PATENT ABSTRACT
An image forming apparatus comprises a dividing section which divides a plurality of pages into some groups, each of which includes at least one page; an inputting section which inputs different text strings for each group; a creating section which creates a composite image of a page image and a text string which is inputted for the group including the page; and a printing section which prints the composite image on a sheet.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-203284 filed on Jul. 12, 2005, in Japanese Patent Office, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The invention relates to an image forming apparatus.  
         [0003]     Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copier which image-forms on the recording sheet based on the image data is carried out. Further, as the image forming apparatus, an apparatus having a group-dividing function is investigated.  
         [0004]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the group-dividing function will be described. In  FIG. 12 , the recording sheets a 31 -a 36  which is image-formed by the group-dividing function are shown.  
         [0005]     The chapter is a collection formed of one or a plurality of image data. It is defined that the group dividing function is a function that, when the image data is double side image formed in order on the recording sheet, the image data of the first page of the chapter is image formed. on the surface. Further, when the last page of the chapter is image formed on the surface of the recording sheet, the white image data (NULL data) is added as the next image data, and on its rear surface, the white images data is image formed (the image data is not image formed).  
         [0006]     For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the case where the image data A 1 -A 3  are the first chapter, the image data A 4 -A 8  are second chapter, the image data A 9 , A 10  are the third chapter, and the image data A 1 -A 10  are chapter-divided in order on the recording sheets a 31 -a 36  and image formed, will be described.  
         [0007]     In the first chapter, in the recording sheet a 31 , the image data Al is image formed on the surface b 31 , and the image data A 2  is image formed on the rear surface c 31 . In the recording sheet a 32 , the image data A 3  is image formed on the surface b 32 , and because the image data A 4  is on the top page of the second chapter, the image data is not image formed on the rear surface c 32 .  
         [0008]     In the same manner, in the second chapter, in the recording sheets a 33 -a 35 , the image data A 4 -A 8  are image formed in order on the surface b 33 , the rear surface c 34 -surface b 35 , and on the rear surface c 35 , the image data is not image formed. In the same manner, in the third chapter, in the recording sheet a 36 , the image data A 9 , A 10  are image formed in order on the surface b 36 , the rear surface c 36 .  
         [0009]     Further, in the image forming apparatus having the group-dividing function, an apparatus having a function by which, together with the image data, the chapter number and the chapter page number are image formed, is considered (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-274977).  
         [0010]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , in the image forming apparatus, the conventional third image forming processing by which the chapter number and the chapter page number are image-formed, will be described. In  FIG. 13 , a flow of the third image forming process is shown. The chapter number is a number by which each chapter is identified. The chapter page number is a page number for each chapter, and it is distinguished from the all-page number as the page number of the whole.  
         [0011]     In the image forming apparatus, initially, it is inputted through an operation section from the user. The image formation position information of the chapter number and the chapter page number is received, and based on the position information, the image formation position of the chapter number and the chapter page number is set (step S 51 ). Then, the letter size information of the chapter number and the chapter page number inputted through the operation section from the user, is received, and based on the letter size information, the letter size of the chapter number and the chapter page number is set.(step S 52 ).  
         [0012]     Then, the chapter diving designation page number information which is inputted through the operation section by the user, and is the top page of each chapter is received, and based on the page number information, the chapter dividing designation page number is set (step S 53 ). Then, it is discriminated whether each kind of setting by the operation inputs are completed (step S 54 ). When each kind of setting is not completed (step S 54 ; NO), the sequence advances to step S 51 . When each kind of setting is completed (step S 54 ; YES), the whole page number counter and the chapter page number counter are set to 0 (step S 55 ). Then, the chapter number counter is set to 0 (step S 56 ).  
         [0013]     Then, the total page number counter is incremented (step S 57 ). Then, it is discriminated whether the total page number of the total page number counter is the chapter dividing designation page number (step S 58 ). When it is the chapter designation number (step S 58 ; YES), the chapter page number counter is set in such a manner that the chapter page number=1 (step S 59 ).  
         [0014]     Then, the chapter number counter is incremented by 1 and set (step S 60 ). Then, in the image data which is next image formed, in the position and the letter size set in steps S 51 , and S 52 , the chapter number and the chapter page number of the chapter number counter and the chapter page number counter are compounded as the image, and the composite image for the 1 page is image formed on the next surface of the recording sheet (step S 61 ). The next surface of the recording sheet is, in the chapter page designation page, the surface of the next recording sheet, and in the other cases, the next surface or the rear surface of the image formed surface.  
         [0015]     When it is not the chapter dividing designation page number (step S 58 ; NO), the chapter page number counter is incremented by 1 and set (step S 62 ) and the sequence advances to step S 61 .  
         [0016]     Then, by step S 61 , it is judged whether the total pages are image formed (step S 63 ), and when the all pages are not images formed (step S 63 ; NO), the sequence advances to step S 57 . When all pages are image formed (step S 63 ; YES), the third image formation processing is completed.  
