JP2004075236A - Copying/paper folding system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying/paper folding system separating an operation part of a copying machine from a paper discharge part of a paper folding machine to minimize user's travel amount when the mode is a paper folding mode and improve paper folding output. <P>SOLUTION: This copying/paper folding system is provided with a restart key 122 provided in the vicinity of discharge paper in a printer 110 and the paper folding machine 120 and indicating restart of image formation at the time of stock limit and a control part 112 controlling to restart image formation when image formation is interrupted, stock limit is released, and restart is indicated by the restart key 122 in the case of stock limit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a copying machine for copying on a wide roll paper or a large-size recording paper, and a paper folding machine for automatically folding a recording paper discharged from the copying machine in a predetermined mode. The present invention relates to a copying / folding system that improves operability even when an operation unit of a machine (scanner) is separated from a paper folding machine and a paper discharge unit of the paper folding machine is full.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for a large-sized copying machine (industrial copying machine) such as A1 or A0, a system is known in which a paper folding machine that folds paper to a predetermined size and discharges the paper is connected to the paper discharge side. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 5-116834 discloses a sheet processing apparatus for sorting and stocking recording paper discharged from a paper folding machine. In the case where only a copying machine and a paper folding machine are used without using a collator, the stock portion of the folded recording paper is one place of the paper discharge unit.
[0003]
Further, in a paper folding machine having a zigzag folding section and a cross folding section, when only the zigzag folding operation is performed, the recording sheet is not conveyed in the cross folding section. In the case of a paper folding machine that stocks recording paper on a transport belt, only one sheet of recording paper can be stocked in some cases.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the system to which the conventional sheet processing apparatus or the paper folding machine is connected as described above has the following problems. If the number of sheets that can be stocked is one, the user who folds a plurality of sheets copies the number of sheets that can be stocked, removes the recording paper from the stock part of the folding machine each time the copying is completed, and again starts the copying machine. It is necessary to repeat the troublesome operation of returning to the operation unit and performing the subsequent copy. In particular, in the case of a large-sized copier with a wide width and a long length, the stock unit of the folding machine and the operation unit of the copier are separated from each other. The burden on the user is increased, and the efficiency of folding is not improved.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a copying / folding system in which an operation unit of a copying machine and a discharge unit of a folding machine are separated, a moving amount of a user in a folding mode is minimized. The purpose is to improve the paper folding output.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the copying / paper folding system according to claim 1, a copier that forms wide and long image information sent from an image input means on a recording sheet and discharges the image. And a paper folding machine that folds the paper in accordance with a paper folding condition instructed in advance on the copying machine and discharges the paper to a paper discharge unit, in a mutually communicable manner. A restart instructing means provided near the discharge of the paper folding machine for instructing restart of the image formation at the time of a stock limit, and in the case of a stock limit, interrupting the image formation, releasing the stock limit, and And copying control means for controlling to restart the image formation when a restart instruction is given by the restart instruction means.
[0007]
According to the present invention, a restart instructing means for instructing restart of the image formation when the stock limit is detected is provided near the discharge of the copying machine and the paper folding machine, and in the case of the stock limit, the image formation is interrupted. When the stock limit is released and the restart instruction is given by the restart instruction means, the image formation is restarted, so that the user moves to the copier after removing the recording paper of the stock limit. The copying operation can be resumed without any further processing.
[0008]
Further, in the copy / folding system according to claim 2, the copy control means outputs a message or / and a notification sound prompting an input operation of the restart instruction means when the stock limit is reached. Things.
[0009]
According to the present invention, in the first aspect, when the stock limit is reached, a message prompting the input operation of the restart instruction means or / and the notification sound is output, so that the user can quickly restart. Will be possible.
[0010]
Further, in the copying / folding system according to the third aspect, the restart instructing means is constituted by a soft key, and changes the display state and disables input except when restart input is possible. Things.
[0011]
According to the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the restart instructing means is constituted by a soft key, and when the restart input is not possible, the display state is changed and the input is disabled to thereby enable the restart. Can be operated only when necessary, and accurate operation by the user can be expected.
