JP3172524B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that sequentially forms a series of images on special paper such as a front cover and a back cover and plain paper for saddle stitching. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional image forming apparatus, for example, a copying machine, a plurality of types of recording paper for transferring and recording an image are provided for each size difference, and these can be selectively fed in accordance with a document size and a copy magnification. ing. However, recently, not only the difference in the size of the recording paper, but also a means for storing special paper for use as a cover, and if necessary, special paper is selectively fed similarly to the recording paper (plain paper). An apparatus for recording on special paper has been provided (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-2232364). In such an apparatus, in a mode called a cover mode, special paper is usually fed only for the first original, or for both the first original and the last original, and plain paper is supplied for other originals. I do.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As in the device disclosed in JP-A 1-2232364,
Documents equipped with an automatic document feeder or the like can detect the size of a document by feeding the document, and compare the size of the document with the size of plain paper and the size of special paper to form an image. Can be controlled.

However, when an automatic document feeder or the like is not provided, or when a pressure plate copy is performed, the detection of the document size becomes impossible, so that when determining the size of special paper and plain paper, operability is troublesome, This causes a problem that miscopying occurs.

An object of the present invention is to prevent erroneous copying when performing copying in the cover mode.

[Means for solving the problem]

(1) The present invention provides an image forming means (110, 120); a plurality of paper supply means (131b-131e, 132b-132e, 133b-) for selectively supplying cover paper and saddle stitch paper to the image forming means.
133e, 134b to 134e); input means (2) for designating the number of images to be formed; mode setting means (28) for setting the front cover mode
a, 400); and a start instructing unit (1) for instructing the start of image formation; a size detecting unit (131b to 131e) for detecting a size of a sheet of the sheet supplying unit; While the front cover mode is set by the setting unit (28a, 400) and waiting for an instruction to start image formation (start key ON), the same size as the cover sheet of the sheet supply unit SPFC specified for the cover sheet feeding is set. The paper feeder PFC that has the saddle stitch paper is searched, and if it is found, it is determined to be the saddle stitch paper feed, and the alarm is turned on when the alarm is not turned off. A sheet setting unit (400) to be executed; and when an instruction to start image formation is issued by the start instruction unit, the front cover mode is set, and if the original is the first sheet, the image is supplied to the sheet supply unit SPFC. After the cover sheet has been sent to the image forming means, the saddle stitching sheet is supplied by the paper supply means PFC to form an image and the number of image formation is incremented, and in this process, the number of image formation is designated by the input means. Repeated until the number of sheets is reached, and in the case of the second and subsequent documents, the saddle stitching sheet is supplied by the sheet supply means PFC without sending out the cover sheet, an image is formed, and the number of image formation is incremented. Control means (400) for repeating the process until the number of image formation reaches the number specified by the input means.

(2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the paper supply setting unit (400) searches for a paper supply unit PFC having a saddle stitch sheet of the same size as the cover paper of the paper supply unit SPFC,
Otherwise, the image processing disable (copy impossible flag) is set; the control means (400) sets the image processing disable (copy impossible flag) when the start instruction means instructs the start of image formation. When the cover sheet is supplied to the image forming unit by the sheet supply unit SPFC, the sheet supply unit PF
The start of image formation for supplying the saddle stitching paper in C is suspended.

(3) A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a remaining amount detecting means (506,400) for detecting the remaining amount of paper in the paper supply means; the paper feeding setting means (28a, 400) is provided for feeding cover paper. When a search is made for a plurality of paper feeders that have saddle stitch paper of the same size as the cover paper of the specified paper feeder SPFC, the paper feeder PFC with the largest remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detector is sent to Determine the salary.

(4) The mode setting means (28a, 400) determines that the sheet supply means SPFC selected by key input is to feed cover sheets.

In addition, in order to facilitate understanding, in parentheses, reference numerals or corresponding items of corresponding elements of the embodiment shown in the drawings and described below,
Added for reference.

[Action]

(1) According to the present invention, while waiting for an instruction to start image formation, the sheet feeding setting unit (400) repeats the cover sheet forming mode setting process, and sets a saddle stitch sheet having the same size as the designated cover sheet. When there is no paper supply means, the alarm is turned on. When the operator replenishes the saddle stitch paper in response to this alarm, the paper feed setting means (400) turns off the alarm. Since this is performed while waiting for an image formation instruction (start key ON), the size of the cover paper is
The possibility that a saddle stitch sheet of a different size is fed is reduced, and the occurrence of miscopying is reduced.

