JP2016108136A - Sheet processing device, image formation system, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a binding position different when executing binding processing to a manually inserted sheet bundle and when executing the binding processing to an image-formed sheet bundle.SOLUTION: A sheet processing device 103 determines whether or not binding processing is a manual staple (S903). When determined as being the manual staple, a needle nonuse staple is executed to a first binding position (S904), and when determined as being not the manual staple, the needle nonuse staple is executed to a second binding position different from the first binding position (S906).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for binding sheets on which images are formed by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, there is a sheet processing apparatus provided with a staple mechanism that binds a plurality of sheet bundles using a binding member such as a staple. In this type of sheet processing apparatus, it is common to automatically perform a binding process on a sheet bundle composed of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus to the sheet processing apparatus.

  On the other hand, apart from the automatic binding process, there is also a demand for performing the binding process by a user's manual operation independently of the image forming operation. As a technique for performing the binding process by the above-described manual operation, a technique has been proposed in which a user performs a manual operation for inserting a sheet bundle from an opening (discharge port) of a post-processing device, thereby performing a binding process on the sheet bundle. (For example, Patent Document 1).

  There are also sheet processing apparatuses including a staple mechanism that binds a bundle of sheets without using a binding member such as a staple (for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3). In the sheet processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, in consideration of the environment, a binding process is performed in which a sheet material is sandwiched between teeth without using a material such as a staple, and pressure is applied so that fibers between sheets are entangled and bound. Proposed. In the sheet processing apparatus of Patent Document 3, a binding process is proposed in which a tongue-shaped piece and a cut hole are formed in a sheet bundle, and the sheet bundle is bound by inserting the tongue-shaped piece into the cut hole.

JP 2006-264978 A JP 2010-189101 A JP2012-025499A

  Here, when the binding process is performed on the sheet bundle, there is a feature that the state of the sheet near the binding position affects the binding strength of the binding process. For example, in the binding process in which fibers between sheets of Patent Document 2 are bound and bound, the binding strength may be greatly reduced in the case of a fiber state in which the vicinity of the binding position is once crimped. Further, in the binding process of binding a sheet bundle by forming a tongue-like piece and a cut hole in the sheet bundle of Patent Document 3 and inserting the tongue-like piece into the cut hole, if there is a cut or the like near the binding position, the binding is performed. The strength may be greatly reduced.

  Therefore, it is desirable not to perform the binding process at the same position in the binding process in which binding is performed without using the needle. Also, in the binding process for binding the sheet bundle using the needle, depending on the state of the sheet near the binding position where the sheet bundle is bound, if the binding process is performed again, the binding strength may be lower than usual.

  It is also conceivable that the sheet bundle manually inserted by the user can be manually bound. In this case, there is a case where the bound document bundle is peeled off, and after copying or scanning, the binding process is again performed on the document bundle by a manual operation.

  In this case, since the binding process is performed again in the vicinity of the position where the previous binding process has been performed, the binding strength may be lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and includes a binding position in a case where a binding process is performed on a manually inserted sheet bundle and a case where a binding process is performed on an image-formed sheet bundle. The purpose is to make them different.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sheet processing apparatus of the present invention is a sheet processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, and a sheet binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet bundle, When performing a predetermined binding process by the sheet binding unit in a predetermined area of a sheet bundle composed of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, the predetermined binding process is executed at a first position in the predetermined area; When performing the predetermined binding process in a predetermined area of a sheet bundle manually inserted into the sheet processing apparatus, the predetermined binding process is different from the first position and is performed at a second position in the predetermined area. And control means for controlling to execute.

  According to the present invention, the binding position can be made different between the case where the binding process is performed on the manually inserted sheet bundle and the case where the binding process is performed on the image-formed sheet bundle. Therefore, even when the binding process is performed manually again on a document bundle having a trace once the binding process has been performed, the binding can be performed with an appropriate strength.

1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system 101. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming system 101. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit 116 provided in the image forming apparatus 102. FIG. It is a figure explaining the process which binds a sheet | seat in a binding part. It is a figure which shows the binding process by the staple non-use binding part 214b. It is a figure which shows the binding position of a sheet | seat. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit 124 included in the sheet processing apparatus 103. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation screen displayed on a panel 301 of the operation unit 116. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control method regarding a binding process. It is a flowchart which shows the control method regarding a binding process. It is a figure which shows the operation screen displayed on the panel.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

<First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system 101 according to the present embodiment.

  Note that in the image forming system 101, the various units such as the reading unit 118, the printing unit 120, and the sheet processing apparatus 103 may be integrated into a single casing, or may be separate units in separate casings. The structure of may be sufficient.

  Further, for example, a system configuration in which a sheet processing apparatus such as the sheet processing apparatus 103 can be optionally connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus 102 including the reading unit 118 and the printing unit 120 as in the present embodiment. Good. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 102 itself may have an apparatus configuration including the sheet processing apparatus 103 as standard equipment. As described above, the present embodiment may have any device configuration or system configuration.

  Next, the image forming system 101 will be described. The image forming system 101 has a reading function for reading an image on a sheet and a printing function for printing an image on a sheet. The image forming system 101 also has a sheet processing function that binds a plurality of sheets on which images are printed, aligns a plurality of sheets, and divides the discharge destinations of the plurality of sheets into a plurality of trays. Note that the sheet includes plain paper, thick paper, and an OHP sheet.

