JP2021135400A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can simultaneously bind a book together with another print.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises: an image forming unit 20; an ejection unit 7; an insertion processing unit 30; a notification unit 60; and a control unit 70. The image forming unit 20 sequentially forms images on a plurality of first sheets. The ejection unit 7 sequentially ejects the plurality of first sheets S1 on which the images are formed. The insertion processing unit 30 can execute insertion processing of joining second sheets S2 to the plurality of first sheets S1 sequentially ejected by the ejection unit 7 at a predetermined timing and sequentially ejecting the first sheets S1 and the second sheets S2 in predetermined order. The notification unit 60 notifies a message related to the insertion processing. The control unit 70 determines the details of the message notified by the notification unit 60 based on the size of the first sheets S1 and the size of the second sheets S2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Select the data at rest of one publication from the publication database that stores the images of printed materials that have already been published, and purchase only a part (specific page) of the data at rest that the user needs. A publication printing apparatus capable of printing is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).

According to this publication printing device, a user can print and purchase related articles contained in each of a plurality of different publications in a single printed matter as a so-called scrap version or a pickup version. As a result, the user can get the desired article at a low price.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-265172

By the way, in the image forming apparatus described in Cited Document 1, the pages that can be reprinted and rebound are only the pages that can be read from the publication database. Therefore, it is not possible to bind a newly created memo or a page of another publication together.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of binding a separate printed matter at the same time.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming unit, a discharging unit, an insertion processing unit, a notification unit, and a control unit. The image forming unit sequentially forms an image on a plurality of first sheets. The discharge unit sequentially discharges the plurality of first sheets on which the image is formed. The insertion processing unit merges at least one second sheet with the plurality of first sheets sequentially discharged by the discharging unit at a predetermined timing, and joins the plurality of first sheets and the at least one sheet. It is possible to execute an insertion process in which the second sheet of the above is sequentially ejected in a predetermined order. The notification unit notifies a message regarding the insertion process. The control unit determines the content of the message notified by the notification unit based on the size of the first sheet and the size of the second sheet.

According to the present invention, it is possible to bind a separate printed matter at the same time.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process executed by the 1st control part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process executed by the 1st control part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process executed by the 1st control part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description is not repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
The configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a multifunction device having these functions. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a post-processing device 40 for processing a printed sheet (paper) and an inserter 30 for inserting another printed matter, memo paper, or the like into the printed sheet and superimposing the sheet. To be equipped. The inserter 30 is also referred to as a paper feed device. The inserter 30 is an example of the insertion processing unit in the present invention.

Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 1 as shown in FIG. The image forming unit 1 includes an image reading unit 2, a first sheet feeding unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a toner supply unit 50, a display unit 60, an operation receiving unit 61, a first sheet conveying mechanism F1, and a first discharging unit 7. , And a housing 11.

The image reading unit 2 is, for example, a scanner. The page image is read from the manuscript (document) and the page image data is generated. The manuscript may contain multiple page images.

The housing 11 accommodates the first sheet feeding section 10, the image forming section 20, the toner supply section 50, the first sheet transport mechanism F1, and the first discharging section 7. Further, the housing 11 internally houses the first control unit 70 and the first storage unit 71, which will be described later. The display unit 60 and the operation reception unit 61 are arranged outside the housing 11.

The first sheet feeding unit 10 accommodates a plurality of first sheets S1, and feeds the accommodated plurality of first sheets S1 one by one to the first sheet transport mechanism F1. The first sheet S1 is, for example, paper. In the present embodiment, the first sheet feeding unit 10 is composed of a four-stage pull-out type paper feed tray.

The first sheet transport mechanism F1 passes from each paper feed tray of the first sheet feeding section 10 to the first discharging section 7 which is a connecting section with the inserter 30 (insertion processing section) via the image forming section 20. , The first sheet S1 is conveyed.

