JP4062275B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that prints image data on paper, and in particular, has a sorting function and a stapling function for classifying recording paper on which image data is printed by a sorter and binding a bundle of the classified recording paper by a stapler. The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus.

  In general, an image recording apparatus having a sorting function and a stapling function is configured to discharge recording sheets in each of a plurality of bins in page order in the sort mode. A stack of recording sheets discharged in page order is bound by staples (needles).

An image recording apparatus having such a sort function and a stapling function has a staple sort mode that automatically staples the sorted recording paper bundle as described above. By turning on a manual stapling key provided in the apparatus, stapling can be performed even in the sort mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-7-267484

In the image recording apparatus having the stapling function as described above, the size of the margin (binding margin) from the sheet edge to the image in the recording paper discharged from the image recording apparatus is the size of the binding margin in the original or copying. It changes according to the presence / absence of enlargement / reduction of the recorded image in the work. For this reason, when performing stapling on recording paper, it is desirable to adjust the staple driving position for each operation.
However, when the sheet bundle bound by the stapling process is opened, the position where it becomes difficult to read differs depending on the thickness of the recording sheet bundle, and it is difficult to determine an appropriate stapling position before copying or the like.

  Further, when processing such as enlargement / reduction is performed, unless copying is completed, it is not possible to know exactly where the staple should be driven, and stapling may be performed at an inconvenient position. In some cases, it is necessary to remove the staples from the stapled sheet bundle and manually drive the staples again.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image recording apparatus capable of easily determining a position where a staple is to be driven according to the position of an image on a recording sheet on which an image is printed by copying or the like. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image recording unit that prints image data, and a sorter that includes a plurality of bins that store recording paper printed by the image recording unit. A stapler unit that binds the recording paper stored in the bin, a display / operation unit, and a control unit that controls each of the units. There displays stapling position designation screen on the display and operation unit, the case where the staple position is designated by the stapling position designating screen, the specified the stapler unit to the position with respect to the recording sheet contained in one bottle the performs stapling processing, if the staple start is instructed by the stapling position designating screen, the stapling process for the recording paper housed in all the bins By beginning, every time the stapling position in the staple position designating screen is designated, characterized in that the stapling processing is executed to the recording sheet accommodated in a single bottle.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when stapling is instructed after printing in the sort mode, the staple position designation screen is displayed on the display / operation unit, and is stored in the bin after the printing is completed. By viewing the image on the recording paper, the user can determine the stapling position and specify the stapling position from the stapling position designation screen. Therefore, the staple is driven into the optimum position according to the position of the printed paper image, and the binding process is performed. It can be carried out.

According to the image recording apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, when the staple position is designated on the staple position designation screen, the staple processing is performed on the recording paper accommodated in one bin, so that the user can perform the staple process. By looking at the processed sheet bundle, it can be determined whether or not the stapling position is appropriate. If the stapling position is inappropriate, the position can be redesignated.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the image recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital multi-function peripheral having a copy mode, a printer mode, a fax mode, etc. will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of a digital multi-function peripheral. As shown in the figure, the digital multi-function peripheral has a CPU 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, a display / operation. 4, a reading unit 5, an image memory 6, a recording unit 7, a codec 8, a modem 9, a network control unit NCU 10, a sorter unit 11, a stapler unit 12, and a LAN interface (I / F) 13. Connected through.

  The CPU 1 controls each part of the hardware of the digital multifunction peripheral via the bus 14 and executes various programs based on the programs stored in the ROM 2. The ROM 2 performs various programs and operations necessary for the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral. Messages and the like are stored in advance. The RAM 3 is composed of an SRAM or the like, and stores temporary data generated when the program is executed, and stores the staple position set by the user.

