JP2011162290A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system capable of ejecting staying paper in a binding-processed state, even when the number of staying paper remaining in the image forming system is less than a lower limit value, when a processing job is interrupted, in the image forming system having a postprocessing device having the lower limit value in the paper number capable of binding processing. <P>SOLUTION: The purpose of the invention can be attained by providing the image forming system for making and ejecting a disposal booklet composed of replenishing paper and the staying paper by carrying to the postprocessing device by feeding the replenishing paper from a paper storage part in the image forming system when the number of staying paper is less than the lower limit value and 1 or more. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system including a post-processing device.

  There is provided an image forming apparatus system in which a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on an image-formed sheet is mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  In particular, post-processing is performed by aligning the sheet bundle of a plurality of sheets and binding the side of the sheet bundle with staples, or by gluing the back of the sheet bundle, and the post-processed sheet bundle at the paper discharge section, or There is an image forming system in which a post-processing device that discharges paper to a connected paper discharge device is mounted.

  In such an image forming system, when an instruction to cancel a job is input from the operation unit or the like, the processing of the post-processing device such as binding or paper discharge is interrupted when the job of the image forming device being processed is immediately interrupted. A technique has been proposed in which all sheets are discharged from the post-processing apparatus without being continued (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming system excellent in productivity and usability that does not require an operator's troubles such as taking out the staying paper remaining in the post-processing apparatus.

  In the image forming system described in Patent Document 1, when a command to stop a series of jobs is output from the image forming apparatus, even if the number of sheets stacked on the staple processing unit does not reach the lower limit, Control is performed so that the binding process is performed on the bundle, and the staying paper in the post-processing apparatus is bound and discharged to the discharge tray.

  When canceling a job that is being copied / stacked, if the paper is stopped with the paper loaded in the staple processing unit, the user needs to remove the paper, and the paper becomes scattered at that time. Person is forced to perform complicated processing and operation. The image forming system of Patent Document 1 solves such a problem.

  The post-processing device of the image forming system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 controls so that the staying paper is discharged to the discharge tray without performing saddle stitching when the saddle stitching job being executed is interrupted. However, when the number of staying sheets exceeds the upper limit number that can be conveyed to the discharge tray in an unbound state, control is performed so that the staying sheets are discharged after being subjected to the saddle stitching process. In principle, the staying paper is discharged without performing the binding process, and is exceptionally discharged after performing the binding process. It is possible to automatically discharge the staying paper in the machine, and the troublesomeness for the operator such as opening the door and taking out the staying paper in the machine is eliminated.

JP 2000-177919 A JP 2007-55792 A

  However, a post-processing device such as a post-processing device that creates a booklet by applying glue to the back of a sheet bundle has a lower limit in the specification of the number of sheets that can be bound, so the job being executed is interrupted. Sometimes, if the number of staying sheets remaining in the post-processing device is less than the lower limit, the current booklet creation process is interrupted until the job return operation such as removing the staying sheets from the system is completed. Control is performed to continue the state. For this reason, the operator is burdened with the trouble and trouble of opening the doors of the respective apparatuses in the image forming system to remove the staying paper in the image forming system.

  The present invention includes a post-processing device having a lower limit for the number of sheets that can be bound, and stays even when the number of staying sheets remaining in the image forming system is less than the lower limit when a job being processed is interrupted. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of discharging a sheet in a bound state.

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

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper;
A post-processing device capable of creating a booklet by performing a binding process on a sheet having a predetermined lower limit number or more;
A control unit that controls the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus to create and discharge a booklet composed of sheets of the lower limit number or more formed with an image, and an image forming system comprising:
The control unit determines whether or not the number of staying sheets remaining in the image forming system is equal to or more than the lower limit when an active booklet creation job is stopped, and the number of staying sheets is less than the lower limit. When it is determined that the number of staying sheets is greater than or equal to the number, a waste booklet made of the staying sheets is created and discharged, and when it is determined that the number of staying sheets is less than the lower limit number and greater than or equal to 1, the image forming system An image forming system characterized in that paper stored in an internal paper storage section is fed and transported as supplementary paper to the post-processing device to create and discharge a waste booklet composed of the staying paper and the supplementary paper.

2. When it is determined that the number of staying sheets is less than the lower limit number and 1 or more, replenishment sheets stored in a sheet storing unit in the image forming system are fed and transported to the post-processing device, and the staying is performed. An additional paper feed mode for creating and discharging a waste booklet made up of paper and the supplementary paper, and a system stop mode for leaving the staying paper in the image forming system,
2. The image forming system according to item 1, wherein the additional sheet feeding mode or the system stop mode can be selected.

3. 3. The image forming system according to 1 or 2, wherein the number Na of the supplementary sheets fed and conveyed to the post-processing apparatus satisfies the following condition.
Na ≧ Nc—Nr
Nc: lower limit number, Nr: number of staying sheets 4. The image forming system according to any one of 1 to 3, wherein the setting of the sheet storage unit to which the supplementary sheet is conveyed can be set in advance or when the booklet creation job is stopped.

  5. A plurality of processing modes for generating a booklet by the post-processing device when the discard booklet is created, and one processing mode can be set in advance from the plurality of processing modes when the booklet creation job is canceled 5. The image forming system as set forth in any one of 1 to 4, wherein:

  6). A special image forming mode for forming a special image composed of a message or the like on the replenishing paper when the replenishing paper is fed to the post-processing device, and the special image forming mode in advance or when the booklet creation job is canceled 6. The image forming system according to any one of 1 to 5, wherein the setting of the message or the content of the message can be set.

  7). The image forming system according to any one of 1 to 6, wherein the post-processing device is a case binding device that creates a booklet by applying a gluing process to a back portion of a sheet bundle.

  The present invention includes a post-processing device having a lower limit for the number of sheets that can be bound, and stays even when the number of staying sheets remaining in the image forming system is less than the lower limit when a job being processed is interrupted. It is possible to create and discharge a booklet for disposal made of paper, and to provide an image forming system with excellent usability in processing stagnant paper.