[0012]
Further, in the copying / folding system according to claim 4, furthermore, a stock status of the folded paper sheet is detected at a discharge section of the paper folding machine, and the stock status output to the copy control means is detected. A detection unit, wherein the copy control unit suspends the image formation when the detection signal of the stock detection unit indicates a stock limit, and invalidates the input of the restart instruction unit if the stock limit is not released. Is what you do.
[0013]
According to this invention, when the detection signal of the stock detecting means is the stock limit, the image formation is interrupted, and if the stock limit is not released, the input of the restart instruction means is made. By making the recording paper invalid, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the recording paper is stocked more than the number of stocks due to an operation error.
[0014]
Further, in the copying / paper folding system according to claim 5, the copy control means determines that the detection signal of the stock detection means is at the stock limit, and after the image forming is interrupted, the copy control means sets the stock limit by the stock detection means. When the state is released, the image formation is automatically restarted.
[0015]
According to the present invention, when the detection signal of the stock detecting means is the stock limit and the image forming is interrupted and the state of the stock limit by the stock detecting means is released, the image forming is automatically performed. By restarting, the key operation for restarting becomes unnecessary.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a copying / folding system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
[0017]
According to the present invention, a paper folding machine for performing predetermined folding is connected to a paper discharge port of a copying machine for performing large-size copy printing. In particular, an operation unit of the copying machine (scanner) and a paper discharging unit of the paper folding machine are connected. In a distant system, a fullness detection sensor and a restart key are provided in the discharge section of the folding machine, and after copying / folding is started, the desired folding of recording paper is performed by operation on the folding machine side. It is intended to provide a system capable of completing the paper discharge. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given. In this embodiment, the copy operation and the print operation are described as having the same meaning.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement configuration of a copying / paper folding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a scanner which optically reads and outputs as wide electric signals while conveying a wide and long document, reference numeral 105 denotes an operation unit used for inputting various conditions of copying and folding, and reference numeral 110 denotes a scanner. A printer that forms an image of document information read by the scanner 100 in accordance with a predetermined image forming process (such as an electrophotographic process using laser writing). Reference numeral 120 denotes a large-size recording sheet folded under predetermined conditions and discharged. Reference numeral 121 denotes a paper discharge unit for storing recording paper after folding, reference numeral 122 denotes a restart key which is depressed to start the copying operation after the stock limit has been reached, and reference numeral 140 denotes the scanner 100. And a signal cable for connecting the printer 110 and the folding machine 120 online.
[0019]
The operation unit 105 includes, for example, a display function using an LCD for notifying the user of the device state or the like by a message, a function of inputting copy conditions and paper folding conditions using various keys, and a function for prompting the user to check the device state and perform an operation. A notification function for making a beep such as a “beep sound” is provided. As will be described later, the operation unit 105 has a resource for restarting copying (printing) when the paper discharge unit 121 of the paper folding machine 120 is full or when the stock limit is released by the count number of the printer 110. A start key (not shown) is provided. The restart key is constituted by, for example, an LCD, and the input portion is constituted by a soft key. The display (brightness state, non-display) is changed and input is disabled except when restart input is possible. Is controlled as follows.
[0020]
The scanner 100 and the printer 110 are installed separately as shown in the figure. A paper folding machine 120 is connected to the paper discharge side of the printer 110. In other words, the operation unit 105 of the scanner 100 and the paper discharge unit 121 of the paper folding machine 120 are separated from each other to the extent that the user needs to move.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the copying / folding system in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a scanner control unit (SCU) that controls the entire scanner 100, reference numeral 102 denotes a CCD that reads a light-irradiated original image as an electric signal, and reference numeral 111 denotes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet. , Reference numeral 112 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire printer 110, reference numeral 125 denotes a control unit for controlling the paper folding machine 120, and reference numeral 126 denotes a paper output unit provided in the paper output unit 121. It is a full detection sensor that detects the stock limit.