Upon receiving an instruction to start image formation, the control means (400)
If the front cover mode is set and the original is the first sheet,
After sending the cover sheet to the image forming means in the paper supply means SPFC, form the image by supplying the saddle stitch paper in the paper supply means PFC, and increment the number of image formation,
This process is repeated until the number of images formed reaches the number specified by the input unit.
The saddle stitching sheet is supplied by the sheet supply unit PFC without sending out the cover sheet to form an image and the number of image formation is incremented, and this process is performed until the number of image formation reaches the number specified by the input unit. Since the repetition is repeated, the front cover is automatically and efficiently attached to each of the saddle stitch sheet sets for the number of sheets designated by the input means, thereby improving operability.

(2) According to the preferred embodiment of the above (2), the paper feed setting means (400) sets the paper supply means SPFC designated for the cover paper feed to the cover paper feed, and Search the paper feeder PFC that has saddle stitched paper of the same size, and if there is, determine that it is to feed saddle stitched paper. If not, turn on the alarm and disable image processing (copy impossible flag) Is set.

When there is an instruction to start image formation by the start instruction means, the control means (400) sets the front cover mode and, if the original is the first document, sets the sheet supply means SP.
After sending the cover sheet to the image forming means by FC, the saddle stitching sheet is supplied by the paper supply means PFC to form an image and the number of image formation is incremented, and the number of image formation is designated by the input means. When the original is the second or subsequent original, the saddle stitch paper is supplied by the paper supply means PFC without sending the cover paper to form an image, and the number of image formation is incremented. ,
This process is repeated until the number of image formed sheets reaches the number specified by the input means, so that the document size becomes unknown. In addition, the front cover is securely and automatically attached efficiently, so that operability is improved.

If there is an image processing disabled (copy disabled flag) set when the image forming start is instructed by the start instructing means, the control means (400) suspends the image forming, that is, does not start the image forming. Useless image forming operation when there is no saddle-stitched paper of the same size as above is prevented beforehand.

(3) In the preferred embodiment of the present invention (3), when there are a plurality of paper supply units having a saddle-stitched sheet of the same size as the cover sheet, the paper supply setting unit (400) determines that the remaining paper amount is the largest. Since the paper supply unit PFC is set to feed the saddle-stitched paper, the probability that the saddle-stitched paper becomes the paper end during the repeated feeding of the saddle-stitched paper is low, and image formation is performed reliably and efficiently.

(4) In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described in (4) above, since the paper supply means SPFC selected by key input is set to cover sheet feeding, a plurality of types of cover sheets having different sizes or colors are separately provided. The type of the cover sheet can be selected by the operator by inputting it in the sheet supply means.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment A copying machine embodying the present invention in one example is a copying machine 100, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 200, shown in FIG.
It is composed of an auxiliary paper feeding unit 600 and a sorter 300 shown in FIG.

First, referring to FIG. 2, the copier main body 100 includes an optical system 11.
0, an image forming system 120, a paper feeding system 130, a re-feeding system 140, and the like.

The optical system 110 includes a contact glass 111 and an exposure lamp 112, a first mirror 113a, and a second mirror 1 disposed below the contact glass 111.
13b, third mirror 113c, fourth mirror 113d, fifth mirror 113e,
Sixth mirror 113f, condenser lens 114 and dustproof glass 115
The image forming system 120 includes a photosensitive drum 121 and a charger 122, an eraser 123, and a developing device 12 disposed around the photosensitive drum 121.
4, pre-transfer charger 126, separation charger 127, separation claw 128,
It comprises a pre-cleaning charge removal charger (hereinafter referred to as PCC) 129 and a cleaner 12A, a transport belt 12B and a fixing device 12C arranged downstream of the photosensitive drum 121, and the like.

The paper feed system 130 includes a manual paper feed table 131a and a paper feed cassette 13.
1b, 131c, etc. When the auxiliary paper feeding unit 600 is connected as in the copying machine of the embodiment, it is knitted. In other words, the paper feed system 130 is
31a, paper feed cassettes 131b and 131c, and auxiliary paper feed unit 600
Of the recording paper trays 131d and 131e provided in the above, one recording paper held by the one selected by the operator is extracted. The recording paper trays 131d and 131e and the paper cassettes 131b and 131c
(However, the manual paper feed table 131a is shared with the paper feed cassette 131b.) The call rollers 132b, 132c, 132d, 132e,
Paper feed rollers 133b, 133c, 133d, 133e, and reverse rollers 134b, 13
4c, 134d, 134e, a registration roller 135, a guide mylar 136, various guides, an intermediate roller, and the like.

