JP2016011189A - Post-processing device and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a post-processing device capable of providing convenience for both a user who uses a manual staple and a user who uses an on-line staple.SOLUTION: A finisher 500 has a stapler 650 which performs predetermined post-processing on a received sheet. Further, the finisher has a control part which controls switching between execution of first post-processing to perform the predetermined post-processing on a sheet received from an image forming apparatus 300 and execution of second post-processing to perform the predetermined post-processing on a sheet received not through the image forming apparatus. The control part calculates, as an interval time, intervals of individual processing carried out in the first post-processing and also calculates, as a necessary time, a time needed to execute the second post-processing. The control part permits the second post-processing to be executed when the necessary time is shorter than the interval time.

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus that binds a sheet bundle formed of a plurality of sheets, and an image forming system having the post-processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an optional apparatus of an image forming apparatus, a sheet processing apparatus (post processing apparatus) that receives a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus and performs post-staple processing on the received bundle of sheets has been widely used.
In addition, this type of sheet processing apparatus has an online stapling function that is automatically executed as part of a print job, and a user manually inserts a paper bundle into an opening opened outside the apparatus, and staples the paper bundle. Some have a manual stapling function for processing. Such a sheet processing apparatus is required to have a manual stapling function as an additional function in addition to the online stapling function, and to keep the cost for manufacturing the sheet processing apparatus main body low.

For example, in order to keep the cost of the post-processing apparatus main body low, it is necessary to take the following configuration.
In the paper post-processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the stapler device is configured to be movable. In this apparatus, when performing online stapling, a sheet bundle made up of sheets discharged from the image forming apparatus is stapled on the processing tray. Therefore, the stapler device is controlled to move to the online processing position and perform a stapling operation. In addition, when stapling is performed on the sheet bundle manually inserted by the user in the opening opened to the outside of the apparatus, the stapler apparatus is controlled to move to the manual processing position and perform the stapling operation.
As a result, an expensive stapler device can be combined into an online stapling function and a manual stapling function, thereby providing added value to the user while reducing the cost of the sheet processing apparatus main body.

JP 2009-18932 A

  However, when the stapler device intermittently staples the print job at the online stapling position, it is inconvenient for the user to use the manual stapling function. In other words, when priority is given to the print job being executed, manual stapling is executed after the print job is completed, so that the completion of manual stapling is delayed. On the other hand, when giving priority to manual stapling, the print job using the online stapling function is temporarily stopped, and the stapler device is moved to the manual processing position to perform the stapling operation. Thereafter, the print job needs to be restarted by moving it to the online stapling position again, which leaves a problem that the completion of the print job is delayed.

  The main object of the present invention is to provide a post-processing apparatus that can achieve both the convenience of a user who uses manual stapling and a user who uses online stapling. In addition, an image forming system having the post-processing device is provided.

  The post-processing apparatus of the present invention includes a post-processing unit that performs a predetermined post-processing on the sheet, and a first post-processing that performs the predetermined post-processing on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus, Control means for controlling switching of execution of the second post-processing for performing the predetermined post-processing on the manually inserted sheet, an interval time until the first post-processing is executed next, and the first time Determining means for determining a time required for performing two post-processing, and the control means performs the first post-processing when the required time is smaller than the interval time. Even when image formation designated to be performed is being executed, the execution of the second post-processing is permitted.

  According to the present invention, the interval between individual processes in the first post-process for executing a print job with online stapling is calculated as the interval time. If the second post-processing for performing manual stapling can be performed within the calculated interval time, the execution of the second post-processing is permitted. Thereby, the convenience of each of the user using manual stapling and the user using online stapling can be achieved.

