JP4176098B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine that conveys paper and forms an image on the paper, and in particular, an image provided with post-processing means for performing post-processing such as punch processing. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus and an image forming system .

  Patent Document 1 below discloses a configuration in which the binding margin positions are aligned in a different size paper mixed loading mode in which two different size papers are used in one print job.

  For example, when A4 portrait and A3 landscape paper is used and the first print sheet is A4 and the long side is designated as the binding margin, the short side of A3 is set for the second and subsequent A3 sheets. In addition to the binding margin, the information indicating the orientation of the image is changed to 90 ° or the like with respect to the image information (FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1 below).

  However, this different size sheet mixed mode cannot be applied when the length of the short side of the large size sheet does not match the length of the long side of the small size sheet.

  On the other hand, since the punch processing device can form punch holes for each sheet of paper, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, both A4 landscape feed paper and B5 landscape feed paper are punched in the different size paper mixed loading mode. It is possible to discharge the paper after forming the holes.

  That is, conventionally, the capacity of the post-processing apparatus has not been fully utilized.

Here, it is complicated to set the binding margin for each of the different size sheets individually. In addition, if punch holes are set on one sheet but the punch holes on the other sheet are prohibited, the setting of the other sheet is wasted or punch holes are formed only on one sheet. It is not as intended by the user.
JP 2002-232677 A JP 2004-91108 A JP 2002-241041 A

The present invention has been devised on the basis of such an analysis by the present inventor, and the object of the present invention is to determine a side where the lengths of a plurality of different size sheets coincide in one image forming job. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system in which post-processing information can be easily set and changed even if it is not provided, and the software configuration is simplified .

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of easily, quickly and appropriately setting post-processing information in the above case.

In the first aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention,
And images forming means, even if no setting means for setting the post-processing information, and a rear processing unit, a side length between sheets for a plurality of paper sizes to be used in one image forming job matches A control unit that causes the image forming unit to form an image on a sheet based on the supplied image information and the post-processing information, and causes the post-processing unit to perform post-processing;
In an image forming apparatus having
The post-processing information includes post-processing side identification information for identifying the post-processing side of the paper based on the vertical or horizontal paper direction, post-processing content identification information for identifying the post-processing content for the post-processing side, and the size of the paper And paper identification information for identifying the direction,
When the post-processing is performed for a plurality of paper sizes in one image forming job, the setting unit shares the post-processing edge identification information and the post-processing content identification information for the plurality of paper sizes. By doing so, the setting and change of the same kind of post-processing for the papers of the plurality of paper sizes are collectively performed.

In a second aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the first aspect,
The setting means includes input means, and in response to a post-processing edge identification information change instruction from the input means, cyclically changes the post-processing edge identification information, and post-processing content identification information from the input means In response to the change instruction, the post-processing content identification information is cyclically changed.

In a third aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the second aspect, the setting means further includes a display means and a display control means, and the display control means includes:
The plurality of paper size paper images are displayed on the display unit so that the post-processing sides indicated by the post-processing side identification information are substantially on the same line and the midpoints of the post-processing sides are substantially coincident with each other, The post-processing content indicated by the post-processing content identification information is displayed corresponding to the post-processing side on the paper image.

In a fourth aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the third aspect,
The input means includes a post-processing side button and a post-processing button, the post-processing side identification information change instruction is input by an operation on the post-processing side button, and the post-processing content identification information change instruction is the post-processing button. Is input by an operation on
The display control means causes the post-processing side on the paper image indicated by the post-processing side identification information to be displayed differently from the other sides, and the display on the paper image is displayed each time the post-processing side button is operated. The post-processing side is changed to an adjacent side on one side, and the post-processing content identification information is cyclically changed every time the post-processing button is operated.

According to a fifth aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention , in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a prohibition information storage unit that stores side size information related to the side length of the paper and post-processing prohibition information correspondingly. ,
Determining means for referring to the stored contents of the prohibition information storage means to determine whether or not post-processing information to be set by the setting means indicates post-processing prohibition;
An output unit that outputs error information when the determination unit determines that post-processing is prohibited for any of the plurality of paper sizes;
The control unit does not cause the image forming unit to form an image on the paper when the error information indicates that post-processing is prohibited.

In a sixth aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the fifth aspect , the control means performs post-processing by the post-processing means based on the post-processing edge identification information and the image information set by the setting means. The image information is changed before image formation so that the orientation of the image is the same for all pages when the processed sheet bundle is rolled.

