JP2006256710A - Sheet post-processing device and controlling method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet post-processing device capable of improving print productivity by shortening the waiting time related to conveyance of sheets even in the case wherein jobs stored in a job memory means are continuously carried out or in the case wherein an output related to one pair of document images is processed to a plurality of bundles of sheets, which structures divided booklets, to improve operation efficiency of an image forming system using this post-processing device. <P>SOLUTION: Sheet conveying timing by a conveying means is controlled on the basis of the processing time by a processing means related to a first processing unit, the ejecting time by an ejecting means related to the first processing unit, and the sheet stacking time by a sheet stacking means related to a second processing unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet post-processing apparatus and a control method thereof.

  Various post-processing apparatuses are provided that perform processing such as stapling using a plurality of sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser printer as a processing unit. In general, the processing capability of the image forming apparatus and the processing capability of the post-processing apparatus are different. When the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus are used continuously, the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus is used. In either case, it is necessary to wait until the other process is completed.

  For example, post processing such as stapling processing uses a plurality of sheets as processing units. For this reason, it is necessary to wait for post-processing until the sheets of the processing unit are prepared. As this standby place, an intermediate tray is provided between the image forming apparatus, the post-processing apparatus, and the post-processing apparatus. In this case, the standby time is set to a time obtained by subtracting the shortest time required for aligning sheets in a processing unit (that is, the time required for aligning two sheets) from the processing time of the post-processing apparatus.

  On the other hand, an image forming system to which a post-processing device and a post-processing device with reduced operating time and high operating efficiency are applied has been studied.

  For example, in a post-processing apparatus having a processing unit that processes a plurality of sheets image-formed by the image forming apparatus as a processing unit, a transport time for transporting a sheet of the processing unit from the image forming apparatus, a processing time by the processing unit, There has been proposed an image forming system in which a sheet stayed by a staying means provided between an image forming apparatus and a processing means is sent to the processing means when a staying time determined based on the discharge time by the discharging means has elapsed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, in the post-processing apparatus that uses a plurality of sheets as processing units, the operation efficiency can be increased.

  Also, information on the passage of time set by the sheet size and the image forming mode, paper feed preparation completion information in a paper feeding unit that feeds a sheet to the image forming unit, image forming information in the image forming unit, and processing in the post-processing device There has been proposed an image forming apparatus that controls activation of a sheet feeding unit based on a logical product of time elapsed information from the start of conveyance of the sheet feeding unit set according to time (see, for example, Patent Document 2). According to Patent Document 2, it is possible to set a part interval that properly considers post-processing conditions for various combinations of sheet sizes, image forming modes, and the like. An image forming operation can be processed with high image forming efficiency.

  In addition, a bypass path is provided in the transport path for supplying sheets to the intermediate tray, and a predetermined set of sheets that have already been supplied to the intermediate tray are being subjected to predetermined post-processing. A sheet post-processing apparatus is proposed in which the first sheet of the next set is temporarily stopped and the first and second sheets of the next set are stacked and supplied to the intermediate tray (see, for example, Patent Document 3). ). According to Patent Document 3, the waiting time between an arbitrary set of sheets and the next set of sheets can be shortened.

On the other hand, as an image forming system to which a post-processing apparatus is applied has advanced, a post-processing apparatus that processes an output related to one set of original images by dividing the output into a plurality of sheet bundles constituting a separate volume ( For example, refer to Patent Document 4), and an image forming apparatus that has job storage means and continuously performs image formation based on jobs stored in the job storage means has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 5).
JP 2001-72308 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-154685 JP-A-11-263520 JP 2004-287411 A JP 2001-154562 A

  However, when the function as described in Patent Document 4 is applied to the image forming system described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, even in the image formation related to a single image formation request, it is accumulated for each processing unit. Since the number of sheets to be processed is different, the operation efficiency may not be sufficiently improved.

  Further, when the function as described in Patent Document 5 is applied to the image forming system described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, image formation and image formation are completely performed until one job is completed and the next job is started. In the image forming apparatus that accepts a large number of jobs with a small number of sheets per processing unit, the post-processing is stopped, and the operation efficiency may not be sufficiently improved.

  In particular, in a post-processing apparatus having a relatively long sheet processing and discharging time, such as a post-processing apparatus having a function of folding and saddle stitching described in FIG. When image formation and post-processing are continuously performed using a sheet as a processing unit, the operation efficiency of the image forming system to which the post-processing apparatus is applied is extremely reduced.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to provide a bypass path, which increases the size of the apparatus and increases the probability of occurrence of a conveyance failure.

  For example, the present invention is applicable even when a job stored in the job storage unit is continuously executed, or when output related to a set of document images is processed into a plurality of sheet bundles constituting a separate volume. An object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus capable of shortening the standby time related to sheet conveyance, increasing the operating efficiency of an image forming system to which the post-processing apparatus is applied, and increasing print productivity. And

  The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.

The invention according to claim 1 is a sheet post-processing apparatus that post-processes a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus.
Sheet storage means for storing a plurality of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus as processing units;
Processing means for processing the sheets stored in the sheet storage means as processing units;
Discharging means for discharging the sheet processed by the processing means;
Conveying means for conveying the sheet to the sheet accumulating means;
The processing time by the processing means according to the first processing unit, the discharge time by the discharge means according to the first processing unit, and the second processing unit to be post-processed following the first processing unit A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit based on a sheet accumulation time by the sheet accumulation unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes a job storage unit that stores a job, and forms an image on a sheet based on the job stored in the job storage unit.
The control means, based on the first job stored in the job storage means, the processing time by the processing means related to the first processing unit, and the discharge by the discharge means related to the first processing unit. Get time and
Based on a second job stored in the job storage unit and executed following the first job, a sheet accumulation time by the sheet accumulation unit relating to the second processing unit is acquired. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet by dividing the image forming apparatus into the first processing unit and the second processing unit based on a set of document images. Yes,
Setting means for setting at least post-processing related to the first processing unit and the second processing unit;
The control means, based on the setting of the post-processing performed by the setting means, the processing time by the processing means related to the first processing unit and the discharge time by the discharge means related to the first processing unit. 2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet accumulation time by the sheet accumulation unit according to the second processing unit is acquired.

