JP5176920B2 - Paper processing apparatus, paper processing system, image forming system, paper processing control method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a paper which is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus, a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a digital multifunction machine having these functions in combination, and automatically performs binding binding by punching and / or ring. Processing apparatus, sheet processing system for connecting a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses to perform sheet processing, an image forming system including the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, a sheet processing control method executed by these apparatuses and the system, and The present invention relates to a computer program for executing a sheet processing control method on a computer, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded so as to be executable by the computer.

  One of the functions of a conventional post-processing device of an image forming apparatus is to punch multi-hole punch holes one by one at the edge of the binding side of the paper, and stack them one by one on the paper discharge tray in the page order. There was a function. The output product thus obtained was then finished as a ring-bound product by binding with a metal coil or a plastic ring using an off-line apparatus or jig. On the other hand, a plurality of types of work devices, such as punch processing devices and stipple processing devices, are connected in a line (in series) to the image forming apparatus, and punch processing and stipple processing are performed on paper on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatus. There are known paper processing systems that perform a desired paper processing by performing various processes such as the above, or a paper processing system that creates a paper bundle.

  Among them, the functions related to the bookbinding process include a function to perform binding processing at the edge and center of the paper, a function to perform binding processing by pressing the edge of the paper against glued tape, and a plurality of bindings on the binding side of the paper bundle. It is generally known that after a hole is drilled, a metal coil, a plastic ring, or the like is used for binding and finishing as a ring-bound product. In recent years, ring binding that aligns sheets after punching and punches a large number of holes on the binding side of the sheet bundle, and then binds the sheet bundle by passing a metal coil or plastic ring through the hole. In addition, ring-binder devices that can be executed in-line have begun to appear, contributing greatly to productivity improvement.

  As this type of ring binder binding apparatus, for example, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known. Among these, Patent Document 1 stores a sheet thickness input processing unit that inputs thickness information indicating the thickness of the sheet bundle accumulated in a predetermined accumulation unit, and a size of a ring member that binds the sheet bundle. The thickness indicated by the size storage means and the input thickness information is greater than a predetermined lower limit value for allowing binding of the sheet bundle by the ring member having the size stored in the size storage means. An allowable range determination means for determining whether or not a sheet bundle can be bound by a ring member is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit value, and a thickness indicated by the input thickness information is equal to or less than the predetermined lower limit value Or a setting unit for resetting the size stored in the size storage unit to a different size, and a link of the size stored in the size storage unit. An instruction means for instructing binding of the sheet bundle accumulated in the accumulating unit by a member, and the printed sheet bundle is a ring member (ring-shaped member) of an appropriate size according to the thickness of the sheet bundle. A ring binding control device that binds with a binding member is described.

  Patent Document 2 includes an image forming apparatus that sequentially forms images based on image forming jobs related to post-processing that are sequentially input, and a sheet post-processing apparatus that can execute a plurality of post-processing in parallel. In the image forming system, a storage unit capable of storing a plurality of image forming jobs related to the sequentially input post-processing, and a job capable of parallel processing among the plurality of jobs stored in the storage unit. A determination unit that determines whether there is a job and a control unit that controls operation start timing of image formation in a job that can be processed in parallel among the plurality of jobs when the determination unit determines that there is a job that can be processed in parallel; An image forming system that performs job scheduling so that each process in post-processing can be performed in parallel, and improves operating efficiency It has been described.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, when a bundle of sheets on which an image of an original is printed is bound by a binding member that matches the bundle of sheets selected from a plurality of binding members having different maximum binding thicknesses. An image forming apparatus is described in which a user can bind a bundle of sheets based on a set delimiter unit without being aware of the number of sheets.

In addition, the inventions described in Patent Documents 4 to 6 are also known as related inventions.
JP 2008-94081 A JP 2004-9337 A JP 2008-1000084 JP 2007-296662 A JP 2007-326255 A JP 2006-346903 A

    A conventional ring binder binding apparatus stacks sheets with punched holes on an alignment tray, and when the stacking of a part of the sheets is completed, the binding operation is performed by a ring member to perform ring binding binding, and the bound printed matter is printed on the machine. Drain outside. In this bookbinding process, a sheet bundle to be bound with a corresponding number of sheets stacked in the alignment tray is completed, and the next sheet is transferred to the alignment tray until the sheet bundle is discharged from the alignment tray. It is a mechanism that cannot carry in. This is because the ring binding process is performed in units of one copy, so that if a sheet is further supplied to a sheet bundle that has completed one copy, the desired number of pages and page contents cannot be bound.

  In the ring binder binding apparatus, only a punching process is performed, and a sheet bundle in which only punch holes are formed can be created by omitting the binding of the sheet bundle by the ring member. However, with the mechanism described above, the next page cannot be carried into the alignment tray until the sheet bundle is discharged from the alignment tray. For this reason, the processing efficiency at the time of punch processing that does not require ring binding operation also requires the same processing time as at the time of ring binding operation, and there is room for improvement. Moreover, no consideration is given to the efficiency when only the punching process is executed in the inventions described in the patent documents.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is the mechanical configuration of the conventional ring bookbinding apparatus, which shortens the paper processing time of the paper that has been subjected to only punch punching without ring binding, and increases the efficiency of paper processing. Is to make it possible.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first means includes a punching means for punching holes in the paper, an alignment means for aligning the sheets stacked on the alignment tray, and a sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means is discharged. A paper processing apparatus comprising: an ejecting unit configured to align an image-formed paper in which punch holes have been previously punched or a paper in which punch holes have been punched by the punching means after image formation by the aligning unit. When the paper is discharged by the discharge means, the discharge means does not perform the discharge operation while the conveyance of the sheet on which the image is formed is continued beyond the section.

  The second means comprises a punching means for punching punched holes in the paper, an alignment means for aligning the sheets accumulated on the alignment tray, and a discharge means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means. An image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance, or a paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation, in a predetermined amount beyond the first sheet of final paper. A number of sheets are conveyed onto the alignment tray and aligned and collected by the alignment means, and then the sheet bundle accumulated on the alignment tray is discharged at a time by the discharge means.

  A third means is characterized in that, in the second means, the predetermined number of sheets is a final sheet of the job.

