JP2013006277A - Image forming system, enclosing method and enclosing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a downtime of a processing means in a system to improve productivity.SOLUTION: An image forming system includes an image forming device forming an image on a sheet of paper, an enclosing device including an intermediate tray stacking sheets of paper with images formed and a pack unit enclosing the sheets of paper stacked on the intermediate tray in an envelope as an enclosure, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) variably controlling an enclosing speed of the pack unit according to paper sheet information on the enclosed sheets of paper, and changing order of jobs A, B, C, D, E to be enclosed in the envelope according to the enclosing speed. A time for stacking on the intermediate tray and an enclosing time based on the enclosing speed of the pack unit are respectively obtained and the order of the jobs A, B, C, D, E is changed based on a change in the time caused by changing the enclosing speed of the enclosure by the pack unit to reduce the downtime(s) of the intermediate tray and/or the pack unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an enclosing method, and an enclosing control program, and in particular, an image forming system that forms an image on a sheet by an image forming apparatus and performs an enclosing process, an enclosing method executed in the image forming system, and the The present invention relates to an encapsulation control program for causing a computer to execute a method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an encapsulation system that encloses an enclosure in an envelope, an image is formed on a sheet by an image forming apparatus, and an encapsulation process is performed by the enclosing apparatus. As such a technique, for example, the invention described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 3690535) is known. Since the present invention satisfactorily encloses the encapsulated matter in the bag body (envelope) regardless of the thickness and size of each enclosed item, according to the thickness and size of the enclosed matter, It is characterized in that the filling speed of the filled material into the envelope is changed. Therefore, according to the present invention, information on the thickness and size of each enclosure is stored, and a speed pattern that varies the enclosure enclosure speed by the enclosure insertion device according to the enclosure thickness and size is provided. It has a storage unit stored in a speed table, and determines an enclosure speed of the enclosure insertion device when enclosing the enclosure from the speed table of the storage unit, and controls the operation of the enclosure insertion device. .

  The invention described in the cited document 1 is configured to change the sealing speed of the sealing material into the envelope according to the thickness and size of each sealing material sealed in one bag body. It does not change. For this reason, when the sealing speed is slowed down, a lot of so-called down time has occurred in which the processing is waited until the processing of the next stage is completed at the sealing material stacking means immediately before the sealing processing means for performing the sealing processing. In addition, when the enclosure speed is increased, there is a case where the accumulation operation of the enclosure to be encapsulated in the next stage in the enclosure accumulation means is not completed. In that case, the enclosure processing means will be kept waiting until the accumulation of the inclusions on the inclusion accumulation means is completed, and downtime will occur in the enclosure apparatus. In any case, even if a downtime occurs in the enclosure collection means or the enclosure processing means, and a favorable enclosure process can be performed, productivity is lowered.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the downtime of the processing means in the system by changing the order of the jobs according to the enclosing speed, and to improve the productivity.

  In order to solve the above problems, the first means includes an image forming means for forming an image on paper, a stacking means for stacking the image-formed paper, and an enclosure for sealing the stacked paper in an envelope And an image forming system comprising: a control unit that variably controls a sealing speed of the sealing unit according to sheet information of the sealed paper; and a job that the control unit seals in the envelope according to the sealing speed The order is changed.

  The second means includes a first step of forming an image on the paper by the image forming means, a second step of stacking the image-formed paper by the stacking means, and the stacked paper in an envelope. In a sealing method comprising a third step of sealing, and a fourth step of changing a sealing speed in the third step according to paper information of the paper to be sealed, the sealing method according to the sealing speed A fifth step of changing the order of jobs to be enclosed in the envelope is provided.

  The third means includes a first procedure for forming an image on the paper by the image forming means, a second procedure for collecting the image-formed paper by the accumulating means, and a means for enclosing the accumulated paper. And a fourth procedure for changing the sealing speed of the sealing means in accordance with the paper information of the paper to be sealed, and the process of sealing the sealed material in the computer In the sealing control program for executing the above, a fifth procedure for changing the order of jobs sealed in the envelope according to the sealing speed is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the downtime of the processing means in the system and improve the productivity.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the control structure of the image forming system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the enclosure apparatus in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a size detection system that serves as both a paper feed cassette in a paper feed stage of the image forming apparatus, a paper size detection unit, and an envelope size detection unit. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of a size detection system that serves as both a paper feed cassette in a paper feed stage of the image forming apparatus, a paper size detection unit, and an envelope size detection unit. It is a cross-sectional view of FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the structure of the envelope chuck | zipper part in a sealing device. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state in which the envelope was hold | maintained with the opening part below the lower end of the opening mylar in the envelope chuck | zipper part. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state in which the lower end of the opening mylar entered the envelope in the envelope chuck | zipper part. It is a figure which shows the state which the lower end of the opening mylar entered in the envelope in the envelope chuck | zipper part. It is a front view which shows the structure of the pack unit of an enclosure device. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a printing paper feed part. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an overall configuration of a line head that is an example of a printing apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a line head. FIG. 3 is a front view of an operation panel installed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of an operation display screen of the operation panel shown in FIG. 15. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a screen when the "envelope setting" button is pressed on the screen of FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when a “print information input” button is pressed on the display screen of FIG. 17. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen when the "selection information information" button is selected on the display screen of FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of envelope setting information stored in a storage device in the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a “priority output setting” button is selected on the display screen of FIG. 17. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen which shows a job list when a priority output job is set. It is a figure which shows an example of the enclosure mode setting screen displayed when the "enclosure mode setting" button is selected from the display screen of FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a “productivity priority mode” button is selected from the display screen of FIG. 23. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the enclosure system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the table used when determining the accumulation time of the enclosure for every job. It is a figure which shows an example of the table used when determining the enclosure speed for every job. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which changes the job order in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reduction amount of all the job processing time in this embodiment, and shows the state before a process order is changed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reduction | decrease amount of all the job processing time in this embodiment, and shows the calculation result of the accumulation time and enclosure time in each job. It is explanatory drawing which shows the reduction amount of all the job processing time in this embodiment, and shows the relationship between the processing order of a job, and the processing time of all the jobs.

