JP2007008099A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system which enables image-formed paper for each of a plurality of users to be easily identified without so much delay of image forming processing. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming system comprises an image forming apparatus body, and a postprocessor which is equipped with the function of annexing an identification stamp to the paper, a staple function, etc. The postprocessor is provided with a stamp annexing unit for annexing the identification stamps 51a, 51b, 51c, 52a, 52b and 52c to the leading ends and/or side surfaces of sheets S1, S2 and S3 of paper, ejected from the image forming apparatus body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, and more particularly to an image forming system having a post-processing function for paper on which an image is formed.

  Normally, a post-processing device incorporating post-processing means such as paper sorting, punch hole formation, paper folding, and stapling is connected to a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. These post-processing functions may be mounted on the image forming apparatus main body.

  On the other hand, in recent image forming systems, there are not only print requests from the system itself, but also print requests from various users via the network, and which user is the group of sheets discharged and loaded on the discharge tray. It is difficult to immediately identify whether it has been printed by instructions from

  Therefore, conventionally, printing paper is sorted into a plurality of paper discharge trays for each job, or printing paper is sorted by shifting one paper discharge tray for each job. However, this method requires a plurality of paper discharge trays and a mechanism for shifting the paper discharge trays.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that automatically inserts a slip sheet on which identification information is printed between print sheets for each job. However, in this printer, it is necessary to prepare a slip sheet, and printing identification information is an extra image forming process, which has a problem of delaying the original print process.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-193782

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system in which image forming sheets for a plurality of users can be easily identified without delaying image forming processing so much.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention is characterized by including an identification mark attaching unit for marking an end face of an image-formed sheet.

  According to the image forming system of the present invention, since the identification mark is attached to the end face of the image-formed paper, it is not necessary to feed the identification slip and form the identification information as in the prior art. Thus, it is possible to identify the image-formed paper for each job without delaying the original image forming process so much. Moreover, since the identification mark is formed on the end face of the sheet, the user can easily identify the sheet in a state where the sheet is stacked on the sheet discharge tray.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, a mark attachment position on the sheet by the identification mark attachment unit may be selectable. In addition, the mark attachment position on the sheet by the identification mark attachment unit may be selectable at least one of the front end, the rear end, and the side portion in the sheet conveyance direction. Further, the sheet to which the mark is attached by the identification mark attaching means may be selectable from among the sheets during one continuous image forming process.

  Furthermore, when post-processing means such as punch hole forming means and paper binding means are provided, the attachment position of the mark to the paper by the identification mark attaching means is the end of the paper on which the punch hole is formed or the end of the paper to be bound. It is preferable to do.

  Further, a display unit for setting the mark attachment mode by the identification mark attachment means may be provided, or the mark attachment mode by the identification mark attachment means may be set from an external device. Further, the mark attachment position by the identification mark attachment means may be automatically set to a position different from the previous mark attachment position, or the mark attachment mode by the identification mark attachment means is set to the past mark attachment history. May be set automatically.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the identification mark attaching unit is mounted in the main body of the image forming apparatus or a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image is formed in the main body of the image forming apparatus Either of them may be installed.

  Embodiments of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Schematic configuration of image forming system, see FIG. 1)
The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 1 and a post-processing apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus main body 1 is a known color printer based on an electrophotographic method, and includes a scanner 2 for reading a document image. It has.

  The scanner 2 is a well-known scanner that reads an image of a document placed on a platen glass (not shown) with an image sensor such as a CCD element. The document image is converted into three primary colors of RGB (red, green, and blue) with the image sensor. It is decomposed and converted into an electrical signal. The image data is further converted into reproduction colors of YMCK (yellow, magenta, cyan, black).

  The image forming apparatus main body 1 is configured around a print unit 10 that forms and combines YMCK images including a photosensitive drum, a laser scanning optical device, a developing device, and the like (not shown). The electrophotographic process for forming an image by the print unit 10 is well known, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is provided with three sheet feed trays 20 for feeding the stacked sheets one by one, and sheets are fed one by one from one of these sheet feed trays 20. After an image is formed on the paper by the print unit 10, the toner image is heated and fixed by the fixing unit 25, and is transferred from the discharge roller 29 to the post-processing device 100.

  The post-processing apparatus 100 includes a punch unit 110 for punching a filing punch hole on a sheet, a mark attaching unit 120 for attaching an identification mark to an end face of the sheet, a folding unit 130 for folding a sheet, a sheet bundle The paper is comprised of a sorter unit 150 having a staple unit 140 for binding the corner portion, one end portion or the central portion of the paper, and a tray 151 for storing / sorting paper. The configuration and operation of each unit other than the stamp attachment unit 120 to be described later are well known and will not be described.

