JP3809212B2 - Output paper processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an output paper processing apparatus that processes output sheets such as paper and film discharged from a printer, a copying machine, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional output paper processing apparatuses such as printers and copiers require various functions and some functions have been realized. For example, one output paper processing device is a device that performs both the function of stapling after stacking and aligning paper on a predetermined tray and the function of job offset.
[0003]
Here, the job offset means that the paper continuously provided to the output paper processing apparatus is classified so that it can be distinguished for each job. This is because, for example, even when one printer is connected to a plurality of terminal devices or when a single printer is connected to each other, the processed paper can be visually recognized for each job. Is easy and convenient.
[0004]
By the way, in the conventional output paper processing apparatus provided with both the stapling function and the job offset function, most of the aligning mechanism and the stapling mechanism that perform the aligning function necessary as preparation for the stapling operation, and the above-described job A job offset mechanism that provides an offset function is individually configured.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a conventional output paper processing apparatus has the following problems. That is,
1) Since the alignment mechanism, stapling mechanism, job offset mechanism, and the like are individually configured locally, the configuration is complicated. This increases the manufacturing / repair costs and makes it more prone to failure. Moreover, if it is not configured locally, an excessive increase in size and cost of the apparatus will be incurred.
[0006]
2) Even if a job offset mechanism is provided, the cost increases accordingly.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a multifunctional and inexpensive output paper processing apparatus. In the present specification, the output paper or paper is not limited to paper, but is used to include a sheet-like object on which an image, text, or the like is recorded or printed, that is, a film, an OHP sheet, a cloth, or the like.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides an external device.Carried inFirst conveying means for conveying paper;SaidBy the first transport meansWhatFirst tray means for temporarily stacking the conveyed paper;Aligning means for aligning the sheets stacked on the first tray means at a predetermined position, stapling means for stapling the sheets stacked on the first tray means, and stacking sheets discharged after being conveyed or processed. Second tray means, a first transport operation for discharging the paper transported by the first transport means to the second tray means without being stacked on the first tray means, and transport by the first transport means As a result, the sheet loaded on the first tray means is aligned by the alignment means and then discharged to the second tray means, and the first conveying means conveys the first conveying means. And selectively performing a third conveying operation of stapling the paper loaded on one tray means by the stapling means and then discharging the paper to the second tray means. A second conveying means for, according to the selection operation of the operator, in accordance with an instruction from said external device,Direct discharge mode, staple mode, job offset modeOurAny oneTheMode setting means for setting;When the direct discharge mode is set by the mode setting unit, the second transfer unit is controlled to execute the first transfer operation, and when the staple mode is set by the mode setting unit The second transport unit is controlled to execute the third transport operation, and when the job offset mode is set by the mode setting unit, the first transport operation and the second transport operation are switched. Control means for controlling the second transport means to execute;It is characterized by comprising.
[0009]
  According to one aspect of the invention, when set to job offset mode,A control means for controlling the second transport means discharges the paper to the second tray means without the paper being stacked on the first tray means, and the paper stacked on the first tray means to the second tray means. By switching and executing the second transport operation for discharging, it is possible to stack the transported sheets while distinguishing the stacked positions. That is, a job offset mode in which the stacking position is distinguished on the second tray is enabled by the second transport operation via the first tray means that performs the alignment operation and the first transport operation that does not perform the alignment operation.
[0011]
With the above configuration, since the job is distinguished for each job using the existing configuration of the first tray unit and the alignment unit for the stapling unit, an output paper processing apparatus having a job offset function can be obtained without increasing the cost. be able to.
[0012]
Furthermore, since it also serves as alignment within a job, it is possible to achieve an effect that the stackability is excellent.
[0017]
  In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,The control unit controls the second transport unit to execute the second transport operation on a sheet serving as a job separator composed of a plurality of sheets specified in advance when the job offset mode is set. DoIt is characterized by that.
[0018]
  According to the above,When the control unit is set to the job offset mode, it is possible to obtain a sheet bundle that is stacked with the positions of only the uppermost sheet or the lowermost sheet shifted, for example, as a job separator in the job.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples.
[0020]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing a system in which a predetermined printer P and an output paper processing apparatus 100 that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention are combined. Reference numeral 102 denotes a support, which supports the paper transport / processing mechanism 103 and the stacking mechanism. The stacking mechanism includes three paper discharge trays 104 a to 104 c as second tray means and a tray support unit 105 which is one common member, and is lifted and lowered simultaneously by the movement of the tray support unit 105.