The present invention is characterized in that the order of jobs is changed according to the change in the speed of the inclusions, and the downtime of the processing means is reduced.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment basically includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a sealing apparatus 2. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) as a main body, an ADF 1-C and an operation panel 1-A with a display device provided at the top, and a plurality of paper feed stages 1-B provided at the bottom. ing. In the MFP, for example, an image is formed on an inclusion, in this case, a sheet or recording sheet, which is a sheet-like recording medium, by an electrophotographic image forming engine. As the image forming unit, a monochrome image forming engine or a tandem type image forming engine in the case of a color image is used. Since these image forming engines themselves are publicly known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  An envelope for enclosing and an enclosed material are connected to the downstream side (rear stage) of the image forming apparatus 1. The envelope to be sealed is set in a printing paper feeding unit 2-B provided in the upper part of the sealing device 2, and the sealed material is set in a paper feeding stage 1-B in the image forming apparatus 1, and the sealed material is an image. From the forming device 1 to the sealing device 2, the envelope is conveyed from the printing paper feeding unit 2-B into the sealing device 2, and after the sealed material is sealed in the envelope in the sealing device 2, it is discharged to the stacking tray 2-A. . In this embodiment, the envelope is set in the printing paper feeding unit 2-B and the inclusion is set in the paper feeding stage 1-B of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the envelope is sealed in the paper feeding stage 1-B. It is also possible to set and convey the article on the printing and paper feeding means 2-B.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the on-line image forming system includes an encapsulating device 2 connected to the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 and the encapsulating apparatus 2 include CPUs 1U and 2U and communication ports 1P and 2P, respectively. 1 and the sealing device 2 can communicate with each other by a communication port 1P and a communication pole 2P. The operation panel 1-A is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 through an I / F (not shown), and a display to be described later is executed by a display instruction from the CPU 1U of the image forming apparatus 1, and key input or touch input from the operation panel 1-A is performed. Thus, an operation input is performed from the user to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The CPUs 1U and 2U mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and the encapsulating apparatus 2 respectively read out programs stored in ROMs respectively mounted on the image forming apparatus 1 and the encapsulating apparatus 2 and develop them in the RAM. The application program downloaded to the HDD not to be read is read, and the process according to the program code is executed using the RAM as a work area and a data buffer. Thereby, the display control and processing described above are performed.

  Each of these devices is electrically connected in series via the communication ports 1P and 2P, and at least mechanically connected in series via the paper transport path. In the case of online processing, the devices are electrically connected. Are controlled simultaneously. The processing of the flowchart described below is instructed by the CPU 1U of the image forming apparatus 1 and executed by the CPU 2U of the sealing device 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the sealing device 2 in the present embodiment.
Envelopes set in the paper feeding stages 25-1 and 25-2 of the printing paper feeding unit 2-B are fed to a printing device 25-6 (described later) as second image forming means in the printing paper feeding unit 2-B. The address or the like is printed by, for example, an ink jet head and conveyed to the main body of the enclosing device 2. After the envelope is carried in from the envelope carry-in port 7a of the conveyance path 7 and detected by the envelope carry-in detection sensor 8, each conveyance roller is driven and conveyance of the envelope is started. In FIG. 3, the upper conveyance branch claw 6 is rotated to a position for guiding the envelope to the lower conveyance path 9 (the position in FIG. 3), and the envelope conveyed horizontally is guided to the lower conveyance path 9 and vertically downward. It will be transported to.

  A lower conveyance branch claw 10 is provided at a branch position between the vertical conveyance path 11 and the inclusion conveyance path 12 of the lower conveyance path 9, and the lower conveyance branch claw 10 is a position for guiding the envelope to the vertical conveyance path 11 (not illustrated in FIG. 3). It is rotated clockwise and is rotated to the position where the longitudinal conveyance path 11 side is opened. As a result, the envelope is conveyed to the vertical conveyance path 11.

  A chuck roller pair 20 is provided on the most downstream side of the vertical conveying path 11 and is held in a state of biting the gusset of the envelope, and waits for the inclusion to be enclosed. At this time, the swing roller pair 22 is retracted in the direction of the arrow D4 and is in a position not in contact with the envelope.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, after reading the document conveyed from the ADF 1 -C, a sheet having a size corresponding to the read document size is fed into the image forming apparatus 1 from the sheet feeding stage 1 -B as an inclusion, After the image is formed by the image forming engine, it is conveyed to the sealing device 2. The encapsulated material is carried into the entrance conveyance path 5 from the paper discharge port at the top of the image forming apparatus 1. After the inclusion is detected by the inlet sensor 4, each conveyance roller is driven and conveyance of the inclusion is started.

  At that time, the upper conveyance branch claw 6 is rotated to the position for guiding the inclusion to the lower conveyance path 9 (clockwise direction in the figure), and the inclusion is moved from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction by the upper conveyance branch claw 6. It is deflected and transported to the lower transport path 9. Furthermore, the lower conveyance branch claw 10 has moved to a position (the position shown in FIG. 13) for guiding the inclusion to the inclusion conveyance path 12, and the inclusion is conveyed to the inclusion conveyance path 12. The inclusion passes through the inclusion discharge sensor 13 and is discharged to the intermediate tray 15. After discharging to the intermediate tray 15, the return roller 14 moves to a position in contact with the intermediate tray 15, and conveys the filled material in the direction of the rear end stopper 18. After the completion of conveyance, the alignment operation is performed by the side jogger pair 17. The same operation is repeated until all the inclusions (paper) to be enclosed in the envelope are prepared.