  According to a fourth means, in the second means, the predetermined number of sheets is an upper limit number of sheets that can be stacked on the alignment tray, and after the upper limit number of sheets is stacked, a sheet bundle on the alignment tray by the discharge section. Are discharged at a time, and subsequently discharged from the sheet next to the discharged sheet bundle to the alignment tray.

  A fifth means is a ring that binds the image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance or the paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation in any one of the first to fourth means. A binding means is provided.

  The sixth means comprises punching means for punching punched holes in the paper, alignment means for aligning the sheets accumulated on the alignment tray, and discharge means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means. A paper processing system in which a plurality of paper processing devices are connected to each other, and an image-formed paper having punch holes punched in advance or a paper having punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation is placed on the alignment tray. A first sheet processing apparatus that stacks up to an upper limit that can be stacked, and then discharges a bundle of sheets on the alignment tray at a time by the discharge unit, and a sheet on the alignment tray by the discharge unit of the first sheet processing apparatus. While the sheet bundle is being discharged at a time, the first sheet of the next part of the sheet bundle discharged by the first sheet processing apparatus is conveyed to the alignment tray and aligned by the alignment unit. Characterized in that it comprises a second sheet processing apparatus.

  Seventh means, in the sixth means, stacks the sheets up to the upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus, and then once stacks the sheets on the alignment tray by the discharge means. While the sheet bundle on the alignment tray is being discharged at a time by the discharge means, the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle is conveyed to the first sheet processing device, and the alignment operation is performed. It is characterized by continuing.

  The eighth means is the sixth means in which the sheet is transported to the final sheet of the next part on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus, aligned by the alignment means, and one sheet bundle is completed. At that time, the discharge means discharges the one sheet bundle, and in the meantime, the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle is conveyed to the first sheet processing apparatus, and the alignment operation is continued. To do.

  A ninth means is the sixth means in which the sheet is conveyed to the next sheet of the next section on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus, and the discharge of the sheet bundle of the first sheet processing apparatus is completed. The first sheet processing apparatus transports the next sheet of the ejected sheet bundle to continue the alignment operation, and discharges the sheet bundle after completing the sheet bundle creation. The sheet processing apparatus is characterized in that the sheet transport destination is switched and an alignment operation is performed.

  A tenth means is a ring that binds the image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance or the paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation in any of the sixth to ninth means. A binding means is provided.

  The eleventh means is characterized in that, in any of the sixth to tenth means, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet is provided upstream of the first sheet processing apparatus.

  The twelfth means is the eleventh means, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided with control means for controlling the operations of the punching means, the aligning means, and the discharging means, and each of the sheet processing apparatuses and the image forming apparatus. Are connected so as to be communicable with each other by a communication means, and the control means outputs a control signal to each of the sheet processing apparatuses via the communication means.

  The thirteenth means comprises punching means for punching punched holes in the paper, alignment means for aligning the paper accumulated on the alignment tray, and discharge means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means. A paper processing control method in a paper processing apparatus, wherein an image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance, or a paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation is used as a first final paper A step of conveying onto the alignment tray up to a predetermined number of sheets exceeding the number of sheets, a step of aligning the conveyed sheet by the alignment means on the alignment tray, and a sheet of paper on the alignment tray up to the predetermined number of sheets. And, after the stacking, discharging the sheet bundle stacked on the alignment tray by the discharging means at a time.

  A fourteenth means according to the thirteenth means is characterized in that the predetermined number of sheets is a final sheet of the job.

  According to a fifteenth aspect, in the thirteenth means, the predetermined number of sheets is an upper limit number of sheets that can be stacked on the alignment tray, and in the discharging step, the stack of sheets stacked up to the upper limit number of sheets is discharged. And a step of discharging the sheet from the sheet next to the discharged sheet bundle onto the alignment tray.

  The sixteenth means comprises punching means for punching punched holes in the paper, alignment means for aligning the paper accumulated on the alignment tray, and discharge means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means. A sheet processing control method in a sheet processing system in which the first and second sheet processing apparatuses are connected to each other, wherein the punched holes are punched by the punching means after image formation on which the punched holes have been formed in advance. Stacking the stacked sheets up to the upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray of the first sheet processing apparatus, discharging the stacked sheet bundle on the alignment tray at a time by the discharge unit, and the sheet Conveying the first sheet of the next part of the sheet bundle discharged by the first sheet processing device to the alignment tray of the second sheet processing device while discharging the bundle at a time; Characterized in that it and a step of matching the serial second of said alignment means the sheet conveyed to the alignment tray sheet processing apparatus.

  A seventeenth means includes a step of stacking the paper up to an upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray of the second paper processing apparatus in the sixteenth means, and a stacking step in the stacking step, and then the discharging unit The sheet bundle discharged to the first sheet processing apparatus while discharging the sheet bundle on the alignment tray at a time and discharging the sheet bundle on the alignment tray at a time by the discharging unit. And a step of continuing the alignment operation.

  According to an eighteenth means, in the sixteenth means, the step of transporting to the final sheet of the next section on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus and the alignment by the aligning means When the sheet is completed, the discharge unit discharges the one sheet bundle, and the sheet following the sheet bundle discharged to the first sheet processing apparatus while discharging in the discharge step. And a step of continuing the alignment operation.

  According to a nineteenth means, in the sixteenth means, the sheet is conveyed onto the alignment tray of the second paper processing device up to the final paper of the next portion, and the paper bundle discharge of the first paper processing device is completed. The first sheet processing apparatus transports the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle to continue the alignment operation, and continues the alignment operation. And a step of switching the sheet conveyance destination to the second sheet processing apparatus while discharging the sheet bundle and performing an alignment operation.

  A twentieth means is a ring for binding the image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance or the paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation in any one of the thirteenth to nineteenth means. A binding means is provided.

  A twenty-first means is any one of the thirteenth to twentieth means, characterized in that an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet is provided upstream of the first sheet processing apparatus.

  The twenty-second means is characterized in that the computer program includes a procedure for causing the computer to execute each step of the paper processing control method according to any one of the thirteenth to twentieth means.

