JP4513126B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a post-processing function for performing post-processing on an image-formed sheet.

  In general, as post-processing of a sheet (mainly paper) on which an image is formed (printed) by a copying machine, printer, multifunction device, or the like, binding processing (staple processing) in which staples are driven into the sheet, and punching processing in which holes are formed in the sheet (Punching processing), folding processing for folding a sheet, cutting processing for cutting a sheet, and the like are known. A typical folding process is an intermediate folding process in which the sheet is folded at the center line of the sheet along the vertical or horizontal direction. Further, the binding process includes an end binding process in which staple needles are driven in the vicinity of the edge of the sheet, and a saddle stitch process in which staple needles are driven on the center line of the sheet along the vertical or horizontal direction. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 below describes a technique for forming a booklet by combining saddle stitching processing, center folding processing, and cutting processing.

  Conventionally, for example, when performing the middle folding process, the sheets on which the images are formed are folded in order one by one, and the number of the middle folding processes is counted accordingly. For this reason, the number of sheets folded in half coincides with the number of half-folded operations. Recently, the number of sheets processed by one half-folding operation is not limited to one, and a plurality of sheets are simultaneously processed by one middle folding operation. Under such circumstances, when the number of half-folding processes is counted based on the number of sheets folded in a conventional manner, for example, when ten sheets are folded one by one or when ten sheets are folded together However, the number of half-folding processes is both counted as 10. That is, when a sheet of image formation is folded in a single half-folding operation one by one, a total of 10 sheets are folded in order, and when a sheet of image-formed sheets is folded together in a single half-folding operation. The count results of the number of times of the middle folding process are the same.

JP 2003-140507 A

  As described above, conventionally, the number of half-folding processes is collectively managed (counted) according to the number of sheets actually folded. Therefore, for example, when the user instructs half-folding for the purpose of bookbinding such as booklet formation, and the half-folding process is performed on a plurality of sheet bundles according to this instruction, the number of times of the half-folding process is set. When counting by the number of sheets, there is a discrepancy between the recognition of the user who has instructed half-folding and the count information of the number of times of folding. Therefore, for example, when a bookbinding service that requires half-folding processing is provided and the number of times of middle-folding processing is presented to the user as the service usage details, there is a risk that the user who sees this will feel uncomfortable.

  Further, when the half-folding operation is repeatedly performed in the post-processing unit of the image processing apparatus, the half-fold mechanism parts gradually wear, and parts may need to be replaced. In such a case, if the number of sheet folding processes is counted by the number of sheets, the number of sheet folding operations and the number of sheet folding processes are increased as the number of sheets folded together increases. As a result, a problem arises in that it becomes impossible to accurately grasp the part replacement time.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention performs a post-processing on a sheet on which an image has been formed, a first processing mode for sequentially post-processing the sheets one by one, and a second processing for simultaneously post-processing a plurality of sheets together A post-processing means having a processing mode and a counting means having a plurality of counters for counting the number of post-processing by the post-processing means, and the post-processing by the post-processing means is performed in the first processing mode Counts the number of post-processing by the first counter provided in the counting means, and when the post-processing by the post-processing means is performed in the second processing mode, the second counter provided in the counting means This counts the number of post-processing.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the number of post-processing is counted by a separate counter depending on whether post-processing by the post-processing means is performed in the first processing mode or the second processing mode. It becomes like this.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the number of post-processing is counted by a separate counter depending on whether the post-processing by the post-processing means is performed in the first processing mode or the second processing mode. The number of post-processing can be individually managed for each processing mode. Thereby, when presenting the count result of the number of post-processing to the user, it is possible to match the recognition of the user who instructed the execution of the post-processing and the count information of the number of post-processing so as not to give the user a sense of incongruity. it can. In addition, since the number of operations in the post-processing unit is known from the count information of the counter corresponding to each processing mode, the part replacement time can be accurately grasped.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated image processing apparatus is a multi-function device having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scan function, a print function, and a facsimile function, and mainly includes a controller 1, a user interface (UI) 2, and a scanner unit. 3, a printer unit 4, and a post-processing unit 5.

