JP3187523B2 - Image forming control method for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image type of the image forming apparatus
The present invention relates to a composition control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a copy control method of a copying apparatus provided with a sorter stapler, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
Some are disclosed in JP-A-26663 and JP-A-62-196676. The configuration of a specific example of a conventional copying apparatus will now be described with reference to FIGS. First, the overall configuration of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. A recycle automatic document feeder 2 is provided above the copying machine body 1. A reversing unit 3 and a sorter stapler 4 are disposed on the side of the copying machine body 1. A light source unit 5 having a flash exposure lamp and a power supply is provided in the copying machine body 1.

First, transfer paper 17 for one-sided copying is used.
Will be described. By irradiating the original 7 placed on the contact glass 6 from the light source unit 5, the reflected light is reflected by the first mirror 8, the through lens 9, and the second mirror 1.
0, the surface of the photoconductor 11 is exposed. Note that a regulating member 12 is provided in order to prevent an unnecessary portion of the photoconductor 11 from being exposed. Since the photoconductor 11 is charged by the charging charger 13 in advance, an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposure. The non-image area of the electrostatic latent image is neutralized by the eraser 14 and visualized by the developing unit 15. This visible image is transferred to a transfer paper 17 by a transfer charger 16.
Is transferred to the photoconductor 11 by the separation charger 18.
Separated from The transfer paper 17 includes a first paper feed tray 19,
Paper is fed from either the second paper feed tray 20 or the third paper feed tray 21, and is synchronized with a visible image on the surface of the photoconductor 11 by a registration roller 22a. In addition, a large-capacity tray (not shown) can be added to the apparatus, and if added, it is located between the copying machine main body 1 and the reversing unit 3. Then, the transferred and separated transfer paper 17 is
The toner image is fixed by the fixing roller 22c through the transport belt 22b. At a position close to the fixing roller 22c, a separating claw 23 is provided to prevent the transfer paper 17 from winding around the fixing roller 22c.

[0004] The behavior of the transfer paper 17 thereafter differs depending on the copying mode. In the case of the mode of discharging to the main body tray 24, the double-sided switching claw 25 is located at a position different from that shown in the figure, and the traveling direction is determined so that the transfer paper 17 does not advance to the double-sided tray 26. Further, the position at which the paper discharge pawl 27 advances to the main body tray 24 is switched, and the transfer paper 17 is discharged. At this time, the copy surface of the transfer paper 17 is turned down by the turn section 28, and the transfer paper 17 is arranged in page order from below. On the other hand, in the case of the mode in which the sheet is discharged to the sorter stipple 4, the paper discharge claw 27 is switched so as not to advance to the turn portion 28, and the direction of the insertion opening Is discharged to The transport path of the transfer paper 17 when performing one-sided copying has been described above.

[0005] Next, a description will be given of a path for performing double-sided copying. Transfer paper 17 copied on the front side as described above
Is stored in the double-sided tray 26 by the double-sided switching claw 25. Therefore, the pages are arranged in page order from the bottom with the copy surface on the top side up. The transfer paper 17 placed in the double-sided tray 26 is transferred to the lower transfer paper 1 by a double-sided paper feed belt 29.
7, travels along the same transport path as the transfer paper 17 fed from the paper feed trays 19, 20, 21, is copied through the registration roller 22 a on the back side, and is discharged to the main body tray 24 or the sorter stipple 4. You.

Next, a recycle automatic document feeder (RD)
F) The configuration of 2 will be described. This RDF2 contains A
There are a DF mode and an RDF mode. ADF mode is
In this mode, a predetermined number of copies are made for one original 7 and this is repeated for all the originals 7. The RDF mode is a mode in which a single copy is obtained by performing one copy on all the originals 7 and this is repeated for a preset number of copies.

First, the movement of a so-called one-sided document having information on the front side alone will be described. The movement of manuscript 7 is ADF
The mode and the RDF mode are as described below. The originals 7 stacked on the original tray 30 are fed by the feed belt 3
1, the original is fed from the lower original 7 and sent to a predetermined position of the contact glass 6 through the intermediate conveyance path 32;
Exposure is performed by a predetermined number. The exposed document 7 is sent to the left by the belt carrier 33, is picked up from the surface of the contact glass 6 by the branch claw 34, and
5. The branch pawl 36 is fed into the guide space 37.

