JP2015107603A - Image formation device, image formation system, post-process device, and image formation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently perform a process at the time of post-process prohibition rule.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes an image formation part which performs image formation based on a job, and a control part for controlling image formation, with an inline post process device for post processing with a paper, on which image formation is made, included being externally connected. The control part, when outputting a job, determines whether or not a post process setting included in the job is a post-process prohibition rule. In a case where a predetermined post-process output is available by addition of offline operation even in a case of post-process prohibition rule, a post-process prohibition rule factor that can be attained offline is released among post-process prohibition rule factors, to allow post-process by the inline post-process device. Thus, only when a predetermined output is not available by the post-process prohibition rule, by being substituted with offline operation, a final output is obtained while assuring productivity to be maximum.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a post-processing apparatus, and an image forming method that enable post-processing on a sheet on which image formation has been performed.

When image formation is performed based on a job including image data, post-processing may be performed on a sheet on which an image is formed. The post-processing is normally executed by a post-processing apparatus in the image forming apparatus or a post-processing apparatus externally connected to the image forming apparatus in accordance with the post-processing setting included in the job. In addition, an apparatus that can efficiently execute processing related to print settings with a plurality of devices has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the print setting information is included in the combination indicated by the combination information based on the device capability information acquired by the device capability information acquisition unit and the combination information generated by the combination information generation unit. A determination unit that determines whether there is a combination that can be executed by a plurality of devices, and a determination unit that performs a series of processing related to print setting information in the combination indicated by the combination information. A setting information generating unit configured to generate setting information for setting a setting item corresponding to each device based on the corresponding combination information when it is determined that there is a combination executable by a plurality of devices; ing.

JP 2010-9219 A

However, depending on the content of one or more post-processing, a post-processing prohibition may occur, and a predetermined post-processed product may not be obtained with an inline post-processing apparatus.
Conventionally, the following two methods can be adopted as behavior when a print job is prohibited in relation to post-processing.
(1) Release the prohibition factor and output.
(2) Cancel.
However, it is the post-processing device specifications ((1) or (2)) and the operation prevention specifications ((2)) that determine the behavior of (1) or (2), which is intended to improve the workflow. Does not intervene.
That is, in determining the behavior after stopping the prohibition, no consideration is given for obtaining a desired output product more efficiently.
Post-processing is based on the premise that it is desired to complete the processing in an in-line system, but if post-processing prohibition occurs and output is not possible, production can be performed by substituting with offline work such as an offline post-processing machine. There is a desire to obtain the final output while ensuring the maximum performance. However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the post-processing prohibition occurs, the behavior of the apparatus is not considered and the request cannot be met.

  The present invention has been made against the background described above, and an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of effectively obtaining a predetermined post-processed product when a post-processing prohibition occurs while suppressing a decrease in productivity as much as possible. An object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus and an image forming method.

That is, among the image forming apparatuses of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention is:
An image forming unit that forms an image based on a job;
An in-line post-processing device that performs post-processing on the paper on which the image has been formed, or an externally connected image forming device,
When the control unit outputs the job, the control unit determines whether the post-processing setting included in the job is a post-processing prohibition. If obtained, the post-processing prohibition factors that can be achieved off-line among the post-processing prohibition factors are canceled, and post-processing by the in-line post-processing device is enabled.

The image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein, as a result of the determination of the prohibition of post-processing, the control unit is prohibited from post-processing, and a predetermined post-processing output product is added by adding offline work. If the above cannot be obtained, the output is canceled.
An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the off-line work is performed manually or by an off-line post-processing apparatus.
An image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the prohibition of post-processing is generated by one or more post-processing. .
In the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the control unit determines whether the post-processing prohibition is performed for each sheet, for each sheet bundle, for each set, for each job. It is performed by either of the above.
The image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the control unit cancels a post-processing prohibition factor that can be achieved off-line as a result of the determination, and the post-inline When post-processing by a processing device is performed, notification regarding the offline work is performed before the post-processing, after the post-processing, or during the post-processing.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, further comprising: a display unit that performs display, and the control unit performs control to display the notification on the display unit.
An image forming apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores setting contents for obtaining a predetermined post-processing output product by adding an off-line work in any of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention. Features.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, further comprising an operation unit that receives an operation input, and the control unit enables editing of the setting content through the operation unit. And

  An image forming system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes the image forming apparatus and the inline post-processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth and eighth aspects of the present invention.

An image forming system according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the image forming system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a display unit that performs display, and the control unit performs control to display a notification on the display unit.
An image forming system according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes the operation unit that receives an operation input in the tenth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, and the control unit can additionally perform post-processing output through an offline operation through the operation unit. It is possible to set a post-processing output product.

The aftertreatment device of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention is
A post-processing device externally connected to an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image based on a job,
A control unit for controlling the post-processing apparatus;
When the control unit receives a post-processing command from the image forming apparatus and performs post-processing,
It is determined whether the post-processing setting included in the job is a post-processing prohibition, and if the post-processing prohibition and a predetermined post-processing output product is obtained by adding offline work, among the post-processing prohibition factors, offline The post-processing prohibition factor that can be achieved is canceled to enable the post-processing.