The image forming unit 20 transfers and fixes the image on the conveyed first sheet S1. In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 20 includes a photoconductor drum of each color, an exposure device, a charging device, a developing device, a transfer device 21, and a fixing device 22.

The transfer device 21 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21V. The toner images formed (developed) on the photoconductor drums of each color are superimposed and transferred on the intermediate transfer belt 21V, and the color images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21V are transferred to the first sheet S1. As a result, a color image is formed on the first sheet S1.

The fixing device 22 heats and pressurizes the first sheet S1 to fix the toner image transferred to the first sheet S1. The first sheet S1 after the image is fixed is conveyed to the first discharge unit 7 by the first sheet transfer mechanism F1 and sent to the aftertreatment device 40 via the inserter 30.

The post-processing device 40 is connected to the image forming unit 1 via an inserter 30. The inserter 30 includes a second sheet feeding section 3, a slip sheet feeding tray 31, a second transport path 32, a second sheet transport mechanism F2, and a second discharging section 8. Since the second sheet feeding unit 3 includes a second transport path 32 connected to the transport path of the second sheet transport mechanism F2, the second sheet S2 on the interleaving paper feed tray 31 is transferred to the second sheet transport mechanism. It can be fed into the transport path of F2 and merged with the first sheet S1.

The inserter 30 can feed the second sheet S2 into the transport path of the second sheet transport mechanism F2 at a predetermined timing. In other words, the second sheet feeding unit 3 of the inserter 30 sends the first sheet S1 conveyed from the image forming unit 1 from the second discharging unit 8 to the aftertreatment device 40, and the second sheet feeding path 32 The second sheet S2 can be inserted in front of or behind the first sheet S1. The inserter 30 is an example of the insertion processing unit of the present invention.

The aftertreatment device 40 includes a folding processing unit 4, a drilling processing unit 5, a staple processing unit 6, a folding sheet discharge tray 41, a first discharge tray 42, a second discharge tray 43, and a third sheet transfer mechanism F3.

The perforation processing unit 5 temporarily stops the movement of the sheet flowing through the sheet transport path, and perforates a binding hole (punch hole) at the end of the sheet.

The staple processing unit 6 forms a sheet bundle on the internal staple tray, and the staples are placed at the corners or ends of the sheet bundle. The stapled sheet bundle is mainly discharged to the first discharge tray 42, which is the main tray. It may be discharged to the second discharge tray 43 which is a sub tray.

The folding processing unit 4 performs a folding process of folding a bundle of sheets in half or in three.

The bundle of the folded sheets is discharged to the folded sheet discharge tray 41 provided in the lower part of the housing of the aftertreatment device 40.

Next, a configuration for controlling the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 of the embodiment includes a first control unit 70 and a first storage unit 71 in the image forming unit 1. Further, a second control unit 80 and a second storage unit 81 are provided in the inserter 30. Further, the post-processing device 40 includes a third control unit 90 and a third storage unit 91. Since the second control unit 80 and the second storage unit 81 control the functions peculiar to the inserter 30, the description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the third control unit 90 and the third storage unit 91 also control the functions peculiar to the post-processing device 40, the description thereof will be omitted.

The first control unit 70 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The first control unit 70 controls the operation of each element of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing the computer program stored in the first storage unit 71.

The first storage unit 71 includes a main storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The first storage unit 71 stores various computer programs and various data.

For example, the first storage unit 71 stores the user's instruction regarding the sheet received by the first control unit 70. In addition, the size related to the sheet, the insertion position of the page at the time of insertion, and the like are also stored. The user's instructions are also stored regarding whether or not to apply folding processing, punching processing, staple processing, etc. to the sheet.

Further, the first storage unit 71 may store items to be inquired to the user before executing the process in the form of a message list under certain conditions in the document insertion process.

Further, the image forming unit 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a display unit 60 and an operation receiving unit 61.

The display unit 60 is an example of the "notification unit" in the present invention. The display unit 60 notifies the user (user) of information by displaying a predetermined "message" selected or determined by the first control unit 70.

