JP2005246870A - Image forming system, and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system which suppresses power consumption at the time of a paper processing for a manual insertion by a posttreatment device by optimally performing a power control under a sleep state, and can perform an efficient paper process for manual insertion by preventing an excessive waiting time for the process from occurring, and provide its controlling method. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming system includes an image forming device, and a posttreatment device which is fitted on the image forming device, introduces a sheet being discharged from the image forming device, and performs a specified posttreatment by introducing the sheet from a manual insertion tray. Then, based on a standing-by status of the system, a power control for switching a normal mode in which power is fed to all units, and a power saving mode in which power is fed only to a part of units is performed (S1005 to 1011). Also, under the power control, the issuance of a demand for a manual posttreatment which is performed by introducing the sheet from the manual insertion tray based on a specified event is possible. Then, in the power control, when the demand of the manual posttreatment occurs while being operated under the power saving mode (S1013 and 1015), power is additionally fed to units required for the manual posttreatment (S1019). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and a control method therefor, and in particular, an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a sheet processing apparatus (post-processing apparatus) that is mounted on the image forming apparatus and performs post-processing such as stapling. And a control method thereof.

  There is an image forming system provided with a sheet processing apparatus (post-processing apparatus) capable of post-processing such as manual sheet binding (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  According to this system, in the sheet processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus, the user can set a plurality of sheets already discharged from the image forming apparatus in the sheet set insertion slot, and can manually perform post-processing. .

JP 7-157179 A

  However, in order to use such a function, the entire image forming system needs to be in a wake-up state (normal power supply state). In the so-called power saving mode (sleep mode), the entire system is temporarily woken up. Will be up. In addition, during the post-processing by the manual as described above, it is impossible to shift to the sleep mode, so that extra power consumption and standby time of the entire system occur.

  An object of the present invention is to efficiently perform power control in the sleep state, thereby reducing power consumption during manual sheet processing by the post-processing device and preventing occurrence of an extra processing waiting time. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can perform manual sheet processing and a control method thereof.

  The above-described problems are solved by the image forming system and the control method thereof according to the present invention. The image forming system according to the present invention basically introduces an image forming apparatus and a sheet attached to the image forming apparatus and discharged from the image forming apparatus, and introduces a sheet from a manual feed tray to perform predetermined post-processing. And a post-processing device for performing the above. In this system, power control is performed to switch between a normal mode in which power is supplied to all units and a power saving mode in which power is supplied only to some units, based on the standby state of the system. Further, under this power control, it is possible to issue a request for manual post-processing, which is the predetermined post-processing performed by introducing a sheet from the manual feed tray based on a predetermined event. In the power control, when manual post-processing is requested during operation in the power saving mode, power is additionally supplied to units necessary for manual post-processing.

  According to the present invention, when manual post-processing is performed while the image forming system is in the power saving mode, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption without supplying power to the entire system. Further, it is not necessary to perform power restoration for the entire system, and it is possible to prevent the standby waiting from being lengthened by the power restoration processing in a portion not directly related to manual post-processing. Thus, an image forming system capable of performing efficient manual sheet processing and a control method thereof are provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 1000 having an image reader 200 and a printer 300 for reading a document image, a folding apparatus 400, and a finisher 500.

  A document feeder 100 is mounted on the image reader 200. The document feeder 100 feeds documents P set upward on the document tray one sheet at a time in order from the first page, and flows on the platen glass 102 from the left through a curved path to set the reading position. After that, the sheet is conveyed to the right and then discharged toward the external discharge tray 112. When the original passes through the sink reading position on the platen glass 102 from the left to the right, the original image is read by the scanner unit 104 held at a position corresponding to the sink reading position. This reading method is referred to as document scanning.

  When the original passes through the reading position, the original reading surface is irradiated with the light from the lamp 103 of the scanner unit 104, and the reflected light from the original is guided to the lens 108 via the mirrors 105, 106 and 107. The light that has passed through the lens 108 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 109.

  By transporting the document so that it passes through the flow reading position from the left to the right in this way, the document reading scan in which the direction orthogonal to the document transport direction is the main scanning direction and the transport direction is the sub-scanning direction Done. That is, the entire original image is read by conveying the original in the sub-scanning direction while reading the original image by the image sensor 109 line by line in the main scanning direction when the original passes through the reading position. The read image is converted into image data by the image sensor 109 and output.

