JP2006243285A - Image forming apparatus and post processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To feed paper at appropriate feeding start interval corresponding to specified combination of post-processing without causing conflict of the post-processing to paper. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 acquires types and capabilities of the post-processing of the respective devices 42-50 acquired from the post-processing apparatus 12 whenever power is applied, determines the feeding start interval of the paper about each combination of the post-processing based on the acquired types and capabilities of the respective devices 42-50 and stores the feeding start interval for starting feeding of the paper to form an image, determined about each of a plurality of combinations of the post-processing in a table by every size of paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet conveyed at a predetermined conveyance start interval, and a plurality of types of sheets that are different from each other for the sheet. The present invention relates to a post-processing device that executes processing.

  Conventionally, a sheet on which an image is formed is discharged from the image forming apparatus, and post-processing is performed on the discharged sheet in a post-processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. As post-processing in the post-processing apparatus, there are, for example, a punch for punching a sheet, a stapling process for stapling together a specified number of sheets, and a folding process for folding the sheet.

  Here, when the image forming apparatus and the post-treatment apparatus execute the respective processes separately, there are the following problems. First, when the processing of the image forming apparatus is too fast, another sheet is ejected from the image forming apparatus when the post-processing apparatus is still executing the post-processing, and this another sheet is obstructed. Adversely affects the paper being processed. Second, in order to prevent this, the processing of the image forming apparatus can be delayed. However, if the process is unnecessarily slowed, both simple and easy post-processing according to the designated post-processing mode, both in the state where the image forming apparatus is not performing the image forming process even when the post-processing apparatus is not executed. There is a problem that it does not operate and the total processing time becomes long.

  Therefore, the maximum time required for post-processing by the post-processing apparatus is determined in advance, and the image forming apparatus supplies paper at this time interval (conveyance start interval) and executes image forming processing to form an image. Paper was transported to the post-processing device.

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the time required for the post-processing determined as described above is a fixed time. Therefore, the time required for the post-processing is shortened by the technical improvement, and the maintenance person has to change the design of the transfer start interval when replacing the post-processing device so far with a new post-processing device. , That effort was excessive. Therefore, actually, even if the time required for the post-processing is shortened by the technical improvement, the post-processing apparatus has not been replaced.

An apparatus has also been proposed that aligns sheets when a certain period of time elapses after the sheet is loaded into the post-processing apparatus and then the sheet is loaded (see Patent Document 1). However, in this apparatus, there is a possibility that the next sheet may be carried into the post-processing apparatus while aligning the sheets, and the above problem cannot be solved.
JP 2000-264528 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and an image forming apparatus that conveys a sheet at an appropriate conveyance start interval corresponding to a designated combination of post-processing without causing a collision of post-processing with respect to the sheet, and Another object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus capable of reducing the load on the image forming apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a sheet, an image forming unit that forms an image on the conveyed sheet, and an image formed by the image forming unit. A means for inputting information relating to the paper conveyance time from a post-processing device that performs post-processing on the formed paper, and the conveyance means based on the inputted paper conveyance time information in accordance with the instructed post-processing. And a control means for controlling a time for starting the conveyance of the sheet.

  The transport unit transports the paper, and the image forming unit forms an image on the transported paper.

  The input means inputs information relating to the sheet conveyance time from a post-processing device that performs post-processing on the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit.

  The control means controls the time when the conveying means starts conveying the sheet based on the inputted sheet conveying time information in accordance with the instructed post-processing.

  As described above, since the time for starting the conveyance of the paper is controlled based on the input paper conveyance time information in accordance with the post-processing, the post-processing collision with the paper does not occur, and the combination of the specified post-processing is supported. The sheet can be conveyed at an appropriate conveyance start interval.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, for a plurality of different types of post-processing, means for determining and storing a time at which the conveying unit starts conveying the sheet based on the input sheet conveying time information. The control unit is configured to start the sheet conveyance of the conveyance unit based on the conveyance start time determined corresponding to the designated type of post-processing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the sheet conveyance time information input from a plurality of post-processing devices, and the control unit executes a designated type of post-processing. The conveyance start time is read from the storage unit for each of the post-processing apparatuses necessary for the number of sheets, and the time for the conveyance unit to start conveying the paper is determined based on the read conveyance start time. The conveyance is started.