[0021]
Pa is a CPU of the printer P, Pb is a ROM in the CPUPa, and Pc is a RAM in the CPUPa. Further, Pd is a paper discharge sensor in the printer P for notifying the delivery of paper into the output paper processing apparatus 100.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the paper transport / processing mechanism 103 of the output paper processing apparatus 100, and 201 to 203 are guides that configure a transport path of the first transport unit.
[0023]
Reference numeral 204 denotes a paper carry-in path defined by the guides 201 and 202, 205 denotes a paper reversing path defined by the guides 202 and 203, and 206 denotes a paper discharge path defined by the guides 201 and 203.
[0024]
Reference numeral 207 denotes an inlet sensor provided in the paper carry-in path 204, 208 denotes a reverse path sensor provided in the paper reverse path 205, and 209 denotes a paper discharge sensor provided in the paper discharge path 206.
[0025]
210 is a pair of first conveying rollers provided facing the paper carry-in path 204, 211 is a pair of reverse rollers provided facing the paper reversing path 205, and one part is cut, and 212 is a paper discharge path 206. 2 is a pair of second transport rollers provided facing the front.
[0026]
Reference numeral 213 denotes a pair of first paper discharge rollers provided near the end of the paper discharge path 206, 214 denotes a pull-back belt which is driven by being sandwiched between the pair of first paper discharge rollers 213, and 215 denotes a paper transport / processing mechanism. 103 is a pair of second paper discharge rollers disposed in the vicinity of the 103 discharge port.
[0027]
216 is a stapling tray as a first tray means provided at a predetermined angle, 217 is a contact member for adjusting the trailing edge of the paper during stapling, and 218 is an alignment means for aligning the width direction of the paper The plate and 219 are staplers.
[0028]
Reference numeral 220 denotes a swing guide provided so as to be swingable. One end of the second paper discharge roller 215 is rotatably supported at the tip. The swing guide 220 and the second paper discharge roller 215 constitute a second transport unit.
[0029]
A shutter 221 is also provided so as to be able to swing, and prevents backflow of the paper on the tray to the discharge port when the tray is raised and lowered.
[0030]
Reference numerals 222 and 223 denote contact plates for adjusting the trailing edges of the sheets on the inclined trays 104a to 104c.
[0031]
A paper surface height detection sensor 224 detects the stacking height of the paper on the tray, adjusts the height of the tray support unit 105 according to the detection result, and adjusts the height of the second paper discharge roller 215 in accordance with the detection result. Maintain a constant step between the pair and the paper.
[0032]
Next, the operation of the above-described mechanism will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of the sheet reversing mechanism.
[0034]
In FIG. 3A, S1 is a sheet carried in from the carry-in path 204 on the right side in the drawing, and is now conveyed from the carry-in path 204 through the reverse path 205 to the lower side of the drawing by the first transport roller pair 210. It is where you are. S0 is a sheet carried in front of the sheet S1, and is now being conveyed from the reverse path 205 through the discharge path 206 to the left side of the drawing by the second conveying roller pair 212. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the reversing roller 211 is partly cut off so as not to block the reversing path 205 in the standby phase (current phase shown in the figure) The continuous paper can be rubbed in the reverse path 205.
[0035]
When the discharge of the sheet S0 from the reverse path 205 is almost completed, as shown in FIG. 3B, the reverse roller 211 starts to rotate in the clockwise direction in the drawing, and the non-cut portions of the reverse roller 211 come into contact with each other. S1 is further carried into the reverse path 205. FIG. 4C shows a state in which the rotation of the reverse roller 211 by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction is completed and the sheet S1 is completely carried into the reverse path 205, and then the reverse roller 211 starts to rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Is done. At this time, the sheet S1 has completely exited the carry-in path 204, and thereafter, even if it is transported in the reverse direction, it does not return to the carry-in path 204 due to the shape of the transport guides 201, 202, 203, that is, the path shape. It is conveyed to the discharge path 206. The reverse roller 211 rotates only a predetermined angle and has a limited length (distance) that can be conveyed in the reverse direction. However, the leading edge of the sheet S1 reaches the second conveyance roller pair 212 during the conveyance, and then the second conveyance. It is sufficient because it can be conveyed by the roller 212.