(Control unit, see FIG. 2)
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the control unit of the image forming system having the above configuration. This control unit generally includes an image forming apparatus control unit 200 and a post-processing apparatus control unit 250. The image forming apparatus control unit 200 includes a CPU 202, a main control unit 201 including a ROM 203 and a RAM 204 storing a control program, a post-processing device I / F control unit 205, a panel control unit 206, and a network control unit 207. It is configured.

  From the operation / display panel 300, setting of a print mode, various mode settings relating to printing such as the number of prints, setting of a mark attachment mode described later, and the like are performed via the panel control unit 206. The main control unit 201 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus main body 1 based on various modes set on the operation / display panel 300. The main control unit 201 instructs image formation based on image data and print data received from the information processing apparatus 220 such as a computer via the network control unit 207.

  The post-processing device control unit 250 includes a main control unit 251 including a CPU 252 and a ROM 253 and a RAM 254 that store control programs, a main body I / F control unit 255, a mark attachment unit control unit 256, a folding unit 130, and the like. And a control unit (not shown) for controlling the unit. Information regarding post-processing (also referred to as finishing processing) is transferred from the control unit 205 to the control unit 255, and the main control unit 251 controls the operation of the post-processing apparatus 100.

(See the attached unit, Fig. 3)
FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the stamp attachment unit 120 and its periphery in the post-processing apparatus 100. The stamp attachment unit 120 includes rotationally driven stamp attachment rollers 121 and 122. A pair of transport rollers 102 and a sheet detection sensor 123 are installed at the entrance, and a pair of transport rollers 103 are installed at the exit. Further, the mark attachment unit 120 can be moved by the moving motor 124 in the direction of conveyance of the paper S indicated by the arrow A, the reverse direction indicated by the arrow A ′, and the direction orthogonal thereto.

  The transport roller 102 is controlled by the overall transport drive system of the post-processing apparatus 100, and the transport roller 103 is controlled by the paper transport motor 104. The position at which the sheet S is temporarily stopped to attach the identification mark is the trailing edge detection timing of the sheet S by the sensor 123.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the stamp attachment rollers 121 and 122 are provided with stamps 121a and 122a in a part of a ring-shaped roller, and rotate in synchronization with each other (see arrow C). The identification mark is printed on the sheet S with the sheet S interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 5, the identification mark 50 is printed on the front and back surfaces of the end portion of the paper S and can be viewed from the end surface of the paper S.

(Attachment of identification mark, see FIGS. 6 and 7)
In the mark attaching unit 120, a job identification mark is attached to the edge of the print paper for each one job (processing for continuously forming an image by one print start instruction) performed by the user. Print by 122

  For example, FIG. 6A shows an identification mark 51a, 51b, 51c on the side in the transport direction A for each sheet S1, S2, S3 for each job. The aspect which attached | subjected is shown. FIG. 6B shows a mode in which identification marks 52a, 52b, 52c are attached to the leading ends in the transport direction A for the respective sheets S1, S2, S3 for each job. Of course, the identification mark may be attached to both the side portion and the leading end of the sheet.

  FIG. 7A shows a mode in which the attachment of the identification marks 51 a, 51 b, 51 c and the formation of the punch holes 61 are used together. FIG. 7B shows a mode in which the attachment of the identification marks 51, 51b, 51c and the driving of the staple needle 62 are used together. As described above, when attaching the identification mark together with punch hole formation or stapling, the position at which the identification mark is attached is the paper end where the punch hole 61 is formed or the paper end where the staple needle 62 is driven. It is preferable.

  As described above, by attaching an identification mark to the side, leading edge, or trailing edge of the sheet conveyance direction, the user can identify the type of sheet bundle while the sheet bundle is stacked on the tray 151. In this embodiment, the mark attachment position can be selected. These mode settings will be described below.

(Set mark attachment position, see Fig. 8)
Next, the setting of the mark attachment position will be described. The mark attachment unit 120 stands by at an initial position parallel to the paper transport direction A as shown in each of FIGS. When the mark 51 is attached to the side of the paper S (see FIGS. 8A and 8B), the paper 51 moves to the side position according to the size of the paper S being conveyed by distances D1 and D2. Then, it moves to arrows A and A ′ parallel to the transport direction corresponding to the attachment position.