  The display / operation unit 4 includes a display unit for displaying an operation state of the digital multifunction peripheral or displaying an operation screen for various functions, and a plurality of keys for operating the digital multifunction peripheral. As described above, the display unit 21 includes an LCD display unit 21 constituting a display unit and a number of operation keys. The LCD display unit 21 is provided with a touch panel switch, and by pressing an item portion displayed on the LCD display unit 21, a corresponding item can be selected and a function can be executed. As operation keys, a numeric keypad 22, a start key 23, a reset key 24, a stop key 25, a plurality of one-touch dial keys 26, a cross key 27, a return key 28, a set key 29, a FAX switching key 30, a copy switching key 31, Various keys such as a scanner switching key 32 and a staple key 33 are provided. It should be noted that some or all of these operation keys can be substituted by the LCD display unit 21.

  The reading unit 5 includes a reading document placing table such as an auto document feeder (ADF) or a flatbed scanner (FBS), reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted into black and white binary. . The image memory 6 is constituted by using a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted or received image data or image data read by the reading unit 5, and a recording unit 7 is a printer device such as an electrophotographic system. The received data, copy original data, or print data transmitted from an external personal computer (PC) is printed out.

  The codec 8 compresses the image information to be transmitted by a certain encoding method, and decodes the received image data to restore the original information. The modem 9 is connected to the bus 14 and has a function as a fax modem capable of facsimile communication. The modem 9 is also connected to the NCU 10 connected to the bus 14. The NCU 10 is hardware for closing and opening the analog line, and connects the modem 9 to the telephone line as necessary.

The sorter unit 11 is a bin moving type sorter. In the sort mode, the stack mode, and the staple mode, the set number of copies are made and the recording paper is conveyed to the bin position. In the sort mode, pages are placed on the same bin. In the stack mode, the same page is discharged on the same bin.
The stapler unit 12 includes a stapler, and staples the recording paper that has been discharged to the bin of the sorter unit 11.

  The LAN interface 13 is connected to a local area network (LAN) and receives signals and data from an external personal computer (PC) via the LAN, while transmitting signals and data to the LAN. Interface processing such as signal conversion and protocol conversion is executed.

  The digital multi-function peripheral has the above-described configuration. When the facsimile is transmitted, the image data of the original is read by the reading unit 5, compressed by the codec 8, and stored in the image memory 6. The compressed image data is read from the image memory 6, modulated by the modem 9, and transmitted from the NCU 10 to the communication partner through the public telephone line. At the time of facsimile reception, the received image data is demodulated by the modem 9, stored in the image memory 6, decoded by the codec 8, and printed by the recording unit 7.

Next, details of the sorter unit 11 and the stapler unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 which also shows the mechanisms of the recording unit 7 such as the photosensitive drum 41 and the fixing device 42.
The sorter unit 11 includes a plurality of bins 46 fixed to the bin fixing unit 45, and the bins 46 are raised or lowered step by step by one rotation of a helical cam 48 driven to rotate by a motor 47.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the stapler unit 12 is constituted by a stapler 49 disposed in the vicinity of the recording paper discharge roller 44. The stapler 49 moves to the staple processing position only during the stapling operation. Sometimes it moves backward to a position that does not interfere with the movement of the recording paper. Then, at the time of stapling operation, the staple is driven into an arbitrary position of the recording paper stored in the bin 46 immediately adjacent to the discharge roller 44 to perform the binding process.

Next, the operation when the stapling process is performed after executing the copy function in the sort mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
After the copy button 31 of the display / operation unit 4 is pressed and the sort mode is set on the display unit 21, the user sets a bundle of documents on the ADF of the reading unit 5 and presses the start key 23. Are transferred one by one to the reading unit 5, the image data read by the reading unit 5 is recorded on the recording paper by the recording unit 7, and the recorded recording paper is stored in the bin of the sorter unit 11 (step 101). That is, the recording paper is fed to the photosensitive drum 41 by the conveying roller 43 and the toner image is transferred to the recording paper. After the toner image transferred to the recording paper is fixed by the fixing device 42, the recording paper is discharged to the discharge roller 44. Is discharged into the bin 46.