         [0017]     Referring to  FIG. 14 , an example of the image formation of the chapter number and the chapter page number by the third image formation processing will be described bellow. In  FIG. 14 , the recording sheets a 41 -a 46  on which, together with the image data, the chapter number and the chapter page number are image formed will be shown.  
         [0018]     The chapter-dividing in  FIG. 14  is defined as the same as the example in  FIG. 12 . In the first chapter, in the recording sheet a 41 , on the surface b 41 , the image data A 1 , the chapter number and the chapter page number f 1  are image formed, and on the rear surface c 41 , the image data A 2 , the chapter number and the chapter page number f 2  are image formed.  
         [0019]     The chapter number and the chapter page number are expressed in the form of “the chapter number—the chapter page number”. In the recording sheet a 42 , on the surface b 42 , the image data A 3 , the chapter number, and the chapter page number f 3  are image formed, and on the rear surface c 42 , the image data, the chapter number and the chapter page number are not image formed.  
         [0020]     In the same manner, in the second chapter, in the recording sheets a 43 -a 45 , on the surface b 43 , the rear surface c 43 —the surface b 45 , the image data A 4 -A 8 , the chapter number and the chapter page numbers f 4 -f 8  are image formed in order, and on the rear surface c 45 , the image data, the chapter number and the chapter page number are not image formed. In the same manner, in the third chapter, in the recording sheet a 46 , on the surface b 46 , the rear surface c 46 , the image data A 9 , A 9 ,A 10 , the chapter number and the chapter page numbers f 9  and f 10  are image formed in order.  
         [0021]     However, in the image forming apparatus having the conventional group-dividing function, together with the image data, the text string except of the chapter number and the chapter page number can not be image formed.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0022]     An object of the present invention is to image form the text string except of the number, together with the image data.  
         [0023]     In order to attain the object, an image forming apparatus comprises a dividing section which divides a plurality of pages into some groups, each of which includes at least one page; an inputting section which inputs different text strings for each group; a creating section which creates a composite image of a page image and a text string which is inputted for the group including the page; and a printing section which prints the composite image on a sheet.  
         [0024]     Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises, a dividing section which divides a plurality of pages into some groups, each of which includes at least one page; a memory which stores a text string stores different text strings for different group; a creating section which creates a composite image of a page image and the text string which is stored the memory for the group including the page; and a printing section which prints the composite image on a sheet. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a view showing the structure of a copier  1  of the embodiment according to the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the copier  1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a view showing a flow from the input of a document M 1  and a text string T 1  to the output of the recording sheet P 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a view showing a flow from the input of the image data D 1  and the text string T 2  to the output of the recording sheet P 1   a.    
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing the first image forming processing.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6 ( a ) is a view showing a structure of a main operation image plane  210 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 6 ( b ) is a view showing an applied function operation image plane  220 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 6 ( c ) is a view showing a chapter dividing designation page number input image plane  230 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 7 ( a ) is a view showing a chapter title information list display image plane  240 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 7 ( b ) is a view showing a chapter title information input image plane  250 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 7 ( c ) is a view showing a chapter dividing designation page number input image plane  230   a.    
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a view showing recording sheets a 1 -a 6  on all pages of which, together with the image data, the chapter title information is image formed.  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a view showing the recording sheets a 11 -a 16  on which the chapter title information is image formed together with the image data on the chapter top page.  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing the second image forming processing.  
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is a view showing the recording sheets a 21 -a 26  on the all pages of which the chapter title information and the chapter page information are image formed together with the image data.  
         [0040]      FIG. 12  is a view showing the recording sheets a 31 -a 36  on which the image is formed by the group-dividing function.  
         [0041]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart showing the third image forming processing.  
         [0042]      FIG. 14  is a view showing the recording sheets a 41 -a 46  on which the chapter number and the chapter page number are images formed together with the image data. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0043]     Referring to the drawings, the embodiment according to the present invention and its modification example will be described in order below. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , initially, the feature of the apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. In  FIG. 1 , the structure of a copier  1  of the present embodiment is shown. In  FIG. 2 , the internal structure of the copier  1  is shown.  
         [0045]     Initially, referring to  FIG. 1 , the copier  1  as the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the copier  1  is structured being provided with an image reading section  20 , setting means, input means, operation display section  30  as a selection means, printer section  40  as the image forming means, sheet feed unit  50 , and post processing unit  60 .  
         [0046]     Hereupon, in the present embodiment, the structure using the copier is described as the image forming apparatus, however, the invention is not limited to this, and as the image forming apparatus, it may also use the apparatus having at least the image forming function such as a printer.  
         [0047]     The image reading section  20  is structured being provided with ADF (Auto Document Feeder) section  21  which is an automatic sheet feed mechanism, scanner section  22 . The ADF section  21  carries the document placed on the document table. The scanner section  22  light-scans the document carried by the ADF section  21  through a contact glass, or light-scans the document placed on the platen glass, photo-electric converts by a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor  23 , and reads the image recorded in the document image and obtains the document image data.  