  After all the inclusions conveyed one by one from the image forming apparatus 1 side are collected on the intermediate tray 515, the rear end stopper 18 is retracted in the direction of the arrow D1. After retraction, the tip stopper 16 starts to move in the direction of the arrow D2, conveys the bundle of inclusions into the pack unit 19, and the bundle of inclusions is nipped between the upper and lower rollers 42, 43 in the pack unit 19 ( FIG. 11). After the transfer of the inclusions to the pack unit 19 is completed, the pack unit 19 moves in the direction of the arrow D3 with the fulcrum 46 as the rotation fulcrum, and the inclusion bundle is transferred to the envelope held by the chuck roller pair 20 in the pack unit 19. Are transported by the pair of rollers 42 and 43 and sealed in an envelope. After the completion of sealing, the swing roller pair 22 moves in the direction opposite to the arrow D4, and starts conveying the envelope to the paper discharge conveyance path 23. The envelope is conveyed in the sheet discharge conveyance path 23, passes through the envelope discharge sensor 24, and is discharged to the envelope stacking tray 26.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a size detection system that serves as both the paper feed cassette of the paper feed stage 1-B of the image forming apparatus 1 and the paper size detection means and envelope size detection means. In the drawing, a size indicating plate 27 formed to correspond to each paper size or envelope size to be stored is attached to each paper feed cassette of the paper feed stage 1-B. When the paper feed cassette is set in the apparatus main body, the size detection sensor 28 provided on the main body side corresponding to the size instruction plate 27 detects the size instruction plate 27 and the paper or envelope (FIG. 4) contained in the cassette. Then, the size of the envelope Pf is set). A size seal 29 is attached to each side of the paper feed cassette so that the user can see at a glance the size of the contents in the cassette.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of a size detection system that also serves as both a paper feed cassette of the paper feed stage 1-B of the image forming apparatus 1 and a paper size detection unit and an envelope size detection unit. FIG. It is a cross-sectional view.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the paper feed stage 1-B in the present embodiment, a sheet or envelope Pf is placed on the bottom plate 30 and is placed in the direction of arrow A along the guide rod 33 shown in FIG. A pair of slidable side guides 31 and 32 are sandwiched and set at the center position of the bottom plate 30. A size detection device 34 for detecting the paper size on the bottom plate 30 by detecting the position of the side guide 32 is provided below the bottom plate 30, and the value detected thereby is stored in advance in size data. Compared to the above, the size of the paper or envelope Pf set on the bottom plate 30 can be recognized. As the size detection device 34, for example, a variable resistance type position sensor is used. The sheet size can be easily detected by the CPU 1U from the resistance value output from the variable resistance type position sensor or a change in the resistance value.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the configuration of the envelope chuck portion in the sealing device 2. In the figure, the envelope chuck portion 38 is provided on the most downstream side of the vertical conveyance path 11 and is composed of a pair of chuck rollers 20 and 36 (which may be rollers) that can rotate in pressure contact with each other in the vertical direction. In the longitudinal conveyance path 11 on the upstream side of the chuck rollers 20 and 36, envelope guides 35 and 39 for guiding the envelope Pf to the nip portion of the chuck rollers 20 and 36, and an envelope detection sensor 37 on the conveyance upstream side of the nip portion, A part of the opening mylar 21 that is a sheet-shaped opening member that can be elastically deformed is in contact with a part of the lower chuck roller 20. The opening mylar 21 is disposed at a position where the envelope can be opened by inserting a part of the opening into the opening of the envelope Pf held by the chuck rollers 20 and 36.

  The chuck rollers 20 and 36 are arranged side by side in a substantially vertical direction and are in contact with each other with a predetermined pressure. The envelope guides 35 and 39 guide the envelope Pf to the position where the sheet is transferred from the vertical conveyance path 11 and guide it to the nip portion of the chuck rollers 20 and 36, and the envelope Pf reaching the chuck rollers 20 and 36. Further, it is guided downward, and the envelope is guided along the lower chuck roller 20 at that time.

  The opening mylar 21 is formed of, for example, a thin film-like resin material, and is disposed close to the chuck roller 20. The upper end side of the opening mylar 21 is fixed, and usually a portion slightly above the lower end portion is in contact with the lower chuck roller 20 with a predetermined pressure by the elastic force of the material itself.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing a state in which the envelope is held in the envelope chuck portion 38 with the opening Pon below the lower end of the opening mylar 21, and FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state which the lower end of No. entered.

  The envelope chuck portion 38 guides the envelope Pf between the chuck rollers 20 and 36 by the envelope guides 35 and 39 when the envelope Pf is conveyed downward. Next, the envelope Pf is fed between the chuck roller 20 and the opening mylar 21 by the conveying force of the rotating chuck rollers 20 and 36, respectively. When guiding the paper into the envelope, the flap (envelope allowance) Pfc portion of the envelope Pf is stopped at a position where it is sandwiched between the chuck rollers 20 and 36 as shown in FIG. This position is a position where the sensor 37 detects the passage of the end of the flap Pfc, and the CPU 2U stops the rotation of a drive motor (not shown) that drives the chuck rollers 20 and 36 to rotate. As a result, the envelope Pf stops. At this time, the opening Pon of the envelope Pf is positioned below the lower end 21a of the opening mylar 21, as shown in the figure.

