JP2003246540A - Post processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a post processing device realizing 'segmentation of JOB', 'designation of a user of a printed matter', and 'effective use of an unused paper feeding part for sheet insertion', etc., which are not carried out conventionally, by performing effective sheet insertion processing from a plurality of steps of paper feeding parts for sheet insertion. <P>SOLUTION: In advance, a setting operation for defining each paper feeding part for sheet insertion and a user is performed by a control unit 21 of an image forming device 200 or a host device such as a personal computer connected thereto, and the content of this setting operation, i.e., the correspondence relation between each paper feeding part for sheet insertion and its user is memorized as a table in a data base of a finisher control part 10 of the post processing device 100. When a printing JOB is performed in the image forming device 200, the finisher control part 10 of the post processing device 100 receives the information about the user from a main body control part 20 of the image forming device 200, and feeds a sheet of paper from the paper feeding part for sheets corresponding thereto. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus for performing post-processing for inserting a cover sheet or the like on a printing paper group discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to a cover. The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus that includes a plurality of sheet insertion sheet feeding units that insert sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, post-processing such as "punching processing", "stapling processing" and "sheet insertion processing" is performed on a printing paper group discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. There is an aftertreatment device.

One of these, the sheet insertion process,
For the print paper group ejected from the image forming apparatus, a sheet is inserted from a sheet insertion sheet supply unit included in the post-processing apparatus at a predetermined timing and the sheet is inserted into a predetermined position of the print paper group. To do.

This "sheet insertion process" is basically a process of inserting a cover sheet for the purpose of attaching a cover sheet to a group of printing sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in the conventional post-processing apparatus, at least one sheet insertion sheet feeding unit that can insert a cover sheet of a different size into the printing sheet group discharged from the image forming apparatus is provided. It is considered to be good, and there is almost no one having a plurality of sheet feeding units for sheet insertion.

[0005]

However, in the post-processing apparatus having only one sheet insertion sheet feeding section,
For example, when a cover sheet of a different size is inserted for each print JOB, every time the print JOB is completed, the cover sheet of the sheet insertion sheet feeding unit is replaced and the next print JOB is executed again. There was a need.

That is, in the post-processing apparatus having only one sheet insertion sheet feeding unit, when the size of the sheet inserted in the print job being executed is different from the size of the sheet inserted in the next reserved print job. The following print J
It was not possible to make an OB reservation. Therefore, in such a case, after the print job being executed is completed, it is necessary to replace the sheets in the sheet insertion sheet feeding unit and execute the next print job again.

Similarly, in a post-processing apparatus having a plurality of sheet feeding units for sheet insertion, when a sheet of a different size is inserted for each print JOB, the sheet is rewritten every time the print JOB is completed. It was necessary to select the insertion paper feed unit and execute the next print JOB.

That is, even in the post-processing apparatus having a plurality of sheet feeding units for sheet insertion, when the size of the sheet inserted in the print job being executed is different from the size of the sheet inserted in the next reserved print job. However, the next print job could not be reserved.
Therefore, for example, even when the sheet to be inserted in the next reserved print job is already set in another sheet insertion sheet feeding unit, if it is not used in the print job being executed. , I couldn't continue to use it unless I made another choice. Forcibly, the print job being executed in the reserved job
Even if the sheet inserting / feeding unit used for the sheet is selected and a sheet of a different size to be inserted in the next print JOB is set, this reserved JOB is not executed and an error state occurs and the post-processing apparatus The operation of was stopped.

By the way, in these conventional post-processing apparatuses, the post-processed printing paper group is to be sequentially stacked uniformly on the discharge tray of the post-processing apparatus. , When printing paper groups of the same size overlap each other, a separation between these printing paper groups, that is, a printing job
Identifying the breaks between B has become very difficult.