  First, the image forming apparatus 102 will be described. A control unit 110 including a CPU 111 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 102. The CPU 111 reads a control program stored in the ROM 112 or the storage 114 and performs various controls such as reading control and printing control. The ROM 112 stores a control program that can be executed by the CPU 111. The ROM 112 stores a boot sequence, font information, and the like. A RAM 113 is a main storage memory of the CPU 111 and is used as a temporary storage area for developing various control programs stored in the work area, the ROM 112, and the storage 114. The storage 114 stores image data, print data, various programs, and various setting information. In this embodiment, an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD is assumed as the storage 114, but a FLASH DISK represented by an SSD may be used instead of the HDD.

  In the image forming system 101 of the present embodiment, the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 102 and the control unit 124 of the sheet processing apparatus 103 cooperate to execute each process shown in the flowchart described later. It does not matter even if it is a mode. For example, it is possible to execute each process shown in the flowchart described later in cooperation with a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages. In addition, a part of the processing may be executed using a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA.

  The operation unit I / F 115 connects the operation unit 116 and the control unit 110. The operation unit 116 displays information for the user or inputs an instruction from the user. FIG. 3 is an external view showing the operation unit 116. The operation unit 116 includes a panel 301 for displaying an operation screen described later and a hard key input unit 302. The panel 301 is a touch panel display, for example. The hard key input unit 302 has various hard keys such as a start button 312 and a setting button 311. The user touches a key displayed on the panel 301 or presses various hard keys of the hard key input unit 302 to input an instruction. Panel 301 may be a display that does not have a touch panel function. In this case, instead of key input by touch operation, a scroll key for selecting a key displayed on the display and a determination key for determining the key may be provided as a hard key input unit.

  The operation unit 116 receives an instruction from the user via the panel 301 and the input unit 302 and displays an operation screen on the panel 301 as necessary.

  The reading unit I / F 117 connects the reading unit 118 and the control unit 110. The reading unit 118 reads an image on a sheet and converts the image into image data such as binary data. Image data generated by the reading unit 118 is stored in the storage 114 or the RAM 113 of the control unit 110 via the reading unit I / F 117. The image data is transmitted to an external device via the communication unit I / F 123 or printed on a sheet.

  The printing unit I / F 119 connects the printing unit 120 and the control unit 110. Image data to be printed (image data to be printed) is transferred from the control unit 110 to the printing unit 120 via the printing unit I / F 119. The printing unit 120 receives a control command from the CPU 111 and image data to be printed, and prints an image based on the image data on a sheet such as paper.

  The control unit 110 is connected to the network 100 via the communication unit I / F 123. The communication unit I / F 123 transmits image data and information to an external device (such as a mail server, a file server, and a PC) on the network 100, and receives print data and information from an information processing device on the network 100. . The print data received via the communication unit I / F 123 is analyzed by the CPU 111 and printed on the sheet by the printing unit 120.

  The sheet processing unit I / F 121 connects the sheet processing apparatus 103 and the control unit 110. The control unit 124 of the sheet processing apparatus 103 receives a control command from the CPU 111 and controls the sheet processing unit 125 according to the control command. The operation unit 126 is an interface for receiving a sheet processing instruction from the user. The control unit 124 controls the sheet processing unit 125 based on the instruction received by the operation unit 126.

  The sheet processing unit 125 performs post-processing on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 102 under the control of the control unit 124. For example, post-processing such as aligning a plurality of sheets, dividing a plurality of sheet discharge destinations into a plurality of trays, performing saddle stitching, and binding a plurality of sheets is performed.

  Further, the sheet processing unit 125 can execute a binding process (manual stapling) by a manual operation of the user according to control of the control unit 124 (details will be described later).

  Further, the post-processing function and post-processing capability of the sheet processing apparatus 103 are notified in advance to the control unit 110 via the sheet processing unit I / F 121 (for example, when the image forming system 101 is activated), and the storage 114 Alternatively, it is notified to the RAM 113. In the present embodiment, the sheet processing unit 125 can execute at least a binding process (binding means) for binding a plurality of sheets using a needle and a binding process (binding means) for binding a plurality of sheets without using a needle. is there.

  Next, sheet printing processing and post-processing will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming system 101. In FIG. 2, the sheet processing apparatus 103 is connected so as to be adjacent to the image forming apparatus 102. However, the arrangement of the sheet processing apparatus 103 is not limited to the example of FIG. The sheet processing apparatus 103 may be disposed inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 102.

  Each of the paper feeding unit 232 and the paper feeding unit 233 stores sheets. In FIG. 2, the image forming system 101 includes two sheet feeding units, but the number of sheet feeding units is not limited to two. The printing unit 120 prints an image on the first surface of the sheet fed from the feeding unit. The printing unit 120 may adopt an ink jet method in which an image is printed by spraying ink onto a sheet, or an electrophotographic method in which an image is printed by fixing toner on a sheet.

  In the case of single-sided printing, the printed sheet is guided to the conveyance roller and conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 103. On the other hand, in the case of duplex printing, the sheet on which the first surface is printed is reversed by a reversing path (not shown) and conveyed to the printing unit 120 again. The printing unit 120 prints an image on the second surface of the sheet. The sheet printed on both sides is guided to the conveyance roller and conveyed to the sheet processing apparatus 103 as in the case of single-sided printing.

  The printed sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 102 is conveyed onto a conveyance path in the sheet processing apparatus 103 via the sheet feeding port 201. The conveyed sheet is guided and conveyed by a conveyance path switching flapper 202 to a conveyance path toward any of the discharge unit 203, the discharge unit 204 a, and the discharge unit 205.