[0036]
FIG. 3D shows a state in which the reverse rotation of the pair of reverse rollers 211 has finished and has returned to the original phase.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating how sheets are stacked on the staple tray 216.
[0038]
In FIG. 4A, the sheet trailing edge contact member 217 is rotated and the swing guide 220 is also rotated to form the contact surface orthogonal to the surface of the staple tray 216, and the sheet S is discharged first. A state in which the paper roller 213 and the second paper discharge roller 215 are transported to the left in the drawing is shown.
[0039]
When a predetermined time elapses after the trailing edge of the sheet S passes through the sheet discharge sensor 209, the second sheet discharge roller pair 215 stops (FIG. 4B), and then the second sheet discharge roller pair 215 reverses. Start. Then, the sheet S is pulled back on the staple tray 216 toward the sheet trailing edge abutting member 217 by the pull-back belt 214 rotating together with the first paper discharge roller pair 213 (see FIG. 4C).
[0040]
Then, when the reverse rotation of the second paper discharge roller 215 starts, the swing guide 220 rotates and rises, and the contact of the second paper discharge roller pair 215 is released (FIG. 4D). After that, when the succeeding sheet is conveyed, the succeeding sheet is sequentially stacked on the sheet S by the inclination of the staple tray 216 and the action of the pull-back belt 214.
[0041]
In order to discharge the sheets S stacked on the staple tray 216, in the state shown in FIG. 4D, the rotation of the first discharge roller 213 and the pull-back belt 214 is stopped, and then the second discharge roller 215 is reversed. The swing guide 220 is rotated and lowered (FIG. 4E). Thereafter, the second paper discharge roller 215 is rotated forward.
[0042]
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the paper alignment mechanism of the staple tray 216 as viewed from above. In the drawing, the sheet conveyance direction is from the bottom to the top indicated by the dashed line arrow X. Reference numeral 501 denotes a contact plate, which is a reference when performing sheet alignment. Reference numeral 502 denotes a guide rail for the alignment plate 218 to move. In the state shown in the drawing, the alignment plate 218 is at the home position, and this is “position:“ 0 ””. The distance to the contact plate 501 is “l”. If the width of the sheet is “w”, the aligning operation is performed by moving the aligning plate 218 from the home position to the position “1-w”. In order to position the paper on the staple tray 216 at a plurality of positions corresponding to the alignment mode, a pair of first paper discharge rollers 213 for discharging the paper from the discharge path 206 onto the staple tray 216 (retraction belt 214 in FIG. 5). The sheet discharge position on the staple tray 216 and the position aligned by the alignment plate 218 and the abutting plate 501 are different from each other so as to be offset from each other in the paper width direction. Has been.
[0043]
FIG. 6 is a side view showing the shutter mechanism. The shutter 221 is opened and closed by a transport motor described later. When the paper is discharged, it is in the open state shown in FIG. 6A, but when the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c are switched, the paper is closed as shown in FIG. 6B. As a result, it is possible to prevent the paper loaded on the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c from being caught on the paper discharge roller 215 due to the reverse flow of the paper.
[0044]
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a moving mechanism of the stapler 219. Each part will be described as follows.
[0045]
701 is a stapler mount on which the stapler 219 is supported, 702 is a stapler drive gear that is rotatably supported by the stapler mount 701, and 703 is a guide roller that is also rotatably supported by the stapler mount 701. is there. 704a and 704b are stapler moving rollers for moving the stapler mount 701 while keeping it in a horizontal state.
[0046]
Reference numeral 705 denotes a staple, which indicates a staple position.
[0047]
706a is a first guide rail for guiding the stapler drive gear 702, 706b is a second guide rail for guiding the guide roller 703, and rack teeth are formed on one side of the first guide rail 706a. The stapler drive gear 702 is engaged. Thus, by driving the stapler drive gear 702 with a motor, the stapler mount 701 and thus the stapler 219 are moved. Further, since the first guide rail 706a and the second guide rail 706b are formed with a combination of bends as shown in the drawing, the staple needle 705 is driven in parallel to the end face of the sheet near the center of the sheet and obliquely near the corner. be able to.
[0048]
That is, by moving the stapler 219 relative to the paper S, various forms of stapling can be performed. For example, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing three types of staple modes. FIG. 4A shows the front one staple, FIG. 2B shows the center two staples, and FIG. 2C shows the rear one staple mode.