  Image data output from the image sensor 109 is input as a video signal to the exposure control unit 110 of the printer 300 after predetermined processing is performed in an image signal control unit 202 described later.

  It is also possible to read the document by transporting the document onto the platen glass 102 by the document feeder 100 and stopping it at a predetermined position, and scanning the scanner unit 104 from left to right in this state. This reading method is called fixed document reading.

  When reading a document without using the document feeder 100, the user first lifts the document feeder 100 to place the document on the platen glass 102, and then scans the scanner unit 104 from left to right. The original is read by. That is, when reading a document without using the document feeder 100, a fixed document reading is performed.

  The exposure control unit 110 of the printer 300 modulates and outputs a laser beam based on the input video signal, and the laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 111 while being scanned by a polygon mirror or the like. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 111.

  The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 111 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developing device 113. In addition, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, paper is fed from each of the cassettes 114 and 115, the manual paper feeding unit 125 or the double-sided conveyance path 124, and this paper is between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer unit 116. It is conveyed to. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 111 is transferred onto the paper fed by the transfer unit 116.

  The sheet on which the developer image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 117, and the fixing unit 117 fixes the developer image on the sheet by heat-pressing the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 117 is discharged from the printer 300 to the outside (the folding device 400) through the flapper 121 and the discharge roller 118.

  Here, when the sheet is discharged with its image forming surface facing downward (face-down), the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 117 is once guided into the reverse path 122 by the switching operation of the flapper 121, and the trailing edge of the sheet. After passing through the flapper 121, the paper is switched back and discharged from the printer 300 by the discharge roller 118. Hereinafter, this form of paper discharge is referred to as reverse paper discharge. This reverse paper discharge is performed when forming an image sequentially from the first page, such as when forming an image read using the document feeder 100 or when forming an image output from a computer. The paper order after paper discharge is the correct page order.

  Further, when a hard sheet such as an OHP sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeding unit 125 and an image is formed on this sheet, the image forming surface is faced up without leading the sheet to the reverse path 122 (face-up). ) By the discharge roller 118.

  Further, when double-sided recording for image formation is set on both sides of the paper, the paper is guided to the reverse path 122 by the switching operation of the flapper 121 and then transported to the double-sided transport path 124 and then guided to the double-sided transport path 124. Control is performed so that the fed paper is fed again between the photosensitive drum 111 and the transfer unit 116 at the timing described above.

  Next, image formation in each of the fixed document reading and the document flow reading will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow relating to image formation in each of the fixed document reading and document flow reading of the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  At the time of fixed document reading, the document image is scanned by scanning the scanner unit 104 from left to right as described above. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the original image is read and scanned with the main scanning direction as Sy and the sub-scanning direction as Sx, and the image sensor 109 reads the image. With respect to the image read by the image sensor 109, the image read in the main scanning direction Sy is sequentially converted into a laser beam by the exposure control unit 110, and the laser beam is scanned by the polygon mirror 110a to be scanned on the photosensitive drum 111. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. When the electrostatic latent image formed in this way is transferred to a sheet, an image that is not a mirror image is formed on the sheet.

  On the other hand, at the time of document flow reading, as shown in FIG. 2B, the document image is scanned and scanned with the main scanning direction as Sy and the sub-scanning direction as Sx. Read. Here, since the document is conveyed from left to right during document scanning, the sub-scanning direction is opposite to the sub-scanning direction during fixed document reading. Therefore, the image read by the image sensor 109 becomes a mirror image with respect to the document image, and this mirror image needs to be corrected to a correct image. Therefore, the image read by the image sensor 109 is subjected to mirror image processing for obtaining a correct image. In this mirror image processing, an image read with respect to one direction in the main scanning direction is reversed in the opposite direction with respect to one direction in the main scanning direction. An image read by the image sensor 109 is converted into a correct image by this mirror image processing, and an electrostatic latent image after the mirror image processing is formed on the photosensitive drum 111. When the electrostatic latent image formed in this way is transferred to a sheet, an image that is not a mirror image is formed on the sheet. The paper on which this image is formed is discharged with the image forming surface facing downward by reverse paper discharge, and the rear end side of the paper discharged by this reverse paper discharge is the left edge of the image. Therefore, as will be described later, if the rear end side is bound by the finisher 500, the left end of the sheet can be bound to the image.