The operation reception unit 61 is an example of the “reception unit” in the present invention. The operation reception unit 61 receives instructions and decisions from the user by key, button, touch operation, or the like.

Next, the control of the post-processing performed by the first control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the processes executed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 below, the “step” of each flow is described as “S”.

In the first embodiment, for example, at least one larger B4 to A3 size printed matter or more is printed on the first manuscript (here, A4 size multiple pages) which is a part extracted from the already published printed matter. The case of inserting and binding into a light scrap version of a booklet suitable for carrying around will be described.

When performing such bookbinding, the user first obtains and prepares print source data (page image data) of a plurality of pages serving as a manuscript of the main printed matter (first sheet S1). As the print source data to be the manuscript, for example, only the page image data of a specific part required by the user can be obtained from the publication database by downloading it via the network. The downloaded page image data of a plurality of pages is stored in the first storage unit 71 of the image forming apparatus 100 in association with print metadata such as page number information.

The main page image data may be prepared by importing some pages of a book, printed matter, or the like owned by the image reading unit 2 into the image forming apparatus 100. In either case, the main page image data is formed as an image (hereinafter, "printed") on the first sheet S1 housed in the image forming unit 1.

Next, the second sheet S2 to be inserted into the printed matter is prepared. The second sheet S2 is a paper medium such as paper or a resin medium such as a film on which an image is already formed on the surface. Specifically, as the second sheet S2, figures, tables, handwritten memos, some pages extracted from books and booklets, and the like can be used. The second sheet S2 is a "second original" that provides print source data when reading an image formed on the surface by scanning or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is started by setting the second sheet S2 for insertion on the interleaving paper feed tray 31 of the inserter 30. Hereinafter, the description will be given according to a flowchart.

When starting the insertion process (operation) of the second sheet S2, the user first inputs the size of the first sheet S1 to be printed matter by using the button of the operation reception unit 61, the keyboard, or the like in step 1.

Subsequently, in step 2, the user inputs the size of the second sheet S2 to be the insert and the planned insertion position with respect to the printed matter from the keyboard or the like. A display input device such as a touch panel may be used for the input operation.

If the inserter 30 has a sensor that automatically detects the size of the second sheet S2, the detection size of the size sensor may be set to be automatically input in step 2.

In step 11, the first control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 100 that has received the input performs a size determination process that compares the size of the input first sheet S1 with the size of the second sheet S2.

In the size determination process of step 11, when the size of the second sheet S2 is smaller than the size of the first sheet S1 "No", the first control unit 70 performs steps 21 to 25 (S21 of FIG. 4) described later. ~ S25)).

In the size determination process of step 11, when the size of the second sheet S2 is larger than the size of the first sheet S1 “Yes”, the first control unit 70 uses the folding process unit 4 in the second sheet in step 12. A "message" that proposes to fold S2 is determined, this message is displayed on the display unit 60, and a user's reply to the displayed message is awaited.

Specifically, in step 12, the first control unit 70 selects the message "Do you want to fold the sheet to be inserted?" From the message list stored in the first storage unit 71, and displays the display unit. Display at 60. After that, it waits for the input of the "instruction" from the operation reception unit 61, which is the reply from the user to the content of this message.

In other words, when the image forming apparatus 100 of the embodiment detects that the user intends to insert a sheet or a printed matter of a different size into the printed matter, the first control unit 70 of the image forming unit 1 causes the user. In response to this, before printing the booklet, we will present a specification that allows the booklet to be finished more compactly with less effort, and make a "suggestion" asking whether or not to change to that specification.

In step 12, if the operation input that is the user's instruction (answer) is, for example, a "NO (No)" instruction by pressing a specific button of the operation reception unit 61, the first control unit 70 processes. Printing is executed in step 16 based on the values input in steps 1 and 2 at the beginning, and the second sheet S2 is inserted at the originally scheduled position (page number) by the inserter 30 in step 17. The booklet with the specifications as planned is bound, and the sheet insertion process is completed (end).

