JP2005106887A - Paper post-processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use paper post-processing devices when only a small number of them are installed. <P>SOLUTION: Each paper post-processing device is provided with: a storage means for storing the contents of a first post-process which is the contents of the post-processing of paper outputted from a first image forming apparatus connected to the paper post-processing device, and the contents of a second post-process which is the contents of the post-processing of paper outputted from the second image forming apparatus which is not connected to the paper post-processing device; a first paper feed means 312 for feeding paper outputted from the first image forming apparatus; a second paper feed means 303 for feeding paper outputted from the second image forming apparatus; and a processing judgment means which, on the basis of the contents of the first post-process and the contents of the second post-process which are stored in the storage means, alters the order of post-processing of the paper outputted from the first and second image forming apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus.

  The paper post-processing apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus and performs post-processing such as stapling and punching on the paper output from the image forming apparatus. However, since there are many cases where the number of installed paper post-processing apparatuses is smaller than that of image forming apparatuses, their efficient use is desired.

  Therefore, in a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected via a network, add-on information for instructing post-processing contents such as stapling and punching is added to the paper at the time of image formation, and the add-on information is read by the paper post-processing apparatus. Thus, there has been proposed an image processing system that enables sheets output from different image forming apparatuses to be post-processed as a single job (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-107817 A

  However, the above-described image processing system performs post-processing as a single job by combining sheets output from different image forming apparatuses, and has different contents at the same time for sheets output from different image forming apparatuses. Since post-processing is not performed, it is not possible to effectively utilize a paper post-processing apparatus having a small number of installed units.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a paper post-processing apparatus that can solve such problems and can effectively use a paper post-processing apparatus with a small number of installed units.

  As a specific means for solving the above-mentioned object, the present invention according to claim 1 is a sheet post-processing apparatus, which is a sheet post-processing apparatus connected to the first image forming apparatus connected to the sheet post-processing apparatus. Storage means for storing first post-processing content as post-processing content and second post-processing content as paper post-processing content output from the second image forming apparatus not connected to the paper post-processing device A first sheet feeding unit that feeds the sheet output from the first image forming apparatus, a second sheet feeding unit that feeds the sheet output from the second image forming apparatus, and a storage unit And a process determination means for changing the execution procedure of the post-processing for the sheets output from the first and second image forming apparatuses based on the first post-processing content and the second post-processing content stored in It is characterized by having.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the process determining unit is configured to output the first paper supply unit and the second paper supply unit based on the first and second post-processing contents. It is characterized in that the transport route of the paper fed by the paper means is compared, and the post-processing execution procedure for the paper output from the first and second image forming apparatuses is changed according to the result.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the paper post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the process determining means is fed by the first paper feeding means and the second paper feeding means. If it is determined that the paper transport paths do not intersect, post-processing of the paper fed by the first paper feed unit and post-processing of the paper fed by the second paper feed unit are performed simultaneously. And

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the paper post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the process determining means is fed by the first paper feeding means and the second paper feeding means. When the sheet conveyance path intersects and the sheet feeding interval of the sheet fed by the first sheet feeding unit is longer than the interval allowing the sheet fed by the second sheet feeding unit to be conveyed If the determination is made, the sheet fed by the first sheet feeding unit and the sheet fed by the second sheet feeding unit are alternately conveyed to alternately feed the sheet fed by the first sheet feeding unit. The post-processing and the post-processing of the paper fed by the second paper feeding unit are performed in parallel.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the paper post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the processing judging means is fed by the first paper feeding means and the second paper feeding means. When it is determined that the paper transport path is the same, post-processing of the paper fed by the second paper feed unit is prioritized over post-processing of the paper by the first paper feed unit. To do.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the paper post-processing apparatus according to the second aspect, the transport path of the paper fed by the first paper feeding means and the paper fed by the second paper feeding means is If it is determined that they are the same, the post-processing of the paper fed by the second paper feeding unit has priority over the post-processing of the paper by the first paper feeding unit, or the second paper feeding unit It is characterized in that the user selects one of waiting for post-processing of the fed paper.