  The information indicating the content of the post-processing includes at least the type of post-processing and the processing time, as in claim 4.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a plurality of different post-processing execution units for executing different types of post-processing on paper, and a plurality of different types of post-processing in the plurality of post-processing execution units. An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the contents of each process, and a conveyance start interval for starting conveyance of a sheet to form an image is determined for each of a plurality of combinations of post-processing based on the acquired information. Determining means, and means for outputting the conveyance start interval to the apparatus for supplying the paper.

  The plurality of post-processing execution units execute different types of post-processing on the paper.

  The acquisition means acquires information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing in the plurality of post-processing execution units.

  The determining means determines, based on the acquired information, a transport start interval for starting transport of paper for forming an image for each of a plurality of combinations of post-processing, and an output means supplies the paper. The conveyance start interval is output to the apparatus.

  Thus, based on the information indicating the contents of each of the different types of post-processing in the plurality of post-processing execution units, transport that starts transporting the sheet to form an image for each of a plurality of combinations of the post-processing Since the start interval is determined and the conveyance start interval is output to the apparatus that supplies paper, the load for determining the conveyance start interval in the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  A sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that in the fifth aspect, the apparatus further comprises storage means for storing a conveyance start interval determined for each of the plurality of combinations of the post-processing.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the information indicating the content of the post-processing includes at least the type of post-processing and the processing time.

  The following image forming apparatus is also proposed. In other words, the first aspect (1) of the image forming apparatus is executed for a conveying unit that conveys a sheet, an image forming unit that forms an image on the conveyed sheet, and the sheet on which the image is formed. Storage means for storing a conveyance start interval for starting conveyance of a sheet to form an image, which is determined for each of a plurality of combinations of the respective post-processing based on information indicating the contents of different types of post-processing. , Based on the designation means for designating at least one post-process, the designated at least one post-process, and the transfer start interval stored for each of a plurality of combinations of each post-process in the storage means Control means for controlling the transport means so that the paper is transported at a transport start interval corresponding to the combination of post-processing performed.

  That is, the conveyance device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention conveys a sheet, and the image forming unit forms an image on the conveyed sheet.

  Here, on the paper discharge side of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a post-processing device that executes a plurality of different types of post-processing on the paper is provided, and the conveying means is a paper on which an image is formed. Is transferred to the post-processing apparatus.

  When at least one post-process is specified by the specifying unit, the post-processing apparatus executes the specified post-process on the paper transported by the transport unit.

  In this case, since the user can selectively designate a plurality of post-processing, the image forming apparatus does not know which post-processing is designated. Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, assuming that all post-processing is designated, all the processes are completed and the post-processing execution apparatus can be executed from the image forming apparatus at a timing at which post-processing can be executed on the next sheet. The sheet conveyance start interval is determined so that the sheet is conveyed to the front.

  Assuming that not all post-processing but a part of post-processing is designated, the image forming apparatus can execute the post-processing on the next sheet after the partial post-processing is completed. The sheet cannot be transported from the printer to the post-processing apparatus. This is because when all post-processing is specified, the next paper is transported to the post-processing execution apparatus before all the post-processing has been completed for a certain paper, resulting in a post-processing collision with the paper. is there.

  On the other hand, the storage means of the present invention is determined for each of a plurality of combinations of each post-processing based on information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing to be performed on the paper on which the image is formed. A conveyance start interval for starting conveyance of a sheet for forming an image is stored.

  Therefore, regardless of which post-processing combination is specified by the specifying means, the transfer start interval determined for each of the plurality of combinations of each post-processing is stored as described above, so that the specified post-processing combination is stored. The sheet can be conveyed at the corresponding conveyance start interval.

  Therefore, the control means is a combination of the specified post-processing based on at least one post-processing specified by the specifying means and the conveyance start interval stored for each of the plurality of combinations of the post-processing in the storage means. The transporting unit is controlled so that the paper is transported at a transport start interval corresponding to.

  Thus, based on the information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing executed on the paper, the conveyance of the paper to form an image determined for each of a plurality of combinations of the post-processing is started. The transfer start interval to be stored is stored, and based on the specified at least one post-processing and the transfer start interval stored for each of a plurality of combinations of each post-processing in the storage means, Since the paper is transported at the transport start interval corresponding to the combination, the paper can be transported at an appropriate transport start interval corresponding to the designated post-processing combination without causing a post-processing collision with the paper.

