JP4151967B2 - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that includes an image input unit and an image output unit, and connects and combines a plurality of images.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral including an image input unit and an image output unit is required to synthesize and output a plurality of document images on a single recording sheet. A technique for achieving this requirement is also disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2). However, these techniques only disclose a technique for compositing a plurality of original images on a standard-size recording medium, and the image is printed on a strip-shaped recording paper that can be arbitrarily set in length. The technology to print out is not disclosed.

  Conventionally, when printing an image on a strip-shaped recording paper that can be arbitrarily set in an arbitrary length, a terminal such as a personal computer in which image data received from an image input unit is arranged outside the image forming apparatus The object has been achieved by constructing a desired image using a device or a dedicated image editing device.

However, when a desired image is configured using a terminal device such as a personal computer or a dedicated image editing device, the operator is required to be familiar with the operation of these devices and with the related software. It is done. In addition, the system configuration using these devices is accompanied by an increase in cost.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-291980 Sho 61-169081

  The problem to be solved is that a terminal device such as a personal computer or a dedicated image editing device is used when printing an image on a strip-shaped recording paper that can be arbitrarily set in length. When constructing desired images, the operator is required to become familiar with the operation of these devices and the operation of the related software, and the system configuration using these devices is costly. It is a point accompanied by up.

  In the present invention, an image input unit that inputs an image, a storage unit that stores an image input from the image input unit, a setting operation unit that inputs a connection direction of images, and a connection input from the setting operation unit A connection direction determination unit that determines a connection direction according to a direction, a connection position determination unit that cumulatively adds the lengths of the connection directions, the connection direction determination unit, and the connection position determination unit that follow the determination. The main feature is that it includes image connecting means for connecting images.

  The connection direction determining means changes the direction of the image of the inserted document in a direction set in advance by the operator, and the connection position determining means determines the connection position in a state where the direction is changed. Since the image connecting means connects the images based on the determination, even if the document has the same width but the different length in the document insertion direction, or the length is the same in the document insertion direction, Even if the documents have different widths, the plurality of documents can be easily connected in a certain direction. As a result, it is possible to easily print and output a plurality of images on a strip-shaped recording paper that can be arbitrarily set in length without any increase in cost.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the connecting direction determining unit, the connecting position determining unit, and the image connecting unit are constituted by a control unit of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire apparatus. Since it was realized only by changing the program of the control procedure, it could be realized without increasing the cost.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 2, a setting operation unit 3, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 6, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8.

The image input unit 1 inputs a plurality of document images that are required to be synthesized and output on a recording sheet, acquires image data of the document images, converts the image data into image data, and sends the image data to the storage unit 2. This is the part to send out.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the image input unit.
As shown in the figure, the image input unit 1 includes a document detection sensor 1-1, a start position detection sensor 1-2, an image sensor 1-3, a stepping motor 1-4, and an image reading control unit 1-5. An image processing unit 1-6, a sensor roller 1-7, and a paper feed roller 1-8.

The document detection sensor 1-1 is a sensor that is connected to the image reading control unit 1-5 and detects that a document is input to the image input unit 1.
The start position detection sensor 1-2 is a sensor that is connected to the image reading control unit 1-5 and detects that the document input to the image input unit 1 has reached the reading position.
The image sensor 1-3 is connected to the image processing unit 1-6, and is a part that acquires image data from an input document.

The stepping motor 1-4 controls the sensor roller 1-7 to accurately control the reading position of the image sensor 1-3 on the document input to the image input unit 1 based on the control of the image reading control unit 1-5. Is a pulse motor that rotationally drives the motor.
The image reading control means 1-5 includes a control unit 6 (FIG. 1) that enables the image input unit 1 to acquire image data of a document image, convert it to image data, and send it to the storage unit 2. Control means for controlling the entire image input unit 1 based on the control, and a line counter 1-5-1 for measuring the number of lines of image data and a document width detection sensor 1-5-2 for detecting the document width. And a control means including

The image processing unit 1-6 is a unit that receives image data from the image sensor 1-3 and converts it into image data based on the control of the image reading control unit 1-5.
The sensor roller 1-7 is a roller that is driven by the stepping motor 1-4 and moves the reading position of the image sensor 1-3 on the document input to the image input unit 1.
The paper feed roller 1-8 is a roller that conveys the document input to the image input unit 1 to the reading position.

Returning to FIG. 1, the storage unit 2 is a memory that accepts image data from the image input unit 1 and stores it in a predetermined form.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the first embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the storage unit 2 is a memory having a page buffer 2-1 and an image buffer 2-2.
The page buffer 2-1 is a buffer that temporarily stores image data for one original image.
The image buffer 2-2 is a memory area provided for configuring print data (output image data) to be output to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 1) under the control of the control unit 4 (FIG. 1).

Returning to FIG. 1, the setting operation unit 3 requests the operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 6, and sends the connection information according to the request of the control unit 6. It is.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to the first embodiment.
For example, the setting operation unit 3 according to the first embodiment displays the image illustrated in the drawing on the display unit 5, selects any one of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI as the reading resolution 3-1 and sets the reading mode 3-2 as the reading mode 3-2. As the selection of any one of monochrome, gray, and color and the connection direction designation 3-3, the operator selects the selection of either the vertical direction of insertion or the horizontal direction of insertion in order to determine with the decision button 3-4.

Based on the control of the control unit 6, the image printing unit 4 accepts print data (output image data) configured in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 3) and can arbitrarily set the length in an atypical manner. This is the part that prints out the image on the recording paper.
The display unit 5 is a part that serves as an interface between the device and the operator for displaying the display of the setting operation unit 3 (FIG. 4) and the state of the device based on the control of the control unit 6. Usually, a liquid crystal display device or the like is used. Moreover, a touch panel etc. may be provided and integrated with the setting operation unit 3.

The control unit 6 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Device) that controls the entire apparatus, and particularly in this embodiment, the image connection direction determination means 6-1, the connection position determination means 6-2, and the image connection means 6-6. 3.
The image connection direction determination unit 6-1 is a unit that determines the connection direction according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 3.
The connection position determination unit 6-2 is a unit that cumulatively adds the lengths in the connection direction and determines a position where subsequent images are connected.
The image connection unit 6-3 is a unit that connects subsequent images based on the determinations of the image connection direction determination unit 6-1 and the connection position determination unit 6-2.
The data bus 7 is a data path connecting the components.
The control bus 8 is a path for control signals that connect the components.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the image input unit according to the first embodiment.
Steps S1-1 to S1-14 will be described in the order of operation steps of the image input unit.
Step S1-1
When the document is set and the document detection sensor 1-1 (FIG. 2) is turned on, the flow is started.
Step S1-2
The stepping motor 1-4 (FIG. 2) starts to rotate, and accordingly, the sensor roller 1-7 (FIG. 2) and the paper feed roller 1-8 (FIG. 2) also start to rotate, and the document drawing operation starts. Is done.

Step S1-3
The start position detection sensor 1-2 (FIG. 2) continues to monitor the original, and proceeds to the next when the original is detected.
Step S1-4
When the start position detection sensor 1-2 (FIG. 2) detects a document, the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) once stops the stepping motor 1-4 (FIG. 2), and the control unit 6 (FIG. 2). 2) Notify completion of reading preparation.

Step S1-5
The image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2) proceeds to the next step when receiving a reading execution permission notice from the control unit 6 (FIG. 2).
Step S1-6
The setting specification (reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation) (FIG. 4) (FIG. 4) of the setting operation unit 3 (FIG. 2) is received from the control unit 6 (FIG. 2).

Step S1-7
The image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2) clears the line counter 1-5-1 (FIG. 2) to 0 before starting reading.
Step S1-8
The image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) sends a pulse to the stepping motor 1-4 (FIG. 2) to rotate the sensor roller 1-7 (FIG. 2) and the paper feed roller 1-8 (FIG. 2). Restart.

Step S1-9
The image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2) receives image data for one line from the image sensor 1-3 via the image processing unit 1-6 and performs image processing.
Step S1-10
The image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) transfers the processed image data and increments the line counter 1-5-1 (FIG. 2).

Step S1-11
The image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2) repeats the operations from step S1-8 to step S1-10 until the start position detection sensor 1-2 no longer detects the document, and proceeds to the next when no more is detected. .
Step S1-12
When the reading of one page of the document is completed, the image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2) notifies the control unit 6 (FIG. 1) of the number of lines for one page and the document width.

Step S1-13
The image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2) monitors the document detection sensor 1-1 (FIG. 2) to determine whether or not there is a subsequent document. finish.
Step S1-14
The image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) notifies the control section that there is a document, returns to step S1-5, and waits for the start of reading the next page.
For detecting the document width, various paper width detection switches may be arranged in the document width direction, and the document width (number of dots) is detected by extracting the edge of the document from the read image. May be.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the control unit according to the first embodiment.
The operation of the control unit will be described in order of steps from Step S1-21 to Step S1-35.
Step S1-21
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) proceeds to the next when receiving a read preparation completion notice from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S1-22
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) obtains the display shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 5 in response to the input of the reading resolution, the reading mode, and the connection direction designation from the operator.

Step S1-23
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) waits for input of the operator's reading resolution, reading mode, and connection direction designation, and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S1-24
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) clears the combined image total length Y0 and the connected image width X0 stored by itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.

Step S1-25
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) notifies the read execution permission to the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S1-26
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 3).

Step S1-27
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) continues steps S1-26 and S1-27 until all the image data for one page is accepted, and proceeds to the next when the acceptance is completed.
Step S1-28
When the control unit 6 (FIG. 1) has received all the image data for one page, the line length Yi (number of lines) for one page and the number of document widths Xi (from the image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2)). Accept the dot count notification.

Step S1-29
The image connection direction determining means 6-1 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 (FIG. 1) performs a step when the connection direction “vertical insertion direction” is set based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. The process advances to step S1-30, and if the connection direction is set to “horizontal in the insertion direction”, the process advances to step S1-32.
Step S1-30
Since the image connecting means 6-3 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 (FIG. 1) is a mode of connecting vertically in the direction read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 1), the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 3) is used. ) Is transferred to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 3) as it is.

Step S1-31
The connection position determining means 6-2 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 (FIG. 1) adds the line length Yi of the document to the total image length Y0 after connection which is stored by itself after connection, and sets the image width X0 after connection. Set the document width number Xi.
Step S1-32
Since the image connecting means 6-3 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 (FIG. 1) is a mode for horizontally connecting the directions read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 1), it is stored in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 3). The transferred image data is rotated 90 degrees and then transferred to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 3). The connecting direction is the document width direction.