[0022]
The above three control units are configured by a microcomputer system including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The restart key 122 is constituted by, for example, an LCD, and furthermore, an input portion is constituted by a soft key, and changes the display (brightness state, non-display) and disables input except when restart input is possible. Is controlled as follows.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the fullness detection sensor 126 in FIG. As shown in the figure, the fullness detection sensor 126 is configured by, for example, a photo interrupter, and detects the movement of the protrusion of the filler 127. The tip of the lightweight, low-friction filler 127 hangs down by its own weight on the paper discharge tray 128, and is configured to detect the stock limit of the folded recording paper discharged from the paper discharge rollers 123,. This detection signal is sent to the control unit 125 of the paper folding machine 120, and at the same time, sent to the printer 110 and the scanner 100, and the control described later is performed.
[0024]
Next, the operation of the copying / folding system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a transition diagram showing a communication sequence between the scanner / printer and the folding machine, and shows a case where the stock limit is two sheets of recording paper after folding. The paper folding mode is selected on the operation unit 105, and copying is started by pressing a start key (not shown). At this time, the number of copies is set to be larger than the available number of copies. The original is read by the scanner 100 and the printing operation is started by the printer 110. First, a signal of sheet folding setting information and sheet folding instruction data (stock interruption [OFF]) is sent from the printer 110 to the sheet folding machine 120 (S1). This data includes information of “stock suspension ON / OFF”, and is notified of “stock suspension ON” for a print corresponding to the stock limit and “stock suspension OFF” for other prints.
[0025]
The paper folding machine 120 performs the paper folding according to the instruction data, transmits a notification signal of the completion of the paper folding to the printer 110 (S2), and waits for the next operation. When the "stock suspension ON" is notified (S3), the folding machine 120 performs the folding, notifies the printer 110 of the completion of the folding (S4), validates the restart input, and activates the recording paper. A message prompting removal and restart input is displayed on the operation unit 105.
[0026]
When the printer 110 notifies the folding machine 120 of “stock suspension ON”, the printer 110 receives the notification of the completion of the folding, interrupts the copying operation, emits a beep sound, and removes and reloads the recording paper. Displays a message prompting start input, and waits for user's restart input. The user removes the stocked recording paper and performs a restart input using the printer 110 or the paper folding machine 120.
[0027]
When the restart input is performed by the paper folding machine 120, the paper folding machine 120 notifies the printer 110 of a restart request (S4) and invalidates the valid period of the restart input.
[0028]
When the printer 110 receives a restart request from the folding machine 120 or receives a restart input from the operation unit 105, the printer 110 cancels the interruption of copying and starts the next printing.
[0029]
The printer 110 restarts counting from 1 again whether or not the number of sheets reaches the stock limit. The above operation is repeatedly performed until the printing of the set number of sheets is completed, and when the last recording paper is printed, the “final paper” information is notified from the printer 110 to the paper folding machine 120 (S5). When the last printed recording paper is folded and discharged from the folding machine 120, the folding machine 120 that has already received the "final paper" information notifies the printer 110 of the end of folding (S6). . At this time, even if "stock suspension ON" is notified, the restart input is not validated. The printer 110 that has received the signal indicating that the sheet has been folded ends the copying operation.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the scanner / printer and the folder in FIG. First, as described above, when a copy operation in the paper folding mode is instructed, first, according to the mode, print processing is executed (step S11), and paper folding is performed (step S12). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of copies is the last sheet (step S13). Here, if it is determined that the sheet is not the final sheet, it is further determined whether or not the stock limit has been reached (step S14).
[0031]
If it is determined in step S14 that the stock limit has been reached, copying is interrupted, and a restart input is waited for (step S15), and a restart input is received (step S16). If it is determined in step S13 that the sheet is the last sheet, the copy is terminated. When it is determined in step S14 that the number of sheets has not reached the stock limit, the copying is continued. The determination as to whether or not the stock limit has been reached is made by counting the number of sheets of the printer 110 or using a signal from a fullness detection sensor shown in FIG.
[0032]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the printer 110 alone in FIG. First, as described above, when a copy operation in the paper folding mode is instructed, first, in accordance with the mode, print processing is executed (step S21), the recording paper is discharged, and the recording paper is discharged to the paper folding machine 120. Is notified (step S22). Upon receiving the notification of the end of folding from the folding machine 120 (step S23), it is determined whether or not there is a next print (step S24).