  A twenty-third means is characterized in that the computer program according to the twenty-second means is read by a computer and recorded on a recording medium so as to be executable.

  In the embodiment described later, the punching unit is the punching unit 16, the alignment tray is the reference numeral 22, the alignment unit is the jogger 23, and the discharge unit is the inclination and the inclined surface of the alignment tray 22 for freely dropping the sheet bundle. The clamp unit 25 that holds the bundle of sheets includes the sheet processing apparatus and the first sheet processing apparatus with reference numeral 2, the second sheet processing apparatus with reference numeral 3, the ring binding unit with the ring binding section 29, and the image forming apparatus with The MFP 1 corresponds to the controller 1CR, and the communication means corresponds to the communication ports 1P, 2P-1, 2P-2, 3P-1, 2, 4P.

  According to the present invention, when the printed paper is only subjected to punching and is not subjected to ring binding processing, the discharging means from the alignment tray is continued while the conveyance of the image-formed paper is continued beyond the section. Therefore, the number of carry-outs from the alignment tray can be reduced, thereby reducing the paper processing time and improving the paper processing efficiency.

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

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the image forming system of Example 1 in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the system configuration will be briefly described.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1, a ring binder binding apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a ring binding apparatus) 2, and a finisher (post-processing apparatus) 4. In this embodiment, the main body of the image forming apparatus is composed of a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP) 1 having at least two functions among a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The MFP 1 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) 5, and can convey a document one by one from the ADF 5 to the image reading unit side of the MFP 1 to read a document image. Further, an operation panel 6 is provided on the upper surface of the operation side of the MFP 1 as a user interface.

  A ring binding apparatus 2 is connected to the downstream side in the paper discharge direction of the MFP 1, and a finisher 4 is connected to the most downstream side. Reference numeral 4 a denotes a paper discharge tray of the finisher 4. In the ring bookbinding apparatus 2, booklet sheets to be ring-bound are punched in the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 to form multi-hole punch holes, aligned, and ring-bound. Although a detailed description of the function of the finisher 4 is omitted, it is a known one that incorporates a punching device, a stipple device, etc. up to about 1 to 4 holes, and performs various types of stapling and paper alignment.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the ring bookbinding apparatus 2. This ring binding apparatus 2 is a so-called ring binding apparatus used online. Hereinafter, the mechanism, operation, and function of the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 will be described in order.

  The ring bookbinding apparatus 2 includes a horizontal conveyance path 10, alignment trays 13 and 22, a bundle conveyance unit 30, a final bundle conveyance unit 32, and a stack tray 34 along a conveyance path, and a clamp for holding the ring. 25, a ring binding portion 29, and a punch portion including the punching unit 16. The paper fed from the MFP main body 1 is transported through the horizontal transport path 10 of the ring bookbinding apparatus 2. When the sheet is not ring-bound, it is transported horizontally as it is and then transported to the downstream dedicated paper discharge tray 4 or the post-processing device 8. In the case of ring binding, the paper is switched back by the reverse roller 11 located downstream of the horizontal conveyance path. At that time, the switching claw 12 is switched and conveyed to the punch portion obliquely below. A plurality of conveyance roller pairs are arranged on the sheet conveyance path including the horizontal conveyance path 10 to convey the sheet along the sheet conveyance path.

  In the punch unit, an end portion of the alignment tray 13 in a direction parallel to the paper transport direction (hereinafter referred to as a lateral direction) by a jogger 14 that comes into contact with the paper end portion from a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction. Are aligned. On the other hand, the front end of the paper in the conveyance direction is abutted against a front end abutting stopper 20 that protrudes into the conveyance path of the alignment tray 13 to determine the position of the front end of the paper in the conveyance direction. That is, the alignment tray 13 and the stopper 20 determine the position of the paper in the horizontal direction and the conveyance direction (vertical direction). When the paper is abutted against the leading edge abutting stopper 20, the paper is given a conveying force by the conveying roller 15 with a torque limiter, thereby eliminating the damage at the leading edge of the paper.

  When the paper is positioned, the cam 19 inside the punching unit 16 is rotated, the punch 18 is pushed down, and punch holes arranged in a line at a predetermined interval are formed in the paper with the die 17. The position of this punch hole is a position away from the stopper 20 by a predetermined distance. The punching unit 16 is a multi-hole punch for ring binding. The paper for which the drilling of the ring holes has been completed is retracted from the transport path of the leading end abutting stopper 20 to be released from the contact state, and is further transported downstream. Further, punch scrap generated by drilling is stored in the punch scrap hopper 21.

  Next, the sheet is conveyed to the alignment unit. In the aligning unit, a large number of sheets to be booked are received one by one in the aligning tray 22 and stacked while being aligned. The alignment tray 22 includes a horizontal alignment jogger 23 and a vertical roller 24 that presses the paper in the paper conveyance direction. The horizontal direction is aligned by the jogger 23 while aligning the paper conveyance direction (vertical direction) with a fence (not shown). .

  After the number of sheets to be booklet is stacked on the alignment tray 22 and aligned, the clamp 25 holds the vicinity of the binding side of the sheet under pressure. A ring cartridge holder 26 is provided in the vicinity of the alignment tray 22, and a ring cartridge 27 is accommodated in the ring cartridge holder 26. A large number of rings 28 are stacked in the ring cartridge 27. In the present embodiment, a known plastic ring of a type in which the circumference is divided into three is used.

  After the number of sheets to be bound are stacked on the alignment tray 22 and aligned, the ring binding portion 29 is rotated to the lower part of the ring cartridge 27 to take the ring. The ring binding portion 29 takes one link, rotates while holding the one, and passes below the clamp portion 25 to pass the ring through the hole opened at the lower end of the sheet bundle. Thereafter, ring binding is performed by a bind mechanism (not shown). The booklet subjected to the ring binding is received by the discharge claw 31 provided on the belt of the bundle conveyance unit 30 after the rotating bundle conveyance unit 30 moves below the clamp unit 25 and then the clamp 25 is released. It is transferred to the bundle transport unit 30.