Further, even when the print paper groups of different sizes overlap, which part of the stacked print paper groups is located is the print paper group output by itself. It was very difficult. In particular, when the image forming apparatus is a printer, it is common to execute a print job online from a remote location. It was not possible to take it out, and it was very troublesome because I had to take out what I output from the already stacked printing paper group.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform an effective sheet insertion process from a plurality of sheet feeding units for sheet insertion.
Providing a post-processing device that can achieve "job delimiter", "printed user's specification", "effective use of unused sheet insertion sheet feeder in reserved job", etc. To do.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 feeds sheets to a group of printing sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing. In the post-processing device for performing the sheet insertion process for inserting the sheet into a predetermined position of the printing paper group, a plurality of sheet insertion sheet feeding units for feeding the sheet are provided, and the sheet is inserted from the image forming apparatus. Automatically according to the instructions
By selecting the plurality of sheet insertion units for sheet insertion, and for the group of printing sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus, the sheets are fed at a predetermined timing from the selected sheet insertion unit for sheet insertion. It is characterized by comprising a control unit for performing the operation and inserting it into a predetermined position of the printing paper group.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 2 feeds sheets to a group of printing sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing, and prints the sheets. In the post-processing device for performing the sheet insertion process of inserting the sheet into a predetermined position of the sheet group, a plurality of sheet insertion sheet feeding units for feeding the sheets are provided, and a unique user is defined for each of them. A storage unit that stores a table is provided, and in accordance with an instruction from the image forming apparatus, a user who executes a print job is automatically specified,
Based on the table, the sheet is fed from the corresponding sheet insertion sheet feeding section at a predetermined timing,
It is characterized by comprising a control unit for inserting this at a predetermined position of the printing paper group.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 3 feeds a sheet to a group of printing sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing, and prints the sheet. In a post-processing device that performs a sheet insertion process of inserting a sheet at a predetermined position in a sheet group, a plurality of sheet insertion sheet feeding units for feeding the sheets are provided, and in accordance with an instruction from the image forming apparatus, The plural sheet insertion sheet feeding units are automatically selected, and a predetermined number of sheet insertion sheet feeding units that are not used in the print job are selected for the printing sheet group ejected from the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by comprising a control unit for feeding a sheet at a timing and inserting the sheet at a predetermined position of the printing sheet group.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 4 is used in combination with an image forming apparatus capable of reserving a print job, and is applied to a print sheet group discharged from the image forming apparatus. In a post-processing apparatus that performs sheet insertion processing for feeding a sheet at a predetermined timing and inserting the sheet at a predetermined position of the printing sheet group, a sheet insertion sheet feeding for performing sheet feeding When a reserved JOB of the image forming apparatus is set to perform sheet insertion processing, and the size of the sheet to be inserted is set, the size of the sheet is set at that time. If the sheet size is different from the size of the sheet inserted in the sheet insertion process that was being executed in step 3, when the sheet insertion sheet feeding unit is set in the reservation JOB, Characterized in that it comprises a control unit that prohibits selection of the sheet insertion sheet feeding section which has been feeding the sheet.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[Overall Configuration of Apparatus] First, a schematic configuration of a post-processing apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

(Mechanical Structure) FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of the post-processing apparatus. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 0 mainly has a plurality of stages of sheet insertion / feeding units 1a and 1b for inserting a sheet into a printing sheet sent from the image forming apparatus, and a conveying section 2. Further, the image forming apparatus and the sheet are provided. For the paper (printing paper and sheet) conveyed from the insertion paper feed units 1a and 1b, a punch mechanism unit 3 that performs a punching process, a staple mechanism unit 4 that performs a binding process, and a center folding process are performed. Center-folding mechanism section 5 and center-stapling staple mechanism section 6 that performs binding processing on center-folded sheets
And a stacking mechanism unit 7 that trims and arranges the end faces of the saddle-stitched paper, and a shift mechanism that shifts the discharge position of the paper (printing paper and / or sheets) discharged to the sub-tray 8a for sorting. The unit 8 includes a unit 8 and a stacking mechanism unit 9 that sequentially stacks sheets (printing sheets and sheets) discharged onto the sub-tray 8a on the main tray 9a.

The sheet inserting / feeding units 1a and 1b are places for stocking sheets to be inserted into the printing paper group from the image forming apparatus, and each of them is capable of stocking sheets of different sizes. Therefore, for example, it is naturally possible for the sheet inserting / feeding units 1a and 1b to stock sheets of the same size.

The conveying section 2 is composed of a guide 2a and a guide roller 2b for supporting sheet conveyance, a driving motor 2c for conveyance, etc., and the sheet inserting and feeding section 1a,
It is a means for performing a "sheet insertion process" of pulling out a sheet stocked in 1b at a predetermined timing and inserting the sheet into a predetermined position of a print sheet group discharged from the image forming apparatus.