The invention according to claim 4 has a size detecting means for detecting the sheet size,
The control unit controls sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit based on a sheet size of the sheet related to the second processing unit detected by the size detection unit. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to any one of the above.

The invention according to claim 5 is a conveying unit that conveys a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus, a sheet accumulating unit that accumulates a plurality of sheets conveyed by the conveying unit as a processing unit, and the sheet accumulating unit. A post-sheet having post-processing a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus, and a processing unit that processes the sheet accumulated in the processing unit as a processing unit; and a discharge unit that discharges the sheet processed by the processing unit A method for controlling a processing apparatus, comprising:
A processing time acquisition step of acquiring a processing time in the processing means according to the first processing unit;
A discharge time acquisition step of acquiring a discharge time in the discharge means according to the first processing unit;
A sheet accumulating time acquisition step of acquiring a sheet accumulating time in the sheet accumulating unit relating to a second processing unit to be post-processed subsequent to the first processing unit;
Based on the processing time acquired in the processing time acquisition step, the discharge time acquired in the discharge time acquisition step, and the sheet storage time acquired in the sheet storage time acquisition step, the sheet by the conveying unit A timing determination step for determining the sheet conveyance timing to the storage means;
And a conveyance control step of controlling conveyance of the sheet by the conveyance unit based on the sheet conveyance timing determined in the timing determination step.

  According to the invention described in claim 1 or 5, the processing time by the processing means according to the first processing unit, the discharge time by the discharge means according to the first processing unit, and the second processing unit. Since the sheet conveyance timing by the conveying unit is controlled based on the sheet accumulation time by the sheet accumulating unit, the image forming unit accumulates the first processing unit and the second processing unit and continuously forms the image with different number of sheets to be processed. However, since the sheet is conveyed at the sheet conveyance timing corresponding to the number of sheets in each processing unit, the waiting time for sheet conveyance can be shortened and the operation efficiency of the image forming system is high. And high print productivity.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit is controlled based on the job stored in the job storage unit, the waiting until one job ends and the next job starts. The time can be shortened, the operating efficiency of the image forming system can be increased, and the print productivity can be increased.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, since the sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit is controlled based on the setting of the post-processing performed by the setting unit, the first processing unit and the first processing unit are determined based on one set of document images. Even when the image is formed on the sheet by dividing it into the second processing unit, the standby time related to sheet conveyance can be shortened, the operating efficiency of the image forming system is increased, and the print productivity is increased. Can be high.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit is controlled based on the sheet size detected by the size detection unit, the sheet size is determined by the first processing unit and the second processing unit. Even if the sheet is different, the sheet is conveyed at the sheet conveyance timing according to the size of the sheet for each processing unit, so that the waiting time for sheet conveyance can be shortened and the operation efficiency of the image forming system is high. And high print productivity.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming system to which a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

  The image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 100, an automatic document feeder 200 and a post-processing apparatus 300 that are peripheral devices connected to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The automatic document feeder 200 separates the documents d placed on the document placing table 210 one by one, sends them to the document conveyance path 201, and wraps them on the conveyance drum 202 for conveyance. The document d being conveyed is read by the document reading unit 110 at the document reading position 111 below the conveyance drum 202. The document d that has been read is discharged to a document discharge tray 205 by a first document transport guide 203 having a switching mechanism and a document discharge roller 204.

  When reading images on both sides of the document d, the document d on which the document image on the first surface is read is sent out in the direction of the arrow a by the first document conveyance guide 203 and the reverse roller 206, and the rear end is reversed. It stops once in a state of being pinched by the roller 206. Thereafter, when the reversing roller 206 starts reversing, the document d once stopped is switched to the first document conveying guide 203 with the trailing edge as the leading edge of the document d and the front and back being reversed. It is guided to a second document conveyance guide 207 having a mechanism and sent again to the document conveyance path. The document d sent out is scanned on the second side of the document image, and is discharged to the document discharge tray 205 by the first document transport guide 203 and the document discharge roller 204.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a document reading unit 110, an image writing unit 120, a toner image forming unit 130, a fixing unit 140, a reversing unit 150, an operation display unit 160, a paper feeding unit 170, and the like.

  The document reading unit 110 irradiates the document surface of the document d conveyed by the automatic document feeder 200 at the document reading position 111 with the exposure lamp 112, and the reflected light from the first mirror unit 113 and the second mirror. The original image is read by forming an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 117 by the unit 114 and the imaging lens 115.

  The image signal output from the image sensor 117 is A / D converted by an image processing unit (to be described later), further subjected to processing such as shading correction and compression, and stored as a document image in a storage unit (to be described later).

  The image writing unit 120 forms a latent image by scanning the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 131 with a laser beam on the image signal read from the storage unit. The image writing unit 120 includes a semiconductor laser 121 and a polygon mirror 122. , A cylindrical lens 123, a plane mirror 124, and the like.

  The toner image forming unit 130 includes a charging unit 132, a developing unit 133, a transfer separating unit 134, and a cleaning unit 135 disposed around the photosensitive drum 131. The photosensitive drum 131 whose peripheral surface is uniformly charged by the charging unit 132 is developed by the developing unit 133 after the latent image is formed by the writing unit 120. A toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the developed photosensitive drum 131, and is transferred to the sheet P fed from the paper feeding unit 170 by the transfer separation unit 134. The sheet P carrying the toner image is sent to the fixing unit 140 by the conveyance belt 136, and the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 after the transfer of the toner image is removed by the cleaning unit 135, so that the next image formation is performed. Provided.