1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming system to which the present invention is applied. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus G. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a page insertion device B. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the case binding apparatus K as a post-processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the bookbinding operation | movement of the case binding apparatus K. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows control of an image forming system. 6 is a sequence chart showing a communication procedure related to paper management when a normal bookbinding operation ends normally. 10 is a sequence chart illustrating a communication procedure when a bookbinding job in operation is canceled when a bookbinding job is canceled. It is a flowchart which shows the control regarding creation and discharge | emission of the booklet for a waste performed by the main body control part CG which concerns on this invention when the booklet production job in operation | movement is forcibly canceled. It is a flowchart which shows control of the staying paper management which main body control part CG concerning this invention manages. It is a flowchart which shows the control regarding the registration of the additional paper feed tray which the main body control part CG concerning this invention manages. It is a top view which shows tray setting screen G1 which selects an additional paper feed tray. It is a flowchart which shows the control which changes the setting of the discard booklet conditions comprised by a special message and special conditions. It is a top view which shows the guide screen G2 for setting change of discard booklet conditions. It is a top view which shows the special message setting screen G3 for setting the special image formation mode and changing a special message. It is a top view which shows the special condition setting screen G4 for setting and changing the special conditions which process a waste booklet production with a case binding apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment to be described.

[Image forming system]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an image forming system to which the present invention is applied. The illustrated image forming system T includes an image forming apparatus G, a page insertion apparatus B, a saddle stitching apparatus N, and a case binding apparatus K as a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus G includes an automatic document feeder ADF and a large-capacity paper feeding device PS, the saddle stitching apparatus N is a saddle stitch booklet storage tray TR1 for storing saddle-stitched booklets, and the case binding apparatus K is a case bound booklet. A booklet storage tray TR2 is provided.

  The operator uses the operation display unit D of the image forming apparatus G to set a job to be executed in the image forming system.

[Image forming apparatus G]
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus G.

  The illustrated image forming apparatus G is referred to as a tandem color image forming apparatus that forms a full-color image by arranging a plurality of photoconductors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K in a row while facing one intermediate transfer belt 41. It is what is done.

  The image forming apparatus G acquires job data and image data used for image formation from another apparatus via communication means, or reading information read by scanning an original 410 by an automatic document feeder ADF provided above the job data. Image data is generated from

  The documents 410 placed on the document placement table 403 of the automatic document feeder ADF are separated one by one, sent to the document transport path, and transported by the transport drum 408.

  The image of the document 410 being conveyed is read by the document reading unit 1 at the document image reading position RP. The document 410 that has been read is discharged to a document discharge table 407 by a plurality of conveyance guides and a document discharge roller 405.

  The image forming apparatus G includes a document reading unit 1, exposure units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K, an intermediate transfer unit 4, a fixing unit 5, a reverse discharge unit 6, and a refeed. The unit 7, the sheet feeding unit 8, the operation display unit D, the control unit CG, and the like are housed in one casing.

  The document reading unit 1 irradiates the image of the document with the lamp L at the document reading position RP, guides the reflected light by the first mirror unit 11, the second mirror unit 12, and the lens 13, and receives the light receiving surface of the image sensor CCD. To form an image.

  The image signal photoelectrically converted by the image sensor CCD is subjected to processing such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and compression in the image reading control unit 14, and is stored as image data in the storage unit MG of the control unit CG.

  The image data stored in the memory is subjected to appropriate image processing according to conditions set by the user, and output image data is generated.

  The exposure units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K include a laser light source, a polygon mirror, a plurality of lenses, and the like, and generate a laser beam.

  The exposure units 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K are constituent elements of the image forming units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K corresponding to output information output based on the output image data sent from the control unit C. The surfaces of the photoreceptors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K are scanned and exposed with a laser beam.

  By scanning exposure with the laser beam, latent images are formed on the photoconductors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K.

  The image forming unit 3Y includes a photoconductor 31Y and a main charging unit 32Y, a developing unit 33Y, a first transfer roller 34Y, and a cleaning unit 35Y arranged around the photoconductor 31Y. The same applies to the photoconductors 31M, 31C, and 31K.

  The latent images on the photoconductors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K are developed by the corresponding developing units 33Y, 33M, 33C, and 33K, and toner images are formed on the photoconductors.

  The toner images formed on the photoreceptors 31Y, 31M, 31C, and 31K as image carriers are transferred to intermediate transfer belts 41 as intermediate transfer members by first transfer rollers 34Y, 34M, 34C, and 34K of the intermediate transfer unit 4. The image is sequentially transferred to a predetermined position above.

  Residual toner is removed from the surface of the photoreceptor after the transfer of the toner image by the cleaning units 35Y, 35M, 35C and 35K.

  On the other hand, the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 serving as an image carrier is fed by the second transfer roller 42 to the large-capacity sheet feeding device PS or the upper sheet feeding tray PG1 of the sheet feeding unit 8 and the middle sheet feeding. The paper is transferred from the paper tray PG2 and the lower paper feed tray PG3, and is transferred onto the paper P, which is a transfer material sent out in a timely manner by the paper feed roller 81.

  After the transfer of the toner image onto the paper P, the intermediate transfer belt 41 is cleaned by the belt cleaning unit 43 and used for the next image transfer.

  On the other hand, the paper P carrying the toner image is sent to the fixing unit 5 and is heated under pressure by a roller or a belt disposed oppositely, whereby the toner image is fixed on the paper P.

  The paper P for which the fixing process by the fixing unit 5 has been completed is selected by the paper transport path switching unit 6.

  The paper P, which is formed on one side of the paper P and is sent out without being turned upside down, travels directly toward the paper discharge roller 64 and is sent to the page insertion device B.

  When image formation is performed also on the back surface of the paper P, the paper P on which image fixing on the front surface has been completed is conveyed to the refeeding section 7 below by the paper guide member 62, and is fed by the refeeding reverse roller 71. After pinching the rear end, the paper P is reversed by reverse feeding and sent to the refeed conveyance path 72 for image formation on the back surface.

[Page insertion device]
FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the page insertion device B. Each mechanism unit of the page insertion device B includes a paper transport unit 710, an insertion paper storage unit 730, a punch processing unit 740, a folding transport unit 750, and a folding processing unit 760.

