JP5007260B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, and relates to an improvement in an image forming apparatus and an image forming system used for, for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function peripheral (MFP) thereof.

  In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile machines, and multifunction machines, in general, single-sided or double-sided printing can be performed by switching a plurality of types of paper having different dimensions, and, for example, composite printing in which a plurality of print data is superimposed There are provided ones equipped with an expansion processing function such as aggregate printing for printing a plurality of pages of originals on one sheet of paper.

  In the image forming apparatus, various ideas have been made in order to quickly realize such extended functions.

  For example, the present applicant has proposed a new configuration in Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-198643.

  In this configuration, a plurality of paper feed trays on which paper on which images are to be formed are set, and among these paper feed trays, extended printing that instructs printing of predetermined print data for the paper and additional print data to be added thereto A paper feed stage selection unit that accepts selection of a specific paper feed stage associated with the instruction, a printing unit that performs print processing including the extended printing on the paper, and the specific paper feed in the paper feed stage selection unit Equipped with a print control unit that controls the paper feed from the specific paper feed stage and the extended print control by that printing section when a stage is selected, and can perform extended printing linked only by specifying the paper feed stage It is a thing.

  In such an image forming apparatus, if an extended print instruction is registered in association with a specific paper feed stage, as an application example, various expansion processes and extended prints can be performed simply by specifying a specific paper feed stage. Is considered possible.

For example, if a specific paper feed stage on which a predetermined sheet is set is designated, it is considered that sorting processing of paper fed and printed from the specific paper feed stage can be performed without instructing selection of a sort processing (sorting) mode. .
JP 2000-156778 A JP 2003-223304 A

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, even if a specific paper feed stage is designated and registered in the sort processing mode, there may be a case where there is no other paper feed stage for sorting or a plurality of paper feed stages for sorting. Selection and re-designation are likely to be required, and special measures are required.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. Sorting is possible only by designating a certain paper feed stage, and reliable sorting can be performed even if there are a plurality of paper feed stages. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

  In order to solve such a problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention associates a plurality of paper feed trays on which print media to be imaged are set with sort processing instructions for the print media among these paper feed trays. An input unit that accepts a selection input with a paper feed stage as a specific paper feed stage, and accepts a plurality of print instruction inputs to the print medium, and feeds the print medium from those paper feed stages and prints it When a specific paper feed stage is selected in the printing section that performs data printing processing and its input section, at least paper feed control of the specific print medium from the specific paper feed stage and the print medium for each fed paper set A sort processing control unit for performing sort processing control on the.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of paper feed stages are the first print in which the specific paper feed stage in which the specific print medium is set and the specific print medium have the same dimensions and different setting directions. A first paper feed stage in which a medium is set, and when the sorting process control unit selects a specific paper feed stage at the input unit, the paper feed control from the specific paper feed stage, A configuration is also possible in which sort control is performed by alternately selecting the feed control from the first paper feed stage for each copy.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of paper feed stages are set with the specific paper feed stage in which the specific print medium is set and the second print medium having the same size and the same size as the specific print medium. A second paper feed stage, and when the sorting process control unit selects the specific paper feed stage at the input unit, the sheet feed control from the specific paper feed stage and the second paper feed stage are performed. A configuration is also possible in which sort processing is controlled by alternately selecting paper feed control from the paper tray for each copy.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of paper feed stages are the first print in which the specific paper feed stage in which the specific print medium is set and the specific print medium have the same dimensions and different setting directions. A first paper feed stage and a second paper feed stage in which a medium and a different second print medium are set, and the sort processing control unit selects the specific paper feed stage when the specific paper feed stage is selected at the input unit. A configuration is also possible in which sheet feeding control from the sheet feeding stage and sheet feeding control from the first or second sheet feeding stage are alternately performed for each copy based on a predetermined control standard.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may include a sort processing unit that shift-sorts the printed print medium for each copy, and the sort processing control unit controls the sort processing unit.

  An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus externally connected to the image forming apparatus and controlled in operation by the image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, a print medium on which an image is formed One or more paper feed trays in which a sheet is set and a paper feed tray that associates a sort processing instruction for the print medium among the paper feed trays as a specific paper feed tray, and accepts a selection input, and sets a plurality of copies to the print medium. When an input unit that receives a print instruction input, a printing unit that feeds a print medium from the paper feed stage and prints print data on the print medium, and a specific paper feed stage is selected in the input unit, A sort processing control unit that performs at least sheet feeding control of a specific printing medium from the specific sheet feeding stage and sort processing control on the printing medium for each fed sheet; The image To the print medium that is discharged from the forming apparatus has a configuration that it has a sorting unit for the sorting process based on the sorting process control of the sorting controller.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, the sort processing unit may perform a sort process by shifting and shifting the discharge position of each print medium.