  Next, the CPU 2U rotates the chuck rollers 20 and 36 in the reverse direction (arrow E direction). As a result, the envelope Pf is switched back and conveyed in the vertical conveyance path 11 upward. At that time, since the lower end side of the opening mylar 21 is in contact with the flap Pfc portion of the envelope by its own elastic force, the lower end 21a of the opening mylar enters the opening portion Pon of the envelope as shown in FIG. In this state, by stopping the reverse rotation of the chuck rollers 20 and 36, the raising operation of the envelope Pf is stopped. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state at this time, and the envelope Pf is set in an opened state in which the lower end 21a of the opening mylar 21 is inserted into the opening Pon of the envelope Pf as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a front view showing the configuration of the pack unit 19 of the sealing device 2. In the figure, the pack unit 19 includes an upper pack portion 40 and a lower pack portion 41, and an upper roller 42 is rotatably attached to the upper pack portion, and a lower roller 43 is rotatably attached to the lower pack portion. Insertion guides 44 and 45 are attached to the right end sides of the upper and lower pack portions 40 and 41. The insertion guides 44 and 45 are rotatably supported at the base end sides by the upper and lower back portions 40 and 41, and both are given an elastic force so that the distal end sides approach each other by a weak spring. As a result, when the bundle-shaped inclusions pass between the insertion guides 44 and 45, both insertion guides 44 and 45 are pushed open, and the inclusions are conveyed without receiving a large resistance.

  The pack unit 19 rotates about a support shaft 46 that supports the pack unit 19 so as to be rotatable, and both insertion guides 44 and 45 are placed between the unsealed mylar 21 and the flap Pfc that are on standby in the state shown in FIG. Is inserted. In this state, the tip stopper 16 is moved in the direction of the arrow after being retracted as described above, and the upper and lower rollers 42 and 43 are driven, and the filled material is conveyed into the envelope through the insertion guides 44 and 45. .

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the print paper feeding unit 2-B. The print sheet feeding unit 2-B includes first and second two-stage sheet feeding stages 25-1 and 25-2 and first and second sheets provided on the most downstream side of the sheet feeding stages 25-1 and 25-2, respectively. Calling rollers 25-3, 4 and envelopes called by the first and second calling rollers 25-3, 4 are transported to a second transport path 25-11 following the envelope inlet 7a on the main body side of the sealing device 2. The first conveying path 25-5, the printing device 25-6 provided in the conveying path of the first conveying path 25-5, the first and second branching claws 25-7, 9 and the third constituting the reverse conveying path. And a fourth transport path 25-8, 10 and an inversion path 25-12, and a pair of transport rollers for transporting the envelope is disposed at an appropriate position of each transport path.

  In the printing paper feeding unit 2-B configured by such units, the envelopes set in the first and second paper feeding stages 25-1 and 25-2 are moved by the first or second calling rollers 25-3 and 4 respectively. Paper is fed. The fed envelope is transported in the first transport path 25-5, and when it reaches a position facing the printing device 25-6, printing is performed on the envelope. When the envelope is printed on only one side, the envelope printed by the printing device 25-6 is directly conveyed from the second conveyance path 25-11 to the conveyance path 7 in the encapsulation apparatus 2.

  On the other hand, when printing is required on both sides of the envelope, the conveyance path is switched from the second conveyance path 25-11 to the third conveyance path 25-8 by the first branch claw 25-7, and the envelope is the third conveyance path. It is conveyed to the 25-8 side. In the third transport path 25-8, the second branch claw 25-9 is tilted downward (counterclockwise direction in the drawing) before the envelope reaches the end of the transport path 25-8. As a result, the envelope is conveyed to the reverse path 25-12. When the rear end of the envelope passes through the reverse sensor 25-13, the conveyance is stopped, the branch claw 25-9 is tilted upward (the state shown in the drawing), and the reverse conveyance is started. The envelope is transported on the fourth transport path 25-10 and joins the first transport path 25-5 again. Thereafter, when the envelope reaches the printing position of the printing device 25-6, printing is performed on the back surface of the envelope, and the envelope is guided to the transport path 25-11 switched by the first branch claw 25-7. It is carried into the conveyance path 7.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a line head which is an example of a printing apparatus 25-6 used in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a line head 25-61 that performs line printing by an inkjet method is used as the printing device 25-6. Ink is supplied to the line head 25-61 from an ink tank provided at another position via an ink supply pipe 25-17. As shown in FIG. 13, the line head 25-61 has a head width that satisfies the paper width, and is set to print over the entire width of the paper. The line head 25-61 is driven by a head driver, and the head driver is connected to a drive signal line 25-13 made of a flexible wiring board that transmits a drive signal from the CPU 2U.

  14A and 14B are diagrams showing the configuration of the line head 25-61. FIG. 14A corresponds to the front view seen from the nozzle side, and FIG. 14B corresponds to the right side view thereof. The density of the nozzle rows 25-14 shown in FIG. 14A is equivalent to the density of the image to be formed, and a plurality of nozzle rows 25-14 are arranged in the paper transport direction. The line head 25-61 capable of multi-color printing has a nozzle row dedicated for at least three colors. As shown in FIG. 14B, the nozzle row 25-61 is supported by a line head support frame 25-15, and the drive signal line 25-13 is connected by a connector at the rear part.