On the other hand, in step 12, if the operation input that is the user's instruction (answer) is, for example, a "YES" instruction by pressing a specific button of the operation reception unit 61, the first control unit 70 , The specifications such as post-processing related to the second sheet S2 to be inserted are changed.

Specifically, in step 12, if the user's instruction is a "folding instruction" that agrees to fold the sheet into which the folding processing unit 4 is inserted, the first control unit 70 will perform steps 13 to 15. In, the user executes a "fold instruction".

For example, when the instruction in step 12 is "Yes", the first control unit 70 determines the page number or page range of the second sheet S2 to be executed in step 13 and the insertion position to be inserted. Wait for input.

The reason why the "insertion position" once input in step 2 is input again is that the optimum insertion position (page) considered by the user may change depending on the execution of the folding process. Step 13 may be omitted.

When the input of the page to be folded and the insertion position in step 13 is completed, the first control unit 70 executes printing in step 14 according to the input instruction. Further, with respect to the flow of printed matter, the second sheet S2 is inserted into the designated position in the designated order from the inserter 30 and merged, and the merged second sheet S2 is folded by the post-processing device 40. It is conveyed to the section 4, and the folding processing section 4 performs a folding process on the corresponding second sheet S2. This allows the user to complete the instructions changed along the way (end).

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, by presenting to the user a bookbinding specification having a small load on the inserter 30 and the post-processing apparatus 40 before the start of printing, printed matter of various sizes can be produced. The compiled booklet can be made more compact.

In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, at least one printed matter having a size of about B5 to A5, which is smaller than this, is formed on the first manuscript (multiple pages of A4 size) which is a part extracted from the printed matter which has already been published. The case of inserting is described above.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The processing and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4 is also started by setting the second sheet S2 for insertion on the interleaving paper feed tray 31 of the inserter 30 as shown in FIG. Then, the size determination process (step 11) is performed, and when the size of the second sheet S2 is "or less" than the size of the first sheet S1 in the size determination process, the second sheet is set in step 21 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the size of S2 is smaller than the size of the first sheet S1.

When it is determined in step 21 that the size of the second sheet S2 is smaller than the size of the first sheet S1, the first control unit 70 performs the processes of S21 to S25.

In step 21, the determination is "NO" only when the second sheet S2 and the first sheet S1 have the same size (size). In this case, since the insertion process as originally planned shown in ha, step 16 (S16) and step 17 (S17) of FIG. 3 is performed, no particular description will be given.

As shown in FIG. 4, when it is determined in step 21 that the size of the second sheet S2 is smaller than the size of the first sheet S1, the first control unit 70 starts the process in step 22. In the input (step 2), it is confirmed whether or not the insertion position of the second sheet S2 is already set to "before the first page" of the first sheet S1.

If the insertion position of the second sheet S2 has already been set before the first page of the first sheet S1 (S22 is Yes), the second sheet S2 is first inserted by the inserter 30 in step 24 according to the setting. The sheet S1 is inserted before printing, and the printed matter (first sheet S1) is printed in step 25.

As in the present embodiment, in the first input (step 2) of the process, the insertion position of the second sheet S2 is set to a page other than "before the first page" of the first sheet S1 (S22 is No). In the case of), in step 23, from the message list stored in the first storage unit 71, the first control unit 70 asks "Do you insert the second sheet (insert) before the first sheet bundle?" Select the message "?" And display it on the display unit 60. After that, it waits for the input of the "instruction" from the operation reception unit 61, which is the reply from the user to the content of this message.

In other words, when the image forming apparatus 100 of the embodiment detects that the user intends to insert a sheet or printed matter having a size smaller than that of the printed matter into the printed matter, the first control unit 70 of the image forming unit 1 causes the user. On the other hand, it is "proposed" that the insert is first conveyed to the post-processing apparatus 40 before the start of printing the booklet.