  In such an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when a specific paper feed stage associated with a sort processing instruction among a plurality of paper feed stages is selected and input from the input unit, the printing unit starts from the specific paper feed stage. While the print medium is fed and subjected to print processing, the sort processing control unit controls feeding of the specific print medium from at least a specific paper feed stage, and sort processing control for the print medium for each fed unit. Therefore, sorting can be performed only by designating a specific paper feed stage, and reliable sorting can be performed even if there are a plurality of paper feed stages.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a first print medium having the same size and a different set direction as the specific print medium of the specific paper feed stage is set in the plurality of paper feed stages. In a configuration in which there is a paper feed stage, and the sort processing control unit alternately selects the paper feed from the specific paper feed stage and the first paper feed stage for each copy and controls the sort processing, the specific print medium and The first print medium having the same size and different setting direction is alternately discharged for each copy, and print medium sorting processing in different directions is performed.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a second paper feed stage in which a second print medium having the same size and different from the specific print medium of the specific paper feed stage is set among the plurality of paper feed stages. In the configuration in which the sort processing control unit alternately selects the sheet feeding from the specific paper feed stage and the second paper feed stage for each copy and controls the sort processing, the specific print medium, the size thereof, and the size The second print medium having the same and different quality is alternately discharged for each copy, and the sort process is performed by the different print medium.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first print medium and the second print of different quality are the same in size and different in the set direction from the specific print medium of the specific paper feed stage in the plurality of paper feed stages. There are first and second paper feed stages in which a medium is set, and the sort processing control unit alternates the feed control from the specific paper feed stage and the first or second paper feed stage for each unit. In the configuration described above, the sort processing for the print media in different directions and the sort processing for the different print media are performed based on a predetermined control standard.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration in which the print processing medium has a sort processing unit that shift-sorts the print medium for each copy, and the sort processing control unit controls the sort processing unit, the paper is fed from the specific paper feed stage. Even for a specific print medium, shift sorting is possible.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, when a specific paper feed stage associated with a sort processing instruction is selected from the input unit among a plurality of paper feed stages, the specific paper feed is performed by the printing unit. While the printing medium is fed from the tray and subjected to printing processing, the sorting processing control unit controls feeding of the specific printing medium from at least the particular feeding tray, and sorts the printing media for each fed sheet. Processing control is performed, and in the post-processing device, the print medium discharged from the image forming apparatus is sorted by the sort processing unit based on the sort processing control of the sort processing control unit. Sorting is possible even for a specific print medium fed from the printer.

  In the image forming system of the present invention, when the sort processing unit sorts the print medium by displacing and shifting the discharge position for each copy, the sort processing unit is a specific print medium fed from the specific paper feed stage. Can be sorted.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in the course of describing the image forming system.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus A and a post-processing apparatus B externally connected thereto.

First, the image forming apparatus A will be described.
The image forming apparatus A includes an image reading unit 3, a communication unit 5, a storage unit 7, an operation panel unit 9, a printing unit 11, and a paper feed stage (cassette) 13 centered on the print control unit 1. Is configured.

  Although the image forming apparatus A has various configurations other than this, it is not a main part of the present invention, and thus the description and illustration are omitted. Further, although the paper feed stage 13 is included in the printing unit 11, it is extracted and shown for convenience.

  The print control unit 1 controls the image reading unit 3, the communication unit 5, the storage unit 7, the operation panel unit 9, the printing unit 11, the paper feed stage 13, and the post-processing device B. Details will be described later.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus A of FIG. 2, the image reading unit 3 is disposed on the upper part of the main body case 15, and optically reads an image from a printed document, for example, under the control of the print control unit 1, and performs a filter process or the like A known scanner or the like that generates electronic print data by sequentially storing the generated print data in the storage unit 7 for each page of the document. The internal configuration of the image forming apparatus A will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 1, under the control of the print control unit 1, the communication unit 5 receives print data including images and documents with a predetermined protocol via a network (not shown), for example, with another multifunction device. , An interface unit for sequentially storing each page in the storage unit 7.