1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming system including a finisher that is an example of an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a control unit that controls a printer unit and a control unit that controls a finisher. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating an example of a configuration of a staple unit including a stapler. The figure which shows the state which the stapler is staying at the process position which implements a manual staple. The flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which concerns on implementation of a manual staple. (A), (b), (c) is a table | surface which shows the time which execution of various operation | movement in an image forming apparatus and a finisher requires. The flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which concerns on calculation of interval time. The flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence which concerns on calculation of required time.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming system including a finisher that is an example of an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
An image forming apparatus 300 of the image forming system S shown in FIG. The printer unit 10 includes a black process unit 101k, a yellow process unit 101y, a magenta process unit 101m, and a cyan process unit 101c. Each process unit includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a charging roller, and the like.
Hereinafter, as a representative, the photosensitive drum 102k, the charging roller 103k, and the developing unit 105k included in the black process unit 101k will be described in detail.

  A photosensitive drum 102k is disposed at the center of the process unit 101k shown in FIG. 1, and is rotated by a drum motor (not shown). The charging roller 103k applies a high voltage to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 102k. The laser scanner unit 104k scans the laser modulated and output from the laser diode in the longitudinal direction using a polygon mirror rotating body. Thereby, laser exposure is performed on the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 102k according to the input image information to form an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 105k forms a visible toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with a two-component developer composed of toner and carrier. The toner bottle 106k is a bottle filled with toner, and supplies the toner to the developing device 105k. The primary transfer roller 107k transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 102k to the intermediate transfer member 108.

  The process units 101y to 101c have the same configuration as the process unit 101k. Hereinafter, the description of the photosensitive drum 102, the charging roller 103, and the developing device 105 will be described assuming that each of the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is included.

  The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member 108 is transferred onto a sheet (for example, paper) by the secondary transfer roller 110. The pattern density detection sensor 112 detects the density of the toner pattern formed on the intermediate transfer member. The image quality adjustment is performed by feeding back the result detected by using the pattern density detection sensor 112 to the developing unit 105 and the laser scanner unit 104.

  The paper cassette 113 stores sheets. The paper feed roller 114 feeds the toner image at a timing such that the toner image and the leading edge of the sheet coincide when transferring the toner image onto the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet is subjected to skew correction by the registration roller 115 and then sent to the secondary transfer roller 110.

  The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is then fixed with toner by a fixing roller 117 and a pressure roller 118. The paper discharge flapper 119 switches the transport direction. The sheet on which the toner is fixed is conveyed toward the intermediate conveyance unit 150 when the one-side mode for forming an image on one side of the sheet is set. In addition, when a duplex mode in which image formation is performed on both sides of a sheet is set, the sheet is conveyed toward the duplex inversion path 120. The sheet conveyed to the duplex reversing path 120 is conveyed to the registration roller 115 by the reversing roller 121 and the reversing flapper 122 via the duplex conveying path 123. Then, after an image is formed on the back side of the sheet, the sheet is further conveyed toward the intermediate conveyance unit 150. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed toward the finisher 500 via the intermediate conveyance roller 151 of the intermediate conveyance unit 150.

[Finisher]
A finisher 500 shown in FIG. 1 takes in a sheet conveyed from the printer unit 10, aligns a plurality of taken-in sheets and bundles them together as one sheet bundle, and staples (binding process) stapling the trailing end side of the sheet bundle. )I do. That is, the finisher 500 performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet received from the image forming apparatus 300.
The finisher 500 has an online post-processing function (first post-processing) for performing post-processing on sheets such as sort processing, non-sort processing, and bookbinding processing. The finisher 500 also has a manual stapling function (second post-processing) for performing a stapling process on the sheet bundle manually inserted from the opening 910. Note that an opening sheet bundle sensor 909, which will be described later, is provided at a predetermined position of the opening 910, and detects whether or not a sheet bundle has been manually fed.
Hereinafter, the online post-processing function of the finisher 500 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the finisher 500 includes a pair of entrance rollers 502 for taking the sheet conveyed from the printer unit 10 into the apparatus. A switching flapper 551 for guiding the sheet to the path 552 or the path 553 is disposed on the downstream side of the entrance roller pair 502.
The switching flapper 551 guides the sheet to a path 552 shown in FIG. 1 when post-processing other than bookbinding processing is performed, for example. The sheet guided to the path 552 is discharged to the intermediate tray 630 via the conveyance roller 507. The sheets discharged to the intermediate tray 630 are aligned by an alignment plate (not shown) arranged in both the width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction and a bundle discharge roller 690. When it is set to perform the binding process, the sheet bundle is processed by the stapler 650 after the number of sheets constituting the bundle is conveyed, and the sheet bundle is then transferred to the bundle discharge roller. 690 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 700.