  According to the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, the sheet post-processing output from the first image forming apparatus connected to the sheet post-processing apparatus and the second image formation not connected to the sheet post-processing apparatus. The post-processing of the paper output from the apparatus can be executed in an optimal procedure by considering the post-processing contents set for each. For this reason, it is possible to effectively utilize a sheet post-processing apparatus having a small number of installed units.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the overall configuration of a sheet post-processing system including a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, and is connected to the MFP 1 and the MFP 1 that are first image forming apparatuses. A finisher 3 as a sheet post-processing apparatus, a multifunction machine 2 as a second image forming apparatus, and a client computer 4 are connected via a network 5 as a communication means.

  The configuration of the finisher 3 will be schematically described with reference to FIG. The finisher 3 includes an operation panel 301 for inputting and displaying post-processing contents from the upper side of the apparatus, a discharge tray 302 for discharging sheets output from the multifunction device 1 without sorting (so-called non-sorting), a finisher 3 for the multifunction device 2, and the like. The manual finishing unit 303, which is a second paper feeding unit that is set to post-process the paper output in the image forming apparatus that is not directly connected to the printer, and the paper set in the manual finishing unit 303 are fed out one by one. Paper feed roller 304 for transporting paper, transport rollers 305 to 311 forming a transport path, and a paper feed port as a first paper feed means for feeding the paper discharged from the multifunction machine 1 into the finisher 3 312, a path switching member that switches the conveyance path in two directions a and b in accordance with the post-processing content of the conveyed paper 13 and a path switching member 314 that switches in three directions of a, b, and c, a stapler 315 that performs stapling on the paper, a processing tray 316 that stores the paper that performs stapling, a discharge tray 317 that discharges the stapled paper, A saddle-stitching stapler 318 for weekly magazine binding (so-called saddle stitch binding), a saddle 319 for folding the paper along the staple position, a processing tray 320 for storing paper for weekly magazine binding, and aligning the paper to the processing tray Belt 321 for storing the paper, and a discharge tray 322 for discharging the paper bound in the weekly magazine. The processing operation of the finisher 3 will be described later in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the multifunction machine 1, the finisher 3, and the client computer 4. The multifunction device 1 includes a communication unit 11 that controls communication with the client computer 4 and the like connected via the network 5, a communication unit 12 that controls communication with the finisher 3, and the communication unit 11 and the communication unit 12 in both directions. It has CPU13 which controls communication.

  The finisher 3 includes a communication unit 31 that controls communication with the multifunction device 1, an operation panel 301 (see FIG. 2), and a memory 32 that is a storage unit that stores post-processing contents sent from the multifunction device 1 and the operation panel 301. , A processing determination unit 33 that is a processing determination unit that determines a transport path to be used and a finishing mechanism that is a post-processing mechanism to be used from the content of the post-processing, a finishing mechanism 300 (see FIG. 2) that actually performs the post-processing, and a finisher 3 The CPU 34 controls each of the components.

  The client computer 4 is installed to control externally connected devices such as the communication unit 41 that controls communication with the multifunction devices 1 and 2 connected via the network 5, the multifunction devices 1 and 2, and the finisher 3. A printer driver 42 as a control program, and a CPU 43 for controlling each component of the client computer 4. The multifunction device 2 has the same configuration as that of the multifunction device 1, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5 to 9, an operation performed by the user in order to post-process the sheet output from the multifunction device 2 in the finisher 3 will be described.

  First, the printer driver 42 is activated in the client computer 4, and a print setting screen 44 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (step S1). Next, the multifunction device 2 is selected as the printer to be used, and the finisher 3 is selected as the finisher to be used (step S2).

  Further, in order to select post-processing contents, the property 45 is selected on the print setting screen 44, and the post-processing setting screen 46 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In the post-processing setting screen 46, the post-processing content is determined (step S3). When “OK” is selected on the post-processing setting screen 46 and the print setting screen 44, the CPU 43 creates a job number.

  Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of data. The image data is transferred from the client computer 4 to the MFP 2 by the operation of Steps S1 to S3, and the post-processing data including the post-processing content and job number is the MFP 1. Sent to. Referring also to FIG. 3, when multifunction device 1 receives post-processing data in communication unit 11, it transmits post-processing data from communication unit 12 to finisher 3. The finisher 3 receives post-processing data in the communication unit 31 and stores it in the memory 32.

