Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-21
2001-03-13
Nguyen, Madeleine (Department: 2722)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C358S001130, C399S085000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201610
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method having a function of storing an original image read out through an automatic document feeding device or an original document table, into a page memory, and of change the order of images stored in the page memory.
In an image forming apparatus which converts an image of an original document set on an original document table into electric signals and prints the image on a paper sheet, it is possible to change the order of original documents read and the order of images to be outputted (by means of electronic sorting) if the image forming apparatus has a page memory capable of storing a plurality of images of original documents. A plurality of sets of paper sheets outputted after electronic sort are stapled and fed out, one after another, onto a tray. Also, this image forming apparatus applies an ADF input method in which layered original documents are subjected to one copy instruction with use of an automatic document feeding apparatus (ADF) and a manual setting input method in which original documents are set on a glass surface (of an original document table) and are subjected to copying, one after another, by manually pressing a copy button.
In case of the ADF input method, layered original documents are always fed from the lowest one and fed to the original document table, so that the order of documents to be read is constant. In case of the manual setting input method, original documents can be set either in an order from the top page or from the last page.
In a conventional image forming apparatus, since the manual setting input method adopts the same processing as in the ADF input method, original documents are read in the order from the lowest original document layered, i.e., from the last page. Therefore, if inputting is started manually from the top page, printing is also carried out from the top page so that the top page is fed out to the lowest layer, thus resulting in miscopy. When miscopy occurs, original documents must be inputted again from the first.
As has been explained above, since a conventional image forming apparatus adopts the same processing as the ADF input method, original documents can be read only in the order from the lowest one of the placed original documents, i.e., from the last page. Therefore, if a user once started inputting original documents from the first page, printing is started from the first page and the first page is fed out at the lowest position, thus resulting in a problem of miscopy. In this case, original documents must be inputted again from the first.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has an object of providing an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of specifying a desired printing order during inputting or printing of original documents regardless of the order of the original documents being inputted, thereby preventing miscopy.
According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprises means for reading images of a series of original documents in a first order and for outputting a series of image data items; storage means for storing the series of image data items outputted from the read means; instructing means for instructing one of the first order and a second order reverse to the first order, as an output order in which the series of image data items are outputted; first output means for outputting the series of image data items stored in the storage means, in the first order, in accordance with the output order instructed by the instruct means; second output means for converting the series of image data items stored in the storage means into the second order and for outputting the series of image data items converted; and means for forming images corresponding to the series of image data items outputted from one of the first and second output means.
On the basis of the above structure, the present invention includes a specify means capable of specifying the output order of image data items regardless of the order in which original documents are inputted. As a result, miscopy is not caused even if original documents have been inputted in an order from the last page although the original documents should have been inputted in an order from the top page. Therefore, original documents need not be inputted again, in this case.
In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention further comprises an input means for making an input to change the output order while the read means is reading the images of the original documents, and means for making an input to change the output order while the image forming means is forming the images.
In the above structure according to the present invention, even if an operator finds out that the order of inputted original documents has been wrong while inputting the original documents, the operator can make an instruction for reversing the order of copies to be outputted, at this time point, so that images can be printed in a correct order. Therefore, the original documents need not be read in again from the beginning. As a result of this, burdens to operators can be greatly reduced.
In addition, since it is possible to display a page change screen and to freely switch output order modes while inputting original documents through an ADF device, operators can smoothly proceed the operation without inputting again original documents even when original documents have been inputted in a wrong order.
According to the image forming method of the present invention, the same functions and advantages as described above can be achieved on the same ground as also described above.
Additional objects advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 012, No. 489 (E-696), Dec. 21, 1988 (JP 63 203059 A, Aug. 22, 1988).
Foley & Lardner
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Nguyen Madeleine
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