the variable n at this time, that is, the priority sheet tray designation information and the information indicating that the image is rotated, is returned as a return value. If the variables y and w do not match, the process proceeds to step S56. In other words, the process proceeds to a process of searching for a paper feed tray capable of feeding roll paper that can form a document image or a scaled image as it is or by rotating it.
[0062]
In step S56, the number of paper feed trays is set as a variable n, and "1" is substituted for the variable n as an initial value. In step S57, the width of the roll paper fed from the n-th paper feed tray is set as a variable w. Is determined in step S58 whether or not the variables n and m match. Since n = m = 1 at first, the variable n is incremented (+1) to "2" in step S59.
Thereafter, in step S60, the variable x and the variable w are compared to determine whether the respective variables x and w match (x = w). If they match, the variable n at this time, that is, the n-th stage The return information (notification information to the plotter 10) returns the specification information of the second paper feed tray and the information of no image rotation.
[0063]
If the variables x and w do not match, in step S61, the variable y and the variable w are compared to determine whether the variables y and w match (y = w). In this case, the variable n at this time, that is, the specification information of the n-th paper feed tray and the information indicating that the image is rotated are returned as return values.
If the variables y and w do not match, it is determined in step S62 whether or not the variable n has reached the final number of paper feed trays ("4" in this example). Since it is "2", the process proceeds to step S63, where the variable n is incremented (+1), and the process returns to step S57.
[0064]
In step S57, after substituting the width of the roll paper fed from the n-th paper feed tray into the variable w, it is determined in step S58 whether the variables n and m match. Since the variables n and m do not match, the process shifts to step S60, and thereafter, the same processing as described above is performed.
The process is repeated several times, and when the variable n reaches the final number of paper feed trays, it is determined in step S62 that the variable n has reached the final number of paper feed trays. Return as value.
If the secondary magnification is set (or the correction magnification is equal to or larger than a predetermined value), the original image or the magnification image stored in the RAM 103 is copied before the plotter 10 forms an image on a sheet. Although the process of changing the secondary magnification using the correction magnification is also performed, it is also possible to prohibit the rotation instruction to the image processing unit 105, that is, the rotation of the original image or the scaled image by the image processing unit 105.
[0065]
According to the digital copying machine of this embodiment, the following effects (1) to (5) can be obtained.
(1) In a case where a user requests not to supply roll paper from a paper supply tray but to supply fixed-size paper from a paper supply cassette, an original image or a scaled image (an original image is set in advance) The user determines whether the size of the original image after scaling at the specified magnification ratio matches the size of the standard paper fed from the paper cassette, and if so, removes the paper cassette. The automatic paper selection function, which is easier to operate, automatically selects and selects the relevant paper cassette without manual selection, and feeds paper from there. And the operation amount of the digital copier can be easily performed.
[0066]
(2) If one of the paper feed trays is set as the priority paper feed tray for the purpose of the user, consider the orientation of the original image with the automatic paper selection function that is easy to operate, and select the priority paper feed tray as much as possible. Since paper is selected and fed from there, paper is hardly fed from paper trays other than the priority paper tray depending on the size, orientation, or magnification of the original image, and is set as the priority paper tray by the user. The probability of being able to feed and copy from the fed paper feed tray is increased, and wasteful costs can be reduced.
[0067]
(3) When a copy time reduction mode that prioritizes reduction of the copy time for roll paper is set according to the user's purpose, that is, the length of the paper supply direction at the time of cutting the roll paper is shortened to save economical time. In the case of requesting a copy that does not take a long time, the length of the paper feed direction when cutting the roll paper is given priority over the width direction length by the easy-to-use automatic paper selection function without being aware of the orientation of the original image. Select a shorter paper feed tray and feed paper from there, thereby reducing the user's labor, and at the same time, reducing the use of roll paper without the user's awareness and reducing running costs. Can be.
[0068]
(4) Since the paper feed stage selection control by the automatic paper selection function of (1) to (3) can be arbitrarily selected, it is possible to select a paper feed stage that can further achieve the user's purpose, and to increase the user layer. The effect of being able to enlarge can be obtained.
(5) When the original image or the scaled image (original image after the original image is firstly scaled) is secondarily scaled by using the correction magnification, the rotation of those images is prohibited by prohibiting the rotation of those images. When performing copying using the scaling function and the automatic paper selection function, the correction in the main scanning direction and the correction in the sub-scanning direction due to unexpected image rotation are not reversed, preventing miscopying and reducing wasteful costs. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an effect that the user can perform the operation with peace of mind.
[0069]
The embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to various image forming apparatuses such as a digital multifunction peripheral and a facsimile apparatus having an image scaling function and an image rotating function. Can be done.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an optimal paper feed unit for copying an original image (including a scaled image after scaling the original image) is automatically selected. Unnecessary expenses can be reduced. Further, even when the image is rotated by using the automatic paper selection function, it is possible to obtain the same magnification of the output image.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control unit 100 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main routine of a copy process performed by a CPU 101 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of a process A in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine of a process B in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a subroutine of a process C in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Scanner 2: Operation unit
10: Plotter 11-14: Paper feed tray
15, 16: paper cassette 100: control unit
101: CPU 102: ROM
103: RAM 104: Engine I / O
105: Image processing unit 106: Operation unit I / F