  The paper transport unit 710 includes an entrance roller 712, transport rollers 713 and 714, a paper discharge roller 715, a paper feed roller 722, and transport rollers 723, 724, 725, and 726, and the paper P received from the paper receiving unit 711, or Then, the insertion paper Pb stored in the insertion paper storage unit 730 is conveyed and discharged from the paper discharge unit 716.

  The insertion sheet storage unit 730 has upper and lower upper feed trays 731. The upper and lower two-stage lower paper feed tray 732 can store insertion paper (also called cover paper, insert paper, rear cover paper, etc. depending on the order and position of insertion into the paper). The inserted insertion paper Pb is separated and fed by the paper feed roller 722, and is sandwiched between the transport rollers 723, 724, 725, and 726 of the transport path r15, and transported by the inlet roller 712 on the upstream side of the branching section. Join the route. Hereinafter, the paper P and the insertion paper Pb are collectively referred to as paper P.

  The paper P introduced into the entrance roller 712 is either the transport path r11 toward the paper discharge section 716 or the transport path r12 toward the punch processing section 740 by the transport path switching means GT1 that is switched by a driving means (not shown). Branch to crab. When the punching process and the folding process are not set for the paper P, the transport path switching unit GT1 blocks the transport path to the punch processing unit 740 and opens the transport path to the paper discharge unit 716.

  The sheet P passing through the conveyance path r11 toward the sheet discharge unit 716 is clamped by the conveyance rollers 713 and 714, goes straight, is discharged from the sheet discharge unit 716 by the discharge roller 715, and is connected to the page insertion device B, which will be described later. It is introduced into the saddle stitching apparatus N which is the second post-processing apparatus.

[Saddle stitching device]
The saddle stitching device N has a configuration known in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-178293 and the like, and is connected downstream of the page insertion device B as shown in FIG. When performing the saddle stitching process, the paper P carried from the page insertion device B is conveyed to a middle folding processing unit (not shown) and subjected to the middle folding processing, and further the half-folded paper P is sent to the saddle stitching processing unit (not shown). Sequentially accumulate and perform saddle stitching. Then, the sheet (booklet) that has been folded and saddle-stitched is discharged onto a sub-discharge tray (not shown) disposed at the bottom of the saddle stitching apparatus N.

  When the saddle stitching process is not required, the paper P carried from the page insertion device B is discharged to the case binding apparatus K without being conveyed to the middle folding processing unit and the saddle stitching processing unit.

[Case binding device]
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a case binding apparatus K as a post-processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the bookbinding operation of the case binding apparatus K.

  The case binding apparatus K includes a sheet transport unit 510, a sheet discharge unit 520, a sheet bundle storage unit 530, a sheet bundle transport unit 540, an adhesive application unit 550, a cover sheet supply unit 560, a cover sheet cutting unit 570, and a cover sheet support unit 580. Yes.

  In the case of a job for which case binding processing has not been set, the paper P that has traveled via the paper transport path of the saddle stitching apparatus N is ejected by the paper ejection unit 520 according to the setting of the transport path switching gate GT2. Sent to.

  If a job for performing the case binding process has been set, the paper P is transported by the paper transporting means 510 and accumulated in the paper bundle storage means 530, thereby forming a paper bundle S1.

  The sheet bundle S1 is conveyed to a predetermined position by the sheet bundle conveying unit 540, and the glue NR is applied to the back of the sheet bundle S1 by the glue applying unit 550.

  The cover sheet S2 supported by the cover support means 580 is bonded to the back of the sheet bundle S1 to which the glue NR is applied, and the back of the bonded sheet bundle S1 is bent along both edges to complete the booklet Bf. .

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the formation of the sheet bundle S1 of the case binding apparatus and the subsequent steps.

  The sheet bundle storage unit 530 includes a sheet placement table 535 that is inclined, a movable sheet rear end positioning member 536, an alignment member 537 that aligns sheets in the width direction, and the like.

  The sheets P discharged from the image forming apparatus G and sent by the sheet conveying means 510 are sequentially placed on the sheet placing table 535 to form a sheet bundle S1 made up of a predetermined number of sheets.

  The sheet bundle S1 stacked on the sheet placing table 535 of the sheet bundle accommodating unit 530 is gripped by the gripping unit 541 when the alignment is completed. When the sheet bundle S1 is grasped by the grasping means 541, the sheet rear end positioning member 536 is moved by a driving means (not shown) and retracts below the sheet placing table 535.

  The gripping means 541 that grips the sheet bundle S1 moves obliquely downward as indicated by the broken line in the figure and then turns to hold the sheet bundle S1 so that the back Sa on which the paste application processing is performed on the sheet bundle S1 is on the lower side. Holding in an upright state, it stops at a predetermined position.

  On the other hand, the cover sheet S2 accommodated in the cover stacking unit 561 of the cover sheet supply unit 560 is separated and fed by the sheet feeding unit 562, and is sandwiched between the transport rollers 563, 564, and 565, and the transport roller 581 of the cover sheet support unit 580. , 582 and stopped at a predetermined position.

  When the cover sheet S2 is longer than the length necessary for the case binding process for the sheet bundle S1, the cover sheet S2 is cut by the cover cutting means 570 arranged on the right side of the conveyance roller 565 in the drawing. , Excess portions are removed in advance.

  The glue application unit 550 includes a melting tank 553 as a housing member that accommodates the glue NR, an application roller 551 as an application member, a regulating member (not shown), a scraping unit, a heater, a glue temperature sensor, and a remaining amount sensor.

  The melting tank 553 is replenished with a nodular solid paste based on a signal from a remaining amount sensor (not shown) that detects the amount of glue in the tank. A heater is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the melting tank 553 and the inside of the application roller 51, and the solid paste supplied to the melting tank 53 is heated to a predetermined temperature before application and reaches a molten state.

  The application of glue to the back Sa of the sheet bundle S1 held in an upright state is immersed in the glue in the melting tank 553, and the application roller 551 rotated by the motor M and the driving means 552 is applied to the back Sa of the sheet bundle. This is done by reciprocating.

  The speed at which the application roller 551 is reciprocated can be changed by a bookbinding control device, which will be described later, and includes a normal speed mode used for normal booklet creation and a double speed mode for reciprocating at a speed twice that of the normal speed mode. ing. In the double speed mode, the amount of glue NR consumed can be almost halved, and the processing time required for applying glue can be greatly reduced, which is effective in reducing cost and processing time.