  When the recording paper is discharged to the bin 46, the CPU 1 determines whether or not all the copies have been completed (step 102). If not, the CPU 1 drives the motor 47 to drive the spiral cam. 48 is rotated once to raise the bin 46 one step (step 103), and then the process returns to step 101. In this way, the CPU 1 executes the sorter transport control for discharging the bins 46 in the vertical direction for each page to discharge the pages in the same order on the same bin 46, and repeats this until all copies are completed.

  If it is determined in step 102 that all copying has been completed, the CPU 1 next determines whether or not the staple key 33 has been pressed (step 104). If it is determined that the staple key 33 has not been pressed, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the sheet has been removed from the output of a sheet sensor (not shown) provided in each bin 46 (step 105). If is not removed, the process returns to step 104. If it is determined in step 105 that the sheet has been removed, it is determined that the user does not perform the stapling process, and the program ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 104 that the staple key 33 has been pressed, the CPU 1 displays a staple position designation screen shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 21 (step 106). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the staple position has been designated by determining whether or not the user has pressed any staple position in FIG. 5 (step 107). If the stapling position is designated, the CPU 1 performs the stapling process at the designated position for the recording paper bundle of one bin, and then moves the bin 46 by one step (step 108).

That is, in FIG. 3, the stapler 49 moves to the staple processing position, and at that time, the recording paper bundle stored in the bin 46 stopped at the position closest to the discharge tray 44 is stapled, and the staple processing is completed. The helical cam 48 is rotated once by the motor 47 and the bin 46 is raised or lowered by one step. Note that the bin moving direction differs depending on the bin moving direction at the end of copying, and increases when the bin is moving down just before the end of copying.
As a result, a recording paper bundle that is partially stapled is obtained, so that the user can determine whether or not the stapling position is inconvenient by looking at the processed recording paper bundle. Another staple position can be designated again. When the staple position is designated again, the CPU 1 further executes a staple process for a part of the recording paper bundle.

When the bin movement in step 108 is completed, the CPU 1 next determines whether or not the “staple start” field on the screen of FIG. 5 has been pressed (step 109). When the user presses the “staple start” field after specifying the staple position or after executing manual staple processing, the CPU 1 is accommodated in the bin 46 stopped at the position closest to the discharge roller 44 at that time. Staple processing is performed by driving staples at the staple position designated in step 107 with respect to the recording paper bundle being printed (step 110). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the stapling process for all the bins containing the recording paper bundle has been completed (step 111). When all the bins have not been stapled, the spiral cam 48 is rotated once by the motor 47 to raise or lower the bin 46 by one step (step 112), and then the process returns to step 110.
If it is determined in step 111 that all the bins have been stapled, the program is terminated.

  As described above, the user determines that the normal position, for example, the position shown in FIG. 5A is acceptable by looking at the bundle of recording sheets on which the images are recorded, and the user does not specify the staple position, and the “staple start” field. When the button is pressed, staples are driven at the initial position shown in FIG. 5A, and when the user executes the manual stapling process and then presses the “staple start” field, the user designates Staples are driven into the specified position.

In the above embodiment, the staple position is changed by allowing the user to select one of three predetermined staple positions. However, the user can change the staple position as a binding margin width, for example, in mm units. You can also do it.
Hereinafter, the operation of the staple process when the user inputs the staple position as the amount of change in the binding margin as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The operation of steps 201 to 205 is the same as that of steps 101 to 105 in the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is determined in step 204 that the staple key 33 has been pressed, the CPU 1 performs the stapling process for the recording paper bundle of one bin 46 immediately adjacent to the discharge roller 44, and then moves the bin 46 by one step (step 207). ). Next, the CPU 1 displays a staple position change amount input screen shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 21 (step 208). As a result, a part of the stapled recording paper bundle is obtained, so that the user can determine whether or not the staple position is inconvenient by looking at the processed recording paper bundle. The staple position can be corrected by pressing any one of the displayed staple position change amounts 7.