The punch mechanism section 3 is composed of a punch mechanism 3a for punching holes, a punch residue tray 3b for receiving punch residue, and the like, and a group of print sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus (for sheet insertion processing). Includes sheets fed from the sheet insertion / feeding units 1a and 1b)
On the other hand, it is a means for performing a "punching process" for making a punch hole at a predetermined position.

The stapling mechanism 4 includes a stapling mechanism 4a for stapling, a driving motor 4b for conveyance, and a driving motor 4b for conveyance.
c, a drive motor 4d for alignment, and the like, and a group of printing papers discharged from the image forming apparatus (in the case of performing a sheet insertion process, sheets fed from the sheet insertion / feeding units 1a and 1b). (Including) is a means for performing a "stapling process" for binding with a metal needle.

The center-folding mechanism section 5 is composed of a center-folding mechanism 5a for performing center-folding, a drive motor 5b for conveyance, etc., and a group of print sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus (when performing sheet insertion processing). The sheet insertion / feed units 1a and 1b
(Including sheets fed from paper) is subjected to "center folding processing" for performing center folding to a predetermined size.

The saddle-stitching staple mechanism section 6 is composed of the preceding staple mechanism 4a, a drive motor 6a for alignment, a stopper 6b, etc., and the center folding mechanism section 5 discharges the printing paper from the image forming apparatus. "Saddle stitching" in which a group (including sheet fed from the sheet inserting / feeding units 1a and 1b in the case of performing sheet insertion processing) is subjected to center folding, and the center folding position is bound with a metal needle It is a means of performing "stapling".

The loading / unloading mechanism section 7 is composed of a cutter 7a, a drive motor 7b for driving the cutter 7a, etc., and the saddle stitching staple mechanism section 6 ejects a group of print sheets (sheet insertion) from the image forming apparatus. In the case of performing processing, it is a means for performing saddle stitching (including sheets fed from the sheet insertion / feeding units 1a, 1b) and then trimming and trimming the end faces.

The shift mechanism section 8 is composed of a sub-tray 8a, a shift mechanism 8b, a drive motor 8c for transportation, and the like. For example, a group of print sheets discharged onto the sub-tray 8a (when performing sheet insertion processing) Is a means for performing the sorting by shifting the paper discharge position of the sheet inserting / feeding units 1a and 1b (including sheets fed) from one sheet to another in a different direction for each print JOB.

The stacking mechanism section 9 is composed of a main tray 9a, a drive motor 9b for raising and lowering the main tray 9a, and the like, and a group of printing papers after post-processing (in the case of performing sheet insertion processing, It is a means for sequentially stacking sheets (including sheets fed from the sheet insertion / feeding units 1a and 1b) on the main tray 9a.

Since the details of the post-processing of these mechanical parts are the same as those of the conventional post-processing device, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, in the post-processing apparatus, the sheet inserting / feeding unit is replaced by the sheet inserting / feeding units 1a and 1b.
However, these may be arbitrarily configured as N stages.

(Control Configuration) FIG. 2 shows the post-processing device 10 concerned.
0 and a block diagram showing the control configuration of the image forming apparatus 200. As shown in the figure, the post-processing apparatus 100 is connected to an image forming apparatus 200 such as a copying machine and a printer, and a control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a finisher control section) 10 of the post-processing apparatus 100 is an image forming apparatus. The post-processing device 10 is instructed by a command from the main body control unit 20 of the device 200.
0, that is, the sheet insertion / feeding units 1a and 1b, the conveyance unit 2, the punch mechanism unit 3, the staple mechanism unit 4, the center folding mechanism unit 5, the saddle stitch staple mechanism unit 6, the stacking mechanism unit 7, and the shift mechanism. It is configured to control the unit 8, the loading mechanism unit 9, and the like.

Here, the finisher control section 10 supplies the sheet insertion sheet feeding section (sheet insertion sheet feeding section 1a or 1) used for the printing JOB during execution of the printing JOB.
In b), when the sheet is taken out or the size of the sheet is changed, the sheet inserting process of the post-processing apparatus 100, that is, the sheet inserting unit (sheet inserting unit 1a or 1b). ), And then the main body control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 200,
The image forming apparatus 200 that has notified that effect and received the notification
The main body control unit 20 of FIG. 2 displays a warning message to that effect on the display unit 22, such as "Please insert a sheet" or "The sheet size is different". By the way, in the sheet insertion sheet feeding section (sheet insertion sheet feeding section 1a or 1b) which is not used in the print job, it is possible to freely take out the sheet or change the size of the sheet. .