《Covering process for cover page》
After completion of the glue application process on the sheet bundle S1, the elevating means 586 moves the movable casing 584 to a predetermined position on the upper part by a driving means (not shown). At this raised position, the center portion of the cover sheet S2 placed on the pressure member 583 is pressed against and adhered to the glue application surface of the sheet bundle S1.

《Square back molding processing》
After the cover sheet S2 is adhered to the spine Sa of the sheet bundle S1 to which the glue NR is applied, the pair of folding members 588 are driven by a driving unit (not shown) when the cover sheet supporting unit 580 is raised. When the gripping means 541 that grips the sheet bundle S1 descends and the sheet bundle S1 descends, the cover sheet S2 is sandwiched and lowered by the pair of folding members 588, and the side edge portion of the glue application surface of the sheet bundle S1 Is curved from.

  Thereafter, the pair of bending members 588 move in the horizontal direction toward the glue application surface side of the sheet bundle S1, presses and shapes both sides of the sheet bundle S1, and creates a booklet Bf.

  The booklet Bf discharged by the discharge belt 587 is sequentially stored in the case booklet storage tray TR2 having the transportable belt 91 that can be moved up and down as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the booklet Bf subjected to the cover sheet pasting process and the square spine forming process is the highest quality booklet, but the cover sheet pasting process or the square spine forming process may be omitted. By omitting the booklet creation time can be shortened, or the booklet can be produced inexpensively.

  A case binding apparatus having the above-described mechanism is known in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-272963.

  As described above, the case binding apparatus K according to the present invention applies glue to the back of the sheet bundle, and when the number of sheets in the sheet bundle is small, the bonding area cannot be secured and the sheet bundle is not sufficiently bonded. . Therefore, the bookbinding control unit that controls the case binding apparatus K, which will be described later, is managed so that the number of sheets in the stack of stacked sheets does not become less than the lower limit number, that is, ensures the upper limit number or more.

[Control of image forming system]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control of the image forming system T. In the drawing, the description of blocks that are not directly related to the description of the present invention is omitted.

  The image forming apparatus G, the page insertion apparatus B, the saddle stitching apparatus N, and the case binding apparatus K that constitute the image forming system T, as their own control units, are a main body control unit CG, a page insertion control unit CB, and a saddle stitching control unit. CN and bookbinding control unit CK are provided.

  Each control unit includes a CPU, an internal memory MG, MB, MN, KK, an external memory, for example, a storage means MMG, MMC, MMN, MMK, an input / output I / O which is a large capacity storage means such as a semiconductor flash memory or a magnetic disk. A computer system having O, a communication interface, a drive circuit, and the like. Each control unit performs predetermined control by executing a program stored in a memory included in each control unit.

  The control unit of each device communicates and shares information to be grasped by each device as necessary using communication means. As a control unit according to the present invention, the main body control unit CG comprehensively manages the page insertion control unit CB, the saddle stitching control unit CN, and the bookbinding control unit CK, and performs various jobs managed by the image forming system.

  Various settings relating to the image forming system can be changed and selected from the operation display unit D of the image forming apparatus G. The main body control unit CG that comprehensively controls the entire system temporarily stores job data relating to job contents together with image data, and advances the execution of each job based on a preset predetermined procedure. The main body control unit CG transfers job data to the control unit of each device prior to the start of the job.

  Each control unit is connected so that a large amount of information can be exchanged at high speed by the communication means constituted by the first communication means TT1 and the second communication means TT2. In the present embodiment, the second communication unit TT2 that enables short-time transfer of a large amount of image data is provided. However, the communication unit includes a large amount of image data and progress information (status of each device regarding the job being executed). Information) is exchanged between the control units. Here, the communication means includes the first communication means TT1 and the second communication means TT2, but one may be used.

  For example, when managing a bookbinding creation job, the main body control unit CG exchanges status information of sheet processing with the other control units CB and CK based on the following communication procedure. Here, the status information related to the “residual paper acquisition management for acquiring the number of residual paper remaining in the image forming system when a command to cancel the job being executed” is transmitted according to the present invention is mainly shown. However, status information is often exchanged when a bookbinding job is actually performed.

  The communication unit of the image forming apparatus G can also communicate with an external apparatus other than the image forming system, and can receive job data and image data sent from the external apparatus to the image forming system.

[Communication Procedure for Paper Processing (Part 1)]
FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing a communication procedure when a booklet creation job is executed. From the right side, a main body control unit CG, a page insertion control unit CB, a saddle stitching control unit CN, and a bookbinding control unit CK are arranged from the right side, and left and right arrows indicate communication procedures exchanged between the control units. The time has progressed downward, and communication is exchanged between the control units at the timings indicated by T1 to T9 in the drawing.

  The balloons indicated by F01 to F05 indicate the states generated in each device. A balloon F01 indicates a job start state in which a booklet creation job is started by the image forming apparatus G, and a balloon indicated by “Dpf” indicates a sheet feeding start state in which sheets are fed from the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus G. Show. The balloon indicated by “Dpe” in F03 indicates a paper discharge completion state in which the paper P is discharged from each device to the downstream device. A balloon indicated by “Dps” in F04 indicates a paper stack end state in which the paper P is stacked on the stack unit of the case binding apparatus K. A balloon indicated by “Dbe” in F05 indicates a booklet discharge completion state in which the booklet is completed by the case binding apparatus K and discharged to the discharge tray. A balloon indicated by “Completion of booklet creation job” in F06 indicates a state in which the main body control unit CG determines completion of a series of booklet creation jobs.

  At the timing of T1, the main body control unit CG receives a “booklet creation job command” and sends a “booklet creation job start” notification to each apparatus.

  When the main body control unit CG detects a state in which the first sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus in order to create the first booklet at the timing of T2, a sheet feeding notification is transmitted to each apparatus. is doing.

  At the timing of T3, when the page insertion control unit CB processes the paper P according to the job and detects the paper discharge completion state to the saddle stitching device, the page insertion control unit CB transmits a paper discharge notification to the main body control unit CG.