[0033]
If it is determined in step S24 that there is the next print, it is further determined whether or not the number of sheets reaches the stock limit (step S25). Here, if it is determined that the limit number of sheets has been reached, the copying is interrupted to wait for a restart input (step S26), and a restart input from the printer 110 or the folding machine 120 is received (step S27). Print). In step S25, if the number of sheets has not reached the stock limit, copying (printing) is continued as it is. If there is no next copy (print) in step S24, the copy operation ends.
[0034]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the folding apparatus 120 alone in FIG. First, as described above, when a copy operation in the paper folding mode is instructed, operation data is received from the printer 110 according to the mode (step S31), and the paper folding is performed (step S32). Thereafter, the printer 110 notifies the printer 110 of the end of the sheet folding (step S33), and determines whether the sheet is the last sheet (step S34).
[0035]
If it is determined in step S34 that the sheet is not the final sheet, it is further determined whether or not the stock limit has been reached (step S35). Here, if it is determined that it is the stock limit, the restart input is enabled (step S36), and it is determined whether or not the operation data from the printer 110 has been received (step S37). Here, when the operation data is received from the printer 110, the restart input is invalidated (step S38), the process proceeds to step S32, and the subsequent operation is executed.
[0036]
In step S37, if no operation data has been received from the printer 110, it is determined whether there is a restart input (step S39). If there is a restart input, the restart input is invalidated (step S40). ), The restart request is notified to the printer 110 (step 41), the process proceeds to step S31, and the subsequent operation is executed. If there is no restart input in step S39, the process returns to step S37. If it is the last sheet in step S34, the sheet folding operation ends.
[0037]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of the printer 110 and the paper folding machine 120 when the paper discharge unit of the paper folding machine in FIG. That is, an example of control using a detection signal from the fullness detection sensor 126 as shown in FIG. 3 is shown.
[0038]
In FIG. 8, as described above, when a copy operation in the paper folding mode is instructed, first, according to the mode, print processing is executed (step S51), and paper folding is performed (step S52). Next, it is determined whether the number of copies is the last sheet (step S53). Here, if it is determined that the sheet is not the last sheet, it is further determined whether or not the paper folding machine 120 has detected the stock limit (the fullness detection sensor 126 is ON) (step S54).
[0039]
If the stock limit is detected in step S54, the copying is interrupted (step S55), the recording paper on the paper discharge unit 121 is removed, and it is detected that the fullness detection sensor 126 is turned off (step S56). ), The copy (print) is restarted by a restart input (step S57).
[0040]
As described above, the paper discharge unit 121 of the paper folding machine 120 is provided with the full state detection sensor 126 (see FIG. 3) for detecting the stock state, notifies this signal to the printer 110, and interrupts copying when the full state is detected. After the copy is interrupted, if the fullness detection sensor 126 does not detect the detection OFF, that is, does not detect that the remaining amount is no longer the stock limit amount, the restart input is not accepted and the copy is not restarted. Only after the fullness detection sensor 126 detects this, the restart input is accepted and copying is resumed.
[0041]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the printer 110 and the paper folding machine 120 in a case where the paper discharge unit of the paper folding machine in FIG.
[0042]
In FIG. 9, first, as in FIG. 8, when a copy operation in the paper folding mode is instructed, first, according to the mode, print processing is executed (step S61), and paper folding is performed (step S62). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of copies is the last sheet (step S63). Here, if it is determined that the sheet is not the last sheet, it is further determined whether or not the paper folding machine 120 has detected the stock limit (the fullness detection sensor 126 is ON) (step S64).
[0043]
If the stock limit is detected in step S64, copying is interrupted (step S65), and it is detected that the recording paper on the paper discharge unit 121 has been removed and the fullness detection sensor 126 has been turned off (step S66). ), Restart the copy (print).