  It is possible to perform mirror image processing by switching the sub-scanning direction. In this case, however, mirror image processing cannot be performed unless reading of an image for one page is completed, or after reverse paper discharge. In consideration of binding the left edge position of the image of the sheet by trailing edge binding, mirror image processing by switching the main scanning direction is preferable.

  The paper discharged from the printer 300 is sent to the folding device 400. The folding device 400 performs a process of folding a sheet into a Z shape. For example, when an A3 size sheet or B4 size sheet is specified and the folding process is specified, the folding apparatus 400 performs the folding process. In other cases, the paper discharged from the printer 300 passes through the folding apparatus 400 and is finished. 500. The finisher 500 is provided with an inserter 900 for feeding a special sheet such as a cover sheet or a slip sheet to be inserted into a sheet on which an image is formed. The finisher 500 performs bookbinding processing, binding processing, and punching processing.

  Next, the configuration of a controller that controls the entire system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a controller that controls the entire image forming system of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller includes a CPU circuit unit 150. The CPU circuit unit 150 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM 151, and a RAM 152, and each block 101 is controlled by a control program stored in the ROM 151. , 153, 154, 201, 202, 209, 301, 401, 501 are collectively controlled. The RAM 152 temporarily stores control data and is used as a work area for arithmetic processing associated with control.

  The document feeder control unit 101 controls driving of the document feeder 100 based on an instruction from the CPU circuit unit 150. The image reader control unit 201 performs drive control on the above-described scanner unit 104, the image sensor 109, and the like, and transfers an analog image signal output from the image sensor 109 to the image signal control unit 202.

  The image signal control unit 202 converts each analog image signal from the image sensor 109 into a digital signal, performs each process, converts the digital signal into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the printer control unit 301. In addition, the digital image signal input from the computer 210 via the external I / F 209 is subjected to various processes, and the digital image signal is converted into a video signal and output to the printer control unit 301. The processing operation by the image signal control unit 202 is controlled by the CPU circuit unit 150. The printer control unit 301 drives the above-described exposure control unit 110 based on the input video signal.

  The operation unit 153 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions related to image formation, a display unit for displaying information indicating a setting state, and the like, and outputs a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key to the CPU circuit unit 150. At the same time, the corresponding information is displayed on the display unit based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 150.

  For details, as shown in FIG. 7, reference numeral 191 denotes a power switch, which can be used by turning it on. Reference numeral 180 denotes an LCD touch panel, which is used for displaying and setting details such as a copy mode. When the copy start key 182 is pressed when copying, the operation is started.

  A stop key 192 is pressed when an operation such as copying is stopped halfway. A reset key 183 is used to return the set mode to the initial value. Reference numeral 186 denotes a numeric keypad which is used for setting numerical values such as the number of copies. A status display unit 190 displays the status of the device. Reference numeral 181 denotes a clear key which is pressed when initializing the numerical value set in 186.

  When the switch 189 is pressed, the LCD 180 is turned off and power supply is stopped except for the CPU 150 and some input ports. At this time, 189 is lit in orange to notify the user that energy saving is in progress. When pressed again in this state, the normal power supply state is restored and the display is turned off. 188 is a manual post-processing permission key, which is a switch that allows manual operation of the finisher such as manual stapling and manual saddle stitch when in an energy-saving state. When pressed, the power supply for the part required for manual post-processing is provided. Is restored to the normal state.

  A user mode key 184 is pressed when performing user-specific settings. Reference numeral 185 denotes a guide key that displays an explanation of the operation on the LCD 180.

  FIG. 6A is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the power supply control unit 154. As shown in the figure, the power control unit 154 is based on a command from the CPU 150, and controls the document feeder control unit 101, the image reader control unit 201, the image signal control unit 202, the printer control unit 301, the operation unit 153, and the folding device control. The power supply to the unit 401 is controlled. Further, the finisher control unit 501 is divided into three systems, ie, power supply systems 1 to 3 (501a to 501c) as shown in the figure, and power supply is controlled for each of them.