  At the timing of T4, when the saddle stitching control unit CN detects the paper discharge completion state to the case binding apparatus that processes the paper P according to the job, it transmits a paper discharge notification to the main body control unit CG.

  At the timing of T5, the bookbinding control unit CK transmits a notification that the sheets P are stacked on the stack unit of the case binding apparatus K to the main body control unit CG.

  When the main body control unit CG detects that the mth sheet is fed from the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus at timing T6, the body control unit CG transmits a sheet feeding notification to each apparatus.

  At the timing of T7, the bookbinding control unit CK creates a first booklet by applying a gluing process to the back of the stack of sheets stacked based on the job and bonding the cover, and then the state that the booklet is discharged to the case booklet storage tray. Upon detection, a booklet discharge notification is transmitted to the main body control unit CG.

  At the timing of T8, the bookbinding control unit CK transmits a booklet discharge notification to the main body control unit CG when detecting the creation / discharge of the last booklet.

  At the timing of T9, the bookbinding control unit CK determines the completion of a series of booklet creation jobs, and transmits a booklet creation job completion notification to each control unit.

  As described above, when each control unit detects various states, it transmits state (status) information to other devices. The main body control unit CG controls overall progress related to various jobs such as booklet creation executed in the image forming system based on status information transmitted from other devices.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence chart in the case where the booklet creation job is normally completed without being canceled. The main body control unit CG of the image forming apparatus is in the image forming system as needed based on the status information transmitted from each apparatus. The number of sheets remaining in the unbooklet state is grasped.

[Communication sequence for paper management (2)]
FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing a communication procedure when an active bookbinding job is canceled.

  Here, the booklet creation job that is in operation from the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus after the first booklet has not yet been created and the first sheet of the next booklet is fed from the image forming apparatus. This shows a case where an operation for forcibly canceling (canceling) is input.

  The control performed at each timing from T1 to T6 is the same as in FIG.

  At the timing of T7, when the main body control unit CG detects an input of forced job cancellation, the main body control unit CG performs processing for determining the number Nr of staying paper Pr remaining in the image forming system at the time of cancellation. Based on the determination result, stop information for causing other devices to operate at the time of stop is set, and the stop information is transmitted to each of the control units CB, CN, and CK. The cancellation information transmitted to the bookbinding control unit CK that controls the case binding apparatus K is, for example, discharged as a sheet that the bookbinding control unit CK discharges as a regular booklet Bf and a disposal booklet Bd that should be discarded by the operator. It is information that can be distinguished from the staying paper Pr.

  Note that the disposal booklet Bd is a tentative name, and the staying paper Pr in the image forming system generated by the forced cancellation of the job is stacked as a sheet bundle on the stack unit, and further, the back of the sheet bundle is glued and discharged. It is. And it is discarded by the operator after discharge.

  The “stop detection” balloon in F11 indicates a state in which the main body control unit CG has detected an input to forcibly stop an active job. The block “determining the number of staying sheets” in F12 indicates a process in which the main body control unit CG determines the number of staying sheets remaining in the image forming system at the time of cancellation. The balloon of “setting of stop information” in F13 indicates a state in which stop information (for example, the number of staying sheets etc.) for causing other devices to operate at the time of stop is set.

  At the timing of T2, the bookbinding control unit CK transmits a “booklet discharge notification” to the main body control unit CG when the creation / discharge of the regular booklet or the disposal booklet is completed based on the cancellation information transmitted from the main body control unit CG. To do. A balloon indicated by “Dbe” in F05 indicates a state in which the discharge of the booklet for disposal has been completed.

  As described above, the main body control unit CG of the image forming system according to the present invention automatically creates and discharges the booklet for disposal when the image forming system is forcibly stopped.

  Further, when the number Nr of staying paper Pr staying in the image forming system at the time of forced stop is less than the lower limit number Nc that can be glued by the case binding apparatus K, the replenishment paper Pa of several Na is supplied in the image forming system. Paper is additionally fed and transported from the paper tray to the case binding apparatus K.

  The bookbinding control unit CK controls each part of the case binding device K, and loads the replenished paper Pa that has been loaded on the upper part of the staying paper Pr that has already been loaded based on the stop information transmitted from the main body control unit CG. Gluing is applied to the back of the sheet bundle composed of the replenishment paper Pa and the staying paper Pr to create a disposal booklet Bd. Further, the waste booklet Bd is discharged onto the case discharge tray.

  Na, Nc, and Nr have the following relationship.

Na ≧ Nc—Nr
As described above, the waste booklet in the image forming system can be removed because the waste booklet composed of sheets of the lower limit number Nc or more can always be created and discharged regardless of the number Nr of the staying paper Pr in the image forming system. This eliminates the need for the operator and eliminates the labor and troublesome operations of the operator, thereby achieving a significant improvement in usability.

[Control on creation and discharge of booklet for disposal]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing control related to creation / discharge of a disposal booklet executed by the main body control unit CG according to the present invention when a booklet creation job in operation is forcibly canceled.

  S1 is a step of determining whether or not a booklet discharge mode for automatically executing creation and discharge of a booklet for disposal when a booklet generation job in operation is forcibly stopped is set in advance.

  The image forming system of the present invention can set the booklet discharge mode in advance by performing a predetermined operation on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus.

  If “NO” in S1, the process proceeds to S2. If “YES”, the process proceeds to S4.

  S2 is "Will the staying paper be discharged as a booklet?" Should the image forming system be stopped to remove stagnant paper? Is displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus. And it transfers to the process of S3.

  S3 is a step of determining whether or not the booklet discharge mode is set on the selection screen. When the operator selects the booklet discharge mode (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S4. In the case of NO, the process proceeds to step S10, the image forming system is stopped, and the state is maintained until the staying paper in the image forming system is removed by the operator.

  S4 is a step of determining whether or not the number Nr of staying sheets in the image system is equal to or more than the lower limit number Nc that can be pasted by the case binding apparatus K. When it is equal to or greater than the lower limit number Nc (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S10, and when it is less than the lower limit number Nc (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to step S5. S5 is a step of determining whether or not the number Nr of staying sheets is 1 or more. If it is 1 or more in the S5 process (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to the S6 process, and if it is 0, the process proceeds to S11.