Further, when the finisher control section 10 performs the sheet insertion process, that is, the sheet is fed from the sheet insertion sheet feeding section (sheet insertion sheet feeding section 1a or 1b), the shift mechanism section 8 is operated. Accordingly, control is performed to shift the sheet discharge position of this sheet on the sub tray 8a (main tray 9a) in a direction different from that of the print sheet group.

[Control Method of Apparatus] Next, various control methods relating to the sheet insertion processing of the finisher control section 10 of the post-processing apparatus configured as described above will be described.

(1. Automatic selection of sheet insertion / feeding section) FIG.
In addition, the sheet inserting / feeding units 1 a and 1 of the post-processing apparatus 100 are
The flowchart showing the control sequence regarding the automatic selection of b is shown.

As shown in the figure, when the sheet insertion processing is set in the operation unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 200, the main body control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 200 controls the finisher control of the post-processing apparatus 100. A signal to that effect is transmitted to the unit 10 (S01), and the finisher control unit 10 receiving this signal determines whether to use the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a or 1b. Specifically, first, it is determined whether the request is from the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a (S
02), if "No" here, then it is determined whether the request is from the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b (S0).
7). If “Yes” in the previous S02, the process waits again until the image forming apparatus issues a sheet feeding instruction (S03). When the image forming apparatus issues a sheet feeding instruction (S03, Yes), the sheet feeding timer is set (S04), counting up is started from a predetermined timing (S05), and the sheet feeding timer is used. When it is detected that the predetermined time has elapsed (S05, Yes
s), sheet feeding from the sheet insertion / feeding section 1a is executed (S06). The sheet feeding timer is provided for each sheet insertion sheet feeding unit. Similarly, if "Yes" in the previous S07, the process waits again until the image forming apparatus issues a paper feed instruction (S08). Then, when there is a sheet feeding instruction from the image forming apparatus (S
08, Yes), and the paper feed timer is set (S09).
Then, counting up is started from a predetermined timing (S10), and when it is detected by the timer that a predetermined time has elapsed (S10, Yes), the sheet is fed from the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b. Execute (S11).
Incidentally, when the sheet insertion / feeding section is provided in N stages, the paths N01 to N05 indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG.

As described above, the finisher control section 10 of the post-processing apparatus 100 automatically operates in accordance with the instruction from the main body control section 20 of the image forming apparatus 200, the sheet insertion sheet feeding sections 1a and 1b. Since the user makes a selection and inserts a sheet from the selected sheet insertion sheet feeding unit, when the user inserts a sheet in the print job being executed and a sheet to be inserted in the next reserved print job different from each other. Also, the next print job can be reserved and executed without replacing the sheets in the sheet insertion unit.

(2, Insertion of Sheet after Completion of Print Job from Unused Sheet Insertion / Feeding Unit) In FIG. 4, after completion of print job, sheet insertion / feeding unit not used in the printing job is automatically performed. 9 shows a flowchart of a sequence for inserting sheets of different sizes.

As shown in the figure, when the operation unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 200 is set to perform the sheet insertion process after the JOB is completed, the image forming apparatus 200
A signal to that effect is transmitted from the main body control unit 20 of the above to the finisher control unit 10 of the post-processing apparatus 100 (S0
1) Upon receipt of this, the finisher control unit 10 determines which of the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a or 1b is to be used. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a is unused (S02), and "N" is set here.
If it is "o", then it is determined whether or not the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b is unused (S07).
In the case of “Yes”, the process waits until the sheet forming instruction is given again from the image forming apparatus (S03).
When the image forming apparatus issues a sheet feeding instruction (S03, Yes), the sheet feeding timer is set (S0).
4) The count-up is started from a predetermined timing (S05), and when it is detected by the paper feeding timer that a predetermined time has passed (S05, Yes), the sheet from the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a Paper feeding is executed (S0
6). The sheet feeding timer is provided for each sheet insertion sheet feeding unit. Similarly, in the previous S07,
If the answer is “Yes”, the image forming apparatus waits again for a sheet feeding instruction (S08). Then, when there is a sheet feeding instruction from the image forming apparatus (S08, Y
es), the paper feeding timer is set (S09), counting up is started from a predetermined timing (S10), and when the paper feeding timer detects that a predetermined time has elapsed (S10, Yes), Sheet feeding from the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b is executed (S11). Incidentally, when the sheet insertion / feeding section is provided in N stages, the paths N01 to N05 indicated by the dotted arrows in FIG.