  Further, the multi-function device 1 transmits post-processing data to the finisher 3 and transmits a job number to the client computer 4. When the job number is transmitted, a job number confirmation screen 47 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the client computer 4 to notify the user. In the present embodiment, the job number can be changed to an arbitrary number, but it need not necessarily be changed.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the user sets the paper output from the multifunction machine 2 in the manual finishing unit 303 (step S4). When the sheet is set, the operation panel 301 displays the job number stored in the memory 32 as shown in FIG. 9, and the user selects the job number notified on the job number confirmation screen 47 using the select key 323 ( Step S5).

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and the block diagram of the process determination unit 33 of FIG. 11, the flow of the process performed by the finisher 3 in response to the user operation shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user sets paper in the manual finishing unit 303, the paper detection unit 331 detects that the paper has been set, and the operation panel 301 displays the job number as shown in FIG. 9, and accepts input of the job number. Is started (step S11). When the user selects a job number, the paper detection unit 331 reads out the post-processing content corresponding to the job number from the memory 32 (step S12).

  Next, the output detection unit 332 confirms whether or not a sheet is output from the multifunction device 1 via the communication unit 31 (step S13). If there is no sheet output from the multifunction device 1 (NO in step S13), the processing control unit 333 determines the transport path and finishing mechanism to be used according to the post-processing content stored in the memory 32, and performs post-processing. This is performed (step S21).

If there is a sheet output from the multifunction device 1 (YES in step S13), the processing control unit 333 causes the content of the post-processing (job 1) output from the multifunction device 1 and the sheet set in the manual finishing unit 303. The conveyance path and finishing mechanism are determined from the contents of the post-processing (job 2), and the process comparison unit 334 compares the respective conveyance paths and finishing mechanism (step S14). That is, the process comparison unit 334 confirms whether the conveyance path (path 1) for job 1 and the conveyance path (path 2) for job 2 use the same path, and whether the same finishing mechanism is used ( Step S15). When the same path and finishing mechanism are used (YES in step S15), the processing control unit 333 temporarily stops job 1 and performs interrupt processing for preferentially processing job 2 (step S20). When the same route and finishing mechanism are not used (NO in step S15), the process comparison unit 334 confirms whether the route 1 and the route 2 intersect (step S16). If the route 1 and the route 2 do not intersect (NO in step S16), the processing control unit 333 performs simultaneous processing for simultaneously performing the processing of the job 1 and the job 2 (step S17). When the route 1 and the route 2 intersect (YES in step S16), the output detection unit 332 confirms whether the output from the multifunction device 1 is duplex printing (step S18). If the output from the multi-function peripheral 1 is duplex printing (YES in step S18), the processing control unit 333 performs parallel processing for alternately transporting sheets in job 1 and job 2 (step S19). If the output from the multifunction device 1 is not duplex printing (NO in step S18), the process control unit 333 performs an interrupt process (step S20). The simultaneous processing, parallel processing, and interrupt processing will be described in detail below.
[Simultaneous processing]
In the simultaneous processing, there is a sheet output from the multifunction device 1, and it is determined by the processing comparison unit 334 that the job 1 and the job 2 do not use the same transport route and finishing mechanism, and the route 1 and the route 2 do not intersect. To be done.

  This will be specifically described below. FIG. 12 shows respective paths when job 1 is non-sorting and job 2 is stapling. In the path 1, the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding port 312 by the conveying roller 308 passes above the path switching member 313 at the position b, is conveyed to the conveying rollers 306 and 305, and is discharged to the discharge tray 302. . In the path 2, the sheets set in the manual finishing unit 303 are fed one by one by the paper feed roller 304, transported by the transport roller 307, pass the left side at the position b of the path switching member 314, and the transport roller 310 The processing tray 316 is stapled by moving to the position of the stapler 315 and discharged to the discharge tray 317.

  FIG. 13 shows respective paths when job 1 is weekly magazine binding and job 2 is stapling. In the path 1, the sheet transported from the sheet feed port 312 by the transport roller 308 passes under the path switching member 313 at the position “a”, is transported by the transport roller 309, and is positioned at the position “b” of the path switching member 314. The sheet passes through the right side, is accommodated in the processing tray 320 while being aligned by the rotation of the belt 321, stapled by moving the processing tray 320 to the position of the saddle stitch stapler 318, and further, the processing tray 320 to the position of the saddle 319. By moving, the sheet is bent along the staple position and discharged to the discharge tray 322. The route 2 is the same as the route 2 shown in FIG.