  The controller 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 6, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 7, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 8, a nonvolatile memory (NVRAM; Non-Volatile RAM) 9, and a hard disk (HDD; Hard Disk Drive) 10, image processing unit 11, UI interface (UI IF) 12, communication interface (communication IF) 13, device interface (device IF) 14, LAN (Local Area Network) connection unit 15 A serial connection unit 16, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection unit 17, and a modem 18 are provided.

  Inside the controller 1, the CPU 6, ROM 7, RAM 8, nonvolatile memory 9, hard disk 10, image processing unit 11, UI interface 12, communication interface 13, and device interface 14 are respectively connected to a common bus. 19 are connected to each other via 19. The bus 19 includes a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect Bus) bus, a memory bus, and the like. The LAN connection unit 15, the serial connection unit 16, the USB connection unit 17, and the modem 18 are individually connected to the communication interface 13. On the other hand, the user interface 2 includes a display unit 20 and an operation unit 21.

  The controller 1 comprehensively controls the operation of the image processing apparatus, and is constructed on, for example, one controller board. The CPU 6 performs various control processes according to the control program and control data stored in the ROM 7. The ROM 7 may be configured such that data can be rewritten (erased and written) like a flash memory, for example. The RAM 8 is used as a temporary data storage location such as a system memory for program operation by the CPU 6 and a page memory for image processing. The non-volatile memory 9 is used to store non-volatile data, image quality adjustment, various setting parameters, and data related to various histories. The hard disk 10 is used for storing image data and data relating to various histories. The image processing unit 11 performs various types of image processing such as image data compression / decompression processing, rotation processing, gradation correction processing, and color correction processing.

  The UI interface 12 is for electrically connecting the user interface 2 so that the controller 1 can control the user interface 2 via the bus 19. When the controller 1 directly controls the user interface 2, it is not necessary to provide the UI interface 12 in particular. The communication interface 13 is an interface for connecting various external devices and networks for communication. The device interface 14 is an interface for connecting various functional devices (in this example, the scanner unit 3 and the printer unit 4) constituting the multifunction peripheral.

  The LAN connection unit 15 is for connecting the own apparatus to a network, and includes LAN connection such as 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, and various wireless LANs. The network to be connected is not limited to a LAN, and may be another network such as a WAN (Wide Area Network). The serial connection unit 16 is used to connect various external peripheral devices corresponding to the serial transfer method.

  The USB connection unit 17 is for connecting a device that conforms to the USB standard such as USB 1.1 and USB 2.0, and the media reader 22 is connected as an example here. The media reader 22 reads various information (including image data, text data, etc.) stored in a storage medium such as a memory card, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical medium. The modem 18 includes a modem control unit for connecting to a public line such as a facsimile, and provides various facsimile functions.

  The user interface 2 exchanges various information between the user and the controller 1. For example, the user interface 2 includes a display unit 20 including a liquid crystal display with a touch panel and an operation unit 21 including various buttons, switches, and keys. Consists of including control panels. The touch panel functionally belongs to the operation unit 21.

  The scanner unit 3 optically reads an image of a document and generates image data based on the reading result. The printer unit 4 includes a printer engine that conveys sheets such as paper one by one and prints out image data as visible images on the sheets. A sheet on which an image is formed (printed) by the printer unit 4 is directly discharged from a main body of the image processing apparatus including the printer unit 4 to a discharge tray (not shown) or once conveyed to a post-processing unit 5 where the sheet is predetermined. After the post-processing is performed, it is discharged to a discharge tray. Whether or not the image-formed sheet is conveyed to the post-processing unit 5 is determined by the necessity of post-processing based on an instruction from the user.

  The post-processing unit 5 performs, for example, binding processing (including end binding processing and saddle stitching processing), folding processing (including center folding processing), punching processing, and cutting on sheets formed with an image by the printer unit 4. Post-processing such as processing is performed. The post-processing unit 5 may be integrally provided inside the image processing apparatus main body, or may be configured to be connectable to the image processing apparatus main body as a retrofit, such as an optional treatment. Good. Here, as an example, the post-processing unit 5 performs the middle folding process. In addition, the post-processing unit 5 performs a post-processing (in the present example, a half-folding process) sequentially on the image-formed sheets one by one, and a plurality of image-formed sheets are simultaneously post-processed. And a second processing mode.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of main functional units of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Each functional unit shown in FIG. 1 has the hardware system configuration shown in FIG. 1 (particularly, the CPU 6, ROM 7, RAM 8, non-volatile memory 9, hard disk 10, user interface 2, printer unit 4, and back included in the controller 1. This is realized using the processing unit 5 or the like.