         [0048]     On the document image data read by the image reading section  20 , each kind of image processing is conducted by a control means  100  which will be described later, and as the image data for printing, it is outputted to the printer section  40 , or stored in the image memory  170 .  
         [0049]     The operation display section  30  is provided with each kind of function key such as a numeral key, start key for indicating the print start, utility key, and the inputs of the user are received, and the input information is outputted to the control means  100 . The operation display section  30  is provided with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  31 , and on the LCD  31 , a touch panel which receives a touch input on the image screen, is structured, and each kind of operation image screen such as the setting image screen of the setting condition, or each kind of processing result are displayed.  
         [0050]     The printer section  40  conducts the electronic-photographic type image formation, and has the double-side image formation function, and is structured being provided with a conveying mechanism  41  which conveys the recording sheet fed from the sheet feed unit  50 , the image forming section  42  by which the image is formed on the recording sheet, and a fixing section  43  by which the toner image formed on the recording sheet is fixed. Further, the image forming section  42  is structured being provided with a photoreceptor drum which is an image career, a charging section for charging the photoreceptor drum, an exposing section such as an LD (Laser Diode) by which the photoreceptor drum surface are exposing-scanned based on the image data, a developing section for adhering the toner to the photoreceptor drum, a transfer section by which the toner image formed on the photoreceptor drum is transferred onto the recording sheet, and a cleaning section by which the remaining toner on the photoreceptor drum is removed.  
         [0051]     The conveying mechanism  41  conveys the recording sheet taken out of the sheet feed unit  50  to the image forming section  42 . Further, the conveying mechanism  41  has a reversing function of the recording sheet to the image forming section  42 . When double-side image formation is conducted, the conveying mechanism  41  reverses the recording sheet whose one—surface is image formed by the image forming section  42 , and conveys it again to the image forming section  42 . The image forming section  42  image forms another surface of the recording sheet whose one surface is image formed, delivers it and double-side image forms. Hereupon, in the present embodiment, it is described that the printer section  40  conducts the electronic-photographing type image formation, however, it is not limited to that, but may also be applied by the other image forming system such as an inkjet system, thermal transferring system, the dot impact system.  
         [0052]     The sheet feed unit  50  is structured being provided with  4  sheet feed trays of sheet feed trays  51 - 54 . Hereupon, in the present embodiment,  4  sheet feed trays is provided, however, it is not limited to this, the number of that is not particularly limited. In each of sheet feed trays  51 - 54 , the recording sheets whose kind of sheets and sizes such as the plain paper, rear paper, recycled paper, high quality paper, are different, can be accommodated.  
         [0053]     The post processing unit  60  can conducts each kind of the post processing such as a sort processing, punch (punching) processing, staple processing, center folding processing, cut processing, and can make a booklet or a book.  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an internal structure of the copier  1  will be described. The copier  1  is structured being provided with a control means  100 , printer controller  10 , image reading section  20 , operation display section  30 , printer section  40 , and post processing unit  60 .  
         [0055]     The printer controller  10  is structured being provided with a controller control section  11 , DRAM control IC  12 , image memory  13 , communication control section  14 , and NIC (Network Interface Card)  15 .  
         [0056]     The controller control section  11  totally controls each kind of operations and realizes a function by which, through the communication control section  14  and NIC  15 , the output data such as the image data inputted from PCs (Personal Computer)  2  as the external device on LAN (Local Area Network) is distributed to the control means  100  as a job. As the external device, it is not limited to PCs  2 , but may also be another kind of devices such as a PDA, another copier.  
         [0057]     The communication network by which the PCs  2  and the copier  1  are communication connected is described as LAN, however, it is not limited to this, but it may also be a communication network such as other kinds of communication networks such as a WAN (Work Area Network), exclusive line, or in which they are combined.  
         [0058]     DRAM control IC  12  controls the accommodation of the output data received by NIC  15 , communication control section  14  in the image memory  13 , or reading-out of the output data from the image memory  13 . Further, DRAM control IC  12  is connected to the DRAM control IC  160  of the control means  100  through the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, and according to the indication from the controller control section  11 , the output data which is an object to be image formed, is read-out from the image memory  13  and outputted to the DRAM control IC  160 .  
         [0059]     The image memory  13  is structured by DRAM, and temporarily accommodates the inputted output data.  
         [0060]     The communication control section  14  controls the communication of NIC  15 . NIC  15  is a communication interface for connecting to LAN, and through LAN from PCs  2 , receives the output data of the print object. The received output data is outputted to the DRAM control IC  12 .  
         [0061]     The image reading section  20  is structured being provided an ADF section  21  shown in  FIG. 1 , and the scanner section  22  having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor  23 , an image reading control section  24 , and an ADF control section  25 . The image reading control section  24  controls the scanner section  22  and conducts the light-scanning of the document surface according to the indication from the image control section  110 , and outputs the read-out analog image signal to the reading processing section  150  of the control section  100 . The ADF control section  25  controls, according to the indication from the image control section  110 , the ADF section  21 , and sends the document to the contact glass of the scanner section  22  in order, and after the light-scanning, it is delivered.  