  The storage unit 7 is a readable / writable hard disk (HDD) that stores print data from the image reading unit 3 and the communication unit 5, an operation program of the print control unit 1, a management table to be described later, an operation screen (not shown), and the like. is there.

  The management table shows the correspondence between the paper feed stages 13a to 13d and the printing mode when there are a plurality of paper feed stages 13 such as, for example, four paper feed stages 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d (cassettes A to D). It is table-like data set in advance. In FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5 described later, the paper feed stages 13a to 13d are indicated as cassettes A to D, or these are also shown.

  That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the management table has A4 as the paper size, “A4E” in the cassette, “plain paper” as the paper type, and sorting / sorting as to the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a). “Yes” is set, and “automatic detection” is set as the paper size, “quality paper” is set as the paper type, and “no” is set as the sorting / sorting for the cassette B (paper feed stage 13b).

  In addition, for the cassette C (paper feed stage 13c), the paper size is set to A4 in the cassette and “A4E” is set in the cassette, the paper type is “recycled paper” that is recycled paper, and the sorting / sorting is “yes”. For the cassette D (paper feed stage 13d), the paper size is set to A4, “A4R” in the cassette, “plain paper” as the paper type, and “sort” as the sorting / sorting are set. It is created under the control of the control unit 1.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, in the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a), the paper “A4E” of the paper size A4 is placed horizontally in the cassette, and in the cassette C (paper feed stage 13c), Recycled paper “A4E” having the same dimensions as the paper set in the paper feed stage 13a and having a different quality from that of the paper is placed vertically in the cassette.

  In the cassette D (paper feed stage 13d), a paper “A4R” having the same dimensions as the paper set in the paper feed stage 13a but having a different setting direction is placed vertically in the cassette. The broken line arrows in FIG. 5 indicate the sheet feeding direction.

  In the present invention, for convenience, a specific printing paper is set with the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) as the specific paper feeding stage, and a second printing paper with the cassette C (paper feeding stage 13c) as the second paper feeding stage. Is set, and the first printing paper is set with the cassette D (paper feed stage 13d) as the first paper feed stage.

  In the management table in FIG. 3, for example, when cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) is designated, cassette D (paper feed stage 13d) and cassette C (paper feed stage 13c) are selected in order, and cassette D ( When the paper in the paper feed stage 13d) is not detected, the cassette C (paper feed stage 13c) is designated and selected, and when the paper in the cassette C (paper feed stage 13c) is not detected, the sort processing unit 19 (to be described later) of the post-processing apparatus B is described. The sort control criterion is set in the print control unit 1 so that is selected and selected.

  The operation panel unit 9 is disposed, for example, on the upper part of the main body case 15 of the image forming apparatus A in FIG. 2, and a liquid crystal display unit that displays the operation state of the image forming apparatus A and a liquid crystal operation panel that also serves as a touch switch input unit. It is made up of.

  The operation panel unit 9 selects a sheet (paper feed stages 13a to 13d: cassettes A to D) as print media to be printed, performs or cancels printing, functions as an instruction input unit such as the number of copies, and the sort mode. This is an input unit for selecting and inputting the paper feed stage on which the paper to be executed is set as the specific paper feed stage, and is controlled by the print control unit 1.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel unit 9 has an operation state display area 9a such as “printing is possible”, cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) in which paper to be printed is set, and cassette B (paper feed stage). 13b), a selection display button 9b for cassette C (paper feed stage 13c) and cassette D (paper feed stage 13d), a print number setting button 9c such as “number of copies (number of sheets)”, a density setting button 9d such as “density setting”, “ A plurality of types of image display such as a magnification setting button 9e such as “magnification setting” can be displayed.

  FIG. 5 shows an initial screen (basic), and a “user function” screen and a “function list” screen are displayed by touch selection of a tab. In FIG. 5, a continuous reading selection button is not shown.

  If the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) selection display button 9b is selected on the operation panel unit 9, the sort mode setting is accepted under the control of the print control unit 1, and will be described later with reference to the management table described above. As described above, the sort process is performed on the sheets fed from the sheet feed stage 13a (cassette A), the sheet feed stage 13c (cassette C), and the sheet feed stage 13d (cassette D) based on the sort determination criterion described above.

