JP2006282326A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device improved in convenience in stapling. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 710 of a control section 700 of a copying machine 1 is provided with a document number detecting section 713 for obtaining the number of document by using thickness of the document, a determination section 714 for determining whether the number of document exceeds the maximum number of recording paper possible to be stapled or not, a condition setting section 715 for setting one stapling condition among a plurality of stapling conditions, and a stapling section 716 for stapling with a stapler on the basis of the stapling condition set by the condition setting section 715. A RAM 720 is provided with a maximum number memory section 722 for housing information showing the maximum number of the recording paper possible to be stapled by the stapler. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a stapler that forms an image on a recording sheet and performs a stapling process on the recording sheet on which the image is formed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus in which a stapler that performs a stapling process on a plurality of recording sheets on which images are printed has been widely used. In addition, ADF (Auto Document Feeder) capable of automatically supplying a large number of originals to the scanner unit has been put into practical use. A stapler provided in an image processing apparatus is used in such an automatic original feeder. There may be a case where more than the maximum number of documents (for example, 50 sheets) that can be processed is set.

  In such a case, a message indicating that the stapling process is impossible is displayed, and the process is stopped. Therefore, the processing in the image processing apparatus is stopped until the user performs some kind of treatment, which is a factor that hinders convenience.

In order to solve the above problems, various proposals have been made. For example, in Patent Document 1, when it is determined that the number of documents is greater than or equal to the maximum number, the first part is discharged without performing the stapling process, and the second and subsequent copies are subjected to the stapling process in the same manner as the first part. There is disclosed an image forming apparatus capable of selecting whether or not stapling is performed under a predetermined condition instructed by a user.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-57999

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, since the first stapling process is not performed, the user needs to deal with it manually. In addition, since it is possible to select whether or not to perform the stapling process after the document placed on the ADF is read, it is necessary for the user to input an instruction at that timing, and convenience is impaired. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus with good convenience of stapling processing.

  An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 reads a document image that is an image formed on a document, forms a document image on recording paper, and performs a stapling process on the recording paper on which the image is formed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a maximum number storage unit that stores information indicating a maximum number of recording sheets that can be stapled by the stapler; and a document number detection unit that detects the number of documents that is the number of documents. A determination unit that determines whether or not the number of documents exceeds the maximum number, and a stapling method is defined based on an instruction from the outside when it is determined that the number of documents exceeds the maximum number Condition setting means for receiving a staple processing condition, which is a condition, and a staple processing procedure for causing the stapler to execute the staple processing according to the staple processing condition. It is characterized in that it comprises and.

  According to the above configuration, information indicating the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stapled by the stapler is stored in the maximum number storage unit, and the number of documents that is the number of documents is detected by the document number detection unit. The Then, the determination unit determines whether or not the number of documents exceeds the maximum number. If it is determined that the number of documents exceeds the maximum number, the condition setting unit performs stapling processing based on an instruction from the outside. Staple processing conditions, which are conditions that define the method, are accepted. In accordance with the accepted staple processing condition, the staple processing unit executes the stapler staple processing.

  Therefore, when it is determined that the number of documents, which is the number of documents, exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be stapled, a stapling process condition that is a condition for defining a stapling process method is accepted based on an instruction from the outside. Since the stapler staple processing is executed according to the accepted staple processing conditions, the convenience of the staple processing is improved.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 is characterized in that the document number detecting means detects the thickness of the document and obtains the number of documents based on the detected thickness of the document.

  According to the above configuration, the document number detecting means detects the thickness of the document, and the number of documents is obtained based on the detected thickness of the document. Accordingly, since the number of documents is obtained based on the detected thickness of the document, the number of documents can be obtained with a simple configuration.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising unit document thickness storage means for storing a unit document thickness that is the thickness of one document, wherein the document number detection means detects the detected document thickness. The number of documents is obtained by dividing by the unit document thickness.

  According to the above configuration, the unit original thickness that is the thickness of one original is stored in the unit original thickness storage means, and the thickness of the original detected by the original number detection means is the unit original thickness. The number of documents is calculated.

  Accordingly, since the number of originals is obtained by dividing the detected thickness of the original by the unit original thickness, the number of originals can be obtained with a simple configuration.

  5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a unit document thickness setting unit configured to set the unit document thickness by receiving the unit document thickness and storing the unit document thickness in the unit document thickness storage unit based on an instruction from the outside. It is characterized by providing.