As described above, the finisher control section 10 of the post-processing apparatus 100 automatically responds to an instruction from the main body control section 20 of the image forming apparatus 200 so that the sheet insertion sheet feeding sections 1a and 1b can be automatically operated. Make a selection and insert a sheet of a different size at a predetermined timing from a sheet insertion sheet feeding unit that is not used for printing JOB every time the JOB is completed, so that the unused sheet insertion sheet feeding unit can be effectively used. In addition, the user can easily separate the print paper groups of the same size even if the print paper groups of the same size overlap each other.
That is, it is possible to identify the delimiter between the print jobs.

(3, Insertion of Sheet from Sheet Inserting / Feeding Unit Defined Corresponding to User) In FIG. 5, a user unique to each sheet feeding unit is defined in advance and printing is performed. JOB
7 shows a flowchart of a sequence for automatically inserting a sheet from the sheet feeding unit corresponding to the user after completion. Incidentally, the setting operation for defining the sheet insertion sheet feeder and the user is performed on the operation unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 200 or a host device such as a personal computer connected thereto. The contents of this setting operation, that is, the correspondence between each sheet insertion sheet feeding unit and its user are stored as a table in the database of the finisher control unit 10 of the post-processing apparatus 100. When the print job is executed in the image forming apparatus 200, the post-processing apparatus 10
No. 0 finisher control unit 10 causes the image forming apparatus 200
It is assumed that the information regarding the user is received from the main body control unit 20 and the sheet is fed from the corresponding sheet feeding unit.

After the above-described setting operation for defining the sheet insertion sheet feeding section and the user is performed, as shown in the figure, for example, the operation section 2 of the image forming apparatus 200 is used.
In FIG. 1, when a user input is made and a setting for performing the sheet insertion processing after the completion of the print JOB is set from the sheet insertion sheet feeding unit corresponding to the user, From the main body control unit 20 to the post-processing device 10
A signal to that effect is sent to the finisher control unit 10 of 0 (S01), and the finisher control unit 10 receiving this signal
First, it is determined which of the sheet inserting / feeding section 1a or 1b is to be used. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 20
First, it is determined whether or not the user input through the operation unit 21 of 0 is the user of the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a (S02). To
It is determined whether or not the user is the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b (S07). If “Yes” in the previous S02, the process waits again until the image forming apparatus issues a sheet feeding instruction (S03). Then, when there is a sheet feeding instruction from the image forming apparatus (S03, Yes), the sheet feeding timer is set (S04), and counting up is started from a predetermined timing (S05). When it is detected that the predetermined time has elapsed (S05, Y
es), sheet feeding from the sheet insertion / feeding section 1a is executed (S06). The sheet feeding timer is provided for each sheet insertion sheet feeding unit. Similarly, the previous S07
If the answer is “Yes”, the process waits until the image forming apparatus issues a sheet feeding instruction again (S08).
When there is a paper feed instruction from the image forming apparatus (S08, Yes), the paper feed timer T2 is set (S0
9) Then, counting up is started from a predetermined timing (S10), and when it is detected that the predetermined time has passed by this paper feeding timer (S10, Yes), the sheet from the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b is loaded. Paper feeding is executed (S1
1). Incidentally, in the case where the sheet inserting / feeding section is provided in N stages, paths N01 to N0 indicated by dotted arrows in FIG.
5 will be traced.

In this way, the finisher control section 10 of the post-processing apparatus 100 stores in advance in its own database the correspondence relationship between each sheet insertion sheet feeding section and its user as a table. In response to an instruction from the main body control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 200, the user is automatically identified, and a sheet is inserted from the corresponding sheet insertion sheet feeding unit at a predetermined timing each time JOB is completed. Since this is done, the user can insert a sheet from the sheet insertion section for sheet insertion dedicated to him / herself.
Therefore, for example, by giving the sheets to be inserted for each user different colors, different shapes, different sizes, etc., the user can easily select from among a group of printing sheets that are sequentially stacked. Then you will be able to identify what you have output.