Claims

Image storage means for storing a document image, image reading means for reading the document image, image forming means for forming the document image on paper, and causing the image reading means to read the document image, and storing the document image in the image storage An image reading control unit for performing an image reading operation to be written into the unit, and an image forming control unit for reading an original image stored in the image storage unit and performing image formation control for forming the image on a sheet by the image forming unit. A forming device,
It has a roll paper feed unit in which roll paper, which is a roll of paper, can be fed, and a standard paper feed unit, in which standard size paper can be fed. ,
An image size for detecting the length of the original image read by the image reading unit as the length in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Detecting means, provided with image rotating means for rotating the document image read by the image reading means,
A first comparing unit that compares the size of the original image detected by the image size detecting unit with the size of the standard size paper and determines whether the original image fits on the standard size paper; Determining means for calculating a size of the rotated image when the original image is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 based on a detection result by the image size detecting means when it is determined that the image cannot be accommodated by the determining means; Calculating means, comparing the size of the rotated image calculated by the means with the size of the fixed form paper, and second comparing and judging means for judging whether the rotated image fits on the fixed form paper, The rotation instructing means for rotating the document image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means only when it is determined that the document can be accommodated, and the first or second comparison If it is determined that fits the constant unit, the image forming apparatus characterized by having a sheet feeding unit selection means for selecting the standard-size paper feed unit preferentially.

Image storage means for storing a document image, image reading means for reading the document image, image forming means for forming the document image on paper, and causing the image reading means to read the document image, and storing the document image in the image storage An image reading control unit for performing an image reading operation to be written into the unit, and an image forming control unit for reading an original image stored in the image storage unit and performing image formation control for forming the image on a sheet by the image forming unit. A forming device,
It has a plurality of roll paper feed units set so that roll paper of different widths, each of which is a roll of paper, can be fed,
An image for detecting the length of the document image read by the image reading unit as the length in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction of the roll paper and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Size detection means, provided with image rotation means for rotating the document image read by the image reading means,
The image forming control unit controls the length of the size of the original image detected by the image size detecting unit in the main scanning direction and the length of the roll paper fed from the roll paper feeding unit preset as a priority feeding unit. A first comparison / determination unit that compares the width of the original image with the width of the roll paper to determine whether the width of the roll paper matches the width of the original image. The length of the original image in the sub-scanning direction is compared with the width of the roll paper fed from the roll paper feeding unit preset as the priority paper feeding unit, and the length of the original image in the sub-scanning direction is compared. And second comparing / judging means for judging whether or not the width of the roll paper coincides with the width of the roll paper, and rotating the original image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means only when it is judged by the means that the two coincide. Rotation instruction And a paper feeder selecting means for preferentially selecting a roll paper feeder set in advance as the priority paper feeder when the first or second comparison / determination means determines that they match. An image forming apparatus comprising:

