JP2006251490A - Post-processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming system, and control method of post-processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To contribute to improvement of the operation efficiency of a post-processing apparatus by flexibly and dynamically controlling a transporting speed for a transfer object in the post-processing apparatus in accordance with an internal environment and a condition of the transfer object. <P>SOLUTION: In a system provided with an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus, a device controller 300 mounted on the post-processing apparatus includes a communication control part 301 for acquiring information relating to the internal environment of an IOT and information of the transfer object and a function control part 302 for obtaining an operation timing of a post-processing mechanism and the transporting speed for the transfer object on the basis of information acquired by the communication control part 301 to control the operation of the post-processing mechanism. The function control part 302 transmits obtained information of the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transporting speed for the transfer object to a terminal control device 110 of the IOT. The terminal control device 110 controls intervals of ejection of transfer objects on the basis of information received from the device control device 300. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, and more particularly to transfer control of a transfer target in the post-processing apparatus.

  In general, a post-processing device (finisher) that performs post-processing on a transfer target after an image is formed can be combined with an image forming device such as a printer or a copying machine. Today, post-processing devices include simple ones that simply sort the transfer objects discharged from the IOT (Image Output Terminal) of the image forming apparatus, and cut, fold, or bind the transfer objects. Various devices are provided such as those that perform complicated post-processing such as (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Since the post-processing executed by the post-processing apparatus involves physical operations such as punching, stapling, and folding, it takes a certain time to execute the processing. Therefore, conventionally, based on conditions such as the type of post-processing executed in the post-processing apparatus and the unit of the transfer target that is the target of post-processing, the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism is determined according to the time required for execution of the post-processing. The transfer speed of the transfer target in the post-processing apparatus is specified. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a jam or failure due to the subsequent transfer target being transported during execution of post-processing on a predetermined transfer target and the transfer targets being clogged on the transport path.

  On the other hand, as described above, post-processing involving physical work is easily affected by the internal environment such as temperature and humidity, the density of the image printed on the transfer object, the type and orientation of the transfer object, the curl state, and the like. For this reason, the time required for post-processing varies depending on the in-machine environment and transfer target conditions. For example, when punching holes or stapling, tapping (operation for hitting the edge of the transfer target) is performed to align the transfer targets. Further, since the objects to be transferred are not easily slipped in a high humidity environment, it is desirable to perform a large amount of tapping. However, if the number of tapping is increased, the time required for the subsequent processing becomes longer.

  However, since the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target in the post-processing apparatus are fixed, the accuracy of the post-processing is deteriorated due to the change in the in-machine environment and the transfer target condition as described above. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to specify the transfer speed of the transfer target in the post-processing, assuming that the accuracy is higher than a certain level and takes the longest time.

JP-A-6-156852 JP-A-9-297502

  As described above, the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target in the post-processing apparatus are the type of post-processing to be executed, the unit of the transfer target to be post-processed, the required accuracy, the internal environment and the transfer. It is specified based on a change in time required for post-processing based on a change in the target condition. Conventionally, in order to avoid the occurrence of a jam or a failure due to jamming of the objects to be transferred on the conveyance path, the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism is assumed assuming that the accuracy is more than a certain level and takes the most time. The transfer speed of the transfer target was specified.

  However, assuming that it takes the longest time to execute the post-processing, if the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target are specified, the time required for the post-processing when the internal environment and transfer target conditions are good Is relatively short (that is, in the normal operation in many cases), the transfer target is conveyed more slowly than necessary, and the operating efficiency of the post-processing apparatus is reduced. In particular, in a model in which the post-processing function can be changed or added as an option, the transport speed is specified so that the transfer target is transported with a sufficient margin for various post-processing functions. For this reason, the operation efficiency of the post-processing apparatus is further reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the technical problems as described above, and the object of the present invention is to transfer objects in the post-processing apparatus according to the in-machine environment and the conditions of transfer objects. By controlling the conveyance speed flexibly and dynamically, it contributes to the improvement of the operation efficiency of the post-processing apparatus. Another object of the present invention is to control the discharge interval of the transfer target from the image forming apparatus to prevent the occurrence of a jam or a failure in response to such control of the post-processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is realized as a system including an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. This system includes information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the in-machine environment of the image forming apparatus and information on the transfer target, and the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target based on the information acquired by the information acquisition means. And a function control means for controlling the operation of the post-processing mechanism. Further, the function control means transmits the obtained information about the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target to the image forming apparatus. In this system, the image forming apparatus includes job control means for controlling the discharge interval of the transfer target based on information received from the post-processing apparatus.