Step S1-33
The connection position determination means 6-2 (FIG. 1) of the control unit 6 (FIG. 1) adds the document width number Xi to the combined full image length Y0 stored by itself after connection, and the original image is added to the connected image width X0. Set the line length Yi.
Step S1-34
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) confirms the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the process proceeds to step S1-35, and if present, the process returns to step S1-25 to perform a reading operation start notification. .
Step S1-35
The control unit 6 (FIG. 1) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 3) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 1) and ends the flow.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of the first embodiment.
(A) represents a case where printing is performed by connecting in the longitudinal direction of document insertion.
(B) shows a case where the original is rotated 90 degrees and connected and printed in the horizontal direction of the original insertion in the original insertion state.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, even a document having the same width but a different length with respect to the document insertion direction, or the length with respect to the document insertion direction. Even if the documents have different widths, it is possible to easily form an image in which a plurality of documents are connected in a certain direction. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to easily print out a plurality of images on a strip-shaped recording paper that can be arbitrarily set in length.

  In the above description, the case where the image connection direction determination unit 6-1, the connection position determination unit 6-2, and the image connection unit 6-3 are configured as the control unit of the control unit 6 has been described. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the contents of the first embodiment can be individually set for each of a plurality of pages of originals will be described.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the configuration of the second embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 12, a setting operation unit 13, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 16, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8.
Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the second embodiment.
As illustrated, the storage unit 12 is a memory area having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and the number of lines per page, the number of dots, and a connection direction storage area 12-1.
The number of lines per page, the number of dots, and the connection direction storage area 12-1 is a memory for storing the number of lines, the number of dots, and the connection direction for each page of the document image.

Returning to FIG. 8, the setting operation unit 13 requests the operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 16, and sends the connection information according to the request of the control unit 16. It is.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to the second embodiment.
(A) represents the setting item, and (b) represents the details of the connection direction.
As shown in the drawing, in the setting operation unit 13 of the second embodiment, (a) is displayed on the display unit 5 (FIG. 8) as an example, and the reading resolution 3-1 is any one of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI. As the selection / reading mode 3-2, the operator is requested to select one of monochrome, gray, and color and to set the connection direction designation 13-1, and is determined by the decision button 3-3. Further, (b) is displayed on the display unit 5 (FIG. 8), and as the connection direction designation 13-1, the operator selects either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction 13-2 for each page, and the decision button 13- Let 3 determine.

The control unit 16 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Device) that controls the entire apparatus, and particularly in this embodiment, the image connection direction determination means 16-1, the connection position determination means 16-2, and the image connection means 16-. 3.
The image connection direction determination unit 16-1 is a unit that determines the connection direction for each page according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 13.
The connection position determination unit 16-2 is a unit that cumulatively adds the lengths in the connection direction and determines a position for each page to which subsequent images are connected.
The image connecting unit 16-3 is a unit that connects subsequent images based on the determination of the image connecting direction determining unit 16-1 and the connecting position determining unit 16-2.
Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 8) is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) will be described.
FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart (part 1) of the control unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an operation flowchart (part 2) of the control unit according to the second embodiment.
The operation of the control unit will be described in order of steps from step S2-1 to step S2-23.

Step S2-1
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) proceeds to the next when receiving a read preparation completion notice from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S2-2
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) obtains the display shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 5 in response to the input of the reading resolution, the reading mode, and the connection direction designation from the operator.

Step S2-3
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) waits for input of the operator's reading resolution, reading mode, and connection direction designation, and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S2-4
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) clears the connected image total length Y0, the connected image width X0, and the total number of pages n stored in itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.

Step S2-5
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) notifies the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) of reading execution permission.
Step S2-6
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 9).

Step S2-7
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) continues steps S2-6 and S2-7 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S2-8
When the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) has received all the image data for one page, the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) receives the line length Yi (number of lines) for one page and the document width number Xi ( (Dot number) notification is accepted and the total number of pages is incremented.

Step S2-9
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) sets the line length Yi (number of lines) for one page, the document width number Xi (dot number), the line length Yi (number of lines) of the nth page, and the document width number Xi. The number of lines per page, the number of dots, and the connection direction storage area 12-1 (FIG. 9) are stored as (dot number).

Step S2-10
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) repeats steps S2-5 to S2-9 after confirming whether or not there is a subsequent document, and when there is a subsequent document, until there is no document.
Step S2-11
When the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) confirms that there is no subsequent document, the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) controls the setting operation unit 13 (FIG. 8) to display the display unit 5 (to determine the connection direction for each page by the operator. The screen shown in FIG. 10B is displayed in FIG.

Step S2-12
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) acquires the connection direction for each page from the operator via the setting operation unit 13 (FIG. 8).
Step S2-13
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) clears m indicating the pages to be linked and the reading position Pr to zero.
Step S2-14
When reading each page, the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) reads the number of lines per page, the number of dots, and the numerical values stored in the connection direction storage area 12-1 (FIG. 9) for the mth page.

Step S2-15
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) calculates the image size from the number of lines and the number of dots. The image size of the mth page is calculated as the number of lines Yi (m) × the number of dots Xi (m).
Step S2-16
The image connection direction determining means 16-1 (FIG. 8) of the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) reads the connection direction from the number of lines per page, the number of dots, and the connection direction storage area 12-1 (FIG. 9), and the connection direction. If the connection direction is horizontal, the process proceeds to step S2-17.

Step S2-17
Since the image connection position determining means 16-2 (FIG. 8) of the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) is a mode of connecting vertically in the direction read from the image input unit 1 (FIG. 8), the total image length after connection is established. The document length Yi (m) (number of lines) is added to Y0, and the connected image width X0 is set to the document width Xi (m) (number of dots).
Step S2-18
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) reads the image data from the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 9).
Step S2-19
Since the control unit 6 (FIG. 1) is a mode in which the direction read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 8) is connected horizontally, the image data transferred to the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 9) is rotated by 90 degrees. Thereafter, the image data is transferred to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 9). The connecting direction is the width direction of the document insertion direction.

Step S2-20
The image connection position determination means 16-2 (FIG. 8) of the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) is a mode of connecting horizontally in the direction read from the image input unit 1 (FIG. 8). The document width Xi (m) (number of dots) is added to Y0, and the connected image width X0 is set to the document length Yi (m) (number of lines) before proceeding to step S2-21.
Step S2-21
The image connecting means 16-3 (FIG. 8) of the control unit 16 (FIG. 8) sets the calculated image size (Xi (m) × Yi (m) at the read position Pr of the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 9). )) Is added, and m indicating the page to be linked is incremented.

Step S2-22
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) repeats Steps S2-14 to S2-22 until m matches the total number of pages n of the read original, and proceeds to the next when m = n.
Step S2-23
The control unit 16 (FIG. 8) reads the image data from the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 9), sends it to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 8), and ends the flow.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of the second embodiment.
By the operation described above, as shown in the figure, it is possible to easily form an image in which a plurality of documents having different document insertion directions are connected in a certain direction, and on a strip-shaped recording paper having a length in a certain direction. Can be printed out.

  In the above description, the case where the image connection direction determination unit 16-1, the connection position determination unit 16-2, and the image connection unit 16-3 are configured as the control unit of the control unit 16 has been described. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a blank portion is provided by deleting a part of the connecting portion in order to prevent the occurrence of an unclear portion in the connecting portion of a plurality of images.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the configuration of the third embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 22, a setting operation unit 23, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 26, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the third embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the storage unit 22 is a memory area having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and a deletion line number storage unit 22-1.
The deleted line number storage means 22-1 is a memory area for storing the number of lines for image deletion at the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion of each document in order to provide a blank portion at the connecting portion of the documents.

Returning to FIG. 14, the setting operation unit 23 requests the operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 26, and sends the connection information according to the request of the control unit 26. It is.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to the third embodiment.
The setting operation unit 23 according to the third embodiment displays the image illustrated in the drawing as an example on the display unit 5, selects any one of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI as the reading resolution 3-1, and sets the reading mode 3-2 as the reading mode 3-2. Selection of monochrome, gray, or color, selection of connection direction designation 3-3, selection of vertical in insertion direction or horizontal in insertion direction, selection of 1 mm in front and 1 mm in back as connection position margin amount 23-1. Each of them is requested by the operator and determined by the determination button 3-4.

The control unit 26 is a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire apparatus. In this embodiment, in particular, the image connection direction determination unit 26-1, the connection position determination unit 26-2, and the image connection unit 26- 3 and the connection part image deletion means 26-4.
The image connection direction determination unit 26-1 is a unit that determines the connection direction for each page according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 23.
The connection position determination unit 26-2 is a unit that cumulatively adds the lengths in the connection direction and determines a position for each page to which subsequent images are connected.
The image connecting unit 26-3 is a unit that connects subsequent images based on the determinations of the image connecting direction determining unit 26-1 and the connecting position determining unit 26-2.
The connecting part image deleting means 26-4 is a means for calculating a margin part by deleting an image having a predetermined number of lines in a connecting part of the document image.
Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 14) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 26 (FIG. 14) will be described.
FIG. 17 is an operation flowchart of the control unit according to the third embodiment.
The operation of the control unit from step S3-1 to step S3-19 will be described in order of steps.

Step S3-1
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) proceeds to the next when receiving a read preparation completion notice from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S3-2
Based on the control of the control unit 26 (FIG. 14), the setting operation unit 23 (FIG. 14) gives the operator a reading resolution, a reading mode, a connection direction designation, and a margin length (reading length) in the connection direction. The display shown in FIG. 15 is performed on the display unit 5.

Step S3-3
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) waits for input of the operator's reading resolution and reading mode, connection direction designation, and margin length (reading length), and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S3-4
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) clears the connected image full length Y0 and the connected image width X0 stored by itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.

Step S3-5
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) notifies the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) of the read execution permission.
Step S3-6
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 15).

Step S3-7
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) continues steps S3-6 and S3-7 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S3-8
When the control unit 26 (FIG. 14) has received all the image data for one page, the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) receives the line length Yi (number of lines) for one page and the document width number Xi ( Accept the dot count notification.

Step S3-9
The image connection direction determination means 26-1 (FIG. 14) of the control unit 26 (FIG. 14) performs a step when “insertion direction vertical” is set as the connection direction based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. Proceed to step S3-12, and if "insertion direction horizontal" is set as the connection direction, the process proceeds to step S3-10.
Step S3-10
Since the image connecting means 26-3 (FIG. 14) of the control unit 26 (FIG. 14) is a mode in which the directions read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 14) are connected horizontally, it is stored in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 15). The transferred image data is rotated 90 degrees. The connection direction is the direction of the document width in the insertion direction.

Step S3-11
The connection position determining means 26-2 (FIG. 14) of the control unit 26 (FIG. 14) replaces the document width number Xi and the document line length Yi.
Step S3-12
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) proceeds to step S3-13 if there is a subsequent document, and proceeds to step S3-14 if there is not. This is because when there is no subsequent document, it is not necessary to take a margin length (readout length) at the rear end portion.