  The printing unit 11 is disposed in the main body case 15 of the image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 2, feeds paper from the paper feed stage 13 (13a to 13d), and prints the print data in monochrome on the fed and transported paper. Alternatively, color printing is performed and the paper is discharged.

  The print control unit 1 includes a CPU, a memory unit that stores a startup program for the CPU, and an input / output interface (none of which are shown). The image reading unit 3, the communication unit 5, the storage unit 7, and the operation described above. The panel unit 9, the printing unit 11, the paper feed stage 13, and the post-processing apparatus B are controlled.

  The print control unit 1 has the management table creation function described above for setting the correspondence relationship between the paper feed trays 13 (13a to 13d) and the sort processing in advance. For example, in the operation screen of FIG. The management table shown in FIG. 3 is displayed by selecting a tab, and the contents of “paper feed stage”, “paper size”, “paper type”, and “sort / sort” are set and controlled and stored in the storage unit 7. , And has a function of performing reference control from the operation panel unit 9.

  The print control unit 1 feeds paper from the paper feed stage 13 (13a to 13d) associated with the selection instruction button 9b selected on the display screen shown in FIG. It has a function to control.

  Then, when the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) to cassette D (paper feed stage 13d) are selected and input via the selection instruction button 9b on the operation panel unit 9, the print control unit 1 feeds the paper feed stages 13a to 13a. Sorting process for controlling the printing unit 11 to feed and print a sheet from 13d, and for controlling the printing unit 11 to perform a sorting process as a specific process when the cassette A (paper feeding stage 13a) is selected and input. It functions as the control unit 17.

  That is, the sort processing control unit 17 sends a sort control signal to the printing unit 11 when a cassette A (paper feeding stage 13a) is selected as the specific paper feeding stage on the operation panel 9 and a plurality of copies are instructed to be printed. The sheet feeding printing from the cassette A (sheet feeding stage 13a) and the sheet feeding printing from the cassette D (sheet feeding stage 13d) as set in the management table are alternately performed for each copy. It has a function of controlling the printing unit 11 to select and sort.

  That is, the sort processing control unit 17 refers to the management table when the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) is selected on the operation panel unit 9, and if there is a cassette D (paper feed stage 13d), the first part The odd-numbered copies are fed from the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a), and the even-numbered copies are fed from the cassette D (paper feed stage 13d). It has a function of controlling the sorting process by alternately controlling the paper feed.

  In addition, if there is no cassette D (paper feed stage 13d) and cassette C (paper feed stage 13c), the sort processing control unit 17 refers to the management table and sets the cassette A ( The paper feeding control unit 13a) has a function of controlling the paper feeding from the paper feeding stage 13a), the paper feeding control from the cassette C (paper feeding stage 13c) for even-numbered copies, and the selection control alternately for each set.

  Further, the sort processing control unit 17 controls the feeding of printing paper from the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) and the post-processing when there is no cassette C (paper feed stage 13c) and cassette D (paper feed stage 13d). It has a function of outputting a sort control signal to apparatus B and controlling the sorting process alternately for each copy. The operation of the post-processing apparatus B will be described later.

Next, the post-processing apparatus B connected to the image forming apparatus A will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the post-processing apparatus B includes a sort processing unit 19, a staple processing unit 21, a punch processing unit 23, a post-processing control unit 25, and the like connected to the print control unit 1 of the image forming apparatus A. Configured. The post-processing apparatus B has a configuration other than those, but since it is not a main part of the present invention, description and illustration are omitted.

  The sort processing unit 19 is a sort mechanism unit that shifts and sorts the sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus A for each copy. Under the control of the post-processing control unit 25, the print control unit 1 (sort processing control unit). The paper is discharged with its position shifted for each copy based on the sort control signal from 17).

  The staple processing unit 21 is a mechanism unit that performs stapling processing to pin the paper loaded from the image forming apparatus A for each copy under the control of the post-processing control unit 25. The punch processing unit 23 performs post-processing control. This is a mechanism unit that punches punched holes in each sheet that is carried in from the image forming apparatus A under the control of the unit 25. Under the control of the post-processing control unit 25, the print control unit 1 (specific processing) This is executed based on an instruction from the control unit 17).

  The post-processing control unit 25 includes a CPU and a storage unit (none of which is shown) that stores an operation program of the CPU. Based on an instruction from the print control unit 1, the sort processing unit 19 and the staple processing unit 21. The punch processing unit 23 has a function of controlling execution of sort processing, stapling processing, and punching processing.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus A and the post-processing apparatus B described above.