  The present invention can also be grasped as a post-processing device in the above system. The apparatus includes a communication control unit for exchanging data with the image forming apparatus, and the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer target based on information received from the image forming apparatus via the communication control unit. A function control unit that obtains a conveyance speed and controls the operation of the post-processing mechanism. More specifically, in this post-processing apparatus, the function control unit acquires information on the in-machine environment of the image forming apparatus and information on the transfer target as information for controlling the operation of the post-processing mechanism. Further, the function control unit transmits an instruction to adjust the discharge speed of the transfer target to the image forming apparatus via the communication control unit based on the obtained operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target. More preferably, the post-processing apparatus further includes a log storage unit that stores a history of changes in the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism by the function control unit and the transfer speed of the transfer target.

  On the other hand, the present invention can also be grasped as an image forming apparatus in the above system. This device acquires information on the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target from the post-processing device via the communication control unit for exchanging data with the post-processing device. A job control unit that controls the discharge interval of the transfer target based on the information.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be understood as a method for controlling a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a transfer target discharged from an image forming apparatus. This control method includes a step of acquiring information about a job from the image forming apparatus, a step of determining an operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and a transfer speed of the transfer target based on the acquired information about the job, and an operation of the calculated post-processing mechanism And controlling the operation of the post-processing mechanism based on the timing and the transfer speed of the transfer target. More preferably, the method further includes a step of transmitting a transfer target discharge speed adjustment instruction to the image forming apparatus via the communication control unit based on the obtained operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer target transport speed.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target in the post-processing device are flexibly and dynamically controlled based on information sent from the image forming apparatus. As a result, it is possible to contribute to the improvement of the operation efficiency of the post-processing apparatus. Further, the present invention controls the transfer speed of the transfer target in the post-processing apparatus, and further controls the discharge interval of the transfer target from the image forming apparatus, thereby preventing the occurrence of a jam or a failure.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a system configuration in which the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment and a post-processing apparatus are combined.
In the system shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of post-processing devices 200 having various functions are connected to the subsequent stage of the IOT 100 of the image forming apparatus. As illustrated, the post-processing device 200 can connect a plurality of devices having a desired function. Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus can obtain a desired post-processing function by arbitrarily combining various post-processing apparatuses and connecting them to the IOT 100. If another post-processing function is required, a part or all of the connected post-processing devices can be replaced with a device having a different function. In the following description, when each post-processing device 200 shown in FIG. 1 is distinguished, the subscripts a, b, and c are added and described. When these are not distinguished, they are simply expressed as the post-processing device 200.

In FIG. 1, a post-processing apparatus 200a is a decurler, and removes curl of a sheet that is a transfer target discharged from a preceding apparatus (IOT 100 in the illustrated example).
The post-processing device 200b is a folder and folds the paper discharged from the preceding device (the post-processing device 200a in the illustrated example) into a predetermined form.
The post-processing apparatus 200c is a multi-function machine that executes a plurality of post-processing selectively or in combination with respect to a sheet, and as a mechanism (post-processing mechanism) that realizes a post-processing function, a punch unit 210 that punches holes in the sheet. , A staple unit 220 for closing the paper with staples, and a bookbinding unit 230 for performing bookbinding processing. The tray 240 is a tray that discharges the sheet that has passed through the punch unit 210 as it is.
Note that at least the punching unit 210 of the post-processing device 200b and the post-processing device 200c can pass the fed paper without performing post-processing. In other words, the paper discharged from the post-processing apparatus 200a can be passed and discharged to the tray 240 as it is.