According to the configuration of the first aspect, when post-processing is performed on a plurality of paper sizes in one image forming job, the post-processing edge identification information and the post-processing content identification information are respectively set to the plurality of paper sizes. Since the same type of post-processing is set and changed for a plurality of paper sizes at the same time by making the papers common, the sides whose lengths are the same among a plurality of different size papers in one image forming job Even if it is not provided , post-processing information can be set and changed easily and quickly, and the software configuration is simplified.

According to the structure of the said 2nd aspect, the said effect is further heightened by cyclic change.

According to the structure of the said 3rd aspect, there exists an effect that a user's operativity improves by the said display.

According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the effect of the third aspect is further enhanced.

According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, the post-processing can be appropriately performed and the operability for the user is improved by the automatic determination of the prohibition of the post-processing and the output of the result.

  Other objects, configurations and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system to which the present invention is applied.

  This system is configured by connecting a host computer HC to an image forming apparatus 10, for example, a multifunction peripheral. For simplification, a configuration in the case where the image forming apparatus 10 is used as a printer will be described below. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet based on image information supplied from the host computer HC and information set by the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, an image information memory 12, a setting information memory 13, an error information memory 13 E, an operation unit 14, an image writing control device 15, a paper conveyance control device 16, and a post-processing control device 17 are coupled to the system control device 11. Has been.

  The system controller 11 temporarily stores the image information supplied from the host computer HC in the image information memory 12. This image information is supplied from the printing routine of the application program via the printer driver, and is described in PDL (page description language) that does not depend on the resolution of the device. The system control device 11 stores information set by the user by operating the operation unit 14 in the setting information memory 13. The setting information memory 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The error information memory 13E is a ROM for storing in advance an error table for error determination described later. The setting information memory 13 and the error information memory 13E may be configured by an external storage device such as a hard disk.

  The system control device 11 rewrites the contents of the image information memory 12 as necessary based on the contents of the setting information memory 13 and the error information memory 13E as will be described later, and supplies this to the image writing control apparatus 15. The image writing control device 15 develops a bitmap of the PDL description image based on this image information, and performs on / off control of the laser beam based on the bitmap data, so that the photosensitive device in the image writing device 15M. A desired electrostatic latent image is formed on the body drum. The image writing device 15M causes toner to adhere to the charging portion on the photosensitive drum, develops the electrostatic latent image, electrostatically transfers the toner image onto a sheet, and then fixes it.

  The system controller 11 drives the paper transport device 16M via the paper transport control device 16 to transport the paper from the paper feed stage to the image writing device 15M, and discharges the paper on which the image has been formed by the image writing device 15M. Paper is discharged onto the tray. With regard to the opposite side image in double-sided printing, the paper is switched back without being discharged, supplied again to the image writing device 15M to form an image on the opposite side of the paper, and then placed on the discharge tray. Eject paper.

  When the information to be post-processed is included in the contents of the image information memory 12 or the setting information memory 13, the system controller 11 staples the sheet bundle after image formation via the post-processing controller 17. A stapling process or a punching process is performed by the apparatus 17MS or the punching apparatus 17MP. The punching process may be performed for each sheet.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of post-processing setting information. In the following, a case will be described in which post-processing is only punching and the paper direction is vertical.

  In FIG. 2A, one of the post-processing edges L0 to L3 (L) for punching is designated (selected) for the longitudinal paper on which the portrait image is formed. In the present embodiment, the post-processing side coincides with the binding margin for determining the paper turning direction.

  The punch processing information is information on 2-hole punch processing, 4-hole punch processing, or no punch processing along the post-processing side L as viewed from the center O of the sheet. FIG. 2B shows the selected post-processing. The case of the 2-hole punch process for the binding margin corresponding to the side L is shown.

  FIG. 3 shows a data structure of post-processing information set by the operation unit 14 and stored in the setting information memory 13.

  As will be described later, this information includes post-processing side codes (post-processing side IDs) EC = 0 to 4, indicating that the post-processing side is any of the post-processing sides L0 to L3, 2 holes and 4 It consists of punch codes PC = 0 to 2 indicating the presence / absence of punching of holes, a binding margin width (mm), paper size 1 and paper size 2 (including paper direction).

  Post-processing is performed so that the punch hole center coincides with the center line in the width direction of the binding margin.

  FIG. 4 shows a post-processing setting screen displayed on the touch panel of the operation unit 14 of FIG. On this screen, paper selection combo boxes 20A and 20B, papers 21A and 21B, a post-processing side button 22, a punch button 23, an increment button 24, a decrement button 25, and an OK button 26 are displayed.

  Touching the arrow portion of the paper selection combo box 20A displays a paper size and direction selection pull-down menu. Touching any paper size and direction displays the corresponding paper 21A on the setting screen of FIG. Is done. The same applies to the paper selection combo box 20B, and the paper 21B corresponding to the selected paper size and direction is displayed on the setting screen of FIG.