  According to the above configuration, the unit thickness is set by the unit thickness receiving unit receiving the unit document thickness and storing it in the unit document thickness storage unit based on an instruction from the outside. Therefore, since the unit original thickness is set based on an instruction from the outside, an appropriate unit original thickness can be set.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a condition storage unit that stores a plurality of stapling process conditions, wherein the condition setting unit determines one stapling from the plurality of stapling processing conditions based on an instruction from the outside. It is characterized by setting processing conditions.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of stapling processing conditions are stored in the condition storage unit, and the plurality of stapling processing conditions stored in the condition storage unit are determined by the condition setting unit based on an instruction from the outside. One stapling process condition is set.

  Accordingly, one stapling process condition is set from a plurality of stapling process conditions based on an instruction from the outside, so that the user can easily set the stapling process condition, and the convenience is further improved.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 is characterized in that the plurality of stapling processing conditions include a condition that stapling processing is not performed.

  According to the above configuration, the plurality of stapling process conditions stored in the condition storage unit include a condition that the stapling process is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to easily set a condition that the stapling process is not performed, and the convenience is further improved.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of stapling processing conditions include a condition that stapling processing is performed for each of the maximum number of sheets.

  According to the above configuration, the plurality of stapling processing conditions stored in the condition storage unit include a condition that stapling processing is performed for each maximum number of sheets. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the condition for performing the stapling process for each maximum number of sheets, and the convenience is further improved.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the condition setting unit receives a number of sheets to be stapled based on an instruction from the outside, and the plurality of staple processing conditions are set for each of the number of sheets to be processed. It is characterized by including a condition that the stapling process is performed.

  According to the above configuration, the condition setting means accepts the number of processed sheets that is the number of sheets to be stapled based on an instruction from the outside, and the plurality of staple processing conditions are set for each accepted number of processed sheets. Including conditions to do.

  Accordingly, since it is possible to set a condition for performing the stapling process for each processing number received based on an instruction from the outside, the user can perform the stapling process for each desired number of sheets. Convenience is further improved.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 is an image forming apparatus having a stapler that forms an image on a recording sheet and performs a stapling process on the recording sheet on which the image is formed, and the stapler can perform the stapling process. A maximum number storing means for storing information indicating the maximum number of recording sheets, a number receiving means for receiving a specified number of recording sheets for forming an image based on an instruction from the outside, and the specified number of sheets A determination unit that determines whether or not the maximum number of sheets is exceeded, and a staple process that is a condition that defines a method of stapling processing based on an instruction from the outside when it is determined that the specified number of sheets exceeds the maximum number of sheets. Condition setting means for receiving a condition, and staple processing means for causing the stapler to execute stapling processing according to the stapling processing conditions. It is characterized.

  According to the above configuration, information indicating the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stapled by the stapler is stored in the maximum number storage unit, and an image is formed by the number reception unit based on an instruction from the outside. An instruction number that is the number of recording sheets to be received is accepted. Then, the determination unit determines whether or not the designated number exceeds the maximum number, and when it is determined that the designated number exceeds the maximum number, the condition setting unit performs stapling processing based on an instruction from the outside. Staple processing conditions, which are conditions that define the method, are accepted. In accordance with the accepted staple processing condition, the staple processing unit executes the stapler staple processing.

  Accordingly, when it is determined that the designated number of recording sheets on which an image is formed exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be stapled, the staple processing condition that is a condition for defining the staple processing method is accepted and accepted. The stapler stapling process is executed in accordance with the stapling process conditions, so that the convenience of the stapling process is improved.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, when it is determined that the number of documents, which is the number of documents, exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be stapled, the stapling method is defined based on an instruction from the outside. The stapling process condition, which is the condition to be performed, is received, and the stapler stapling process is executed in accordance with the accepted stapling process condition, so the convenience of the stapling process can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the number of documents is obtained based on the detected thickness of the document, the number of documents can be obtained with a simple configuration.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the number of documents can be obtained by dividing the thickness of the detected document by the unit document thickness, so that the number of documents can be obtained with a simple configuration.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the unit original thickness is set based on an instruction from the outside, an appropriate unit original thickness can be set.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, one stapling process condition is set from a plurality of stapling process conditions based on an instruction from the outside, so that the user can easily set the stapling process condition. Convenience can be further improved.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily set the condition that the stapling process is not performed, so that the convenience can be further improved.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily set a condition for performing the stapling process for each maximum number of sheets, so that convenience can be further improved.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set a condition for performing the stapling process for each processed number of sheets received based on an instruction from the outside, so that the user can staple the desired number of sheets. Processing can be performed, and convenience can be further improved.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when it is determined that the designated number of recording sheets on which an image is to be formed exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be stapled, the conditions for defining the staple processing method are satisfied. A certain stapling process condition is accepted, and the stapling process of the stapler is executed according to the accepted stapling process condition, so the convenience of the stapling process can be improved.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The copying machine 1 includes a main body unit 200, a sheet post-processing unit 300 disposed on the left side of the main body unit 200, and an operation unit 400 (one unit document thickness setting unit) for a user to input various operation commands. A document reading unit 500 disposed above the main body unit 200, and a document feeding unit 600 disposed above the document reading unit 500. I have.