  The fixing unit 140 conveys the sheet P sent from the toner image forming unit 130 by the heating roller 141 and the pressure roller 142 arranged to face each other while being heated under pressure, thereby transferring the toner image to the sheet P. To settle. In the present invention, the image writing unit 120, the toner image forming unit 130, and the fixing unit 140 cooperate to function as an image forming unit.

  The reversing unit 150 sends the sheet P sent from the fixing unit 140 to the post-processing device 300 by the reversing guide 151 and the paper discharge roller 154.

  When reversing and feeding the sheet P, the reversing guide 151 is switched and the sheet P is guided to the lower side of the first reversing roller 152 and the second reversing roller 153, and then the first reversing roller 152 and the second reversing roller. 153 is reversed, the rear end of the sheet P is changed to the front end, and the sheet P is sent to the paper discharge roller 154.

  Further, when so-called double-sided printing is performed to form images on both sides of the sheet, the sheet P that has been fixed on the first surface is guided downward by the reversing guide 151, and the rear end is the second reversing roller. After being pinched by 153, this is reversed and sent out to the paper re-feed unit 177.

  A sheet feeding unit 170 constituting a part of the sheet conveying unit takes out sheets P one by one from the sheet feeding trays 171, 172, and 173, a large capacity sheet feeding tray 174 that stores sheets P one by one. The sheet P includes a plurality of rollers for conveying the sheet P to the paper roller 175, a paper feeding / conveying unit 174 including a guide member, a paper feeding roller 175, a registration roller 176, and a re-feeding unit 177.

  The sheet feed roller 175 conveys the sheet P from any one of the sheet feed trays 171, 172, 173, and 174 and corrects the conveyance bend. The registration roller 176 temporarily stops the conveyance of the sheet P while holding the leading end of the sheet P conveyed by the paper supply roller 175, and synchronizes the timing of toner image formation on the photosensitive drum 131 to the transfer unit 134. The sheet P is sent out. In other words, the temporary stop and the start of conveyance by the registration roller 176 are synchronized with the sheet conveyance timing of the sheet conveyance unit according to the present invention.

  The sheet refeeding unit 177 sends the sheet P sent from the reversing unit 150 back to the sheet feeding / conveying unit 174 to be used for image formation on the second surface of the sheet P.

  The operation display unit 160 is a unit in which a display unit that displays characters and images and an operation unit for a user to input an instruction operation are combined into one unit, and includes a touch panel and push buttons. The operation display unit 160 can perform various settings of the image forming apparatus 100, the automatic document feeder 200, and the post-processing apparatus 300, and functions as a setting unit.

  The post-processing apparatus 300 according to the present invention is a bookbinding processing apparatus that places the sheets P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 and binds them in a folded state. In the post-processing apparatus 300, the sheet P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyance roller 311, and the conveyance path is switched by the conveyance path switching mechanism 312.

  The sheet P transported on the transport path r1 by the transport roller group 313 is further switched by the transport switching mechanism 314 and is discharged to the first discharge tray 316 by the discharge roller 315 or by the transport roller group 317. The paper is transported through the transport path r4 and discharged by the discharge roller 318.

  Further, the post-processing apparatus 300 has a function of aligning the sheets P discharged from the image forming apparatus 100, performing a folding process, and then binding the sheets. The post-processing of the sheet P in the post-processing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 which is a perspective view of the post-processing apparatus 300. An arrow Z in FIG. 2 indicates the same direction as the arrow Z in FIG.

  The conveyance path is switched by the conveyance path switching mechanism 312 (first right-angled deflection), and the sheet P conveyed on the conveyance path r2 by the conveyance roller 321 constituting a part of the sheet conveyance means is held by the stopper 323, and a plurality of sheets P are conveyed. The sheets P are overlaid. In the present embodiment, the stopper 323 stores a maximum of three sheets P as processing units.

  Next, in the right angle deflection unit 320, the second right angle deflection and the third right angle deflection are performed by the right angle deflection rollers 322A, 322B, 322C, 322D, 322E, 322F, 322G and a guide plate (not shown), and the plurality of sheets P are The state of being conveyed by the conveying roller 311 is conveyed to the folding processing unit 330 while being deflected by 90 degrees in the horizontal direction.

  In the folding processing section 330, alignment means (not shown) performs alignment by pressing the rear end portions of the plurality of sheets P conveyed by the right-angle deflection roller 322G. Next, the folding knife-like folding plate 331 pushes the aligned plurality of sheets P into a nip portion of a pair of folding rollers (not shown), and folds are formed on the plurality of sheets P. That is, the right-angle deflection unit 320 and the folding processing unit 330 function as a first processing unit that performs processing of deflection, alignment, and crease formation in the transport direction using a plurality of sheets P accumulated in the stopper 323 as processing units. To do.

  The plurality of sheets P on which the folds are formed by the folding processing unit 330 are separated from a folding roller (not shown) and are conveyed to a conveying claw 333 fixed to a folding sheet discharge belt 332 stretched around sheet sheet discharge rollers 332a and 332b. The sheet is pushed forward, guided to the introduction guide member 334, and conveyed to the sheet conveyance path r7 in the extension line direction of the fold portion bn.

  The plurality of sheets P conveyed to the sheet conveyance path r <b> 7 are placed on the hooked sheet stacking unit 341 below the saddle stitching portion 340. Then, the sheet stacking unit 341 accumulates the number of sheets P necessary to form the sheet bundle S. That is, the sheet stacking unit 341 functions as a sheet accumulating unit that accumulates the number of sheets P necessary to configure the sheet bundle S as a processing unit.