(4. Prohibition of Selection of Sheet Inserting / Feeding Unit when Selecting Different Size Sheet in Reserved Job) FIG.
In the reserved JOB, when setting the sheet insertion process for inserting a sheet of a size different from that of the currently executed print JOB (including the sheet insertion process), the sheet insertion supply used for the currently executed print JOB is set. 9 shows a flowchart of a sequence for prohibiting selection of paper units. Incidentally, the “reservation JOB” mentioned here is a reservation setting operation of the print JOB performed in the operation unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 200.

As described above, in the conventional post-processing apparatus, the print job currently being executed in the reserved job is
Although the sheet insertion processing for inserting a sheet of a size different from B (with sheet insertion processing) is performed, if the sheet insertion sheet feeding unit used in the currently executed print JOB is selected, When the reserved JOB is executed, the post-processing device is in an error state and the processing is stopped.

As shown in the figure, for example, when the reservation JOB is set in the operation unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 200 and the sheet insertion processing is set in the reservation JOB, the image is displayed. A signal to that effect is transmitted from the main body controller 20 of the forming apparatus 200 to the finisher controller 10 of the post-processing apparatus 100 (S01, Ye
s), the finisher control unit 10 receiving this determines whether the sheet inserting / feeding unit 1a or 1b is used in the currently executed print JOB. Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a is in use (S02), and if “Yes” here, then the reservation JOB is selected. It is determined whether or not the sheet size is the same as the size of the sheet inserted by the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a (S03). If the result is "Yes", the selection of the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a is prohibited (S04), and the sheet insertion / feeding units other than the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a, that is, the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a. The fact that the unit 1b can be selected is transmitted to the main body control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 200. The main body control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 200 which receives this displays the fact on the display unit 22 (S11). If "No" in S03, the sheet inserting / feeding unit 1a can be selected (S05). Next, it is determined whether the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b is in use (S06).
If the answer is “Yes” here, then the reservation JOB
It is determined whether or not the sheet size selected in step 1 is the same size as the sheet inserted by the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b (S07). Here, "Ye
If it is "s", the selection of the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b is prohibited (S08), and the sheet insertion / feeding unit other than the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1b, that is, the sheet insertion / feeding unit 1a is selected. Is transmitted to the main body control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 200. The main body control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 200, which has received the request, displays the fact on the display unit 22 (S11).
If "No" in S06, it is possible to select the sheet inserting / feeding unit 1b (S0
9), the routes N01 to N04 and S11 in FIG.

As described above, the finisher control section 10 of the post-processing apparatus 100 is different from the print JOB currently being executed (including the sheet insertion processing) in the reservation JOB performed by the operation section 21 of the image forming apparatus 200. When the setting of the sheet insertion process to insert a different size sheet is performed, the selection of the sheet insertion sheet feeding unit used in the print job currently being executed is automatically prohibited, and other sheet insertion sheet feeding is performed. Since the control is performed so that only the paper portion can be selected, it is possible to prevent the user from making an erroneous setting and causing the post-processing apparatus to enter an error state and stop the post-processing.

[0046]