  In FIG. 2, the instruction receiving unit 23 receives a job instruction from the user and notifies (gives) the job control unit 24 of the received job instruction content. The instruction receiving unit 23 is configured by the user interface 2, for example. Examples of the job instruction content received by the instruction reception 23 include an instruction to start processing such as print start and copy start, an instruction related to image data to be printed (instruction such as a data storage location), and a print mode (color print, Black and white print, double-sided print, media print, index print) instruction, scan mode (double-sided scan, high-speed scan, color scan, black and white scan, auto color selection) instruction, scan resolution instruction, number of copies (number of copies) and print Instructions for the number of copies (number of copies), instructions for print image quality (normal image quality, high image quality), instructions for print density, instructions for print (copy) magnification, instructions for sheet size, instructions for N-up function, and post-processing Instructions, post-processing mode applied to post-processing First processing mode, instruction and the like of the second processing mode).

  The job control unit 24 controls job execution in accordance with job instruction contents received by the instruction receiving unit 23. That is, the job control unit 24 inputs (transfers) image data to be printed from the image input unit 25 to the image processing unit 11 in accordance with the job instruction content notified from the instruction receiving unit 23, and this image processing unit 11 is used to operate the printer unit 4 by applying the image data subjected to the image processing, and to operate the post-processing unit 5 as necessary. The content of the image processing employed in the image processing unit 11 is determined by the job control unit 24 based on the job instruction content notified from the instruction receiving unit 23. The image data that can be printed includes image data (scan data) read from a document by the scanner unit 3, image data read from a medium by the media reader 22, image data read by the CPU 6 from the hard disk 10, and Image data transmitted from the network communication device connected to the LAN connection unit 15 to the own apparatus and image data (facsimile data) received by the modem 18 are included. Therefore, the image input unit 25 includes the scanner unit 3, the CPU 6, the media reader 22, the LAN connection unit 15, or the modem 18 according to the generation source of the image data to be printed.

  The counter unit 26 counts the number of printed image data (number of sheets) by the printer unit 4 and the number of post-processing by the post-processing unit 5. The counter unit 26 includes a plurality of counters for counting the number of prints, for example, for each print mode, and a plurality of counters for counting the number of post-processings for each processing mode or for the number of sheets to be post-processed in one post-processing operation. Counter is provided. A plurality of counters constituting the counter unit 26 are provided in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 9. The counter control unit 27 determines the counter based on the job instruction content notified from the instruction receiving unit 23 to the job control unit 24, the print operation executed by the printer unit 4, and the post-processing operation executed by the post-processing unit 5. The counting operation of a plurality of counters provided in the unit 26 is individually controlled. The output unit 28 outputs the count result of the number of printed sheets by the counter unit 26 and the count result of the number of post-processing.

  Next, an image processing method using the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, since the user who uses the image processing apparatus gives an instruction for a job related to print processing or post-processing using the instruction receiving unit 23, the instruction receiving unit 23 receives an instruction from the user (step S1). ).

  Next, when the user instructs to start processing by pressing the start button or the like at the instruction receiving unit 23, the instruction receiving unit 23 notifies the job control unit 24 of the instruction content of the job that has been received by the instruction receiving unit 23 ( Step S2). Then, image data is input from the image input unit 25 to the image processing unit 11 in accordance with the job instruction contents from the instruction receiving unit 23 (step S3).

  If the process start instruction in step S2 is an instruction to start the copy process, the image data read from the document by the scanner unit 3 is input to the image processing unit 11. In the case of instructing the start of print processing, if the print mode instruction accepted at that time is media print, the image data read from the media by the media reader 22 is input to the image processing unit 11. When the address information of the hard disk 10 is designated as the data storage location, the image data read from the hard disk 10 according to the address information is input to the image processing unit 11. Further, when printing facsimile reception data, image data (facsimile data) received by the modem 18 is input to the image processing unit 11, and when printing image data transmitted from a network communication device, the LAN connection unit. The image data received via 15 is input to the image processing unit 11.