When the trailing end of the document 7 passes through the guide claw 38, the transport drive source thus far starts to rotate in the reverse direction, and the document 7 is fed into the transport path 39 with the trailing edge up to now being the leading end.
The document is stacked again on the document tray 30 from the discharge port 40. Thus, the exposed document 7 is reset on the document tray 30 in the same direction as before the exposure. At this time, the original 7 before the exposure and the original 7 after the exposure are clearly separated by the partition 41 provided to be selectively movable forward and backward, so that it is possible to know that one exposure is completed. it can.

Next, the movement of a so-called double-sided document having information on both the front and back sides will be described. When a two-sided original is processed in the ADF mode, the originals stacked on the original tray 30 are fed from the lower original 7 by the feed belt 31 as described above, and are fed through the intermediate conveyance path 32 to the contact glass 6. Sent in. When a predetermined number of exposures are completed,
The document 7 is sent to the left by the belt conveyor 33, and passes through the branch claw 34, the conveyance path 35, and the branch claw 36 to guide space 3
It is sent to 7.

When the rear end of the original 7 has passed through the guide claw 38, the conventional transport drive source starts reverse rotation, and the original 7 is fed backward with the previous rear end as the front end. At this time, manuscript 7
Is advanced to the intermediate conveyance path 32 by the action of the branch claw 42,
Is again fed into the contact glass 6 with its front and back reversed. When a predetermined number of exposures on the back side are completed, the sheet is again sent to the left by the belt conveyor 33, and is re-set on the document tray 30 from the discharge port via the branch claw 34, the conveyance path 35, the branch claw 36 and the conveyance path 43. Is done.

When a two-sided original is processed in the RDF mode, the originals 7 stacked on the original tray 30 are fed from the lower original 7 by the feed belt 31 as described above.
It is sent to the contact glass 6 through the intermediate conveyance path 32. After performing one exposure, the original 7 is sent leftward by the belt conveyor 33, and the branch claws 34, the conveyance path 35,
The document is set again on the document tray 30 from the discharge port 40 via the branching claw 36 and the conveyance path 43. At this time, the originals 7 are stacked in a state where the front and back sides are reversed from before the exposure. Next, the inverted document 7 is conveyed to the exposure position along the same route as described above, and after the back surface is exposed once, the document 7 is reset on the document tray 30 along the same route as described above.

[0012] By the above movement, one copy is completed on both sides. That is, the front and back copies of the original 7 are completed by two cycles. After two circulations, the re-stacked original 7 is set in the same direction as the original set on the original tray 30.
Such a set of two circulations is set as one set, and a preset number of copies is repeatedly generated.

By the operation as described above, the ADF mode in which a plurality of copies are simultaneously made from one original 7 and the original 7 is repeatedly circulated while making one copy from one original 7 so that the page order is changed. And RDF mode in which a plurality of copies are made. The ADF mode is suitable for a system in which a sorter or a sorter stipple is connected as a post-processing device, and the RDF mode is a finisher (1
It is suitable for a system in which a unit for performing binding for each set is connected.

Next, the configurations of the sorter stapler 4 and the reversing unit 3 will be described. The sorter stipple 4 is a sorter to which a stipple mechanism is added, and is capable of a sort mode stack mode, a sort stipple mode for staple each, and a stack stipple mode. The transfer paper 1 discharged from the copying machine body 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes a sheet reversing unit for reversing the front and back of the transfer sheet 17 as needed by the deflecting claw 44 of the reversing unit 3 and aligning the sheet at the front side by the skewed portion 45 to adjust the sheet discharge to the staple position. It is sent to the insertion slot 47. The switching claw 48 is switched depending on whether the transfer paper 17 is sent to the first sorter stipple or further connected to the second and subsequent sorter stipples. Since the operation after the switching section is the same for each sorter stipple, the operation will be described below with reference to the first sorter stipple.