  The post-processing apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the post-processing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein, as a result of the determination of the post-processing prohibition, the control unit is a post-processing prohibition and a predetermined post-processing output product is added by adding offline work If the above cannot be obtained, the post-processing is canceled.

The fifteenth image forming method of the present invention comprises:
An image forming method for performing image formation and predetermined post-processing based on a job,
When outputting the job, it is determined whether the post-processing setting included in the job is a post-processing prohibition, and if the post-processing prohibition and a predetermined post-processing output product is obtained by adding offline work, Of the processing prohibition factors, post-processing prohibition factors that can be achieved offline are canceled and post-processing is performed.

In the image forming method of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, as a result of the prohibition of post-processing, the post-processing prohibition is prohibited, and a predetermined post-processing output product cannot be obtained by adding offline work. , Canceling the output.
The image forming method according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the image forming method according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein after the post-processing prohibition factor that can be achieved offline is canceled as a result of the determination of the post-processing prohibition, In the case of performing processing, notification regarding the off-line work is performed before the post-processing, after the post-processing, or during the post-processing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, only when the output of a predetermined output product cannot be obtained due to prohibition of post-processing, the final output product can be obtained while maximizing productivity by substituting with offline work. There is an effect to be obtained.

1 is an overall view of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, a block diagram of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus is shown. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when post-processing is prohibited in a conventional image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of prohibition of post-processing prohibition of the other example of the past. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of post-processing prohibition generation | occurrence | production in one Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by prohibition unit when post-processing prohibition occurs. Similarly, it is a setting screen for content in which a predetermined post-processing output can be obtained by adding offline work (off-line post-processing device). Similarly, it is a setting screen for content in which a predetermined post-process output product is obtained by adding offline work (offline manual work).

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of the entire image forming system, showing a mechanical configuration. The configuration will be described below.
The image forming stem 1 has a large-capacity paper feeding unit 170 connected to the front side of the image forming apparatus 10 and a post-processing device 180 connected to the rear side of the image forming apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the post-processing device 180 corresponds to the inline post-processing device of the present invention. In the image forming system 1, paper can be transported between the apparatuses and can communicate with each other. Note that the inline post-processing apparatus may be built in the image forming apparatus 10.

In the image forming apparatus 10, a scanner unit 130 including a CCD 131 and a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135 are provided on the upper side, and an image of a document is passed through a platen glass 137 or an ADF document reading slit glass 138. Reading is possible.
The above-described scanner unit 130, flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, platen glass 137, ADF document reading slit glass 138, and the like constitute an image reading unit.
In addition, on the upper side of the image forming apparatus 10, an operation unit 140 including a touch panel is provided at a place where the platen glass 137 is not located, so that an operation and information display by the operator can be performed. The operation unit 140 constitutes an operation unit and also serves as the display unit of the present invention. In the present invention, the operation unit and the display unit can be configured separately.

A plurality of paper feed trays (1-3) 145 (three stages in the figure) are arranged on the lower side of the image forming apparatus 10, and are further attached to the image forming apparatus 10 so as to have a large capacity. A paper feed unit 170 is arranged.
In the image forming apparatus 10, a transport path for transporting paper fed from one of the paper feed trays, a second paper feed roller 146, and the like are provided, and in the middle of the transport path in the image forming apparatus 10, An image forming unit 151 including a charger 152, an LD 153, a photoconductor 154, a developing unit 155, a transfer unit 156, a fixing unit 157, and the like is provided. Further, the large-capacity paper feeding unit 170 is provided with a conveyance path (not shown) through which each fed paper is conveyed and introduced into the image forming apparatus 10. Further, the post-processing device 180 discharges the paper on which the image is printed without carrying out the post-processing or performing the post-processing.
The image forming unit 151, the paper feed tray (1-3) 145, the large-capacity paper feed unit 170, the conveyance path, the second paper feed roller 146, and the like constitute the printer unit 150 of the present invention.

  In the image forming unit 151, the charger 152, the developing unit 155, and the transfer unit 156 are arranged around the photoconductor 154. The charger 152 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 154 before image writing. The LD 153 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 154 by irradiating the photoconductor 154 having a uniformly charged surface with a semiconductor laser. The developing device 155 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 154 by the LD 153 with a toner member. By this development processing, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 154. The transfer unit 156 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member 154 to a sheet conveyed from the sheet feed tray (1-3) 60 or the large-capacity sheet feed tray 170. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 154 and conveyed to the fixing device 157. The toner member remaining on the photoreceptor 154 is removed by the cleaning unit.