  FIG. 15 is a front view of the operation panel 1 -A installed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

  In the figure, the operation panel 1-A includes an operation display screen a, a numeric key b, a stop key c, a start key d, a power key e, and a function selection key group f. Messages and input keys are displayed hierarchically on the operation display screen a, and the numeric keypad b is used when inputting numbers. A stop key c inputs a stop of processing, and a start key d gives a trigger signal for starting image formation. The power key e controls power ON / OFF. The function selection key group f is provided with a plurality of keys for selecting each function such as copy, printer, and scanner.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of the operation display screen a of the operation panel 1-A shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3, A4Y (horizontal) size paper is provided in the first stage of the paper feed stage 1-B of the image forming apparatus 1, and B5Y (horizontal) size paper is provided in the second stage of the paper feed stage 1-B. In addition, an A4Y (horizontal) size envelope is set in the paper feed stage 25-1 provided in the printing paper feed unit 2-B of the sealing device 2, and a B5Y (horizontal) size envelope is set in the paper feed stage 25-2. Shall.

  When the “Encapsulation” tab a1 on the operation screen of FIG. 16 is pressed to perform the encapsulation process, an encapsulation screen a1x is displayed. This envelope screen a1 displays “envelope setting”, “enclosure setting” and “enclosure mode setting” buttons a2, a3 and a4. Settings relating to the image formation of the envelope and the inclusions from these buttons a2, a3 and a4 And the setting of the sealing mode can be performed.

When set as above, it operates as follows.
FIG. 17 is a view showing a display example of the screen when the “envelope setting” button a2 is pressed on the screen of FIG. In the envelope setting screen a1y shown in FIG. 17, the following settings can be made for image formation on the envelope. Although it is possible to set in detail the image forming conditions, for example, the print density, the print magnification, and the like, as in a normal image forming apparatus, here, typical settings are shown.
That is, when the “envelope setting” button a2 is pressed on the sealing screen a1x in FIG. 16, the display control means (not shown) accepts this pressing and displays “envelope selection” button a21 shown in FIG. An "information input" button a22, an "inclusion information selection" button a23, a "setting end" button a25, and a "priority output setting" button a24 are displayed. When one of the buttons a21 to a25 is pressed from the envelope setting screen a1y, processing corresponding to the pressed button is executed.

1) Envelope Selection When the “envelope selection” button a21 is pressed, the envelope to be used can be selected from the envelopes set in the paper feed stages 25-1 and 25-2. However, only envelopes can be selected in envelope settings. In other words, the paper cannot be selected. Here, in the default setting, one of the paper feed stages 25-1 and 25-2 of the sealing device 2 is selected. For this reason, printing on the envelope can be performed by the encapsulating apparatus 2 and printing on the encapsulated material can be performed by the image forming apparatus 1, respectively, which leads to an improvement in productivity.

2) Input of print information When the “print information input” button a22 is pressed, an input field for setting information such as an address to be printed on the envelope is displayed at the top of the display screen. Can be set. Details will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the setting relating to the envelope is configured to be performed from the operation panel 1-A of the image forming apparatus 1. However, it is also possible to configure the setting so as to be input from a PC connected to the MFP.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen when the “print information input” button a22 is pressed on the display screen of FIG. In this example, when the “print information input” button a22 is pressed, the display transitions to the display screen of FIG. 18, and the address input field a3 as the print information of the envelope is displayed. In the address input field a3, a “postal code input” field a31, an “address input” field a32, and a “destination name input” field a33 are displayed. In this example, each of the above fields is displayed. In addition, the envelope print information includes “input postal code of sender”, “input of sender address”, “input of sender name”, and the like. You may enable it to set the printing information input column which can be input freely as "remarks".

  The control circuit including the CPU 1 </ b> U of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a storage device, and the above input information is stored in the storage device of the image forming apparatus 1.

3) Selection of Inclusion Information When the “Selection of Inclusion Information” button a23 is pressed, a selection screen for selecting image information to be formed on the inclusion enclosed in the envelope is displayed at the top of the display screen. Image information can be selected. As a result, the information on the envelope and the inclusion is linked.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen when the “select inclusion information” button a23 is selected on the display screen of FIG. In this example, when the “inclusion information selection” button a23 is pressed, a transition is made to the display screen of FIG. 19, and an inclusion selection screen a4 that is a list of information on the inclusion to be enclosed in the envelope whose address is input is displayed. Is done. In the inclusion selection screen a4, when image information has already been taken into the image forming apparatus 1, a list of the image information is displayed. Here, the user selects image information for performing image formation on the inclusion to be enclosed in the envelope by pressing the display portion of the corresponding image information. When there are a plurality of inclusions, a plurality of pieces of arbitrary image information are selected, and after all the selections are completed, the determination button a41 is pressed to determine.

  Further, when it is desired to newly fetch image information, it can be fetched by an image fetch button a31 for setting an inclusion described later. As a means for capturing an image, it is possible to set a document on the ADF 1-C and capture an image from a scanner, or capture an image input from a PC.

4) End of setting When all the settings are completed, the “setting end” button a24 in the “encapsulation” tab is pressed.

Thereby, the setting regarding the image formation of the envelope can be completed.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of envelope setting information stored in the storage device in the image forming apparatus 1, and is stored as a table. As shown in the figure, the input information stores the input information in the input order. This information is displayed as a report by pressing the “job list” aj on the operation screen. Envelope setting information
・ No. : Input order / Output order: Output order / Postal code: Input / stored postal code / address: Input / stored address / destination name: Input / stored destination name / envelope supply Paper: selected and stored envelope feed tray / inclusion information: each envelope setting corresponds to one job in each piece of information of the input and stored inclusion information.

  In addition, the job as used in this embodiment means the process which encloses the enclosure which should be enclosed with the said envelope in one envelope.