As described above, job 1 and job 2 can be processed simultaneously when each route has no contact at all. Job 1 and job 2 are not limited to the above example, and simultaneous processing is possible when there is no contact at all in route 1 and route 2.
[Parallel processing]
In the parallel processing, there is a sheet output from the multi-function device 1 and the processing comparison unit 334 determines that the same conveyance path and finishing mechanism are not used for the job 1 and the job 2, but the path 1 and the path 2 intersect. This is performed when the output detection unit 332 confirms that the output from the multifunction device 1 is duplex printing.

  First, before concretely describing each route, a description will be given of paper discharge when double-sided printing is performed in the multifunction device 1 with reference to FIG. The paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 14 is transferred with a toner image corresponding to the image data on the photoconductor 16 in the print forming unit 15 and once guided to the discharge unit 17, but is conveyed to the duplex unit unit 19 by the conveyance roller 18. The toner image corresponding to the image data is transferred to the paper surface opposite to the paper surface previously transferred by the print forming unit 15 again and discharged by the discharge unit 17. That is, the discharge of the sheet in the multifunction device 1 is a ratio of once every two times as compared with single-sided printing.

Next, each route will be specifically described. FIG. 15 shows respective paths when job 1 is a staple process for paper output from the multifunction device 1 by duplex printing, and job 2 is weekly magazine binding. In the path 1, the sheet transported from the paper feed port 312 by the transport roller 308 passes below the path switching member 313 at the position “a”, is transported to the transport roller 309, and is positioned at the position “c” of the path switching member 314. The paper passes through the upper side, is accommodated in the processing tray 316 via the conveyance roller 310, stapled by the stapler 315, and discharged to the discharge tray 317. In the path 2, the sheets set in the manual finishing unit 303 are fed out one by one by the paper feed roller 304, transported by the transport roller 307, pass the right side at the position “a” of the path switching member 314, and The sheets are accommodated in the processing tray 320 while being aligned by rotation, stapled by the saddle stitch stapler 318, bent along the staple position by the saddle 319, and discharged to the discharge tray 322. In this case, the route 1 and the route 2 intersect with each other at the route switching member 314. However, since the sheet output from the multifunction machine 1 is duplex printing and the sheet discharged to the finisher 3 is at a pace of every other sheet compared to single-sided printing, that is, the sheet fed from the manual finishing unit 303. Therefore, the sheet can be conveyed alternately by switching the path switching member 314 from the c position to the a position. In other words, when the sheet conveyed from the paper feed port 312 passes above the c position of the path switching member 314, the path switching member 314 is switched to the a position, and the sheet conveyed from the manual finishing unit 303 is routed. It passes the right side of the position a of the switching member 314. As described above, when the output from the multifunction device 1 is duplex printing, the job 1 and the job 2 can be conveyed alternately, so that the job 1 and the job 2 can be processed in parallel. . Job 1 and job 2 are not limited to the above examples.
[Interrupt processing]
In the interrupt processing, when there is a sheet output from the multifunction device 1 and the processing comparison unit 334 determines that the job 1 and the job 2 use the same transport path and finishing mechanism, for example, both the job 1 and the job 2 are stapled. Or when both job 1 and job 2 are weekly magazine bindings, the paper discharge from the multifunction machine 1 is temporarily stopped and the post-processing of the paper set in the manual finishing unit 303, that is, job 2 Interrupt processing for preferentially performing is performed.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by the processing control unit 333 during interrupt processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 16 and FIG. 11. First, the processing control unit 333 transmits an interrupt processing signal to the multi function device 1 via the communication unit 31 (step S31). Next, the processing of job 1 is stopped after the output of paper in the multifunction device 1 is stopped, and the processing of job 2 is performed (step S32). When the processing of job 2 is completed (YES in step S33), the interrupt processing unit 333 transmits an interrupt processing release signal to the multi-function device 1 via the communication unit 31 (step S34), cancels the interrupt processing, and executes job 1 Is resumed (step S35). In the present embodiment, when there is a sheet output from the multifunction device 1 and the processing comparison unit 334 determines that the job 1 and the job 2 use the same transport path and finishing mechanism, the sheet from the multifunction device 1 is used. The paper discharge is temporarily stopped, and the post-processing of the paper set in the manual finishing unit 303, that is, the interrupt processing for preferentially performing the job 2, is performed. Any one of waiting the job 2 process until the job 1 process may be selected.