  The sheets 21A and 21B selected in the sheet selection combo boxes 20A and 20B are displayed with their post-processing sides and their midpoints matched. In FIG. 4, if the sheets 21 </ b> A and 21 </ b> BA are fed to the upper end side, a desired image can be formed without rotating the image by the image forming apparatus 10. That is, the sheet feeding direction in the example shown in FIG. 4 is the upper end side (vertical feed) of the sheets 21A and 21B.

The images on the sheets 21A and 21B change as described later in response to the touch on the buttons 22 and 23 , and post-processing basic information can be easily set. Each time the increment button 24 is touched, the binding margin width setting value is incremented by 1 mm, and every time the decrement button 25 is touched, the binding margin width setting value is decremented by 1 mm.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when the post-processing side button 22 or the punch button 23 is touched. The post-processing side code EC and the punch code PC are used corresponding to the buttons 22 and 23, respectively, and the display on the sheets 21A and 21B changes according to these values.

  First, every time the post-processing side button 22 is touched, the selected post-processing side (thick line) changes on the sheets 21A and 21B in FIG. 4 as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a case where the punch code PC is set to zero. The initial value of the post-processing side code EC is 0, the maximum value of the post-processing side code EC is 4, and the next value after 4 returns to 0. When EC = 4, the thick line is not displayed, meaning that no post-processing is performed.

  That is, when the post-processing side button 22 is touched, an affirmative determination is made in step S1 in FIG. 7 and the process proceeds to step S2. If EC = 4, EC = 0 is set in step S3; The processing edge code EC is incremented by 1. Next, if it is determined in step S5 that EC = 4, the post-processing edge (thick line) is hidden in step S7. Otherwise, the post-processing edge corresponding to the value of the post-processing edge code EC is displayed in step S6. A bold line is displayed.

  Similarly, whenever the punch button 23 is touched, the punch hole display along the selected post-processing side changes as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a case where the post-processing side code EC is set to 0. The initial value of the punch code PC is 0, the maximum value of the punch code PC is 2, and the next value of 2 returns to 0. When PC = 0, the punch hole is not displayed, which means that no punching process is performed. When the punch code PC is 1, 2, it means that there is a 2-hole punch and a 4-hole punch, respectively.

  That is, when the punch button 23 is touched, a negative determination is made in step S1 in FIG. 7, an affirmative determination is made in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, the punch code PC is incremented by 1 or returned to 0, and the paper of FIG. Display according to the value of the punch code PC is performed on 21A and 21B.

  Here, an error table stored in the error information memory 13E of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this table, the size information of the post-processing side of the sheet, the punch code PC, and the corresponding error (prohibited) contents are described. The post-processing sides L and S in FIG. 8 indicate the long side and the short side of the paper, respectively. FIG. 8 shows only an example of an error. For example, when the post-processing side is a long side of letter size paper or a long side of B5 size paper, 2-hole punching (PC = 1) is prohibited. . The reason why the two-hole punching is prohibited when the post-processing side is the long side of the letter-size paper is not based on the size but based on the custom. Further, when the post-processing side is the A4 paper short side or the B5 paper long side, the four-hole punch (PC = 2) is prohibited. Further, when the post-processing side is a B4 paper long side, the lateral feed is prohibited (post-processing is prohibited, and any in the table indicates that it does not depend on the value of the punch code PC).

  In step S10, with reference to the table of FIG. 8, it is checked whether or not the post-processing indicated by the currently selected post-processing information is prohibited (error).

  If it is determined in step S10 that an error has occurred, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S12, the error content is displayed on the touch panel together with the paper size and direction of the error target, and an electronic buzzer sound is emitted. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the 2-hole punch is set on the post-processing side L0 of the letter-long paper, the x-hole is displayed on the 2-hole punch display, and the corresponding in the table of FIG. Error contents to be displayed along with the paper size.

  When the OK button 26 shown in FIG. 4 is touched, the information shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the setting information memory 13 shown in FIG. If the error is displayed, the post-processing information is changed to no post-processing.

In general, settings relating to paper can be performed by the host computer HC, and the same applies to the present embodiment. That is, the setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed even when the printer driver installed in the host computer HC is activated. In this case, the display screen may be pointed with a pointing device instead of the touch panel and set by a click operation. When the setting is made in both the host computer HC and the image forming apparatus 10, the setting in the host computer HC is given priority in principle. As an exception, when the setting of the image forming apparatus 10 is prioritized, it depends on it.