Image storage means for storing a document image, image reading means for reading the document image, image forming means for forming the document image on paper, and causing the image reading means to read the document image, and storing the document image in the image storage An image reading control unit for performing an image reading operation to be written into the unit, and an image forming control unit for reading an original image stored in the image storage unit and performing image formation control for forming the image on a sheet by the image forming unit. A forming device,
It has a plurality of roll paper feed units set so that roll paper of different widths, each of which is a roll of paper, can be fed,
An image for detecting the length of the document image read by the image reading unit as the length in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction of the roll paper and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Size detection means, provided with image rotation means for rotating the document image read by the image reading means,
The image forming control unit compares the length of the document image detected by the image size detection unit with the length in the main scanning direction and the length in the sub-scanning direction. Means for determining whether the document image is long, rotation instructing means for rotating the document image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means only when it is determined to be long by the means, If it is determined that the length of the document image in the main scanning direction is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction, the roll paper having a width corresponding to the length in the main scanning direction of each of the roll paper feeding units Preferentially selects a roll paper feeding unit set to be capable of feeding, and if it is determined that the length of the document image in the main scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction, Roll paper feed Image forming apparatus, comprising: a paper feed unit selecting unit for preferentially selecting a roll paper feed unit set to be capable of feeding a roll paper having a width corresponding to the length in the sub-scanning direction. apparatus.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A magnification setting unit that sets a magnification, and an image magnification unit that scales a document image read by the image reading unit in accordance with the magnification set by the magnification setting unit,
The rotation instructing means is means for rotating the document image stored in the image storage means by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means,
When the image forming control unit reads out the original image stored in the image storage unit, if the magnification ratio has been set by the magnification ratio setting unit, or if the set magnification ratio is a predetermined value. In the above case, the image forming apparatus further includes a rotation instruction prohibition unit that prohibits the rotation instruction unit from instructing the image rotation unit to rotate.

Image storage means for storing a document image, image reading means for reading the document image, image forming means for forming the document image on paper, and causing the image reading means to read the document image, and storing the document image in the image storage An image reading control unit for performing an image reading operation to be written into the unit, and an image forming control unit for reading an original image stored in the image storage unit and performing image formation control for forming the image on a sheet by the image forming unit. A forming device,
A plurality of roll paper feed units set to be able to feed roll paper of different widths, each of which is a roll of paper, and a standard paper set to be able to feed standard size paper. And a paper feed unit,
A first priority paper feeding unit setting unit that sets the standard paper feeding unit as a priority paper feeding unit; and a second priority paper feeding unit that sets one of the roll paper feeding units as a priority paper feeding unit. Setting means; copy time reduction mode setting means for setting a copy time reduction mode for giving priority to reduction of copy time for roll paper; and a size of a document image read by the image reading means coincident with the paper feeding direction of the paper. Image size detection means for detecting the length in the sub-scanning direction and the length in the main scanning direction coinciding with the direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction,
The image forming control unit includes first, second, and third paper supply unit selection control units that perform different paper supply unit selection controls,
The first paper supply unit selection control unit detects the image data when the standard paper supply unit is set as the priority paper supply unit by the first priority paper supply unit setting unit. Comparing the size of the original image and the size of the fixed form paper, a first comparison determination unit that determines whether the original image fits in the fixed form paper, and when it is determined that the original image does not fit, First rotating image size calculating means for calculating the size of the rotated image when the original image is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 based on the detection result by the image size detecting means; A second comparing and judging means for comparing the size with the size of the fixed size paper to determine whether or not the rotated image fits in the fixed size paper; If the first rotation instructing means for rotating the original image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means and the first or second comparing and judging means determines that the original image can be accommodated, the priority sheet feeding section is given priority. And a first paper feed unit selecting means for selecting
The second paper supply unit selection control unit detects the image size by the image size detection unit when any of the roll paper supply units is set as the priority paper supply unit by the second priority paper supply unit setting unit. The length of the original image in the main scanning direction and the width of the roll paper fed from the priority paper feed unit are compared, and the length of the original image in the main scanning direction and the width of the roll paper are determined. A third comparison / judgment unit for judging whether they match each other, and a roll length fed from the priority sheet feeding unit when the unit judges that they do not match. A fourth comparison / determination unit that compares the width of the document image with the length of the original image in the sub-scanning direction and determines whether or not the width of the roll paper is the same; Only the original image is transferred to the image rotating means. A second rotation instructing means for rotating the sheet by 90 degrees or 270, and a second sheet feeding means for preferentially selecting the priority sheet feeding section when the third or fourth comparing and judging means judges that the two coincide with each other. It consists of paper section selection means,
When the copy time reduction mode is set by the copy time reduction mode setting means, the third paper supply unit selection control means controls the size of the document image detected by the image size detection means in the main scanning direction. A fifth comparison / determination unit that compares the length with the length in the sub-scanning direction and determines whether the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction. Only the third rotation instructing means for rotating the original image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means, and the length of the original image in the main scanning direction is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction by the fifth comparing / determining means. If it is determined that the roll paper is longer than the roll paper feeder, the roll paper feeder which is set to be capable of feeding the roll paper having the width corresponding to the length in the main scanning direction among the roll paper feeders is preferentially used. Choice If it is determined that the length of the document image in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length of the original image in the main scanning direction, the width of the roll paper feeding unit is equal to the length in the sub-scanning direction. An image forming apparatus comprising: a third paper feed unit selecting unit that preferentially selects a roll paper feed unit set to be capable of feeding roll paper.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
A magnification setting unit that sets a magnification, and an image magnification unit that scales a document image read by the image reading unit in accordance with the magnification set by the magnification setting unit,
All of the first, second, and third rotation instruction means are means for rotating the document image stored in the image storage means by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotation means,
When the image forming control unit reads out the original image stored in the image storage unit, if the magnification ratio has been set by the magnification ratio setting unit, or if the set magnification ratio is a predetermined value, An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotation instruction prohibition unit that prohibits a rotation instruction from the first, second, or third rotation instruction unit to the image rotation unit in the above case.