The transfer paper 17 sent to the distributing section 49 is stored in the bins by deflection claws 51 provided one by one in each bin 50. FIG. 8 shows the mechanism of the deflection claw 51. In this case, since the bin solenoid 52 is normally OFF, the deflection claw 51 is at the position indicated by the solid line and does not hinder the sheet conveyance. The paper advances and is discharged into the bin 50. The transfer paper 17 discharged into the bin 50 is shown in FIG.
Are aligned by a jogger unit 54 as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 9, the side fence 55 on the back side moves to the size position of each transfer sheet 17 in response to a size signal from the copying machine main body 1, and is transferred to each bin 50.
Each time 7 is discharged, the transfer paper 17 is pressed and aligned by the jogger ball 56 on the near side. The staple unit 57 is normally stopped at the home position shown in the figure. However, when the paper discharge to the bin 50 is completed, the staple unit 57 descends to the position of each bin 50, and executes the staple operation. Then, when the staple operation of the final bin 50 is completed,
The stipple 57 rises and stops at the home position again.

Next, the configuration of the control unit 58 of the copying apparatus is shown in FIG.
Description will be made based on 0. The control unit 58 includes a microprocessor 59 for executing a control program of the copying machine,
It comprises an M60, a RAM 61, a nonvolatile RAM 62, an input / output port 63, a serial communication control unit 64, and a bus 65 connecting these components. In this case, the input / output port 63 is a motor in the copying machine,
Output loads such as solenoids and clutches, and input signals such as sensors are connected. The serial communication control unit 64 prepares a plurality of sets and executes transmission and reception of signals such as ADF, sorter, stipple, sheet feed control, and operation display control.

[0018]

In the image forming apparatus to which the sorter stapler 4 is connected, if the operator mistakenly forgets to set the staple mode, an image forming control method capable of recovering the work, The system does not include a system for effectively notifying the recovery timing of the work, and therefore, there is a problem that the operator's restraint time due to the interruption of the work increases and the work efficiency cannot be improved.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a sorter stapler is provided, and the transfer paper sent from the image forming apparatus main body is sorted into bins one by one using the sorter stippler. The image form of the image forming apparatus that repeats the number of originals and sequentially binds completed transfer papers according to a preset staple mode.
In the image forming control method, when the transfer paper distributed to the bin reaches the upper limit of the stipple during the image forming operation in the sort mode in which the staple is not set, the image forming operation is interrupted so that the manual staple can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a sorter stipple is provided, and an image is formed by using the sorter stipple.
The transfer paper sent from the forming apparatus main body is sorted into bins one by one, and this is repeated by the number of originals, and the image of the image forming apparatus that sequentially binds the completed transfer papers according to a preset staple mode is imaged. in forming control method, when the transfer paper sorted into bins in the image forming dynamic <br/> Sakuchu the sort mode is not set staple has reached the stapling limit, interrupts the image forming operation, the time determined in advance With the passage of time, the image forming operation is automatically restarted,
It was made to sort into the same bin continuously.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first or second aspect is provided.
In the invention described above, the interruption of the image forming operation when the transfer paper distributed to the bin reaches the upper limit of the staple is notified to the operator by displaying a message on the operation display unit or by sound.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the transfer paper distributed to the bin reaches the upper limit of the stipple, the image forming operation is interrupted and the transfer paper is stopped within a predetermined time. When the manual stapling is executed, the image forming operation is not automatically restarted, and the image forming operation is restarted by changing the discharge bin using the print key.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, when the number of remaining bins is less than the set number,
The discharge bins were successively discharged without changing the discharge bins.

According to the invention of claim 6, in claim 4 or 5,
In the described invention, the operation of the print key for resuming the image forming operation is enabled even during the execution of the manual stapling.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect,
In the described invention, the execution of the manual stipple is
It was also used for resuming the image forming operation.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second or fourth aspect of the present invention, even in the image formation in the sort mode in which no stipple is set, prior to the start of image formation , the sorter stipple with a stipple is prioritized. Was automatically selected.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, or fourth aspect of the present invention, if there is no staple, the image forming operation is performed even when the transfer paper distributed to the bin reaches the upper limit of the staple. It was not interrupted.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the first, second and third aspects of the present invention are provided.
Alternatively, in the invention described in Item 4, in a case where transfer papers distributed to bins have different sizes, the image forming operation is not interrupted even when the staple upper limit is reached.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention,
In the invention according to the fourth aspect, when transfer paper having a size larger than the currently used transfer paper size is discharged to a bin of the currently used sorter stipler that is not currently used, the staple upper limit is reached. Image shape
The operation is not interrupted.