The refeeding system 140 includes a switching claw 141, a contact / separation roller 142, a reversing guide 143, a reversing roller 144, a gate claw 145, an intermediate tray 146, a leading edge roller 147, a paper stopper 148, a recall roller 149, a paper feeding roller 14A, It consists of a reverse rotation roller 14B and a discharge roller 14C.

 Hereinafter, the copying operation will be briefly described.

When a document is set on the contact glass 111 and a start instruction is issued, the paper feed clutch is turned on, and the call roller of the paper feed table selected at that time sends recording paper to the paper feed roller. Since the feed roller rotates in the opposite direction, double feed is prevented, and only the uppermost sheet of recording paper is
Sent to 5.

During this time, the optical system 110 scans the original on the contact glass 111, and reflects the reflected light of the original illuminated by the exposure lamp 112 on the first mirror 113a, the second mirror 113b, the third mirror 113c, the condenser lens 114, and the fourth mirror. 113d, fifth mirror 113e, sixth mirror
The light is guided to the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 121 via the dustproof glass 115 and the dustproof glass 115.

The photoconductor drum 121 is rotating clockwise in the figure,
The photosensitive surface is uniformly charged by the charging charger 122 before being reflected by the document reflected light from the optical system 110, and a latent image area is formed by static elimination by the eraser 123. Therefore, when the latent image area is irradiated with the reflected light of the document, photoelectric conduction is generated according to the intensity of the reflected light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 124 and becomes a toner image to which toner adheres according to the density of the document. This toner image is transferred to the recording paper fed from the registration roller 135, but the charge before the transfer is removed by the PTL 125 to facilitate the transfer.

The recording paper fed by the registration roller 135 is brought into close contact with the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 121 by the guide mylar 136, and the toner image is transferred directly above the transfer charger 126. Immediately after this, the recording paper is separated from the photosensitive surface by the separation charger 127. If the separation is insufficient at this time, the separation claw 12
8 forcibly separated.

After the recording paper is separated, the remaining toner on the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 121 is removed by the cleaner 12A, and the recording paper is sent to the fixing device 12C by the transport belt 12B. The fixing device 12C includes a fixing roller 12Ca and a pressure roller 12Cb, and heats the recording paper on which the toner image has been transferred while applying pressure (about 185).
C) to fix the toner image.

The recording paper on which the toner image has been fixed is transferred to the re-feeding system 140. The re-feeding system 140 causes the recording paper to be discharged by the action of the switching claw 141 except for the first-side copy in the duplex mode.
It leads to 4C, but leads to the reversing guide 143 for the first side copy in the duplex mode.

Thereafter, when the rear end of the recording paper passes through the switching claw 141, the switching claw 141 is switched, the contact / separation roller 142 comes into contact, and the recording paper is sent to the reversing roller 144.
Send to

There are four gate claws 145, and the recording paper is discharged to the intermediate tray 146 when the gate pawl corresponding to the recording paper size is opened. The recording paper dropped on the intermediate tray 146 is moved by the leading roller 147 until it comes into contact with the paper stopper 148, and the leading ends thereof are aligned and stocked.

The top sheet of the recording paper stocked in the intermediate tray 146 is sent to the registration roller 135 by the feed roller 14A and the reverse rotation roller 14B by the recall roller 149 at the time of starting copying on the second side in the duplex mode.

When detecting the toner concentration of the developing device 124,
Before forming the toner image on the document, contact glass 11
A toner image of the standard pattern located on the other side of 1 is formed, and its density is read by a P sensor PSN provided downstream of the developing device 124.

The ADF 200 is provided on the upper part of the copying machine main body 100 so as to be openable and closable, and supplies and discharges a document placed on the document table 160 by a feed roller 151, a belt 152, a discharge roller 153, and the like. That is, before the optical scanning of the copier main body 100 starts, the topmost one of the originals placed on the original table 160 is extracted and the contact glass 111 of the copier main body 100 is extracted.
After the optical scanning is completed, the original is discharged onto an upper discharge table.