  Here, the finisher control unit power supply system 1 is a power supply system for the insert tray sensor SW1 and the processing tray sensor SW2, for example, as shown in FIG. 6B. The finisher control unit power supply system 2 is, for example, a power supply system for the insert tray sensor SW3, the staple motor M1, and the stapler / slide motor M2, as shown in FIG. 6C. The finisher control unit power supply system 3 is a power supply system for the entrance path sensor SW4, the sheet discharge path sensor SW5, the entrance transport motor M3, the buffer transport motor M4, and the like as shown in FIG. 6D, for example.

  Normally, when the power is turned on, power is supplied to each control unit as a normal mode. However, when shifting to a power saving mode such as a sleep mode, some control units and power supply systems required for sleep release Turn off the power supply except only. Separately from this, when it is not necessary to supply power to the entire system such as manual post-processing during sleep, power is supplied only to the control unit and power supply system necessary for performing manual post-processing.

  Such power supply control in each mode is executed with reference to a table having a structure as shown in FIG. 12, for example. Such a table is stored in the ROM 151, for example. According to the figure, first, in the normal mode, all the power supplies to all the control units and the power supply system are turned on. On the other hand, in the sleep mode, the power supply state differs depending on whether or not manual post-processing is permitted. If the manual post-processing is permitted, the power to the control unit and the power supply system necessary for executing manual post-processing is permitted. Is supplied. Further, when it is not in the permitted state, power is not supplied to the control unit other than the operation unit, the image signal control unit, the finisher control unit power supply system 1, or the power supply system.

  In the sleep mode, when the operation unit 153 is not operated for a certain period of time or image information is not transmitted to the image signal control unit 202 via the external I / F 209, the dedicated energy saving switch 189 is used. When is pressed, for example, the system shifts to the sleep mode in order to reduce power consumption of the entire system.

  The return from the sleep mode is when image information from the external I / F 209 is transmitted to the image signal control unit 202 or when a dedicated energy saving switch 189 is pressed.

  Furthermore, by pressing the manual post-processing permission key 188 during the sleep mode, manual post-processing can be performed even during sleep.

  The folding device control unit 401 is mounted on the folding device 400 and performs drive control of the entire folding device by exchanging information with the CPU circuit unit 150.

  The finisher control unit 501 is mounted on the finisher 500 and performs drive control of the entire finisher by exchanging information with the CPU circuit unit 150. This control content will be described later.

  Next, the configuration of the image signal control unit 202 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image signal control unit 202 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image signal control unit 202 includes an image processing unit 203 that converts an analog image signal from the image reader control unit 201 into a digital signal and performs various processes on the digital signal. In this image processing unit 203, each processing such as shading correction, density correction, editing processing set by the operation unit 153 (enlargement, reduction scaling processing, etc.) is performed, and the signal after this processing is converted into video data. Stored in the line memory 204. Further, when the bookbinding mode is selected, the image allocation to the paper is performed based on the read document page number and the image data page number input via the external I / F 209.

  The line memory 204 is a memory for performing the above-described mirror image processing. If necessary, one line of video data read in one direction in the main scanning direction is stored in this memory in one direction in the main scanning direction. The direction is reversed. Video data output from the line memory 204 is stored in the page memory 205.

  The page memory 205 has a storage capacity for one page of a document of a predetermined size, and the video data is stored in the page memory 205 in the order output from the line memory 204. At the time of document fixed reading, the stored video data is read in the stored order. The page memory 205 stores data output from the computer 210 via the external I / F 209.

  The video data read from the page memory 205 is directly sent to the printer control unit 301, and once stored in the hard disk 206 as necessary, is sent to the printer control unit 301. The hard disk 206 is used for processing for changing the page order.

  Next, the configuration of the folding device 400 and the finisher 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing configurations of the folding device 400 and the finisher 500 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the folding device 400 has a folding conveyance horizontal path 402 for introducing the paper discharged from the printer 300 and guiding it to the finisher 500 side. On the folding conveyance horizontal path 402, a conveyance roller pair 403 and a conveyance roller pair 404 are provided. Further, a folding path selection flapper 410 is provided at the exit portion (finisher 500 side) of the folding conveyance horizontal path 402. The folding path selection flapper 410 performs a switching operation for guiding the sheet on the folding conveyance horizontal path 402 to the folding path 420 or the finisher side 500.