Step S3-13
The connection part image deletion means 26-4 (FIG. 14) of the control part 26 (FIG. 14) is a connection part with the document which follows the margin length (reading length) input by the operator in step S3-3. The number of deleted lines De on the rear end side of the image is calculated and stored in the deleted line number storage area 22-1 (FIG. 15). The number of deleted lines De is calculated as a margin amount (mm) ÷ 25.4 ÷ reading resolution (dpi) from the reading resolution and the margin length (readout length) input by the operator.

Step S3-14
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) determines whether or not the document currently being processed is the second and subsequent pages. If the second and subsequent pages, the process proceeds to step S3-15. Proceed to S3-15. This is because it is not necessary to take a margin length (read length) at the leading edge of the first document.

Step S3-15
The connection part image deletion means 26-4 (FIG. 14) of the control part 26 (FIG. 14) is a connection part with the document which continues from the margin length (reading length) input by the operator in step S3-3. Then, the number Ds of lines to be deleted on the leading end side of the image is calculated and stored in the deleted line number storage area 22-1 (FIG. 15). The number Ds of lines to be deleted is calculated as a margin amount (mm) /25.4÷reading resolution (dpi) from the reading resolution and the margin length (readout length) input by the operator.

Step S3-16
The image connecting means 26-3 (FIG. 14) of the control unit 26 (FIG. 14) reads the image data from the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 15), deletes the line numbers De and Ds, and Yi-De- The image data for Ds is transferred to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 15).

Step S3-17
The connection position determination means 26-2 (FIG. 14) of the control unit 26 (FIG. 14) sets Xi to the image width X0 after connection, and adds Yi-De-Ds to the total image length Y0 after connection.
Step S3-18
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) confirms the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the control unit 26 proceeds to step S3-19, and if present, returns to step S3-5 to give a reading operation start notification. Do.
Step S3-19
The control unit 26 (FIG. 14) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 15) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 14) and ends the flow.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of the third embodiment.
(A) shows a case where an inserted document is printed while being deleted in a vertical direction in a predetermined margin portion and an image after being deleted and connected in the vertical direction.
(B) shows a case where the inserted original is rotated 90 degrees, and then a predetermined margin portion and image are deleted in the horizontal direction of the insertion and are connected in the horizontal direction for printing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, since it is possible to specify the deletion of an image at the end portion of the images to be connected, it is an original in which the image is divided into a plurality of sheets. However, it is possible to easily form an image connected in a desired fixed direction while reducing misalignment of the connecting portions on the end sides. As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to easily print out a plurality of images on a strip-shaped recording paper that can be arbitrarily set in length.

  In the above description, the image connection direction determination unit 26-1, the connection position determination unit 26-2, the image connection unit 26-3, and the connection unit image deletion unit 26-4 are used as the control unit of the control unit 26. The case of the configuration has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, it is needless to say that all or a part of the above means may be configured by a dedicated electronic device.

In this embodiment, in order to align the image widths of a plurality of connected images to a constant image width, an excess image exceeding a certain image width is deleted, and an insufficient white image is replaced with an image lacking a certain image width. A case where an image is added will be described.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the configuration of the fourth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 32, a setting operation unit 33, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 36, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the fourth embodiment.
As illustrated, the storage unit 32 is a memory having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and a connection width deletion / addition line number storage area 32-1.
The connection width deletion / addition line number storage area 32-1 is a memory area for storing the number of lines for deleting / adding an image at the end portion of the document in order to make the width in the connection direction of the document constant.

Returning to FIG. 19, the setting operation unit 33 obtains an input of image connection specifications from the operator based on the control of the control unit 36, and sends the connection information in response to the request of the control unit 36. It is.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to the fourth embodiment.
The setting operation unit 33 according to the fourth embodiment displays the image illustrated in the drawing as an example on the display unit 5, selects one of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI as the reading resolution 3-1, and sets the reading mode 3-2 as the reading mode 3-2. Selection of monochrome, gray, or color, selection of connection direction designation 3-3, selection of vertical in the insertion direction or horizontal in the insertion direction, selection of connection width setting 33-1, such as 210 mm to match the leading document Each of them is requested by the operator and determined by the determination button 3-4.

The control unit 36 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Unit) that controls the entire apparatus, and particularly in this embodiment, the image connection direction determination means 36-1, the connection position determination means 36-2, and the deletion / addition means 36. -3 and image connecting means 36-4.
The image connection direction determination unit 36-1 is a unit that determines a connection direction for each page according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 33.
The connection position determination unit 36-2 is a unit that cumulatively adds the lengths in the connection direction and determines the position for each page to which the subsequent images are connected.
The deletion / addition means 36-3 is a means for calculating the number of lines for deleting / adding the image at the edge portion of the document in order to make the width in the connecting direction of the documents constant.
The image connecting unit 36-4 is a unit that connects subsequent images based on the determination result of the image connecting direction determining unit 36-1 and the connecting position determining unit 36-2 and the calculation result of the deleting / adding unit 36-3. is there.
Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 19) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) will be described.
FIG. 22 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of the control unit according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 23 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the fourth embodiment.
The operation of the control unit from step S4-1 to step S4-24 will be described in the order of steps.

Step S4-1
When the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) receives a read preparation completion notice from the image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2), the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) proceeds to the next step.
Step S4-2
Based on the control of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19), the setting operation unit 33 (FIG. 19) requests the operator to input the reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation, and connection width setting, and the display unit 5 The display shown in FIG. 15 is performed.

Step S4-3
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) waits for input of the operator's reading resolution and reading mode, connection direction designation, and connection width, and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S4-4
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) clears the combined image total length Y0 and the connected image width X0 stored by itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.

Step S4-5
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) notifies the read execution permission to the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S4-6
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 2).

Step S4-7
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) continues steps S4-6 and S4-7 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S4-8
When the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) has received all the image data for one page, the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) receives the line length Yi (number of lines) for one page and the document width number Xi ( Accept the dot count notification.

Step S4-9
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) determines whether or not the scanned document is the first page. If the first page, the process proceeds to step S4-10. If not, the process proceeds to step S4-13. .
Step S4-10
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) determines whether or not the operator is requesting to adjust the width of the first document from the setting of the setting operation unit 33 (FIG. 19). If so, the process proceeds to step S4-11. If it has not been obtained, the process proceeds to step S4-12.

Step S4-11
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) sets the connection width Ys when connecting in the horizontal direction to the document width Yi acquired from the image input unit 1 (FIG. 19) and connecting the connection width Xs when connecting in the vertical direction. Is set to the document width Xi acquired from the image input unit 1 (FIG. 19).
Step S4-12
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) sets the connection width as a millimeter value, so that the value obtained from the connection width setting mm ÷ (25.4 mm ÷ reading resolution dpi) based on the reading resolution is Xs. And Ys.

Step S4-13
The image connection direction determining means 36-1 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) performs a step when “insertion direction vertical” is set in the insertion direction based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. The process advances to step S4-17, and if “insertion direction horizontal” is set as the insertion direction, the process advances to step S4-14.
Step S4-14
Since the image connecting means 36-4 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) is a mode for connecting the images read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 19) horizontally in the insertion direction, the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 20). ) Is rotated 90 degrees. The connection direction is the direction of the document width in the insertion direction.

Step S4-15
The connection position determining means 36-2 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) replaces the document width number Xi and the document line length Yi.
Step S4-16
The connection position determining means 36-2 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) interchanges the document width number Xs and the document line length Ys.

Step S4-17
The deletion / addition means 36-3 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) compares the connection width Xs of the images to be connected with the horizontal width Xi of the read image, and if Xs ≦ Xi, the step is performed. Proceed to S4-18, otherwise proceed to step S4-20.
Step S4-18
The deletion / addition means 36-3 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) deletes both ends of the image when the horizontal width Xi of the read image is larger than the connection width Xs of the images to be connected. The deletion amount is calculated as (Xi−Xs) / 2. When the horizontal width Xi of the read image is equal to the connection width Xs of the images to be connected, the deletion amount is zero.

Step S4-19
The image connecting means 36-4 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) transfers the image with both ends deleted to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 20).
Step S4-20
The deletion / addition means 36-3 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) adds margin data to both ends of the image because the horizontal width Xi of the read image is smaller than the connection width Xs of the images to be connected. To do. The additional amount is determined as (Xs−Xi) / 2.

Step S4-21
The image connecting means 36-4 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) transfers the image with the margin data added to both ends to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 20).
Step S4-22
The connection position determining means 36-2 (FIG. 19) of the control unit 36 (FIG. 19) sets Xs to the image width X0 after connection, and adds Yi to the image total length Y0 after connection.

Step S4-23
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) confirms the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the control unit 36 proceeds to step S4-24, and if present, returns to step S4-5 to give a reading operation start notification. Do.
Step S4-24
The control unit 36 (FIG. 19) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 20) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 19) and ends the flow.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of the fourth embodiment.
(A) represents the case of alignment of the leading document, and represents a case where both ends of the document B are deleted and margin data is added to both ends of the document C when connected in the vertical direction in the insertion direction.
(B) represents a case where the connection width mm is designated, and represents a case where both ends of the document C are deleted and margin data is added to both ends of the document A when connected in the horizontal direction in the insertion direction.

  In step S4-19 and step S4-21, as an example, image transfer from the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 21) to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 21) is performed in a two-dimensional array P [y] [ x] (1 ≦ y ≦ Yi, 1 ≦ x ≦ Xi), and (Xs−Xi) / 2 margin data is transferred and then P [y] [1] to P [y] [Xi] Image data is transferred, and (Xs−Xi) / 2 margin data is transferred again.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the lengths of the edge sides of the images to be connected can be specified as shown in FIG. Even in different images, by deleting and adding images according to the length of the connected edges, it is possible to easily form an image connected in a desired fixed direction and have a length in a fixed direction. The effect that it can output to a strip-shaped recording paper is acquired.

  In the above description, the image connection direction determination unit 36-1, the connection position determination unit 36-2, the deletion addition unit 36-3, and the image connection unit 36-4 are configured as control units of the control unit 36. Although the case has been described, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or a part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

  In the fourth embodiment, in order to align the image widths of a plurality of connected images to a constant image width, an excess image exceeding the certain image width is deleted, and an insufficient image is lacking in the certain image width. Although a white image is added, in this embodiment, in order to align the image width of a plurality of images with a constant image width, an image that is insufficient for the constant image width is expanded to a constant image width, and the constant image width is increased. A case will be described in which the exceeding image reaches a certain image width.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of the configuration of the fifth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus of Example 5 includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 42, a setting operation unit 43, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 46, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the fifth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the storage unit 42 is a memory having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and a connection width expansion / reduction rate storage unit 42-1.
The connection width enlargement / reduction rate storage means 42-1 is a memory area for storing an enlargement / reduction rate for enlarging / reducing the document in the width direction in order to keep the width in the connection direction of the documents constant.