  Subsequently, after the image data that has been input previously is processed by the image processing unit 11, the image data is printed as a visible image on a sheet (paper or the like) by the printing operation of the printer unit 4 (steps S4 and S5). The input of image data by the image input unit 25 and the image processing by the image processing unit 11 may be performed by a method of processing all image data to be printed collectively or by a method of sequentially processing for each page. May be.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not printing of image data for one page (one sheet) has been completed in the printer unit 4 (step S6). The job control unit 24 confirms the end of printing. When it is confirmed that the printing of the image data for one page has been confirmed, the instruction receiving unit 23 receives the half-folding as the post-processing execution instruction in the job instruction content received from the user in the previous step S1. The job control unit 24 checks whether or not a processing instruction is included (step S7). At this time, if the instruction for the half-folding process is not included, the image-formed sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray according to the operation command from the job control unit 24 (step S8), and the process proceeds to step S13 described later.

  On the other hand, if the instruction for the half-folding process is included, the image-formed sheet is conveyed to the post-processing unit 5 by the operation command from the job control unit 24 (step S9). At this time, the sheet conveyed from the printer unit 4 to the post-processing unit 5 is in a standby (stopped) state at a predetermined position (a position where actual post-processing is performed) provided in the post-processing unit 5. Next, the job control unit 24 checks whether or not the processing mode related to the half-folding processing is instructed in the first processing mode (processing mode for sequentially post-processing sheets one by one) (step S10). If instructed in the first processing mode, the post-processing unit 5 executes a single folding operation to perform a folding process on one sheet (step S11). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4A, only one sheet P is folded in a single folding operation. In addition, one sheet that has been subjected to the middle folding process is discharged to a discharge tray. When the half-folding process is performed on one sheet in this way, the counter control unit 27 counts up (increments by 1) the value of the first post-processing counter provided in the counter unit 26 (step S12). If the first processing mode is not instructed, the process of steps S11 and S12 is passed and the process proceeds to step S13.

  Subsequently, the job control unit 24 confirms whether or not the printing of the image data for all pages has been completed (step S13). If the printing of the image data for all the pages has not been completed, the process returns to step S5 and the same processing is repeated. When it is confirmed that the printing of the image data for all the pages has been completed, the job control unit 24 sets the processing mode related to the half-folding process to the second processing mode (processing mode in which a plurality of sheets are simultaneously post-processed). (Step S14). Then, if instructed in the second processing mode, the post-processing unit 5 performs one half-folding operation so that a plurality of sheets that have been conveyed to the post-processing unit 5 until then are subjected to the middle folding process. (Step S15). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, a plurality of sheets P are collectively folded at the same time by a single folding operation. Further, the plurality of sheets subjected to the half-folding process are discharged to a discharge tray. When the half-folding process is performed on the plurality of sheets in this way, the counter control unit 27 counts up the value of the second post-processing counter provided in the counter unit 26 (step S16). Thus, a series of processing is completed. If the second processing mode is not instructed, the processing in steps S15 and S16 is passed, and the series of processing ends.

  The count result of the number of half-fold processes counted by the counter unit 26 by the above processing is output by the output unit 28 as necessary (for example, in response to an output instruction from the user). As an output form of the count result, display output to the display unit 20 of the user interface 2 or print output to a paper medium using the printer unit 4 can be adopted.

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the post-processing unit 5 performs the middle folding process, the first folding mode and the second processing mode are used as the middle folding process mode. Depending on which is instructed, that is, whether the folding process in the post-processing unit 5 is performed in the first processing mode or the second processing mode, the number of the folding processes is determined by a separate counter (first post-processing). It is counted by a counter, a second post-processing counter). Thus, for example, when a user instructs execution of a half-folding process and a processing mode for bookbinding such as booklet formation, and a plurality of sheets are collectively folded at the same time according to this instruction, this half-folding is performed. By counting the number of times of processing with the second post-processing counter, it is possible to match the recognition of the user who has instructed the middle folding with the count information of the number of times of middle folding. Therefore, even when a bookbinding service that requires half-folding processing is provided and the number of times of middle-folding processing is clearly indicated to the user as the service usage details, it is possible to avoid giving the user a sense of discomfort.