  Here, when the folding process is performed, the folding path selection flapper 410 is turned on, and the sheet is guided to the folding path 420. The sheet guided to the folding path 420 is conveyed to the folding roller 421 and folded into a Z shape. On the other hand, when the folding process is not performed, the folding path selection flapper 410 is turned off, and the sheet is sent directly from the printer 300 to the finisher 500 via the folding conveyance horizontal path 402.

  The finisher 500 sequentially takes in the sheets ejected via the folding device 400, aligns a plurality of fetched sheets and bundles them into one bundle, staples the staple end of the bundle of bundled sheets, and takes in Each sheet post-processing such as punching, punching, sorting, non-sorting, and bookbinding is performed in the vicinity of the trailing edge of the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the finisher 500 includes an entrance roller pair 502 for guiding the sheet discharged from the printer 300 via the folding device 400 to the inside. A switching flapper 551 for guiding the sheet to the finisher path 552 or the first bookbinding path 553 is provided downstream of the inlet roller pair 502.

  The sheet guided to the finisher path 552 is sent toward the buffer roller 505 via the conveyance roller pair 503. The conveyance roller pair 503 and the buffer roller 505 are configured to be capable of forward and reverse rotation.

  An entrance sensor 531 is provided between the entrance roller pair 502 and the transport roller pair 503. In addition, the second bookbinding path 554 branches off from the finisher path 552 in the vicinity of the upstream of the entrance sensor 531 in the sheet conveyance direction. Hereinafter, this branch point is referred to as branch A. This branch A forms a branch from the entrance roller pair 502 to the transport path for transporting the paper to the transport roller pair 503, but the transport roller pair 503 reverses to feed the paper from the transport roller pair 503 side to the entrance sensor 531 side. When transporting to the side, a branch having a one-way mechanism transported only to the second bookbinding path 554 side is formed.

  A punch unit 550 is provided between the conveying roller pair 503 and the buffer roller 505, and the punch unit 550 operates as necessary to punch near the rear end of the conveyed paper.

  The buffer roller 505 is a roller capable of stacking and winding a predetermined number of sheets sent to the outer periphery of the buffer roller 505, and is wound around the outer periphery of the roller by pressing rollers 512, 513, and 514 as necessary. The paper wound around the buffer roller 505 is conveyed in the rotation direction of the buffer roller 505.

  A switching flapper 510 is disposed between the pressing rollers 513 and 514, and a switching flapper 511 is disposed downstream of the pressing rollers 514. The switching flapper 510 is a flapper for separating the paper wound around the buffer roller 505 from the buffer roller 505 and guiding it to the non-sorting path 521 or the sorting path 522. The switching flapper 511 A flapper for separating the paper from the roller 505 and leading the paper wound around the sort path 522 or the buffer roller 505 to the buffer path 523 in a wound state.

  The sheet guided to the non-sort path 521 by the switching flapper 510 is discharged onto the sample tray 701 via the discharge roller pair 509. In the middle of the non-sort path 521, a paper discharge sensor 533 for jam detection and the like is provided.

  The sheets guided to the sort path 522 by the switching flapper 510 are stacked on an intermediate tray (hereinafter, referred to as a processing tray) 630 via transport rollers 506 and 507. The sheets stacked in a bundle on the intermediate tray 630 are subjected to alignment processing, stapling processing, and the like as necessary, and then discharged onto the stack tray 700 by the discharge rollers 680a and 680b. A stapler 601 is used for the stapling process for binding sheets stacked in a bundle on the processing tray 630. The operation of the stapler 601 will be described later. The stack tray 700 is configured to be capable of self-propelling in the vertical direction.

  The sheets from the first bookbinding path 553 and the second bookbinding path 554 are stored in the storage guide 820 by the conveyance roller pair 813 and further conveyed until the leading edge of the sheet comes into contact with the movable sheet positioning member 823. A bookbinding entrance sensor 817 is disposed on the upstream side of the conveying roller pair 813. Further, two pairs of staplers 818 are provided in the middle of the storage guide 820, and the staplers 818 are configured to bind the center of the sheet bundle in cooperation with the anvil 819 opposed thereto.