The fixing device 157 fixes the toner image transferred to the front side of the sheet by heating the conveyed sheet. In the case of single-sided printing, the sheet subjected to the fixing process is conveyed as it is to the post-processing device 180 positioned on the side of the image forming apparatus 10.
In the post-processing device 180, post-processing such as stapling, punching, and folding is performed.
On the other hand, in the case of duplex printing, the fixed sheet is switched back and a predetermined image is transferred by the image forming unit 151 to the back side of the sheet. The paper on which images are formed on both sides is conveyed to the post-processing device 180 after fixing.

The image forming system 1 includes the image forming apparatus 10, the large-capacity paper feed tray 170, and the post-processing apparatus 180. In the present invention, the apparatus forming the image forming system is an image forming apparatus. In addition, the number and type are not particularly limited, and a plurality of post-processing devices may be provided. In addition, various external devices such as a relay device and a stack device can be connected. .
Although not included in the image forming system 1, an offline post-processing device 4 is provided to perform offline work. Further, an offline post-processing device may be provided in the image forming system.

Next, the functional configuration of the image forming system 1 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG.
The image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body control unit 100, a scanner unit 130, an operation unit 140, and a printer unit 150, and further processes image data input from an external device 3 such as a terminal PC through the LAN 2, or a scanner. And a print controller 160 that enables image data obtained by the unit 130 to be transferred to the external device 3 through the LAN 2.

  The main body control unit 100 has a PCI bus 114 connected to the print controller 160, and a DRAM control IC 115 is connected to the PCI bus 114. An image memory (DRAM) 120 is connected to the DRAM control IC 115. The image memory (DRAM) 120 includes a compression memory 121 for storing compressed image data and an expansion memory 122 for temporarily storing uncompressed image data to be printed before image formation. .

Further, a hard disk (HDD) unit 123 is connected to the PCI bus 114, and the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 includes image data acquired by the scanner unit 130, an external device 3 connected to the print controller 160, and the like. The image data generated by the above can be saved.
The image data acquired by the print controller 160 and the image data stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 are transmitted to the DRAM control IC 115 through the PCI bus 114 in accordance with the printing operation.

In addition, the main body control unit 100 includes a control CPU 110, and a DRAM control IC 115 is connected to the control CPU 110.
The control CPU 110 is composed of a ROM, a program memory 111 in which a program for operating the control CPU 110 is stored, a RAM, a system memory 112 used as a work area, a flash memory, and the like. The non-volatile memory 113 to be connected is connected. In the non-volatile memory 113, initial print setting information of the image forming apparatus 10, machine setting information such as process control parameters, initial data of output settings, post-processing settings, post-processing prohibition settings, addition of offline work, and a predetermined post process Settings for obtaining processed output are stored so as to be readable.
The prohibition of post-processing means a state in which a function for obtaining a desired output product is included in the in-line post-processing apparatus, but the function cannot be used in combination with other functions or settings.

The control CPU 110 can read nonvolatile data in the nonvolatile memory 113 and can write desired data in the nonvolatile memory 113.
The control CPU 110 operates according to a program stored in the program memory 111, and controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the machine setting information, the print setting information, the output setting, and the like.
The control CPU 110 constitutes a control unit of the present invention together with the program memory 111, the system memory 112, the nonvolatile memory 113, and the like, and can control job execution, job cancellation, and the like.
The control CPU 110 can perform job output settings and operation instructions through the operation unit 140.

The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading, and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 110 so that serial communication is possible. The CCD 131 is connected to a reading processing unit 116 that processes image data read by the CCD 131, and the reading processing unit 116 is connected to a DRAM control IC 115 so as to be controllable.
The reading processing unit 116 performs various processing such as analog signal processing, A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion processing, shading processing, and the like on the analog image signal input from the CCD 131, generates digital image data, and performs compression / compression. Output to the decompression IC 124.
In addition, an ADF control unit 136 is connected to the control CPU 110 in a controllable manner, and the ADF control unit 136 controls a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135.
The scanner unit 130 reads an image of a document placed on the upper platen glass of the image forming apparatus 10 or a document automatically conveyed by a casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135.

The operation unit 140 includes an LCD 141 configured as a touch panel that serves as both a display unit and an operation unit, and an operation unit control unit 142 that controls the entire operation unit. The operation unit control unit 142 performs serial communication with the control CPU 110. Connected as possible.
In the operation unit 140, under the control of the control CPU 110, input of machine settings such as output condition setting and operation control condition in the image forming apparatus 10 and input of setting of paper information (size, paper type) of each paper feed tray are performed by the LCD 141. In addition, it is possible to perform setting for obtaining a predetermined post-processing output by adding offline work, displaying setting contents, displaying desired information such as a message, and the like.

The DRAM control IC 115 is connected to a compression / decompression IC 124 that can compress or decompress image data. The DRAM control IC 115 controls image data compression processing and compression image data decompression processing by the compression / decompression IC 124 according to an instruction from the control CPU 110, and performs input / output control of image data to the image memory (DRAM) 120. .
The write processing unit 125 is connected to the image forming unit 11 including the LD 152 of the printer unit 150 and the like, and generates write data used for the operation of the LD 152 based on the image data.