  The operation unit 400 includes an operation panel 401, a start key 402, a numeric keypad 403, and the like. The operation panel 401 displays various operation screens and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 401a that displays various operation buttons and the like for the user to input various operation commands, and the LCD 401a. The touch panel 401b and the like disposed on the touch panel. The start key 402 is used for the user to input a print execution command and the like, and the ten key 403 is used for inputting the number of copies to be printed.

  The touch panel 401b is a rectangular thin layered body, and is configured by covering with a transparent cover a pressure-sensitive material made of a linear transparent material at predetermined pitches in the vertical and horizontal directions, on the screen of the LCD 401a. It is affixed to. And it is comprised so that it can determine which button was instruct | indicated from the address and press position of a button which urges selection etc. which are displayed on the LCD 401a screen.

  The document feeding unit 600 includes a document placement unit 601, a document discharge unit 602, a paper feed roller 603, a document transport path 604, a contact glass 605, and the like, and the document reading unit 500 includes a scanner 501 and the like.

  Here, an example of the drive mechanism of the elevating member disposed on the document placing portion 601 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the document feeder 600 of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. This figure is a perspective view when the viewpoint is on the back side (non-operation side) above the document feeding unit 600 in the side view shown in FIG. The document placing portion 601 includes an elevating member 606 (corresponding to a part of the document number detecting means) on which an end portion of the document on the paper feed roller 603 side is placed and is configured to be movable up and down.

  A motor 608 for raising and lowering the elevating member 606 is disposed on the non-operating side (the front side in FIG. 2) of the document feeding unit 600. In FIG. 2, racks 606a to 606d constituting a rack and pinion mechanism for transmitting power from the motor 608 are fixed to the side surface of the elevating member 606 by welding or the like, and the operation side (FIG. Pinions 607a to 607d that mesh with the racks 606a to 606d, respectively, are disposed on the end surfaces of the rear side and the non-operation side (front side in FIG. 2).

  Further, the pinions 607a and 607b are meshed with each other, and 607c and 607d are meshed with each other. Further, the pinions 607a and 607c are connected by a connecting shaft 609a so as to rotate synchronously, and the pinions 607b and 607d are connected by a connecting shaft 609b so as to rotate synchronously. In this manner, the pinions 607a to 607d are configured to be rotatable in synchronization.

  The driving force from the motor 608 is transmitted to the pinion 607a via a coupling gear (not shown) and the like, and the pinions 607a to 607d are configured to be rotatable in synchronization as described above, and therefore transmitted to the pinions 607b to 607d. Is done. When the pinions 607a to 607d are rotated by the driving force from the motor 608, the racks 606a to 606d are raised and lowered, and the lifting member 606 is raised and lowered.

  Further, a rotation detector (corresponding to a part of the document number detection means: not shown) for detecting the rotation is disposed on the rotation shaft of the motor 608, and the control unit 700 (document thickness detection unit 712) described later is provided. A detection signal is input. Further, a document detector (not shown) including a photo sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document is disposed at an appropriate position of the document feeding unit 600, and the document detector detects that the document is placed. Then, an instruction signal is output to the motor 608, and the elevating member 606 is raised through the pinions 607a to 607d, the connecting shafts 609a and 609a, and the racks 606a to 606d.