Next, an outline of the mechanism of the sorter 300 will be described with reference to FIG. An entrance guide plate 313 is provided as a receiving port for the transfer paper discharged to the outside of the copying machine main body 100, and subsequently, an upper and lower transport belt 314 for transporting the transfer paper upward,
312, a switching claw 316, and switching guide plates 315, 317 are provided. Further, a paper discharge roller pair 318, 319 and a paper discharge tray 323 are provided in the upper path by the switching claw 316, and the lower path by the switching claw 316 is a plurality of sheets provided in parallel with the up and down direction (this embodiment). (20 sheets in this case) and the copy vertical feed transporters 321,322 along the insertion side of the bin.

The vertical feed transporters 321 and 322 are provided with a discharge roller and a deflection claw corresponding to each bin, and can transfer the transfer paper to an arbitrary bin. The drive motor 311 drives each roller in the sorter 300.

Next, the operation of sorter 300 will be described. First, the transfer paper discharged from the copying machine is inserted from the entrance guide plate 313, and is conveyed to the upper side by being sandwiched by the conveying belt pairs 312 and 314.

Now, assuming that the mode is a normal paper discharge mode (a mode in which paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 323), the switching claw 316 is lowered, and the transfer paper is moved along the switching guide plate 317 by the paper discharge roller pair 318,319. It is discharged to 323. Note that a discharge sensor 341 is provided to detect that the transfer paper has been discharged.

Further, assuming that there are a sort mode (a mode in which pages are sorted in order) and a stack mode (a mode in which pages are sorted), the switching claw 136 is raised and conveyed downward along the switching guide plate 316. Vertical feeder 32
The transfer paper is conveyed to an arbitrary bin suitable for the mode (sort or stack) by the action of the 1,322 discharge rollers and the deflection claw. In order to detect that the transfer paper has been discharged, a transmission type optical detection sensor using the LED 342 and the phototransistor 343 is connected to the upper bin (the first bin to the tenth bin).
On the side, a transmission type optical detection sensor using an LED 344 and a phototransistor 345 is provided in the lower bin (the 11th to 20th bins).

In the sort mode, the deflecting claw of the first bin of the vertical feed transporter 321 operates to discharge to the first bin 324, and the second copy of the first page operates by the deflecting claw of the second bin. The first page of the second page is discharged to the first bin and the second page is discharged to the second bin (the bin immediately below the first bin). In this way, in the sort mode, the bins are discharged in the order of pages, such as 1, 2, 3,...

In the stack mode, the deflecting claw of the vertical transporter 321 operates so that all copies of the first page are discharged to the first bin and the copies of the second page are discharged to the second bin. In this manner, in the stack mode, the same page copy is discharged to one bin, and the pages are sorted page by page.

The copier has a function of performing stapling processing on the sorted copies by the post-processing unit 332. After the transfer, the bundle of recording paper is staple unit 332 by the chuck unit 331 in an arbitrary bin.
The stapling process is performed by 332, and the process returns to the original position after the process is performed. The selection of each bin for stapling is performed by moving the staple processing unit 332 and the chuck unit 331 up and down.

By the way, the paper feed cassettes 131b and 131c and the recording paper trays 131d and 131e of this embodiment have sensors for detecting the recording paper size.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the sheet feeding cassette 131b, which will be described. Guide lot 501 for paper cassette 131b
A paper guide 502 is provided slidably in the longitudinal direction of the recording paper 500 along (the direction may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction).
A filler 503 is attached to the lower surface of the paper guide 502. Paper cassette 131b facing this filler 503
Size detection sensors 504 and 505 are provided on the bottom surface of the recording paper 503, respectively, so that the size of the recording paper is detected by detecting the position of the filler 503. Also, a paper guide
The 502 is provided with a paper sensor 506 for detecting the remaining amount of the recording paper 500 in the paper feed cassette 131b, and detects the remaining amount of the recording paper 500 stepwise.

The paper cassette 131c and the recording paper trays 131d, 131d
e has the same configuration, and can detect the size and remaining amount of recording paper.