         [0062]     The operation display section  30  is structured by a touch panel integrated with the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  31 , each kinds of function keys, not shown, and the operation display control section  32 . The operation display control section  32  outputs the operation signal operated by each kinds of function keys, or the touch panel to the image control section  110 . Further, the operation display control section  32  displays each kind of operation image planes, each kind of processing results on the LCD  31 .  
         [0063]     The printer section  40  is structured being provided with each section according to the print such as the image forming section  42 , and the printer control section  44 . The printer control section  44  controls the operation of each section of the printer section  40 , according to the indication from the image control section  110 , and based on the image data inputted from a writing processing section  190 , conducts the image formation of the recording sheet on the image forming section  42 .  
         [0064]     The post processing unit  60  is structured being provided with each kind of post processing sections which are not shown, and the post processing control section  61 . The post processing control section  61  controls each kind of the post processing sections so that each kind of the post processing is conducted on the image formed recording sheet outputted from the printer section  40 , according to the indication of the image control section  110 .  
         [0065]     The control means  100  is structured being provided with the image control section  110 , program memory  120 , system memory  130  as the memory means, non-volatile memory  140 , reading processing section  150 , DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) control IC  160 , image memory  170 , compression·elongation IC  180 , and writing control section  190 .  
         [0066]     The image processing section  110  is structured by CPUs (Central Processing Unit), and centralized-controls each section of the copier  1 . The image control section  110  reads-out the indicated program from the system program accommodated in the program memory  120  and each kind of application programs, develops it in the system memory  130 , and by the cooperation with the program developed in the system memory  130 , controls each kind of processing.  
         [0067]     Further, the image control section  110  composes the chapter title information for each chapter with the image data and creates the compounded image data, by the cooperation with the first image forming program which will be described later, and group-divides the composite image to the printer section  40  and image-forms on the recording sheet.  
         [0068]     The program memory  120  is structured by ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores the system program, each kind of application programs, and each data. The program memory  120  stores the first image forming program for conducting the first image forming processing which will be described later.  
         [0069]     The system memory  130  is structured by RAM (Random Access Memory), and has a work area storing each kind of data and each kind of programs. The system memory  130  has, for example, the first memory area, the second memory area, and stores the chapter title information in the first memory area, and stores the chapter number counter counting the chapter number and the whole page number counter counting the whole page number in the second memory area. The chapter title information is defined as the title set for each chapter, and includes at least the text other than the number.  
         [0070]     The non-volatile memory  140  is structured by a flash memory, and stores each kind of data re-writably. It may also be structured in such a manner that the chapter number counter and the whole page number counter are stored in the non-volatile memory  140 .  
         [0071]     The reading processing section  150  conducts each processing such as the analog processing, A/D conversion processing, shading processing on the analog signal inputted from the image reading control section  24  of the image reading section  20  and generates the digital image data. The generated digital image data is outputted to the DRAM control IC  160 .  
         [0072]     The DRAM control IC  160  controls the compression processing of the digital image data, the elongation processing of the compression image data by the compression·elongation IC  180 , according to the indication from the image control section  110 , and conducts the input output control of the image data to the image memory  170 . For example, when the storing of the read-out analog image data is indicated by the image reading section  20 , it makes conduct the compression processing of the digital image data inputted from the reading processing section  150  by the compression·elongation IC  180 , and makes accommodate the compression image data in the compression memory  171  of the image memory  170 .  
         [0073]     Further, when the image forming output of the compression image data accommodated in the compression memory  171  is indicated, the DRAM control IC  160  reads the compression image data from the compression memory  171 , conducts the elongation processing by the compression·elongation IC  180 , and makes accommodate in the page memory  172 . Further, when the image forming output of the non-compression image data accommodated in the page memory  172  is indicated, it reads-out the non-compression image data and outputs it to the writing processing section  190 .  
         [0074]     The image memory  170  is structured being provided with the compression memory  171  such as DRAM, and page memory  172 . The compression memory  171  is a memory for accommodating the compression image data. The page memory  172  is a memory for temporarily accommodating the non-compression image data which is the output object of the image formation before the output of the image formation.  
         [0075]     The compression·elongation IC  180  conducts the compression processing on the image data inputted from the DRAM control IC  160  and generates the compression image data, and outputs to the DRAM control IC  160 . Further, the compression·elongation IC  180  conducts the elongation processing on the compression image data inputted from the DRAM control IC  160 , generates the non-compression image data and outputs to the DRAM control IC  160 .  
         [0076]     The writing processing section  190  generates the print data for the image formation, based on the non-compression image data inputted from the DRAM control IC  160 , and outputs it to the printer section  40  (the image forming section  42 ).  