  When the mark 52 is attached to the leading edge of the sheet S (see FIGS. 8C and 8D), the sheet 52 moves by distances D3 and D4 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction A corresponding to the attachment position.

(Control procedure, see FIGS. 9 to 12)
Next, the control procedure will be described. FIG. 9 shows the main routine of the mark attachment process. First, the mark attachment mode is selected (step S1), and image data is read (step S2). Further, paper feeding / conveyance is executed in the image forming apparatus main body 1 (step S3), image formation on the photosensitive drum and image transfer onto the paper are executed (step S4), and the image-formed paper is moved back. It conveys to the processing apparatus 100 (step S5). Further, finishing processing is executed in the post-processing apparatus 100 (step S6), and the paper is discharged to the tray 151 (step S7).

  The selection of the mark attachment mode executed in step S1 is a process selected by the operation / display panel 300, which will be described in detail below. In the image reading executed in step S2, image data input from the external information processing apparatus 220 such as the scanner 2 or a computer is read and stored. In the paper feeding / conveying executed in step S3, the paper is picked up one by one from the paper feed tray 20 and fed until the paper is discharged from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

  The image formation / transfer executed in step S4 includes formation of a latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the image data in the print unit 10, development with toner, transfer of the toner image onto paper, toner fixing, and the photosensitive drum. Continuous cleaning, charge removal, etc. In the conveyance of the sheet executed in step S5, the sheet on which the image is formed in step S4 is conveyed to each processing unit of the post-processing apparatus 100. In the finishing process executed in step S6, identification mark attachment, punch hole formation, stapling processing, paper folding processing, and the like are performed on the image-formed paper based on the setting mode. In the paper discharge executed in step S7, the paper or the paper bundle subjected to the finishing process is discharged to the tray 151.

  FIG. 10 shows a subroutine for selecting a mark attachment mode executed in step S1. First, when it is confirmed that the user has selected the identification mark attachment mode (YES in step S11), it is determined whether or not the user has selected a mark attachment position (step S12). If the user does not select the mark attachment position, the automatic position setting is processed in step S13. If the user sets the mark attachment position, the user selects the attachment position in step S14. Thereafter, an image forming operation is performed (step S15).

  FIG. 11 shows a subroutine for automatic position setting executed in step S13. First, the optimum position for marking is calculated from the past history (step S21). Here, the optimum position is calculated from the past attachment position of the identification mark, the attachment position currently being processed, and the paper size. For example, when a mark is attached at a position 10 mm from the front end of the paper in the previous job, a mark is attached at a position 20 mm from the front end of the paper in the current job.

  Next, the user is confirmed whether or not the optimum position calculated in step S21 is preferable (step S22). If the user does not select another option (see FIG. 7) (NO in step S23), a mark is attached. Processing is executed (step S24). If the user has also selected an option (YES in step S23), mark attachment processing and option processing are performed (step S25).

  FIG. 12 shows a subroutine for selecting a mark attachment position by the user, which is executed in step S14. First, a selection screen 330 (see FIG. 15) described below is displayed on the operation / display panel 300, and the mark attachment position is selected by the user (step S31). Next, confirmation is made with the user as to whether or not the selection position is preferable (step S32). If the user does not select another option (FIG. 7) (NO in step S33), a mark attachment process is executed (step S33). S34). If the user has also selected an option (YES in step S33), a mark attachment process and an option process are performed (step S35).

(User selection, see FIGS. 13-15)
To select the mark attachment mode, first, a finishing mode selection screen 320 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed by pressing a finishing mode selection button 311 on the copy mode selection screen 310 on the operation / display panel 300 shown in FIG. Then, on this selection screen 320, selection is made by pressing a mark attachment button 321.

  When the mark attachment button 321 is pressed, the position selection screen 330 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. When the horizontal button 331 is pressed, the attachment position mark 335 is displayed at the center of the paper side, and the horizontal button 331 is pressed again. And erased. When the vertical button 332 is pressed, another attached position mark 336 is displayed at the center of the leading edge of the sheet, and when the vertical button 332 is pressed again, it is erased.

  The mark 335 moves in the horizontal direction by pressing the cursor keys 331a and 331b, and the mark 336 moves in the vertical direction by pressing the cursor keys 332a and 332b, and is set at an arbitrary position. The position set in this way is the attachment position of the identification mark.