Returning to FIG. 25, the setting operation unit 43 requests the operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 46, and sends the connection information according to the request of the control unit 46. It is.
FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to the fifth embodiment.
The setting operation unit 43 according to the fifth embodiment displays the image illustrated in the drawing as an example on the display unit 5, selects any of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI as the reading resolution 3-1, and sets the reading mode 3-2 as the reading mode 3-2. Selection of monochrome, gray, or color, connection direction designation 3-3, selection of vertical in the insertion direction or horizontal in the insertion direction, and enlargement / reduction width setting 44-1, match the top document, 210 mm, etc. Each selection is requested from the operator and is determined by the determination button 3-4.

The control unit 46 is a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire apparatus, and particularly in this embodiment, the image connection direction determination unit 46-1, the connection position determination unit 46-2, and the enlargement / reduction unit 46. -3 and image connecting means 46-4.
The image connection direction determination unit 46-1 is a unit that determines the connection direction for each page in accordance with the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 43.
The connection position determination unit 46-2 is a unit that cumulatively adds the lengths in the connection direction and determines the position of each page to which subsequent images are connected.
The enlarging / reducing means 46-3 is a means for calculating an enlarging / reducing ratio for enlarging / reducing the document in the width direction in order to make the width in the connecting direction of the documents constant.
The image connecting unit 46-4 is a unit that connects subsequent images based on the determination result of the image connecting direction determining unit 46-1 and the connecting position determining unit 46-2 and the calculation result of the enlarging / reducing unit 46-3. is there.
Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 25) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) will be described.
FIG. 28 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of the control unit according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 29 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the fifth embodiment.
The operation of the control unit will be described in order of steps from step S5-1 to step S5-24.

Step S5-1
When the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) accepts a read preparation completion notification from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2), the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) proceeds to the next.
Step S5-2
Based on the control of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25), the setting operation unit 43 (FIG. 25) prompts the operator to input the reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation, and enlargement / reduction width setting. The display shown in FIG.

Step S5-3
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) waits for input of the operator's reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation, and enlargement / reduction width, and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S5-4
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) clears the connected image full length Y0 and the connected image width X0 stored by itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.

Step S5-5
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) notifies the read execution permission to the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S5-6
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 26).

Step S5-7
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) continues step S5-6 and step S5-7 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S5-8
When the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) receives all image data for one page, the line length Yi (number of lines) for one page and the number of document widths Xi (from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2)). Accept the dot count notification.

Step S5-9
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) determines whether the scanned document is the first page. If the first page, the process proceeds to step S5-10. If not, the process proceeds to step S5-13. .
Step S5-10
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) determines whether or not the operator is requesting to adjust the width of the first document from the setting of the setting operation unit 43 (FIG. 25), and if so, the process proceeds to step S5-11. If not so, go to step S5-12.

Step S5-11
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) sets the connection width Ys when connecting in the horizontal direction to the document width Yi acquired from the image input unit 1 (FIG. 25), and the connection width Xs when connecting in the vertical direction. Is set to the document width Xi acquired from the image input unit 1 (FIG. 25).
Step S5-12
The controller 46 (FIG. 25) sets the connection width as a millimeter value, so that the value obtained from the connection width setting mm ÷ (25.4 mm ÷ reading resolution dpi) based on the reading resolution is Xs. And Ys.

Step S5-13
The image connection direction determination means 46-1 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) performs a step when “insertion direction vertical” is set as the insertion direction based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. The process advances to step S5-17, and if “insertion direction horizontal” is set as the insertion direction, the process advances to step S5-14.
Step S5-14
The image connecting means 46-4 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) is a mode in which the directions read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 25) are connected horizontally, and therefore is stored in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 26). The transferred image data is rotated 90 degrees. The connecting direction is the direction of the document width in the insertion direction.

Step S5-15
The connection position determining means 46-2 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) interchanges the document width number Xi and the document line length Yi.
Step S5-16
The connection position determining means 46-2 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) interchanges the document width number Xs and the document line length Ys.

Step S5-17
The enlarging / reducing means 46-3 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) compares the connection width Xs of the images to be connected with the horizontal width Xi of the read image. If Xs ≦ Xi, the step is performed. The process proceeds to S5-18, otherwise the process proceeds to Step S5-20.
Step S5-18
The enlargement / reduction means 46-3 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) reduces Xi when the horizontal width Xi of the read image is larger than the connection width Xs of the images to be connected. This reduction rate is Xs / Xi. When the horizontal width Xi of the read image is equal to the connection width Xs of the images to be connected, the reduction ratio is zero.

Step S5-19
The image linking means 56-4 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) multiplies the read width Xi by the reduction ratio Xs / Xi and reduces the image to Xs by the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 26). ).
Step S5-20
The enlargement / reduction means 46-3 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) enlarges Xi because the horizontal width Xi of the read image is smaller than the connection width Xs of the images to be connected. This enlargement ratio is Xs / Xi.

Step S5-21
The image connecting means 46-4 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) multiplies the horizontal width Xi of the read image by the enlargement ratio Xs / Xi and enlarges the image to Xs as an image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 26). ).
Step S4-22
The connection position determination means 46-2 (FIG. 25) of the control unit 46 (FIG. 25) sets Xs to the image width X0 after connection, and adds Yi to the image total length Y0 after connection.

Step S5-23
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) confirms the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the control unit 46 proceeds to step S5-24, and if present, returns to step S5-5 to give a reading operation start notification. Do.
Step S5-24
The control unit 46 (FIG. 25) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 26) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 25) and ends the flow.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a print result of the fifth embodiment.
(A) represents the case of A4 short side setting as an example, and represents a case where the original B is reduced and the original C is enlarged when connected in the vertical direction.
(B) shows the case where A4 long side is set as an example, and shows a case where the original A is enlarged and the original C is reduced when connected in the horizontal direction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the lengths of the sides of the images to be connected can be specified as shown in FIG. 30, the images having different side lengths in the connecting direction. However, by enlarging / reducing the image in accordance with the length of the connected side, it is possible to easily form an image connected in a desired fixed direction, and a strip-shaped recording having a length in a fixed direction. The effect that it can output to paper is acquired.

  In the above description, the image connection direction determination means 46-1, the connection position determination means 46-2, the enlargement / reduction means 46-3, and the image connection means 46-4 are configured as control means of the control unit 46. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or a part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the same image is repeatedly formed so that the same image can be connected.
FIG. 31 is a block diagram of the configuration of the sixth embodiment.
As shown in the drawing, the image forming apparatus according to the sixth embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 52, a setting operation unit 53, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 56, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the sixth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the storage unit 52 is a memory having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and a repetition count storage unit 52-1.
The repetition number storage unit 52-1 is a memory area for storing the number of repetitions for repeating the same image in the connecting direction.

Returning to FIG. 33, the setting operation unit 53 requests the operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 56, and sends the connection information in response to the request of the control unit 56. It is.
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to the sixth embodiment.
The setting operation unit 53 according to the sixth embodiment displays the image illustrated in the drawing as an example on the display unit 5, selects one of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI as the reading resolution 3-1, and sets the reading mode 3-2 as the reading mode 3-2. Selection of monochrome, gray, or color, selection of connection direction designation 3-3, selection of vertical in insertion direction or horizontal in insertion direction, and input of the number of repetitions as number of repetitions 54-1. Obtain and make a decision with the decision button 3-4.

The control unit 56 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Unit) that controls the entire apparatus, and in this embodiment, in particular, the image connection direction determination unit 56-1, the connection position determination unit 56-2, and the transfer number counting unit 56. -3 and image connecting means 56-4.
The image connection direction determination unit 56-1 is a unit that determines the connection direction for each page in accordance with the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 53.
The connection position determination means 56-2 determines the length in the connection direction. This is a means for accumulating and determining the position for each page to which subsequent images are connected.
The transfer count counting unit 56-3 is a unit that counts the number of times the same image is repeated in the connecting direction.
The image connecting unit 56-4 is a unit that connects subsequent images based on the determination of the image connecting direction determining unit 56-1 and the connecting position determining unit 56-2 and the measurement result of the transfer number counting unit 56-3. is there.
Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the sixth embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 31) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) will be described.
FIG. 34 is an operation flowchart of the control unit according to the sixth embodiment.
The operation of the control unit from step S6-1 to step S6-18 will be described in the order of steps.
Step S6-1
The control unit 56 (FIG. 31) proceeds to the next when receiving a read preparation completion notice from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S6-2
Based on the control of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31), the setting operation unit 53 (FIG. 31) prompts the operator to input the reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation, and number of repetitions of the same image. The display shown in FIG.

Step S6-3
The control unit 56 (FIG. 31) waits for input of the operator's reading resolution and reading mode, connection direction designation, and repetition count of the same image, and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S6-4
The control unit 56 (FIG. 31) clears the connected image full length Y0 and the connected image width X0 stored by itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.

Step S6-5
The control unit 56 (FIG. 31) notifies the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) of the read execution permission.
Step S6-6
The control unit 56 (FIG. 31) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 2).

Step S6-7
The control unit 56 (FIG. 31) continues the steps S6-6 and S6-7 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S6-8
When the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) receives all the image data for one page, the line length Yi (number of lines) and the document width number Xi (one page) from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2). Accept the dot count notification.

Step S6-9
The transfer number counting means 56-3 (FIG. 31) of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) acquires the number of repetitions of the same image from the setting operation unit 53 (FIG. 31), sets it to the repetition number setting n, and sets the count J. clear.
Step S6-10
The image connection direction determination means 56-1 (FIG. 31) of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) is a step when “insertion direction vertical” is set in the insertion direction based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. The process advances to step S6-13, and if “insertion direction horizontal” is set as the insertion direction, the process advances to step S6-11.

Step S6-11
Since the image connecting means 56-4 (FIG. 31) of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) is a mode for horizontally connecting the directions read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 31), it is stored in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 32). The transferred image data is rotated 90 degrees so as to be transferred to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 32) in the direction of the document width in the connecting direction.

Step S6-12
The connection position determining means 56-2 (FIG. 31) of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) interchanges the document width number Xi and the document line length Yi.
Step S6-13
The image connecting means 56-4 (FIG. 31) of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) transfers the image data to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 32).

Step S6-14
The transfer number counting means 56-3 (FIG. 31) of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) increments the same image repetition number J.
Step S6-15
The transfer count counting means 56-3 (FIG. 31) of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) checks whether the same image repeat count J is J = n, and if J = n, the process proceeds to step S6-16. If J = n is not satisfied, the process returns to step S6-13 and is repeated until J = n.