As described above, according to the post-processing apparatus of the present invention, the effective sheet insertion processing is performed from the plural sheet insertion sheet feeding units, so that the conventional post-processing apparatus is "Job delimiter" that was not implemented,
"Clarification of user of printed matter", "effective use of unused sheet insertion sheet feeding section in reserved JOB", etc. can be achieved, and user convenience can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of a post-processing device according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a post-processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is a flowchart showing a control sequence regarding automatic selection of a sheet insertion / feeding unit of the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control sequence of the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, which automatically performs sheet insertion from a sheet insertion sheet feeding unit that has not been used in the printing job after the completion of the printing job.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sheet processing unit shown in FIG. 1 in which a user unique to each sheet feeding unit is defined in advance, and after printing JOB is completed, a sheet corresponding to the user is automatically generated. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control sequence for inserting a sheet from a sheet feeding unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control sequence of the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, which prohibits selection of a sheet insertion sheet feeding unit used in a print job currently being executed in a reserved job.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Post-processing device 1a, 1b ... Sheet insertion section 2 ... Transport section 2a ... Guide 2b ... Guide roller 2c ... Drive motor for transportation 3 ... Punch mechanism 3a ... Punch mechanism 3b ... punch cast tray 4 ... Staple mechanism 4a ... Staple mechanism 4b, 4c ... Drive motor for transportation 4d ... Matching drive motor 5 ... Center folding mechanism 5a ... Center folding mechanism 5b ... Drive motor for transportation 6 ... Saddle stitch staple mechanism section 6a ... Drive motor for matching 6b ... Stopper 7: Transfer mechanism 7a ... Cutter 7b ... Drive motor for driving the cutter 8 ... Shift mechanism section 8a ... Sub tray 8b ... shift mechanism 8c ... Drive motor for transportation 9 ... Loading mechanism section 9a ... Main tray 9b ... Drive motor 9b for raising and lowering the main tray 10 ... Finisher control unit 200 ... Image forming apparatus 20 ... Main body control unit 21 ... Operation part 22 ... Display 23 ... Image input section 24 ... Image processing unit 25 ... Printing department

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sheet is fed to a print sheet group discharged from an image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing,
A post-processing device that performs a sheet insertion process of inserting the sheet into a predetermined position of the print sheet group, includes a plurality of sheet insertion sheet feeding units for feeding the sheet, and provides an instruction from the image forming apparatus. Depending on the, automatically select the multi-stage sheet insertion paper feed section,
For the print paper group discharged from the image forming apparatus,
A post-processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that feeds a sheet from a selected sheet insertion sheet feeding unit at a predetermined timing and inserts the sheet at a predetermined position of the printing sheet group. 2. A sheet is fed to a print sheet group discharged from the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing,
A post-processing device for performing a sheet insertion process of inserting the sheet into a predetermined position of the printing paper group includes a plurality of sheet insertion sheet feeding units for feeding the sheet, each of which has its own peculiarity. A storage unit that stores a table that defines users is provided, and a user who executes print JOB is automatically specified in response to an instruction from the image forming apparatus, and the user is handled based on the table. A post-processing apparatus comprising: a sheet feeding unit for feeding a sheet at a predetermined timing, and a control unit that inserts the sheet at a predetermined position of the printing sheet group. 3. A sheet is fed to a print sheet group discharged from the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing,
A post-processing device that performs a sheet insertion process of inserting the sheet into a predetermined position of the print sheet group, includes a plurality of sheet insertion sheet feeding units for feeding the sheet, and provides an instruction from the image forming apparatus. Depending on the, automatically select the multi-stage sheet insertion paper feed section,
For the print paper group discharged from the image forming apparatus,
A post-processing apparatus including a control unit that feeds a sheet at a predetermined timing from a sheet insertion sheet feeding unit that is not used in the print job and inserts the sheet at a predetermined position of the printing sheet group. . 4. A print sheet group, which is used in combination with an image forming apparatus capable of reserving a print job, feeds sheets to a print sheet group discharged from the image forming apparatus at a predetermined timing, and In a post-processing apparatus for performing a sheet insertion process for inserting a sheet into a predetermined position of the printing paper group, a plurality of sheet insertion sheet feeding units for feeding the sheets are provided, and a reservation JOB of the image forming apparatus is provided. When the sheet insertion process is set and the size of the sheet to be inserted is set, the size is inserted in the sheet insertion process being executed by the post-processing apparatus at that time. If the size of the sheet is different from the size of the sheet, the sheet insertion unit that was feeding the sheet is set when the sheet insertion unit is set in the reserved job. Post-processing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a control unit that prohibits-option. 5. The control unit feeds the sheet and inserts the sheet at a delimiter position of the print job of the print sheet group each time the print job is completed. The post-processing device according to claim 4. 6. The control unit, during execution of a print JOB,
When a sheet is taken out or the size of the sheet is changed in the sheet insertion sheet feeding unit used in this print job, the image forming apparatus is notified of that fact. Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned.
The post-processing device according to any one of 1. 7. A paper discharge position shifting means for shifting a paper discharge position in a paper discharge tray of the post-processing apparatus,
7. The control unit shifts a sheet discharge position of the sheet in a direction different from that of the print sheet group when the sheet is discharged. The post-processing device according to item.