FIG. 5 shows the operation and display board 150 of the copying machine.
The appearance of is shown. Hereinafter, each key on the operation & display board 150 will be described. Reference numeral 1 denotes a start key for instructing a copy start, 2 denotes a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copy sets, etc., 3 denotes a clear / stop key for clearing the set number and a copy stop instruction, and 4 denotes the number of copy sets. 5 is a copy number display for displaying the number of copies, 6 is a document number display for displaying the number of documents, and 7 is a paper size display for displaying the copy paper size set in each cassette or tray. 8 is a paper remaining amount display for displaying the remaining amount of copy paper set in each cassette or tray, and 9 is a mode for automatically selecting an optimum copy paper from original size information or the like (automatic paper Selection mode) is set, an automatic paper selection mode indicator, 10a is a paper selection key for selecting copy paper, 10b is a predetermined Cover paper selection key for selecting special paper when feeding special paper to paper, 11 is a paper size selection display that shows which copy paper size is selected, and 12 is preparing the copier Display, please wait display, 13 indicates that the copier is ready, can be copied display, 14 is a sort key to display the sort mode, 15 is the sort mode is set , A stack key for indicating the stack mode, a stack mode display for indicating that the stack mode is set, and a staple for indicating the staple binding mode. Key, 19
Is a staple mode display, which indicates that the staple binding mode is set, 20 is a DF key for instructing the ADF mode, 21 is a DF mode display, which indicates that the ADF mode is set, Reference numeral 22 denotes a single-sided double-sided mode key for instructing that one single-sided original is to be copied from two single-sided originals; 23, a single-sided double-sided mode display for displaying that the single-sided double-sided mode is set; A double-sided single-sided mode key that indicates that two single-sided copies are to be made from a double-sided original, 25 is a double-sided single-sided mode display that indicates that the double-sided single-sided mode is set, and 26 is one sheet from one double-sided original Key for instructing that two-sided copying be performed, 27 indicates a two-sided two-sided mode indicator that indicates that the two-sided duplexing mode is set, and 28a indicates that special paper is fed for a predetermined copy. Cover mode key for instructing the thing, 28b cover emissions key for instructing the discharge of the special paper, 28c is the last original key for indicating that it is a final document at the time of the pressure plate copy (not according to the ADF), 29 ₁ is a front cover mode indicator that indicates that the front cover mode for feeding special paper to the _first document is set, 29 ₂
Sorter bins to warn that the head document and the final document the front and back cover mode indicator for indicating that the front and back cover mode to feed is set special paper, the 30 ₁ that copy paper remaining in the sorter bins of the sorter 300 paper forget indicator, 30 ₂ jam indicator to warn the jamming in the sorter, 30 ₃ jam indicator to warn the jamming of the copying machine main body or the like, that 31 is not a copy paper selected A paper replenishment display that warns, 32 indicates that there is no staple (needle), a staple replenishment display, 33 a staple impossible indicator that warns that staples cannot be performed, 34a a staple limit that warns the staple limit, staple limit Display, 34b
Is a cover warning indicator for warning that plain paper corresponding to the specified special paper is not set.

The components described above are controlled by the electric control system shown in FIG. This electric control system includes a main control unit 400
And a storage unit 410, an optical control unit 420, an AC control unit 430, an operation control unit 440, an ADF control unit 450, a sorter control unit 460, and the like.

The main operation section 400 monitors various sensors 401 provided in each section of the main body 100 and loads loads 402 such as solenoids and motes of each section.
Control.

The optical control unit 420 controls a lens motor for driving the lens 114 and a scanner motor for performing optical scanning. The AC control unit 430 includes heaters for the exposure lamp 112 and the fixing unit 12C, a main motor, a developing motor, and a transport motor. And an AC load such as a paper feed motor.

The operation control unit 440 performs key operation reading and display control of the operation & display board 150.

The ADF control unit 450 controls the ADF 200, and the sorter control unit 460 controls the sorter 300.

1a and 1b show the control operation of the main control unit 400. As shown in FIG. 1a, when the power of the copier is turned on, the main control unit 400 sets the processing mode and the like to an initial state (step 1: hereinafter, in parentheses, the words of steps and subroutines are omitted, and Number only).
Next, the number of sheets to be set is input from the numeric keypad 2 in the number-of-sets input processing (2), one of the front cover, front-back cover, and no cover is selected in the cover mode input processing (3), and the cover paper selection key input processing is performed. Paper (special paper) is selected (4), and a cover mode check process is performed (5). Then, it is checked whether or not copying is impossible (6). If copying is possible, the process waits until the start key 1 is pressed (7). When the start key 1 is pressed, the document number counter is incremented, and the copy number counter and the sheet discharge number counter are cleared (8 to 8).
9).