  When the lifting member 606 is pressed against one end of the document while the one end of the document is sandwiched between the end of the sheet feeding roller 603 of the lifting member 606 and the sheet feeding roller 603, the motor 608 is overloaded and rotation is stopped. In this way, the thickness of the document is detected based on the number of rotations of the motor 608 from when the elevating member 606 is raised to when it is stopped.

  Returning again to FIG. 1, the configuration of the copying machine 1 will be described. The paper feed roller 603 feeds out the original set on the original placement unit 601, and the original conveyance path 604 conveys the delivered original one by one on the scanner 501 one by one. The scanner 501 includes an imaging device (CCD; Charge Coupled Device), and sequentially reads the conveyed document. The read document is discharged to the document discharge unit 602. The scanner 501 reads a document while moving in the direction indicated by the arrow A (right direction in the drawing) along the contact glass 605 when reading the document placed on the contact glass 605.

  The main body 200 includes a plurality of (here, three) paper feed cassettes 201a to 201c, a plurality of (here, three) paper feed rollers 202a to 202c, a manual paper feed unit 201d, and a manual paper feed roller 202d. , Transfer roller 203, intermediate transfer roller 204, photosensitive drum 205, exposure device 206, developing devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, 207K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, fixing roller 208, discharge port 209, discharge A tray 210, a recording paper conveyance path 211, and the like are provided.

  The photosensitive drum 205 is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) while rotating in the direction of the arrow. The exposure device 206 converts the modulation signal generated based on the image data of the original read by the original reading unit 500 into a laser beam and outputs it, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 205 for each color. It is. The developing devices 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207K supply each color developer to the photosensitive drum 205 to form a toner image for each color. The intermediate transfer roller 204 is configured to transfer the color toner images from the photosensitive drum 205 and form a color toner image on the intermediate transfer roller 204.

  On the other hand, the paper feeding rollers 202a to 202c pull out the recording paper from the paper feeding cassettes 201a to 201c in which the recording paper is stored, and the recording paper conveyance path 211 conveys the drawn recording paper to the transfer roller 203. is there. The transfer roller 203 transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer body roller 204 to the conveyed recording paper. The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing roller 208 through the recording paper conveyance path 211, and the fixing roller 208 heats the transferred toner image to fix it on the recording paper. The recording sheet on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the discharge port 209 via the recording sheet conveyance path 211 and is carried into the sheet post-processing unit 300. The recording paper is also discharged to the discharge tray 210 as necessary.

  The paper post-processing unit 300 performs punching as post-processing on the recording paper discharged from the discharge port 209, a pair of carry-in rollers 302 that conveys the discharged recording paper, and the recording paper that has been conveyed. Are stacked as recording paper bundles, a stapler 304 that performs stapling processing on the recording paper bundles (corresponding to a part of the stapling processing means), and a sort discharge tray 306 that can be moved up and down by a lifting mechanism 305 , A pair of discharge rollers 307 for discharging the recording paper conveyed from the stack unit 303 to the sort discharge tray 306, a non-sort discharge tray 308 disposed above the paper post-processing unit 300, and a recording paper from the pair of carry-in rollers 302 A transfer branch guide 309 for switching the transfer direction between the stack unit 503 side and the non-sort discharge tray 508 side. , And a discharge roller pair 310 discharges the recording sheet to the non-sort for the discharge tray 308.

  Further, the sheet post-processing unit 300 is discharged from the main body unit 200 of the copying machine 1 to the stack unit 303 in the sheet post-processing unit 300 and counts the number of discharged recording sheets stacked on the stack unit 303. (Not shown).

  Further, the paper post-processing unit 300 includes carry-in rollers 311 to 313 for carrying recording paper into the stack unit 303, movable guide members 314 to 316 and stationary guide members 317 for guiding the carrying of the recording paper into the stack unit 303. Are arranged at a predetermined interval with respect to the recording paper loading direction. As a result, even for recording sheets of different sizes, the position of being loaded into the stack unit 303 can be changed according to the size of each recording sheet. The stapler 304 can be stapled. The stapler 304 is driven by, for example, a motor, and the maximum number of recordable sheets (for example, 50 sheets) that can be processed is preset according to the load limit of the drive motor.