  By the way, in the present invention, as a second aspect, the input means for inputting information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing to be performed on the paper on which the image is formed, and the input information For each of a plurality of combinations of post-processing, and determining means for determining a transport start interval for starting transport of paper to form an image, wherein the storage means includes a plurality of post-processing You may make it memorize | store the conveyance start space | interval determined by the said determination means about each combination.

  In the present invention, as a third aspect, each of a plurality of combinations of each post-processing based on information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing to be performed on the paper on which the image is formed. Input means for inputting a conveyance start interval for starting conveyance of a sheet to form an image determined for the image, and the storage means conveys the plurality of combinations of the post-processing input by the input means. The start interval may be stored.

  Note that the information indicating the contents of the post-processing includes at least the type of post-processing and the processing time as the (4).

  Furthermore, the following post-processing execution apparatus is also proposed. The post-processing execution apparatus (first aspect) includes a plurality of post-processing execution units that execute different types of post-processing on paper, and a plurality of different types of post-processing execution units in the plurality of post-processing execution units. An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the content of each post-processing, and a transport start interval for starting transport of paper to form an image for each of a plurality of combinations of each post-processing based on the acquired information Determining means.

  That is, the post-processing execution unit of the post-processing execution apparatus of the present invention executes a plurality of different types of post-processing on the paper.

  The acquisition means acquires information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing in the plurality of post-processing execution units.

  Note that the post-processing execution apparatus may output information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing in the plurality of post-processing execution units acquired as described above to the image forming apparatus as they are. Then, the determination unit determines a conveyance start interval for starting conveyance of the sheet for forming an image for each of the plurality of combinations of the post-processing based on the acquired information.

  In this way, information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing in the plurality of post-processing execution units is acquired, and an image is formed for each of a plurality of combinations of the post-processing based on the acquired information. Therefore, if the determined transfer start interval is input to the image forming apparatus and used as described above, the load for determining the transfer start interval in the image forming apparatus is determined. Can be reduced.

  Here, the post-processing execution apparatus may output to the image forming apparatus the conveyance start interval determined for each of the plurality of combinations of the post-processing to start the conveyance of the sheet to form an image. However, as a second aspect of the post-processing execution apparatus, the post-processing execution apparatus may include storage means for storing the conveyance start intervals determined for each of the plurality of combinations of the post-processing. .

  As described above, the information indicating the content of the post-processing includes at least the type of post-processing and the processing time as the third aspect.

  As described above, according to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, since the time for starting the conveyance of the sheet is controlled based on the input sheet conveyance time information according to the post-processing, the collision of the post-processing with respect to the sheet There is an effect that the sheet can be conveyed at an appropriate conveyance start interval corresponding to the designated combination of post-processing.