  2, in the lower part of the main body case 15 of the image forming apparatus A, in addition to the paper feed stages 13a to 13d (cassettes A to D), two sheets of paper that are primarily fed from these paper feed stages 13a to 13d are stored. A transfer fixing unit 27 for transferring and fixing print data to form an image is arranged on the conveyance path for the next sheet feeding, and the printing unit 11 described above is arranged. In FIG. 2, for convenience, only two of the paper feed stages 13a and 13d of the paper feed stages 13a to 13d are illustrated.

  2 has a function of reversing the front and back of a sheet having an image transferred and fixed on one side thereof for double-sided printing and returning the sheet to the transfer and fixing unit 27, and forms the printing unit 11.

  A paper discharge port 31 for discharging the paper printed by the printing unit 11 to the outside is formed on the upper side surface of the main body case 15.

  Above the main body case 15, the image reading unit 3 and the operation panel unit 9 described above are arranged. The print control unit 1, the communication unit 5, and the storage unit 7 place electronic circuits at appropriate positions inside the main body case 15. Formed and arranged.

  In the post-processing apparatus B connected to the image forming apparatus A, a carry-in port 35 formed so as to align with the paper discharge port 31 is formed above the main body case 33 of the post-process device B. The sort processing unit 19, the staple processing unit 21, and the punch processing unit 23 described above are arranged in the conveyance path extending from the front side.

  The sort processing unit 19 has a function of holding the paper for each copy by the lever 37 and the like, sorting the paper discharge position, for example, and discharging the paper to the paper discharge tray 39. The paper subjected to the staple processing for each copy is discharged to the paper discharge tray 41, and the punch processing unit 23 discharges the paper subjected to the punch processing for each copy to the discharge tray 41.

  Next, the operation of the “sort mode” according to the image forming apparatus and the image forming system of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As an example, the “cassette A (paper feed stage 13a)” selection display button 9b in FIG. 5 is selected, a plurality of copies are selected by the “number of copies (number)” selection display button 9c, and “sort mode” is started. Explain the case.

  When printing starts, in step S 1, under the control of the print control unit 1, the first sheet of paper that is controlled to be fed from the paper feed stage 13 a is printed by the printing unit 11, and is printed from the paper discharge port 31. The paper is discharged via the processing device B, and the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the sort processing control unit 17 refers to the management table to determine the presence / absence of the cassette C (paper feed stage 13c) or cassette D (paper feed stage 13d), that is, the presence / absence of the sort registration cassette. If step S2 is NO, the process proceeds to step S7. If the sort registration cassette is set and step S2 is YES, the process proceeds to step S3. The presence or absence of step 13d) is determined.

  If there is a cassette D (paper feed stage 13d) of the same size and different in the set direction and step S3 is YES, the process proceeds to step S4, and in step S4, the printing unit 11 feeds the second set of paper into cassette D (feed). The paper is fed from the paper tray 13d) and printed, the paper is discharged from the paper outlet 31 via the post-processing device B, and the process returns to step S1.

  In this state, the set direction is different between the sheet fed and printed from the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) and the sheet fed and printed from the cassette D (paper feed stage 13d). Thus, the discharged paper sheets are shifted vertically and horizontally.

  On the other hand, if there is no cassette D (paper feed stage 13d) having the same size and different setting direction and step S3 is NO, the process moves to step S5, and in step S5, the same size and setting direction are the same and different paper feeding stages. The sort processing control unit 17 determines whether or not there is any.

  If there is a different paper feed stage with the same size and setting direction and step S5 is YES, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the printing unit 11 transfers the second sheet of paper to the cassette C (paper feed stage 13c). ) From the paper discharge port 31 through the post-processing device B, and the process returns to step S1.

  In this state, the paper quality of the paper that has been fed and printed from the cassette A (the paper feed stage 13a) and the paper that has been fed and printed from the cassette C (the paper feed stage 13c) is discharged. Since they are different from each other, the sheets are sorted in a state in which different types of sheets are bundled.

  Further, if there is no different size cassette C (paper feed stage 13c) with the same size and setting direction and step S5 is NO, the process proceeds to step S7, and in step S7, the sort processing control unit 17 sorts the sort processing unit 19 ( It is determined whether or not the post-processing device B) is attached.