  In the saddle stitching part 340, after the alignment plates 342 and 343 align the sheet bundle S placed on the sheet stacking means 341, the staple means 346 holds the sheet bundle S from above and below in the center in the fold line bn direction. The binding needle SP is struck at two places in the distribution. Thus, the sheet bundle S is saddle stitched.

  The saddle-stitched sheet bundle S is cut at the fore edge (free end on the opposite side of the fold) by a cutting means (trimmer) 344, and the fore edge is aligned to form a booklet. The sheet bundle S that has been subjected to the cutting process is placed on a conveyance belt (not shown) and is discharged to a second discharge tray 345 disposed outside the front side of the post-processing apparatus 300. That is, the alignment plates 342 and 343, the staple unit 346, and the cutting unit 344 function as second processing units that perform alignment, saddle stitching, and cutting using the sheet bundle S as a processing unit. The second sheet discharge tray 345 functions as a discharge unit that discharges the processed sheet bundle S.

  A functional configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and the post-processing apparatus 300 shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body control unit 10, a storage unit 20, a communication unit 30, and an image processing unit 40 in addition to the units described in FIG. 1, and the post-processing device 300 is included in each unit described in FIG. 1. In addition, a post-processing control unit 301 is included. Note that a description of the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 is omitted.

  The main body control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), a work memory, and the like, reads a program stored in the storage unit 20 into the work memory, and centrally controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the program. .

  The main body control unit 10 also has a function as a size detection unit 10a that detects the size of a sheet on which an image is formed. The size detection unit 10a is configured to select a sheet size based on a sheet setting set by an operation display unit 160 or an operation unit (not shown) of the host computer 2 or an output of a document size sensor (not shown) provided in the document reading unit 110. Is detected.

  The post-processing control unit 301 has the same configuration as the main body control unit 10 and controls each unit of the post-processing apparatus 300. Note that the post-processing control unit 301 is capable of bidirectional communication with the main body control unit 10 via the communication medium 4 so that the respective units constituting the image forming apparatus 100 and the post-processing apparatus 300 can be linked. . That is, the main body control unit 10 and the post-processing control unit 301 cooperate to function as control means of an image forming system to which the post-processing device and the post-processing device according to the present invention are applied.

  The storage unit 20 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and a hard disk drive. The control program of the main body control unit 10 and the post-processing control unit 301, and the main body control unit 10 And font data used when generating a job, various setting information input by the operation display unit 160 and the host computer 2, and the like are stored.

  Further, the storage unit 20 has functions as a document image storage unit 20a that stores document image information read by the document reading unit 110 in FIG. 1 and a job storage unit 20b that sequentially stores jobs.

  The document image information stored in the document image storage unit 20a is used as image information sent to another device connected to the communication medium 3 such as a network via the communication unit 30 when the scanner mode is set. When a copy mode for creating a hard copy from an original is set, it is used as image information for creating a hard copy.

  When the copy mode is set, the job storage unit 20b determines the main body based on the document image information generated by the document reading unit 110 and processed by the image processing unit 40 and the various settings set by the operation display unit 160. When the job generated by the control unit 10 or the printer mode is set, the job generated by the control unit (not shown) of the host computer 2 and received by the communication unit 30 via the communication medium 3 is stored.

  Here, the job refers to an information processing apparatus such as a host computer 2 or a server (not shown) connected via the communication medium 3 or the main body control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 when the image forming system 1 forms an image. Is a group of control commands for executing image formation, and processing and execution for an image formation request are performed in units of jobs.

  The communication unit 30 can perform communication processing with the host computer 2 via the communication medium 3, receives various setting information, jobs, and the like transmitted from the host computer 2, and in the image forming system 1. Information or the like is notified to the host computer 2.

  The image processing unit 40 performs various processes such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and compression on the image signal output from the image sensor 117, and processes the job or document image read from the storage unit 20. On the other hand, the image forming means performs an optimum process for forming an image.

  Note that each unit shown in FIG. 3 is a section provided to assist understanding of the function of the image forming system according to the present embodiment, and is not necessarily realized as a physically independent device or a single device. For example, the function of the post-processing control unit 301 may be realized by the main body control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Jobs stored in the job storage unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams schematically showing the internal configuration of the job storage unit 20b shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4C is stored in the job storage unit 20b. It is the figure which showed the internal structure of the job typically.

  The job storage unit 20b can store a plurality of jobs, and these jobs are stored in a predetermined area of the job storage unit 20b in the order of execution priority. For example, in FIG. 4A, an ongoing job 41 in which image formation is being performed is stored in the output region 21, and a job 42 that is executed following the ongoing job 41 is stored in the reserved region 22. Stored. Hereinafter, job 43, job 44, and job 45 are stored in the reserved areas 23, 24, and 25 in the order of execution priority.

  The executed job is erased from the job storage means 20b, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the job 42 stored in the reserved area 22 is moved to the outputting area 21 and is stored in the reserved areas 23 to 25. The stored jobs 43 to 45 are also moved, and the reserved area 25 becomes an empty area.

  The jobs stored in the reserved areas 22 to 25 can be arbitrarily replaced, deleted, and edited by operating the operation display unit 160 or an operation unit (not shown) of the host computer 2. In addition, the job stored in the output-in-progress region 21 is sequentially rewritten as the image formation progresses in the image forming system 1.

  The internal structure of the job stored in the job storage unit 20b will be described with reference to FIG.

  The job 50 includes a control data area 51 and a page data area 52.

  The control data area 51 stores a control code related to image formation based on the job 50 performed in the image forming system 1 and a status code indicating the state of the image forming system 1.