  A folding roller pair 826 is provided at a downstream position of the stapler 818. A protruding member 825 is provided at a position opposite to the folding roller pair 816. By projecting the protruding member 825 toward the sheet bundle stored in the storage guide 820, the sheet bundle is pushed out between the folding roller pair 826, folded by the folding roller pair 826, and then the origami paper discharge roller 827. To the saddle discharge tray 832. A bookbinding paper discharge sensor 830 is disposed on the downstream side of the origami paper discharge roller 827.

  Further, when folding the bundle of sheets bound by the stapler 818, the positioning member 823 is lowered by a predetermined distance so that the staple position of the bundle of sheets becomes the center position of the folding roller pair 826 after the staple processing is completed.

  The inserter 900 is provided in the upper part of the finisher 500, and sequentially separates a cover sheet stacked on the tray 901 and a sheet bundle forming a slip sheet, and conveys them to the finisher path 552 or the bookbinding path 553. Here, on the tray 901 of the inserter 900, the special paper is stacked in a normal view as viewed from the user. That is, the special sheets are stacked on the tray 901 with the surface thereof facing up.

  The inserter 900 is also used as a paper feeding unit when performing manual post-processing. Also in this case, the sheet bundle is sequentially separated in the same manner as in the case of the cover sheet or the slip sheet, and the sheets are conveyed one by one to the finisher path 552 and the bookbinding path 553.

  The special paper on the tray 901 is conveyed by a paper feed roller 902 to a separation unit including a conveyance roller 903 and a separation belt 904, and is sequentially separated and conveyed one by one from the uppermost paper.

  A drawing roller pair 905 is disposed on the downstream side of the separation unit, and the special sheet separated by the drawing roller pair 905 is stably guided to the conveyance path 908. A paper feed sensor 907 is provided on the downstream side of the drawing roller pair 905, and the conveyance for guiding the special paper on the conveyance path 908 to the entrance roller pair 502 is provided between the paper feed sensor 907 and the entrance roller pair 502. A roller 906 is provided.

  Next, the manual post-processing mode will be described.

  Manual post-processing is performed using an inserter 900 that is used to insert other paper into the paper from the printer 300. The manual post-processing is executed by designating the paper size and the post-processing mode on the operation unit 153 and then designating the start with the manual post-processing start key. A specific operation example will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of a mode setting screen displayed on the LCD panel 180 in the operation unit 153. A “manual operation” button 81 is provided on this mode setting screen. When this button is pressed, the LCD panel 180 is switched to a paper setting screen as shown in FIG. 8B. When a desired paper size is selected here and the “Next” button 86 is pressed, the LCD panel 180 is switched to a post-processing setting screen as shown in FIG. 8C. In the present embodiment, as the stapling process, one of a single staple 83 that staples one corner (for example, the upper left corner) of the sheet and a double staple 82 that staples two edge portions of the sheet can be selected. In addition, bookbinding processing 84 and punching processing 85 can be selected. Reference numeral 86 denotes a manual post-processing start key, and pressing this key starts manual post-processing of the selected content.

  Specifically, the separation units 903 and 904 of the inserter 900 separate the sheets one by one and send them to the conveyance path 908. Thereafter, according to the designated mode, the stacking operation is performed until the stacking of one bundle on the tray 630, the tray 823, or the like is finished, and after the designated post-processing is performed, the bundle of sheets is transferred to a predetermined tray. Discharge. In the present embodiment, when the sheet loaded on the inserter 900 during manual post-processing is detected as being out of paper by the sensor 910, the sheet conveyed immediately before is determined as a bundle of final sheets. Alternatively, the number of sheets per bundle or the number of copies to be created may be designated on the operation unit 153, and the final sheet of the bundle may be determined based on the designation.

  Next, sleep mode monitoring will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in S1001, it is determined whether the image forming system is printing. If printing is in progress, S1001 is repeated, and if printing is not in progress, the process proceeds to S1003. In step S1003, an energy saving transition timer is set to measure the time during non-printing.