  The sheet conveyed in the direction of the discharge unit 203 is discharged to the discharge unit 203 as it is. On the other hand, the sheet conveyed in the direction of the discharge unit 205 is conveyed to the saddle stitching unit 211. The saddle stitching unit 211 temporarily holds the conveyed sheet by a tray (not shown), and performs saddle stitching at the timing when a set of sheet bundles is aligned. The saddle-stitched sheet is folded in the middle folded tray 212 and is discharged to the discharge unit 205 by the roller 213.

Next, the sheet conveyed in the direction 204 a is guided to the conveyance roller and discharged to the intermediate tray 208. The intermediate tray 208 is inclined with respect to the sheet discharge direction by positioning the downstream side (left side in the figure) above the vertical direction and the upstream side (right side in the figure) below the vertical direction. A plurality of sheets can be held.
The intermediate tray 208 includes a pair of bundle discharge rollers 223 including a pair of upper and lower bundle discharge rollers 223a and 223b disposed on the downstream side, and a drawing paddle 222 disposed above the intermediate portion. Yes. The upper bundle discharge roller 223a is supported by the guide 224.

  The guide 224 is configured to be movable up and down by a motor (not shown). For this reason, the upper bundle discharge roller 223a provided on the guide 224 can be separated from and brought into contact with the lower bundle discharge roller 223b as the guide 224 moves up and down. Therefore, the distance between the rollers of the bundle discharge roller pair 223 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the sheet bundle held on the intermediate tray.

  The controller 124 receives the sheet on the intermediate tray 208 with the guide 224 moved upward so that the lower bundle discharge roller 223b is separated from the upper bundle discharge roller 223a.

  An alignment member 221 is provided on the front side and the back side in the width direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction on the intermediate tray 208. Each alignment member 221 is moved in the width direction by a front alignment motor (not shown) and a rear alignment motor (not shown). Here, “front” refers to a portion that is on the front side of the paper when viewing the image forming system 101 in the orientation illustrated in FIG. 2, and “back” refers to a portion that is on the back of the paper surface. The pull-in paddle 222 rotates around the rotation axis in a direction in which the sheet is pressed toward the stopper 408 (for example, counterclockwise in FIG. 2).

  The sheet discharged to the intermediate tray 208 slides down on the stacking surface of the intermediate tray 208 or on the sheets stacked on the intermediate tray 208 by the inclination of the intermediate tray 208 and the rotation of the pull-in paddle 222. The sheet discharged onto the intermediate tray 208 is subjected to alignment processing by the alignment member 221 during sliding down, and stops when the sheet rear end (upstream end in the discharge direction) hits the stopper 408 of the intermediate tray 208.

  The sheet bundle aligned on the intermediate tray 208 is subjected to a binding process by the staple use binding unit 214a or the staple non-use binding unit 214b as necessary. The staple use binding unit 214a and the staple non-use binding unit 214b are configured to be movable in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveyance direction along the outer periphery of the intermediate tray 208, and can be moved to a binding position designated by the user. . The binding portions 214 a and 214 b can bind the rear end portion in the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle held on the intermediate tray 208.

  The sheet bundle that has undergone post-processing such as binding processing by the sheet processing unit 125 is discharged to the discharge unit 204a or 204b. Specifically, the guide 224 is moved so that the upper bundle discharge roller 223a contacts the uppermost sheet on the intermediate tray 208, and the bundle discharge roller pair 223 is driven to rotate in the contact state. Then, the sheet bundle after the post-processing is discharged. The discharge units 204a and 204b are configured to be slidable up and down by a motor (not shown), and the sheet bundle discharged from the intermediate tray 208 is discharged onto either 204a or 204b.

  Hereinafter, it is defined as in-machine stapling that the sheet processing apparatus 103 feeds a sheet printed by the image forming apparatus 102 from the feeding port 201 and performs a binding process.

  Next, a manual stapling function that can be executed alone by the sheet processing apparatus 103 will be described. The user can manually insert a sheet bundle to be bound from the discharge port 225 into the intermediate tray 208. Whether or not the sheet is inserted is detected by the paper detection sensor 209. The paper detection sensor 209 includes a transmission unit 209a and a reception unit 209b. The reception unit 209b receives light transmitted from the transmission unit 209a and detects the presence or absence of a document based on the received intensity. In addition, although the paper detection sensor of this embodiment assumes the optical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet | seat, it is not limited to this. For example, the sensor may be such that the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission unit 209a is received by the reception unit 209b, and the rough number of documents can be detected based on the intensity of received data. The user can perform the binding process on the sheet bundle manually inserted by the user by operating the operation unit 126 with the sensor 209 detecting the sheet.

  Hereinafter, it is defined as manual stapling that the sheet processing apparatus 103 performs a binding process on a sheet bundle manually inserted by the user.

  Further, the sheet processing apparatus 103 and the image forming apparatus 102 cooperate to perform exclusive processing so that the sheet is not discharged to the discharge port 225 and the sheet bundle is not inserted into the discharge port 225 by a print job. I do. For example, when the control unit 124 of the sheet processing apparatus 103 determines that a sheet bundle is inserted, the manual stapling mode is enabled (ON), and the mode is notified to the image forming apparatus 102. When the image forming apparatus 102 receives the notification, the image forming apparatus 102 disables execution of a job to be discharged to the discharge unit 204a or 204b.

  On the other hand, when determining that the sheet bundle has been removed, the control unit 124 of the sheet processing apparatus 103 cancels the manual stapling mode and notifies the image forming apparatus 102 of the cancellation of the mode. Upon receiving the notification, the image forming apparatus 102 can execute a job for discharging the sheet to the discharge unit 204a or 204b.

  Note that the control unit 124 may cancel the manual stapling mode after a predetermined time has elapsed after determining that the sheet bundle has been removed. If the image forming system 101 has a human sensor, the manual stapling mode may be canceled when it is determined that the user has left in accordance with the output of the human sensor.