  After displaying the staple position change amount input screen, the CPU 1 determines whether any one of the table position change amounts has been pressed (step 209), and determines that any one of the table position change amounts has been pressed. The corrected staple position is stored in the RAM 3 (step 210). For example, when “+2 mm” is pressed, a value obtained by adding 2 mm to the reference staple position is stored in the RAM 3 as a new staple position. Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the “staple start” field in FIG. 7 has been pressed (step 211). If the user presses the “staple start” field without correcting the staple position or after correcting the staple position, the CPU 1 is accommodated in the bin 46 stopped at the position closest to the discharge roller 44 at that time. A staple is driven into the staple position stored in the RAM 3 with respect to the bundle of recording sheets to perform a binding process (step 212).

  Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the stapling process for all the bins containing the recording paper bundle has been completed (step 213). After raising or lowering by one step (step 214), the process returns to step 212. If it is determined in step 213 that all the bins have been stapled, the program is terminated.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when stapling is instructed after printing in the sort mode, the stapling process is performed on the recording paper stored in one bin, and the staple position change amount input screen is displayed on the display unit 21. Is displayed, and the user can determine whether or not the staple position is appropriate by looking at the stapled paper bundle. If the staple position is not appropriate, the staple position can be corrected from the staple position change amount input screen. Therefore, it is possible to perform the binding process by driving the staples at the optimum position according to the position of the image of the printed recording paper.

As a method for sorting the recording paper into each bin, there is also a bin fixing method for sequentially feeding the recording paper to the bins fixedly arranged in the housing, and image recording provided with such a bin fixing type sorting mechanism. The image recording apparatus of the present invention can also be applied to the apparatus. In this case, moving means for moving the stapler up and down is provided, and the stapler is stopped at the position of each bin in which a bundle of recording paper is stored. And staple them.
The image recording apparatus of the present invention can also be applied to an image recording apparatus having a mechanism for carrying a stapling process by conveying recording paper from a bin to a staple position.

Further, in the second embodiment, the user is allowed to select a desired value from a plurality of preset correction values of the binding margin width. However, the user is allowed to input an arbitrary value in mm. May be.
In the above embodiment, the example in which the image recording apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital multi-function peripheral having a copying function, a facsimile function, a printing function, a scanner function, etc. has been described. It can be applied to other printers.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital multi-function peripheral in which an image recording apparatus of the present invention is implemented. It is a figure which shows the operation panel of a digital multifunctional device. It is a figure which shows the detail of the post-processing part containing an image recording part. It is a flowchart which shows an effect | action at the time of performing a staple process after performing a copy function in sort mode. It is a figure which shows a staple position designation | designated screen. 10 is a flowchart showing another operation when stapling is performed after the copy function is executed in the sort mode. It is a figure which shows a staple position change amount input screen.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
4 Display / Operation Unit 5 Reading Unit 6 Image Memory 7 Recording Unit 8 Codec 9 Modem 10 NCU
11 Sorter 12 Stapler 13 LAN I / F
14 Bus 33 Staple Key 41 Photosensitive Drum 42 Fixing Device 43 Conveying Roller 44 Discharge Roller 45 Bin Fixing Unit 46 Bin 47 Motor 48 Spiral Cam

Claims (1)

An image recording unit for printing image data, a sorter unit having a plurality of bins for storing recording paper printed by the image recording unit, a stapler unit for binding the recording paper stored in the bins, and display / operation And a control unit that controls each of the above-described units. When a staple is instructed after printing in sort mode, the control unit displays a staple position designation screen on the display / operation unit, and the staple position designation screen. When the stapling position is designated in step 1, the stapler unit performs stapling processing at the designated position on the recording paper stored in one bin, and when stapling start is instructed on the stapling position designation screen, By starting the staple process for the recording paper stored in all the bins, the staple position is displayed on the staple position designation screen. Every time specified, the image recording apparatus characterized by staple processing is performed on the recording sheet accommodated in a single bottle.

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