[0049]
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an electrical control circuit of the output paper processing apparatus 100. Each configuration will be described as follows.
[0050]
801 is a ROM having a program for controlling the apparatus, 802 is a RAM for storing data necessary for controlling the apparatus, 803 is a battery for saving the contents of the RAM 802 when the power is turned off, and 804 is a CPU. .
[0051]
805 is an extended I / O, 806 is an interface circuit that is effective when a switch 847 described later is ON, and 807 is an interface circuit that is effective when the switch 847 is OFF. Reference numeral 808 denotes a DC-DC converter that converts a DC voltage supplied from the outside into a predetermined voltage. Reference numeral 809 denotes an element that generates a rectangular wave based on a signal from the expansion I / O 805.
[0052]
Reference numeral 811 denotes a photo interrupter that detects a predetermined position of the paper discharge sensor 209, 812 denotes a sensor that detects the “open” position of the shutter 221, and 813 denotes a sensor that detects the “closed” position of the shutter 221.
[0053]
Reference numeral 224 denotes a detection (distance) sensor for detecting the above-described paper surface height.
[0054]
815 is a home position sensor of the loading mechanism (104a-c, 105), 816 is a home position sensor of the stapler mount 701, 817 is a photo interrupter for generating an encoder clock that detects the movement of the loading mechanism, Reference numeral 818 denotes an encoder / clock generating photo interrupter for detecting the rotation of the paper discharge roller, 819 denotes a home position sensor for the alignment plate 218, and 820 denotes a detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper on the staple tray 216, 821. Is a switch for detecting the “open” position of the swing guide 220, 825 is a sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the upper cover (not shown) of the paper transport / processing mechanism, and 828 is a photo for detecting a predetermined position of the inlet sensor 207. Interrupter 829 detects a predetermined position of the reverse path sensor 208 , A photo interrupter, 836 is a stepping motor for controlling the position of the alignment plate 218, 837 is a DC motor for driving the second paper discharge roller 215 and opening and closing the swing guide 220, and 838 is a transport roller group 210. Stepping motor for driving 213 and opening / closing the shutter 221.
[0055]
Further, 839 is a solenoid that serves as a trigger for starting the driving of a gear system (not shown) of the reverse roller 211, 840 is an upper limit detection switch that detects the upper limit position of the stacking mechanism (104a-c, 105), and 841 is a swing guide. 220 is a switch for detecting the “closed” position, 842 is an open / close detection sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the front cover of the paper transport / processing mechanism (not shown), and 843 is a connection state of the paper transport / processing mechanism with the printer main body P. 844 is a DC motor for raising / lowering the tray support unit 105, 845 is a sensor for detecting the presence / absence of a stapler needle, 846 is a DC motor home position sensor for operating the staple 219, and 848 is a stapler position control. Stepping motors 849 and 849 are staple DC motors.
[0056]
9 and 10 are diagrams showing examples of commands transmitted from a predetermined external device such as a printer or a copying machine to the apparatus. Reference numerals 901 and 902 denote 8-bit commands for instructing stapling processing contents, and reference numerals 1001 and 1002 denote 8-bit commands for instructing the paper size to be carried in by codes. For example, when the 2nd to 4th digits of the command 902 are “000”, stapling is performed at one front position as shown in FIG. 11A, and when “001”, the center 2 in FIG. This command means stapling.
[0057]
FIG. 25 shows the RAM contents in which data for paper processing is set in a predetermined external device, for example, the printer P. This is part of RAMPc.
[0058]
Here, each term means the following.
[0059]
tray: Data indicating one of 104a to 104c, which is a paper discharge destination designated by the operator.
[0060]
size: data indicating the size of paper to be carried into the output paper processing apparatus 100.
[0061]
proc: data indicating a mode of processing performed in the output paper processing apparatus 100, and includes, for example, a direct discharge (simple stacking) mode, a stapling mode, or a job offset mode.
[0062]
n: The number of sheets forming the job.
[0063]
adr_write: A pointer indicating a write address of a ring buffer (see FIG. 26) described later.
[0064]
adr_read: A pointer that similarly indicates the read address of the ring buffer.