  Thereafter, the bundle conveyance unit 30 rotates counterclockwise in the drawing, and moves to a position that is substantially straight with the final bundle conveyance unit 32. Then, the booklet is delivered to the final bundle conveyance unit 32 by the discharge claw 31 provided on the belt of the bundle conveyance unit 30. From the final bundle conveying section 32, the booklet is conveyed by the discharge claw 33 provided on the belt, and is discharged to the stack tray 34. The stack tray 34 moves up and down according to the stack amount, and can stack a large number of booklets in a properly aligned state.

  Further, in the case where ring binding is not performed, the sheet bundle collected on the alignment tray 22 is not bound by the ring binding unit 29 and is conveyed to the stack tray 34 by the conveyance belts of the bundle conveyance unit 30 and the final bundle conveyance unit 32. Transported and discharged. In the case of ring binding or punching only, one sheet bundle is processed as a unit, so the next sheet is carried into the alignment tray 22 until the sheet bundle is carried out to the alignment tray 22. Can not do it. For this reason, in a normal process (a conventional process), it takes more time than necessary to load the first sheet of the next section into the alignment tray 22.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, punch hole detection sensors 81 and 82 each including a reflection type optical sensor for detecting a paper size and a ring hole (punch hole) for ring binding are provided. Yes. The punch hole detection sensors 81 and 82 are arranged at positions for detecting the two ring holes 40-1 and 2 outside the A4 size paper in order to distinguish between A4 size paper and letter size paper. In the present embodiment, the punch hole detection sensors 81 and 82 are upstream of the punching unit 16 in the paper transport direction as shown in FIG. 2, and are orthogonal to the paper transport direction in the vicinity of the punching unit 16. It is provided side by side in the direction. The punch hole detection sensors 81 and 82 are not limited to the positions shown in FIG. 2, and the lateral position of the sheet is aligned upstream of the position where the punching unit 16 is disposed in the sheet conveyance direction. As long as it is in the position. The punch hole detection sensor 81 is for identifying A4 size paper and letter size paper, and is provided at each identifiable position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the punch holes are detected after the paper 60 is conveyed to the punch section and the width (lateral) direction is aligned by the front and back joggers 14F and 14R. That is, after the paper width direction is aligned by the joggers 14F and 14R, the paper 60 is conveyed to the punch unit. The presence or absence of a hole is detected by the two punch hole detection sensors 81 and 82 that match the punch hole 62 for ring binding at the transported tip. In this embodiment, A4 and letter (LT) size horizontal feed multi-hole punch holes are assumed. However, by changing the sensor position, the number of sensors, or the sensor type, etc. Needless to say, it is possible to easily cope with various paper sizes and hole modes. In order to deal with all sizes, for example, a line-shaped sensor 83 may be arranged along the punch hole position, and the punch hole may be detected according to the detection state of the sensor 83. Further, the punch hole detecting means has the same function even if it is incorporated in the main body of the image forming apparatus such as the MFP 1 or other processing apparatus as long as it is a conveyance path upstream of the punching unit 16 as described above. It can be demonstrated.

  As described above, the two punch hole detection sensors 81 and 82 can cope with the paper size and the hole mode for the following reason. For example, when punching a letter-size sheet by punching in the same manner as an A4-size sheet by the punching unit 16 that forms a 23-hole ring hole for an A4-size sheet, a 21-hole ring hole is formed. In other words, the letter size paper has two holes on both sides of the paper edge forming the ring hole with respect to the A4 size paper. Therefore, hole detection is performed at the positions of two holes on one side of the paper side forming the ring hole, and if the two holes can be detected, the A4 size is obtained, and if only one hole is detected, the letter size is obtained. Further, although not specifically described here, if neither of the two holes can be detected, it can be understood that the paper is smaller than this size, neither A4 size nor letter size, for example, B5 size or A5 size.

  In the case of a sheet with a ring hole formed from the beginning, a ring hole is detected by detecting a ring hole by providing a sensor in the middle of the horizontal conveyance path 10 or the like. In this embodiment, the presence or absence of a ring hole is detected by a reflective sensor at the portion where the sheet of the switchback portion stops, and the ring hole is determined based on the detection result. In the image forming system according to the present embodiment, selection or setting of the size of the paper to be bound and the type (size) of the ring member can be input from the operation panel 6 of the MFP 1.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of an online control configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. That is, in the online image forming system, a ring bookbinding apparatus 2 is connected to an MFP (image forming apparatus) 1, and a finisher 4 is connected to the ring bookbinding apparatus 2. The MFP 1, the ring binding device 2 and the post-processing device 4 include controllers 1CR, 2CR and 4CR including CPUs 1U, 2U and 4U, and communication ports 1P, 2P1, 2P2 and 4P, respectively. The MFP 1 and the ring binding device 2 are communication ports 1P. And 2P1, the ring binding device 2 and the post-processing device 4 can communicate with each other via the communication ports 2P2 and 4P. Further, the MFP 1 is provided with an operation panel 6, and a controller 1CR including the CPU 1U of the MFP 1 controls display and operation input of the operation panel 6, and the operation panel 6 functions as a user interface.

  The CPUs 1U, 2U, 4U respectively mounted on the MFP 1, the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 and the post-processing apparatus 4 respectively store program codes stored in ROMs respectively mounted on the MFP 1, the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 and the post-processing apparatus 4. The program described in the program code is executed using the RAM as a work area while reading and developing the RAM. Thereby, various controls and processes described below are performed. These devices are connected in series (in-line) in series via the communication ports 1P, 2P1, 2P2, and 4P and mechanically in series via at least the horizontal conveyance path 10. In the case of online processing, communication is performed with the CPU 1U of the MFP 1, and control is performed under the control of the CPU 1U of the MFP 1. Note that in-line in this embodiment means that punching, ring-binding, or post-processing from image formation is processed in a single sheet flow.

  The punch hole detection sensors 81 and 82 are connected to the CPU 2U of the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 via interfaces, respectively, and the CPU 7U executes predetermined processing based on the detection results of these sensors 81 and 82.