The printer unit 150 includes the image forming unit 11, a paper feed tray 12, a conveyance path 13, a reverse conveyance path 16, a fixing device 15, and the like.
In addition, the printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 151 that controls the entire printer unit 150 (paper feeding, image formation, paper discharge, post-processing, and the like). The printer control unit 151 performs serial communication with the control CPU 110 described above. Connected as possible. The printer control unit 151 operates according to a control command from the control CPU 110 to control the printer unit 150 to perform paper conveyance, image formation, and the like. Further, the printer control unit 151 can instruct the compression / decompression IC 124 to decompress the compressed image data.
Further, the printer control unit 151 is connected to the post-processing control unit 181 in the post-processing apparatus 180 so as to be controllable. The printer control unit 151 can issue a post-processing instruction to the post-processing control unit 181 based on a command from the control CPU 110, and can acquire status information in the post-processing device 180 from the post-processing control unit 181.

  Further, the DRAM control IC 161 of the print controller 160 is connected to the PCI bus 114 to which the DRAM control IC 115 is connected as described above. When the image forming apparatus 10 is used as a network printer or a network scanner, the print controller 160 receives image data or the like from the external device 3 connected to the LAN 2 by the image forming apparatus 10 or acquired by the scanner unit 130. The image data is transmitted to an external device 3 such as a terminal PC connected to the LAN 2.

  In the print controller 160, the DRAM control IC 161 is connected to an image memory 162 composed of DRAM or the like. In the print controller 160, a DRAM control IC 161, a controller control CPU 163 that controls the entire print controller 160, and a LAN interface 165 are connected to a common bus. The LAN interface 165 is connected to the LAN 2.

  Furthermore, an IO unit 118 is connected to the control CPU 110. The IO unit 118 operates as an interface for exchanging information between each unit in the image forming apparatus 1 and the control CPU 110.

The external device 3 includes a terminal operation unit 30 that receives an operation and a terminal display unit 31 that performs display. The terminal operation unit 30 functions as an operation unit in the present invention. It can function as a display portion in the present invention.
The external device 3 may be capable of inputting operations related to the image forming apparatus 1 on the terminal operation unit 30 via a VNC client or the like, and the operation display unit 31 can display related to the image forming apparatus. It may be a thing. The terminal operation unit 30 and the terminal display unit 31 can be configured with, for example, a touch panel, but are not limited thereto, and an operation unit such as an LCD or a mouse and a display unit such as a display are configured separately. It may be. Further, the external device 3 includes a terminal control unit 300 and can control the entire external device 3.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, a procedure for accumulating image data in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. A case where the image forming apparatus 10 reads an image with the scanner unit 130 and generates image data will be described. The scanner unit 130 optically reads an image from a document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the control CPU 110. The reading of the document may be performed while automatically feeding the document by the casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, or may be performed by placing the document on the platen glass 137.

  The control CPU 110 operates according to a program, and issues a command to the scanner unit 130 based on an operation (read instruction or copy instruction) by the operation unit 140. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the image data subjected to the data processing is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115 and compressed by a predetermined method. The compressed data is stored in the image memory (DRAM) 120 via the DRAM control IC 115. When data is stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123, the data once stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 via the DRAM control IC 115.

In addition, the image data may be input to the image forming apparatus 10 via the LAN 2. Examples of the image data include data generated by an application program such as the external device 3. The method for generating image data is not particularly limited.
The image data is received by the print controller 160 via the LAN 2 and the LAN interface 165, and the print data developed by the controller control CPU 163 is temporarily stored in the image memory 162 by the DRAM control IC 161. Data stored in the image memory 162 is transferred to the DRAM control IC 115 via the PCI bus 114 and temporarily stored in the decompression memory 122. The data stored in the decompression memory 122 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115, subjected to compression processing, and stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 115. When data is stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123, the data once stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 via the DRAM control IC 115.

  When the image data is stored, output settings are made before or after storing the image data. The output setting can be performed by displaying a setting screen on the operation unit 140 and performing an operation input by an operator. Further, when the output setting item is selected in the initial setting and the setting input by the operator is not made, the output setting is made by the initial setting. Post-processing settings can be made on the setting screen.

  The control CPU 110 may display a warning on the operation unit 140 when the post-processing setting prohibits other post-processing functions or settings and a predetermined post-processing output product cannot be obtained. You may cancel the prohibition factor. In other words, when a post-processing prohibition factor that is achievable off-line among the post-processing prohibition factors can be obtained when a post-processing prohibition factor and a predetermined post-processing output product can be obtained by adding offline work. Whether or not a predetermined post-process output product can be obtained by adding offline work can be stored in the nonvolatile memory 113 and read out and used for the above determination.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, that is, when used as a copying machine or a printer, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115 to decompress the data. The decompressed data is sent to the writing processing unit 125, and writing is performed by the LD 152 on the photosensitive member 154 charged by the charging unit. When image data stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 is used, the image data stored in the hard disk (HDD) unit 123 is temporarily stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 115, and the compressed memory is stored. The image data stored in 121 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 124 via the DRAM control IC 115 to decompress the data, and the decompressed data is sent to the write processing unit 125 as described above.