  Further, the switching flapper 551 guides the sheet to the path 553 shown in FIG. 1 when the bookbinding process is performed. The sheet guided to the path 553 is stored in the storage guide 820 via the conveyance roller 813. Note that the sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller 813 is conveyed until the leading end of the sheet comes into contact with the movable sheet positioning member 823.

  In addition, two pairs of staplers 818 are provided on the downstream side of the conveying roller 813, that is, in the middle of the storage guide 820, and are configured to be able to bind the center of the sheet bundle. Note that the positioning member 823 is lowered by a predetermined distance from the position at the time of stapling so that the stapling position of the sheet bundle bound by the stapler 818 faces the nip of the pair of folding rollers 826. As a result, the sheet bundle can be folded around the position where the stapling process is performed.

  A folding roller pair 826 is disposed on the downstream side of the stapler 818, and a protruding member 825 is disposed at a position opposite to the folding roller pair 826. The protruding member 825 protrudes toward the sheet bundle stored in the storage guide 820. As a result, the sheet bundle is pushed between the folding roller pair 826 and conveyed while being folded by the folding roller pair 826. Then, the folded sheet bundle is discharged to a discharge tray 832 via an intermediate roller 827 and a discharge roller 828.

[Configuration of control unit]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit 200 that controls the printer unit 10 and the control unit 600 that controls the finisher 500. The control unit 200 and the control unit 600 are connected via the communication cable 20 and are configured to be able to exchange information in both directions.

  The control unit 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 that performs basic control of the printer unit 10 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 205 that stores control programs and application programs. The control unit 200 also includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 that functions as a work area for executing control program processing. The control unit 200 also includes an input / output port IC 203, a communication interface 204, an image memory unit 206 that stores image data, and an image processing unit 207 that processes an image signal converted into an electrical signal. The control unit 200 also includes an operation unit 208, a communication interface 209, and a battery 240. The battery 240 is connected to the RAM 202. Thus, the data in the RAM 202 is retained even when the power of the printer unit 10 is turned off, for example. The input / output port IC 203 is connected to the CPU 201 via an address bus and a data bus.

  The CPU 201 receives a signal output from a sensor or the like (not shown) via the input / output port IC 203 in accordance with the contents of the control program stored in the ROM 205, and sends control signals for various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch. Output. Thereby, control such as sheet conveyance and image formation on the sheet is performed. The CPU 201 also transmits / receives control data to / from the control unit 600 via the communication interface 204 and the communication cable 20. Accordingly, it is possible to perform control related to the discharge accessory device such as delivery of a sheet after image formation between the image forming apparatus 300 and the finisher 500 and a status display.

  The CPU 201 is connected to an operation unit 208 that receives an operation input from a user, and controls display on the display unit of the operation unit 208 and reception of a key input. The user gives an instruction to switch the operation mode of the printer unit 10 or the display on the operation unit 208 through key input on the operation unit 208. Note that the display unit of the operation unit 208 displays, for example, the operation state of the printer unit 10 and the operation mode set by key input.

  The control unit 200 is connected to the information processing apparatus 800 via the communication interface 209. The CPU 201 stores the image data transferred from the information processing apparatus 800 in the image memory unit 206 and controls the image processing unit 207 to perform image processing based on the image data.