Step S6-16
The connection position determining means 56-2 (FIG. 31) of the control unit 56 (FIG. 31) adds the image length (Yi × the set number of times n) to the total image length Y0 after connection, and the image width X0 after connection. Is set to the width X0 of the image.
Step S6-17
The control unit 56 (FIG. 31) checks the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the control unit 56 proceeds to step S6-18, and if present, returns to step S6-5 to give a reading operation start notification. Do.
Step S6-18
The control unit 56 (FIG. 31) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 32) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 31) and ends the flow.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of the sixth embodiment.
(A) shows a case where the document A is repeated three times vertically in the insertion direction.
(B) represents a case where the document A is repeated three times horizontally in the insertion direction and the document B is repeated three times horizontally in the insertion direction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, an image formed by repeating a set number of images in the connection direction in which one image is set is formed, and a plurality of desired images are obtained. It is possible to easily form an image connected in a certain direction, and to obtain an effect that the image can be output to a strip-shaped recording sheet having a length in a certain direction.

  In the above description, the image connection direction determination unit 56-1, the connection position determination unit 56-2, the transfer number counting unit 56-3, and the image connection unit 56-4 are configured as control units of the control unit 56. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or a part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

In this embodiment, a case where a background image or the like is synthesized will be described.
FIG. 36 is a block diagram of the configuration of the seventh embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 62, a setting operation unit 63, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 66, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the seventh embodiment.
As shown in the drawing, the storage unit 62 is a memory having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and a background buffer 62-1.
The background buffer 62-1 is a memory area for storing image data of an image serving as a background, and whether or not to set a background.

Returning to FIG. 36, the setting operation unit 63 requests the operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 66, and sends the connection information in response to the request of the control unit 66. It is.
FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram of the setting operation unit according to the seventh embodiment.
As an example, the setting operation unit 63 according to the seventh embodiment displays the image illustrated in the drawing on the display unit 5, selects any one of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI as the reading resolution 3-1, and sets the reading mode 3-2 as the reading mode 3-2. Selection of monochrome, gray, or color, selection of connection direction designation 3-3, selection of vertical in insertion direction or horizontal in insertion direction, synthesis on / off as background synthesis setting 64-1, background image 64- 2, an input for each of the top document or each page is requested from the operator and determined by the determination button 3-4.

The control unit 66 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Unit) that controls the entire apparatus. In the present embodiment, in particular, the image connection direction determination unit 66-1, the connection position determination unit 66-2, and the image composition unit 66- 3 and the image connecting means 66-4.
The image connection direction determination unit 66-1 is a unit that determines the connection direction for each page according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 63.
The connection position determination unit 66-2 is a unit that determines the length in the connection direction and determines the position of each page to which subsequent images are connected.
The image synthesizing unit 66-3 is a unit that synthesizes a predetermined background image.
The image connecting unit 66-4 connects subsequent images based on the determination of the image connecting direction determining unit 66-1 and the connecting position determining unit 66-2, and the background image combining setting of the image combining unit 66-3. It is means to do.
Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the seventh embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 36) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) will be described.
FIG. 39 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of the control unit according to the seventh embodiment.
FIG. 40 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the seventh embodiment.
The operation of the control unit from step S7-1 to step S7-21 will be described in order of steps.
Step S7-1
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) proceeds to the next when receiving a read preparation completion notice from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S7-2
Based on the control of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36), the setting operation unit 63 (FIG. 36) prompts the operator to input the reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation, and background image composition setting. The display shown in FIG.

Step S7-3
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) waits for input of the operator's reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation, and background image composition setting, and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S7-4
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) clears the connected image full length Y0 and the connected image width X0 stored in itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.

Step S7-5
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) notifies the image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2) of the read execution permission.
Step S7-6
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 37).

Step S7-7
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) continues step S7-6 and step S7-7 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S7-8
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) increments the page count value n.

Step S7-9
The image connection direction determination means 66-1 (FIG. 36) of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) performs a step when “insertion direction vertical” is set in the insertion direction based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. Proceed to S7-11, and if "insertion direction horizontal" is set as the insertion direction, the process proceeds to step S7-10.

Step S7-10
Since the image connecting means 66-3 (FIG. 36) of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) is a mode for horizontally connecting the directions read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 36), it is stored in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 37). The image data is rotated 90 degrees so as to transfer the transferred image data to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 32) with the connecting direction of the image data set to the document width direction in the insertion direction.
Step S7-11
When the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) has received all the image data for one page, the line length Yi (the number of lines) for one page and the number of document widths Xi (from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2)). Accept the dot count notification.

Step S7-12
The image compositing means 66-3 (FIG. 36) of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) proceeds to step S7-13 if the background compositing setting 64-1 (FIG. 38) is off or not the leading document. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S7-14.
Step S7-13
The image composition means 66-3 (FIG. 36) of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) determines that the received image data is a background image, stores this image in the background buffer 62-2 (FIG. 37), and performs step. Returning to S7-5, in order to accept the subsequent image, the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) is notified of permission to execute reading.

Step S7-14
When the next original is sent from the image input unit 1 (FIG. 36), since n is 2, the process passes through step S7-14. The image compositing means 66-3 (FIG. 36) of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) determines whether or not the background image is set to ON with respect to the received image. The process proceeds to step S7-15, and if it is set to OFF, the process proceeds to step S16.

Step S7-15
The image composition means 66-3 (FIG. 36) of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) composes the background image with the received image and transfers it to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 37).
Step S7-16
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) transfers the received image to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 37) as it is because the background image is set to OFF for the received image.
Step S7-17
If the connection direction of the received image is set to the vertical direction, the process proceeds to step S7-18, and if it is set to the horizontal direction, the process proceeds to step S7-19.

Step S7-18
The connection position determination means 66-2 of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) adds the document length Yi (number of lines) to the total image length Y0 after connection, and sets the document width Xi as the image width X0 after connection. To do.
Step S7-19
The connection position determination unit 66-2 of the control unit 66 (FIG. 36) adds the document width Xi to the total image length Y0 after connection, and sets Yi to the image width X0 after connection.

Step S7-20
The controller 66 (FIG. 36) confirms the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the control unit 66 proceeds to step S7-21, and if present, returns to step 7-5 to notify the reading operation start notification. Do.
Step S7-21
The control unit 66 (FIG. 36) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 37) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 36) and ends the flow.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of the seventh embodiment.
(A) shows a case where the originals A, B, and C are connected vertically in the insertion direction, and the same background image is synthesized with all the images.
(B) shows a case where the originals A, B, and C are connected sideways in the insertion direction, and the same background image is combined with all the images.
(C) shows a case where the originals A and C are connected vertically in the insertion direction and different background images are combined.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 41, it is possible to set the background of the document for each sheet or each connected image, and to form an image connected in a certain direction. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly and easily form an image having high expressive power and connected in a certain direction, and it is possible to output it on a strip-shaped recording paper having a length in a certain direction.

  In the above description, the image connection direction determination unit 66-1, the connection position determination unit 66-2, the image composition unit 66-3, and the image connection unit 66-4 are configured as the control unit of the control unit 66. Although the case has been described, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or a part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

In this embodiment, a case where an image in which the color of an accepted image is changed is formed will be described.
FIG. 42 is a block diagram of the configuration of the eighth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the eighth embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 72, a setting operation unit 73, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 76, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the eighth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the storage unit 72 includes a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, a color change setting storage area for each page 72-1, and a dot number line number storage area 72-2 for each page. It is a memory having
The per-page color change setting storage area 72-1 is a memory area for storing the color change setting for each page.
The dot number / line number storage area 72-2 for each page is a memory area for storing the number of lines and the number of dots for each page.

Returning to FIG. 42, the setting operation unit 74 requests the operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 76, and sends the connection information in response to the request of the control unit 76. It is.
FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram of the setting operation unit according to the eighth embodiment.
The setting operation unit 73 according to the eighth embodiment displays the image shown in the drawing as an example on the display unit 5, selects any one of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI as the reading resolution 3-1, and sets the reading mode 3-2. Monochrome, gray, or color selection, connection direction designation 3-3, insertion direction vertical or insertion direction horizontal selection, color change 74-1 on / off selection input, respectively Ask the person to make a decision with the decision button 3-4.

FIG. 45 is a color setting instruction screen.
This figure is a screen that is subsequently displayed when the operator turns on the color change 74-1 in FIG. 44 described above. The operator looks at this screen and sets the color change for each page.

Returning to FIG. 42, the control unit 76 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Unit) that controls the entire apparatus. In the present embodiment, in particular, the image connection direction determination unit 76-1 and the connection position determination unit 76-2. The image color changing unit 76-3 and the image connecting unit 76-4.
The image connection direction determination unit 76-1 is a unit that determines a connection direction for each page according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 73.
The connection position determination unit 76-2 is a unit that cumulatively adds the lengths in the connection direction and determines the position for each page to which the subsequent images are connected.
The image color changing unit 76-3 is a unit that changes the color for each page.
The image connecting unit 76-4 is a unit that connects subsequent images based on the determination of the image connecting direction determining unit 76-1 and the connecting position determining unit 76-2 and the setting of the image color changing unit 76-3. .
Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the eighth embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 42) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted and only the operation of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) will be described.
FIG. 46 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of the control unit according to the eighth embodiment.
FIG. 47 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the eighth embodiment.
The operation of the control unit will be described in the order of steps from step S8-1 to step S8-25.
Step S8-1
When the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) receives a read preparation completion notification from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2), it proceeds to the next step.
Step S8-2
Based on the control of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42), the setting operation unit 73 (FIG. 42) asks the operator for input regarding the reading resolution, the reading mode, the connection direction, and the color change. The display shown in FIG. 44 is performed.

Step S8-3
The control unit 76 (FIG. 42) waits for input regarding the operator's reading resolution and reading mode, connection direction designation, and color change, and proceeds to the next step when there is an input.
Step S8-4
The control unit 76 (FIG. 42) clears the connected image total length Y0, the connected image width X0, and the page count value n stored by itself, and proceeds to the next.

Step S8-5
The control unit 76 (FIG. 42) notifies the read execution permission to the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S8-6
The control unit 76 (FIG. 42) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 72).

Step S8-7
The control unit 76 (FIG. 42) continues step S8-6 and step S8-7 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S8-8
The control unit 76 (FIG. 42) increments the page count value n.
Step S8-9
When the controller 76 (FIG. 42) has received all the image data for one page, the line length Yi (number of lines) for one page and the document width number Xi (from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2)). Accept the dot count notification.

Step S8-10
The control unit 76 (FIG. 42) sets the received line length Yi (number of lines) and document width number Xi (number of dots) as nth page Yi [n] and Xi [n] as the number of dots per page. Stored in the line number storage area 72-2 (FIG. 43).
Step S8-11
If there is a next original, the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) returns to step S8-5 again, repeats the reading operation until there is no original, and stores all the image data in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 43). .