Referring to FIG. 1b. Next, the presence or absence of a cover mode flag (front cover mode or front / back cover mode) set in the process of step 3 is checked (10), and if there is no cover mode flag, normal copying is performed. That is, the feeding (14), the copying operation (15), and the discharging operation (16) of the plain paper are repeated until the set number reaches the copy number (17 to 18), and when the set number matches the copy number, FIG. Return to step 2 shown in FIG. The copying operation realizes the copying process described with reference to FIG.

If there is a cover mode flag in step 10, first (1
Check if the original is the first original (11), and if it is the first original, feed the SPFC special paper set in the cover paper selection key input process in step 4 as the cover and discharge it. After that (12-13), plain paper of the same size as the special paper
Paper is fed from the tray (14), the first document is copied, and the paper is discharged (15-16). This operation is performed until the number of sets and the number of copies match (17-18). If the two match, the process returns to step 2.

Next, even in the cover mode, if it is not the first original, a normal copying process is performed (14 to 18).

The processing in each subroutine shown in FIG. 1a will be described below.

FIG. 1c shows the contents of the set number input process (2).
Here, when the ten key 2 is pressed on the operation & display board 150 (201), the pressed ten key data is stored in the storage unit 410.
(202). More RAM set
The set number display 4 is turned on according to the data, and the process returns (203).

FIG. 1d shows the contents of the cover mode input process (3). When the cover mode key 28a is pressed on the operation & display board 150 (301), the current mode is checked and the cover mode is not set, that is, if there is no front cover mode flag and front and back cover mode flag (302, 305),
The front cover mode is set (the front cover mode flag is set) (307). Similarly, if the front cover mode is already set (the front cover mode flag is present in step 302), the front cover mode flag is reset (303), and the front / back cover mode is set (front / back cover mode flag is set) (304).
If the front / back cover mode is already set (the front / back cover mode flag is present in step 305), the front / back cover mode flag is reset (306).

FIG. 1e shows the contents of the cover paper selection key input processing (4). First, the presence or absence of the cover mode flag is checked (40
1). There is a cover mode flag, operation & display board 150
When the cover paper selection key 10b is pressed down (402), the paper feed stage counter SPFC is incremented (403). If S
The value of PFC is the maximum number of paper feed stages (4; 131b, 131c, 131 in this embodiment).
d, 131e), return the SPFC to the first stage (404,
405). Then, if the selected paper feed source is special paper, it is set as the paper feed source, and if it is plain paper, the next paper feed source is checked (406, 407). In this embodiment, the trays 131d and 131e are allocated for storing special paper, and the cassettes 131b and 131c are allocated for storing plain paper. The plain paper in the cassettes 131b and 131c is plain paper of the same size. Therefore, in the cover paper selection key input processing, if there is a cover mode flag, special paper is selected from the two trays 131d and 131e.

FIG. 1f shows the contents of the cover mode check processing (5). Here, the presence or absence of the cover mode flag is checked (501), and if it is the cover mode, step 4 (1e
Check if there is a special paper of the same size as the special paper of the paper source selected by the paper source counter SPFC in (Fig. 50).
2). If there is plain paper of the same size, the cover warning indicator 34b on the operation & display board 150 is turned off (50
3), reset the copy impossible flag (504). if,
If there is no plain paper of the same size, the cover warning indicator 34b
Is turned on ("there is no corresponding paper") (505), and a copy impossible flag is set (506).

The presence or absence of a copy impossible flag set / reset in steps 504 and 506 is checked in step 6 (FIG. 1a), so that in the cover mode, the special paper of the SPFC stage selected by the cover paper selection key 10b is selected. Only when there is plain paper of the same size as that of, the copying can be performed. At this time, plain paper of the same size
As shown in Fig. 1b, when the special paper serving as the front cover corresponding to the first original is fed and ejected, it is automatically switched to the same size plain paper feed stage and fed. The operation is simple.