[0030]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the operator forgets to set the staple mode by mistake, the work can be recovered.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image forming operation can be restarted after a predetermined time without restraining the operator even at the recovery timing.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming control method for notifying the operator of the timing of work recovery.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the bins of the sorter stapler can be used more effectively, and the interruption of the operation due to the convenience of the apparatus can be reduced.

According to the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the restraining time of the operator and improve the working efficiency.

In the invention according to claim 8, claim 1 is
It becomes possible to make the basic function of the described invention act more effectively.

In the invention according to claims 9 to 11,
It is possible to provide an image forming control method that avoids as much as possible "interrupt the image forming operation even if stipple is unnecessary".

[0037]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the overall configuration of the copying apparatus has been described in the related art (FIGS. 7 to 10), the description is omitted here.
The same reference numerals are used for the same parts.

Before describing the copy control method of the present apparatus,
The configuration of the operator panel provided on the front of the copying machine main body 1 as the image forming apparatus main body will be described. First, in FIG. 5, an operation display device 66 is provided at the center. Above the operation display device 66, a mode confirmation key 67 for confirming each mode selected on the operation display device 66 in a list display, and the operation display device 66
Screen switching key 68 for switching the display mode of the display according to the skill level
And a call key 69 for calling a user program
And a registration key 70 for registering a user program;
A guidance key 71 for displaying guidance on the operation display device 66 is provided. In addition, the operation display device 6
6, a numeric keypad 72 for setting the number of copies, a clear / copy stop key 73, an enter key 74 for confirming the zoom magnification and the number of sheets for the binding margin, and an interrupt key for interrupt copy switching. 75, a mode clear key 76 also serving as a preheating key and display, and a print key 77 are provided. Further, on the left side of the operation display device 66,
Display contrast volume 78 of the operation display device 66
Is provided.

Next, the configuration of the operation display device 66 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, a message display 78 is provided on the upper right side, and is a place where information about the machine is displayed, for example, "You can copy."
A message such as "Please replenish paper" is displayed. A tray selection key 79 having a paper size and remaining amount display area is provided below the message display 78.
Are provided, in order from the left, an upper tray, a middle tray,
The lower tray and the large capacity tray are shown. Below the tray selection key 79, there is provided a density adjustment key 80 which is pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. Further, at the right end, a set display area 81, an automatic paper selection key 82 for automatically selecting a tray containing paper of the same size as the original when this key is selected, and An automatic density key 83 is provided for pressing the copy density automatically.

In the area on the left side of the center of the operation display device 66, various keys described below are provided. 1x key 84, enlarge key 85, and reduce key 8
The button 6 is pressed to specify the same-size copy or reduction / enlargement of the standard size. The zoom key 87 is 64-142
Press to specify any magnification between%. The paper specification scaling key 88 is used when it is desired to automatically reduce or enlarge an image of a document according to the specified paper size. The double-sided key 89 is selected when a single-sided original is set to both sides, when a double-sided original is set to both sides, and when a double-sided original is set to one side. In the duplex mode message area 90, when the duplex mode function is selected, the copy creation status is indicated by a picture. The binding margin selection key 91 can be set to either the left or right side if the binding margin is 21 mm or less when a binding margin is required. The binding margin message area 92 displays a binding margin state when the function of the binding margin mode is selected. Sort function selection key 93
Can select a sort mode, a stack mode, or a staple mode. Then, the operator sets a necessary processing mode in the operation unit, and inputs a copy start instruction using the print key 77, so that the copying apparatus executes the copy process in accordance with the processing mode set in the operation unit. Can be.

Therefore, a case in which the copy operation is performed in the following various modes using the sorter stapler 4 will now be described.

[Sort Mode] In the copy operation in the sort mode, copies of the number of copies are created from one document and sorted one by one into bins of the sorter stapler 4 to copy the number of copies from one document bundle. Minute copies can be made. Therefore, in this case, the number of empty bins cannot be increased.

[Stack Mode] In the stack mode, the set number of copy sheets are discharged to the same bin.
Mode. Therefore, the bin moves when the original is replaced.
You. Also, the number of paper stacks in one bin is limited.
Therefore, the bin moves even if the maximum value is exceeded. This
In other words, if the number exceeds the maximum number of stacks
Is to use multiple bins even for a single document
Become.

[Stipple Mode] Stipple can be performed in either the sort mode or the stack mode.
Generally, the utility value is higher when used in combination with the sort mode.