5) Priority output setting In this embodiment, a “priority output setting” button a24 is further provided. When the “priority output setting” button a24 is pressed, a job to be preferentially output can be set.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen when the “priority output setting” button a24 is selected on the display screen of FIG. In this example, when the “priority output setting” button a <b> 24 is pressed, a transition is made to the display screen of FIG. 21. The display screen of FIG. 21 is the priority output setting screen a26 in which the “priority output” column a27 is newly added to the envelope setting information shown in FIG. That is, in the priority output setting screen a26, a column for newly setting priority output is displayed in addition to the list of inclusion information input previously. If you check the box in this column, the job in that row is set as the priority output job, and the output order is changed.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing a job list when a priority output job is set. As can be seen from the figure, when the priority output □ is checked on the display screen of FIG. No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 It turns out that it was changed to 2, 4, 1, 3, 5, 6.

  When the “enclosure mode setting” button a4 is pressed from the display screen of FIG. 16, the display screen is switched to the enclosure mode setting screen a1z of FIG. In the enclosure mode setting screen a1z, an “enclosure order fixing mode” button a28, a “productivity priority mode” button a29, and a “setting end” button a30 are displayed.

  The “sealing order fixing mode” button a28 is pressed when it is not desired to change the job order. The order of jobs may be changed, and when it is desired to improve productivity, the “productivity priority mode” button a29 is pressed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 24, a display a31 “Do you want to enable priority output setting?” Is displayed, so that the job set as the priority output job in the previous priority output setting is to be changed. Select “Yes” if there is no change, or “No” if the change can be made. After setting, the setting end button a31 is pressed to end the setting.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the encapsulation system in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, when performing encapsulated printing, first, the “encapsulation” tab a1 of the operation display screen a of the operation panel 1-A is pressed (step S101), “envelope setting”, “encapsulation setting”, “encapsulation”. Set each item in “Mode Setting”. Any of “envelope setting”, “inclusion setting”, and “sealing mode setting” may be set first (steps S102, S103, and S104). With respect to “envelope setting”, the selection of the envelope, the input of the printing information, and the input of the enclosure information for linking the information with the enclosure described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20 are performed.

  With regard to “filler setting”, information necessary for forming an image on the fill described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22 is input. In the present embodiment, the size of the inclusion to be imaged is input.

  With regard to “enclosure mode setting”, the “encapsulation order fixed mode” described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24 does not change, or the job order is changed but the productivity is improved. Select either “Importance mode”.

  When the setting is completed, the start button d on the operation panel 1-A is pressed (step S105). When the start button d is pressed, the content of the enclosed material is confirmed, and it becomes possible to calculate an enclosure speed for performing good enclosure. Therefore, the enclosure speed is calculated for each job and stored in the storage device. Save it (step S106). A method for calculating the sealing speed will be described in detail later.

  Next, it is determined whether the enclosing mode is “productivity emphasis mode” or “enclosure order fixed mode”, and when the “productivity emphasis mode” button a29 is selected, the “productivity emphasis mode” is set (step S107). : YES) First, the time (stacking time) required to stack all the inclusions of each job on the intermediate tray 15 is calculated for each job (step S108), and is combined with the previously calculated sealing speed of each job. The job order is changed using the necessary information for changing the job order (step S109). However, when the priority output setting in the productivity priority mode is enabled, the job set to the priority output is not subject to the job order change and is always placed at the head of the job order.

  Assume that the accumulation time of the inclusions in the image forming system in this embodiment can be easily calculated by a linear expression proportional to the number of inclusions. The algorithm for changing the job order performed here will be described in detail later.

  When the enclosure mode is set to the “enclosure order fixed mode” by the selection operation by the “enclosure order fixed mode” button a29 (step S107: NO), the jobs are sequentially executed without changing the job order.

  The job is first started from the image formation of the inclusion (step S110). Paper is fed from the paper feed stage 1 -B set in “Encapsulated material setting”, an image is formed on the fed paper by the image forming apparatus 1, and conveyed to the intermediate tray 15 of the encapsulating apparatus 2. When there are a plurality of inclusions, the above operation is repeated for the number of jobs. In the image formation on the envelope, the image set in the “envelope setting” is formed on the envelope Pf until the final sheet of the same job is conveyed to the intermediate tray of the enclosing device 2, and the pair of chuck rollers 20 of the enclosing device 3 is formed. Transport to. Then, after forming an image on the final encapsulated paper in the same job (step S111: YES), image formation is started on the envelope (step S112).

  When all the inclusions are conveyed to the intermediate tray 15, the enclosure process is performed at the previously calculated enclosure speed (step S113). When there are a plurality of jobs (step S114: NO), the image forming apparatus 1 starts image formation of the inclusion of the next job (step S110). This is repeated for the registered jobs, and the envelope Pf for which the sealing process has been completed when the final sealing job is completed (step S114: YES) is discharged to the envelope stacking tray 26.

  In this embodiment, even if image formation is started on the envelope Pf after the image is formed on the final encapsulated paper in the same job, the image formation start timing is set to be sufficiently in time for the enclosing process. Has been.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a table used when determining the accumulation time of the inclusions for each job, and FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a table used when determining the enclosure speed for each job.

  The accumulation time of the inclusion for each job in the present embodiment is determined as follows. In this embodiment, the maximum paper size in a job and the number of inclusions are two factors for determining the accumulation time. Therefore, a table as shown in FIG. 26 is prepared in advance for determining the accumulation time. This table is for determining the accumulation time T from the combination of the maximum paper size and the number of enclosed sheets. FIG. 26 shows the relationship between the paper size of B5 or less and the number of enclosed sheets, and the relationship between the sheet size of A4 and the enclosed number of sheets.

The relationship between the respective times Ta to Tf in FIG. 26 is Ta <Tb <Tc <Td <Te <Tf.
In this table, the larger the maximum paper size is, the longer the accumulation time T is, and the larger the number of sheets is, the longer the accumulation time T is.