  Next, when the energy saving switch is turned on (S1005, Yes), the processing is shifted to S1033, and if the manual post-processing is in operation, the power supply to the parts other than those related to the manual post-processing is stopped. (S1035), the process proceeds to S1023. In S1023, if manual post-processing is not in progress, the process proceeds to S1011 and power supply is stopped except for the CPU and some input units.

  If the determination is negative in S1005, it is monitored whether the energy saving transition timer set in S1003 has expired (S1007), and if it has expired, the process proceeds to S1033.

  If the time is not up in S1007, it is monitored whether the printing operation of the image forming system is started (S1009), and if not, the process returns to S1005. If the operation has been started, the process returns to S1001.

  After shifting to the low power mode in S1011, it is monitored whether the manual post-processing permission key 188 has been pressed (S1013), and if pressed, the power supply to the finisher is resumed (S1019).

  If the determination in S1013 is negative, it is monitored whether or not a sheet is set in the inserter (S1015). If yes, the process proceeds to S1019. If not, the process proceeds to S1017.

  That is, if the manual post-processing permission key 188 is pressed in S1013, or at least one of the cases where a sheet is set in the inserter in S1015, the process proceeds to S1019, and power supply to the finisher is resumed. Will be. Thus, although it is preferable that both S1013 and S1015 are determined, only one of the determinations may be made according to the system configuration.

  In S1017, the state of the energy saving switch is monitored. If it is not turned on, the process proceeds to S1013. If it is turned on, the entire power supply is resumed in S1029, and then the process proceeds to S1001.

  After restarting the power supply to the finisher in S1019, the manual post-processing operation waiting timer is set in S1021, and the process proceeds to S1023.

  In S1023, it is monitored whether or not the manual post-processing operation has been completed. If completed, the power supply to the finisher is stopped (S1031), and the process returns to S1013.

  If the determination in step S1023 is negative, in step S1025, the time-up of the manual post-processing operation waiting timer is monitored. If the time is up, the process proceeds to step S1031, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1027. Transfer. In S1027, it is monitored whether or not the energy saving switch is pressed. If it is not turned on, the process returns to S1023, and if it is turned on, the process proceeds to S1029.

  Next, manual post-processing monitoring will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, it is monitored whether or not manual post-processing is permitted (S2001). If permitted, the process proceeds to S2003. If it is not permitted, it is confirmed whether it is continuously permitted (S2001). In step S2003, it is monitored whether or not a sheet is set in an insert tray that is a paper feed tray for manual post-processing. If not set, the process proceeds to S2001. If paper is set in the insert tray, it is monitored whether the manual post-processing start key is turned on (S2005). If it is turned on, manual post-processing is executed (S2007). If the manual post-processing key is not turned on, in S2009, it is monitored again whether manual post-processing is permitted. If it is in the permitted state, the process proceeds to S2005.

  If it is determined that the state is not permitted, the process proceeds to S2001.

  After the process of S2007 is completed, the process proceeds to S2007.

  Next, manual post-processing will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, sheets are separated from the insert tray one by one and fed (S2101), and discharged to a tray designated by the operation unit (S2103). After paper discharge, it is determined whether or not paper remains on the insert tray (S2105), and if it does not remain, post-processing designated by the operation unit is performed on the discharged paper (S2107) and this processing is terminated. To do. If it remains, the process proceeds to S2101.

  According to the embodiment described above, when the image forming system manually performs post-processing during the power saving mode (sleep mode), it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption without supplying power to the entire system. Can do. Further, it is not necessary to perform power restoration for the entire system, and it is possible to prevent the standby waiting from being lengthened by the power restoration processing at a location not directly related to manual post-processing.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flow relating to image formation in each of a fixed document reading and a document flow reading of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller that controls the entire image forming system in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image signal control part 202 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the folding apparatus 400 and the finisher 500 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the power supply control part 154 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the finisher control part power supply system 1 in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the finisher control part power supply system 2 in embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the finisher control part power supply system 3 in embodiment. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit 153. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a mode setting screen. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a paper setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a post-processing setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the monitoring process of the sleep mode in embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the monitoring process of the manual post-process in embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the manual post-process in embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the table which shows the control mode of the power supply control part in embodiment, and the power supply state to the control part in each control mode.