  In addition, the stack portion 303 is provided with a pair of width adjusting plates 318 at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the stack portion 303. The elevating mechanism 305 is arranged such that the upper surface of the recording paper bundle discharged onto the sorting discharge tray 306 is positioned at a reference position suitable for discharging the recording paper bundle from the discharge roller pair 307. The position is raised and lowered.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit of the copying machine 1 shown in FIG. The copying machine 1 includes a control unit 700 that is disposed at an appropriate position of the copying machine 1 and controls the operation of the copying machine 1. Here, the control unit 700 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 710, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 720 used as a work area of the CPU, and the like.

  The CPU 710 receives an operation instruction from the outside via the operation unit 400 and sets a unit document thickness setting unit 711 (corresponding to a part of the unit document thickness setting unit) that sets a unit document thickness that is the thickness of one document. 2), the number of rotations of the motor 608 shown in FIG. 2 is counted, and a document thickness detecting unit 712 (corresponding to a part of the document number detecting means) for determining the thickness of the document is used. A desired document number detection unit 713 (corresponding to a part of the document number detection unit) and a determination unit 714 that determines whether the number of documents exceeds the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stapled by the stapler 304 shown in FIG. (Corresponding to a determination unit) and a condition setting unit 715 (condition setting unit) that accepts an operation instruction from the outside via the operation unit 400 and sets one staple processing condition from a plurality of staple processing conditions. With the corresponding), and a staple processing section 716 to execute the stapling process (corresponding to stapling means) according to staple processing conditions set by the condition setting unit 715 to stapler 304.

  The RAM 720 indicates a unit document thickness storage unit 721 (corresponding to a unit document thickness storage unit) that stores a unit document thickness that is the thickness of one document, and the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stapled by the stapler 304. A maximum number storage unit 722 (corresponding to the maximum number storage unit) for storing information and a condition storage unit 723 (corresponding to the condition storage unit) for storing a plurality of staple processing conditions are provided.

  Here, the CPU reads out and executes a control program stored in advance in a ROM or the like, thereby functioning as a unit document thickness setting unit 711, document thickness detection unit 712, document number detection unit 713, determination unit 714, and the like. It functions.

  The data stored in the RAM 720 can be stored in an internal removable recording medium so that it can be read by a driver such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive, or a cassette medium reader. In this case, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, a semiconductor memory, or the like.

  The unit document thickness setting unit 711 receives an operation instruction from the outside via the operation unit 400 and sets a unit document thickness which is the thickness of one document. For example, a screen for inputting the unit document thickness is displayed on the LCD 401a shown in FIG. 1, the unit document thickness is received based on the input from the touch panel 401b, and the received unit document thickness is stored in the unit document thickness storage unit 721. By doing so, the unit document thickness is set. Here, it is assumed that the unit document thickness is set in advance to a predetermined value (for example, 0.05 mm).

  The document thickness detection unit 712 detects that a document is detected by the document detector described with reference to FIG. 2, and the motor from when the elevating member 606 starts to rise until the motor 608 is overloaded and rotation is stopped. The accumulated rotation number TN of 608 is counted from the output of the rotation detector to determine the thickness of the original.

Specifically, it is determined by the gear ratio of pinions 607a to 607d, etc., which are interposed between the motor 608 and the racks 606a to 606d shown in FIG. 2 and are members that transmit the driving force from the motor 608. Using the following equation (1), the thickness TH (mm) of the original is obtained using the amount of elevation (= the amount of elevation of the elevating member 606) α (mm) of the racks 606a to 606d with one rotation of the motor 608 Is.
TH = α × TN (1)

The document number detection unit 713 uses the document thickness TH detected by the document thickness detection unit 712 and the unit document thickness ΔTH stored in the unit document thickness storage unit 721 to calculate the number of documents according to the following equation (2). CN is obtained.
CN = TH / ΔTH (2)
For example, when the document thickness TH is 5 mm and the unit document thickness ΔTH is 0.05 mm, the document number CN is 100 (= 5 / 0.05).

  The determination unit 714 determines whether the document number CN detected by the document number detection unit 713 exceeds the maximum number of recording sheets MN (here, 50 sheets) that can be stapled by the stapler 304 shown in FIG. To do.

  The condition setting unit 715 receives an operation instruction from the outside via the operation unit 400, and sets one stapling process condition from a plurality of (three in this case) stapling processing conditions stored in advance in the condition storage unit 723. It is to set.