  FIG. 5 is an external view showing an example after the binding of the ring-bound booklet created by the system according to the present embodiment. As can be seen from the figure, a number of punch holes 62 are formed in the vicinity of the end of the sheet bundle 60 and bound by the ring 28 to form a booklet. In the present embodiment, even a paper that has been punched (ring hole) 62 in advance and transported from the MFP 1, or a paper that has punch holes (ring holes) 62 formed by the punching unit 16, The ring 28 is fitted in the ring binding portion 29, and ring binding is performed. 5 is a sheet bundle (booklet) in which only the punch holes are punched.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the image forming system in this embodiment. The image forming system 100 includes MFP 1, ADF 5, finisher 4, and ring bookbinding apparatus 2 as hardware configurations, and is communicably connected to other devices via a network NT. The MFP 1 includes a controller 1CR and an engine unit EN. The controller 1CR includes a job management unit 111, a communication control unit 112, an HDD control unit 113, and an operation panel control unit 114. The engine unit EN is controlled by a scanner. Part 121 and a plotter control part 122 are provided. The controller 1CR includes a control board including a CPU 1U, and includes the control units 111, 112, 113, and 114 as software.

  The job management unit 111 manages job execution by a user who is input from the operation panel 6, and the communication control unit 112 controls communication with other devices performed via the network NT. The HDD control unit 113 is mounted on the MFP 1 and controls an HDD (hard disk drive) that stores image data read by the scanner, data transferred via the network NT, and the like. The operation panel control unit 114 serves as a user interface. The display and operation input of the operation panel 5 are controlled.

  The engine unit EN is a part that physically reads an image and writes an image. The original image is read by a scanner as an image reading device, and the read original image or print data transferred from a PC or the like is not a plotter. Write on the paper. The scanner control unit 121 is provided with a scanner control unit 121 in the scanner and a plotter control unit 122 in the plotter in order to control reading and writing operations. These control units are configured by software.

  The MFP 1 is configured by a controller 1CR and an engine EN as a major concept, and the controller 1CR drives and controls the engine EN, thereby enabling image reading and image writing. The ring bookbinding apparatus 2 is also under the control of the controller 1CR, and its own controller 2CR executes control necessary for ring bookbinding based on an instruction from the controller 1CR. Controls necessary for ring binding include, for example, ring binding control and punch processing control. The controller 2CR includes a ring binding control unit 151 and a punch processing control unit 152 in order to execute these controls.

  Similarly, the ADF 5 and the finisher 5 include controllers 5CR and 4CR equipped with a CPU. The controller 5CR includes a document conveyance control unit 131 for operating document conveyance in synchronization with the operation of the scanner. A post-processing operation control unit 141 that performs post-processing operation control is provided. A plurality of finishers 4 can be connected. FIG. 6 also shows a state in which other finishers 4 ′ and 4 ″ connected to the finisher 4 by a one-dot chain line are provided.

  In addition, in the engine EN, ADF 5, finisher 4, and ring bookbinding apparatus 2, each control unit is configured by software.

  In the image forming system 100 configured as described above, the controller 1CR manages a print request from the user input from the operation panel 6 or the PC as a job. The job management unit 111 manages the printing order, the printing priority, and the resumption of printing when an abnormality occurs. Also, page information and / or image data for one copy of the print document is instructed from the job management unit 111 to the HDD control unit 113, and the HDD control unit 113 stores the page information and / or image data in an HDD (not shown). Then, it is taken out from the HDD or deleted as necessary.

  The controller 1CR issues a print instruction to the engine EN in the order determined by itself. In particular, in printing using the ring bookbinding apparatus 2, the controller 1CR issues a bookbinding instruction or a sheet bundle discharge instruction to the engine EN. The finisher 4 performs ring binding on the bundle of sheets stacked on the alignment tray 22 in accordance with this instruction, or stacks without performing binding processing as a bundle of sheets with punched holes without performing ring binding. It is discharged to the tray 34. As described above, when a sheet bundle is discharged, a waiting time until the next sheet is carried into the alignment tray 22 is generated. Therefore, in the case of printing only with punches that do not need to be bound, the number of times can be reduced to reduce productivity. It is possible to improve. The job management unit 111 recognizes this by continuously printing punch-only copies that do not need to be bound, and does not issue a discharge instruction for each copy, and discharges all the copies to the alignment tray 22 at once.

  FIG. 7 shows a case in which a sheet bundle only for punch processing is processed in this way, and all the outputs are collected on the alignment tray 22 and then discharged at one time. In other words, in one job only for punch processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when processing many copies of a sheet bundle.

  In this processing procedure, first, the sheets punched by the punching unit 16 are conveyed one by one to the alignment tray 22 (step S101). This conveyance operation is continuously performed until the final sheet of the booklet is reached (step S102). When the final sheet is reached, it is confirmed whether or not there is printing on the page for only the next punching process (step S103). If there is printing, the process returns to step S101 to process the next sheet (the next set of sheets), and when printing on the page only for the next punching process is completed, that is, when printing only for punching is completed. Thus, the sheet bundle that has been collected on the alignment tray is discharged at one time (step S104).

  As a result, the sheets are stacked one by one on the alignment tray to form a sheet bundle. When the stacking is completed, the sheet bundle is discharged to the stack tray 34, and then the first sheet of the next section is discharged. It can be seen that the processing efficiency is higher than in the conventional paper discharge control for paper. The job here means a series of image forming operation and alignment operation by one instruction given to the MFT 1 side. For example, there is an instruction to form a booklet with only five images and punch only from the operation panel. Means a series of operations from the first page of the first copy to the last page of the fifth copy.

  However, when processing is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, there is an upper limit on the number of sheets that can be stacked on the actual alignment tray 22, so sheets cannot be stacked exceeding the upper limit. This is because if it exceeds the upper limit, it will protrude from the alignment tray 22 and a paper jam will occur. Therefore, in practice, it is necessary to limit the number of sheets stacked on the alignment tray 22 with respect to the processing procedure of the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure at this time.

  In this processing procedure, first, the sheets punched by the punching unit 16 by the punching process are conveyed one by one to the alignment tray 22 (step S201). Then, every time a sheet is conveyed, it is checked whether or not the stacking upper limit of the alignment tray 22 has been exceeded (step S202). If not, the sheet is conveyed one by one (step S204). → S201). This operation is continued until the final sheet of the booklet (part), and when the final sheet is reached (step S204-Y), it is checked whether or not only the next punch is printed on the page (step S205). If there is printing in this check, the next copy is still present, so the process returns to step S201 and the same operation is repeated, and the printing of the next punch only page is completed (step S205-N). The sheet bundle is discharged to the bundle conveying unit 30.