  The CPU 201 also performs image quality adjustment every time a predetermined number of images are formed on a sheet in order to maintain the quality of the image output from the printer 10. In image quality adjustment, first, a toner pattern for density measurement is formed on the intermediate transfer body 108, and the density of the toner pattern is detected by the pattern density detection sensor 112. Then, the toner density in the developing device 105, the laser intensity output from the laser scanner unit 104, and the like are adjusted according to the detection result. The CPU 201 also counts how many sheets have been subjected to image formation after the most recent image quality adjustment using a counter (not shown). Therefore, the number of image formations to be executed before the next image quality adjustment can be predicted. The counter indicating the timing for executing image quality adjustment is hereinafter referred to as an image quality adjustment counter. When the image quality adjustment is executed, the image quality adjustment counter is initialized to the same value as a predetermined number of image quality adjustment execution intervals, and is subtracted every time an image is formed on one sheet.

Here, information included in control data in which the CPU 201 communicates with the control unit 600 will be described. The control data to be communicated includes information such as the type of online post-processing, the number of sheets per sheet bundle to be online post-processed, the sheet size, and the operating state of the printer 10. The operation state of the printer unit 10 includes image formation preparation, image formation, image quality adjustment, and the like, and changes depending on the sensor state and the operation state of various loads.
Further, the CPU 201 measures the elapsed time since the operation in each state is started, and the elapsed time is included in the control data communicated with the control unit 600. Further, the control data includes the image quality adjustment counter described above.
The CPU 201 forms an image in this way and performs processing related to the configuration of the image forming system.

  The control unit 600 includes a CPU 601 that performs basic control of the finisher 500, a ROM 605 that stores control programs and application programs, and a RAM 602 that functions as a work area for executing control program processing. The control unit 600 also includes an input / output port IC 603 and a communication interface 604. The input / output port IC 603 is connected to the CPU 601 via an address bus and a data bus.

The CPU 601 receives a signal output from a sensor or the like (not shown) via the input / output port IC 603 in accordance with the contents of the control program stored in the ROM 605, and controls signals for various loads (not shown) such as a motor and a clutch. Is output. Thereby, control such as sheet conveyance and post-processing on the sheet is performed.
The opening sheet bundle sensor 909, the stapler moving motor 911, various detection sensors, and the like are connected to the input / output port IC 603. The CPU 601 transmits and receives control data to and from the control unit 200 via the communication interface 604. Thereby, for example, based on the notification of the online job, operation control of an online post-processing function such as delivery of a sheet conveyed from the printer unit 10 and post-processing is performed.
The CPU 601 also counts using a counter (not shown) to identify the number of sheets received from the image forming apparatus 300 from the first sheet of the sheet bundle to be processed online. The count result is stored in the RAM 602 as the number of received sheets.
Next, the processing position of the stapler 650 and the movement to the processing position when performing online stapling will be described.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing an example of the configuration of the staple unit including the stapler 650.
The stapler 650 is configured such that the stapler moving motor 911 can move along the guide rail 907 by driving a staple moving belt (not shown). The stapler 650 is configured so as not to interfere with sheet conveyance in the path 552, sheet discharge to the intermediate tray 630, and the like during the movement. Therefore, the stapler 650 can move even while the sheet is being conveyed to the intermediate tray 630.
Further, the stapler 650 is configured to perform post-processing such as corner binding for binding the corner of the sheet and double binding for binding the two rear ends of the sheet in the online stapling.

  Further, the positions at which the stapler 650 stops include a home position 901, a front corner binding position 903, a front double binding position 904, a rear double binding position 905, a rear corner binding position 906, and the like. Thus, the stapler 650 stays at each processing position according to the content of the post-processing. In FIG. 3, the stapler 650 is shown staying at the front double binding position 904.