  When the sheet processing apparatus 103 receives a notification from the image forming apparatus that a print job using the discharge unit 204 is to be executed or is scheduled to be executed, the sheet processing apparatus 103 moves the guide 224 downward to insert a sheet bundle. I can't do it. On the other hand, if there is no plan to execute a print job using the discharge unit 204, the sheet bundle can be inserted.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a process of binding sheets at the binding unit. FIG. 4A shows a cross-sectional view of the sheet processing apparatus 103 as viewed from above. The sheet bundle 403 indicates a sheet bundle inserted from the discharge port 225 and abutted against the stopper 408, or a plurality of sheet bundles conveyed from the image forming apparatus 102 and abutted against the stopper 408. The sheet processing unit 125 is configured to bind a plurality of sheets by moving the binding unit 214a or 214b to the binding position according to the information regarding the binding process received from the control unit 124.

  In the present embodiment, the binding units 214a and 214b can perform binding processing by moving in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet bundle. The controller 124 can move the binding portions 214a and 214b by driving a moving motor (not shown) for moving the binding portions 214a and 214b. An arrow 411 indicates a range in which the binding portions 214a and 214b can move. Therefore, the binding process can be performed at two places on each of the upper, lower, left and right sides of the sheet bundle, or at one place on each corner depending on the movement of the binding portions 214a and 214b and the direction in which the sheet bundle is discharged. The position for performing these binding processes is set for each print job. In the case of manual stapling, for example, manual stapling can be performed at one corner of each sheet bundle depending on the direction in which the sheet bundle is inserted.

  Further, the staple use binding unit 214a and the staple non-use binding unit 214b may be provided in the sheet processing apparatus 103 as one unit. Further, when the needle use binding portion 214a and the needle non-use binding portion 214b are provided as separate units, a retreat area for avoiding physical interference between the units may be provided.

  The staple use binding unit 214a performs a binding process (hereinafter referred to as staple use staple) by driving a staple needle (not shown) which is a binding member such as a metal needle into the sheet bundle on the intermediate tray 208.

  The staple-free binding unit 214b performs a binding process on the sheet bundle on the intermediate tray 208 without using a binding member such as a metal needle. Further, the staple-free binding portion 214b is configured to be slidable in a direction indicated by an arrow 410 in the drawing by a position adjustment motor 405. Therefore, when performing the binding process at the binding position set in the job, the control unit 124 can perform the binding process by driving the motor 405 and adjusting the position of the staple non-use binding part 214b. Therefore, for example, when the binding process is performed on the upper left corner based on the job setting, the position where the binding process is performed in the vicinity of the corner can be changed. It should be noted that the binding position of the needle-use binding portion 214a may be adjusted by a position adjustment motor (not shown).

  Further, the method for adjusting the binding position when performing the binding process in a predetermined area such as a corner is not limited to this. For example, when the binding process is performed at the binding position set in the job, the control unit 124 drives a movement motor (not shown) to move the position of the staple non-use binding part 214b to a different position near the binding position. By doing so, the binding position may be adjusted. In this case, the motor 405 may not be provided, or the binding position is adjusted by combining the movement in the direction of the arrow 411 by the movement motor (not shown) and the movement in the direction of the arrow 410 by the motor 405. May be.

  Furthermore, the stopper 408 for abutting the sheet bundle may be slid without adjusting the position of the staple non-use binding portion 214b. FIG. 4B is a view showing a peripheral portion of the stopper 408. A detection position 409 indicates the detection position of the sensor 209, and the CPU 111 detects that a sheet has been inserted in the vicinity of the detection position 409 according to the intensity of the signal received by the reception unit 209b.

  When the position of the stopper 408 is changed as shown in FIG. 4B, the position where the sheet bundle 403 is abutted changes. Accordingly, even when staple use stapling is performed at the same corner of the sheet bundle 403 and the staple non-use binding portion 214b, the binding processing position can be varied.

  In the case of changing the binding position when manual stapling is performed by moving the stopper 408, the movement of the sheet bundle is assisted by using the bundle discharge roller pair 223 in conjunction with the movement of the stopper 408. Also good.

  In this embodiment, a manual stapling for binding a sheet bundle inserted from the discharge port 225 of the sheet processing apparatus 103 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which a slit for inserting a sheet bundle is provided separately from the discharge port 225. In this case, for example, the slit is provided on the front surface of the sheet processing apparatus so as to be easily accessed by the user, and the binding portions 214a and 214b are moved to the position of the slit to perform manual stapling at one corner of the sheet bundle. You can do it.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a binding process performed by the staple non-use binding unit 214b. In the staple non-use binding unit 214b of the present embodiment, the sheet bundle 403 is tightly bound by applying pressure from above and below a plurality of sheets. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the staple non-use binding unit 214b has moved to the binding position for binding the sheet bundle 403. The upper mold 501 presses a plurality of sheets from above. A plurality of convex blades 502 are arranged in the upper mold 501, and each blade 502 applies pressure to the sheet. The lower mold 505 presses a plurality of sheets from below. In the lower mold 505, a plurality of recesses 504 corresponding to the plurality of blades 502 are arranged, and each recess 504 receives the blades 502.

  FIG. 5B shows a state in which the upper mold 501 and the lower mold 505 press a plurality of sheets from above and below. When the upper mold 501 and the lower mold 505 pressurize a plurality of sheets, the fibers between the sheets can be entangled and bound. Further, since the plurality of blades 502 and the plurality of concave portions 504 press the plurality of portions of the sheet, the sheet is difficult to peel off.