  That is, when the number Nr of staying sheets in the image system is equal to or larger than the lower limit number, the process proceeds to step S10, when the number is less than Nc and 1 or more, the process proceeds to step S6, and when it is 0, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In S6, whether or not an additional paper feed mode Maf for additionally feeding the supplementary paper Pa when the number Nr of staying paper Pr is less than the lower limit number Nc is set in advance. It is the process of judging. If the additional paper feed mode Maf is set in advance (YES), the process proceeds to step S7. If the additional paper feed mode Maf is not set (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to S8.

  In the embodiment of the image forming system according to the present invention, the additional sheet feeding mode can be set in advance by an operation of an operator or the like.

  S7 is a process of performing an additional paper feeding process for transporting the replenishment paper Pa of the replenishment number Na to the bookbinding apparatus K that feeds the paper from the paper feed tray in the image forming system.

  S8 is a step of displaying on the operation display unit a second selection screen on which the operator or the like can manually select the additional paper feed mode.

  S9 is a step of determining whether or not to select the additional paper feed mode Maf on the second selection screen. When the additional paper feed mode Maf is selected by the operator (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S6, and several Na of replenishment paper Pa is fed and conveyed to the case binding apparatus K. If NO, the process proceeds to S11.

  If “YES” is determined in the step S6 or S9, an additional paper feed mode Maf for feeding and transporting the replenishment paper Pa of the replenishment number Na to the case binding apparatus K is executed.

  S10 is a disposal booklet in which all of the staying paper Pr in the image forming system is conveyed to the stack unit of the case binding apparatus, and the back of the sheet bundle made of staying paper Pr is glued to create and discharge the waste booklet Pd. This is a step of causing the bookbinding control unit CK to execute the processing mode Mbd.

  If “YES” is determined in step S4, the bookbinding control unit CK is caused to immediately execute the discard booklet processing mode Mbd without performing the additional paper feed process of S10.

  S11 is a step of executing a system stop mode Msh for stopping the image forming system, and maintains the stopped state in the image forming system until the staying paper is removed by the operator.

  If NO is determined in step S5, there is no staying paper in the image forming system when the job is interrupted, and the process proceeds to S11 to complete normal booklet Bf creation / discharge and then the image forming system. Stop.

[Still paper management control]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing control of staying paper management managed by the main body control unit CG according to the present invention.

  The main body control unit CG exchanges status information with the other control units CB and CK, and the number of sheets staying in each device constituting the image forming system or in an unbound state in the image forming system. The number of staying paper is constantly managed. An example of staying paper management control will be described below.

  S201 is an initialization process when starting a booklet creation job. The paper count Cnt is reset, and the booklet paper number Cp is set.

  S202 is a step of checking whether or not there is a job cancellation in operation. Since it is normally “NO”, the process proceeds to step S203.

  S203 is a step of determining the presence or absence of paper feed. When paper feed is present (YES), the process proceeds to step S204, where S204 is a count-up process, and the paper count Cnt is incremented by one count. If there is no paper feed (NO), the process proceeds to step S205.

  S205 is a step of determining whether or not booklet discharge is detected. If booklet discharge is present (YES), the process proceeds to step S206.

  S206 is a step of subtracting the sheet number Cp of the booklet from the sheet count Cnt. Therefore, Cp is subtracted from the paper count Cnt every time the booklet is discharged.

  If the booklet is not discharged (NO) in step S205, the process returns to step S202.

  If it is determined in step S202 that the job is to be canceled, the process proceeds to step S207, and the paper count sheet count Cnt in progress is substituted for the number Nr of staying paper Pr.

  As described above, even when a situation in which an active print job is forcibly stopped occurs, the main body control unit CG can instantly grasp the number Nr of staying paper Pr in the image forming system. That is, the main body control unit CG instantaneously determines whether or not all the remaining sheets Pr remaining in the image forming system can be transported to the subsequent case bookbinding apparatus and the disposal booklet Bd can be created. ing.

  When the number of staying papers Nr is equal to or greater than the lower limit number Nc, all the staying papers Pr in the image forming system are transported to the case binding apparatus to create the waste booklet Pd and discharge it to the booklet storage tray. On the other hand, when the number Nr of staying papers is less than the lower limit number Nc, the waste booklet Bd in which the supplementary paper Pa is additionally fed from the paper feed tray in the image forming system and combined with the staying paper Pr is loaded. Create and eject to booklet storage tray. The main body control unit CG controls each control unit of the image forming system so that the above-described processing is executed.

[Controls for additional paper tray settings]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control related to the setting of the additional paper feed tray managed by the main body control unit CG according to the present invention.

  An embodiment relating to the setting of the additional paper feed tray will be described below. The additional paper feed tray as a paper storage unit in the image forming system that stores the replenishment paper Pa can be changed in advance or when the booklet creation job is forcibly stopped. An operator, an administrator, or the like can appropriately use a sheet suitable for a disposal booklet as a supplementary sheet by loading the supplementary sheet Pa into a predetermined sheet feeding tray and setting the sheet feeding tray as an additional sheet feeding tray. is there. For example, resources and costs associated with the creation of a booklet for disposal can be suppressed by using paper that has been printed and is waiting for disposal, or inexpensive paper. Alternatively, by using colored paper replenishment paper or paper on which a message such as “Discarded booklet” is printed, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a situation in which the booklet for disposal is easily discarded because it is easily distinguished from the regular booklet.

  S301 is a step of checking whether or not an instruction for selecting an additional paper feed tray is given from the operation display unit or the like of the image forming apparatus. If there is a tray selection instruction from the operator or the like (YES), the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, a tray setting screen for allowing the operator and the administrator to select a tray is displayed on the operation display unit.

  FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a tray setting screen G1 for selecting an additional paper feed tray setting.

  The tray setting screen G1 selects a first display area G11 for displaying options for selecting a plurality of paper feed trays arranged in the image forming apparatus, and a plurality of paper feed trays arranged in the page insertion device. A second display area G12 for displaying options for the operation, and a plurality of operation buttons G13, G14, G15, and G16.