  The set number of copies 511 is a control code indicating the number of times an image based on a drawing command stored in the page data area 52 is repeatedly formed, and is “2” in FIG.

  The output number of copies 512 is a status code indicating the number of times the image based on the rendering command has been repeatedly formed, and is “0” in FIG.

  The output mode 513 is a control code indicating whether the image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on both sides of the sheet P or only on one side, and is “both sides” in FIG. .

  The used paper feed tray 514 is a control code indicating a paper feed tray used for image formation based on the job 50, and the size detection means 10a shown in FIG. It is done by doing. In FIG. 4C, the used paper feed tray 514 is “Tray 1”.

  The number of original images 515 is a control code indicating the total number of pages of a set of original images constituted by drawing commands stored in the page data area 52, and is “31” in FIG. 4C. .

  The execution state 516 is a state code indicating the progress of image formation based on the job 50, and is “reserved” in FIG.

  The post-processing 517 is a control code indicating the content of the post-processing performed by the post-processing apparatus 300, and is “half-folded, saddle-stitched staple” in FIG. 4C.

  The post-division processing 518 is a processing in a case where a plurality of sheets P formed with an image based on a set of drawing commands stored in the page data area 52 are post-processed as at least two different sheet bundles S. This is a control code indicating the number of drawing commands as a unit, that is, the number of pages of an original image formed on each sheet bundle S to be divided and post-processed. FIG. 4C shows that the first processing unit 518a is 20 pages (corresponding to five sheets), and the second processing unit 518b is 11 pages (corresponding to three sheets). .

  In the page data area 52, a drawing command related to image writing performed by the image writing unit 120 of the image forming system 1 is stored for each page to be drawn. In FIG. 4C, drawing commands for 31 pages are stored.

  For example, the first page drawing command 521 includes a drawing output image rotation angle 521a that is a control code for designating the top and bottom of an image when writing an image, and image data to be read from the image data storage unit 20a when writing an image. An image data storage address 521b, which is a control code for designating a memory address, is included.

  An example of the operation of the image system to which the post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of image forming processing in the image forming system 1 shown in FIGS. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the power of each device constituting the image forming system 1 is turned on.

  In step S1, job acceptance processing is executed. Specifically, after the operator performs settings related to image formation and post-processing using the operation display unit 160 or an operation unit (not shown) of the host computer 2, the job shown in FIG. 4 is generated and generated. The completed job is stored in the job storage means 20b.

  Settings relating to image formation and post-processing performed in step S1 of FIG. 5 are performed on an operation screen as shown in FIG. 6 displayed on the operation display unit 160, for example.

  FIG. 6A is a display example of a basic operation screen displayed on the operation display unit 160.

  In the basic operation screen 60 of FIG. 6A, the message display unit 601 is an area for displaying the status of the image forming system 1 and messages, and displays the number of printed sheets 401A, the image rotation 401B, and the resolution 401C. Reference numeral 602 denotes a sheet size selection key, 603 denotes a magnification selection key, 604 denotes a density setting key, and 605 denotes a single side / double side selection key. Reference numeral 606 denotes a job reservation key. When a job is reserved during image formation in the image forming system 1, the job to be reserved is set after the job reservation key 606 is selected. Reference numeral 606A denotes a reservation list display key for calling a reservation job confirmation screen.

  When the post-processing setting key 607 is selected from the basic operation screen 60 shown in FIG. 6A, a post-processing setting screen 70 shown in FIG. 6B is displayed.

  On the post-processing setting screen 70, the paper discharge tray selection unit 701 selects the discharge destination of the sheet P or the sheet bundle S in the post-processing apparatus 300 from either the first paper discharge tray 316 or the second paper discharge tray 345. The stapling position setting unit 702 is an area for setting the number and position of stapling performed by the stapling unit 346.

  In the process selection unit 703, a group output 703A is formed with a sheet output for the number of copies based on one page of document image as a processing unit, a cover sheet addition process 703B, and one sheet based on a set of document images. A sort output 703C for forming an image with a plurality of sheets output as processing units, a cutting process 703D for the sheet bundle S by the cutting unit 344, a saddle stitching process 703E for the sheet bundle S by the saddle stitching unit 340, and a punching unit (not shown). The punching process 703F, the folding process unit 330, and the like can be selected from the sheet S, and the setting selected by the process selection unit 703 can be used as a control code for the post-processing 517 shown in FIG. It is stored in the storage means 20b.

  When the divided output 703H is selected, a plurality of sheets formed with an image based on one set of document images are post-processed as at least two or more different sheet bundles S. On the number setting screen, the number of each sheet bundle S to be divided or the number of pages of the original image is set. The setting of the division output 703H is stored in the job storage unit 20b as a control code of the post-division processing 518 shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in step S2, image formation based on the job accepted in step 1 is performed, and the process ends. Specifically, an image forming operation and a post-processing operation are performed in each unit of the image forming system 1 based on the job generated and stored in step S1.

  In the image forming process shown in FIG. 5, the process of step S2 is executed following the process of step S1 for the sake of convenience. However, this is not necessarily the case, and the job reception process of step S1 is not necessarily performed. In parallel with the process, the image formation in step S2 may be executed based on a job different from the job in which the reception process is performed. Even if the job acceptance process in step S1 is not executed, image formation in step S2 is performed based on the stored job while an unexecuted job is stored in the job storage unit 20b.

  The sheet conveyance timing control in the image formation executed in step S2 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of sheet conveyance timing control in the image forming process executed in step S2 of FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the job stored in the job storage unit 20b in advance in the image forming system 1 is set to a mode in which images are continuously formed.

  In step S201, among the jobs stored in the job storage unit 20b, the job stored in the execution area 21 shown in FIG. 4A is read.