  FIG. 10 shows an arbitrary one-page process after the image forming apparatus 10 receives image information for single-sided printing from the host computer HC and stores it in the image information memory 12 in one print job for which post-processing is set. It is a schematic flowchart.

  (S20) If the post-processing side is the front end in the paper feeding direction, that is, if the post-processing side is the upper end (EC = 1) in FIG. 4, the process proceeds to step S22, and if not, the process proceeds to step S21.

(S21) If the post-processing side is the right (EC = 2) in FIG. 4, the rotation angle information is changed so that the image is rotated 90 ° to the left with respect to the image information in the image information memory 12. If the post-processing side is the left in FIG. 4 (EC = 0), the rotation angle information is changed so that the image is rotated 90 ° to the right with respect to the image information in the image information memory 12. If the post-processing side is the lower part of FIG. 4 (EC = 3), the rotation angle information is changed so that the image is rotated by 180 ° with respect to the image information in the image information memory 12 (S22). Then, the contents of the image information memory 12 are supplied to the image writing control device 15, and the image writing control device 15 causes the image writing device 15M to form an image on the paper in response to this. The system control device 11 selects a paper feed stage on which paper of a specified size and orientation is placed, and in response to a request from the image writing control device 15, the paper transport is performed via the paper transport control device 16. The apparatus 16M conveys the paper in the paper feed stage. In addition, the system control device 11 supplies post-processing information to the post-processing control device 17, and responds to a request supplied from the paper transport control device 16 when a post-processing condition is satisfied, and then the post-processing control device 17. Causes post-processing to be executed. The stapling device 17MS or the punching device 17MP executes post-processing based on the post-processing information.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, post-processing information as shown in FIG. 3 for one image forming job is set for a plurality of paper sizes, and the post-processing information is set as shown in FIG. With reference to the error table, it is determined whether or not post-processing is prohibited. If the result does not indicate that post-processing is prohibited, the plurality of paper sizes do not have sides having the same length between the sheets. Even in such a case, since the image forming unit forms an image on a sheet based on the supplied image information and the set post-processing information, the post-processing unit performs post-processing. Can be fully utilized and greatly contributes to the improvement of user convenience.

  Further, the operation unit 14 collectively selects mutually corresponding sides of a plurality of paper sizes as post-processing sides, and simultaneously selects the same type of post-processing corresponding to each of the post-processing sides. There is no need to set post-processing information individually for each of them, and the contents are displayed when post-processing is prohibited for any size paper. Therefore, post-processing information can be set easily and quickly, and user operability is improved.

  Further, a plurality of sizes of paper images are displayed on the operation unit 14 so that the selected post-processing sides are substantially on the same line and the midpoints of the selected post-processing sides are substantially coincident with each other, and in response to touch input. Since the selected post-processing side or the content of the post-processing for the selected post-processing side is changed, setting mistakes can be prevented and post-processing information can be set easily and quickly, and the operability for the user is improved.

  Note that the present invention includes various other modifications.

  For example, although the case where two types of paper sizes are used in one job has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention can be applied to three or more types of paper sizes.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the post-processing is the punching processing has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case where a plurality of paper sizes can be post-processed even when there is no side having the same length between the papers. Good.

  Further, instead of displaying the paper selection combo boxes 20A and 20B in FIG. 4, a list of paper sizes and orientations is displayed as a list, for example, a check box is displayed for each, and a check mark is displayed in the selected check box. Of course, it may be configured to be.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the paper direction is set to portrait (portrait) has been described. However, when the paper direction is set to landscape (landscape), the paper displayed in FIG. Obviously, the processing may be performed in the same manner as described above.

  In the above embodiment, the case of single-sided printing has been described. However, it is obvious that the present invention can also be applied to the case of double-sided printing. When the opposite side image is formed by duplex printing, when the image direction is perpendicular to the paper feeding direction, the image is rotated by 180 °, so that the sheet bundle post-processed by the post-processing device is bound based on the binding margin. The image orientation is the same for all pages.

  In addition, since the display unit is relatively small in a small printer, the setting unit of the present invention is not limited to the one provided with the GUI, and may be provided with means for displaying characters or symbols.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the image forming system is a printer has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a copying machine or a facsimile provided with post-processing means.