  When determining the sealing speed for each job, the table of FIG. 27 is used. In FIG. 27, the maximum paper size and quality in a job and the number of inclusions are three factors for determining the enclosure speed. When determining the sealing speed, a table as shown in FIG. 27 is prepared in advance, and the sealing speed V is determined from the combination of the maximum paper size and the number of sealed sheets. Here, the paper quality means the quality of paper that is an inclusion such as plain paper, cardboard, special paper (coated paper, high-quality paper, Kent paper, glossy paper, Japanese paper, etc.). In the present embodiment, the sheet information indicates the maximum sheet size, number of sheets, and sheet quality of an encapsulated object, and the CPU 1U of the image forming apparatus 1 performs processing according to the sheet information.

The relationship between the speeds Va to Vf in FIG. 27 is as follows: Va>Vb>Vc>Vd>Ve> Vf
The table is such that the larger the maximum paper size is, the slower the sealing speed V is, and the larger the number of sheets is, the slower the sealing speed V is, and the special paper is slower than the plain paper alone.

In addition, with this system, it is possible to calculate how much time it takes to enclose when it is encapsulated,
Enclosure time = Enclosure speed ÷ Operating distance of enclosure operation (1)
Since the operating distance of the sealing operation is constant regardless of the sealing speed, when the sealing speed is determined, the time required for sealing (sealing time) is determined at the same time.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a job order change algorithm for changing the job order for improving productivity based on the sealing time calculated based on the equation (1).

  First, before explaining the flowchart shown in FIG. 28, terms and the theory necessary for explaining the flowchart will be explained.

  The “accumulation time” here means that the back unit 19 starts to enclose the enclosure, the rear end stopper 18 rises and returns to the original position, and the intermediate tray 15 can accumulate the enclosure for the next job. It means the time from the point of time until all the inclusions of the job are accumulated on the intermediate tray 15 and ready to be enclosed.

  “Encapsulation time” means that the back unit 19 starts the operation for sealing after the trailing end stopper 18 is lowered in a state where all the inclusions of the job are accumulated on the intermediate tray 15, and the envelope Pf This is the time it takes to return to the original position and to be ready for the next encapsulation process.

  Each job has an “accumulation time” and an “enclosure time” necessary for performing the enclosing operation, and these are performed by the user pressing down the “envelope setting” button a2 and the “inclusion setting” button a3. After the “envelope setting” and the “inclusion setting”, the time is calculated and determined when the start button d is pushed down. However, since the job order is not changed when the enclosure mode is the “enclosure order fixed mode”, the “accumulation time” required only for changing the job order is not calculated in this case.

  When performing the encapsulation process for a job, the accumulation operation and the encapsulation operation must be sequentially performed in this order, but the mechanism necessary for the accumulation operation and the mechanism necessary for the encapsulation operation are basically different configurations. Therefore, during the enclosing operation of a certain job, the operation of accumulating the next job after that job can be performed simultaneously in parallel. In addition, since “accumulation time” and “encapsulation time” are different for each job, the accumulation operation and the encapsulation operation of the job are performed at the same time as much as possible. Change the job order so that the number is reduced. This reduces the time required to process all jobs and improves productivity.

  Therefore, in the flowchart of FIG. 28, first, it is confirmed whether the priority output setting in the productivity-oriented mode is valid (step S201). If it is valid (step S201: YES), it is designated as the priority output. Are excluded from the targets of subsequent job order change (step S202). Next, a trial, which is one unit for changing the order of jobs from here, is performed. In the trial, an unselected job is selected from all jobs (step S203), and an insertion position that minimizes downtime when the job order is changed is sequentially searched from the head of the job to minimize it. When the position is determined, the selected job is inserted at that position (step S204). At this time, if there is no insertion position where the downtime decreases, the order is not changed.

  Once inserted, the amount of downtime reduced by the insertion is calculated and added to the total amount of downtime reduced during the trial (step S205). This operation is repeated until there are no unselected jobs (step S206: YES).

  When there is no unselected job (step S206: NO), it is confirmed whether the total amount of downtime reduced in this trial is 0 (step S207). If it is not 0, there is a possibility that there is still room for trial. If it is determined that there is, the process returns to step S203 to start the next trial. When the total amount of downtime reduction during the trial becomes zero (step S207: YES), the job order changing process is ended there.

  At this time, if the processing time is longer than necessary because the downtime does not easily become zero or the performance of the CPU of the system is low, the total amount is sufficiently small even if it is not zero. If it is determined that the job order has been changed, the job order changing process may be terminated at that time.

  If the priority output setting is not valid in step S201, step S202 is skipped and a trial from step S203 is performed. The trial is a series of processing from step S203 to step S206 in this flowchart.

  29, 30 and 31 are explanatory diagrams showing a decrease amount of the total job processing time when the job order changing algorithm shown in FIG. 28 is performed on a certain job group.

  When the job order change algorithm for improving productivity shown in FIG. 28 is performed on the job group of jobs A to E shown in FIG. 29, information on the maximum paper size, paper quality, and number of enclosed sheets of each job A to E is obtained. From the tables shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the accumulation time and enclosing time of each job can be obtained.

In FIG.
Job A (Maximum paper size: B5, Paper quality: Special paper available, Enclosed number: 5)
Job B (Maximum paper size: B5, Paper quality: Plain paper only, Enclosed number: 10)
Job C (Maximum paper size: A4, Paper quality: Special paper available, Enclosed number: 8)
Job D (maximum paper size: B5, paper quality: special paper available, number of enclosed sheets: 2)
Job E (Maximum paper size: A4, Paper quality: Plain paper only, Enclosed number: 6)
The jobs A, B, C, D, and E are processed in this order.