In the printer unit 150, each unit is controlled by the printer control unit 151 that receives a command from the control CPU 110. In the image forming unit 11, the latent image written on the photoconductor 154 is developed as a toner image by a developing unit (not shown), and the toner image is transferred to a sheet supplied by the conveyance path 13 by a transfer unit (not shown). Is fixed. On the photoconductor 154, after the toner image is transferred onto the paper, the residual toner is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown).
In this embodiment, the description has been given on the assumption of monochrome image formation. However, the image forming apparatus main body may be provided with a photoconductor for each color (for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black). .

  The sheet on which the image has been formed is sent to the post-processing device 180 via the transport path 13 and subjected to predetermined post-processing by the post-processing device 180 according to the post-processing setting. Further, when the post-processing is not performed, the paper is discharged by the post-processing device 180 as it is.

  In this embodiment, the post-processing prohibition is determined by the post-processing setting of the control CPU 110 in the image forming apparatus 10, and a post-processing instruction corresponding to the determination result is sent to the post-processing apparatus 180 to operate the post-processing apparatus 180. It was. However, in the present invention, when the post-processing setting is sent from the image forming apparatus, the post-processing control unit 181 determines the post-processing prohibition rule, and the post-processing control unit 181 determines that the post-processing control rule 181 indicates that the post-processing prohibition is offline. When a predetermined post-processing output product is obtained by adding work, post-processing prohibition factors that can be achieved off-line among the post-processing prohibition factors may be canceled to perform post-processing.

  Next, in the prior art, a processing procedure for automatically canceling the prohibition factor when a prohibition occurs in post-processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This procedure is executed under the control of the control unit. In the following, it is assumed that function A and function B are set as post-processing.

  When the paper feed preparation is started (step s1), it is determined whether the function A and the function B are not prohibited and can be executed in a compatible manner (step s2). When both functions A and B can be executed (when no prohibition occurs), execution of functions A and B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s3). Next, paper feeding is executed (step s4), and it is determined whether or not all sheets are completed (step s5). If all sheets are completed (step s5, Yes), the process is terminated, and all sheets are not completed (step s5, No). ), The process returns to step s1 and continues.

In step s2, when a prohibition occurs in functions A and B and they are not compatible (step s2, No), it is determined whether continuation is possible (step s6). If continuation is not possible (No in step s6), the job is canceled (step s9), and the process is terminated. If it can be continued (step s6, Yes), one of the functions A and B is canceled (step s7). In this case, for example, it is possible to set the priority order in the function, continue the high priority order, and cancel the others.
After the function is released, the processing contents are instructed to the in-line post-process (step s8). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step s4 where the paper feed is executed, and it is determined whether or not all paper feeds are completed (step s5).

  Next, a processing procedure for canceling a forbidden factor by user selection when forbidden in post-processing occurs in the prior art will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This procedure is executed under the control of the control unit. In the following, it is assumed that function A and function B are set as post-processing.

  When the paper feed preparation is started (step s10), it is determined whether the function A and the function B are not prohibited and can be executed in a compatible manner (step s11). When both functions A and B can be executed (when no prohibition occurs), execution of functions A and B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s12). Next, paper feeding is executed (step s13), and it is determined whether all paper feeding is complete (step s14). If all paper feeding is complete (step s14, Yes), the process is terminated and all paper is not completed (step s14). Step s14, No), it returns to step s10 and continues processing.

In step s11, when a prohibition occurs in functions A and B and they are not compatible (step s11, No), it is determined whether or not continuation is possible (step s15). If continuation is not possible (step s15, No), the job is canceled (step s25), and the process is terminated.
When the continuation is possible (Yes in step s15), an inquiry is made to the user as to whether or not to continue, and it is determined whether the continuation selection by the user has been made (step s16). If the selection is not to continue (No in step s16), the job is canceled (step s25), and the process ends.

When the user selects continuation in step s16 (step s16, Yes), the user is inquired whether to select the release of the function A, and determines whether the release of the function A has been performed (step s17). When the user selects to cancel the function A (step s17, Yes), the function A is canceled (step s18). Next, the user is inquired about whether or not to cancel the function B, and it is determined whether or not the function B has been canceled (step s19). If the user has selected to cancel the function B (step s19, Yes), the function B Is released (step s20), the paper feeding is executed in the same manner as described above (step s13), and it is determined whether all paper feeding is completed (step s14).
If the user has not made a selection to cancel the function B (No in step s19), the function B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s21), and the paper feed is executed (step s13) in the same manner as described above. Determination (step s14) is performed.