Further, if there is plain paper of the same size as the special paper in step 502, it is checked after step 504 whether there is another plain paper of the same size (507). And if there is no other plain paper of the same size,
The PFC is set in the PFC (508). If there is another plain paper of the same size, the number of stages of the same size plain paper having the largest remaining amount is set in the PFC. Here, as described above, since plain paper of the same size is stored in the cassettes 131b and 131c, the remaining amount of plain paper in the cassette 131b is compared with the remaining amount of plain paper in the cassette 131c (509). The one with the larger remaining amount is set to PFC with priority (510,511). In the present embodiment, the paper sensor 50 shown in FIG.
A comparison is made based on the signal of 6. As a result, in the cover mode, if there are a plurality of cassettes containing plain paper of the same size, all the cassettes are used almost equally, so that, for example, during copy execution, the paper is suddenly exhausted and the copy is interrupted. Less.

The remaining amount of plain paper may be detected by setting the number of plain papers stored in the cassette in advance and subtracting the number used for copying from the set number.

As described above, in the first embodiment, if there is no plain paper of the same size for the selected special paper, the cover is not formed.

[Second embodiment] The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the process (cover mode check process) shown in Fig. 1f of the above-described first embodiment. .

Cover mode check processing different from the first embodiment (5)
7 is shown in FIG. In this process, the presence or absence of the cover mode flag is checked (601), and if the cover mode is set, the special paper of the paper feed tray selected by the paper feed tray counter SPFC in step 4 (FIG. 1e) has the same size. It is checked whether or not there is plain paper (602). If there is plain paper of the same size, the cover warning indicator 34b on the operation & display board 150 is turned off (603). If there is no plain paper of the same size, the cover warning indicator 34b is turned on ("there is no corresponding paper") (604).

Further, if there is plain paper of the same size as the special paper in step 602, it is checked after step 603 whether there is another plain paper of the same size (605). And if there is no other plain paper of the same size,
The sheet is set in the PFC (606). If there is another plain paper of the same size, the number of stages of the same size plain paper having the largest remaining amount is set in the PFC. Here, since the same size plain paper is stored in the cassettes 131b and 131c as described above, the remaining amount of plain paper in the cassette 131b is compared with the remaining amount of plain paper in the cassette 131c (607). The one with the larger remaining amount is set to PFC with priority (608,609).

As described above, in the second embodiment, if there is no plain paper of the same size with respect to the selected special paper, the cover warning indicator 34b on the operation & display board 150 is turned on.
Let the operator know.

According to the second embodiment, when the plain paper of the same size does not exist for the selected special paper, the rejection flag is not set and the cover sheet formation is not canceled as shown in the first embodiment. Plain paper of different sizes can be folded into special paper by the operator's designation, such as folding A3 size drawings on A4 size covers.

〔The invention's effect〕

(1) According to the present invention, while waiting for an instruction to start image formation by the start instruction unit, the sheet supply setting unit (28a,
400) repeats the cover formation mode setting process, and turns on the alarm when there is no sheet supply means having a saddle stitch sheet of the same size as the designated cover sheet. When the operator replenishes the saddle stitch paper in response to this alarm, the paper feed setting means (400) turns off the alarm. Since this is performed while waiting for an instruction to start image formation, the possibility that a saddle stitch sheet different in size from the cover sheet is fed is reduced, and the occurrence of miscopying is reduced.

Upon receiving an instruction to start image formation, the control means (400)
If the front cover mode is set and the original is the first sheet,
After sending the cover sheet to the image forming means in the paper supply means SPFC, form the image by supplying the saddle stitch paper in the paper supply means PFC, and increment the number of image formation,
This process is repeated until the number of images formed reaches the number specified by the input unit.
The saddle stitching sheet is supplied by the sheet supply unit PFC without sending out the cover sheet to form an image and the number of image formation is incremented, and this process is performed until the number of image formation reaches the number specified by the input unit. Since the repetition is repeated, the front cover is automatically and efficiently attached to each of the saddle stitch sheet sets for the number of sheets designated by the input means, thereby improving operability.

(2) According to a preferred embodiment, a paper feed setting means (400)
Sets the paper supply means SPFC designated for cover sheet feeding to cover sheet feeding, searches for a sheet feeding means PFC having a staple sheet of the same size as the cover sheet, and if there is, finds it. Is set to feed saddle stitching paper. If there is no paper, the alarm is turned on and image processing is disabled (copy disabled flag).
Is set.