[0065]
FIG. 26 shows a ring buffer for converting the data in the processing mode of the paper into a code and storing it in the printer P in order to send the data to the output paper processing apparatus 100. This is also a part of RAMPc. As shown in the figure, the codes of the paper discharge destination data, the size data, and the processing mode data can be stored for a predetermined number of sheets, for example, 20 sheets.
[0066]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for converting the paper processing mode data into a command code for the output paper processing apparatus 100.
[0067]
First, in step S2701, the tray code “tray” and the size code “size” are written in the address according to adr_write.
[0068]
Next, in step S2702, if the processing mode is "simple stacking", the process proceeds to step S2703, and "discharge directly to tray" is written as a processing mode code in an address according to adr_write.
[0069]
If the processing mode is “staple mode”, the process advances to step S2704 to write “staple / tray stacking / alignment” and “staple / tray stacking / alignment + staple” to an address n sheets ahead.
[0070]
If the processing mode is “job offset”, the process advances to step S2705 to determine whether the alignment position of the previous job has been shifted. If it has been shifted, the process advances to step S2706 to “direct tray” at the address according to adr_write. Write “Discharge”. If not shifted to step S2707, “staple / tray stacking / alignment” is written as a processing mode code, and “staple / tray stacking / alignment + discharge only” is written to an address n sheets ahead. And after step S2703, S2704, S2706, and S2707, all advance adr_write by n sheets finally.
[0071]
It should be noted that a code indicating no code is put in a place where there is no writing.
[0072]
Here, the example stored at addresses 4 to 7 in FIG. 26 is for the following cases.
[0073]
That is, the discharge destination tray is 104a, the paper size is A4-L (L: Landscape), the processing mode is the stapling mode, and the number of sheets forming the job to be stapled is four.
[0074]
Further, the example stored in the addresses 8 to 15 in FIG. 26 is a case where two jobs are subjected to job offset processing.
[0075]
That is, the discharge destination tray is 104a, the sheet size is A4-L, and the number of sheets in one job is four. The processing mode codes of the addresses 8 to 11 mean that the four sheets forming the first job are directly discharged to the tray 104a without being aligned by the alignment mechanism. The processing mode codes of the addresses 12 to 15 Means that the four sheets forming the second job are stacked on the staple tray 216, aligned, shifted in position, and then discharged to the tray 104a without being stapled.
[0076]
FIG. 28 shows a procedure in which the printer P of a predetermined external device sends a command code to the output paper processing apparatus 100.
[0077]
First, in step S2801, the codes of the discharge destination tray instruction command, the paper size instruction command, and the processing mode instruction command at the address according to adr_read are transmitted. Next, in step S2802, an instruction confirmation command is transmitted in order to instruct that the transmitted code is confirmed. The process advances to step S2803 to advance adr_read by one sheet. In the transmission of the code, if all are no codes, the code is not transmitted.
[0078]
In steps S2804 to S2806, the procedure of steps S2801 to 2803 is performed for another sheet.
[0079]
Next, in step S2807, the printer P waits for detection of the paper carry-in timing to the output paper processing apparatus 100 by the paper discharge sensor Pd, proceeds to step S2808, and sends a carry-in notice command. Further, in steps S2809 to 2811, one code is newly transmitted in the same manner as steps S2801 to S2803.
[0080]
FIG. 12 is a time chart showing a command sequence transmitted from the predetermined external device to the output paper processing apparatus 100. Each command is explained as follows.
[0081]
In each of the following commands, the third digit of the number represents the number of sheets of paper, and the number in the first digit is a command for designating a destination tray, 2 is a command for designating a paper size, A command for instructing stacking and alignment of sheets on the staple tray 216, a command for instructing whether to execute stapling or discharging, a command for indicating that the instruction has been confirmed, and 6 for an output paper processing apparatus This means a command for notifying that it will be loaded into the site.
[0082]
c101: A discharge destination tray instruction command for the first sheet. One of the trays 104a, 104b, and 104c is shown.
[0083]
c102: a sheet size instruction command for the first sheet (see FIG. 10).
[0084]
Note that the commands c101 and c102 are valid until the instruction content is changed for the sheet on which these commands are executed and all subsequent sheets.
[0085]
c103: a command for instructing the first sheet to be stacked on the staple tray 216 and further aligned. This is effective until the command c404 is executed for the sheet on which this command is executed and all subsequent sheets.
[0086]
c404: Command for instructing execution of stapling together with the fourth sheet or discharging as it is (see FIG. 9).