  In step S202, whether or not the control code included in the job read in step S201 includes the post-division processing 518 shown in FIG. 4C, that is, the job is one set of original image. It is determined whether or not an image based on the above is divided and output as at least two different sheet bundles. When the divided output is performed (step S202; YES), the process of step S203 is executed. When the divided output is not performed (step S202; NO), the process of step S213 is executed.

  In step S203, whether or not there are two or more unprocessed processing units in the sheet bundle related to the divided output, that is, whether there is a second processing unit for image formation and post-processing following the first processing unit. It is determined whether or not. When there are two or more unprocessed processing units (step S203; YES), the process of step S204 is executed. When the unprocessed processing units is less than 2 (step S203; NO), the process of step S207 is executed. .

  In step S204, the in-job wait time Ta is calculated. Here, the in-job wait time Ta is a conveyance of the last sheet related to the first processing unit when the second processing unit is processed following the first processing unit among the unprocessed processing units. This is a time period during which the conveyance of the sheet is temporarily stopped in a state where the registration roller 176 holds the leading edge of the first sheet related to the second processing unit.

  In step S205, image formation and post-processing for the first processing unit are performed.

  In step S206, the sheet conveyance by the registration roller 176 is temporarily stopped during the in-job wait time Ta calculated in step S204. The in-job wait time Ta is measured, for example, by a timer (not shown) provided in the main body control unit 10 as a trigger when the registration roller 176 holds the leading edge of the first sheet P related to the second processing unit. The When the time counted by the timer exceeds Ta, the conveyance of the sheet P by the registration roller 176 is started.

  In step S207, among the jobs stored in the job storage unit 20b, whether or not the job stored in the reserved area 22 shown in FIG. 4A is stored, that is, whether there is a job to be processed subsequently. It is determined whether or not. If there is a job in the reserved area 22 (step S207; YES), the process of step S208 is executed. If there is no job in the reserved area 22 (step S207; NO), the process of step S211 is executed.

  In step S208, an inter-job wait time Tb is calculated. Here, the inter-job wait time Tb refers to the registration time after the last sheet of the first processing unit is conveyed when the first processing unit of the next job is processed following the first processing unit. This is the time during which the conveyance of the sheet is temporarily stopped in a state where the roller 176 holds the leading edge of the first sheet related to the first processing unit of the next job.

  In step S209, image formation and post-processing for the first processing unit are performed.

  In step S210, as in step S206, the sheet conveyance by the registration roller 176 is temporarily stopped during the in-job wait time Tb calculated in step S208. When the time counted by the timer exceeds Tb, the conveyance of the sheet P by the registration rollers 176 is started, and the process returns to step S201.

  In step S211, image formation and post-processing for the first processing unit are performed.

  In step S212, among the jobs stored in the job storage unit 20b, the job stored in the in-execution area 21 shown in FIG. 4A is deleted, and the process ends.

  In step S213, as in step S207, it is determined whether or not the job stored in the reserved area 22 shown in FIG. 4A is stored. If there is a job (step S213; YES), the process of step S214 is executed. If there is no job (step S213; NO), the process of step S218 is executed.

  In step S214, the inter-job wait time Tb is calculated as in step S208.

  In step S215, image formation and post-processing for the first processing unit are performed, and in step S216, the job stored in the execution area 21 shown in FIG. 4A is deleted.

  In step S217, as in step S210, the sheet conveyance by the registration roller 176 is temporarily stopped during the in-job wait time Tb calculated in step S214. When the time counted by the timer exceeds Tb, the conveyance of the sheet P by the registration rollers 176 is started, and the process returns to step S201.

  In step S218, image formation and post-processing for the first processing unit are performed. In step S219, the job stored in the execution area 21 shown in FIG. 4A is deleted, and the process ends.

  The calculation of the in-job wait time Ta executed in step S204 in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the in-job wait time Ta calculation process executed in the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  In step S301, the sheet size and post-processing settings relating to the processing unit being processed (for example, the first processing unit 518a in FIG. 4C) are read from the job storage unit 20b. As for the sheet size, for example, the used sheet feeding tray 514 shown in FIG. 4C is read, and the sheet size associated with the sheet feeding tray to be used in advance is detected by the sheet size detecting unit 10a. For the post-processing setting, for example, post-processing 517 shown in FIG. 4C is read.

  In step S302, the sheet size and the number of sheets X relating to the second processing unit to be processed next (for example, the second processing unit 518b in FIG. 4C) are read from the job storage unit 20b. As for the number of sheets X, for example, the number of pages 518b of the document image related to the second processing unit, the post-processing 517, the output mode 513, etc. are read out from the post-division processing 518 shown in FIG. It is calculated based on these. For example, in the second processing unit 518b shown in FIG. 4 (c), the number of pages of the document image is “11”, the post-processing 517 is “center folding, saddle stitching”, and the output mode 513 is “double-sided”. Therefore, the number of pages of the original image formed on one sheet is 4, and the number X is 3.

  In step S303, the machining time T1 is calculated based on the information read in step S301. In the present embodiment, the sheet size and the processing time T1 associated with each part of the post-processing apparatus 300 are preset in the storage unit 20, and the processing time T1 indicates the processing time of each processing unit that performs post-processing. Calculated by summing. An example of the processing time T1 is shown in Table 1 below. For example, when performing the middle folding process and the saddle stitching process on an A3 size sheet, T1 = 7 (seconds).

  In step S304, the discharge time T2 is calculated based on the information read in step S301. In the present embodiment, similarly to the processing time T1, the discharge time T2 is stored in the storage unit 20 in association with the sheet size and each part of the post-processing 300. An example of the discharge time T2 is shown in Table 2 below. For example, when performing a half-folding process and a saddle stitching process on an A3 size sheet, T2 = 1.1 (seconds).