When there is an instruction to start image formation by the start instruction means, the control means (400) sets the front cover mode and, if the original is the first document, sets the sheet supply means SP.
After sending the cover sheet to the image forming means by FC, the saddle stitching sheet is supplied by the paper supply means PFC to form an image and the number of image formation is incremented, and the number of image formation is designated by the input means. When the original is the second or subsequent original, the saddle stitch paper is supplied by the paper supply means PFC without sending the cover paper to form an image, and the number of image formation is incremented. ,
This process is repeated until the number of image formed sheets reaches the number specified by the input means, so that the document size becomes unknown. In addition, the front cover is securely and automatically attached efficiently, so that operability is improved.

If there is an image processing disabled (copy disabled flag) set when an instruction to start image formation is issued, the control means (40
In (0), the image formation is suspended, that is, the image formation is not started, so that the unnecessary start of the image forming operation when there is no saddle-stitched sheet of the same size as the cover sheet is prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1a, FIG. 1b, FIG. 1c, FIG. 1d, FIG. 1e and FIG. 1f are flowcharts showing the operation of the main control unit 400 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main body 100 of the copying machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention and an automatic document feeder (ADF) mounted thereon. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a sorter 300 installed on the transfer paper discharge side of the copying machine main body 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the copier main body 100 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet feeding cassette 131b having a recording sheet size detecting unit. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the appearance of the operation & display board 150 provided on the upper surface of the copying machine main body 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electric control system of the copying machine shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of the control operation of the main control unit of the second embodiment. This flowchart is
The content of the cover mode check processing executed in the second embodiment in place of the cover mode check processing shown in FIG. 1f of the first embodiment is shown. 10b: Cover paper selection key, 28a: Cover mode key 100: Copier body, 110: Optical system 120: Imaging system, 130: Paper feed system 131a: Manual feed table, 131b, 131c: Paper feed cassette 131d, 131e: Recording paper tray, 132b-132e: Recall roller 133b-133e: Feed roller, 134b-134e: Reverse roller 140: Refeeding system, 150: Operation & display board 200: Automatic document feeder, 300: Sorter 400 : Main control unit, 410: Storage unit 420: Optical control unit, 430: AC control unit 440: Operation control unit, 450: ADF control unit 460: Sorter control unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/00 G03G 21/00 B41J 13/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] An image forming means; a plurality of paper supply means for selectively supplying a cover sheet and a saddle stitch sheet to the image forming means; an input means for designating the number of images to be formed; a mode for setting a front cover mode An image forming apparatus comprising: setting means; and start instructing means for instructing start of image formation; a size detecting means for detecting a sheet size of the sheet supplying means; an image in which a front cover mode is set by the mode setting means; While waiting for an instruction to start forming, search for a paper supply unit PFC that has a staple sheet of the same size as the cover paper of the paper supply unit SPFC specified for the cover paper supply, and if there is, search for it. Paper feed setting means for repeatedly executing a routine of cover forming mode setting processing for turning on the alarm when the alarm is not turned off when the saddle stitching sheet is not turned off; When there is an instruction to start image formation by the instruction means, if the front cover mode is set and the original is the first sheet, the cover sheet is sent out by the paper supply means SPFC and then the image forming means is sent by the paper supply means PFC. The image is formed by supplying the saddle stitching paper to the image forming apparatus, and the number of image forming sheets is incremented.This process is repeated until the number of image forming sheets reaches the number specified by the input means. The paper supply means PFC without sending out the cover paper
Control means for supplying a saddle stitch sheet to the image forming means to form an image and incrementing the number of image formed sheets, and repeating this process until the number of image formed sheets reaches the number specified by the input means. An image forming apparatus comprising: 2. The paper supply means PF having a saddle stitch sheet having the same size as the cover paper of the paper supply means SPFC.
When C is searched, if it is not set, image processing disable is set; if there is an image processing disable setting when an instruction to start image formation is given by the start instruction means, the control means 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the start of image formation in which the cover sheet is supplied to the image forming unit by the paper supply unit PFC after the cover paper is sent out by the SPFC is suspended; 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a remaining amount detecting unit configured to detect a remaining amount of the sheet in the sheet supplying unit; 3. When a plurality of sheet supply units having a saddle stitch sheet having a size are searched, the sheet supply unit PFC whose remaining amount detected by the remaining amount detection unit is the largest is determined to be the saddle stitch sheet feeding; The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mode setting means sets the paper supply means SPFC selected by key input to cover sheet feeding.