[0087]
c105, c205, c305, c405: Instruction confirmation commands for the first to fourth sheets. When this command is transmitted, the output paper processing apparatus 100 determines that the instructed contents have been determined for a predetermined paper.
[0088]
c106, c206, c306, c406: carry-in advance notice commands for the first to fourth sheets.
[0089]
This is a command for notifying that the paper is carried into the output paper processing apparatus 100.
[0090]
An instruction confirmation command (c105, c205, c305, c405) and a carry-in advance command (c106, c206, c306, c406) are sequentially given for each sheet. Therefore, for example, c205 and c206 are attached to the second sheet.
[0091]
In the example shown in FIG. 12, four sheets of paper that are successively carried in are stacked on the staple tray 216, and the process indicated by reference numeral 902 in FIG. 9, that is, only the staple or discharge process is performed. .
[0092]
Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
[0093]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a task for starting the paper transport task. When the carry-in advance command is transmitted (step S1301), a paper leading edge control task (predetermined processing is triggered by the passage of the leading edge of the paper through a predetermined position on the transport path) is started (step S1302).
[0094]
A sheet leading edge control task and a sheet trailing edge control task, which will be described later, are performed for each sheet of paper loaded.
[0095]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the paper leading edge control task. When the paper leading edge control task is started, first, the forward rotation of the transporting stepping motor 838 is started to drive the transport roller groups 210, 212, and 213 (step S1401), and then the DC motor 837 is started to swing the guide. 220 is lowered (step S1402), and the second paper discharge roller 215 is further rotated forward (step S1403). If the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the entrance sensor 207 (step S1404), the sheet trailing edge control task (predetermined processing is triggered by the fact that the trailing edge of the sheet has passed the predetermined position on the transport path) is started ( In step S1405), the paper leading edge control task, which is its own task, is stopped (step S1406).
[0096]
Next, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the paper trailing edge control task.
[0097]
The entrance sensor 207 waits for a predetermined time before the trailing edge of the sheet passes, for example, 20 ms before (step S1501). This is before the timing when the trailing edge of the sheet actually passes, but since the sheet size is known, this timing can be predicted. Next, the solenoid 839 serving as a trigger for starting the driving of the reverse roller 211 is turned on for a predetermined time, for example, 300 ms, and the reverse operation is started (step S1502). Next, it waits for the paper discharge sensor 209 to pass the trailing edge of the paper (step S1503). Then, the process proceeds to step S1504, where it is checked whether or not there is only discharge. In step S1504, a check is made as to whether or not the staple tray 216 is to be ejected or not to be ejected based on the above-described command 902 for instructing stapling processing contents. If not loaded, the process proceeds to step S1505. If it is determined in step S1505 that the sheet is the final sheet, the conveyance motor 838 and the discharge roller 215 are stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed (steps S1506 to S1507).
[0098]
If it is determined in step S1504 that the staple tray 216 is loaded, the process advances to step S1508. If it is the first sheet, the swing guide 220 is raised (steps S1508, S1509). At this time, the discharge mechanism and the paper are in the state shown in FIG. Thereafter, the alignment plate 218 is moved by a predetermined distance, and the side edge of the sheet is brought into contact with the reference contact plate 501 to perform alignment (step S1510). In step S1511, after waiting for a predetermined time, for example, 500 ms, the alignment plate 218 is retracted to the original position in step S1512. Next, the process proceeds to step S1513, where it is determined whether or not it is the final sheet. That is, first, the transport motor 838 is stopped in step S1514, the paper is aligned again by the alignment plate 218 in step S1515, and the swing guide 220 is lowered in step S1516. Next, in step S1517, it is determined whether or not stapling is performed according to the command (901, 902) in FIG. 9, and if stapling is performed, stapling is performed in one of the three modes illustrated in FIG. 11 in step S1518. . If the content of the command 902 is “011” in step S1517, the process proceeds to step S1518 and is discharged without stapling.
[0099]
When discharging, in any case, in step S1519, the alignment plate 218 is retracted from the right end of the sheet by a predetermined distance, for example, 5 mm, and the process proceeds to step S1520, and the second discharge roller 215 is rotated forward for a predetermined time, for example, 800 ms. By doing so, it is discharged from the staple tray 216 to any one of the specified discharge destination trays 104a to 104c.