Here, the manual stapling will be described. This is an auto stipple in which the staple mode is selected by the sort function selection key 93 in FIG. 6 before the copy is started, and the stipple operation is automatically executed when the copy is completed. Means that the stapling operation is executed when the operator presses a key at the end of copying or at the time of interruption.

Next, a copy control method according to a main part of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this embodiment, various means described below are employed as a copy control method for a copy apparatus provided with the sorter stapler 4.

First, the transfer paper 17 distributed to the bin 50 during the copy operation in the sort mode in which the staple is not set is set.
When 動作 reaches the upper limit of stapling, the copying operation is interrupted to perform manual stapling.

Next, the transfer paper 17 distributed to the bin 50 during the copy operation in the sort mode in which no stipple is set.
Stops copying when the staple limit is reached,
When a predetermined time has elapsed, the copying operation is automatically restarted and the bins are successively assigned to the same bin (the invention of claim 2).

According to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the interruption of the copying operation when the transfer paper distributed to the bin reaches the upper limit of the staple is notified to the operator by displaying a message on the operation display unit or by voice. [Invention of claim 3].

In the first aspect of the present invention, when the transfer paper 17 distributed to the bin 50 reaches the upper limit of the staple, the copying operation is interrupted, and the manual staple is executed within a predetermined time. In this case, the copying operation is not automatically restarted, but the output bin is changed by the print key 77 to restart the copying operation.
Invention].

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the number of remaining bins is less than the set number, discharge is continuously performed to the same bin without changing the discharge bin [the invention of claim 5].

In the invention according to claim 4 or 5, the operation of the print key 77 for resuming the copying operation is effective even during the execution of manual stapling [the invention of claim 6].

In the invention according to claim 4 or 5, the execution of the manual stapling is also used for resuming the copying operation.

In the invention according to claim 1, 2, or 4,
Even in the copy in the sort mode in which no staple is set, prior to the start of the copy, the sorter stipple 4 having the staples is automatically selected with priority [the invention of claim 8].

In the invention according to claim 1, 2, or 4,
When there are no staples, the copying operation is not interrupted even when the transfer paper distributed to the bin 50 reaches the upper limit of the staples.

In the invention according to claim 1, 2, or 4,
In the case where different sizes are mixed in the transfer paper distributed to the bin 50, the copying operation is not interrupted even when the upper limit of the staple is reached (the invention of claim 10).

In the invention according to claim 1, 2, or 4,
If transfer paper of a size larger than the currently used transfer paper is discharged to a bin of the sorter stipple 4 currently used that is not being used, the copying operation is performed even when the staple upper limit is reached. It was not interrupted [the invention of claim 11].

Accordingly, a specific example will be described below on the assumption that the staple upper limit, that is, the number of sheets that can be stapled at one time by the staple unit 57 (see FIG. 1) is 50.

Sixty originals are stacked on the original tray 30, and the print key 77 in FIG. 5 is pressed in the mode shown in FIG. Thus, in FIG. 1, the pressing is identified in (A), and the process branches to (A). In (a), a document is fed from the document tray 30, conveyed to the position above the contact glass 6, and counted by a document counter for counting the number of fed documents.
Is added. Next, in (c), the printing operation is executed and the bins are sorted to the bins 50 of the sorter stipple 4.
(D) forms a loop in which the operation of (c) is repeated for the set number of times. When the printing operation for the number of copies is completed,
Then, it is determined whether there is a next original or not. If there is an original, the process branches to (f).

In (f), the original counter counted in (b) is the upper limit of the stipple (assuming 50 sheets).
Is reached, and if not, the process branches to (A) to repeat the processing for the next original. When the staple upper limit is reached, the printing operation described below is interrupted,
The process proceeds to a message indicating that manual stapling is possible (this operation corresponds to the first aspect of the present invention).

To interrupt the printing operation, (g) and (h)
Each condition shown in (g) can be added. In (g), if the sorter stapler 4 that is currently sorting the paper (transfer paper 17) happens to be the staple needle end,
Manual stapling cannot be performed even if the printing operation is interrupted. Therefore, in this case, the process branches to (a) and repeats the processing for the next document without interrupting the printing operation (this operation corresponds to the invention of claim 9).