  According to the inventions of claims 5 to 7, information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing in the plurality of post-processing execution units is acquired, and each post-processing is based on the acquired information. For each of the plurality of combinations, a conveyance start interval for starting conveyance of a sheet for forming an image is determined, so that the load on the image forming apparatus can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing apparatus 12. The image forming apparatus 10 includes an optical scanning device (ROS) 16 that irradiates and scans the photosensitive drum 14 with a light beam. Around the photosensitive drum 14, a cyan toner supply device 18C, a magenta toner supply device 18M, a yellow toner supply device 18Y, and a black toner supply device 18K rotate, and development for supplying toner of each color to the photosensitive drum 14 is performed. A device 18 is provided. In addition to the developing device 18, a charger, a cleaning device, etc. (not shown) are provided around the photosensitive drum 14.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a transfer belt 20 to which a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 14 is transferred. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a transfer device 26 that transfers the toner image transferred to the transfer belt 20 onto a sheet conveyed from any of the supply trays 22A to 22D. The sheet on which the image has been transferred by the transfer device 26 is fixed by the fixing device 28, and the conveyance path is switched by the path switching unit 30. In the case of single-sided printing, the path switching unit 30 switches the path so that the paper on which the image has been fixed by the fixing device 28 is conveyed toward the post-processing device 12, and in the case of duplex printing, the path switching unit 30 30 switches the path so that the sheet on which the image is fixed by the fixing device 28 is conveyed to the reversing unit 32 side. The paper that has reached the reversing unit 32 reaches the transfer device 26 via the reversing path 34 and an image is formed on the back surface, and this time the path switching unit 30 passes the fixing device 28 to the post-processing device 12 side. Discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing device 12 includes a curl correction device 42 that corrects curl generated on the paper conveyed from the image forming device 10, and a paper folding device 44 that folds the paper into a specified shape. A punching device 46 for punching holes at predetermined positions on the paper, a stapler device 48 for stapling a specified number of sheets, a bookbinding device 50, and the like. Further, the post-processing device 12 includes discharge trays 52A to 52D and a post-processing controller 54 that controls the devices 42 to 50.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control system of the image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation display panel 60 for designating image forming conditions and post-processing by the user, an input unit 62 for inputting image data from the user's personal computer, An image forming controller 64 that controls each unit necessary for image formation and a main controller 68 that controls these components are provided. On the other hand, the post-processing device 12 includes a post-processing controller 54 that controls the devices 42 to 50.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, general image forming processing and post-processing will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming controller 64 controls the paper feeding device 66 to control the paper feeding device 66 so that the paper is transported at a predetermined paper transportation interval described later (registration feed).

  Further, the image forming controller 64 controls the optical scanning device 16 so as to form an image on the paper conveyed at the paper conveyance interval, and performs light modulation and optical scanning to expose the photosensitive drum 14. The photosensitive drum 14 is charged by the above-described charger.

  Thus, the photosensitive drum 14 optically scanned by the optical scanning device 16 is developed by the developing device 18 with toner of each color. The developed toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 20, and the transferred toner image is transferred by the transfer device 26 to the paper transported away at the paper transport interval and fixed by the fixing device 28. When printing on the back side, the path switching unit 30 switches the paper conveyance path to the reversing unit 32 side, and the toner image is transferred to the paper that has reached the reversing unit 32 by the transfer device 26 via the reversing path 34 thereafter. Then, the image is fixed by the fixing device 28.

  The paper on which the image is formed as described above is conveyed to the post-processing device 12 and each post-processing is executed according to the combination of post-processing designated via the operation display panel 60. For example, the curl correction generated in the paper is forced (decolored) by the curl correction device 42, is folded (folded) into a specified shape by the paper folding device 44, and a hole is punched at the specified location by the punch device 46. Is opened (punched), and when a predetermined number of sheets are accumulated, the paper is stapled by the stapler device 48 (staple), the edges of the discharged paper are aligned (stacked), and the bookbinding device 50 binds the paper. Note that the slip sheet inserted from the slip sheet insertion tray 52D (see FIG. 2) is aligned with the sheet.

  Next, the paper conveyance interval in the present embodiment will be described.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on, the image forming controller 64 starts the conveyance start interval determination processing program shown in FIG. 5, and the types of post-processing that can be executed for the post-processing apparatus 12 in step 102. , And inquire about ability.

  When the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on as described above, the post-processing apparatus 12 is also turned on. When the above-mentioned inquiry (step 102) is made from the image forming controller 64, the post-processing controller 54 6 is executed. When the response processing program starts, the post-processing controller 54 inquires of each device 42 to 50 about the capability in step 112. As a result, each of the devices 42 to 50 returns its processing time as capability information. As a result, step 114 is affirmed, and in step 116, the post-processing controller 54 returns the post-processing type and capability of each device 42-50.

  As described above, when there is a response from the post-processing controller 54 regarding the type and ability of post-processing of each of the devices 42 to 50, step 104 (see FIG. 5) is affirmatively determined. Then, the paper conveyance start interval is determined, and in step 108, the conveyance start interval table is updated as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this table defines the sheet conveyance start interval for each size of each sheet for all combinations of a plurality of post-processing that can be executed by the post-processing device 12.