  The simultaneous processing, parallel processing, and interrupt processing described above can be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit for executing each procedure, or by a CPU executing a predetermined program describing each procedure. Can do.

  Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a multifunction machine, and can be applied to, for example, a copying machine, a printer, and the like.

1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an overall configuration of a sheet post-processing system including a finisher 3 according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a structural cross-sectional view of the finisher 3. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction machine 1, a finisher 3, and a client computer 4 according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations performed by a user to post-process paper output from the multifunction peripheral 2 with the finisher 3; 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen 44 displayed on the client computer 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a post-processing setting screen 46 displayed on the client computer 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of the data of the paper post-processing system concerning this invention. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a job number confirmation screen 47 displayed on the client computer 4. FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation panel 301 on which the job number was displayed. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the finisher 3 in response to a user operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a process determination unit 33. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating respective conveyance paths when job 1 is non-sorting and job 2 is stapling processing and simultaneous processing is performed. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating respective transport paths when job 1 is weekly magazine binding, job 2 is staple processing, and simultaneous processing is performed. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a paper discharge method when the output in the multi-function peripheral is duplex printing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating respective conveyance paths when job 1 is staple processing, job 2 is weekly magazine binding, and parallel processing is performed. It is the figure which showed the flowchart which shows the flow of the process which the process control part 333 performs at the time of an interruption process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1; Multifunction machine 2; Multifunction machine 3; Finisher 4; Client computer 5; Network 32; Memory 33; Processing judgment part 300; Finishing mechanism 303; Manual finishing unit 312;

Claims (6)

A paper post-processing device,
From the first post-processing content that is the post-processing content of the paper output from the first image forming device connected to the paper post-processing device and from the second image forming device that is not connected to the paper post-processing device Storage means for storing the second post-processing content that is the post-processing content of the output paper;
A first paper feeding unit for feeding paper output from the first image forming apparatus;
A second paper feeding unit for feeding paper output from the second image forming apparatus;
Processing for changing the execution procedure of the post-processing for the sheets output from the first and second image forming apparatuses based on the first post-processing content and the second post-processing content stored in the storage unit And a paper post-processing apparatus.   The processing determination unit compares the conveyance paths of the sheets fed by the first sheet feeding unit and the second sheet feeding unit based on the first and second post-processing contents, and determines the result. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a post-processing execution procedure for the sheets output from the first and second image forming apparatuses is changed accordingly.   When the processing determining unit determines that the transport path of the sheet fed by the first sheet feeding unit and the sheet fed by the second sheet feeding unit does not intersect, the first sheet feeding unit 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein post-processing of the sheet fed by the means and post-processing of the sheet fed by the second sheet feeding unit are performed simultaneously.   The processing determination unit includes a conveyance path of a sheet fed by the first sheet feeding unit and a sheet fed by the second sheet feeding unit, and the first sheet feeding unit When it is determined that the paper feeding interval of the paper to be fed is longer than the interval at which the paper fed by the second paper feeding unit can be conveyed, the paper is fed by the first paper feeding unit. By alternately transporting the sheet and the sheet fed by the second sheet feeding unit, post-processing of the sheet fed by the first sheet feeding unit and the second sheet feeding unit The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein post-processing of a fed sheet is performed in parallel.   When the process determining unit determines that the transport path of the sheet fed by the first sheet feeding unit and the sheet fed by the second sheet feeding unit is the same, the first sheet feeding unit 3. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the post-processing of the paper fed by the second paper feeding unit is prioritized over the post-processing of the paper by the paper unit. When the process determining unit determines that the transport path of the sheet fed by the first sheet feeding unit and the sheet fed by the second sheet feeding unit is the same, the first sheet feeding unit Prioritize post-processing of paper fed by the second paper feeding unit over post-processing of paper by the paper unit, or wait for post-processing of paper fed by the second paper feeding unit The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the user is allowed to select one of the two.

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