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet based on supplied print data;
A first sheet feeding unit for introducing a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus; and a second sheet feeding unit for supplying a sheet manually placed by a user. A post-processing apparatus that selectively introduces sheets from the means and performs predetermined post-processing;
An image forming system comprising:
Power control means for switching between a normal mode in which power is supplied to all units and a power saving mode in which power is supplied only to some units, based on the standby status of the system;
Request means for requesting execution of manual post-processing, which is the predetermined post-processing performed by introducing a sheet from the second paper feeding means;
Have
When the manual post-processing is requested by the requesting unit during operation in the power saving mode, the power control unit additionally supplies power to a unit necessary for the manual post-processing. Image forming system.   The power control means further includes power to the unit necessary for the manual post-processing even when the manual post-processing is performed during the normal mode and the manual post-processing is performed to shift to the power saving mode. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the supply is maintained.   The power control unit further stops power supply to a unit required for the manual post-processing when the manual post-processing performed during operation in the power saving mode is completed. Item 3. The image forming system according to Item 1 or 2.   The power control means is further configured to start supplying additional power to a unit required for the manual post-processing in response to a request for the manual post-processing by the request means made during operation in the power saving mode. 4. The power supply to the unit required for the manual post-processing is stopped when the manual post-processing is not completed even after a lapse of time. 5. Image forming system.   5. The request unit according to claim 1, wherein the request unit issues the request in response to pressing of a predetermined operation key disposed on the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus. The image forming system described in 1. The post-processing apparatus includes a detecting unit that detects that a sheet is set on the second sheet feeding unit,
5. The request unit according to claim 1, wherein the request unit issues the request in response to detecting that the sheet is set on the second sheet feeding unit by the detection unit. The image forming system described in 1. The post-processing apparatus includes a detecting unit that detects that a sheet is set on the second sheet feeding unit,
The requesting unit detects that a predetermined operation key arranged on the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus is pressed, or that the sheet is set on the second sheet feeding unit by the detecting unit. 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the request is issued in response to the fact.   8. The predetermined post-processing includes at least one of a stapling process for binding the introduced sheet bundle with staples and a punching process for forming a punch hole in the introduced sheet bundle. The image forming system described in 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet based on supplied print data;
A first sheet feeding unit configured to introduce a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus; and a second sheet feeding unit configured to supply a sheet manually placed by a user. A post-processing apparatus that selectively introduces sheets from the means and performs predetermined post-processing;
An image forming system control method including:
A power control step for switching between a normal mode in which power is supplied to all units and a power saving mode in which power is supplied only to some units, based on the standby status of the system;
A requesting step for requesting execution of manual post-processing, which is the predetermined post-processing performed by introducing a sheet from the second paper feeding unit under the control of the power control step;
Have
In the power control step, when the manual post-processing is requested by the request step during the operation in the power saving mode, power is additionally supplied to a unit necessary for the manual post-processing. A method for controlling an image forming system.   The power control step further includes power to the unit necessary for the manual post-processing even when the manual post-processing is performed while the manual post-processing is being performed during the normal mode. The method of controlling an image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the supply is maintained.   The power control step further includes stopping power supply to a unit necessary for the manual post-processing when the manual post-processing performed during the operation in the power saving mode is completed. Item 11. The control method for an image forming system according to Item 9 or 10.   The power control step further includes a step of starting supply of additional power to a unit required for the manual post-processing in response to a request for the manual post-processing according to the request step performed during the operation in the power saving mode. The power supply to the unit required for the manual post-processing is stopped when the manual post-processing is not completed even after a lapse of time. Image forming system control method.   13. The request step according to claim 9, wherein the request is issued in response to pressing of a predetermined operation key arranged on the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus. A control method for an image forming system described in 1. A detection step of detecting that a sheet has been set in the second sheet feeding means;
13. The requesting step according to claim 9, wherein the requesting step issues the request in response to detecting that the sheet is set on the second paper feeding unit by the detecting step. A control method for an image forming system according to claim 1. A detection step of detecting that a sheet has been set in the second sheet feeding means;
In the requesting step, it is detected that a predetermined operation key arranged on the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus is pressed, or that the sheet is set on the second sheet feeding unit by the detecting step. The image forming system control method according to claim 9, wherein the request is issued in response to the fact.

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