Image storage means for storing a document image, image reading means for reading the document image, image forming means for forming the document image on paper, and causing the image reading means to read the document image, and storing the document image in the image storage An image reading control unit for performing an image reading operation to be written into the unit, and an image forming control unit for reading an original image stored in the image storage unit and performing image formation control for forming the image on a sheet by the image forming unit. A forming device,
It has a roll paper feed unit in which roll paper, which is a roll of paper, can be fed, and a standard paper feed unit, in which standard size paper can be fed. ,
An image size for detecting the length of the original image read by the image reading unit as the length in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. Detecting means, scaling setting means for setting scaling, image scaling means for scaling a document image read by the image reading means in accordance with the scaling set by the scaling setting means, Image rotation means for rotating the original image read by the reading means,
A scaled image size calculation unit configured to calculate a size of a scaled image that is a document image after scaling by the image scaling unit based on a detection result by the image size detection unit; Comparing the size of the scaled image calculated by the above with the size of the standard size paper, and determining whether the scaled image fits on the standard size paper, and determining that the size is not fit by the unit. In this case, based on the detection result by the image size detecting unit, the rotated image size calculating unit that calculates the size of the rotated image when the resized image is rotated by 90 degrees or 270, and the rotation image size calculated by the unit is calculated. Second comparison / determination means for comparing the size of the rotated image with the size of the fixed form paper to determine whether the rotated image fits on the fixed form paper; Only when the rotation is performed, the rotation instruction means for rotating the scaled image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotation means and the first or second comparison and determination means determine that the image can be accommodated. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed unit selecting unit that selects a paper unit preferentially.