[0100]
Finally, the invoking task is stopped (step S1521).
[0101]
Using the above configuration and processing program, for example, the following can be performed depending on how the commands 901 and 902 shown in FIG. 9 are given. That is, the first job is discharged directly to one of the paper discharge trays 104a, 104b, and 104c, and the second job is stacked and aligned on the staple tray 216, and is not stapled. Eject it as it is. When this process is repeated for the third job and the fourth job, the sheets are stacked with their positions alternately shifted as shown in FIG.
[0102]
(Example 2)
In the first embodiment, an example of instructing whether or not to perform alignment for each job has been described. However, if only the final sheet of each job is stacked on the staple tray 216, aligned, and discharged as it is, FIG. As shown in FIG. 24B, for each job, only the final sheet is shifted in position.
[0103]
It is also possible to shift the position of only the foremost sheet.
[0104]
(Example 3)
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0105]
As shown in FIG. 16, in the third embodiment, the left side is also aligned symmetrically with the alignment plate 218 (hereinafter referred to as the right alignment plate) and the guide rail (hereinafter referred to as the right guide rail) 502 in FIG. A plate (hereinafter referred to as a left alignment plate) 218a and a guide rail (hereinafter referred to as a left guide rail) 502a are provided. As shown in FIG. 17, the control circuit has a home position sensor 819a for the left alignment plate 218a and a stepping motor 836a for position control for the left alignment plate 218a added to that of FIG. The configuration is the same as that in the first embodiment.
[0106]
In the apparatus according to the third embodiment, the command shown in FIG. 18 is transmitted instead of the command c103 (c203, c303, etc.) for instructing stacking and further alignment on the staple tray 216. As indicated by 1802, there are three types of alignment modes on the staple tray 216: no alignment, left alignment, and right alignment.
[0107]
In the third embodiment, the processing in steps S1510 and S1512 in the flowchart of FIG. 15 described for the processing of the previous embodiment may be replaced with the flowcharts shown in FIGS. That is, in the determinations in steps S2001 and S2101, according to the alignment standard designated by the command 1802, the right alignment plate 218 is controlled to move if left alignment (steps S2002 and S2102), and the left alignment plate 218a is controlled to move if right alignment ( In steps S2002 and S2102), neither alignment plate (218, 218a) is controlled to move when alignment is not performed.
[0108]
By using the above configuration and processing program, for example, the following can be performed. That is, if the first job is aligned on the left side, the second job is not aligned, and the third job is aligned on the right side, the position is shifted to one side for each job as shown in FIG. Loaded.
[0109]
(Example 4)
In the apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the command of FIG. 19 is transmitted instead of the command of FIG. 18 of the third embodiment. As indicated by the command 1902, the alignment for each job on the staple tray 216 can be set in multiple stages. Here, when the numerical value m in bits 6, 5, 4 in the command 1902 is “000”, it is a command that does not match the middle, and “001” to “111” represents the number of jobs that are matched to the middle. When the numerical values in bits 6, 5, and 4 are "001" to "111", k represents the number from the right of the job matched in the middle.
[0110]
In the fourth embodiment, the processes in steps S1510 and S1512 in the flowchart of FIG. 15 described for the process of the first embodiment may be replaced with the flowcharts shown in FIGS. That is, at the time of the alignment process, the alignment standard designated by the command 1902 is determined in step S2201. If it is determined in step S2201 that there is no intermediate alignment, i.e., m = 0 and left alignment, the process proceeds to step S2202, and the right alignment plate 218 is controlled to move to the position "1-w". If m = 0 and right alignment is performed, the process proceeds to step S2203, and the left alignment plate 218a is controlled to move to the position “w”. If it is determined in step S2201 that the job offset is intermediately multistage (1 <m <7), the process proceeds to step S2204, and the left alignment plate 218a is moved to ((l−w) / (m + 1)). In step S2205, the right alignment plate 218 is controlled to move to the position ((1−w) / (m + 1)) × k. Next, in the alignment plate retracting process, the alignment reference is similarly determined in step S2301. When m = 0 and left alignment is performed, the process proceeds to step S2302, and the right alignment plate 218 is returned to the position “0”, and m = 0. If it is right alignment, the process proceeds to step S2303, and the left alignment plate 218a is returned to the position “l”.