  If release of function A is not selected in step s17 (No in step s17), the user is inquired whether to select release of function B, and it is determined whether release of function B has been performed (step s22). When the user selects release of the function B (step s22, Yes), the function B is released (step s23), the function A is instructed to the in-line post-process (step s24), and the paper feed is executed as described above ( In step s13), it is determined whether or not all paper feeding is completed (step s14). If release of the function B is not selected in step s22 (No in step s22), the job is stopped (step s25) and the process is terminated.

Next, in the present embodiment, a processing procedure for canceling the prohibition factor in consideration of offline work when a prohibition occurs in post-processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
This procedure is executed under the control of the control CPU 110. In the following, it is assumed that function A and function B are set as post-processing. In addition, regarding function priority, function A is set to have priority over function B.

  When the paper feed preparation is started (step s30), it is determined whether the function A and the function B are not prohibited and can be executed in a compatible manner (step s31). If no prohibition occurs and both functions A and B can be executed, execution of functions A and B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s32). Next, paper feeding is executed (step s33), and it is determined whether all paper feeding is completed (step s34). If all paper feeding is completed (step s34, Yes), the process is terminated and all paper feeding must be completed. If (No at step s34), the process returns to step s30 to continue the process.

In step s31, when a prohibition occurs in the functions A and B and they are not compatible (No in step s31), it is determined whether or not the function can be continued (step s40). If continuation is not possible (No in step s40), the job is canceled (step s49) and the process is terminated.
If it is possible to continue (Yes in step s40), an inquiry is made to the user as to whether or not to continue, and it is determined whether or not the user has made a continuous selection (step s41). If the selection to continue is not made (step s41, No), the job is canceled (step s49), and the process is terminated.

  If continuation is selected by the user in step s41 (step s41, Yes), it is determined whether the function A can be realized by offline work (step s42). The setting contents for the determination are stored in the nonvolatile memory 114, and the control CPU 110 can determine whether or not realization is possible according to the setting contents read from the nonvolatile memory 114.

  When the function A can be realized by offline work (step s42, Yes), the function A is canceled (step s43), and the function B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s44). Next, a warning is displayed on the display unit such as the operation unit 140 or the terminal display unit 310 that offline work is necessary, and the offline work is requested (step s48). This process corresponds to notification related to offline work. Notifications related to offline work can be notified by voice or other means in addition to display. Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, paper feeding is executed (step s33), and it is determined whether all paper feeding is completed (step s34). Note that the notification regarding the offline work may be displayed on the operation unit after completion of all sheets.

When the function A cannot be realized by offline work (step s42, No), it is determined whether the function B can be realized by offline work (step s45). The setting contents for the determination are stored in the nonvolatile memory 114, and the control CPU 110 can determine whether or not realization is possible according to the setting contents read from the nonvolatile memory 114.
When the function B can be realized by offline work (step s45, Yes), the function B is canceled (step s46), and the function B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s47). Next, the display unit such as the operation unit 140 or the terminal display unit 310 displays that offline work is necessary, and requests offline work (step s48). Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, paper feeding is executed (step s33), and it is determined whether all paper feeding is completed (step s34).
If the function B cannot be realized by offline work (step s45, No), the job is canceled (step s49), and the process is terminated.

In the above description, the functions A and B have been described as A> B in the priorities. However, the priorities of A and B may be reversed. In this case, A and B in the flow are displayed in reverse. Then, processing is performed.
In the above procedure, the continuation selection by the user is requested, but the prohibition factor cancellation procedure may be executed without requesting the continuation selection by the user.
In the above procedure, the forbidden factors are explained with two functions A and B. However, the number is not limited to two factors, and it is possible to deal with even more than three factors. is there.

The unit for canceling the prohibition factor can be performed, for example, for each sheet, for each sheet bundle, for each copy, or for each job. The procedure in FIG. 5 can be used as a procedure for each sheet.
When the prohibition unit is performed for each sheet bundle, for each copy, or for each job, the determination in the prohibition unit can be performed at any one of the stack head, the copy head, and the job head.
A flowchart including a procedure for each prohibition unit will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control CPU 110. In the following, it is assumed that function A and function B are set as post-processing. In addition, regarding function priority, function A is set to have priority over function B.

  When the paper feed preparation is started (step s50), a prohibition unit determination is made for each paper bundle, each copy, or each job (step s51). The forbidden unit is set in advance, and may be in accordance with the setting, or may be selected by the user at the start of the job. Further, when the prohibition unit is set in advance, the setting content may be changed through the operation unit.

  It is determined whether the head of the bundle, the head of the job, or the head of the job according to the prohibition unit (step s51). Instructed (step s57), the paper feed is executed (step s55). Next, it is determined whether or not all paper feeding is complete (step s56). If all paper feeding is complete (step s56, Yes), the process is terminated. If all paper feeding is not complete (step s56, No), step s50 is completed. Return to and continue processing.