  Further, the image forming unit is not limited to the laser electrostatic transfer method as long as it forms an image on the supplied paper, and of course, may be an ink jet method or the like.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system to which the present invention is applied. It is post-processing setting information explanatory drawing. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the post-processing information set by an operation part and stored in a setting information memory. It is a figure which shows the post-processing setting screen displayed on the touch panel of the operation part of FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a selected post-processing side that changes each time the post-processing side button in FIG. 4 is touched. It is explanatory drawing of the content of the post-processing selected which changes whenever a punch button of FIG. 4 is touched. 5 is a flowchart showing an interrupt process when a post-processing side button or a punch button in FIG. 4 is touched. It is data explanatory drawing of post-processing setting error information. It is explanatory drawing of the error information displayed on a post-processing setting screen. 10 is a schematic flowchart showing processing of an arbitrary page after the image forming apparatus receives image information for single-sided printing from a host computer and stores it in an image information memory in one print job in which post-processing is set. It is explanatory drawing of the problem of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 System control apparatus 12 Image information memory 13 Setting information memory 13E Error information memory 14 Operation part 15 Image writing control apparatus 15M Image writing apparatus 16 Paper conveyance control apparatus 16M Paper conveyance apparatus 17 Post-processing control apparatus 17MS Staple Device 17MP Punch device 20A, 20B Paper selection combo box 21A, 21B Paper 22 Post-processing side button 23 Punch button 24 Increment button 25 Decrement button 26 OK button HC Host computer L0-L3, L Post-processing side EC Post-processing side code PC Punch code

Claims (7)

And images forming means, even if no setting means for setting the post-processing information, and a rear processing unit, a side length between sheets for a plurality of paper sizes to be used in one image forming job matches A control unit that causes the image forming unit to form an image on a sheet based on the supplied image information and the post-processing information, and causes the post-processing unit to perform post-processing;
In an image forming apparatus having
The post-processing information includes post-processing side identification information for identifying the post-processing side of the paper based on the vertical or horizontal paper direction, post-processing content identification information for identifying the post-processing content for the post-processing side, and the size of the paper And paper identification information for identifying the direction,
When the post-processing is performed for a plurality of paper sizes in one image forming job, the setting unit shares the post-processing edge identification information and the post-processing content identification information for the plurality of paper sizes. By setting the same kind of post-processing for the plurality of paper sizes and changing the same,
An image forming apparatus. The setting means includes input means, and in response to a post-processing edge identification information change instruction from the input means, cyclically changes the post-processing edge identification information, and post-processing content identification information from the input means In response to the change instruction, the post-processing content identification information is cyclically changed.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The setting unit further includes a display unit and a display control unit, and the display control unit includes:
The plurality of paper size paper images are displayed on the display unit so that the post-processing sides indicated by the post-processing side identification information are substantially on the same line and the midpoints of the post-processing sides are substantially coincident with each other, Display the post-processing content indicated by the post-processing content identification information corresponding to the post-processing side on the paper image;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The input means includes a post-processing side button and a post-processing button, the post-processing side identification information change instruction is input by an operation on the post-processing side button, and the post-processing content identification information change instruction is the post-processing button. Is input by an operation on
The display control means causes the post-processing side on the paper image indicated by the post-processing side identification information to be displayed differently from the other sides, and the display on the paper image is displayed each time the post-processing side button is operated. The post-processing side is changed to the side adjacent to one side, and the post-processing content identification information is cyclically changed every time the post-processing button is operated.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. Prohibition information storage means for storing side size information related to the length of the paper side and post-processing prohibition information correspondingly;
Determining means for referring to the stored contents of the prohibition information storage means to determine whether or not post-processing information to be set by the setting means indicates post-processing prohibition;
An output unit that outputs error information when the determination unit determines that post-processing is prohibited for any of the plurality of paper sizes;
The control means does not cause the image forming means to form an image on the paper when the error information indicates prohibition of post-processing. The image forming apparatus according to one. Based on the post-processing edge identification information set by the setting means and the image information, the control means sets the image orientation for all pages when the paper bundle post-processed by the post-processing means is rolled. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the image information is changed before image formation so that the images are in the same direction. In an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and a host computer are coupled via communication means,
The host computer has setting means for setting post-processing information, and means for transmitting the image information and the set post-processing information to the image forming apparatus via the communication means,
The image forming apparatus includes the image forming unit, the post-processing unit, and the image information received through the communication unit and the post-processing unit even when the plurality of paper sizes do not have sides having the same length. Control means for causing the image forming means to form an image on a sheet based on processing information and causing the post-processing means to perform post-processing.
The post-processing information includes post-processing side identification information for identifying the post-processing side of the paper based on the vertical or horizontal paper direction, post-processing content identification information for identifying the post-processing content for the post-processing side, and the size of the paper And paper identification information for identifying the direction,
When the post-processing is performed for a plurality of paper sizes in one image forming job, the setting unit shares the post-processing edge identification information and the post-processing content identification information for the plurality of paper sizes. To set the same kind of post-processing for the plurality of paper sizes at once.
An image forming system.

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