  For example, a case where the paper size is 8.5 × 11S will be described as an example. This sheet has a sheet feed length of 279.4 mm, a basic sheet conveyance start interval (Free Pitch) of 967 ms, and when punching (Free Pitch at punching) is also 967 ms. When the sheet is conveyed to the discharge tray (top tray) 52A without any post-processing by the post-processing apparatus (N1), recording is performed at 62 sheets / min. When printing on one side and discharging to the top tray (N3), the paper conveyance start interval is 966.6 msec. When printing on both sides and discharging to the top tray (N4), the paper conveyance start interval is 2306 msec. is there.

  Next, a case where a large amount is stacked on the tray 52B via the stapler device 48 will be described. When a large amount is stacked on the tray 52B without stapling, single-sided printing (N5) is 967.1 msec, and double-sided printing (N6) is 2305.6 msec. Further, when the next sheet is conveyed after stapling a predetermined number of sheets (the set number of sheets) in one direction in the reference direction (N8), the conveyance of the next sheet is started after executing the processing (staple). The set time (SET time) is 968.8 msec. When a predetermined number of sheets are bundled, the needle is inclined 45 ° in the reference direction and stapled at one place (N9), the next sheet is conveyed (N9), and the SET time is 966.m. When the next sheet is conveyed after stapling two needles together in the reference direction after collecting a predetermined number of sheets (N10), the SET time is 967.5 milliseconds. Next, a case where the bookbinding apparatus 50 binds and stacks on the tray 52C will be described. When the next sheet is conveyed after the predetermined number of sheets are simply folded and bound (binding without stapling) (N11), the sheet is conveyed at an interval of 5764.4 msec and processed (the predetermined number of sheets). The time (SET time) from the start of bookbinding to the start of transport of the next sheet is 2305.5 milliseconds. Further, when bookbinding is performed by stapling a predetermined number of sheets, the predetermined number of sheets are conveyed at an interval of 6906.4 msec (N13), and the SET time is 2305 msec (N14).

  When the sheet folding device 44 folds the sheet one by one and discharges it from the discharge port 52A (N15), the time until the next sheet conveyance is started (sheet conveyance start interval) is 2883.8 milliseconds. When the sheet is wound and folded in three (N16), the sheet conveyance start interval is 2021 msec, and when folded in the Z shape (outer trifold) (N17), the sheet conveyance start interval is 1905 msec. Note that the post-processing mode shown in FIG. 7 is a representative one for the sake of brevity and is not shown for all processing.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 uses the post-processing type and capability acquired from the post-processing apparatus 12 each time the power is turned on, and sets the paper for each combination of post-processing. Is determined and stored in the table as described above. For example, when a certain post-processing is performed by combining a plurality of post-processing devices, the maximum time may be set among the sheet conveyance start interval time and the SET time required for each post-processing device.

  On the other hand, when any one or a plurality of post-processing is specifically designated by the user and the execution of these is instructed, the image forming controller 64 displays the image forming processing program shown in FIG. In step 122, the combination of the specified post-processing is determined based on the combination of the specified post-processing and the conveyance start interval determined for each combination of the post-processing in the table. The corresponding conveyance start interval is acquired from the table, and in step 124, the paper feeding device 66 is controlled so that the sheet is conveyed at the acquired conveyance interval.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of combinations of each post-processing based on information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing to be performed on a sheet on which an image is formed in the image processing apparatus. The transport start interval for starting transporting the paper for forming an image determined for each is stored in a table for each paper size. By the at least one post-process designated by the user, the conveyance start interval stored for each of the plurality of combinations of each post-process is obtained in the table, and the sheet is conveyed at the conveyance start interval corresponding to the designated post-process combination. Therefore, the paper can be transported at an appropriate transport start interval corresponding to the designated combination of post-processing without causing any post-processing collision with the paper.

  As described above, since the sheet conveyance start interval is determined for each combination of post-processing based on the type and capability of each processing acquired from the post-processing device, the post-processing device may be replaced with another post-processing device. Since the sheet conveyance start interval is determined and the table is updated as described above, it is not necessary for the maintenance person to change the design, and the labor can be reduced.

  Since the sheet conveyance start interval is determined for each combination of post-processing in this way, the currently used post-processing apparatus is changed to a post-processing apparatus that shortens the sheet conveyance start interval according to the user's request. On the contrary, it is possible to change to a post-processing apparatus in which the paper conveyance start interval becomes longer. Therefore, the post-processing device can be selected flexibly.