  6A, 6B, and 6C are views showing the binding position of the sheet. FIG. 6A shows the binding position for the sheet bundle 403 in this embodiment, and illustrates the case where the binding process is performed on the upper left corner of the sheet bundle 403. A position 601 indicates a first binding position by the staple non-use staple. A position 602 indicates a second binding position that is different from the first binding position by the staple-free staple. A position 600 indicates a predetermined binding position by staple using staples. FIG. 6A illustrates the case where the second binding position is the inside of the sheet bundle as viewed from the first binding position, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second binding position may be a position that is outside the sheet bundle as viewed from the first binding position.

  By the way, when the user wants to perform the binding process by manual operation, it is a use case in which a staple is removed from the bound bundle of documents, copying or scanning is performed, the binding process is performed again on the bundle of documents, and the original is restored. There are often.

  Here, when performing in-machine stapling without using a needle and when performing manual stapling without using a needle, when stapling is performed at the same corner, binding processing is performed at the same position on the sheet. Doing so can cause the following problems.

  For example, a user may peel off a bundle of documents printed by the image forming apparatus 102 and stapled in the apparatus without using a needle, set the bundle of documents on the reading unit 118, and perform copying or scanning. In this case, it is conceivable that after copying or scanning, the peeled document bundle is subjected to a staple-free binding process again by manual stapling to bind the document bundle again (return to the bound state).

  However, since the staple-free staple is entangled with the fibers between the sheets, the crimping force changes depending on the fiber state of the sheet surface. For example, when the pressure bonding is performed again on a portion where the pressure bonding has already been performed, the fibers between the sheets are not easily entangled, so that the binding strength is reduced.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, control is performed to shift the binding position when the same corner is bound when performing in-machine stapling without using a needle and when performing manual stapling without using a needle.

  7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating the operation unit 126 provided in the sheet processing apparatus 103. FIG. FIG. 7A shows an example of the operation unit 126 of the sheet processing apparatus 103. The operation unit 126 includes hardware keys of keys 701 to 703. The control unit 124 detects pressing of the keys 701 to 703 and receives an instruction from the user. A key 701 is a key used when the user executes manual stapling without using a needle. A key 703 is a key used when the user performs manual stapling using a needle.

  When the manual stapling mode is ON (valid) and the key 701 or the key 703 is pressed, the control unit 124 executes manual stapling corresponding to the pressed key. On the other hand, when the manual stapling mode is OFF, manual stapling is not executed even when the key 701 or the key 703 is pressed.

  A key 702 is a toggle key for setting whether or not to adjust the binding position when executing manual stapling without using a needle. Each time the key 702 is pressed, the position adjustment flag is enabled (ON) or disabled. (OFF) switches. In this embodiment, it is assumed that ON is set as the initial value of the position adjustment flag. Note that the position adjustment flag is stored in a storage area (not shown) of the control unit 124, and is referred to as appropriate in a flowchart or the like to be described later. FIG. 7A illustrates a case where the position adjustment is set to be effective.

  If the control unit 124 determines that a sheet bundle is inserted based on the output value of the sensor 209, the control unit 124 changes the manual stapling mode to ON. Further, a command for notifying the image forming apparatus 102 that the manual stapling mode has been turned ON is transmitted. The CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 102 displays a screen corresponding to the manual stapling function on the panel 301 based on the command received from the sheet processing unit 125. Note that the screen corresponding to the manual stapling function may be displayed when the user selects the manual stapling function from the main menu screen or function list screen displayed on the panel 301, for example. In this case, a command is transmitted from the CPU 111 to the sheet processing apparatus 103 so as to turn on the manual stapling mode.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen displayed on the panel 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 and shows a state in which the key 802 is selected. Keys 801 to 803 are keys having the same functions as the keys 701 to 703. Information 800 is information for presenting the number of sheets that can be bound by manual stapling to the user. A key 804 is used to end the manual stapling function and close the screen. Information 805 is information for explaining the function of the position adjustment key, and notifies the user that the inner side of the sheet is bound than usual. When the user binds a sheet bundle having no binding trace, the user can execute manual stapling without using a needle at a normal binding position by disabling (OFF) the position adjustment key.

  In this embodiment, a case where a manual stapling execution instruction can be issued from both the image forming apparatus 102 and the sheet processing apparatus 103 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation unit 126 may not be provided, and a manual stapling execution instruction may be received from the panel 301 of the image forming apparatus 102.

  Further, the operation unit 126 can be simplified as shown in FIG. FIG. 7B shows an example of the operation unit 126 of the sheet processing apparatus 103. A key 704 is a key used when executing manual stapling. In this case, settings such as the type of stapling and the adjustment of the stapling position when executing manual stapling are set in advance via the panel 301 of the image forming apparatus 102. The control unit 124 stores the manual stapling setting set via the panel 301 of the image forming apparatus in a storage area (not shown). When the control unit 124 determines that the key 704 has been pressed, it executes manual stapling according to the stored setting. Further, when a predetermined time elapses in a state where it is determined that a sheet bundle is inserted based on the output value of the sensor 209, manual stapling is executed based on a preset manual stapling setting. Also good. In this case, a configuration without the operation unit 126 may be used.

  In the present embodiment, when stapling is performed as post-processing, the binding position is determined based on the flowchart of FIG. Each operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is realized by the control unit 124 of the sheet processing apparatus 103 and the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 102 executing control in cooperation. The flowchart of FIG. 9 executes the manual stapling disclosed in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 when the binding process is executed on the sheet bundle printed based on the job setting during the execution of the print job or when the manual stapling mode is ON. Runs when a key is selected.