Specifically, the condition setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the LCD 401a, and one processing condition is set from the following processing conditions 1 to 3 based on an input from the touch panel 401b or the like. It is.
Processing condition 1: Staple processing is performed for each maximum number of sheets MN.
Processing condition 2: A stapling process is performed for each predetermined number of sheets (hereinafter referred to as the number of processed sheets) SN.
(However, the number of processed sheets SN is input via the numeric keypad 403 or the like)
Processing condition 3: The stapling process is canceled (the stapling process is not performed).

  The staple processing unit 716 is configured according to a staple processing condition (or one of the above-described processing conditions 1 to 3 selected by the condition setting unit 715) set in the stapler 304 by the condition setting unit 715 (or a default value). The staple processing is executed according to the conditions.

  The unit document thickness storage unit 721 stores a unit document thickness ΔTH that is the thickness of one document set by the unit document thickness setting unit 711. Here, it is assumed that the unit document thickness ΔTH is set to 0.05 mm in advance.

  The maximum number storage unit 722 stores the maximum number of recording sheets MN that can be stapled by the stapler 304. Here, it is assumed that the maximum number MN is preset to 50 sheets.

  The condition storage unit 723 stores in advance a plurality of staple processing conditions (the processing conditions 1 to 3 described above) read by the condition setting unit 715 to set one stapling processing condition.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the control unit 700. First, the document thickness detection unit 712 determines whether or not the document detector detects that there is a document (a document is set on the document placement unit 601) (step S101). If it is not detected that there is a document (NO in step S101), the process is in a standby state. If it is detected that there is a document (YES in step S101), the document thickness detector 712 outputs an instruction signal to the motor 608 to raise the elevating member 606, and the elevating member 606 starts to rise. Then, the accumulated rotational speed TN of the motor 608 until the motor 608 is overloaded and the rotation is stopped is acquired from the rotation detector, and the thickness TH of the document is detected using the above-described equation (1). (Step S103).

  Then, using the document number detection unit 713 and the unit document thickness TH obtained in step S103 and the unit document thickness ΔTH stored in the unit document thickness storage unit 721, the document number CN is calculated by the above equation (2). It is obtained (step S105). Next, the determination unit 714 determines whether or not the document number CN exceeds the maximum number MN (step S107). If it is determined that the document number CN is not greater than the maximum number MN (the document number CN is less than or equal to the maximum number MN) (NO in step S107), the process proceeds to step S111.

  If it is determined that the document number CN exceeds the maximum number MN (YES in step S107), the staple setting condition is set by the condition setting unit 715 (step S109). When the process of step S109 is completed, or when NO in step S107, the stapling process unit 716 executes the stapling process according to the stapling process condition set by the condition setting unit 715 (or according to the default condition). (Step S113), and the process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the stapling condition setting process in step S109 of the flowchart shown in FIG. The following processing is all performed by the condition setting unit 715. First, the condition setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the LCD 401a, and selection input of the processing conditions 1 to 3 is accepted (the OK button 805 of the condition setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed). Is determined (step S201).

  If it is determined that a selection input has not been received (NO in step S201), the process is set to a standby state. If it is determined that the selection input has been accepted (YES in step S201), it is determined whether or not a selection input corresponding to processing condition 3 (to cancel the stapling process) has been performed (step S203). If it is determined that the selection input corresponding to the processing condition 3 has been performed (YES in step S203), the stapling process is canceled (= setting that the stapling process is not performed) (step S205). Processing is returned.

  If it is determined that the selection input corresponding to the processing condition 3 has not been performed (NO in step S203), whether the selection input corresponding to the processing condition 1 (the stapling process is performed for each maximum number of sheets MN) has been performed. It is determined whether or not (step S207). If it is determined that a selection input corresponding to processing condition 1 has been made (YES in step S207), a setting is made to perform stapling processing for each maximum number of sheets MN (step S209), and the processing is returned. The

  If it is determined that the selection input corresponding to the processing condition 1 has not been performed (NO in step S207), it is determined whether the processing sheet number SN has been input (step S211). If it is determined that the number of processed sheets SN has not been input (NO in step S211), the process enters a standby state. If it is determined that the number of processed sheets SN has been input (YES in step S211), the setting for performing the stapling process is performed for each processed number of SNs (step S213), and the process is returned.