  Further, when the mark attachment position is automatically set based on the history, when the automatic horizontal button 341 is pressed on the position selection screen 330, the horizontal attachment position calculated based on the attachment position history information is marked. 335 is displayed. When the automatic horizontal button 341 is pressed again, the mark 335 is deleted (automatic setting is canceled). When the automatic vertical button 342 is pressed, the vertical attachment position calculated based on the attachment position history information is displayed by a mark 336. When the automatic vertical button 342 is pressed again, the mark 336 is deleted (automatic setting is canceled).

  Furthermore, the user can select the attachment position of the identification mark after confirming the image area. In this case, when the image is read by the scanner 2 after the image reading button 343 is pressed on the position selection screen 330, the maximum image area 345 of the read image is displayed. The attachment position is set by the marks 335 and 336 while viewing the maximum image area 345. Note that after setting the attachment position with the marks 335 and 336, the image reading button 343 can be pressed to check the maximum image area 345, and then the attachment positions can be changed by moving the marks 335 and 336.

(Attachment of identification mark from external device)
The image forming apparatus main body 1 can be attached with an identification mark from an external device such as a computer via the network control unit 207. A selection screen similar to that shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 is displayed on the computer screen, and the same selection can be made with the mouse.

(Selecting the page with a seal, Fig. 16)
Further, in this embodiment, the page to which the mark for identification by the mark attachment unit 120 is attached can be selected from one job (one continuous print process) on the page selection screen shown in FIG. is there.

  That is, when the all page button 351 is pressed on the page selection screen 350, marks are attached to all pages of one job. When the one-page button 352 is pressed, a mark is attached only to the first page in one job. When the last page button 353 is pressed, a mark is attached only to the last page in one job. Further, when a page designation button 354 is pressed, a page to which a mark is attached can be designated by a numeric keypad.

(Other examples)
The image forming system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

  For example, the image forming apparatus main body may be a printer or a copying machine that forms a monochrome image in addition to a color printer. The mark attachment unit may be mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and the detailed structure of the mark attachment unit is arbitrary. For example, if a plurality of different color stamps are provided on the mark attaching roller, it is possible to attach identification marks having different colors for each job.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the image forming system. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the principal part of the post-processing apparatus which comprises the said image forming system. It is a perspective view which shows the mark attachment roller of a mark attachment unit. It is a perspective view which shows an identification mark attachment state. It is a perspective view which shows the aspect of mark attachment. It is a perspective view which shows the other aspect of mark attachment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting of the attachment position by a mark attachment unit. It is a flowchart figure which shows the main routine of a mark attachment process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the subroutine of a mark attachment mode selection process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the subroutine of an automatic position setting. It is a flowchart figure which shows the subroutine of the mark attachment position selection by a user. It is a top view which shows the copy mode selection screen displayed on an operation / display panel. It is a top view which shows the finishing mode selection screen displayed on an operation / display panel. It is a top view which shows the position selection screen displayed on an operation / display panel. It is a top view which shows the page selection screen displayed on an operation / display panel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus main body 50, 51, 52 ... Identification mark 100 ... Post-processing apparatus 110 ... Punch unit 120 ... Mark attachment unit 121, 122 ... Mark attachment roller 121a, 122a ... Stamp 140 ... Staple unit 202, 252 ... CPU
300 ... Operation / display panel S ... Paper A ... Paper transport direction

Claims (11)

  An image forming system comprising an identification mark attaching means for marking an end face of an image-formed sheet.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein an attachment position of the mark on the sheet can be selected by the identification mark attaching unit.   The mark attachment position on the sheet by the identification mark attachment unit can be selected at at least one of a front end, a rear end, or a side portion with respect to the sheet conveyance direction. Image forming system.   4. The paper sheet to which a mark is attached by the identification mark attaching means can be selected from paper sheets that are undergoing a single continuous image forming process. Image forming system. Furthermore, it comprises punch hole forming means, paper binding means,
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a position where the mark is attached to the paper by the identification mark attaching means is a paper edge portion where a punch hole is formed or a paper edge portion to be bound. Forming system.   6. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for setting a mark attachment mode by the identification mark attachment unit.   7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a mark attaching mode by the identification mark attaching means can be set from an external device.   8. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the mark attachment position by the identification mark attachment means is automatically set to a position different from the previous mark attachment position.   8. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a mark attachment mode by the identification mark attachment unit is automatically set from a past mark attachment history.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the identification mark attaching unit is mounted on a main body of the image forming apparatus. 10. The identification mark attaching unit is mounted on a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming apparatus main body. Image forming system.

Images