  Further, the post-processing device 200c is equipped with a device control device 300 as a control unit of the post-processing mechanism of the post-processing device 200. The device control apparatus 300 is realized by, for example, a processor that functions by program control, a nonvolatile memory (for example, ROM) that stores a program for controlling the processor, and a volatile memory (for example, RAM) that is used for data processing by the processor. Is done. The device control apparatus 300 exchanges data with the IOT 100 to make the IOT 100 recognize the type and function of the post-processing apparatus 200 that is currently connected, and in response to a request from the IOT 100 200 operations are controlled.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, for convenience, the configuration in which the device control device 300 is mounted on the post-processing device 200c is described, but it is needless to say that the configuration is not limited to the illustrated configuration. For example, the device control apparatus 300 may be mounted on the post-processing apparatus 200b. Further, in order to connect various post-processing apparatuses 200 in an arbitrary combination, each post-processing apparatus 200 includes a device control apparatus 300 and cooperates, or a plurality of post-processing apparatuses 200 can be connected. It is also conceivable that only one of the device control devices 300 is enabled to control the operations of the post-processing devices 200 in an integrated manner. Furthermore, the device control apparatus 300 may be configured separately from each post-processing apparatus 200 and may be used by being mounted on any post-processing apparatus 200 connected to the IOT 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the IOT 100 includes a terminal control device 110. The terminal control device 110 is realized by a processor functioning by program control, a non-volatile memory storing a program for controlling the processor, and a volatile memory used for data processing by the processor, and the operation of the image forming mechanism of the IOT 100 is controlled. Control. Although not particularly illustrated, the IOT 100 includes an exposure device, a developing device, an image carrier, a transfer member, a fixing device, as an image forming mechanism that realizes the original function of image formation and transfer to a transfer target. Various components such as a tray for setting paper, a transport device for transporting paper, and a driving roller for driving the transport device are installed.

  Further, although not particularly illustrated, the IOT 100 is provided with sensors for detecting the internal environment such as the internal temperature and humidity, and information on the internal environment detected by these sensors is sent to the terminal control device 110. . In addition, the casing of the IOT 100 is provided with an operation panel that is a user interface for inputting commands and conditions to the terminal control device 110. This operation panel is realized by, for example, an input key and a display, or a touch panel in which these are integrated. The user of the image forming apparatus operates the operation panel to execute an execution command for print output of image data and conditions (paper size and type, printing direction, number of copies, desired post-processing, etc.) at that time. Can be entered. Further, data exchange with the post-processing apparatus 200 in the present embodiment, which will be described later, can also be controlled by an instruction input from the operation panel. Information on jobs input via these operation panels is sent to the terminal control device 110. The terminal control device 110 executes a job based on these pieces of information.

Next, functions of the device control apparatus 300 and the terminal control apparatus 110 of the IOT 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the device control apparatus 300.
Referring to FIG. 2, the device control apparatus 300 includes a communication control unit 301 for exchanging data with the IOT 100, a function control unit 302 that controls the operation of the post-processing apparatus 200, and a log of control by the function control unit 302. And a log storage unit 303 for storing.
The communication control unit 301 is an information acquisition unit that is connected to the IOT 100 via a predetermined physical interface and exchanges data with the terminal control device 110 according to a predetermined communication protocol.

  The function control unit 302 controls the operation of the post-processing mechanism in the normal post-processing execution mode, and executes predetermined post-processing (punch punching, stapling, folding, bookbinding, etc.) by the functions of the post-processing mechanism. Let Also, the function control unit 302 obtains the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target based on information received from the terminal control device 110 via the communication control unit 301. Examples of information received from the terminal control device 110 used at this time include information related to the in-machine environment of the IOT 100 (temperature, humidity, etc.) and paper information (type, orientation, etc.). Details of the method for obtaining the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target by the function control unit 302 will be described later. Further, in the present embodiment, the function control unit 302 transmits an instruction for adjusting the discharge speed of the transfer target to the terminal control device 110 based on the obtained operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target.