Image storage means for storing a document image, image reading means for reading the document image, image forming means for forming the document image on paper, and causing the image reading means to read the document image, and storing the document image in the image storage An image reading control unit for performing an image reading operation to be written into the unit, and an image forming control unit for reading an original image stored in the image storage unit and performing image formation control for forming the image on a sheet by the image forming unit. A forming device,
It has a plurality of roll paper feed units set so that roll paper of different widths, each of which is a roll of paper, can be fed,
An image for detecting the length of the document image read by the image reading unit, the length in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction of the roll paper and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. A size detection unit, a scaling ratio setting unit for setting a scaling ratio, an image scaling unit for scaling a document image read by the image reading unit in accordance with a scaling ratio set by the scaling ratio setting unit, Image rotation means for rotating the document image read by the image reading means,
A scaled image size calculation unit configured to calculate a size of a scaled image that is a document image after scaling by the image scaling unit based on a detection result by the image size detection unit; By comparing the length of the size of the scaled image calculated in the main scanning direction with the width of the roll paper fed from the roll paper feeding unit preset as the priority feeding unit, The first comparison / judgment means for judging whether or not the length in the scanning direction and the width of the roll paper coincide with each other, and, when it is judged that they do not coincide with each other, the image is calculated by the scaled image size calculation means. The length of the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction is compared with the width of the roll paper fed from the roll paper feeding unit preset as the priority paper feeding unit, and the width of the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction is compared. The length matches the width of the roll paper A second comparing / determining unit for determining whether the image is rotated, and a rotation instructing unit for rotating the scaled image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating unit only when it is determined that the images match each other. Alternatively, a paper feed unit selecting unit that preferentially selects a roll paper feed unit set in advance as the priority paper feed unit when the second comparison determination unit determines that they match with each other is provided. Image forming device.

Image storage means for storing a document image, image reading means for reading the document image, image forming means for forming the document image on paper, and causing the image reading means to read the document image, and storing the document image in the image storage An image reading control unit for performing an image reading operation to be written into the unit, and an image forming control unit for reading an original image stored in the image storage unit and performing image formation control for forming the image on a sheet by the image forming unit. A forming device,
It has a plurality of roll paper feed units set so that roll paper of different widths, each of which is a roll of paper, can be fed,
An image for detecting the length of the document image read by the image reading unit, the length in the sub-scanning direction corresponding to the paper feeding direction of the roll paper and the length in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction. A size detection unit, a scaling ratio setting unit for setting a scaling ratio, an image scaling unit for scaling a document image read by the image reading unit in accordance with a scaling ratio set by the scaling ratio setting unit, Image rotation means for rotating the document image read by the image reading means,
A scaled image size calculation unit configured to calculate a size of a scaled image that is a document image after scaling by the image scaling unit based on a detection result by the image size detection unit; Comparing the length of the scaled image calculated in the main scanning direction with the length in the sub-scanning direction, and determining whether the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction. Rotation instructing means for rotating the resized image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means only when it is determined to be long by the means, and the length of the size of the resized image in the main scanning direction by the comparing and judging means. If it is determined that is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction, the roll paper set to be capable of feeding a roll paper having a width corresponding to the length in the main scanning direction among the roll paper feeding units. Paper feed Is preferentially selected, and when it is determined that the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length of the scaled image in the main scanning direction, the sub-scanning direction of each of the roll paper feeding units is An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed unit selecting unit that preferentially selects a roll paper feed unit in which a roll paper having a width equal to the length of the roll paper can be fed.

The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The rotation instructing means is means for rotating the scaled image stored in the image storage means by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating means,
When the image forming control unit reads out the scaled image stored in the image storage unit, if the scale setting has been changed by the scale setting unit, or the scale ratio changed An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotation instruction prohibition unit that prohibits a rotation instruction from the rotation instruction unit to the image rotation unit when the rotation angle is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