In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 uses the post-processing type and capability acquired from the post-processing apparatus 12 each time the power is turned on, for each combination of post-processing. The conveyance start interval is determined and stored in the table as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the post-processing device is replaced, the sheet for each combination of post-processing is determined. May be determined and stored in the table as described above.
In addition, when a start of a recording operation with post-processing is instructed, the sheet conveyance start interval may be determined.
Moreover, you may make it acquire the time information required for each process from each post-processing apparatus 12 separately.
Further, the time information required for each process is acquired from each post-processing device 12 and stored in the table, so that the image forming apparatus 10 can perform each process necessary for the processing according to the set post-processing mode. The time information related to the post-processing apparatus may be taken out from the table, the paper conveyance start interval may be determined based on the time information, and the paper conveyance may be performed based on the determined time.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 sets the sheet conveyance start interval for each combination of post-processing based on the types and capabilities of the post-processing acquired from the post-processing apparatus 12. Although determined and stored in the table as described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be as follows.

  For example, the post-processing device 12 determines the sheet conveyance start interval for each combination of post-processing based on the types and capabilities of post-processing of the devices 42 to 50, and the image forming apparatus 10 Therefore, the sheet conveyance start interval determined for each combination of post-processing in the post-processing device 12 may be input, and the table may be updated as described above.

  Further, in the post-processing device 12, the sheet conveyance start interval is determined for each combination of post-processing based on the types and capabilities of the post-processing of the devices 42 to 50, the table is updated as described above, and the image is updated. The forming apparatus 10 may input and store the table updated in the post-processing device 12 from the post-processing device 12.

FIG. 2 is an internal schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus adjacent to a post-processing apparatus. It is an internal schematic diagram of an aftertreatment device. It is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing explaining the effect | action of a general image formation process and a post-process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a conveyance start interval determination processing program executed by the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the response process program which a post-processing controller performs. 10 is a table of conveyance start intervals determined for each sheet type for each combination after post-processing. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming processing program executed by the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Post-processing apparatus 14 Photosensitive drum 16 Optical scanning apparatus 18 Developing apparatus 18C Cyan toner supply apparatus 18M Magenta supply apparatus 18Y Yellow supply apparatus 18K Black supply apparatus 20 Intermediate transfer belts 22A-22D Supply tray 24 Finger tray 26 Transfer apparatus 28 Fixing Device 30 Path Switching Unit 32 Inverting Unit 34 Inverting Path 42 Curly Straightening Device (Decolor)
44 Paper folding device 46 Punch device 48 Stapler device 50 Bookbinding device 52A to 52D Tray 54 Post-processing controller 60 Operation display panel 62 Input section 64 Image forming controller 66 Paper feeding device 68 Main controller

Claims (7)

Conveying means for conveying paper;
An image forming unit for forming an image on the conveyed paper;
Means for inputting information relating to the paper transport time from a post-processing device that performs post-processing on the paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming section;
Control means for controlling the time when the conveying means starts conveying the paper based on the inputted paper conveying time information in accordance with the instructed post-processing;
An image forming apparatus. A plurality of different types of post-processing, each having a means for determining and storing a time at which the transport means starts transporting the paper based on the input paper transport time information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts sheet conveyance of the conveyance unit based on the conveyance start time determined corresponding to the designated type of post-processing. Storage means for storing the paper transport time information input from a plurality of post-processing devices;
The control means reads the transfer start time from the storage means for each of the number of post-processing devices necessary for executing the designated type of post-processing, and the transfer means based on the read transfer start time The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a time for starting the conveyance of the sheet, and starting the conveyance of the sheet by the conveyance unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information indicating the content of the post-processing includes at least a type and a processing time of the post-processing. A plurality of post-processing execution units for executing different types of post-processing on the paper,
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the contents of each of a plurality of different types of post-processing in the plurality of post-processing execution units;
A determination unit that determines a conveyance start interval for starting conveyance of a sheet to form an image for each of a plurality of combinations of post-processing based on the acquired information;
And a means for outputting the conveyance start interval to an apparatus for supplying the paper.   6. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising storage means for storing a conveyance start interval determined for each of the plurality of combinations of the post-processing.   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the information indicating the content of the post-processing includes at least a type and a processing time of the post-processing.

Images