Here, when “the operation time of the enclosing operation” is represented by R, the accumulation time and the enclosing time of each job A to E are as shown in FIG. )
Job B (accumulation matter: Te, encapsulation time R / Vc)
Job C (accumulation item: Tf, encapsulation time R / Vf)
Job D (accumulation item: Ta, encapsulation time R / Vb)
Job E (accumulation matter: Tb, encapsulation time R / Vc)
The following numerical values Ta = 12, Tb = 13, Tc = 14, Te = 15 for the characters in each expression
Vb = 6, Vc = 5, Vf = 4
R = 60
Is substituted, the accumulation time and enclosing time of each job are as shown in FIG.
Job A (accumulation matter: 14, enclosing time 12)
Job B (accumulation item: 16, enclosing time 12)
Job C (accumulation matter: 18, enclosing time 15)
Job D (accumulation matter: 12, enclosing time 10)
Job E (accumulation matter: 13, enclosing time 12)
It becomes.

For such a job group, the time required to process all jobs in the order of jobs A, B, C, D, E without changing the job order is as shown in FIG. Ttotal = 14 + 12 + 4 + 12 + 6 + 15 + 10 + 3 + 12 = 88
88 [seconds] When the job order change algorithm is executed and the job order is changed in the order of jobs C, B, A, E, and D,
Ttotal = 18 + 15 + 1 + 12 + 2 + 12 + 1 + 12 + 12 + 10 = 83
As shown in FIG. The difference of 5 seconds corresponds to the time of about 5.68 [%] of the required time before the change, and when the job order change algorithm is executed, the time of about 5.68 [%] is reduced. I understand.

  FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram when job processing is scheduled based on the accumulation time and the inclusion time of each job. From the figure, it can be seen that the system downtime is clearly reduced.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

1) Encapsulation including an image forming apparatus 1 that forms an image on a sheet, an intermediate tray 15 that accumulates the image-formed sheets, and a pack unit 19 that encloses the sheets accumulated in the intermediate tray in an envelope Pf as inclusions. When the filling speed of the pack unit 19 is changed according to the apparatus 2 and the paper information of the paper to be filled, the accumulation time in the intermediate tray 15 and the filling time based on the filling speed of the pack unit 19 are calculated, respectively. The order of jobs A, B, C, D, and E is changed based on the change in time caused by changing the enclosure filling speed by the unit 19. Thereby, the down time in the intermediate tray 15 and / or the pack unit 19 can be reduced.

2) Change the order of jobs A, B, C, D, and E to reduce the time required to process all jobs A to E, and minimize the time to process all jobs A to E. As a result, the encapsulation process can be performed with high production efficiency.

3) The job to be finished first is designated from the operation panel 1-A, and the job order is changed so that the processing time for jobs other than the designated job is minimized. Reflecting this, the downtime can be reduced and the encapsulation process can be performed with high production efficiency.

4) The paper information is at least one of the paper size, the paper size, and the paper type. Even when the enclosure speed is changed according to the paper information, the paper information is changed according to the changed enclosure speed. Since the job order is changed, the downtime can be reduced and the encapsulation process can be performed with high production efficiency.

5) Since the filling speed and the accumulation time are calculated for each job, it is possible to obtain the order of jobs with less down time by referring to the filling time obtained from the filling speed and the accumulation time.

  In the embodiment, the image forming means in the claims is in the image forming apparatus 1, the stacking means is in the intermediate tray 15, the envelope is in the symbol Pf, the sealing means is in the pack unit 19, and the control means is in the CPU 2U. The designation means corresponds to the operation panel 1-A, and the image forming system corresponds to a system including the image forming apparatus 1 and the enclosing device 2.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and all the technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are all included. The subject of the present invention. The above-described embodiments show preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various alternatives, modifications, variations, and improvements from the contents disclosed in the present specification. These are included in the technical scope described in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1-A Operation panel 2 Enclosing apparatus 2U CPU
15 Intermediate tray 19 Pack unit Pf envelope

Japanese Patent No. 3690535

Claims (9)

Image forming means for forming an image on paper;
Stacking means for stacking the image-formed paper;
Enclosing means for enclosing the accumulated paper in an envelope;
In an image forming system comprising a control means for variably controlling the sealing speed of the sealing means in accordance with paper information of the sealed paper,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the order of jobs to be sealed in the envelope according to the sealing speed. The image forming system according to claim 1,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control means reduces a time required to process all jobs by changing the order of the jobs. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the order of the jobs so that a time for processing all the jobs is minimized. The image forming system according to claim 1,
An image forming system comprising a designation unit for designating a job to be ended first. The image forming system according to claim 4.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the order of the jobs so that processing time for a job other than the job designated by the designation unit is minimized. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image forming system, wherein the paper information is at least one of paper size, number of stored sheets, and paper type. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit calculates an enclosure speed and an accumulation time for each job. A first step of forming an image on a sheet by image forming means;
A second step of stacking the image-formed paper by stacking means;
A third step of enclosing the accumulated paper in an envelope by an enclosing means;
A fourth step of changing a sealing speed in the third step according to paper information of the paper to be sealed;
In a sealing method comprising:
A sealing method comprising a fifth step of changing the order of jobs sealed in the envelope according to the sealing speed. A first procedure for forming an image on a sheet by image forming means;
A second procedure for stacking the image-formed paper by stacking means;
A third procedure for enclosing the accumulated paper in an envelope by an enclosing means;
A fourth procedure for changing a sealing speed of the paper into the envelope according to paper information of the paper to be sealed;
In an enclosure control program for causing a computer to execute an enclosure process of paper into the envelope,
A sealing control program comprising a fifth procedure for changing the order of jobs sealed in the envelope according to the sealing speed.