Image storage means for storing a document image, image reading means for reading the document image, image forming means for forming the document image on paper, and causing the image reading means to read the document image, and storing the document image in the image storage An image reading control unit for performing an image reading operation to be written into the unit, and an image forming control unit for reading an original image stored in the image storage unit and performing image formation control for forming the image on a sheet by the image forming unit. A forming device,
A plurality of roll paper feed units set to be able to feed roll paper of different widths, each of which is a roll of paper, and a standard paper set to be able to feed standard size paper. And a paper feed unit,
A first priority paper feeding unit setting unit that sets the standard paper feeding unit as a priority paper feeding unit; and a second priority paper feeding unit that sets one of the roll paper feeding units as a priority paper feeding unit. Setting means; copy time reduction mode setting means for setting a copy time reduction mode for giving priority to reduction of copy time for roll paper; and a size of a document image read by the image reading means coincident with the paper feeding direction of the paper. Image size detection means for detecting the length in the sub-scanning direction and the length in the main scanning direction which coincides with the direction perpendicular to the paper feeding direction; magnification setting means for setting a magnification; and reading by the image reading means. Image scaling means for scaling the original image according to the scaling factor set by the scaling setting means, and image rotation means for rotating the original image read by the image reading means The provided
The image forming control unit includes first, second, and third paper supply unit selection control units that perform different paper supply unit selection controls,
The first paper feed unit selection control means may determine whether the fixed size paper feed unit has been set as the priority paper feed unit by the first priority paper feed unit setting unit. First scaled image size calculating means for calculating the size of a scaled image, which is a document image after scaling by the image scaling means, based on the size of the scaled image calculated by the means and the fixed size paper And a first comparison / judgment unit for judging whether or not the resized image fits on the standard size paper, and a detection result by the image size detection unit when it is judged that the image does not fit. First rotated image size calculating means for calculating the size of the rotated image when the resized image is rotated by 90 degrees or 270 based on the size of the rotated image, and the size of the rotated image calculated by the means and the size of the fixed size paper. And a second comparing and judging means for judging whether or not the rotated image fits on the fixed size paper, and only when it is judged by the means that the rotated image fits, the scaled image is converted by the image rotating means. A first rotation instructing unit for rotating by 90 degrees or 270, and a first paper feeding unit for preferentially selecting the priority paper feeding unit when the first or second comparison determining unit determines that the paper can be accommodated. Consisting of selection means,
The second paper supply unit selection control unit detects the image size by the image size detection unit when one of the roll paper supply units is set as the priority paper supply unit by the second priority paper supply unit setting unit. A second scaled image size calculating means for calculating a size of a scaled image which is a document image after scaling by the image scaling means based on the result; and a main scale of the scaled image size calculated by the means. Comparing the length in the scanning direction with the width of the roll paper fed from the priority paper feeding unit to determine whether the length of the scaled image in the main scanning direction matches the width of the roll paper; And the length of the size of the scaled image calculated by the second scaled image size calculation means in the sub-scanning direction and the priority paper feed unit Compare the width of the roll paper fed from Fourth comparison / determination means for determining whether or not the length of the scaled image in the sub-scanning direction and the width of the roll paper are the same; and A second rotation instructing unit that rotates the image by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotating unit, and a second paper feeding unit that preferentially selects the priority paper feeding unit when the third or fourth comparing and judging unit determines that they match. Paper source selection means,
When the copy time reduction mode is set by the copy time reduction mode setting means, the third paper supply unit selection control means changes the magnification by the image magnification means based on the detection result by the image size detection means. A third scaled image size calculating means for calculating the size of a scaled image which is a later original image; and determining the size of the scaled image calculated by the means in the main scanning direction and the length in the sub-scanning direction. A fifth comparing and judging means for comparing and judging whether or not the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction; and rotating the scaled image only when the judging means judges that the length is longer. A third rotation instructing means for rotating the image by 90 degrees or 270 by means and a fifth comparison / judgment means for judging that the size of the scaled image in the main scanning direction is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction. In the roll paper feeder, a roll paper feeder set to be capable of feeding a roll paper having a width corresponding to the length in the main scanning direction among the roll paper feeders is preferentially selected. If it is determined that the length in the sub-scanning direction is longer than the length in the main scanning direction, the roll paper having the width corresponding to the length in the sub-scanning direction among the roll paper feeding units is supplied. An image forming apparatus comprising: a third paper feed unit selection unit that preferentially selects a roll paper feed unit set to be capable of paper.

The image forming apparatus according to claim 11,
All of the first, second, and third rotation instruction means are means for rotating the scaled image stored in the image storage means by 90 degrees or 270 by the image rotation means,
When the image forming control unit reads out the scaled image stored in the image storage unit, if the scale setting has been changed by the scale setting unit, or if the scale ratio has been changed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotation instruction prohibition unit that prohibits a rotation instruction to the image rotation unit by the first, second, or third rotation instruction unit when is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.