Further, a stapler position detection sensor for detecting the stapler 650 that has moved is provided at each processing position (binding position). The stapler position detection sensor A 921 is disposed at the home position position 901. The stapler position detection sensor B922 is provided at a manual staple position 902 described later. The stapler position detection sensor C923 is provided at the front corner binding position 903. The stapler position detection sensor D924 is provided at the front double binding position 904. The stapler position detection sensor E925 is provided at the rear double binding position 905. The stapler position detection sensor F926 is provided at the rear corner binding position 906.
The CPU 601 controls the driving of the stapler moving motor 911 according to the detection status of these sensors. Thereby, the stapler 650 can be stopped at an arbitrary binding position.

For example, when the stapler 650 is moved from the home position position 901 to the front double binding position 904, the CPU 601 instructs the stapler movement motor 911 to start driving via the input / output port IC603. Thereafter, the CPU 601 receives the detection result of the stapler position detection sensor D924 via the input / output port IC 603, and instructs the stapler moving motor 911 to stop driving. As a result, the stapler 650 is in a state where the binding process (post-processing) can be executed at the front double binding position 904.
The stapler 650 waits at the home position 901 in a standby state where there is no binding processing instruction. Then, when an image formation instruction accompanied by the binding process is input, the process moves to each of the positions 903 to 906 according to the binding position instruction, and then the binding process is performed.
For example, when corner binding is instructed, the stapler 650 stays at the binding position until the online stapling job is completed, and the binding process is continued at that position. When double binding is instructed, the stapler 650 moves back and forth between two double binding positions, and performs the binding process twice for one sheet bundle. After executing the online staple job in this way, the stapler 650 returns to the home position 901 again.
Next, implementation of manual stapling by the stapler 650 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the stapler 650 stays at a processing position where manual stapling is performed.
An opening sheet bundle sensor 909 shown in FIG. 4 is provided in the vicinity of the guide plate 908 and detects that a sheet bundle has been inserted into the opening 910 of the finisher 500 from the outside.
The CPU 601 moves the stapler 650 waiting at the home position position 901 to the manual stapling position 902 in response to the opening sheet bundle sensor 909 detecting insertion of the sheet bundle. In addition, the stapler 650 after performing the binding process at the manual staple position 902 returns to the home position position 901 again.

[Control procedure for manual stapling during online stapling job]
Here, a control procedure for efficiently operating both functions when an instruction to execute manual stapling is issued while the image forming apparatus 300 is performing an online stapling job will be described with reference to FIG. When a sheet bundle is inserted into the opening 910 by the user and the sheet bundle is detected by the opening sheet bundle sensor 909, an instruction to execute manual stapling is accepted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure according to manual stapling. Each process shown in FIG. 5 is mainly executed by the CPU 601.
The CPU 601 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 300 is executing a print job (online stapling job) designated for stapling (S1601). Whether or not the image forming apparatus 300 is performing an online stapling job can be determined based on control data received from the control unit 200. If not being executed (S1601: No), the CPU 601 moves the stapler 650 to the manual stapling position 902 (S1605), and then performs manual stapling (S1606). That is, manual stapling is permitted regardless of the result of comparison between required time and interval time described later.

On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 300 is performing an online stapling job (S1601: Yes), the CPU 601 determines the time until the stapler 650 performs the next stapling operation as the interval time (T1) (S1602). . In addition, the determination method of this interval time (T1) is demonstrated using the flowchart shown to (a) of FIG. 6 mentioned later, and FIG.
The CPU 601 determines the time including the time required for the stapler 650 to reciprocate from the online stapling position to the manual stapling position 902 and the time related to the stapling operation as the manual stapling required time (T2) (S1603). The method for determining the manual stapling time (hereinafter referred to as the time required) will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C and FIG.