         [0077]     Next, the operation of the copier  1  in the present embodiment will be described below. Initially, referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the input of the image data, and text string which is compounded to the image data as the image, and the output of the recording sheet will be described. In  FIG. 3 , a flow from the input of the document M 1  and the text string T 1  to the output of the recording sheet is shown. In  FIG. 4 , a flow from. the input of the image data D 1  and the text string T 2  to the output of the recording sheet P 1   a  is shown.  
         [0078]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the copier  1 , the document M 1  on which the image A is recorded, is read-out by the image reading section  20 , and the image data of the image A is obtained. Further, through the operation display section  30 , the text string T 1  of the text (content) T which is operation-inputted by the user is obtained. Then, by the control means  100 , the text string T 1  is compounded as the image to the image data of the image A, and the compounded image data is chapter-divided by the printer section  40  and image-formed, and the recording sheet P 1  is outputted. Hereupon, it is assumed that the image A is an arbitrary image, and the text T is a text including the letter except the number of the chapter number.  
         [0079]     Further, from the external device, the image data and the text string may also be inputted. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the images data D 1  of the image A stored in the memory section (not shown) of PC 2  and the text string T 2  of the text T stored in the memory section which is operation-inputted by the user through the operation section (not shown) are inputted into the copier  1  through LAN. Then, in the same manner as in  FIG. 3 , the image compound and group-dividing and image formation are conducted, and the recording sheet P 1   a  is outputted. Further, PC 2  may be creates the composite image, and sends the composite image to the copier  1 .  
         [0080]     Next, referring to  FIG. 5 - FIG. 7 , the first image forming processing conducted in the copier  1  will be described. In  FIG. 5 , a flow of the first image forming processing is shown. In  FIG. 6 ( a ), the structure of the main operation image plane  210  is shown. In  FIG. 6 ( b ), an applied function operation image plane  220  is shown. In  FIG. 6 ( c ), a chapter-dividing designation page number input image plane  230  is shown. In  FIG. 7 ( a ), a chapter title information list display image plane  240  is shown. In  FIG. 7 ( b ), a chapter title information input image plane  250  is shown. In  FIG. 7 ( c ), a chapter-dividing designation page number input image plane  230   a  is shown.  
         [0081]     When the image data is image-formed on the recording sheet by the group-dividing function, the first image forming processing all-page-image forms the chapter title information of each chapter together with the image data. It is a processing by which it is selected that only the top page is image formed or it is not image formed, and image formed. For example, through the operation display section  30 , it is made a trigger that the chapter-diving mode translation is inputted, and by the cooperation of the first image forming program which is read-out from the program memory  120  and developed in the system memory  130 , and the image control section  110 , the first image forming processing is conducted.  
         [0082]     For example, when the main operation image plane  210  shown in  FIG. 6 ( a ) is displayed on the LCD  31 , the applied function key  211  is touch-inputted by the user, the applied function operation image plane  220  shown in  FIG. 6 ( b ) is displayed on the LCD  31 , and the chapter-dividing key  221  is touch-inputted by the user, the chapter-dividing mode is started, and the first image forming processing is conducted.  
         [0083]     Initially, the image forming position information of the chapter title information on the recording sheet which is inputted by the user through the operation display section  30 , is received, and based on the position information, the image forming position of the chapter title information is set (step S 11 ). Then, the letter size information of the chapter title information which is inputted by the user through the operation display section  30 , is received, and based on the letter size information, the letter size of the chapter title information is set (step S 12 ).  
         [0084]     Then, based on the chapter-dividing page number information which is the page number of top of inputted each chapter, the chapter title information of each chapter, and the kind of image formation, the chapter-dividing page number, the chapter title information, and the kind of the image formation, are set (step S 13 ). The kind of the image formation is defined to be 3 kinds in which the chapter title is all-page image formed, the chapter title is image formed only on the chapter top page of each chapter, and the chapter title is not image formed.  
         [0085]     In step S 13 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the chapter-dividing designation number information inputted by the user through the operation display section  30  and the chapter title information of each chapter and the kind of the image formation are received, and each information is set.  
         [0086]     Specifically, the chapter-dividing designation page number input image plane  230  is displayed on LCD  31 , based on the touch selection input of the chapter setting key  231  and the input of the numeral key as the hard key, the chapter-dividing page number is set. In this stage, because the setting relating to the chapter-dividing is not completed, the chapter title setting display section  232  is normally displayed. When OK key  233  is pressed in the chapter-dividing designation page number input image plane  230 , the chapter title information list display image plane  240  is displayed on LCD  31 , and based on the touch selection input of the chapter title information selection section  242 , scroll-freely by the touch input of the scroll key  241 , the chapter is selected in which the chapter title is newly inputted or edited.  