  The log storage unit 303 is realized by a non-volatile memory in which data is not lost even when the power of the post-processing apparatus 200 is turned off, and the function control unit 302 displays the history of changes in the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target. save. By storing this history, it is possible to collectively monitor the control of the post-processing apparatus 200 by the function control unit 302, and to feed back the control to the function control unit 302 or to help develop a new model. it can.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the terminal control device 110 of the IOT 100.
Referring to FIG. 3, the terminal controller 110 includes a communication controller 111 for exchanging data with the device controller 300 and a job controller 112 for controlling the operation of the image forming mechanism of the IOT 100.
The communication control unit 111 is connected to the device control apparatus 300 via a predetermined physical interface, and exchanges data with the device control apparatus 300 according to a predetermined communication protocol.

  The job control unit 112 controls the image forming mechanism to control operations in normal image formation. Further, the job control unit 112 acquires information from the device control apparatus 300 and controls the paper discharge interval based on this information. The paper discharge interval can be controlled by adjusting the operation speed and the paper transport speed in the job execution by the IOT 100, or by stopping the paper transport at a predetermined place in the paper transport path. In the conventional IOT, the operation speed and the paper transport speed are adjusted according to the in-machine environment and the state of the apparatus, or the operation timing is adjusted by temporarily stopping the paper transport. So it is possible to apply such existing functions.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the control operation of the post-processing apparatus 200 and the IOT 100 according to the present embodiment.
First, a job including the type of post-processing to be executed is set, and the job is started in the IOT 100. Then, information (hereinafter referred to as job information) used for controlling the post-processing apparatus 200 is transmitted from the terminal control apparatus 110 to the device control apparatus 300 (step 401). Here, the job information includes, for example, information related to the in-machine environment of the IOT 100 (temperature, humidity, etc.), paper information (type, orientation, etc.), and image density information.

  In the device controller 300, when job information is received from the terminal controller 110 via the communication controller 301, the function controller 302 operates each post-processing mechanism based on the control condition obtained from the job information. The timing is adjusted (step 402). Specifically, for example, when the conditions such as paper orientation, image density, and humidity are different, the degree of curling of the paper discharged from the IOT 100 is also different. It is assumed that the processing is performed in a large amount (for a long time), and the operation timing of other post-processing is adjusted accordingly. Also, when the humidity is high, the sheets do not slip easily. Therefore, a lot of tapping is performed before punching or stapling, and the timing of punch punching or stapling operation is performed accordingly. Is adjusted.

The adjustment of the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism by the function control unit 302 is performed by, for example, storing the correspondence relationship between the control condition and the adjustment value of each post-processing mechanism (operation timing under the control condition) in a table (database) in advance. In addition, the control condition can be extracted from the job information received from the terminal control device 110, and the adjustment value of the post-processing mechanism corresponding to the obtained control condition can be acquired from the table.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a table indicating the relationship between the control condition and the adjustment value of the post-processing mechanism. The table shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the memory of the device control apparatus 300. By referring to such a table, the function control unit 302 can obtain an appropriate adjustment value from a predetermined control condition.

  Next, the function control unit 302 sets and controls the sheet conveyance speed in the post-processing apparatus 200 based on the adjustment result (adjustment value) performed in step 402 (step 403). In addition, according to the kind of post-processing mechanism to be performed, and its adjustment value, the conveyance speed in the conveyance path in the middle of each post-processing mechanism and the conveyance path between each post-processing mechanism is individually set. With this control, the sheet is transported at an appropriate transport speed so that a jam or a failure does not occur in the adjusted operation of the post-processing mechanism.

  The setting of the sheet conveyance speed by the function control unit 302 is obtained, for example, by previously storing the type of post-processing mechanism to be executed and the correspondence between the adjustment value and the conveyance speed in a table (database). The conveyance speed corresponding to the adjusted value obtained can be obtained from the table and performed. Further, a function f (v1, v2,...) For calculating the conveyance speed is created from the adjustment values (v1, v2,...) Of the post-processing mechanism, and the conveyance speed is calculated from the adjustment values obtained in step 402. May be calculated.