[0111]
If it is an intermediate multi-stage job offset, the left alignment plate 218a is returned to the position “l” in step S2304, and the right alignment plate 218 is returned to the position “0” in step S2305.
[0112]
By using the above configuration and processing program, for example, the following can be performed. If the middle job offset is two steps, the first job is left aligned, the second job is left of the intermediate step, the third job is right of the intermediate step, and the fourth job is right aligned. As shown in FIG. 24D, the four jobs are stacked with their positions shifted in four stages.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the external appearance of a system of a predetermined printer and an output paper processing apparatus that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a mechanical configuration of an output paper processing apparatus that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view for explaining a state of output paper reversal in the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining a state in which output sheets are stacked on a staple tray in the output sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an output paper alignment mechanism in the output paper processing apparatus that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view for explaining a shutter mechanism in the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view for explaining an operation state of a stapler moving mechanism in the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an electrical control circuit diagram of the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a command for instructing stapling processing content transmitted from a predetermined external device to the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a command for instructing an output paper size transmitted from a predetermined external device to the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating three types of stapling modes in the output paper processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a time chart showing an example of a command string transmitted from a predetermined external device to the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a task for starting a paper transport task in the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a paper leading edge control task in the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a paper trailing edge control task in the output paper processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing another output paper alignment mechanism in the output paper processing apparatus that is Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is an electrical control circuit diagram of the output paper processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a command for instructing the content of matching processing, which is transmitted from a predetermined external device to the output paper processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a command for instructing the content of alignment processing, which is transmitted from a predetermined external device to the output paper processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an alignment process in the output paper processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating alignment plate retraction processing in the output paper processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an alignment process in the output paper processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating alignment plate retraction processing in the output paper processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing various modes of job offset obtained by the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a part of the contents of a RAM that stores data related to jobs in a predetermined external device in the description of the first embodiment.
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a part of the contents of a RAM for storing a job-related code to be sent from a predetermined external device to the output paper processing apparatus according to the present invention in the description of the first embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for a predetermined external device to generate a code related to a job to be sent to the output paper processing apparatus according to the present invention in the description of the first embodiment.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure and timing for a predetermined external device to send a code to the output paper processing apparatus according to the present invention in the description of the first embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Output paper processing device
104a to 104c Paper discharge tray (second tray means)
215 Second paper discharge roller
216 Staple tray (first tray means)
217 Staple / paper trailing edge contact member
218 Alignment plate
219 Stapler
220 Swing guide
811 Paper discharge sensor
819 Alignment plate home position sensor
821 Swing guide upper limit detection switch
836 Stepping motor for alignment plate position control
837 Paper discharge roller drive motor
838 Stepping motor for paper conveyance
841 Swing guide lower limit detection switch

Claims (4)

First conveying means for conveying paper carried in from an external device;
A first tray means for temporarily stacking the sheet conveyed me by the first conveying means,
Alignment means for aligning the sheets stacked on the first tray means at a predetermined position;
Stapling means for stapling sheets stacked on the first tray means;
A second tray means for stacking sheets discharged after being conveyed or processed;
A first transport operation for discharging the paper transported by the first transport means to the second tray means without being stacked on the first tray means; and the first tray by being transported by the first transport means. A second transport operation for aligning the sheets stacked on the means by the aligning means and then discharging the sheets to the second tray means; and the sheets stacked on the first tray means by being transported by the first transport means Second conveying means for selectively executing a third conveying operation of stapling the sheet by the stapling means and then discharging it to the second tray means;
According to the selection operation of the operator, and in response to said instruction from an external device, direct discharge mode, the staple mode, the mode setting means for setting one of a job offset mode,
When the direct discharge mode is set by the mode setting unit, the second transfer unit is controlled to execute the first transfer operation, and when the staple mode is set by the mode setting unit The second transport unit is controlled to execute the third transport operation, and when the job offset mode is set by the mode setting unit, the first transport operation and the second transport operation are switched. Control means for controlling the second transport means to execute;
An output paper processing apparatus comprising: The control unit controls the second transport unit to execute the second transport operation on a sheet serving as a job separator composed of a plurality of sheets specified in advance when the job offset mode is set. output sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that. The sheet to be separated of the job, the output paper processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the paper is first stacked on the second tray within the job. The sheet to be separated of the job, the output paper processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a sheet to be stacked on the second tray to the end in the job.

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