         [0087]     Then, the chapter title information input image plane  230  shown in  FIG. 7 ( b ) is displayed on LCD  31 , and the chapter title information is touch inputted by the letter input key  251 , and the chapter title information is displayed on the chapter title information display section  252 . Further, corresponding to respective cases of all-page image formation of the chapter title information of each chapter, image formation of only the chapter top page, or the image formation is not conducted, by the touch input of the chapter title setting section  263 , (all-page) ON/(all-page) OFF/(only) the chapter top page, are switchingly inputted. When OK key  254  is pressed on the chapter title information input image plane  250 , the chapter-dividing designation page number input image plane  230   a  is displayed on LCD  31 . On the designation page number input image plane  230   a , so that it is shown that the information setting relating to the chapter-dividing is completed, the chapter title setting display section  232   a  is reversely displayed. When OK key  233  is pressed on the chapter designation page number input image plane  230   a , the applied function operation image plane  220  shown in  FIG. 6 ( b )is displayed on LCD  31 . When OK key  222  is pressed on the applied function operation image plane  220 , the main operation image plane  210  shown in  FIG. 6 ( a ) is displayed on LCD  31 .  
         [0088]     Further, in step S 13 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the chapter title information operation-inputted by PC 2  may also be received from PC 2  through the printer controller  10  and set. Furthermore, in addition to the chapter title information, the chapter-dividing page number information or the kind of image information may also be received from PC 2  and set. The system memory  130  stores the chapter title information.  
         [0089]     Then, it is discriminated whether each kind of setting by the input is completed (step S 14 ). In step S 14 , , for example, in the situation that the main operation image plane  210  shown in  FIG. 6 ( a ) is displayed on LCD  31 , depending on a case whether the image formation execution button of the hard key of the operation display section  30  is pressed by the user, it is discriminated whether each kind of setting by the user is completed. When each kind of setting is not completed (step S 14 : NO), the sequence is advanced to step  11 . When each kind of setting is completed (step S 14 : YES), the all-page number counter is set to 0, and stored in the system memory  130  (step S 15 ). Then, the chapter number counter is set to 0, and stored in the system memory  130  (step S 16 ) Then, the all-page number counter stored in the system memory  130  is incremented by 1 and set (step S 17 ). In step S 17 , the page number is successively selected by 1 from the initial all-page number to the last page number in order. Then, the all-page number counter stored in the system memory  130  is referred, and it is discriminated whether the all-page number is the chapter-dividing designation page number (step S 18 ). When it is the chapter-dividing designation page number (step S 18 : YES), the chapter number counter stored in the system memory  130  is incremented by 1, and set (step S 19 ).  
         [0090]     Then, based on the kind of the image formation set in step S 13 , it is discriminated whether the chapter title information is image formed (step S 20 ). When the kind of the image formation is a case of the image formation of the all-page of the chapter title information or the image formation of only the chapter top page, it is discriminated that the chapter title information is image formed. When it is not the chapter-dividing designation page number (step S 18 : NO), the sequence is advanced-to step S 20 .  
         [0091]     When the chapter title information is image formed (step S 20 : YES), based on the kind of image formation set in step S 13 , it is discriminated whether only the chapter top page is image formed (step S 21 ). When only the chapter top page is image formed (step S 21 : YES), the all-page number counter stored in the system memory  130 , is referred, and it is discriminated whether the all-page number is the chapter-dividing designation page number (the chapter top page number) set in step S 13  (step S 22 ).  
         [0092]     When it is the chapter top page number (step S 22 : YES), the text string compounded to the image data is set to the chapter title information corresponding to the chapter number of the chapter number counter stored in the system memory  130  in the chapter title information inputted in step S 13  (step S 23 ). When the only the chapter top page is not image formed (step S 21 : NO), in order to image form the chapter title information on all pages, the sequence is advanced to step S 23 .  
         [0093]     Then, to the input image data which will be image formed, in the position and the letter size set in steps S 11 , S 12 , the text string set in step S 23  or step S 25  is compounded as the image, and by the printer section  40 , the composite image for 1 page is image formed on the next surface of the recording sheet (step S  24 ). The next surface of the recording sheet is the surface of the next recording sheet in the chapter-dividing designation page, and in other cases, the next surface or rear surface of the image formed surface. Further, the input image data is, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the image data inputted by the reading by the image reading section  20 , or the image data inputted by the signal receiving from PC 2  through the printer controller  10 . Further, the composition means that the text string is compounded as the image in the area except the input image data, however, it is not limited to this, it may also be a structure in which the text string is compounded as the image in the area in the input image data.  
         [0094]     When the chapter title information is not image formed (step S 20 : NO), or it is not the chapter top page number (step S 22 : NO), the text string which is compounded to the image data is set to NULL (there is no data) (step S 25 ), the sequence is advanced to step S 24 . The text string of NULL is not practically image formed in step S 24 .  
         [0095]     Then, by step S 24 , it is discriminated whether all pages are image formed (step S 26 ). When all pages are not image formed (step S 26 : NO), the sequence is advanced to step S 17 . When all pages are image formed (step S 26 : YES), the first image forming-processing is ended.  
         [0096]     Next, referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the specific example of the image formation by the first image forming processing is shown. In  FIG. 8 , the recording sheets a 1 -a 6  on whose all pages, together with the image data, the chapter title information is image formed, are shown. In  FIG. 9 , the recording sheets a 11 -a 16  on whose chapter top page, together with the image data, the chapter title information is image formed, are shown.  