  In the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment, the post-processing unit 5 performs the middle folding operation in both the case where the middle folding process is performed in the first processing mode and the middle folding process in the second processing mode. Each time it is performed, the counter value corresponding to each processing mode is incremented by 1 (counted up). Therefore, based on the value of each counter (added value of both counters), it is possible to accurately grasp the replacement timing of the center folding mechanism component accompanying the repetition of the center folding operation.

  In the above embodiment, the folding process (intermediate folding process) is described as an example of the post-processing performed by the post-processing unit 5. However, the above-described method of counting the number of post-processing is performed by using one sheet. This can be similarly applied to post-processing other than the binding processing in which each processing is a rare case, that is, punching processing and cutting processing. The binding process can be applied if used in combination with other post-processes such as a folding process or a punching process. Moreover, it is applicable also to what is provided with the post-processing part 5 which performs multiple types of post-processing. Further, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the one having the post-processing unit 5 integrally in the apparatus main body or the one in which the post-processing unit 5 is connected to the apparatus main body, and a copying machine having no post-processing function. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, or a single post-processing apparatus connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

  Further, as an application example of the present invention, when post-processing by the post-processing unit 5 is performed in the second processing mode, the number of post-processing is set according to the number of sheets post-processed by one post-processing operation. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which counting is performed with separate counters. Specifically, for example, assuming that the maximum number of sheets (upper limit) that can be post-processed in one post-processing operation is 10, the number of sheets processed per post-processing operation is in the range of 2 to 4, A range of 5 to 7 sheets and a range of 8 to 10 sheets are divided, and a dedicated post-processing counter is assigned to each range. In actual processing, the number of sheets to be post-processed in the second processing mode is separately counted by a counter, and when post-processing is actually performed in the second processing mode, the sheet count value at that time Is counted up.

  In this way, by counting the number of post-processing with a separate counter in accordance with the number of sheets processed per post-processing operation, for example, a billing process when the service usage fee is individually set for the number of sheets processed Can respond flexibly.

1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main function parts of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the image processing method using the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific process example at the time of performing the middle folding process in the 1st processing mode, and when performing the middle folding process in the 2nd processing mode.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Controller, 2 ... User interface, 4 ... Printer part, 5 ... Post-processing part, 6 ... CPU, 7 ... ROM, 8 ... RAM, 9 ... Non-volatile memory, 10 ... Hard disk, 11 ... Image processing part, 23 ... Instruction accepting unit, 24 ... job control unit, 25 ... image input unit, 26 ... counter unit, 27 ... counter control unit, 28 ... output unit

Claims (3)

Post-processing means having a first processing mode in which the sheets on which images are formed are folded in order one by one, and a second processing mode in which a plurality of the sheets are collectively folded at the same time;
Counting means having a plurality of counters for counting the number of times of half- folding by the post-processing means ;
An instruction receiving means for accepting an instruction for designating either the first processing mode or the second processing mode from the outside as the half-folding process by the post-processing means ;
When the instruction accepting unit accepts an instruction to specify the first processing mode, the folding process is performed in the first processing mode, and the first counter provided in the counting unit performs the folding process . Count the number of times,
In other cases, the image processing apparatus is characterized in that the folding process is performed in the second processing mode, and the number of times of the folding process is counted by a second counter provided in the counting means. Folding processing performed by post-processing means having a first processing mode in which the sheets on which images are formed are sequentially folded one by one and a second processing mode in which a plurality of the sheets are folded together at the same time. Counting means having a plurality of counters for counting the number of times ;
An instruction receiving means for accepting an instruction for designating either the first processing mode or the second processing mode from the outside as the half-folding process by the post-processing means ;
When the instruction accepting unit accepts an instruction to specify the first processing mode, the folding process is performed in the first processing mode, and the first counter provided in the counting unit performs the folding process . Count the number of times,
In other cases, the image processing apparatus is characterized in that the folding process is performed in the second processing mode, and the number of times of the folding process is counted by a second counter provided in the counting means. When the folding process by the post-processing means is performed in the second processing mode, the number of folding processes is counted by a separate counter according to the number of sheets folded in one post-processing operation. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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