The CPU 601 compares the value of the interval time (T1) and the value of the required time (T2) (S1604).
If the interval time (T1) is shorter than the required time (T2) (S1604: No), manual stapling cannot be performed in parallel during the online stapling job. In this case, the CPU 601 continues the online stapling operation of the stapler 650 at the online stapling position, and manual stapling is not permitted. Thereafter, the process returns to step S1601 again. As described above, when manual stapling cannot be performed, this series of processing is repeated, and it is waited until the execution of online stapling is completed or the magnitude relationship between the two times changes due to the progress of the job.

  On the other hand, when the interval time (T1) is longer than the required time (T2) (S1604: Yes), manual stapling can be performed within the gap time in online stapling. In this case, the CPU 601 permits the manual stapling, and moves the stapler 650 to the manual stapling position 902 while continuing the print job accompanied by the online stapling (S1605). Then, after the movement of the stapler 650 is completed, manual stapling is performed at the manual stapling position 902 (S1606).

The CPU 601 determines whether or not the manual stapling is interrupted during the online stapling (S1607). When the image forming apparatus 300 is performing an online stapling job (S1607: Yes), it is necessary to return to the online stapling operation immediately after the manual stapling is performed. Therefore, the CPU 601 moves the stapler 650 to the online stapling processing position (S1608). On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 300 is not performing an online staple job (S1607: No), the CPU 601 moves the stapler 650 to the home position 901 (S1609). In this way, a series of processing ends.
By controlling in this way, an interval time generated in each process performed in the online stapling job can be used as a time for performing the manual stapling.

[How to determine the interval time]
Here, details of the processing in step S1602 shown in FIG. 5 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the time required to execute various operations in the image forming apparatus 300 and the finisher 500. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a table that stores data of a transfer interval when the finisher 500 receives a sheet from the image forming apparatus 300. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a table that stores data of movement time required when the stapler 650 moves from the processing position of each movement source to another processing position. FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a table storing operation time data required when the stapler 650 performs various binding operations. The contents shown in each table are stored in, for example, the ROM 605 so that the CPU 601 can refer to them.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure related to the calculation of the interval time (T1).
The CPU 601 obtains the value of the number of sheets per sheet bundle to be stapled based on the print job control data stored in the RAM 602 (S1801). Next, the value of the number of received sheets is acquired from the count result of the number of sheets received from the image forming apparatus 300 from the first sheet of the sheet bundle (S1802). Based on the two acquired values, the CPU 601 calculates the remaining number of sheets to be received in the future as the remaining number of sheets received (S1803).

Based on the print job control data, the CPU 601 refers to the table shown in FIG. 6A and acquires the interval time at which the image forming apparatus 300 ejects the sheet as the ejection interval time (S1804). The discharge interval time is also a time representing the sheet conveyance interval, and differs depending on the size of the sheet, whether image formation is performed only on one side of the sheet, or image formation is performed on both sides.
The CPU 601 calculates an interval time until the next online stapling operation (S1805). This interval time is calculated by multiplying the value of the remaining number of received sheets by the value of the discharge interval time.

  The CPU 601 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 300 is preparing for image formation, such as activation of the process unit 101 in the image forming apparatus 300 or activation of various motors (S1806). Here, when the image forming apparatus 300 is preparing for image formation, the time required for the preparation can also be added to the interval time. This is because, while the image forming apparatus 300 is preparing for image formation, the delivery of sheets to the finisher 500, the execution of online post-processing, and the like do not occur, so these times can be added to the interval time. it can.

Returning to the description of FIG. 7, when the image forming apparatus 300 is preparing for image formation (S <b> 1806: Yes), the CPU 601 sets the total preparation time as the total preparation time based on the table of FIG. 6A. Obtain (S1807). Note that the time required for image formation preparation varies depending on changes in the external environment such as temperature.
Based on the print job control data, the CPU 601 acquires the elapsed time since the image forming apparatus 300 started preparation for image formation as the preparation elapsed time (S1808). Thus, the elapsed time can be acquired via a timer (not shown) and the progress of image formation preparation can be grasped.
The CPU 601 calculates the image formation preparation time (S1809). The image formation preparation time is calculated by subtracting the preparation elapsed time from the total preparation time.
The CPU 601 adds the image formation preparation time to the interval time calculated in the process of step S1805 (S1810).