  On the other hand, if the sheet bundle reaches the upper limit of stacking of the alignment tray 22 while repeating the operation from step S201 (step S202-Y), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 is discharged to the bundle conveying unit 30 at that time. Then, the alignment tray 22 is emptied, and the operations after step S204 are repeated.

  With this processing, while only the printed punches are aligned and ejected, the processing continues until the number of sheets reaches the upper limit of stacking on the alignment tray 22 even if the pages extend over the booklet (part). When the number of sheets on the tray 22 reaches the upper limit of stacking, the sheet stack is ejected from the alignment tray 22 (steps S202 and S203), and the next operation is repeated, so that one job instructed by the user Since the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 is discharged (step S206) when the printing process for a predetermined number of copies on the punch-only sheet is completed (step S206), the conveyance of the sheet is stopped at each section separation, in other words, the image in the MFP 1 It is not necessary to stop the formation, and it is possible to continuously process a plurality of parts. Thereby, dead time can be suppressed.

  FIG. 9 is a front view showing an external appearance of the image forming system in the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an outline of an online control configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. That is, in the online image forming system, a first ring bookbinding apparatus (referred to as ring bookbinding apparatus A in FIGS. 10 to 14) 2 is connected to the MFP 1, and a second second bookbinding apparatus 2 is further connected to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2. A ring bookbinding apparatus (referred to as ring bookbinding apparatus B in FIGS. 10 to 14) 3 is connected, and a finisher 4 is connected to the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3. The first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 and the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 have the same configuration, and the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 in the first embodiment is connected to the first and second identical ring bookbinding apparatuses 2 and 3. The configuration is equivalent to the replaced one. Therefore, the first and second ring bookbinding apparatuses 2 and 3 have the same configuration as the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 shown in FIG.

  The MFP 1, the first and second ring bookbinding apparatuses 2, 3 and the post-processing apparatus 4 include controllers 1CR, 2CR, 3CR, 4CR including CPUs 1U, 2U, 3U, 4U and communication ports 1P, 2P-1, 2P-, respectively. 2 and 3P-1, 3P-2, and 4P, the MFP 1 and the first ring binding apparatus 2 are connected to the communication ports 1P and 2P-1, and the first ring binding apparatus 2 and the second ring binding apparatus 3 are Through the communication ports 2P-2 and 3P-1, the second ring binding device 3 and the post-processing device 4 can communicate with each other through the communication ports 3P-2 and 4P. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the duplicate description is omitted.

  In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, when the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 performs only the ring bookbinding or punch printing, the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 sends the sheet received from the MFP 1 to the most downstream portion of the horizontal conveyance path 10. The paper is transported to the delivery port located, and the paper is delivered to the uppermost paper receiving port of the horizontal transport path 10 of the second ring binding apparatus 3. The second ring binding apparatus 3 that has received the paper switches the paper back by the reversing roller 11 as in the case of the first embodiment, and conveys the paper to the lower punch portion by switching the switching claw 12. Then, a ring bookbinding operation or a punch-only sheet bundle creating operation is executed.

  When the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 performs ring binding or punch only printing, the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment to perform ring bookbinding or punch only printing paper. Create a bundle. At that time, if the number of stacked trays 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 reaches the upper limit while the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 is creating a sheet bundle for printing only with punches, job management is performed. The unit 111 instructs the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 to discharge the sheet bundle, and at the same time searches for the first page of the closest part among the pages that have not yet been printed. Instruct to bypass and transport to the second ring binding apparatus 3. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a printing operation in parallel with the sheet bundle discharge time from the alignment tray 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2, and the processing can be performed more efficiently than the processing of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the second embodiment. In this processing procedure, first, the punched paper is conveyed to the alignment tray 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) (step S301). Next, the number of sheets stacked on the alignment tray 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is checked (step S302). If the upper limit has not been reached, only the next punch is checked for printing on the page (step S303). If there is printing (step S303-Y), the process returns to step S301 and the subsequent processing is repeated. If printing has been completed (step S303-N), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is discharged to the bundle conveyance unit 30 (step S304), and the process is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that the number of sheets stacked on the alignment tray 22 of the first ring binding apparatus 2 (A) has reached the upper limit (step S302-Y), the first ring. A process of discharging the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 of the bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is performed (step S305), and it is further checked whether or not printing is performed on a booklet (part) only for the next punch (step S306). . If there is no printing in this check, that is, if the printing of the booklet (part) has been completed (step S306-N), the process waits for the discharge of the sheet bundle from the alignment tray 22 to be completed (step S307). It is checked whether a booklet (part) is being created by the ring binding apparatus 2 (A) 1 (step S308). If the creation of the booklet (part) is completed in this check (step S308-N), the processing is finished as it is. If the creation of the booklet (part) has not been completed, the next sheet is conveyed to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) in order to create the booklet (part), and the process returns to step S301. Repeat the process.

  When it is determined in step S306 that the next punch-only booklet (part) is printed, that is, when printing is not completed, a print page is set at the head of the next booklet (part) and printed ( In step S309, only the printed punch is conveyed to the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) (step S310). Next, it is checked whether or not the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 of the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B) exceeds the stacking upper limit (step S311). If not (step S311-N), the next punch Only if the presence or absence of printing on the page is checked (step S313), and if it exceeds (step S311-Y), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 of the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B) is transferred to the bundle conveying unit 30 side. Then, the alignment tray 22 is emptied (step S312), and it is checked whether only the next punch is printed on the page (step S313).

  If only the next punch is printed on this check, the process returns to step S310, and the subsequent processing is repeated. If there is no printing (if printing is completed), the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B ) On the alignment tray 22 is discharged to the bundle conveyance unit 30 (step S314). Then, it is checked whether or not the booklet (part) of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is in the process of creation (step S315). If the creation is finished (step S315-N), the process is finished and the creation is finished. If not (step S315-Y), the print is returned to the print page next to the page finally discharged to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) (step S316), and the punch is returned to step S301 and printed. The sheet is conveyed to the alignment tray 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A), and the processes after step S302 are repeated.