In step 23, when the operation input which is the user's instruction (answer) is the "start position insertion instruction" which is the instruction of "YES", the first control unit 70 sets the initial setting in step 2. Then, in step 24, the inserter 30 inserts the second sheet S2 before printing the first sheet S1. Next, in step 25, printing of the printed matter (first sheet S1) is executed, and the process is completed (end). As a result, the booklet can be finished more compactly.

In step 23, when the operation input that is the user's instruction is an instruction of "NO", the first control unit 70 is based on the values input in steps 1 and 2 at the beginning of the process. The type and method of post-processing are selected in step 26, printing is executed in step 27, and the second sheet S2 is inserted into the initial scheduled position (page number) by the inserter 30 in step 28. As a result, the booklet with the specifications as planned is bound, and the sheet insertion process is completed (end).

Next, when the size of the first sheet S1 which is a printed matter and the size of the second sheet S2 to be inserted are different, the second embodiment which makes a "proposal" different from the first embodiment will be described.

[Embodiment 2]
The control of the second embodiment performed by the first control unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the size of the first manuscript (multiple pages of A4 size) extracted from the published printed matter is different from the size of the second sheet S2 to be inserted, but the difference is fold. It is applied when it is not large enough to be processed.

Similar to the first embodiment, in the processing and operation of the image forming apparatus 100 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the second sheet S2 for insertion is set on the interleaving paper feed tray 31 of the inserter 30. Start by doing.

Then, first, in step 1, the size of the first sheet S1 (printed matter) is input, and in step 2, the size of the second sheet S2 (insertion) and the planned insertion position with respect to the printed matter are input. In the present embodiment, the input of the planned insertion position with respect to the printed matter in step 2 is an example of the "insertion position designation instruction" of the present invention. The size of the second sheet S2 (insertion) may be automatically input.

Next, a size determination process (step 31) for comparing the input size of the first sheet S1 and the size of the second sheet S2 is performed, and in the size determination process, the size of the second sheet S2 and the size of the first sheet S1 are compared. Determine if the size is the same.

Then, in step 31, when it is determined that the size of the second sheet S2 and the size of the first sheet S1 are not the same (S31 is No), the first control unit 70 is subjected to the folding processing unit 4 in step 32. A "message" that proposes an alternative alternative to the folding process is determined, this message is displayed on the display unit 60, and the user's reply to the notified message is awaited.

Specifically, in step 32, the first control unit 70 “reads (inserts) with a scanner and aligns the sizes of the sheets (inserted) from the message list stored in the first storage unit 71. Select the message "Are you sure?" And display it on the display unit 60. After that, it waits for the input of the "instruction" from the operation reception unit 61, which is the reply from the user to the content of this message.

In other words, when the image forming apparatus 100 of the embodiment detects that the user intends to insert a sheet or a printed matter having a slightly different size into the printed matter, the first control unit 70 of the image forming unit 1 sets the image forming unit 70. Instead of performing laborious, time-consuming, and costly folding processes for the user before printing the booklet, the booklet is printed by optically reading the insert and electronically processing the data. , Present a bookbinding method that can be finished more compactly, and make a "suggestion" asking whether or not to change to that bookbinding method.

In step 32, when the operation input that is the user's instruction is, for example, the "image reading instruction" that is the instruction of "YES" by pressing a specific button of the operation reception unit 61, the first control unit. 70 cancels the execution of the folding process regarding the second sheet S2 to be inserted, uses the second sheet S2 as the second manuscript (second page image), and uses the image reading unit 2 (scanner) as the image (page image). It is read, stored in the first storage unit 71, and printed on the first sheet S1.

Specifically, when the user's instruction is an "image reading instruction" in which the image reading unit 2 reads the sheet to be inserted, the first control unit 70 performs processing corresponding to the image reading instruction in steps 33 to 37. To execute.