  FIG. 6 is a screen diagram showing an example of the condition setting screen displayed on the LCD 401a in step S201 of the flowchart shown in FIG. On the condition setting screen 800, from the upper side of the screen, a guidance display unit 801 that displays guidance, a first condition display unit 802 that displays the contents of processing condition 1, and a second condition display unit that displays the contents of processing condition 2 803, a third condition display unit 804 that displays the contents of the processing condition 3, a processing number input unit 803a that accepts an input of the processing number SN on the right side of the second condition display unit 803, and an input at the bottom of the screen An OK button 805 that is pressed when the input is completed and a cancel button 806 that is pressed when the input is canceled are displayed.

  The guidance display unit 801 displays “What to do when the document exceeds the stapling limit number of sheets?”, And the case where the maximum number of recording sheets MN (50 sheets in this case) that can be stapled by the stapler 304 is exceeded. A display prompting the user to input an instruction for setting the staple processing condition is performed.

  The first condition display unit 802 to the third condition display unit 804 are in a display form (for example, black and white reverse display) indicating that they are in a selected state when pressed. When the second condition display unit 803 is pressed, the process number input unit 803a is ready for input (for example, the process number input unit 803a blinks to prompt the process number input unit 803a to input). The input is accepted via the numeric keypad 403 shown in FIG.

  As described above, when it is determined that the number of documents CN, which is the number of documents, exceeds the maximum number of sheets MN that can be stapled, the conditions for defining the stapling method are set based on an instruction from the outside. Certain staple processing conditions (here, processing conditions 1 to 3) are accepted, and the staple processing of the stapler 304 is executed according to the accepted staple processing conditions, so the convenience of the stapling process is improved.

  In addition, since the document number CN is obtained based on the document thickness TH detected by the document thickness detection unit 712, the document number CN can be obtained with a simple configuration.

  Further, since the original document thickness TH detected by the original document thickness detector 712 is divided by the unit original document thickness ΔTH, the original document number CN is obtained, and thus the original document number CN is obtained with a simple configuration.

  In addition, since the unit document thickness setting unit 711 receives an operation instruction from the outside via the operation unit 400 and sets the unit document thickness ΔTH, an appropriate unit document thickness ΔTH can be set.

  In addition, since an operation instruction from the outside is accepted via the operation unit 400, one staple processing condition is set from a plurality of (here, three processing conditions 1 to 3) stapling processing conditions. The user can easily set the staple processing conditions, and the convenience is further improved.

  Furthermore, by selecting the processing condition 3 (by pressing the third condition display unit 804 of the condition setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 6), it is possible to easily set the condition for not performing the stapling process. Therefore, convenience is further improved.

  By selecting the processing condition 1 (by pressing the first condition display unit 802 on the condition setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 6), it is possible to easily set the condition for performing the stapling process for each maximum number of sheets MN. Therefore, convenience is further improved.

  By selecting the processing condition 2 (by pressing the second condition display unit 803 of the condition setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 6), it is accepted based on an instruction from the outside (condition setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 6). The condition for performing the stapling process can be set for each processing sheet number SN (input to the processing sheet number input unit 803a), so that the user can perform the stapling process for each desired number of sheets. Convenience is further improved.

  In addition, this invention can take the following aspects.

  (A) In the present embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus is the copying machine 1 has been described. However, another type of image forming apparatus (for example, a facsimile, a printer, or the like) may be used. When the image forming apparatus is of a form (for example, a facsimile, a printer, etc.) that does not have a function of reading a document image (does not have the document reading unit 500 and the document feeding unit 600), the document thickness detection unit 712 Instead of the document number detection unit 713, it is necessary to have a function of receiving an instruction number which is the number of recording sheets on which an image is to be formed. In this case, the determination unit 714 may determine whether the designated number exceeds the maximum number MN.

  For example, when the image forming apparatus is a network printer that is communicably connected to a plurality of personal computers PC, the condition setting unit 715 receives a staple processing condition via the keyboard of the personal computer PC or the like. Is preferred.

  (B) In the present embodiment, the document thickness detection unit 712 counts the number of rotations of the motor 608 to determine the document thickness TH. However, other methods may be used to determine the document thickness TH. For example, the thickness TH of the document may be obtained by a contact type or non-contact type thickness gauge. In this case, the thickness TH of the document can be obtained more accurately.

  (C) In the present embodiment, the case where the document number detection unit 713 obtains the document number CN using the document thickness TH has been described. However, another method may be used to obtain the document number CN. For example, the document weight CN may be obtained by detecting the weight of the document and using size (A3, A4, etc.) information.