  If the sort processing unit 19 is arranged and step S7 is YES, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the printing unit 11 feeds paper from the cassette A (paper feed stage 13a) and performs printing processing. The paper is discharged to the post-processing device B, and the sort processing unit 19 of the post-processing device B shifts and sorts the paper for each copy and discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray 39.

  In this state, the paper that has been fed and printed from the cassette A (the paper feed stage 13a) is shifted and sorted by the sort processing unit 19 of the post-processing apparatus B, and the discharge positions are shifted vertically and horizontally for each copy. Sorted by state.

  The processes in steps S1 to S8 are repeated until the designated number of prints is completed.

  If the sort processing unit 19 is not arranged and step S7 is NO, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the print control unit 1 displays a release message on the operation panel unit 9, and the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the print control unit 1 determines whether or not to cancel the sorting process.

  If the release operation is performed and step S10 is YES, the process proceeds to step S1, and steps S1 to S10 are repeated. If the release operation is not performed and step S10 is NO, printing is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform sort processing in both the image forming apparatus A itself and the image forming system in which the post-processing apparatus B is connected thereto.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus A according to the present invention, a plurality of paper feed stages 13a to 13d on which printing paper on which an image is formed are set, and a sorting process for the print paper among these paper feed stages 13a to 13d. From the operation panel unit (input unit) 9 for accepting a selection input as a specific paper feed stage 13a as a paper feed stage to which an instruction is associated and receiving a plurality of print instruction inputs to the printing paper, and the paper feed stages 13a to 13d When a specific paper feed stage 13a is selected on the printing unit 11 that feeds printing paper and prints print data on the printing paper and its operation panel unit (input unit) 9, the specific paper feed stage 13a is selected. And a sort processing control unit 17 that performs sort processing control for the printing paper for each of the fed sheets.

  In addition, the plurality of paper feed stages 13a to 13d are different from the specific paper feed stage 13a in which the specific printing paper is set and the first printing paper having the same dimensions and different setting directions as the specific printing paper. Sheet feeding stages (first and second sheet feeding stages) 13c and 13d on which the second printing sheet is set, and the sort processing control unit 17 uses the operation panel unit 9 to specify a specific sheet feeding stage. When 13a is selected, the paper feed control of the specific printing paper from the specific paper feed stage 13a, and the paper feed control from the first or second paper feed stage 13c, 13d based on a predetermined control standard, Is configured to be performed alternately for each part.

  Therefore, the sorting process can be performed only by designating the specific sheet feeding stage 13a associated with the sorting process, and even if there are a plurality of sheet feeding stages 13a to 13d, a reliable sorting process is possible. Depending on the presence or absence of the second paper feed stages 13c and 13d, the printing medium is automatically sorted in different directions or sorted by a different kind of printing medium.

  Therefore, even if a specific paper feed stage 13a is designated and registered in the sort processing mode, reselection or redesignation is possible even if there is no other paper feed stage for sorting processing or a plurality of other paper feed stages. Is not necessary and operability is improved.

  However, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the first and second printing sheets on which the first printing paper having the same dimensions as the specific printing paper and the different setting directions and the different second printing paper are set. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration having the sheet feeding stages 13c and 13d, and can be implemented in a configuration having any one of them.

  That is, in the configuration having the first paper feed stage 13d on which the first printing paper having the same size and different setting direction with respect to the specific printing paper is set, the same size as that of the specific printing paper. Thus, the first printing paper having a different setting direction is discharged alternately for each copy, and the printing paper is sorted in different directions.

  Further, in the configuration having the second paper feed stage 13c in which the second printing paper having the same size and different from that of the specific paper is set, the second paper having the same size and the same size as that of the specific printing paper. The printing paper is alternately discharged for each copy, and the sorting process is performed with the different printing paper.

  In the present invention, the heterogeneous printing paper is not limited to the above-described recycled paper, but is a paper having a thickness, a color, a material, and the like that are different from the specific printing paper.

  In the image forming system according to the present invention, the image forming apparatus A described above and a post-processing apparatus B externally connected to the image forming apparatus A and controlled in operation by the image forming apparatus A, are discharged from the image forming apparatus A. Since the print processing paper has a sort processing unit 19 that performs sort processing based on the sort processing control from the sort processing control unit 17, the paper fed by the image forming apparatus A is Sorting is possible even with only the specific printing paper fed from the specific paper feed stage 13a.