[0044]
As described above, the paper discharge unit 121 of the paper folding machine 120 is provided with the full state detection sensor 126 (see FIG. 3) for detecting the stock state, notifies this signal to the printer 110, and interrupts copying when the full state is detected. After the copy is interrupted, if the fullness detection sensor 126 does not detect the detection OFF, that is, does not detect that the remaining amount is no longer the stock limit amount, the restart input is not accepted and the copy is not restarted. Only when the fullness detection sensor 126 detects this, a restart signal is automatically sent to the copying machine to resume copying.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the copying / folding system of the present invention (claim 1), a restart instructing unit for instructing restart of the image formation is provided near the discharge of the copying machine and the folding machine. In the case of the stock limit, the image forming is interrupted, the stock limit is released, and when the restart instruction is given by the restart instruction means, the image forming is restarted, so that the user can set the stock limit. After removing the recording paper, the copying operation can be resumed without moving to the copier side, so that the minimum amount of user movement is required, and the restart operation can be performed quickly. Efficiency is also improved.
[0046]
Further, according to the copying / folding system according to the present invention (claim 2), a message or (and) a notification sound prompting an input operation of the restart instruction means when the stock limit is reached is output. By doing so, the user can perform a quick restart, so that the operability at the time of restart can be improved.
[0047]
Further, according to the copying / folding system according to the present invention (claim 3), the restart instruction means is constituted by a soft key in claim 1 or 2, and is displayed except when restart input is possible. By changing the state and disabling the input, the operation can be performed only when a restart is necessary, so that the purpose of the restart input can be easily understood, and as a result, an accurate operation by the user can be expected.
[0048]
Further, according to the copying / paper folding system according to the present invention (claim 4), in claim 1, 2, or 3, when the detection signal of the stock detecting means is at the stock limit, the image formation is interrupted. If the stock limit is not cancelled, the input of the restart instruction means is invalidated, so that a situation in which the recording paper is stocked more than the number of stocks due to an operation error can be avoided. Even if other recording paper is placed from the beginning or left behind when the recording paper is removed, copying is continued, and copying is interrupted when the stock limit is reached. Exceeding the stock limit due to a mistake can also be avoided.
[0049]
Further, according to the copying / paper folding system according to the present invention (claim 5), in claim 4, the detection signal of the stock detecting means is the stock limit, and after the image formation is interrupted, the stock limit is determined by the stock detecting means. When the state is released, the image formation is automatically restarted, so that a key operation for restart is not required, so that the user's labor can be further reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an arrangement configuration of a copying / paper folding system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the copying / paper folding system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a full detection sensor in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a transition diagram showing a communication sequence between the scanner / printer and the folding machine, showing a case where the stock limit is two sheets of recording paper after folding.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the scanner / printer and the paper folding machine in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the printer alone in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the folding machine in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of the printer and the paper folding machine in a case where the paper discharge unit of the paper folding machine in FIG. 4 is provided with a full detection sensor.
9 is a flowchart showing a second operation example of the printer and the paper folding machine in the case where the paper discharge unit of the paper folding machine in FIG. 4 is provided with a full detection sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 scanner 105 operation unit 110 printer 112 control unit 120 paper folding machine 121 paper discharge unit 122 restart key 126 full detection sensor 140 signal cable

Claims (5)

A copying machine that forms wide and long image information sent from the image input means on a recording sheet and discharges the paper, and folds the paper in accordance with a folding condition specified in advance on the copying machine; In a copying / folding system in which a paper folding machine that discharges paper is connected to be able to communicate with each other,
Restart instructing means provided near the discharge of the copying machine and the paper folding machine and instructing resumption of image formation at the time of stock limit;
In the case of a stock limit, copy control means for interrupting the image formation, releasing the stock limit, and restarting the image formation when a restart instruction is issued by the restart instruction means,
A copying / folding system comprising: 2. The copying / paper folding system according to claim 1, wherein said copy control means outputs a message or / and an alarm sound prompting an input operation of said restart instruction means when the stock limit is reached. 3. The copying / folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restart instructing unit is configured by a soft key, and changes a display state and disables input except when restart input is possible. system. Further, the paper discharge unit of the paper folding machine further includes a stock detection unit that detects a stock state of the folded recording paper and outputs the stock state to the copy control unit,
When the detection signal of the stock detection unit is at the stock limit, the copy control unit suspends the image formation, and invalidates the input of the restart instruction unit unless the stock limit is released. The copying / paper folding system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, The copying control means automatically restarts the image formation when the detection signal of the stock detection means is at the stock limit and the image formation is interrupted and the stock limit state by the stock detection means is released. The copying / folding system according to claim 4, wherein:

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