In this case, although not in the flow of FIG. 1, even in the case of the sort mode in which the stipple is not set, the degree of freedom of operation can be increased by preferentially selecting the stipple with the stipple needle. [This operation corresponds to the invention of claim 8].

In step (h), it is determined whether or not the sheets distributed to the bin 50 are of the same size. If the sheets of different sizes are mixed, the side fence 55 and the jogger unit 54 allow all the sheets to be Cannot be aligned, and manual stapling cannot be performed even when the printing operation is interrupted. Therefore, when irregular sizes are mixed in this way, without interrupting the printing operation,
The process branches to (a) and repeats the processing for the next document [this operation corresponds to the tenth aspect of the present invention].

As an example in which sheets of irregular sizes are mixed,
For example, 10 originals are processed in the sort mode according to the first paper size, and subsequently, 40 originals are processed in the second paper size different from the first paper size without changing the mode. Occurs when processed. That is, when the sheets distributed to the bin 50 reach the upper limit of the stipple, the bin 50 has ten first paper sizes,
This means that 40 paper sizes are mixed.

(G) is a case in which different sizes in the same sorter stapler 4 are mixed, instead of different sizes in the same bin as described in (h). That is, there is a case where the paper discharged to the same sorter stipple 4 remains before the start of the current printing operation.
In this case, if the current paper size is larger than or the same as the remaining paper size, the paper used this time can be aligned by the side fence 55 and the jogger unit 54, but the current paper size remains. If the paper size is smaller than the size of the paper, the remaining paper interferes and cannot be aligned. As a result, manual stapling cannot be performed even when the printing operation is interrupted. In such a case, the printing operation is not interrupted if the paper size is larger than the remaining paper size or the same size. The process is branched to (a) to repeat the processing for the next original [this operation corresponds to the invention of claim 11].

Next, in (g), the operator is informed that manual stapling is possible, and the operation of the operator is awaited. FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation, and the operation display device 66 shown in FIG. 6 becomes the display state of FIG. In this case, as means for notifying the operator that manual stapling is possible, a message display 78 in FIG.
However, in addition to this, it is possible to know even if the operator is temporarily away from the copying apparatus by using, for example, a voice (not shown).
Of the invention).

In the case of (K), in addition to the above-described operation,
Timekeeping starts. This is because the predetermined time is monitored in the next (c), and if there is no operation of manual stapling by the operator, the operation branches to (a) and the copying operation is automatically restarted. This corresponds to the invention of claim 2).

It is more effective if the time until the resuming of the copying operation can be set according to the user of the copying apparatus and the mode of use. Although not specifically shown here, for example, it can be achieved by inputting with the ten key 72 and writing it into the nonvolatile RAM 62.

Next, when the operator depresses the manual stapling key within a predetermined time, the operator can be identified by (S) and branched to (S) to execute the stapling operation. The manual stip key 94 is shown in FIG.
Shown inside.

When the stapling operation starts, it is determined in (S) whether the remaining number of bins is sufficient for the set number. If it is sufficient, the user moves to a new bin 50 in (S), waits for a print key to be pressed to resume the printing operation in (T), and starts processing for the remaining originals again from (A). , Which corresponds to the invention of claim 4).

On the other hand, if the number of remaining bins is not the same as the number of remaining bins in (c), the transfer paper 17 of the remaining original 7 is superimposed on the transfer paper 17 on which manual stapling has been performed without moving to a new bin 50. [This operation corresponds to the invention of claim 5].

As described above, the stapling operation normally moves downward from the home position shown in FIG. 7 to the position of each bin 50, and it takes time to execute the stapling operation for each bin to which the transfer paper 17 is distributed. It takes. For this reason,
If the operations of (se), (so), (ta), and subsequent (a) in FIG. 1 are executed without waiting for the completion of the stapling operation of (s), the work efficiency of the operator is improved. Also, the print key press recognition in (T) is deleted and (S)
If the manual stipple execution of the operator is also used for resuming the copying operation, the work efficiency is further improved [this operation corresponds to claims 6 and 7].

On the other hand, if it is determined in (e) that there is no remaining original 7, the process branches to (h).

In this case (h), the document counter indicates 2 or more,
In (T), the staple upper limit or less is identified, and if both conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to a manual staple permitted message described below.

This manual stapling is possible by (te)
(G) Each condition shown in (na) can be added,
Since these are the same as those described above in (G), (K), and (G), description thereof is omitted here.