For example, when the instruction in step 32 is "Yes", the first control unit 70 tells the user in step 33 on the interleaving paper feed tray 31 of the second sheet S2 to execute the image reading process. Instructs the image reading unit 2 to move onto the contact glass.

Next, when the setting of the scanned document (second sheet S2) in the image reading unit 2 is confirmed, the page image of the predetermined page of the second sheet S2 is displayed by operating the button or keyboard on the operation receiving unit 61. The data of the second page image (manuscript) is stored in the first storage unit 71.

The reading of the page of the second sheet S2 is repeated until the reading of all the target pages is completed (step 34).

When the reading of the page image of the second sheet S2 to be printed is completed, the page image of the saved second manuscript is then enlarged in step 35 so as to correspond to printing on the first sheet S1. Alternatively, it is reduced in size and changed (magnified) to the same size as the first original. As a result, the first original and the second original can be continuously printed on the first sheet S1 of one size.

Then, in step 36, printing on the first sheet S1 is started, and in the middle of printing, a page image of the second manuscript having the same size is inserted into the page designated by the user based on the "insertion position designation instruction". (Step 37). As described above, the second page image is also an insert page image.

In this way, the image forming apparatus 100 of the second embodiment can finish the booklet more effortlessly, lighter and more compactly. As a method of inserting the page of the second manuscript between the pages of the first manuscript, as in the first embodiment, after the printing of the first manuscript is temporarily stopped and the page of the second manuscript to be inserted is printed. In addition to the method of restarting the printing of the first manuscript again, at the stage of the data stored in the first storage unit 71, the second manuscript is placed at the corresponding insertion instruction position in the page image data array of the first manuscript. The page image data of the manuscript may be incorporated. Such image editing can also be performed on a computer linked with the image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the printing time of the booklet can be shortened.

In the size determination process of step 31 of the second embodiment, the case where the determination "Yes" that the size of the second sheet S2 and the size of the first sheet S1 are the same appears, and the "proposal" of step 32. In the case where the operation input, which is the user's instruction, is an instruction of "NO", the image reading process of reading the sheet to be inserted by the image reading unit 2 is not performed, and the inserter 30 as originally set is not performed. The second sheet S2 is inserted using the above.

The processes of steps 41 to 43 (S41 to S43) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 are processes used under the above conditions.

Specifically, in the case of "Yes" in which the size of the second sheet S2 and the size of the first sheet S1 are determined to be the same in the size determination process of step 31, the first control unit 70 performs step 41. Inquires whether or not to perform folding processing.

Then, when the user's instruction is to "perform the folding process", the folding processing unit 4 performs the folding process on the sheet designated as the target, following the execution of printing in step 42.

On the other hand, if the user's instruction in step 41 is "do not perform folding processing", the folding processing in step 43 is not executed and the folding processing unit 4 does not perform the processing. The confirmation input for whether or not to perform the folding process in step 41 is an example of the "selection instruction" in the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist thereof. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments. In order to make the drawings easier to understand, each component is schematically shown, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown are actual for the convenience of drawing creation. Is different. Further, the material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention. be.

For example, in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the display unit 60 and the operation reception unit 61 included in the image forming apparatus 100 are used to display the proposal from the image forming apparatus 100 and to give an answer instruction to the proposal. However, the display of these proposals and the response instruction may be performed remotely via a portable electronic device, a computer, or the like linked to the image forming apparatus 100.

Further, the proposal message illustrated in the embodiment is not limited to the example sentence in the embodiment, and can be appropriately changed to a more user-friendly one in line with the user's intention and hobby.

The present invention can be used in the field of image forming apparatus.