Step S8-12
The image color changing means 76-3 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) displays the color setting display screen of FIG. 45 on the display unit 5 (FIG. 42) to obtain an operator setting input.
Step S8-13
The image color changing means 76-3 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) stores the setting input for n pages by the operator in the color change setting storage area 72-1 for each page (FIG. 43).

Step S8-14
The image color changing means 76-3 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) sets 1 to the value m of the page to be subjected to color change processing, and sets the read position P from the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 43). Clear to zero.
Step S8-15
The image color changing means 76-3 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) sets the color change setting for the mth page from the page-specific color change setting storage area 72-1 (FIG. 43). Yi [m] and Xi [m] of the mth page are read from the number storage area 72-2 (FIG. 43).

Step S8-16
The image color changing unit 76-3 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) reads the image data from the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 43) based on the read position acquired in step S8-15.
Step S8-17
The image color changing unit 76-3 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) changes the color of the image data read in step S8-16 based on the color change setting acquired in step S8-15.

Step S8-18
The image connection direction determination means 76-1 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) performs a step when “insertion direction vertical” is set as the connection direction based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. Proceed to step S8-19, and if "horizontal in the insertion direction" is set as the connection direction, the process proceeds to step S8-20.
Step S8-19
The connection position determining means 76-2 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) sets the number of dots Xi [m] in the image width X0 after connection, and the number of lines Yi [m] in the image length Y0 after connection. ] Is added.

Step S8-20
The image connecting means 76-4 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) is a mode in which the direction read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 42) is connected horizontally. The image is rotated 90 degrees in order to be stored again in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 43).
Step S8-21
The connection position determining means 76-2 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) sets the number of lines Yi [m] in the image width X0 after connection, and the number of dots Xi [m] in the image length Y0 after connection. ] Is added.

Step S8-22
The connection position determining means 76-2 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) writes the processed image back into the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 43).
Step S8-23
The connection position determination means 76-2 (FIG. 42) of the control unit 76 (FIG. 42) adds the number of image lines Yi [m] × the number of image dots Xi [m] to the read position P, and determines the next read position. The set post-processing page number m is incremented.

Step S8-24
The controller 76 (FIG. 42) repeats the flow from step S8-15 to step S8-24 over all pages, and then proceeds to step S8-25.
Step S8-25
The control unit 76 (FIG. 42) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 43) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 42) and ends the flow.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the print color of the original is set for each connected image, and an image connected in a certain direction can be formed flexibly and easily. The effect of being able to output to a strip-shaped recording paper having a length is obtained.

  In the above description, the image connection direction determination unit 76-1, the connection position determination unit 76-2, the image color change unit 76-3, and the image connection unit 76-4 are configured as control units of the control unit 76. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or a part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the size of a recording sheet is measured by an image input unit prior to image printing.
FIG. 48 is a block diagram of the configuration of the ninth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the ninth embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 82, a setting operation unit 83, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 86, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the ninth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the storage unit 82 is a memory having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and a recording paper size storage area 82-1.
The recording paper size storage area 82-1 is a memory area for storing the size of the recording paper.

Returning to FIG. 48, the setting operation unit 83 requests the operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 86, and sends the connection information in response to the request of the control unit 86. It is.
FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the setting operation unit according to the ninth embodiment.
The setting operation unit 83 according to the ninth embodiment displays the image shown in the drawing as an example on the display unit 5, and first asks the operator to select the recording paper size measurement mode and causes the determination button 83-3 to determine it. .

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the setting operation unit according to the ninth embodiment.
When accepting the selection of the recording paper size measurement mode, the setting operation unit 83 according to the ninth embodiment displays an image illustrated in the drawing as an example on the display unit 5, and has a reading resolution 3-1 of 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI, and 6000 DPI. Either selection, reading mode 3-2, monochrome, gray, color selection, connection direction designation 3-3, insertion direction vertical or insertion direction horizontal selection input respectively And decide with the decision button 3-4.

Referring back to FIG. 48, the control unit 86 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Device) that controls the entire apparatus. In this embodiment, in particular, the image connection direction determination means 86-1 and the connection position determination means 86-2. , A portion having an enlarging / reducing means 86-3 and an image connecting means 86-4.
The image connection direction determination unit 86-1 is a unit that determines the connection direction for each page according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 83.
The connection position determination means 86-2 is a means for accumulating the length in the connection direction and determining the position for each page where the subsequent images are connected.
Enlarging / reducing means 86-3 is means for enlarging / reducing the image in accordance with the size of the recording paper.
The image connecting unit 86-4 connects subsequent images based on the determination of the image connecting direction determining unit 86-1 and the connecting position determining unit 86-2 and the image enlargement / reduction of the enlargement / reduction unit 86-3. Means.
Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the ninth embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 48) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) will be described.
FIG. 52 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of the control unit according to the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 53 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the ninth embodiment.
The operation of the control unit from step S9-1 to step S9-24 will be described in the order of steps.

Step S9-1
When the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) accepts a read preparation completion notification from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2), the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) proceeds to the next step.
Step S9-2
Based on the control of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48), the setting operation unit 83 (FIG. 48) asks the operator to select either recording paper measurement or normal setting, and displays it to the display unit 5 (FIG. 48) as shown in FIG. Display.

Step S9-3
The setting operation unit 83 (FIG. 48) waits for selection by the operator, and proceeds to step S9-5 if the operator sets recording paper measurement, and proceeds to step S9 if normal setting is selected. Proceed to -4.
Step S9-4
Based on the control of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48), the setting operation unit 73 (FIG. 42) requests the operator to input the reading resolution, reading mode, and connection direction designation to the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

Step S9-5
The control unit 86 (FIG. 48) waits for an input from the operator and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S9-6
The control unit 86 (FIG. 48) notifies the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) of reading execution permission.

Step S9-7
The control unit 86 (FIG. 48) clears the combined image total length Y0 and the connected image width X0 stored in itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.
Step S9-8
If the recording paper measurement is set in step S9-3, the process proceeds to step S9-9. If the normal setting is set, the process proceeds to step S9-10.

Step S9-9
The control unit 86 (FIG. 48) discards the image data.
Step S9-10
The control unit 86 (FIG. 48) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 49).
Step S9-11
The control unit 86 (FIG. 48) repeats Step S9-8 to Step S9-11 until acceptance of all the image data of one original is completed, and proceeds to Step S9-12 after completion.

Step S9-12
When the controller 86 (FIG. 48) has received all the image data for one page, the line length Yi (the number of lines) and the document width number Xi (one page) from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2). Accept the dot count notification.
Step S9-13
If the recording paper measurement is set in step S9-3, the process proceeds to step S9-14. If the normal setting is set, the process proceeds to step S9-15.

Step S9-14
The controller 86 (FIG. 48) stores the size of the recording paper in the recording paper size storage area 82-1 (FIG. 49), and then returns to step S9-1. Since the measurement of the recording paper has already been completed, the measurement of the original is thereafter performed. In step S9-3, the process branches to step S9-4, in step S9-8, the process branches to step S9-10, and from step S9-13. Proceed to step S9-15.

Step S9-15
The image connection direction determining means 86-1 (FIG. 48) of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) performs a step when “insertion direction vertical” is set as the connection direction based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. The process proceeds to S9-18, and if “insertion direction horizontal” is set as the connection direction, the process proceeds to Step S9-16.
Step S9-16
The image connecting means 86-4 (FIG. 48) of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) is a mode in which the direction read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 48) is connected horizontally, so it is stored in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 49). The transferred image data is rotated 90 degrees. The connection direction is the direction of the document width in the insertion direction.

Step S9-17
The connection position determining means 86-2 (FIG. 48) of the controller 86 (FIG. 48) replaces the document width number Xi and the document line length Yi.
Step S9-18
The image connecting means 86-4 (FIG. 48) of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) transfers the image data to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 49).

Step S9-19
The connection position determination means 86-2 (FIG. 48) of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) sets Xi to the image width X0 after connection, and adds Yi to the total image length Y0 after connection.
Step S9-20
The control unit 86 (FIG. 48) confirms the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the control unit 86 proceeds to step S9-21, and if present, returns to step S9-8 to notify the reading operation start notification. Do.

Step S9-21
The enlargement / reduction means 86-3 (FIG. 48) of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) checks whether or not the size of the recording paper is stored in the recording paper size storage area 82-1 (FIG. 49) and stores it. If YES in step S9-22, the flow advances to step S9-22. If not stored, the flow advances to step S9-24.

Step S9-22
The enlargement / reduction means 86-3 of the control unit 86 (FIG. 48) calculates the image width and image length after connection and the size of the recording paper stored in the recording paper size storage area 82-1 (FIG. 49). The reduction / enlargement ratio in the width direction and the length direction is calculated. The reduction / enlargement ratio in the width direction is calculated as the number of recording paper dots Xr ÷ image width after connection X0, and the reduction / enlargement ratio in the length direction is calculated as the number of recording paper lines Yr ÷ image length after connection Y0.
Step S9-24
The control unit 86 (FIG. 48) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 49) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 48) and ends the flow.

FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of the ninth embodiment.
(A) represents a case where the originals A, B, and C are connected in the vertical direction of the insertion direction, and the connected images are enlarged to the recording paper size.
(B) represents a case where the originals A, B, and C are connected in the horizontal direction in the insertion direction, the width of the connected images is expanded to the recording paper size, and the length of the connected images is reduced to the recording paper size. ing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by measuring the size (length and width) of the recording paper before starting printing, it is not necessary for the operator to manually measure the size of the recording paper. Further, it is possible to form an image corresponding to the size of the recording paper in a flexible and simple manner and to output it on a strip-shaped recording paper having a length in a certain direction.

  In the above description, the image connection direction determination means 86-1, the connection position determination means 86-2, the enlargement / reduction means 86-3, and the image connection means 86-4 are configured as control means of the control unit 86. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or a part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

In the ninth embodiment, the case where the recording paper size is measured by the image input unit prior to image printing has been described. However, in this embodiment, the recording paper size is measured by the image printing unit prior to image printing. The case where it does is demonstrated.
FIG. 55 is a block diagram of the configuration of the tenth embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus according to the tenth embodiment includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 92, a setting operation unit 93, an image printing unit 94, a display unit 5, a control unit 96, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the ninth embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the ninth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 56 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the tenth embodiment.
As illustrated, the storage unit 92 is a memory having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and a recording paper size storage area 92-1.
The recording paper size storage area 92-1 is a memory area for storing the size width and length of the recording paper.

The setting operation unit 93 is a part that obtains input of image connection specifications from the operator based on the control of the control unit 96 and transmits the connection information in response to the request of the control unit 96.
FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) of the setting operation unit according to the tenth embodiment.
The setting operation unit 93 according to the tenth embodiment displays the image shown in the figure as an example on the display unit 5, and first asks the operator to select the recording paper size measurement mode and causes the determination button 93-3 to determine it. .

FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) of the setting operation unit according to the tenth embodiment.
The setting operation unit 93 according to the tenth embodiment displays the image shown in the figure on the display unit 5 as an example for the operator who has selected the recording paper size measurement mode, and the recording paper width input 93-4 displays the width of the recording paper. Is entered and determined with the decision button 93-5.

FIG. 59 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) of the setting operation unit according to the tenth embodiment.
The setting operation unit 93 according to the tenth embodiment displays, as an example, an image illustrated in the drawing on the display unit 5 for an operator who has requested selection of a normal reading mode, and has a reading resolution of 3-1, 2000 DPI, 3000 DPI. , 6000 DPI, reading mode 3-2, monochrome, gray, or color selection, or connection direction designation 3-3, selection of connection direction [vertical] or connection direction [horizontal] Are input to the operator and are determined by the determination button 3-4.

Returning to FIG. 55, the image printing unit 94 is a part that accepts image data and outputs a print image, and measures the length of the recording paper prior to printing.
FIG. 60 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the mechanism of the image printing unit.
This figure is a side view showing only main components of a color electrophotographic printer as an example. An outline of only the portion related to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in the figure, when the recording paper 99 is inserted into the recording paper conveyance line of the color electrophotographic printer, the recording paper detection sensor 109 detects the recording paper 99 and sends a recording paper detection signal to the print control unit 107. Printing is started, and the recording paper 99 is conveyed from right to left in the figure by the conveyance belt 104. During this paper conveyance, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the rotating photoconductor 100 (Y, M, C, K) by the LED head 101 (Y, M, C, K). The electrostatic latent image is supplied with toner from the developing device 104 (Y, M, C, K) and developed. The developed toner is transferred onto the recording paper 99 by the transfer device 105 (Y, M, C, K). The toner transferred onto the recording paper 99 is fixed onto the recording paper 99 by the fixing device 110. If the recording paper detection sensor 109 does not detect the recording paper 99 in this process, the transmission of the recording paper detection signal is stopped.

All of these operations are controlled by the print control unit 107. The print control unit 107 includes a recording paper length measuring unit 94-1 according to this embodiment.
The recording paper length measuring means 94-1 calculates the rotation amount of the photosensitive member 100 (Y, M, C, K) from the reception of the recording paper detection signal to the stop from the number of pulses sent by the pulse counter 108, and recording. It is a means for measuring the paper length.

Referring back to FIG. 55, the control unit 96 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Unit) that controls the entire apparatus. In this embodiment, in particular, the image connection direction determination unit 96-1 and the connection position determination unit 96-2. , An enlargement / reduction unit 96-3, an image connecting unit 96-4, and a recording paper condition setting unit 96-5.
The image connection direction determination unit 96-1 is a unit that determines the connection direction for each page according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 93.

The connection position determination unit 96-2 is a unit that accumulates the length in the connection direction and determines the position for each page to which the subsequent images are connected.
Enlarging / reducing means 96-3 is means for enlarging / reducing the image in accordance with the size of the recording paper.
The image connection unit 96-4 connects subsequent images based on the determination of the image connection direction determination unit 96-1, the connection position determination unit 96-2, and the image enlargement / reduction of the enlargement / reduction unit 96-3. Means.
The recording paper condition setting means 96-5 is a means for setting the length and width of the recording paper used for image printing.
The other components are the same as those in the ninth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the tenth embodiment will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 47) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 96 (FIG. 47) will be described.
FIG. 61 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of the control unit according to the tenth embodiment.
FIG. 62 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the tenth embodiment.
The operation of the control unit will be described in order of steps from step S10-1 to step S10-27.

Step S10-1
When the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) accepts a read preparation completion notification from the image reading control unit 1-5 (FIG. 2), the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) proceeds to the next step.
Step S10-2
Based on the control of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55), the setting operation unit 93 (FIG. 55) asks the operator to select recording paper measurement or normal setting, and displays the display unit 5 (FIG. 55) as shown in FIG. Display.

Step S10-3
The control unit 96 (FIG. 55) waits for an input from the operator and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S10-4
The setting operation unit 93 (FIG. 55) waits for selection by the operator, and proceeds to step S10-5 if the operator sets recording paper measurement, and proceeds to step S10 if normal setting is selected. Proceed to -11.

Step S10-5
The recording paper condition setting means 96-5 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) obtains the recording paper length measurement prior to printing, and the recording paper length measuring means 94- of the print control unit 107 (FIG. 60). 1 is notified of execution of the recording paper length measurement mode.
Step S10-6
The recording paper condition setting means 96-5 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) waits for the completion of the operation of the recording paper length measuring means 94-1 (FIG. 60).
Step S10-7
The recording paper condition setting means 96-5 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) accepts the recording paper length from the recording paper length measuring means 94-1 (FIG. 60).

Step S10-8
Based on the control of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55), the setting operation unit 93 (FIG. 55) requests the operator to input the recording paper width and performs the display shown in FIG. 58 on the display unit 5 (FIG. 55). The operator inputs the recording paper width.
Step S10-9
The recording paper condition setting means 96-5 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) accepts the recording paper width in mm from the setting operation unit 93 (FIG. 55).

Step S10-10
The recording sheet condition setting means 96-5 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) stores the recording sheet length and the recording sheet width in the recording sheet size storage area 92-1 (FIG. 56), and step S10-4. Return to. In this case, since the recording paper size has already been stored, the process proceeds to step S10-11.
Step S10-11
Based on the control of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55), the setting operation unit 93 (FIG. 55) requests the operator to input the reading resolution, reading mode, and connection direction designation to the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

Step S10-12
The control unit 96 (FIG. 55) waits for an input from the operator and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S10-13
The control unit 96 (FIG. 55) clears the combined image total length Y0 and the connected image width X0 stored by itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.
Step S10-14
The control unit 96 (FIG. 55) notifies the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) of reading execution permission.

Step S10-15
The control unit 96 (FIG. 55) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 2).
Step S10-16
Control unit 96 (FIG. 55) continues steps S10-15 and S10-16 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S10-17
When the controller 96 (FIG. 55) has received all the image data for one page, the line length Yi (number of lines) and the document width number Xi (one page) from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2). Accept the dot count notification.

Step S10-18
The image connection direction determining unit 96-1 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) is a step when the connection direction is set to “insertion direction vertical” based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator. The process proceeds to S10-19, and if the connection direction is set to “insertion direction horizontal”, the process proceeds to Step S10-21.
Step S10-19
Since the image connecting means 96-4 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) is a mode in which the image input unit 1 (FIG. 55) reads vertically in the insertion direction, the page buffer 2-1 The image data transferred to (FIG. 56) is transferred to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 56) as it is.

Step S10-20
The connection position determining means 96-2 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) sets the line length Yi of the original to the full image length Y0 after connection and the original width to the image width X0 after connection. Each number Xi is added.
Step S10-21
Since the image connecting means 96-7 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) is a mode in which the directions read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 55) are connected horizontally, it is stored in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 56). The transferred image data is rotated 90 degrees and then transferred to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 56). The connecting direction is the document width direction.

Step S10-22
The connection position determination means 96-2 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) sets the document width number Xi to the full image length Y0 after connection and the line of the original to the image width X0 after connection. Each of the lengths Yi is added.
Step S10-23
The control unit 96 (FIG. 55) confirms the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the control unit 96 proceeds to step S10-24, and if present, returns to step S10-15 to accept subsequent image data. And stored in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 2).

Step S10-24
The enlargement / reduction means 96-3 (FIG. 55) of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) checks whether or not the size of the recording paper is stored in the recording paper size storage area 92-1 (FIG. 55), and stores it. If YES in step S10-25, the flow advances to step S10-25. If not stored, the flow advances to step S10-27.

Step S10-25
The enlargement / reduction means 96-3 of the control unit 96 (FIG. 55) calculates the image width and image length after connection, and the size of the recording paper stored in the recording paper size storage area 92-1 (FIG. 55). The reduction / enlargement ratio in the width direction and the length direction is calculated. The reduction / enlargement ratio in the width direction is calculated as the number of recording paper dots Xr ÷ image width after connection X0, and the reduction / enlargement ratio in the length direction is calculated as the number of recording paper lines Yr ÷ image length after connection Y0.
Step S10-25
The control unit 96 (FIG. 55) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 56) to the image printing unit 94 (FIG. 55) and ends the flow.

FIG. 63 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of the tenth embodiment.
(A) shows a case where the originals A, B, and C are inserted in the vertical direction and connected in the vertical direction, and the connected images are enlarged to the recording paper size.
(B) inserts originals A, B, and C in the horizontal direction, connects them in the horizontal direction, expands the width of the connected images to the recording paper size, and reduces the length of the connected images to the recording paper size. Represents the case.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the size (length and width) of the recording paper is measured by the image printing unit before printing is started, so that the operator manually measures the size of the recording paper. There is no need. Further, it is possible to form an image corresponding to the size of the recording paper in a flexible and simple manner and to output it on a strip-shaped recording paper having a length in a certain direction.

  In the above description, the image connection direction determination means 96-1, the connection position determination means 96-2, the enlargement / reduction means 96-3, the image connection means 96-4, and the recording paper condition setting means 96-5. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, all or a part of the above means is configured by a dedicated electronic device. Needless to say

In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a divided image is cut out from an image received by the image input unit according to a predetermined rule, and this image is processed in the same manner as the image received by the image input unit.
FIG. 64 is a block diagram of the configuration of the eleventh embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus of Example 11 includes an image input unit 1, a storage unit 102, a setting operation unit 103, an image printing unit 4, a display unit 5, a control unit 106, and a data bus 7. And a control bus 8. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 65 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the eleventh embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the storage unit 102 is a memory having a page buffer 2-1, an image buffer 2-2, and an image division number storage unit 102-1.
The image division number storage means 102-1 is a memory area for storing the number of image divisions set by the operator.

The setting operation unit 103 is a part that requests an operator to input image connection specifications based on the control of the control unit 106 and sends the connection information in response to the request of the control unit 106.
FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram of the setting operation unit according to the eleventh embodiment.
The setting operation unit 103 according to the eleventh embodiment displays the image shown in the drawing as an example on the display unit 5, and first asks the operator to select the recording paper size measurement mode and determines it with the decision button 3-5. .