         [0097]     The chapter-dividing in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , is assumed that it corresponds to an example of  FIG. 6 ( c ). In the example in  FIG. 6 ( c ), the chapter top page of the first chapter is automatically set on the first page, in the same manner, the chapter top page is set as the forth page of the second chapter, the ninth page of the third chapter, that is, the chapter-dividing designation page number is set to 1, 4, 9.  
         [0098]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in step S 13  of the first image forming processing, an example of a case where the kind of the image formation is set the all-page image formation of the chapter title, will be described. In the first chapter, in the recording sheet a 1 , the image data A 1 , the chapter title information d 1  “the first chapter: abstract” is image formed on the surface b 1 , and on the rear surface c 1 , the image data A 2 , the chapter title information d 1  is image formed. In the recording sheet a 2 , on the surface b 2 , the image data A 3 , the chapter title information d 1  is image formed, and on the rear surface c 2 , the image data, the chapter title information is not image formed.  
         [0099]     In the same manner, in the second chapter, in the recording sheets a 3 -a 5 , on the surface b 3 , the rear surface c 3 —the surface b 5 , the image data A 4 -A 8 , the chapter title information d 2  “the second chapter: basic structure” are image formed in order, and on the rear surface c 5 , the image data, the chapter title information are not image formed. In the same manner, in the third chapter, in the recording sheet a 6 , on the surface b 6 , the rear surface c 6 , the image data A 9 , A 10 , the chapter title information d 3  “the third chapter: restrictions” are image formed in order.  
         [0100]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an example of the case where the kind of image formation is set to the chapter top page image formation of the chapter title information in step S 13  of the first image forming processing, will be described. In the first chapter, in the recording sheet all, on the surface b 11 , the image data A 1 , the chapter title information d 1  are image formed, and on the rear surface c 11 , the image data A 2  is image formed. In the recording sheet a 12 , on the surface b 12 , the image data A 3  is image formed, and on the rear surface c 12 , the image data, the chapter title information are not image formed.  
         [0101]     In the same manner, in the second chapter, in the recording sheets a 13 -a 15 , on the surface b 13 , the image data A 4 , the chapter tile information d 2  are image formed, and on the rear surface c 13 —the surface b 15 , the image data A 5 -A 8  are image formed in order, and on the rear surface c 15 , the image data, the chapter title information are not image formed. In the same manner, in the third chapter, in the recording sheet a 16 , on the surface b 16 , the image data A 9 , the chapter title information d 3  are image formed, and on the rear surface c 6 , the image data A 10  is image formed.  
         [0102]     As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the image formation in the group-dividing function, the chapter title information including the text except the numbers (the chapter number, the chapter page number) is compounded to the image data and can be image formed, and the recording sheet with high visibility can be outputted for each chapter.  
         [0103]     Further, the page in which the chapter title data is compounded to the image data, can be selected from the chapter top page and all pages. As to this, when only the chapter top page is selected, on only the chapter top page, the chapter title information is compounded to the image data and can be image formed, and by the chapter title information, the chapter top page of the recording sheet can be visibly recognized. Further, the chapter title information is acquired by the signal receiving from PC 2 , and can be used for the image composition.  
         [0104]     (Modification Example) Referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , an example of modification of the above embodiment will be described. In  FIG. 10 , a flow of the second image forming processing is shown. In  FIG. 11 , the recording sheets a 21 -a 26  on whose all pages, together with the image data, the chapter title information and the chapter page information are image formed, are shown.  
         [0105]     The apparatus structure of the present modification example is assumed that it is the same as the above embodiment. However, in the program memory  120 , the second image formation program for conducting the second image forming processing is stored. The system memory  130  stores the chapter number counter and the all-page number counter, and the chapter page number counter for counting the page number for each chapter. The chapter page number counter may also be structured in such a manner that it is stored in the non-volatile memory  140 .  
         [0106]     Next, referring to  FIG. 10 , the operation of the copier  1  in the present modification example, will be described. In the present modification example, the copier  1  conducts the second images forming processing.  
         [0107]     When the image data is imaged formed by the group-dividing function on the recording sheet, the second image forming processing is the processing by which, together with the image data, the chapter title information of each chapter and the chapter page number are image formed on all pages. For example, through the operation display section  30 , it is made a trigger that the execution indication of the second image forming processing is inputted, and by the cooperation of the second image formation program which is read from the program memory  120  and developed in the system memory  130 , and the image control section  110 , the second image forming processing is conducted.  
         [0108]     Initially, steps S 31 , S 32 , are the same as steps S 11 , S 12  of the image forming processing. Then, based on the operation display section  30 , or the chapter-dividing page number information and the chapter title information of each chapter, inputted from PC 2  through the printer controller  10 , the chapter-dividing page number information and the chapter title information are set (step S 33 ). Step S 34  is the same as step S 14  of the first image forming processing.  