1 Image formation unit (main body)
2 Image reading unit 4 Folding processing unit 7 1st discharging unit 10 1st sheet feeding unit 20 Image forming unit 30 Inserter (insertion processing unit)
40 Post-processing device 60 Display unit 61 Operation input unit 70 1st control unit 71 1st storage unit 100 Image forming device

Claims (5)

An image forming unit that sequentially forms an image on a plurality of first sheets,
A discharge unit that sequentially discharges the plurality of first sheets on which the image is formed, and a discharge unit.
At least one second sheet is merged with the plurality of first sheets sequentially discharged by the discharging unit at a predetermined timing, and the plurality of first sheets and the at least one second sheet are combined. , An insertion processing unit that can execute insertion processing that sequentially ejects in a predetermined order,
A notification unit that notifies a message related to the insertion process, and
An image forming apparatus including a control unit that determines the content of the message notified by the notification unit based on the size of the first sheet and the size of the second sheet. The reception department that accepts user's instructions and
A folding processing unit capable of performing a folding process for folding at least one of the plurality of first sheets discharged from the insertion processing unit and at least one of the at least one second sheet is further provided.
When the control unit determines that the size of the second sheet is larger than the size of the first sheet based on the size of the first sheet and the size of the second sheet,
As the message, a message proposing to fold the at least one second sheet using the folding processing unit is determined, and the notification unit is notified of the message.
The user's instruction includes a folding instruction instructing the folding processing unit to fold the at least one second sheet.
The control unit receives the folding instruction when the receiving unit receives the folding instruction.
At least one second sheet is merged with the plurality of first sheets in the insertion processing unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding processing unit folds at least one second sheet. It also has a reception area that accepts user instructions.
When the control unit determines that the size of the second sheet is smaller than the size of the first sheet based on the size of the first sheet and the size of the second sheet, the control unit determines that the size of the second sheet is smaller than the size of the first sheet.
As the message, a message proposing to insert the at least one second sheet at a position in front of the first first sheet among the plurality of first sheets is determined, and the message is transmitted to the notification unit. To notify
The user's instruction includes a head position insertion instruction instructing that at least one second sheet be inserted at a position in front of the head first sheet.
When the receiving unit receives the head position insertion instruction, the control unit receives the head position insertion instruction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insertion processing unit is joined with at least one second sheet at a position in front of the first first sheet. The reception department that accepts user's instructions and
A storage unit that stores multiple first page images,
Further equipped with an image reading unit for reading a second page image from at least one second sheet,
When the control unit determines that the size of the second sheet and the size of the first sheet are different based on the size of the first sheet and the size of the second sheet,
As the message, a message suggesting that the image reading unit read the second page image from the at least one second sheet is determined, and the notification unit is notified of the message.
The user's instructions are
An image reading instruction instructing the image reading unit to read a second page image from the at least one second sheet, and an image reading instruction.
With respect to the array of the plurality of first page images corresponding to the plurality of first page images stored in the storage unit.
Includes an insertion position designation instruction that specifies a position to insert the second page image read from at least one second sheet.
When the receiving unit receives the insertion position designation instruction and the image reading instruction, the control unit receives.
The image reading unit is made to read the second page image from the at least one second sheet, and the storage unit is stored as an insert page image.
When the image forming unit forms the plurality of first page images and the inserted page images on the plurality of first sheets,
Any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image forming unit forms the inserted page image on the first sheet corresponding to the page position designated by the insertion position designation instruction among the plurality of first sheets. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The reception department that accepts user's instructions and
A folding processing unit capable of performing a folding process for folding at least one of the plurality of first sheets discharged from the insertion processing unit and at least one of the at least one second sheet is further provided.
When the control unit determines that the size of the second sheet and the size of the first sheet are the same based on the size of the first sheet and the size of the second sheet,
As the message, a message for selecting whether to fold at least one of the plurality of first sheets and the at least one second sheet is determined, and the message is notified to the notification unit.
The user's instruction includes a selection instruction for selecting whether to fold at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet.
When the reception unit accepts the selection instruction and the selection instruction indicates that at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is to be folded, the control unit is instructed by the user to the folding processing unit. Execute the folding process based on
When the reception unit accepts the selection instruction and the selection instruction indicates that neither the first sheet nor the second sheet is folded.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit does not cause the folding processing unit to perform the folding processing.

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