  In step S <b> 901, the control unit 124 determines whether the type of stapling performed on the sheet bundle is staple using staples. If it is determined that it is a staple use staple, the process proceeds to step S902, and if it is determined that it is not a staple use staple, the process proceeds to step S903. In step S902, the control unit 124 controls the staple use binding unit 214a to perform a binding process by causing the needle to penetrate a predetermined position of the sheet bundle. On the other hand, in step S903, the control unit 124 determines whether or not the binding process is manual stapling. If the manual stapling mode is ON, the control unit 124 proceeds to step S905. If the manual stapling mode is not ON (if OFF), the process proceeds to step S904.

  In step S905, the control unit 124 determines whether or not the binding position adjustment flag is valid. When the controller 124 refers to the binding position adjustment flag stored in the storage area (not shown) and determines that the binding position adjustment flag is valid (ON), the control unit 124 proceeds to step S906 and determines that the binding position adjustment flag is invalid (OFF). Then, it progresses to step S904.

  In step S904, the control unit 124 controls the motor 405 to move the staple non-use binding unit 214b to the first binding position 601 to a position where the binding process is performed. Further, the staple-free binding unit 214b is controlled to pressurize the sheet bundle and perform the binding process.

  In step S906, the control unit 124 controls the motor 405 to move the staple non-use binding unit 214b to the second binding position 602 where the binding process is performed. Further, the staple-free binding unit 214b is controlled to pressurize the sheet bundle and perform the binding process.

  In this embodiment, the case where the needle-use binding unit 214a is provided is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to a sheet processing apparatus that does not include the needle-use binding unit 214a. In this case, the steps S901 and S902 are not executed, and the control of steps S903 to S906 is performed. In this case, the screen configurations shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be appropriately excluded from the functions related to staple use stapling.

  In this embodiment, the case where the binding position is determined according to whether or not the position adjustment flag is valid when performing manual stapling without using a needle is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when manual stapling without using a needle is executed (Yes in step S903), the binding process may always be performed at the second binding position 602.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the binding position is set in a case where the binding process is performed by staple operation without staples by manual operation and in a case where the binding process is performed by staples not using staples on a sheet bundle formed with images. Can be different. Therefore, when a binding operation using a staple-free staple is manually performed again on a document bundle that has been marked with a staple-free staple, the binding processing is prevented from being performed again. In addition, the sheet bundle can be bound with an appropriate strength.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, whether or not to adjust the binding position can be changed based on a user instruction. Therefore, since the user can instruct whether or not to change the binding position as appropriate according to the state of the sheet bundle to be manually stapled, it is possible to provide a manual staple according to the user's intention.

  If the sensor 209 is configured to acquire a rough sheet count, the control unit 124 may automatically select the staple type according to the output value of the sensor 209.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the binding positions are different when binding a plurality of sheets without using a needle, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a binding process in which a plurality of sheets are bound using a needle. In the binding process using the needle, for example, as shown at a position 600 in FIG. 6, the binding process is performed by penetrating two points of the sheet with the needle. Therefore, it is relatively difficult to damage the fiber state of the sheet bundle as compared with the binding process that does not use a needle. However, when the needle mark greatly expands with the removal of the needle, if the binding process is performed again at the same position, the binding strength may decrease. In view of this, even when a plurality of sheets are bound using a needle, the binding position may be shifted. In this case, when it is determined in step S901 that the staple is staple use staple, it is determined whether it is manual staple or not. If the control unit 124 determines that the staple is a manual staple, the controller 124 may perform a binding process at a binding position different from the predetermined position, and if it is determined not to be a manual staple, the controller 124 may perform the binding process at a predetermined position. Furthermore, when the present invention is applied to a binding process in which a plurality of sheets are bound using a needle, the binding strength can be maintained while avoiding the needle trace by changing the binding direction between the in-machine staple and the manual staple. FIG. 6C shows a case where the binding process is performed in the upper left corner of the sheet bundle 403 while avoiding needle marks. For example, in the case of an in-flight staple, the binding process is performed in an oblique direction indicated by a position 630. On the other hand, in the case of manual stapling, the binding process is performed at a position parallel to the long side or the short side of the sheet as indicated by a position 631. By changing the binding direction, the binding strength can be maintained because the binding process can be performed on a portion that is not easily affected by the needle trace even when the needle trace is greatly expanded when the needle is removed.

  Further, in the sheet processing apparatus 103 of the present embodiment, the case where each of the staple use binding unit 214a and the staple non-use binding unit 214b can execute in-machine stapling and manual stapling is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one of the binding units may be configured to execute both in-machine stapling and manual stapling, and the other binding unit may be configured to execute only in-machine stapling. In this case, in step S901, if a staple type that can be executed in both the in-flight staple and the manual staple is selected, it may be determined whether the staple is a manual staple. If the control unit 124 determines that the staple is a manual staple, the controller 124 may perform a binding process at a position different from the position of the in-machine staple, and if the controller 124 determines that the staple is not a manual staple, the control unit 124 may perform the binding process at a position of the in-machine staple.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the control that can change the binding position according to the state of the position adjustment key between the case where the in-machine stapling is executed and the case where the manual stapling is executed has been described.

  In the second embodiment, when using a manual stapling that does not use a needle, the user is inquired about the state of a sheet to be bound, and whether or not to change the binding position according to the result of the inquiry is controlled. explain.

  In the second embodiment, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 102 which is a premise is the same as that of the first embodiment. Note that a detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a binding position with respect to the sheet bundle 403 in the present embodiment. A position 611 indicates a first binding position by staple not using staples, and corresponds to the position 601 in the first embodiment. A position 612 indicates the second binding position by the staple non-use staple, and corresponds to the position 602 in the first embodiment. A position 613 indicates a third binding position by the staple non-use staple.