  If it is determined in step s51 that it is the head of the prohibition unit (step s51, Yes), it is determined whether function A and function B are not prohibited and can be executed at the same time (step s52). . If there is no prohibition and both functions A and B can be executed, execution of functions A and B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s53), and functions A and B are given as post-processing contents xxx. (Step s54). Next, paper feed is executed (step s55), and it is determined whether all paper feeds are completed (step s56). If all paper feeds are completed (step s56, Yes), the process is terminated and all paper feeds must be completed. If (No at step s56), the process returns to step s50 and continues.

If the function A and the function B are prohibited in step s52 and are not compatible (step s52, No), it is determined whether or not the function A and the function B can be continued (step s60). If continuation is not possible (No in step s60), the job is canceled (step s70), and the process is terminated.
When the continuation is possible (step s60, Yes), the user is inquired whether to continue, and it is determined whether the continuation selection by the user has been made (step s61). If the selection to continue is not made (step s61, No), the job is canceled (step s70), and the process is terminated.
When the user selects continuation in step s61 (step s61, Yes), it is determined whether or not the function A can be realized by offline work (step s62). The setting contents for the determination are stored in the nonvolatile memory 114, and whether or not realization is possible can be determined according to the setting contents read from the nonvolatile memory 114.

  When the function A can be realized by offline work (step s62, Yes), the function A is canceled (step s63), and the function B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s64). When the function A is not realizable by offline work (step s62, No), it is determined whether the function B is realizable by offline work (step s65). When the function B can be realized by offline work (step s65, Yes), the function B is canceled (step s65), and the function B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s66). When the function B cannot be realized by offline work (step s65, No), the job is stopped (step s70), and the process is terminated.

After the function A or the function B is instructed to the inline post-process (step s64 or step s67), the in-line post-process instruction content (function A or function B) is given to the post-processing content xxx (step 68). That is, the function B is given to the post-processing content after step s64, and the function A is given to the post-processing content after step 67.
Next, a warning is displayed on the display unit such as the operation unit 140 or the terminal display unit 310 that offline work is necessary, and the offline work is requested (step s69). This process corresponds to notification related to offline work.
Thereafter, paper feeding is performed in the same manner as described above (step s55), and it is determined whether all paper feeding is completed (step s56).
According to the above procedure, forbidden factors can be canceled and post-processing can be performed in consideration of offline work for each forbidden unit.

Next, an example in which post-processing is prohibited and offline post-processing is possible is shown below.
Example 1-1.
-Desired output = crease / slit + overlap fold-forbidden factor = crease / slit + overlap fold-offline post-processing function = overlap fold (1) forbidden factor to cancel = overlap fold (2) output from inline system = Crease / Slit Final output = (2) + Off-line fold = Desired post-processing output

Example 1-2.
-Desired output = crease / slit + overlap fold-prohibition factor = crease / slit + overlap fold-offline post-processing function = overlap (1) prohibition factor to cancel = overlap (2) output from inline system = 1 sheet Fold + crease / slit Final output = (2) + offline overlap = desired output

Example 2.
-Desired output = Large size paper is Z-folded and the same size flat binding booklet-Forbidden factor = Plain binding + Large size paper only Z fold-Offline post-processing function = Z folding (1) Forbidden factor to cancel = Z Fold (2) Output form = flat binding Final output = (2) + Large size paper only Z-fold = Desired output

Example 3 Desired output = staple + punch / prohibition factor = staple + punch (overlapping positions)
・ Offline post-processing function = Staple (1) Forbidden factor to cancel = Staple (2) Output from in-line system = Punch Final output = (2) + Offline staple (change punch and position) = Desired output

Next, an offline availability setting screen 1400 displayed on the operation unit 140 is shown. The offline availability setting screen 1400 is a screen for performing availability setting using an offline post-processing device.
On the offline setting screen 1400, a plurality of function items 1401 related to post-processing contents are arranged in a vertical column, and any one of them can be selected. For each function item 1401, either a “permitted” button 1411 or a “not permitted” button 1412 can be selected. For example, in the initial setting, the “impossible” button 1412 can be selected for all the function items 1401, and when the “permitted” button 1411 is pressed, the selection of the “impossible” button 1412 is canceled. Then, the “OK” button 1411 is selected.

In the left column of the function item 1401, a priority bar 1402 is arranged vertically and can be pressed in the upper selection area and the lower selection area. The function item 1401 is set to have a higher priority in the upper side. When one of the function items 1401 is selected and the upper area (high) side of the priority bar 1402 is pressed, the selected function item 1401 is selected. Then, the “OK” button 1411 and the “NO” button 1412 corresponding to this change the position sequentially upward for each row, and the priority is set high. When one of the function items 1401 is selected and the lower area (low) side of the priority order bar 1402 is pressed, the selected function item 1401 and the corresponding “permitted” button 1411 and “impossible” button are selected. 1412 sequentially changes its position downward every line, and the priority is set low.
On the offline availability setting screen 1400, an “OK” button 1413 and a “cancel” button 1414 are provided so that they can be pressed. The “OK” button 1413 confirms the setting contents and presses the “cancel” button 1414. As a result, the contents set after the offline availability setting screen 1400 is opened are cancelled.