  Next, the function control unit 302 transmits an instruction to adjust the paper discharge interval to the terminal control device 110 of the IOT 100 together with information on the paper conveyance speed in the post-processing apparatus 200 set in step 403 (step 403). 404). Note that the transport speed information transmitted to the terminal control device 110 only needs to include at least the transport speed at the paper feed position of the post-processing device 200. In the terminal control device 110 that has received this instruction, the job control unit 112 performs operation control on the job so that the paper is discharged at a discharge interval corresponding to the paper conveyance speed in the post-processing device 200 (step 405). As a result, it is possible to prevent the paper from being jammed in the vicinity of the paper feed position of the post-processing device 200 and causing a failure.

  In the above operation, the internal environment of the IOT 100 and the state of the sheet to be transferred are constantly monitored even during execution of the job, and from the terminal control device 110 to the device control device 300 as appropriate (when regularly or changed). Sent to. Then, the control after step 402 is dynamically executed. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the device control apparatus 300 that controls the post-processing apparatus 200 acquires information about the in-machine environment and the paper to be transferred from the IOT 100, and based on this information, the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism, The sheet conveyance speed in the post-processing apparatus 200 can be flexibly and dynamically controlled. Therefore, when the in-machine environment and the conditions for the transfer target are good and the time required for the post-processing is relatively short, the transfer target is not conveyed more slowly than necessary, which contributes to the improvement of the operation efficiency of the post-processing apparatus 200. be able to.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a system configuration in which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment and a post-processing apparatus are combined. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the device control apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the terminal control apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of control of the post-processing apparatus and IOT by this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the table which shows the relationship between the control conditions in this embodiment, and the adjustment value of a post-processing mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... IOT (image output terminal), 110 ... Terminal control apparatus, 111, 301 ... Communication control part, 112 ... Job control part, 200 ... Post-processing apparatus, 210 ... Punch unit, 220 ... Staple unit, 230 ... Bookbinding unit, 240 ... Tray 300 ... Device control device 302 ... Function control unit 303 ... Log storage unit

Claims (11)

In a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a transfer target discharged from an image forming apparatus,
A communication control unit for exchanging data with the image forming apparatus;
A function control unit that obtains the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target based on information received from the image forming apparatus via the communication control unit, and controls the operation of the post-processing mechanism. A post-processing device characterized by.   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function control unit acquires information relating to an in-machine environment of the image forming apparatus as the information for controlling the operation of the post-processing mechanism.   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the function control unit acquires information on the transfer target that is discharged from the image forming apparatus as the information for controlling the operation of the post-processing mechanism.   The function control unit transmits an instruction for adjusting the discharge speed of the transfer target to the image forming apparatus via the communication control unit based on the obtained operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a log storage unit that stores an operation timing of the post-processing mechanism by the function control unit and a history of changes in the transfer speed of the transfer target. In an image forming apparatus connected to a post-processing device,
A communication control unit for exchanging data with the post-processing device;
A job control unit that acquires information on the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target from the post-processing device via the communication control unit, and controls the discharge interval of the transfer target based on the information; An image forming apparatus. In a system including an image forming apparatus and a post-processing device connected to the image forming apparatus,
Information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the in-machine environment of the image forming apparatus and information of a transfer target;
An image comprising: function control means for determining the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target based on the information acquired by the information acquisition means, and controlling the operation of the post-processing mechanism. Forming system. The function control means transmits the obtained operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and information on the transfer speed of the transfer target to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming system according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a job control unit that controls a discharge interval of a transfer target based on information received from the post-processing apparatus. A method for controlling a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a transfer target discharged from an image forming apparatus,
Obtaining information about the job from the image forming apparatus;
Determining the operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target based on the acquired information about the job;
And a step of controlling the operation of the post-processing mechanism based on the obtained operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transfer speed of the transfer target.   The post-processing apparatus control method according to claim 9, wherein in the step of acquiring the information, information related to an in-machine environment of the image forming apparatus and information to be transferred are acquired as information related to the job.   The method further includes a step of transmitting an instruction for adjusting the discharge speed of the transfer target to the image forming apparatus via the communication control unit based on the obtained operation timing of the post-processing mechanism and the transport speed of the transfer target. The method for controlling a post-processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein:

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