Returning to FIG. 64, the control unit 106 is a CPU (Central Processing Control Unit) that controls the entire apparatus. In this embodiment, the image connection direction determination unit 106-1, the connection position determination unit 106-2, and the like. This is a part having the image cutout means 106-3 and the image connecting means 106-4.
The image connection direction determination unit 106-1 is a unit that determines a connection direction for each page according to the connection direction input from the setting operation unit 103.
The connection position determination unit 106-2 is a unit that cumulatively adds the lengths in the connection direction and determines the position of each page to which subsequent images are connected.
The image cutout unit 106-3 divides the image according to the number of divisions input from the setting operation unit 103, and is divided based on the determination of the image connection direction determination unit 106-1 and the connection position determination unit 106-2. It is means for connecting the images.
The other components are the same as those in the ninth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of Embodiment 11 will be described.
Since the operation of the image input unit 1 (FIG. 64) is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted and only the operation of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) will be described.
FIG. 67 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of the control unit according to the eleventh embodiment.
FIG. 68 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of the control unit according to the eleventh embodiment.
The operation of the control unit will be described in order of steps from step S11-1 to step S10-31.

Step S11-1
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) proceeds to the next when receiving a read preparation completion notification from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2).
Step S11-2
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) obtains the display shown in FIG. 66 on the display unit 5, asking the operator for the reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation, and input of the division number n.

Step S11-3
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) waits for input of the operator's reading resolution, reading mode, connection direction designation, and input of the division number n, and proceeds to the next when there is an input.
Step S11-4
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) clears the combined image total length Y0 and the combined image width X0 stored by itself to 0 and proceeds to the next.

Step S11-5
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) notifies the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2) of reading execution permission.
Step S11-6
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) accepts the image data and stores it in the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 3). The image data is stored along a two-dimensional array of A [0] [0] to A [Yi] A [Xi].

Step S11-7
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) continues step S11-6 and step S11-7 until all the image data for one page is received, and proceeds to the next when the reception is completed.
Step S11-8
When the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) receives all the image data for one page, the line length Yi (number of lines) for one page and the number of document widths Xi (from the image reading control means 1-5 (FIG. 2)). Accept the dot count notification.

Step S11-9
The image connection direction determining means 106-1 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64), when the connection direction “vertical insertion direction” is set based on the input of the connection direction designation by the operator, step S11. Proceed to -10, and if the connection direction is set to "horizontal in the insertion direction", proceed to Step S11-20.
Step S11-10
The image clipping means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) calculates the transfer width W of the image data. Here, since the connection direction is the insertion direction vertical, that is, the image in the direction read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 64) is vertically divided into n and connected in the vertical direction, the width of the clipped image is (image width Xi ÷ number of divisions n), and the length is Yi. Here, if the number of pages of an image that is divided and cut out is I, the reading position P in the width direction of the I page is determined by I × (Xi ÷ n), and A [0] [P] to A [Yi]. By transferring only the image data corresponding to the width (Xi ÷ n) from the position up to [P], the image can be cut out with a width of 1 / n.

Step S11-11
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) clears I to 0.
Step S11-12
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) obtains the cutout position P. It is obtained as P = I × W.
Step S11-13
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) clears the counter J to zero.

Step S11-14
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) cuts out image data of A [J] [P] to A [J] [P + W] from the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 64). To the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 64).
Step S11-15
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) increments the counter J.
Step S11-16
The image cutout unit 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) repeats Steps S11-4 to S11-16 until J = Yi, and then proceeds to the next.

Step S11-17
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) increments the counter I.
Step S11-18
The image clipping means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) repeats Steps S11-12 to S11-18 until I = n, and then proceeds to the next.
Step S11-19
The connection position determination means 106-2 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) sets Xi / n to the image width X0 after connection, and sets Yi × n to the total image length Y0 after connection.

Step S11-20
The image clipping means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) calculates the transfer length H of the image data. Here, since the connection direction is horizontal, that is, the image width in the insertion direction read by the image input unit 1 (FIG. 64) is divided into n and rotated by 90 degrees on the page buffer, the image length to be cut out is (Image length Yi ÷ number of divisions n), and the width is Xi. Here, if the number of pages of an image that is divided and cut out is I, the reading position P in the width direction of the I page is determined by I × (Yi ÷ n) and is determined from A [P] [0] to A [P + Yi / By rotating and transferring only the image data for the width Xi and the length (Yi / n) from the position up to n] [Xi], the image can be cut out with a width of 1 / n.

Step S11-21
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) clears I to 0.
Step S11-22
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) obtains the cutout position P. It is obtained as P = I × H.
Step S11-23
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) clears the counter J to zero.

Step S11-24
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) cuts out image data of A [P + J] [0] to A [P + J] [Wi] from the page buffer 2-1 (FIG. 64). Rotated 90 degrees and transferred to the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 64).
Step S11-25
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) increments the counter J.
Step S11-26
The image clipping unit 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) repeats Steps S11-24 to S11-26 until J = H, and then proceeds to the next.

Step S11-27
The image cutout means 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) increments the counter I.
Step S11-28
The image clipping unit 106-3 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) repeats Steps S11-22 to S11-28 until I = n, and then proceeds to the next.
The connection position determining means 106-2 (FIG. 64) of the control unit 106 (FIG. 64) sets Yi / n to the image width X0 after connection, and sets Xi × n to the total image length Y0 after connection.

Step S11-30
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) confirms the presence or absence of a subsequent document. If there is no subsequent document, the control unit 106 proceeds to step S11-31, and if present, returns to step S11-5 to notify the reading operation start. .
Step S11-31
The control unit 106 (FIG. 64) sends the image data stored in the image buffer 2-2 (FIG. 64) to the image printing unit 4 (FIG. 64) and ends the flow.

FIG. 69 is an explanatory diagram of a print result of the eleventh embodiment.
(A) shows a case where one original document inserted in the vertical direction is divided into the vertical directions A and B in the insertion direction, and connected and output in the vertical direction in the insertion direction.
(B) shows a case where one original document inserted in the vertical direction is divided into horizontal directions A, B, C, and D in the insertion direction, and connected and output in the horizontal direction in the insertion direction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the size (length and width) of the recording paper is measured by the image printing unit before printing is started, so that the operator manually measures the size of the recording paper. There is no need. Further, it is possible to form an image corresponding to the size of the recording paper in a flexible and simple manner and to output it on a strip-shaped recording paper having a length in a certain direction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 69, it is possible to easily form an image obtained by arbitrarily dividing a single document and connecting it in a certain direction, which is long in a certain direction. The effect that it can output to the strip-shaped recording medium which has thickness is acquired.

  In the above description, the case where the image connection direction determination unit 106-1, the connection position determination unit 106-2, and the image cutout unit 106-3 are configured as the control unit of the control unit 106 has been described. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this example, that is, all or a part of the above means may be constituted by a dedicated electronic device.

  In the above description, an example in which only one problem is applied to each embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, a plurality of embodiments can be applied simultaneously. The recording paper size measurement by the print image printing unit described in the tenth embodiment can be performed by a printing apparatus alone, and can be measured before print output when the length of the recording paper is unknown. .

1 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 1. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of an image input part. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to the first embodiment. 3 is an operation flowchart of an image input unit according to the first exemplary embodiment. 3 is an operation flowchart of a control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 1. 6 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to a second embodiment. 6 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of a control unit according to the second embodiment. 9 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 2. 6 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 3. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to a third embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart of a control unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 3. 10 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 4. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to a fourth embodiment. 14 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of a control unit according to the fourth embodiment. 14 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of a control unit according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 4. 10 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 5. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of a control unit according to the fifth embodiment. 12 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 5. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 6. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to a sixth embodiment. 14 is an operation flowchart of a control unit according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 6. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 7. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to a seventh embodiment. 18 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of a control unit according to the seventh embodiment. 18 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 7. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 8. It is. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to an eighth embodiment. It is a color setting instruction screen. 10 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of a control unit according to an eighth embodiment. 10 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of a control unit according to an eighth embodiment. 10 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 9. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to a ninth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) of the setting operation part of Example 9. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) of the setting operation part of Example 9. FIG. It is the operation | movement flowchart (the 1) of the control part of Example 9. FIG. It is the operation | movement flowchart (the 2) of the control part of Example 9. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 9. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 10. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to an embodiment 10. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) of the setting operation part of Example 10. FIG. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) of the setting operation part of Example 10. FIG. It is explanatory drawing (the 3) of the setting operation part of Example 10. FIG. It is a mechanism schematic explanatory drawing of an image printing part. FIG. 20 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of a control unit according to the tenth embodiment. FIG. It is an operation | movement flowchart (the 2) of the control part of Example 10. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 10. FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a configuration of Example 11. FIG. 20 is a schematic configuration diagram of a storage unit according to an eleventh embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a setting operation unit according to an eleventh embodiment. 22 is an operation flowchart (No. 1) of a control unit according to an eleventh embodiment. 22 is an operation flowchart (No. 2) of the control unit according to the eleventh embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a printing result of Example 11.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image input part 2 Memory | storage part 3 Setting operation part 4 Image printing part 5 Display part 6 Control part 6-1 Image connection direction determination means 6-2 Connection position determination means 6-3 Image connection means 7 Data bus 8 Control bus

Claims (12)

An image input unit for inputting an image;
A storage unit for storing an image input from the image input unit;
A setting operation unit for inputting a connection direction of images;
A connection direction determining means for determining a connection direction of the output image in accordance with the connection direction input from the setting operation unit;
A connection position determining means for cumulatively adding the lengths in the connection direction;
The connection direction determining means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image connecting unit that connects subsequent images based on the determination by the connecting position determining unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection direction determining unit can determine a connection direction of a plurality of images input from the image input unit for each page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a connecting part image deleting unit that deletes an image of the connecting end portion of the plurality of images so that the connecting end portion of the plurality of images connected by the connecting unit becomes a white image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
In order to align the image width of the plurality of images connected by the image connecting means to a constant image width, an excess image exceeding the fixed image width is deleted, and an insufficient white image is added to the image that is insufficient for the fixed image width. An image forming apparatus, further comprising image deletion / addition means for adding an image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
In order to align the image widths of the plurality of images connected by the image connecting means to a constant image width, an image that is insufficient for the constant image width is expanded to reach the constant image width, and an image that exceeds the constant image width is An image forming apparatus, further comprising an image enlarging / reducing unit that reduces the image to a predetermined image width. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a repeating number counting unit for the same image so that the same image can be connected by the image connecting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus, further comprising an image synthesizing unit to enable image synthesizing by the image connecting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: an image color changing unit for enabling the image connecting unit to connect an image having a color different from that of the image received by the image input unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
Further comprising image cutout means for cutting out the divided image according to a predetermined rule from the image received by the image input unit;
The image connecting means includes
An image forming apparatus, wherein the image cut out by the image cutout unit is connected based on the determination of the connection direction determination unit and the connection position determination unit, similarly to the image received by the image input unit. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image is image information obtained by reading a document image. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein
An image forming apparatus, further comprising an image printing unit that outputs a print image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10,
An image forming apparatus, further comprising recording sheet condition setting means for measuring the size of a recording sheet prior to image printing.

Images