  In the above description, the setting of processing using the offline post-processing apparatus as offline work has been described. However, post-processing may be executed by manual offline work. Hereinafter, a description will be given based on FIG.

On the offline setting screen 1500, a plurality of function items 1501 related to post-processing contents are arranged in a vertical column, and any one of them can be selected. For each function item 1401, either a “permitted” button 1511 or a “not permitted” button 1512 can be selected.
In the left column of the function item 1501, a priority bar 1502 is provided. Like the priority bar 1402, the priority of each function item 1501 can be set. On the offline availability setting screen 1500, an “OK” button 1513 and a “Cancel” button 1514 are provided so that they can be pressed. The “OK” button 1513 confirms the setting contents and presses the “Cancel” button 1514. As a result, the contents set after the offline availability setting screen 1500 is opened are cancelled.

  The offline work may be either the offline post-processing device or the offline manual work as described above, or may be determined to be possible to work offline by using both. In that case, the content that can be post-processed in the offline work may be different between the offline post-processing device and the offline manual work. When both the offline post-processing device and the offline manual work are used, the setting may be set on a common setting screen, and can be set on different screens like the setting screens shown in FIGS. It may be.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the above embodiment, but appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 Image forming system 2 LAN
3 External device 10 Image forming device 110 Image control CPU
114 Non-volatile memory 130 Scanner unit 140 Operation unit 150 Printer unit 151 Image forming unit 170 Large-capacity paper feeding unit 180 Post-processing device 181 Post-processing control unit 1400 Offline availability setting screen 1401 Function item 1402 Priority order bar 1411 “Yes” button 1412 “ “Disable” button 1500 Offline disallowability setting screen 1501 Function item 1502 Priority bar 1511 “Disable” button 1512 “Disable” button

Claims (17)

An image forming unit that forms an image based on a job;
An in-line post-processing device that performs post-processing on the paper on which the image has been formed, or an externally connected image forming device,
When the control unit outputs the job, the control unit determines whether the post-processing setting included in the job is a post-processing prohibition. If obtained, an image forming apparatus characterized in that, among post-processing prohibition factors, post-processing prohibition factors that can be achieved off-line are canceled to enable post-processing by the in-line post-processing device.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein, as a result of the determination of the post-processing prohibition, the post-processing prohibition is canceled and the output is canceled when a predetermined post-processing output product cannot be obtained by adding offline work. The image forming apparatus described.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the off-line work is performed manually or by an off-line post-processing apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing prohibition is generated by one or two or more post-processing.   5. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the post-processing prohibition is performed for each sheet, for each sheet bundle, for each set, or for each job. apparatus.   As a result of the determination, the control unit cancels a post-processing prohibition factor that can be achieved off-line and performs post-processing by the in-line post-processing device, before the post-processing, after the post-processing, or during the post-processing, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein notification regarding the off-line work is performed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a display unit that performs display, wherein the control unit performs control to display the notification on the display unit.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit that stores setting contents for obtaining a predetermined post-process output product by adding an off-line work. 9.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an operation unit that receives an operation input, wherein the control unit enables editing of the setting content through the operation unit.   An image forming system comprising the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 and an inline post-processing apparatus.   The image forming system according to claim 10, further comprising a display unit that performs display, wherein the control unit performs control to display a notification on the display unit. The operation unit that receives an operation input is provided, and the control unit enables setting of a post-processing output product that can be additionally processed by an off-line operation through the operation unit. The image forming system described.
A post-processing device externally connected to an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that forms an image based on a job,
A post-processing control unit that controls the post-processing device;
The post-processing control unit receives a post-processing command from the image forming apparatus and performs post-processing.
It is determined whether the post-processing setting included in the job is a post-processing prohibition, and if the post-processing prohibition and a predetermined post-processing output product is obtained by adding offline work, among the post-processing prohibition factors, offline A post-processing apparatus that cancels a post-processing prohibition factor that can be achieved and enables the post-processing. The post-processing control unit cancels the post-processing when the post-processing prohibition is determined and the predetermined post-processing output product cannot be obtained by adding offline work as a result of the post-processing prohibition determination. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 13.
An image forming method for performing image formation and predetermined post-processing based on a job,
When outputting the job, it is determined whether the post-processing setting included in the job is a post-processing prohibition, and if the post-processing prohibition and a predetermined post-processing output product is obtained by adding offline work, An image forming method, wherein post-processing is performed after canceling a post-processing prohibition factor that can be achieved off-line among processing prohibition factors.   The image forming method according to claim 15, wherein, as a result of the determination of the post-processing prohibition, the output is canceled when the post-processing is prohibited and a predetermined post-processing output product cannot be obtained by adding offline work. .   As a result of the determination of the post-processing prohibition, when the post-processing prohibition factor that can be achieved offline is canceled and the post-processing by the inline post-processing device is performed, before the post-processing, after the post-processing, or during the post-processing, The image forming method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein a notification regarding offline work is performed.

Images