  As described in the first embodiment, when performing manual stapling that does not use a needle, if crimping is performed again on a portion that has already been crimped, fibers between sheets are less likely to be entangled. Decreases. Therefore, the binding position is switched to the position 612 that is not affected by the original pressure bonding.

  In addition, when performing manual stapling without using a needle, if staple non-use stapling is performed in an area including a hole formed on the sheet by the staple, there is a possibility that binding strength may be affected. Also in this case, if the binding position is switched to the position 612, the binding process can be performed while maintaining the binding strength.

  On the other hand, information such as normal characters and pictures is described in the sheet bundle. For this reason, when the binding process is performed on the inner side of the sheet, there is a possibility that the print area such as characters and pictures overlaps the binding position. Since the area where the binding process has been performed is deformed by pressure bonding, the print area may be difficult to read. Therefore, it is desirable to perform the binding process as close to the normal staple position as possible so that the print area does not overlap the binding trace.

  A position 610 in FIG. 6B indicates a predetermined binding position by staple using staples.

  As shown at position 610, the influence of the hole formed by the staples on the fiber of the sheet is smaller than the influence of the crimped part formed by the staple-free staple on the fiber of the sheet. Therefore, when the original binding process is performed by the staple, the binding process can be performed in an area closer to the original binding position.

  In view of this, in the present embodiment, in addition to changing the binding position in the first embodiment, a description will be given of performing control so as to be able to change to the third binding position closer to the original staple position.

  FIGS. 11A and 11B show examples of screens displayed on the panel 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 when the manual stapling function is used in the present embodiment. FIGS. 11A and 11B replace the screen of FIG. 8 in the first embodiment.

  A key 1103 is the same key as the key 803 of the first embodiment, and is used when the user performs manual stapling using a needle. A key 1101 is a key to be touched when the user uses a manual staple that does not use a needle. A key 1104 is used to end the manual stapling function and close the screen.

  When the key 1101 is touched, the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 102 displays a screen illustrated in FIG. 11B for performing detailed manual stapling settings without using a needle on the panel 301. Information 1105 is information for notifying the user that the screen is a screen for inquiring about the state of the sheet bundle. Information 1109 is information for notifying the user that the inside of the sheet is bound, and is displayed when the key 1107 or the key 1108 is selected.

  A key 1106 is a key that the user touches when there is no evidence of binding on a sheet bundle to be manually stapled. A key 1107 is a key that the user touches when there is a trace bound with a staple in a sheet bundle to be manually stapled. A key 1108 is a key to be touched by the user when a bundle of sheets to be manually stapled has a trace bound using a staple-free staple.

  Note that any one of the keys 1106 to 1108 can be selected, and the user touches any key to select the sheet bundle state.

  A key 1110 is a key to be touched when the user performs manual stapling without using a needle. When the “start” key 1110 is touched, the CPU 111 notifies the sheet processing apparatus 103 of the selected sheet bundle status and manual stapling execution instruction. The sheet processing apparatus 103 determines a position to be bound by manual stapling that does not use the needle according to the state of the sheet bundle notified from the CPU 111, and executes the binding process.

  The control unit 124 of the sheet processing apparatus determines the binding position based on the flowchart of FIG. 10 when performing stapling as post-processing. Each operation of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 10 is realized by the control unit 124 of the sheet processing apparatus 103 and the CPU 111 of the image forming apparatus 102 performing control in cooperation. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the key for executing the manual stapling disclosed in FIG. 11B is selected when the binding process is executed on the printed sheet bundle during the execution of the print job or when the manual stapling mode is ON. It is executed when

  In step S1001, the control unit 124 determines whether or not the type of staple to be executed is a staple using staple. If it is determined that it is a staple use staple, the process proceeds to step S1002, and if it is determined that it is not a staple use staple, the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S <b> 1002, the control unit 124 controls the staple use binding unit 214 a to perform the binding process by penetrating the needle through a predetermined position of the sheet bundle. On the other hand, in step S1003, the control unit 124 determines whether or not the binding process is manual stapling. If it is determined that the manual stapling mode is selected, the process advances to step S1005. If it is determined that the manual stapling mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S1004. In step S1005, if the control unit 124 determines that the sheet bundle is not originally stapled based on the state of the sheet bundle notified from the CPU 111, the process proceeds to step S1004. If not, the process proceeds to step S1006.

  In step S1004, the control unit 124 controls the binding motor 405 to move the staple non-use binding unit 214b to the first binding position 611 to a position where the binding process is performed. Further, the staple-free binding unit 214b is controlled to pressurize the sheet bundle and perform the binding process.

  On the other hand, in step S1006, based on the state of the sheet bundle notified from the CPU 111, the control unit 124 proceeds to step S1007 if it is determined that the staple-unused staple is peeled off, and if not, step S1008. Proceed to

  In step S1007, the control unit 124 controls the motor 405 to move the staple non-use binding unit 214b to the second binding position 612 to a position where the binding process is performed. Further, the staple-free binding unit 214b is controlled to pressurize the sheet bundle and perform the binding process.

  In step S1008, the control unit 124 controls the motor 405 to move the staple non-use binding unit 214b to the third binding position 613 to a position where the binding process is performed. Further, the staple-free binding unit 214b is controlled to pressurize the sheet bundle and perform the binding process.