  In this embodiment, an example in which two ring bookbinding devices 2 and 3 are connected is shown, but a system can be configured by connecting more ring bookbinding devices. When the number of units to be connected increases, it is possible to expand the processing according to the ring size and the paper size.

  The third embodiment is an example in which the control procedure is changed with the same configuration as the second embodiment. In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, when the number of stacked trays 22 in the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) reaches the upper limit, the discharge operation is performed and the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) is simultaneously performed. In the third embodiment, when the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) completes discharging the sheet bundle from the alignment tray 22, the job management unit 111 restarts the output from the first page of the next section. 1 is switched to the ring binding apparatus 2 (A). Then, the continuation of the page stopped in the middle of the booklet (part) in steps S305 and S306 is conveyed to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) to the end of the part. Thereby, it is possible to quickly return to the printing discharged to the bundle conveying unit 30 in the middle of the unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress a period of time when it is unclear whether the discharged sheet bundle is until the end of the section or is in the middle of the copy, and the efficiency can be increased accordingly.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the third embodiment. In this processing procedure, steps S301 to S308 are the same as the processing procedure of the second embodiment (the flowchart in FIG. 11), and the processing after the affirmative determination in step S306 is different. Therefore, here, the processing after step S306 will be described.

  That is, in the third embodiment, when it is determined in step S306 that only the next punch has a booklet (part) printed, if output is pending in the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B), the next page is displayed. If the print page is advanced and the output is not on hold, the print page is set at the head of the next booklet (part) and printed (step S321), and the printed sheet is printed only on the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B ) To the alignment tray 22 (step S322). Next, it is checked whether or not the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 of the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B) exceeds the stacking upper limit (step S323), and if not exceeded (step S323-N), the first It is checked whether or not the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is discharging the booklet (part) (step S325), and if it exceeds (step S323-Y), the alignment tray 22 of the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B). After the upper sheet bundle is discharged to the bundle conveying unit 30 and the alignment tray 22 is emptied (step S324), it is checked whether the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is discharging the booklet (part). (Step S325).

  If it is determined in step S325 that the booklet (part) is not being discharged, it is checked whether the booklet (part) is being created by the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) (step S326), and the booklet (part) is discharged. If it is medium, it is checked whether or not only the next punch is printed on the page (step S327). If there is printing in this check (step S327-Y), the process returns to step S323 and the subsequent processing is repeated. If there is no printing (step S327-N), the alignment tray 22 of the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B). The upper sheet bundle is discharged to the bundle conveying unit 30 (step S328), and it is further checked whether the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is in the process of creating a booklet (part) (step S329).

  If the check is not in the process of creating a booklet (part) (step S329-N), the process is finished, and if it is in the process of being created (step S329-Y), a booklet from the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) ( (Step S330), and when the discharge is completed (Step S330-N), the print page is returned to the next page after the last sheet discharged to the first ring binding apparatus 2 (A). Printing is performed (step S331), the process returns to step S301, the printed punched paper is conveyed to the alignment tray 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A), and the processes in and after step S302 are repeated.

  On the other hand, if the booklet (part) is being created by the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) in step S326 (step S326-Y), the page finally discharged to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A). The print page is returned to the next page (step S332), the process returns to step S301, and the printed punched paper is conveyed to the alignment tray 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A). Repeat the process.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as in the second embodiment and function in the same manner, and thus redundant description is omitted.

  The fourth embodiment is an example in which the control procedure is partially changed from the third embodiment with the same configuration as the second embodiment. In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, when the number of stacked trays 22 in the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) reaches the upper limit, the discharge operation is performed and the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) is simultaneously performed. In the fourth embodiment, when the output to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is the switching point of the copy, the job management unit 111 starts the second ring. At the same time as the sheet bundle in the alignment tray 22 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) is discharged from the bundle conveyance unit 30, the conveyance destination is switched again to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A). Then, the continuation of the page stopped in the middle of the booklet (part) in steps S305 and S306 is conveyed to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) to the end of the part. As a result, it is possible to take out the sheet bundle at the break of the print section to be switched to.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the fourth embodiment. This processing procedure is obtained by changing the determination process of step S325 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 to the determination process of step S325a, and the other processes are the same as those of the third embodiment. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the processing from step S301 to step S321 is performed, and the sheet of only the punch printed in step S322 is conveyed to the alignment tray 22 of the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B). It is checked whether or not the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 of the ring binding apparatus 3 (B) exceeds the stacking upper limit (step S323-N), and if not, the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B) It is checked whether or not the conveyance state of the sheet is a booklet (part) break (step S325a), and if it exceeds (step S323-Y), the sheet on the alignment tray 22 of the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B). After the bundle is discharged to the bundle conveyance unit 30 and the alignment tray 22 is emptied (step S324), the sheet conveyance state of the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) is the booklet (part) group. Ri to check whether or not the eye (step S325a).

  If the check is a booklet (part) break, the process from step S326 is executed. If the booklet is not a break, the process from step S327 is executed.

  In addition, since each part which is not demonstrated in particular is comprised similarly to Example 2 and 3, and functions equivalently, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The fifth embodiment is an example in which the control procedure is partially changed from the third and fourth embodiments with the same configuration as the second embodiment. In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, when the number of stacked trays 22 in the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) reaches the upper limit, the discharge operation is performed and the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) is simultaneously performed. Output from the first page of the next section is started, but the discharge of the sheet bundle from the alignment tray 22 of the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) is completed and the output to the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) is completed. When the output becomes a switching point, the job management unit 111 discharges the sheet bundle in the alignment tray 22 of the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) and at the same time, again sets the transport destination to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 ( Switch to A). Then, the continuation of the page stopped in the middle of the booklet (part) in steps S305 and S306 is conveyed to the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) to the end of the part. As a result, it is possible to shorten the period when it is unclear whether or not the sheet bundle that has been discharged first is the end of the copy, and to quickly take out the sheet bundle at the switching destination.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the fifth embodiment. This processing procedure is obtained by changing the determination process of step S325 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 to the determination process of step S325b, and the other processes are the same as those of the third embodiment. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the processing from step S301 to step S321 is performed, and the sheet of only the punch printed in step S322 is transported to the alignment tray 22 of the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B). It is checked whether or not the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 of the ring binding apparatus 3 (B) exceeds the stacking upper limit (step S323-N), and if not, the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B) It is checked whether the conveyance state of the sheet is a booklet (part) break and whether the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) has not ejected the booklet (step S325b), and if it exceeds (step S323). -Y), after discharging the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 of the second ring binding apparatus 3 (B) to the bundle conveying unit 30 and emptying the alignment tray 22 (step S324) It is checked whether the paper transport state of the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) is a booklet (part) break and whether the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) has not ejected the booklet ( Step S325b).