  In addition, since the sort processing unit 19 shifts and shifts the discharge position of each copy with respect to the print paper, the sort processing unit 19 also shifts even the specific print paper fed from the specific paper feed stage 13a. Sortable.

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus A, the same mechanism as that of the sort processing unit 19 (including the lever 37) shown in the post-processing apparatus B is disposed near the paper discharge port 31, so that the image forming apparatus A shifts. Sorting is also possible, and the same effect as that of the image forming system according to the present invention can be obtained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the input unit that accepts the selection of the specific paper feed stage associated with the specific processing instruction is not limited to the operation panel unit 9, but from the information processing apparatus via the network from the outside. Selectable.

  In the image forming apparatus A of the present invention, the print medium is not limited to paper, and can be implemented with various sheet media such as a synthetic resin sheet.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus A of the present invention can be implemented in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing an image forming system according to the present invention together with an image forming apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the image forming system of FIG. It is a figure explaining the management table in this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a set relationship between a paper feed stage and paper in the present invention. It is a figure explaining the example of a display of the operation panel part in this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print control part 3 Image reading part 5 Communication part 7 Storage part 9 Operation panel part (input part)
11 Printing section 13 Paper feed tray (cassette)
13a Specific paper feed tray (cassette)
13b Paper feed tray (cassette)
13c Second paper feed stage (cassette)
13d First paper feed stage (cassette)
15, 33 Main body case 17 Sort processing control unit 19 Sort processing unit 21 Staple processing unit 23 Punch processing unit 25 Post-processing control unit 27 Transfer fixing unit 29 Reverse conveyance unit 31 Paper discharge port 35 Carry-in port 37 Lever (sort processing unit)
39, 41 Paper discharge tray A Image forming apparatus B Post-processing apparatus

Claims (7)

A plurality of paper feed stages on which print media to be imaged are set;
An input unit that accepts a selection input with a paper feed stage associating a sort processing instruction for the print medium among these paper feed stages as a specific paper feed stage, and receives a plurality of print instruction inputs to the print medium;
A printing unit that feeds the print medium from the paper feed stage and prints print data on the print medium;
When the specific paper feed stage is selected by the input unit, sorting is performed that performs at least paper feed control for the specific print medium from the specific paper feed stage and sort processing control for the print medium for each fed paper set. A processing control unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: In the plurality of paper feed stages, the specific paper feed stage in which the specific print medium is set and the first print medium in which the specific print medium has the same dimensions but different setting directions are set. The sort processing control unit is configured to control sheet feeding from the specific sheet feeding stage and the first sheet feeding stage when the input unit selects the specific sheet feeding stage. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sort processing is controlled by alternately selecting the sheet feeding control for each copy. The plurality of paper feed stages include a specific paper feed stage in which the specific print medium is set, and a second paper feed stage in which a second print medium of the same size and different from the specific print medium is set. And the sort processing control unit is configured to control sheet feeding from the specific sheet feeding stage and sheet feeding control from the second sheet feeding stage when the specific sheet feeding stage is selected by the input unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sort processing is controlled by alternately selecting the image for each copy. The plurality of paper feed stages include a specific paper feed stage in which the specific print medium is set, a first print medium having the same dimensions as the specific print medium, and a different print direction, and a second print of different quality. And a sorting process control unit that feeds paper from the specific paper feed stage when the input unit selects the specific paper feed stage. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control and the sheet feeding control from the first or second sheet feeding stage are alternately performed for each copy based on a predetermined control standard. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sort processing unit that shift-sorts the printed print medium for each copy, and wherein the sort processing control unit controls the sort processing unit. An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus externally connected to the image forming apparatus and controlled in operation by the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
One or more paper feed stages on which print media to be imaged are set;
An input unit that accepts a selection input with a paper feed stage that associates a sort processing instruction for the print medium among the paper feed stages as a specific paper feed stage, and receives a plurality of print instruction inputs to the print medium;
A printing unit that feeds the print medium from the paper feed stage and prints print data on the print medium;
When the specific paper feed stage is selected by the input unit, sorting is performed that performs at least paper feed control for the specific print medium from the specific paper feed stage and sort processing control for the print medium for each fed paper set. A processing control unit,
The post-processing apparatus includes a sort processing unit that performs a sort process on the print medium discharged from the image forming apparatus based on the sort process control from the sort process control unit. Forming system. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the sort processing unit performs the sort process by shifting and shifting a discharge position of each print medium.

Images