  The CPU 601 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 300 is performing image quality adjustment (S1811). Here, when the image forming apparatus 300 is performing image quality adjustment, or when it is predicted that image quality adjustment will be performed before the next online stapling is performed at the time when the determination in step S181 is performed, the image quality is adjusted. The time required for adjustment can also be added to the interval time. This is because a print job cannot be executed while the image forming apparatus 300 is performing image quality adjustment, and these times can also be added to the interval time.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 7, the CPU 601 determines whether the image forming apparatus 300 is executing image quality adjustment based on the control data of the print job (S1811). When image quality adjustment is being executed (S1811: Yes), the CPU 601 acquires the time corresponding to the image quality adjustment being executed by the image forming apparatus 300 as the total image quality adjustment time based on the table of FIG. (S1812). Note that the time required for image quality adjustment varies depending on the type of image quality adjustment to be performed.

Based on the print job control data, the CPU 601 acquires the elapsed time since the image forming apparatus 300 started image quality adjustment as the image quality adjustment elapsed time (S1813). Thus, the elapsed time can be acquired via a timer (not shown) and the progress of image quality adjustment can be grasped.
The CPU 601 calculates the image quality adjustment time (S1814). The image quality adjustment time is calculated by subtracting the image quality adjustment elapsed time from the image quality adjustment total time.

  On the other hand, even if the image quality adjustment is not executed, if it is predicted that the image quality adjustment will be executed before the next online stapling, the interval until the next online stapling operation is equivalent to that time. Time will be extended. Therefore, when the image quality adjustment is not executed (S1811: No), the CPU 601 acquires the value of the image quality adjustment counter (S1815). The CPU 601 compares the value of the remaining number of received sheets with the value of the image quality adjustment counter (S1816). When the value of the remaining number of sheets received is larger than the value of the image quality adjustment counter (S1816: Yes), the image quality adjustment is executed until the next online stapling is executed.

If the CPU 601 determines that the image quality adjustment is not executed before the next online stapling is executed (S1816: No), the process is terminated. In this case, the interval time calculated in the process of step S1805 or step S1810 is the interval time (T1).
If not (S1816: Yes), the CPU 601 acquires the time corresponding to the image quality adjustment scheduled to be executed by the image forming apparatus 300 as the total image quality adjustment time based on the table of FIG. 6A (S1817). The CPU 601 derives the total image quality adjustment time as the image quality adjustment time (S1818).

  The CPU 601 adds the image quality adjustment time calculated in the process of step S1814 or the image quality adjustment time calculated in the process of step S1818 to the interval time calculated so far (S1819). In this way, the interval time (T1) is calculated. The items and numerical values of the operation types in the table of FIG. 6A are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

[How to determine manual stapling time]
Here, the details of the processing in step S1603 shown in FIG. 5 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure related to calculation of the required time (T2). The manual stapling required time will be described as a total time of the following three times. The first is the time required to move the stapler 650 from the online staple position to the manual staple position 902. The second is a time required for the stapling operation, that is, one sheet binding. The third is the time required to return from the manual stapling position 902 to the original online stapling position.

The CPU 601 determines the online staple position where the stapler 650 currently stays (S1901). The CPU 601 acquires the time required to move from the determined online stapling position (current position) to the manual stapling position 902 (processing position) based on the table of FIG. 6B (S1902). The CPU 601 calculates the stapler movement time (S1903). The stapler moving time is a time required for the stapler 650 to reciprocate between the current position and the processing position, and is calculated by doubling the acquired moving time.
The CPU 601 obtains the time required for manual stapling (binding time), that is, the time required for post-processing based on the table of FIG. 6C (S1904). The CPU 601 calculates a value obtained by adding the binding time to the stapler moving time as the manual stapling time (S1905). In this way, the manual stapling time (T2) is calculated. In addition, the numerical value in the table of FIG.6 (b) and (c) is an example, and this invention is not limited to this numerical value.