         [0109]     When each kind of settings is completed (step S 34 : YES), the all-page number counter, and the chapter page number counter showing the page number for each chapter are set to 0, and stored in the system memory  130  (step S 35 ). Steps S 36 -S 38  are the same as steps S 16 -S 18  of the first image forming processing. When it is the chapter-dividing designation number (step S 38 : YES), the chapter page number counter stored in the system memory  130 , is set to 1 (step S 39 ). Step S 40  is the same as step S 19  of the first image forming processing.  
         [0110]     Then, the text string compounded to the image data is set to the chapter title information corresponding to the chapter number of the chapter number counter stored in the system memory  130  in the chapter title information inputted in step S 13 , and the chapter page number of the chapter page number counter stored in the system memory  130  (step S 41 ). When it is not the chapter-dividing designation page number (step S 42 : YES), the chapter page number counter stored in the system memory  130  is incremented by 1 and set (step S 42 ), and advanced to step S 41 . Steps S 43 , S 44  are the same as steps S 24 , S 26  of the first image forming processing.  
         [0111]     Next, referring to  FIG. 11 , a specific example of the image formation by the second image forming processing is shown. The chapter dividing in  FIG. 11  corresponds to the example of  FIG. 6 (c), and the chapter-dividing designation page number is set to 1, 4, 9.  
         [0112]     As shown in  FIG. 11 , in the first chapter, in the recording sheet a 21 , on the surface b 21 , the image data A 1 , the chapter title information d 1  “the first chapter: abstract”, the chapter page number el are image formed, and on the rear surface c 21 , the image data A 2 , the chapter title information d 1 , the chapter page number e 2  are image formed. In the recording sheet a 22 , on the surface b 22 , the image data A 3 , the chapter title information d 1 , the chapter page number e 3  are image formed, and on the rear surface c 22 , the image data, the chapter title information, and the chapter page number are not image formed.  
         [0113]     In the same manner, in the second chapter, in the recording sheets a 23 -a 25 , on the surface b 23 , rear surface c 23 -b 25 , the image data A$-A 8 , the chapter title information d 2  “the second chapter: basic structure”, the chapter page numbers e 4 -e 8  are image formed in order, and on the rear surface c 25 , the image data, the chapter title information, the chapter page number are not image formed. In the same manner, in the third chapter, in the recording sheet a 26 , on the surface b 26 , the rear surface c 26 , the image data A 9 , A 10 , the chapter title information d 3  “the third chapter: restrictions”, the chapter page numbers e 9 , e 10  are image formed in order.  
         [0114]     As described above, according to the present modification example, in the image formation in the group-dividing function, to the image data, the chapter title information including the text except the number, and the chapter page number are compounded and can be image formed, and the recording sheet having high visibility can be outputted for each chapter, and for each page of the chapter.  
         [0115]     Hereupon, the description in the above embodiment and the modification example, is an example of the appropriate image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and not limited to this.  
         [0116]     For example, in the above embodiment, the structure in which, together with the image data, the chapter title information including the text-except the number is the text string, is applied, however, it is not limited to this, the structure in which it is arbitrary text string including the text except the number, may also be applied. Further, in the above embodiment and the modification example, the structure in which the chapter title information is stored in the system memory  130 , is applied, however, the structure in which it is stored in the non-volatile memory  140 , and in the image formation of the chapter-diving after that, the chapter title information read from the non-volatile memory  140  is used, may also be adopted.  
         [0117]     Further, in the above modification example, the structure in which, together with the image data, the chapter title information including the text except the number and the chapter page number are combined, and the text string is made, is adopted, however, it is not limited to this, and the structure in which an arbitrary text is combined with at least one of the chapter number, the chapter page n umber, and all-page number, and the text string is formed, may also be allowed. Further, the number combined with an arbitrary text may also be the number except the chapter number, the chapter page number, the all-page number. Furthermore, in the structure in which the chapter title information and the all-page number are combined and the text string is formed, the structure in which the text string is image formed only on the chapter top page, may also be allowed.  
         [0118]     Further, in the embodiment and the modification example, as for the detailed structure of each section of the apparatus constituting the copier  1 , and the detailed operation, they can be appropriately changed in the scope without departing from the sprit of the present invention.  
         [0119]     According to the structure of the invention is capable creating the composite image of a page image and a text string which is inputted for the group including the page, and the recording sheet having the high visibility can be outputted for each group.  
         [0120]     Further, the structure of the invention is capable creating the composite image for only the first page of each group, and the first page can be visibly recognized by the image formed text string.  
         [0121]     Further, the structure of the invention is capable selecting the mode, which creating the composite image for the first page of each group or for the all pages.  
         [0122]     Further, the structure of the invention is capable forming the text string as a watermark on the composite image.  
         [0123]     Further, the structure of the invention is capable creating the composite image of the page image, the text string and number, wherein the number is incremented every page for each group.  
         [0124]     Further, the structure of the invention is capable creating the composite image of the page image and the text string which is stored the memory, and the recording medium having the high visibility can be outputted for each page of the group.