  (D) In this embodiment, the case where the unit document thickness ΔTH is set in advance has been described. However, the unit document thickness ΔTH may be set by receiving an operation instruction from the outside via the operation unit 400. In this case, instead of directly inputting the unit original thickness ΔTH, a form or the like of the paper on which the original image is formed may be selectively input.

  (E) In the present embodiment, the case where the condition setting unit 715 sets one processing condition from the processing conditions 1 to 3 has been described, but one processing condition is set from a plurality of processing conditions. Any form is acceptable. For example, one processing condition may be set from two processing conditions of processing condition 1 and processing condition 3. In this case, the process is simplified.

  Further, for example, in addition to the processing conditions 1 to 3, other processing conditions may be set. For example, the number of sheets to be stapled may be set individually. For example, when the maximum number of sheets MN is 50 and the number of original sheets CN is 100, “50”, “ Alternatively, “30” and “20” may be received via the numeric keypad 403 or the like.

  (F) In the present embodiment, the case where the condition setting unit 715 is in a standby state until a selection input from the touch panel 401b is described, but when a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses, a predetermined default is set. A mode in which conditions (for example, processing condition 1) are set may be used. In this case, convenience is further improved.

1 is a side view of a copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a document feeding unit of the copier illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of the copier illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a control part. 5 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an example of a stapling condition setting process in step S109 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4. It is a screen figure which shows an example of the condition setting screen displayed on LCD by step S201 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Copying machine (image forming device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Main body part 300 Paper post-processing part 304 Stapler 400 Operation part 500 Original reading part 600 Original feeding part 606 Lifting member 606a-606d Rack 607a-607d Pinion 608 Motor 609a, 609b Connecting shaft 700 Control part 710 CPU
711 Unit document thickness setting section (unit document thickness setting means)
712 Document thickness detection unit (part of document number detection means)
713 Document number detection unit (part of document number detection means)
714 Determination unit (determination means)
715 Condition setting unit (condition setting means)
716 Staple processing unit (staple processing means)
720 RAM
721 Unit document thickness storage unit (unit document thickness storage means)
722 Maximum number storage unit (maximum number storage means)
723 Condition storage unit (condition storage means)

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus having a stapler that reads a document image that is an image formed on a document, forms a document image on a recording sheet, and performs a stapling process on the recording sheet on which the image is formed,
Maximum number storage means for storing information indicating the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stapled by the stapler;
A document number detecting means for detecting the number of documents as the number of documents,
Determining means for determining whether or not the number of documents exceeds the maximum number;
Condition setting means for receiving a staple processing condition, which is a condition for defining a staple processing method, based on an instruction from the outside when it is determined that the number of documents exceeds the maximum number;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a staple processing unit that causes the stapler to execute a staple process according to the staple processing condition.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document number detecting unit detects the thickness of the document and obtains the number of documents based on the detected thickness of the document. Unit document thickness storage means for storing a unit document thickness which is the thickness of one document;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the document number detection unit obtains the number of documents by dividing the thickness of the detected document by the unit document thickness.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising unit original thickness setting means for setting the unit original thickness by receiving the unit original thickness and storing it in the unit original thickness storage means based on an instruction from the outside. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above. Comprising a condition storage means for storing a plurality of staple processing conditions;
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condition setting unit sets one staple processing condition from the plurality of staple processing conditions based on an instruction from the outside.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of stapling processing conditions include a condition that stapling processing is not performed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of stapling processing conditions include a condition that stapling processing is performed for each of the maximum number of sheets. The condition setting means accepts the number of sheets to be stapled based on an instruction from the outside,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of stapling processing conditions include a condition that stapling processing is performed for each of the processing sheets. An image forming apparatus having a stapler that forms an image on a recording sheet and performs a stapling process on the recording sheet on which the image is formed,
Maximum number storage means for storing information indicating the maximum number of recording sheets that can be stapled by the stapler;
A sheet number receiving means for receiving an instruction sheet number that is the number of recording sheets on which an image is formed based on an instruction from the outside;
Determination means for determining whether or not the indicated number exceeds the maximum number;
Condition setting means for receiving a staple processing condition, which is a condition for defining a staple processing method, based on an instruction from the outside when it is determined that the designated number exceeds the maximum number;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a staple processing unit that causes the stapler to execute a staple process according to the staple processing condition.

Images