  In step S305, a coefficient a and a constant b for calculating the transport time are determined based on the information read in step S302. In the present embodiment, the coefficient a and the constant b are stored in the storage unit 20 in association with the sheet size and each part of the post-processing 300. Examples of the coefficient a and the constant b are shown in Table 3 below. For example, when performing the folding process and the saddle stitching process on an A3 size sheet, the coefficient a in the sheet accumulation unit (sheet stacking unit 341) is 0.5 and the constant b is 4.1.

  In step S306, it is determined whether Ta can be calculated based on the information read and calculated in steps S301 to S305. When it is determined that Ta can be calculated (step S306; YES), the process of step S307 is executed, and when it is determined that Ta cannot be calculated (step S306; NO). The process of step S310 is executed.

  In step S307, based on the number of sheets X read in step S302, the processing time T1 calculated in step S303, the discharge time T2 calculated in step S304, the coefficient a and the constant b determined in step S305, the following: Ta (seconds) is calculated by equation (1).

Ta = T1 + T2- (a * (MOD (X, 3) +1) + b) (1)
In equation (1), MOD (x, y) is an integer value when x is divided by y.

  In the above formula (1), the time (T1 + T2) required for the processing and discharging of the sheet in each part of the post-processing apparatus 300 requires a waiting time (a × (MOD (X 3) +1) + b).

In step S308, whether or Ta calculated in the step S307 is the threshold value T ₀ or less a predetermined or not. The threshold value T ₀ is a sheet conveyance interval by the registration rollers 176 when images are continuously formed in the image forming apparatus 100. In the image forming system 1, Ta does not become smaller than T ₀ . When Ta is equal to or lower than T ₀ (step S308; YES), after the process of converting Ta to T ₀ is executed (step S309), the process is terminated and when Ta is larger than T ₀ (step S308; NO), the process is terminated.

  In step S310, a process of converting Ta to a predetermined constant Tamax is executed, and the process is terminated. Tamax is the maximum value that the wait time Ta can take when operating the post-processing apparatus 300. If Ta cannot be calculated, setting the maximum wait time causes a sheet conveyance failure or a processing failure. I'm not going to do that.

  The calculation of the inter-job wait time Tb executed in steps S208 and S214 in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the inter-job wait time Tb calculation process executed in the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 executes Step S402, Step S403, and Step S404 instead of Step S302 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, and replaces Ta with Tb. The description of the executed steps is omitted.

  In step S402, it is determined whether or not the control code included in the job stored in the reserved area 22 shown in FIG. 4A includes the one indicating the post-division processing 518 shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the job to be executed next is to separately output an image based on one set of document images as at least two different sheet bundles. When the divided output is performed (step S402; YES), the process of step S403 is executed. When the divided output is not performed (step S402; NO), the process of step S404 is executed.

  In step S403, the sheet size and the number of sheets X relating to the processing unit processed first in the job to be executed next are read.

  In step S404, the sheet size and the number X of sheets related to the job to be executed next are read out.

  In step S409, based on the number of sheets X read in step S403 or step S404, the processing time T1 calculated in step S405, the discharge time T2 calculated in step S406, the coefficient a and the constant b determined in step S407. Thus, Tb (second) is calculated by the following equation (2).

Tb = T1 + T2- (a × (MOD (X, 3) +1) + b) (2)
The operation state of each part in the image forming system to which the post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A is a timing diagram showing operation states of the registration roller 176, the stopper 323, the right-angle deflection unit 320, the folding processing unit 330, and the saddle stitching unit 340 in the image forming system to which the post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 10B is a timing chart schematically showing an operation state of each part in the image forming system according to the conventional technique.

  In FIG. 10, the first processing unit U1 and the second processing unit U2 are output in the first job, and the third processing unit U3 is output in the second job. Further, it is assumed that images are formed on three sheets in the first processing unit U1, five sheets in the second processing unit U2, and three sheets in the third processing unit U3.

  In FIG. 10A, the registration roller 176 sends out the three sheets relating to the first processing unit U1 at a constant interval, and then during the in-job wait time Ta calculated in the flowchart shown in FIG. Pause the conveyance of the sheet. Next, after the five sheets related to the second processing unit U2 are sent out at regular intervals, the sheet conveyance is temporarily stopped during the inter-job wait time Tb calculated in the flowchart shown in FIG. Three sheets according to three processing units U3 are sent out at a constant interval.

  In FIG. 10A, the processing time T11 and the discharge time T21 related to the first processing unit U1 are generated in the saddle stitching portion 340 as T11 + T21. The sheet accumulation time T31 related to the first processing unit U1 is the time from when the conveyance of the first sheet related to the first processing unit U1 is started until it is stacked on the sheet stacking unit 341, and is described above. This corresponds to (a × (MOD (X, 3) +1) + b) in equation (1). Hereinafter, the processing time, the discharge time, and the sheet accumulation time related to the second processing unit U2 and the third processing unit U3 are T12, T22, T32, T13, T23, and T33, respectively.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 10B, the registration roller 176 conveys the sheet for the maximum in-job wait time Tamax that the post-processing apparatus 300 can take after feeding the sheet relating to the first processing unit U1. After the sheet is temporarily stopped and the sheet relating to the second processing unit U2 is sent out, the conveyance of the sheet is temporarily stopped during the maximum inter-job wait time Tbmax that can be taken by the post-processing apparatus 300. The processing time, discharge time, and sheet accumulation time for each processing unit are the same as those shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10A according to the present invention, the time required to complete the image formation and post-processing of the processing units U1, U2, and U3 is TT shorter than that in FIG. 10B. That is, it is clear that the operation efficiency of the image forming system to which the post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied is high.