As described above, in the image forming system S according to the present embodiment, even when an online stapling job is being performed, the concurrent execution of manual stapling can be permitted by using the time during which the online stapling is not performed. it can.
Thereby, the waiting time of the user who uses the manual stapling can be optimized without increasing the waiting time of the user who uses the online stapling. In addition, the preparation time for image formation can be effectively used for manual stapling.

  The embodiment described above is for explaining the present invention more specifically, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 ... Image forming apparatus, 10 ... Printer part, 500 ... Finisher, 502 ... Entrance roller pair, 507 ... Conveyance roller, 551 ... Switching flapper, 552, 553 ... Pass 630 ... intermediate tray, 650 ... stapler, 690 ... bundle discharge roller, 700 ... discharge tray, 907 ... guide rail, 908 ... guide plate, 909 ... opening Sheet bundle sensor, 910... Opening, 911... Staple movement motor, 921... Stapler position detection sensor A, 922... Stapler position detection sensor B, 923. 924 ... Stapler position detection sensor D, 925 ... Stapler position detection sensor E, 926 ... Stapler position detection sensor F, 20 ... Communication cable, 200, 600 ... control unit, 201, 601 ... CPU, 202, 602 ... RAM, 203, 603 ... I / O port IC, 204, 209, 604 ... communication interface, 205, 605... ROM, 208.

Claims (7)

Post-processing means for performing predetermined post-processing on the sheet;
Implementation of first post-processing for performing the predetermined post-processing on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and implementation of second post-processing for performing the predetermined post-processing on the manually inserted sheet. Control means for controlling the switching;
A determination means for determining an interval time until the first post-processing is performed and a time required for performing the second post-processing;
When the required time is smaller than the interval time, the control means is configured to execute the second post-processing even when the image forming apparatus is performing image formation designated to perform the first post-processing. Characterized by allowing the execution of the process,
Post-processing device. The processing position of the post-processing means in the first post-processing and the processing position of the post-processing means in the second post-processing are different positions, and the first post-processing and the second post-processing. It further has a moving means for moving the post-processing means to a processing position corresponding to
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1. It further has a detecting means for detecting the manually inserted sheet,
The control unit allows the second post-processing to be performed when the detection unit detects the sheet and the required time is smaller than the interval time.
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The determining means includes a first time that represents a conveyance interval of sheets constituting the sheet bundle when the predetermined post-processing is performed on a sheet bundle composed of a plurality of sheets, and the image forming apparatus performs image formation. The interval time is determined based on at least one of a second time required for preparation for image processing and a third time required for image quality adjustment in the image forming apparatus.
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3. The determination means includes a time required for the post-processing means to move from the processing position for the first post-processing to the processing position for the second post-processing, and a time required for performing the second post-processing once. And determining the required time based on the time required to move from the processing position of the second post-processing to the processing position of the first post-processing,
The post-processing apparatus according to claim 2, 3 or 4. When the image forming apparatus is not performing image formation designated to perform the first post-processing, the control unit does not depend on a comparison result between the required time and the interval time, and Characterized by allowing post-processing to be carried out,
The post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and a post-processing apparatus that performs predetermined post-processing on the sheet,
The post-processing device includes:
Post-processing means for performing predetermined post-processing on the sheet;
Implementation of the first post-processing for performing the predetermined post-processing on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and implementation of the second post-processing for performing the predetermined post-processing on the manually inserted sheet. Control means for controlling the switching of
A determination means for determining an interval time until the first post-processing is performed and a time required for performing the second post-processing;
When the required time is smaller than the interval time, the control means is configured to execute the second post-processing even when the image forming apparatus is performing image formation designated to perform the first post-processing. Characterized by allowing the execution of the process,
Image forming system.