  In the first display area G11, an upper sheet tray option G111, a middle sheet tray option G112, and a lower sheet tray option G113 are arranged. In the second display area G12, an upper sheet tray option G121 and A lower feed tray option G122 is provided. Each option is composed of a button indicated by ◯ or ●, and a name field displayed on the right side of the button. The name column of each option corresponds to the paper feed tray, and the button for each option indicates whether or not the paper feed tray corresponding to each option is selected as the additional paper feed tray. ● indicates a selected state, and ○ indicates a non-selected state. For example, G121 is an option corresponding to the upper paper feed tray of the page insertion device, and clearly indicates that the additional paper feed tray is selected.

  G13 and G14 are operation buttons for sequentially switching the options. Each time G13 is pressed, the button is sequentially shifted downward. When the button is in the options of G122, the button is shifted to the option of G111. If it is in the option of G113, it shifts to the option of G121. Each time G14 is pressed, the ● button is sequentially shifted upward in the direction opposite to that of G13. ● If the button is in the G111 option, the button is shifted to the G122 option, and if it is in the G111 option, the G123 option is selected. shift.

  Thus, the operator or the like can appropriately select the additional paper feed tray by pressing the operation buttons G13 and G14.

  G15 is an operation button for confirming the paper feed tray selected under the tray setting screen G1 as an additional paper feed tray. When the G15 operation button is pressed, the additional paper feed tray is confirmed and the tray setting screen G1 is selected. Erase.

  G16 is an operation button for invalidating the additional paper feed tray that is currently set and selected on the tray setting screen G1. When the G16 operation button is pressed, the setting of the additional paper feed tray becomes invalid and the tray setting screen G1 is deleted. When the setting of the additional paper feed tray is invalidated, the paper feed tray used for the job being executed is automatically diverted as an additional paper feed tray.

  S305 is a step of checking whether or not the confirm button G15 is pressed on the tray setting screen G1 of FIG. When the G15 operation button is pressed (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S306. S306 is a step of storing and registering the additional paper feed tray set on the tray setting screen G1 in the nonvolatile memory in the main body control unit CG. When the G16 operation button is pressed, the additional paper feed tray already stored in the nonvolatile memory is erased.

  As shown from step S301 to step S303, it is possible to set and change an additional paper feed tray even when an active job is forcibly stopped.

  Even if “NO” in step S301, if it is determined in step S302 that the active job is to be canceled (YES), the process proceeds to step S303. S303 is a step of checking whether or not a mode for automatically shifting to the tray setting screen is registered. If it is determined that registration has been completed in this step, the flow proceeds to S304.

  That is, if a mode for automatically shifting to the tray setting screen is registered, the tray setting screen G1 is automatically displayed when the active job is forcibly stopped, and the operator or the like can appropriately set an additional paper feed tray. is there.

  However, if “NO” is determined in step S303, that is, if the mode for automatically shifting to the tray setting screen is not registered, the additional paper feed tray is not changed.

  Note that the image forming system according to the present invention may not have a function of selecting an additional paper feed tray as described above. In this case, of course, the image forming system is used for a compulsory booklet creation job. The supplementary paper Pa is additionally fed from the fed paper tray.

[Special image formation mode]
The embodiment described below includes a special image forming mode Msg for forming a special message such as “This is a booklet to be discarded” when the supplementary paper moves in the image forming apparatus. The setting of the special image forming mode Msg and the content of the special message can be set in advance or by an operation of an operator or the like when the booklet creation job is forcibly stopped.

  Further, the embodiment described below includes a discard booklet processing mode Mbd that causes the discard booklet Pd to be created under a special condition different from that of a regular booklet when a job in operation is forcibly canceled. The special booklet creation mode can be set in advance or by an operation of an operator or the like when the booklet creation job is forcibly stopped.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control for setting a discard booklet condition composed of a special message and a special condition.

  S401 is a step of checking whether or not an instruction to change the discarded booklet conditions has been given by the operation display unit or the like of the image forming apparatus. When the operator or the like instructs to change the discarded booklet conditions (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, a guide screen G2 for changing the setting of the discarded booklet conditions is displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the guide screen G2. As shown in the figure, the guide screen G2 is provided with a current condition display area G21 in which currently set discard booklet conditions are displayed, and three selection buttons G22, G23, and G24.

  The current condition display area G21 has a message display field indicating a special message and a condition display field indicating a special condition. In the illustration, “Discarded booklet. "Is displayed in the message display field and" Double speed gluing process "is displayed in the condition display field.

  G22 is a selection button for changing the special message. G23 is a selection button for changing the setting of the special condition. G24 is a selection button G24 for continuing the current booklet creation conditions.

  When the selection button G22 is selected under the display of the guide screen G2, the process proceeds to step S406, and a special message setting screen G3 is displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus instead of the guide screen G2.

  FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a special message setting screen G3 for setting the special image forming mode Msg and changing a special message.

  The special message setting screen G3 is provided with a field G31 for displaying the current special message and a field G32 for displaying the special message changed by the key operation of the display operation unit by the operator or the like as shown in the figure. . In G32, “Caution! A booklet for disposal. ”Is entered and displayed.

  At the bottom of the special message setting screen G3, an operation button G35 indicated by “CANCEL”, an operation button G33 indicated by “CLEAR”, and an operation button G34 indicated by “CONFIRM” are arranged from the right. G33 is an operation button for deleting the special message to be changed displayed on G32. G34 is an operation button for confirming the special message for change displayed on G32. G35 is an operation button that invalidates all the current special message and change message, that is, invalidates the special image forming mode Msg. When the G34 operation button is pressed, the special message setting screen G3 disappears and the special message change is confirmed. When the G35 operation button is pressed, the special message setting screen G3 disappears and the special image forming mode Msg is determined to be invalid. Even if the operation button of G33 is pressed, the special message setting screen G3 does not disappear, only the special message displayed on G32 disappears.

  When the setting button G34 and the setting button G35 are pressed on the special message setting screen G3, the process proceeds to step S407. S407 is a step of determining whether or not the G23 selection button has been pressed under the display of the guide screen G2. When the selection button G23 is selected (in the case of YES), the process proceeds to step S408, and in the case of NO, the process proceeds to step S409.

  S408 is a step of displaying a special condition setting screen G4 for setting / changing a special condition for processing creation of a disposal booklet in the case binding apparatus.

  FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the special condition setting screen G4.

  In the special condition setting screen G4, as shown in the drawing, a current condition display field G41 for displaying the current special conditions already set as the disposal booklet processing mode Mbd, and a plurality of operations that can be operated as the disposal booklet processing mode Mbd. It has a change condition display field G42 for displaying options corresponding to the special conditions, and operation buttons G43, G45, G46, G44 are arranged below the change condition display field G42.

  In the current condition display field G41, the content of “the gluing speed is double speed” is displayed as the current special condition. In the change condition display field G42, three options G421, G422, and G423 are arranged vertically as special conditions to be changed. Each option is composed of a button indicated by ○ or ● and a name field for displaying contents corresponding to the special condition on the right side of the button. The button for each option represents a state of whether or not a special condition corresponding to each option is selected. ● indicates a selected state, and ○ indicates a non-selected state.

  The special condition corresponding to the option of G421 is the operating condition of the case binding apparatus that doubles the speed of the coating roller that reciprocates with respect to the back of the sheet bundle in order to apply glue on the back of the sheet bundle. By operating the disposal booklet processing mode Mbd, the time required for creating the disposal booklet Md can be shortened and the amount of glue consumed can be reduced, which is effective in improving productivity and reducing costs.

  The special condition corresponding to the option of G422 is an operation condition of the case binding apparatus in which the square spine forming process described in the description of the case binding apparatus in FIGS. The operation in this special processing mode can shorten the time required to create a discarded booklet, which is effective in improving productivity.

  The special condition corresponding to the option of G423 is the operation condition of the case binding apparatus in which the special condition corresponding to the option of G421 and the special condition corresponding to the option of G422 are used together. By the operation in this special processing mode, the time required for creating the discarded booklet can be shortened. This special processing mode is most excellent in terms of the time and cost required to create a discarded booklet compared to the above two special conditions. Best in improving productivity and reducing costs.

  G45 and G46 are operation buttons for sequentially switching the options. The ● button is shifted by one in the direction of the arrow indicated by M2 when G45 is pressed, and is shifted by one in the opposite direction of the arrow when G46 is pressed. . By pressing the operation buttons G45 and G46, the operator or the like can appropriately select an additional paper feed tray.

  G44 is an operation button for confirming the selection under the special condition for change displayed on G42. When the operation button G44 is pressed, the special condition setting screen G4 disappears, and the setting / change of the special condition is confirmed.

  G43 is an operation button that invalidates all the current special conditions displayed in G41 and the special conditions for change selected in G42, that is, invalidates the booklet processing mode Mbd for disposal. When the G43 operation button is pressed, the special condition setting screen G3 disappears and the booklet processing mode Mbd for disposal becomes invalid.

  When the operation buttons G44 and G43 are pressed under the display of the special condition setting screen G4, the special condition setting screen G4 displayed on the operation display unit of the image forming apparatus is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S409. Then, pressing the G44 operation button sets the special condition discard booklet processing mode Mbd selected on the special condition setting screen G4. Further, the setting of the disposal booklet processing mode Mbd is invalidated by pressing the G43 operation button.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in steps S401 to S403, even when an active job is forcibly stopped, the process proceeds to step S404 and the selection guide screen G2 is displayed, and the special image forming mode Msg and the discarding are displayed. The booklet processing mode Mbd can be selected.

  When the confirmation buttons G34 and G44 are pressed on the special message setting screen G3 in FIG. 15 and the special condition setting screen G4 in FIG. 16, the process proceeds to step S409, and setting / changing of the special message setting screen G3 and the special condition setting screen G4 is performed. Confirm.

  The image forming system according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be an image forming system including an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a LAN or the like and a bus.

T image forming system G image forming apparatus G1 tray selection screen G2 guide screen G3 special message setting screen G4 special condition setting screen K case binding device (post-processing device)
P paper Pr staying paper CG Main body control unit (control unit)
Pa Supplementary paper Bf Booklet Bd Discarding booklet Nc Lower limit number Nr Number of staying papers Na Number of supplementary papers Maf Additional paper feeding mode Msh System stop mode Msg Special image forming mode Mdb Discarding booklet processing mode

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper;
A post-processing device capable of creating a booklet by performing a binding process on a sheet having a predetermined lower limit number or more;
A control unit that controls the image forming apparatus and the post-processing apparatus to create and discharge a booklet composed of sheets of the lower limit number or more formed with an image, and an image forming system comprising:
The control unit determines whether or not the number of staying sheets remaining in the image forming system is equal to or more than the lower limit when an active booklet creation job is stopped, and the number of staying sheets is less than the lower limit. When it is determined that the number of staying sheets is greater than or equal to the number, a waste booklet made of the staying sheets is created and discharged, and when it is determined that the number of staying sheets is less than the lower limit number and greater than or equal to 1, the image forming system An image forming system characterized in that paper stored in an internal paper storage section is fed and transported as supplementary paper to the post-processing device to create and discharge a waste booklet composed of the staying paper and the supplementary paper. When it is determined that the number of staying sheets is less than the lower limit number and 1 or more, replenishment sheets stored in a sheet storing unit in the image forming system are fed and transported to the post-processing device, and the staying is performed. An additional paper feed mode for creating and discharging a waste booklet made up of paper and the supplementary paper, and a system stop mode for leaving the staying paper in the image forming system,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the additional sheet feeding mode or the system stop mode can be selected. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a number Na of the supplementary sheets fed and conveyed to the post-processing apparatus satisfies the following condition.
Na ≧ Nc—Nr
Nc: lower limit number, Nr: number of staying sheets   4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the sheet storage unit to which the supplementary sheet is conveyed can be set in advance or when a booklet creation job is stopped. 5. .   A plurality of processing modes for generating a booklet by the post-processing device when the discard booklet is created, and one processing mode can be set in advance from the plurality of processing modes when the booklet creation job is canceled 5. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system.   A special image forming mode for forming a special image composed of a message or the like on the replenishing paper when the replenishing paper is fed to the post-processing device, and the special image forming mode in advance or when the booklet creation job is canceled 6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the message content or the content of the message can be set.   The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the post-processing device is a case binding device that creates a booklet by applying a gluing process to a back portion of a sheet bundle.

Images