  According to the present embodiment, the processing time by the processing means according to the first processing unit, the discharge time by the discharge means according to the first processing unit, and the sheet storage time by the sheet storage means according to the second processing unit. Based on the above, the sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit is controlled. Therefore, even if image formation is performed in which the number of sheets to be processed is accumulated in the first processing unit and the second processing unit and is different, Since the sheet is conveyed at the sheet conveyance timing corresponding to the number of sheets in the processing unit, the waiting time for sheet conveyance can be shortened, the operating efficiency of the image forming system is increased, and the print productivity is high. Can be.

  In particular, in a post-processing apparatus in which a sheet processing / discharge time is relatively long, the operation efficiency can be increased when a sheet bundle is continuously formed with a small number of sheets as a processing unit.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit is controlled based on the job stored in the job storage unit, the waiting time until one job ends and the next job starts Can be shortened, the operating efficiency of the image forming system can be increased, and the print productivity can be increased.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit is controlled based on the setting of the post-processing performed by the setting unit, the first processing unit, based on one set of document images, Even when an image is formed on a sheet by dividing it into the second processing unit, the standby time for sheet conveyance can be shortened, the operating efficiency of the image forming system is increased, and the print productivity is increased. Can be expensive.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit is controlled based on the sheet size detected by the size detection unit, the sheet size is changed between the first processing unit and the second processing unit. Even if they are different, the sheet is conveyed at the sheet conveyance timing corresponding to the size of the sheet for each processing unit, so that the waiting time for sheet conveyance can be shortened, and the operating efficiency of the image forming system is increased. The print productivity can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus in which the post-processing device 300 is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to a single image forming apparatus or other image forming apparatus. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus of the image forming method.

  In addition, an object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium recording a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the recording medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program.

  In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program and the recording medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. it can.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actual. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component constituting the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing an image forming system to which a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the post-processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing a functional configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. 1. 4A and 4B are conceptual diagrams showing the internal configuration of the job storage means according to the present invention, and FIG. 4C shows the internal configuration of the job stored in the job storage means. It is a conceptual diagram. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of image forming processing in the image forming system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6A is a display example of a basic operation screen displayed on the operation display unit, and FIG. 6B is a display example of a post-processing setting screen displayed on the operation display unit. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of sheet conveyance timing control in the image forming process executed in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the wait time Ta calculation process in a job performed in FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of an inter-job wait time Tb calculation process executed in FIG. 7. FIG. 10A is a timing chart schematically showing the operation state of each part in the image forming system to which the post-processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 10B is an image forming system according to the prior art. 5 is a timing chart schematically showing the operating state of each part in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Main body control part 10a Size detection means 20 Storage part 20b Job storage means 30 Communication part 40 Image processing part 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Document reading part 120 Image writing part 130 Toner image forming part 140 Fixing part 150 Reversing part 160 Operation display unit 170 Paper feed unit 171, 172, 173, 174 Paper feed tray 176 Registration roller 200 Automatic document feeder 300 Post processing device 301 Post processing control unit 320 Right angle deflection unit 330 Folding processing unit 340 Saddle binding unit 341 Sheet stacking unit 341

Claims (5)

A sheet post-processing apparatus for post-processing a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus,
Sheet storage means for storing a plurality of sheets on which images are formed by the image forming apparatus as processing units;
Processing means for processing the sheets stored in the sheet storage means as processing units;
Discharging means for discharging the sheet processed by the processing means;
Conveying means for conveying the sheet to the sheet accumulating means;
The processing time by the processing means according to the first processing unit, the discharge time by the discharge means according to the first processing unit, and the second processing unit to be post-processed following the first processing unit A sheet post-processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit based on a sheet accumulation time by the sheet accumulation unit. The image forming apparatus includes a job storage unit that stores a job, and forms an image on a sheet based on the job stored in the job storage unit,
The control means, based on the first job stored in the job storage means, the processing time by the processing means related to the first processing unit, and the discharge by the discharge means related to the first processing unit. Get time and
Based on a second job stored in the job storage unit and executed following the first job, a sheet accumulation time by the sheet accumulation unit relating to the second processing unit is acquired. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus divides the first processing unit and the second processing unit into an image on a sheet based on a set of document images,
Setting means for setting at least post-processing related to the first processing unit and the second processing unit;
The control means, based on the setting of the post-processing performed by the setting means, the processing time by the processing means related to the first processing unit and the discharge time by the discharge means related to the first processing unit. 2. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet accumulation time by the sheet accumulation unit according to the second processing unit is acquired. Having size detecting means for detecting the sheet size;
The control unit controls sheet conveyance timing by the conveyance unit based on a sheet size of the sheet related to the second processing unit detected by the size detection unit. The sheet post-processing apparatus according to claim 1. A conveying unit that conveys a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus; a sheet accumulating unit that accumulates a plurality of sheets conveyed by the conveying unit as a processing unit; and a sheet that is accumulated in the sheet accumulating unit A sheet post-processing apparatus control method for post-processing a sheet on which an image has been formed by the image forming apparatus, and a processing unit that processes the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus. ,
A processing time acquisition step of acquiring a processing time in the processing means according to the first processing unit;
A discharge time acquisition step of acquiring a discharge time in the discharge means according to the first processing unit;
A sheet accumulating time acquisition step of acquiring a sheet accumulating time in the sheet accumulating unit relating to a second processing unit to be post-processed subsequent to the first processing unit;
Based on the processing time acquired in the processing time acquisition step, the discharge time acquired in the discharge time acquisition step, and the sheet storage time acquired in the sheet storage time acquisition step, the sheet by the conveying unit A timing determination step for determining the sheet conveyance timing to the storage means;
And a conveyance control step of controlling conveyance of the sheet by the conveyance unit based on the sheet conveyance timing determined in the timing determination step.

Images