Further, through the above-mentioned conditions, in (d), the operator is informed that manual stapling is possible, and the operation of the operator is awaited. The operation display device 66 in FIG. 4 is an example for explaining this. In the figure,
The manual stipple key 95 is displayed only when it is in the operable state, and the manual stipple operation is executed by pressing this key.

In (d), in addition to the above operation, a clock start is performed. This is for monitoring a predetermined time in FIG. 2 to be described later, and when there is no manual stapling execution operation by the operator, branching to (T) and terminating the manual stippling enabled state. is there.

It is more effective if the time until the manual stapling is completed can be arbitrarily set according to the user of the copying apparatus and the mode of use.
Here, although not specifically shown, for example, it can be achieved by inputting with the ten key 72 and writing it into the nonvolatile RAM 62. Further, this time setting may be independent of or common to the time setting according to the fifth aspect of the present invention.

Next, the flow of FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 1 shows a flow during a printing operation or a suspension, while FIG. 2 shows a flow during a standby.

In (S), as a result of the most recently completed printing operation, it is determined whether or not manual stapling is possible, and this flow functions only when it is possible. When the operator removes the transfer paper 17 allocated to the bin 50, the transfer paper 17 is identified by (N), branched to (T), and ended in a state where manual stapling is possible.

If the operator presses the print key 77 for the next operation, the user presses the key (T), and if the operator presses the sort key 93 shown in FIG. The mode clear key 76 in FIG. 5 is used to branch to (T), respectively, to end the manual stapling enabled state.

On the other hand, when the operator presses the manual staple key, the manual staple is executed, and the state in which the manual staple is enabled is ended.

Further, when the state where manual stipple is possible ends under the above conditions, the manual stipple key 95 in FIG. 4 is erased. As described above, only when the manual staple key is available, the key and the display are performed, so that the operability of the operator can be improved.

[0085]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorter stipple, and an image is formed using the sorter stipple.
The transfer paper sent from the forming main body is sorted into bins one by one, and this is repeated for the number of originals, and the image forming apparatus of the image forming apparatus sequentially binds the completed transfer papers according to a preset staple mode. In the control method, when the transfer paper allocated to the bin reaches the staple upper limit during the image forming operation in the sort mode in which the staple is not set, the image forming operation is interrupted so that the manual staple can be performed. Can recover work even if the user forgets to set the staple mode.

[0086] The invention according to claim 2 is provided with a sorter stipple, and an image form is formed by using the sorter stipple.
The transfer paper sent from the forming body is sorted into bins one by one, and this is repeated for the number of originals, and the image formation of the image forming apparatus that sequentially binds the completed transfer papers according to a preset staple mode is performed. In the control method, when the transfer paper allocated to the bin reaches the upper limit of the stipple during the image forming operation in the sort mode in which the staple is not set, the image forming operation is interrupted, and the predetermined time elapses automatically. Since the image forming operation is restarted and the bins are successively allocated to the same bin, the image forming operation can be restarted after a predetermined time without restricting the operator even at the recovery timing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a message is displayed on the operation display section or a message indicating that the image forming operation is interrupted when the transfer paper allocated to the bin reaches the upper limit of staples. Since the operator is notified by voice, it is possible to provide an image forming control method for notifying the operator of the timing of work recovery.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image forming operation is interrupted when the transfer paper distributed to the bin reaches the upper limit of the staple, and the transfer paper is stopped within a predetermined time. When the manual stapling is executed, the image forming operation is not automatically restarted, but the output bin is changed by the print key and the image forming operation is restarted, so that the bin of the sorter stipple is used more effectively. It is possible to reduce interruption of work due to the convenience of the device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the number of remaining bins is less than the set number, the bins are continuously discharged to the same bin without changing the discharge bin. The same effect as that of the fourth aspect can be obtained.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation of the print key for resuming the image forming operation is enabled even during the execution of the manual stapling. The restraint time can be reduced and the working efficiency can be improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, the execution of the manual stipple is defined as an image.
Since the present invention is also used for resuming the image forming operation, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the sixth aspect of the present invention.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second or fourth aspect of the present invention, even in the image formation in the sort mode in which no stipple is set, prior to the start of the image formation , the sorter stipple having the stipple is prioritized. Is automatically selected, so that the basic function of the invention described in claim 1 can be more effectively operated.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when there is no staple needle in the first, second or fourth aspect of the invention,
Since the image forming operation is not interrupted even when the transfer paper allocated to the bin reaches the staple upper limit,
It is possible to provide an image forming control method for avoiding as much as possible "interrupt the image forming operation even if stipple is unnecessary".