  In this embodiment, the staple position is controlled based on the flowchart of FIG. 10, but in addition to this, the staple position can be controlled based on the flowchart of FIG. 9 in the first embodiment. It may be. In this case, for example, when the control unit 124 determines that it is a manual stapling instruction via the control unit 124, the control unit 124 performs the processing after step S <b> 903 in FIG. 9. Further, when it is determined that the manual stapling instruction is made via the screen of FIG. 10, the processing after step S1003 of FIG. 10 is performed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, when manual stapling is performed, the user is made to input the state of the sheet bundle to which manual stapling is to be performed. Further, the binding process can be performed on any of the first binding position 611, the second binding position 612, and the third binding position 613 according to the state of the sheet bundle input by the user.

  Therefore, according to the state of the sheet bundle, manual stapling can be performed at a position where an appropriate binding strength can be maintained and where the binding traces do not overlap as much as possible.

<Other embodiments>
In 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the case where it bound and bound the fiber between sheets was illustrated as a system which binds a sheet | seat bundle without using a needle | hook, it is not limited to this. Any binding method may be used as long as it has a common problem that the binding strength is lowered depending on the state of the sheet bundle. Therefore, for example, the present invention can also be applied to a method (Patent Document 3) in which a hole is formed in a sheet bundle and folded.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. And changes are possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image forming system 102 Image forming apparatus 103 Sheet processing apparatus 111 CPU
124 Control unit 125 Sheet processing unit 214a Needle binding unit 214b Needle-free binding unit

Claims (13)

A sheet processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet,
Sheet binding means for performing a binding process on a sheet bundle;
When performing a predetermined binding process by the sheet binding unit in a predetermined area of a sheet bundle composed of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, the predetermined binding process is executed at a first position in the predetermined area; When performing the predetermined binding process in a predetermined area of a sheet bundle manually inserted into the sheet processing apparatus, the predetermined binding process is different from the first position and is performed at a second position in the predetermined area. Control means for controlling to execute
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: Accepting means for accepting an instruction to execute a binding process on a sheet bundle to be manually inserted;
Changing means for changing the binding position for executing the predetermined binding process to at least the first position or the position including the second position;
When the predetermined binding process is performed on the manually-inserted sheet bundle, the control unit controls the changing unit to be at the second binding position in accordance with an instruction received by the receiving unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that the predetermined binding process is executed at the second binding position. A judgment unit for judging whether or not the sheet bundle has been manually inserted;
When the control unit determines that the sheet bundle is manually inserted by the determination unit, the control unit executes a binding process according to an instruction received by the reception unit, and the sheet bundle is manually inserted by the determination unit. 3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when it is determined that the sheet processing is not performed, the binding process is not executed based on an instruction received from the receiving unit. The accepting unit is configured to instruct whether to set a position at which the predetermined binding process is performed as the second binding position when the predetermined binding process is performed on the manually inserted sheet bundle. Further acceptance,
If the position for executing the predetermined binding process is set as the second binding position, the control means changes the position so that the position for executing the predetermined binding process becomes the second position. If the position for executing the predetermined binding process is not set as the second binding position by controlling the means, the change is made so that the position for executing the predetermined binding process becomes the first position. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet control unit is controlled. A storage unit for storing a binding position for performing the binding process by the reception unit;
3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein when the instruction to execute the binding process is received from the receiving unit, the control unit controls the binding process based on the binding position stored in the storage unit. The sheet processing apparatus according to 3.   The predetermined binding process includes at least one of a binding process that binds using a needle and a binding process that binds without using a needle. Sheet processing device.   The control unit uses the needle at a first position in the predetermined area when performing a binding process using a needle in a predetermined area of a sheet bundle made of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus. If the binding process is performed using the needle in a predetermined area of the sheet bundle to be manually inserted, the direction of the binding process is different from the first position in the predetermined area. 7. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus performs control so as to execute a binding process for binding using the needle. 7.   The control unit performs the binding process in an oblique direction with respect to the long side of the sheet bundle when performing a binding process using a needle in a predetermined region of the sheet bundle formed of the sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus. The binding process is executed in a direction parallel to the long side or the short side of the sheet bundle when performing the binding process using the needle for binding the sheet bundle to be manually inserted. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 7.   An image forming system in which the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet are connected.   The image forming system according to claim 9, further comprising a second receiving unit that receives an instruction to execute a binding process on a sheet bundle that is manually inserted via an operation unit of the image forming apparatus. Inquiring means for inquiring the user of the state of the sheet bundle to be manually inserted when receiving an instruction to execute the predetermined binding process by the second receiving means,
When the second accepting unit executes the predetermined binding process, the control unit receives the user instruction indicating that the sheet bundle is not bound by the inquiry unit. When a predetermined binding process is executed at a first position in the area and a user instruction indicating that the sheet bundle has been peeled from the binding process that does not use a needle is received by the inquiry unit, the second binding in the predetermined area is received. When a predetermined binding process is executed at a position and a user instruction indicating that the sheet bundle is a sheet bundle with staples removed is received by the inquiry unit, the position is within the predetermined area and the second binding position is greater than the second binding position. The image forming system according to claim 10, wherein the binding process is executed at a third binding position close to the first binding position. A method that is executed by an apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet and includes a sheet binding unit that performs binding processing on a sheet bundle,
When performing a predetermined binding process by the sheet binding unit in a predetermined area of a sheet bundle composed of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, the predetermined binding process is executed at a first position in the predetermined area; When performing the predetermined binding process in a predetermined area of the sheet bundle to be manually inserted, the predetermined binding process is executed at a second position in the predetermined area, which is different from the first position. A characteristic sheet binding method.   A program for causing a computer included in an apparatus including a sheet binding unit to execute the sheet binding processing method according to claim 12.

Images