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the first, second, or fourth aspect, if transfer paper distributed to bins has different sizes, even if the upper limit of the stipple is reached, the image is not removed. Since the forming operation is not interrupted, the same effect as the ninth aspect can be obtained.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the first, second or fourth aspect, the size of the currently used transfer paper in the bin of the currently used sorter stapler that is not currently being used is set. When the transfer paper of the size is discharged, the image forming operation is not interrupted even when the upper limit of the staple is reached, so that the same effect as the invention according to claim 9 can be obtained. It is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a copy control method of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a copy control method of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating an example of an operation display device.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of the operation display device.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state of an operator panel of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state of an operator panel of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the copying apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the mechanism of the deflection claw.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a mechanism of the jogger unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a control mechanism of the copying apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier main body 4 Sorter stapler 7 Original 17 Transfer paper 50 Bin 77 Print key

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Masuyama 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Ricoh Company, Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-86555 (JP, A) JP-A-Hei 2-81864 (JP, A) JP-A-1-265245 (JP, A) JP-A-3-216390 (JP, A) JP-A-4-25496 (JP, A) JP-A-2-233468 (JP, A) A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65H 37/04

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] A sorter stapler is provided, and the transfer paper sent from the image forming apparatus main body is sorted into bins one by one using the sorter stippler, and the sorting is repeated by the number of originals. in order spelling match image forming instrumentation <br/> image formation control method of the location of the transfer sheet has been completed in accordance with the pull mode, the transfer sheet distributed to the bottle during the image forming operation of the sort mode is not set staple is staple An image forming control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein an image forming operation is interrupted when an upper limit is reached so that manual stapling can be performed. 2. A sorter stapler is provided, and the transfer paper sent from the image forming apparatus main body is sorted into bins one by one using the sorter stippler, and this is repeated by the number of originals, thereby repeating a preset stapler. in order spelling match image forming instrumentation <br/> image formation control method of the location of the transfer sheet has been completed in accordance with the pull mode, the transfer sheet distributed to the bottle during the image forming operation of the sort mode is not set staple is staple When the upper limit is reached, the image forming operation is interrupted, and after a predetermined time elapses, the image forming operation is automatically restarted, and the image forming apparatus is successively assigned to the same bin. image
Formation control method. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an interruption of the image forming operation when the transfer paper allocated to the bin reaches the upper limit of the staple is notified to the operator by displaying a message on the operation display unit or by voice. Item 1 or 2
An image forming control method for an image forming apparatus. 4. When the transfer paper allocated to the bin reaches the staple upper limit, the image forming operation is interrupted, and if manual staple is executed within a predetermined time, the image is automatically generated. not resumed forming operation, image of the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that restarts the image forming operation by changing the discharge bin by the print key
Image formation control method. 5. When the number of remaining bins is less than the number,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the discharge bin is continuously discharged to the same bin without changing the discharge bin.
Image formation control method. Also 6. A manual stay during pull execution, according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the image is characterized in that the effective operation of the print key for resumption of the image forming operation
An image forming control method for a forming apparatus. 7. The method according to claim 7, wherein the execution of the manual stapling is performed in an image format.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the regenerating operation is also performed.
6. An image forming control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 5. 8. A sorting mode in which no stipple is set.
Image forming But, prior to the image formation start, the image of claim 1, 2 or 4 further characterized in that the sorter stay puller with staples was set to automatic selection preferentially
An image forming control method for a forming apparatus. 9. When there is no staple stapler, even if the transfer paper allocated to the bin reaches the upper limit of the staple, the image is not printed.
5. An image forming control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming operation is not interrupted. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when transfer papers distributed to bins have different sizes, image forming operations are not interrupted even when the staple upper limit is reached. or 4 image type of the image forming apparatus according
Configuration control method. 11. When a transfer sheet having a size larger than the currently used transfer sheet size is discharged to a bin of the currently used sorter stipler that is not being used, the staple upper limit is reached. But the image formation control method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 4, wherein in that so as not to interrupt the image forming operation.