  In this check, if the paper transport state of the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 (B) is the break of the booklet (part), and the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 (A) has not discharged the booklet. (Step S325b-Y), the processing after step S326 is executed, and if it is not a break and the booklet is discharged (step S325-N), the processing after step S327 is executed.

  In addition, since each part which is not demonstrated in particular is comprised similarly to Example 2 and 3, and functions equivalently, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a discharge state of the first to fifth embodiments. FIG. 2A shows an example of conventional paper discharge control. One copy is three sheets, and three sheets are discharged from the alignment tray 22 at a time when the three sheets constituting the section are discharged. FIG. 5B shows an example of performing the operation, and shows an example in which the sheet discharge operation is performed from the alignment tray 22 every time one sheet is discharged. In this example, 300 ms is the time for transporting the paper to the alignment tray 22, 200 ms is the space between the papers when punch punching only (no discharge operation), and 6000 ms is the last of the punching portion when only punch punching is accompanied by discharge. It shows the gap between the top of the page and the top of the first page of the next part.

As can be seen from this example, when a booklet is created only for punch punching of 3 copies per copy, 300 ms + 200 ms + 300 ms + 200 ms + 6000 ms = 7000 ms is required for the creation of 1 copy.
It will take. Moreover, in the case of 1 copy 1 copy,
300ms + 6000ms = 630ms
Take it. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 15C, when there are a plurality of copies, the final paper is discharged without being discharged for each copy while printing is continued. In the case of 5 copies per copy as shown in FIG. 15B, 6000 ms × 4 + 300 ms = 24300 ms
In contrast to this, in the example of continuous discharge in FIG.
300ms × 5 + 200ms × 4 = 2300ms
It will take less time.

  From this, it can be seen that the efficiency improvement of the present invention is remarkable.

  As described above, this embodiment has the following effects.

1) The ring binding apparatus 2 has a punching unit 16 for punching punched holes in a sheet, a jogger 23 for aligning sheets stacked on an inclined alignment tray 22, and a clamp for discharging a bundle of sheets aligned by the jogger 23. When the paper of only the punch is aligned by the jogger 23 and discharged to the bundle conveyance unit 30 by releasing the clamp in the clamp unit 25, the conveyance of the image-formed sheet exceeds the unit. Since the discharging operation is not performed while the operation is continued, the sheet interval between copies becomes unnecessary, and the processing can be performed efficiently.

2) In the same ring bookbinding apparatus 2 as in 1) above, punch-only sheets are conveyed onto the alignment tray 22 up to a predetermined number of sheets exceeding the first one final sheet and aligned and collected by the jogger 23. Thereafter, the clamp is released and the sheet bundle accumulated on the alignment tray 22 is discharged at a time, so there is no need for a gap between the sheets up to a predetermined number of sheets, and the processing can be performed efficiently.

3) In 2), when the predetermined number of sheets is the final sheet of the job, the first page of the first part and the final page of the last part in one job are continuously aligned and discharged. A paper gap between the last page portions of the job is not necessary, and processing can be performed efficiently.

4) In 2), the predetermined number of sheets is the upper limit number of sheets that can be stacked on the alignment tray. After the upper limit number of sheets is stacked, the sheet stack on the alignment tray is discharged at once by the discharging means, Since the sheet next to the discharged sheet bundle is discharged to the alignment tray, there is no need for a sheet interval between the sheets up to the stacking limit of the alignment tray, and processing can be efficiently performed accordingly.

5) Since the ring binding apparatus 2 includes the ring binding unit 29 for binding the image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance or the paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation, Even in the case of the apparatus 2, when creating a booklet that does not perform ring binding on a bundle of sheets that has been punched (creation of a sheet part of a punch only sheet), it is possible to efficiently process the sheet between the parts. .

6) A punching unit 16 that punches punched holes in a sheet, a jogger 23 that aligns sheets stacked on the inclined alignment tray 22, and a clamp unit 25 that discharges a bundle of sheets aligned by the jogger 23. When a plurality of ring bookbinding devices are connected to form a paper processing system, the punch-only paper is stacked up to the upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray 22, and then the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 is discharged at a time. While the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 is discharged from the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 and the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 at the same time, the next of the sheet bundle discharged by the first ring bookbinding apparatus 2 Since the first paper of the first section is transported to the alignment tray 22 and is aligned by the jogger 23, the second ring binding apparatus 3 is provided. Parallel processing of creation is possible.

  As a pattern of parallel processing, the sheets are stacked up to the upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray 22 of the second ring binding apparatus 3, and then the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 22 is discharged at a time, While discharging the sheet bundle at a time, a first pattern for conveying the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle to the first ring binding apparatus 2 and continuing the alignment operation, the second ring bookbinding The sheet is conveyed onto the alignment tray 22 of the apparatus 3 to the final sheet of the next section, aligned by the jogger 23, and when one sheet bundle is completed, the one sheet bundle is discharged. The second pattern for transporting the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle to the ring bookbinding apparatus 2 and continuing the alignment operation, the final part of the next part on the alignment tray 22 of the second ring bookbinding apparatus 3 1st ring bookbinding apparatus conveyed to paper When the sheet bundle has been discharged, the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle is conveyed to the first ring binding apparatus 2 to continue the alignment operation. By switching the paper transport destination to the second ring binding apparatus 3 while discharging the paper and introducing a control pattern such as a third pattern for performing the alignment operation, parallel processing can be performed efficiently.

  In the first pattern, it is possible to quickly return to printing discharged in the middle of the copy, and to suppress the period when it is unclear whether the discharged paper bundle is until the end of the copy or in the middle. . In the second pattern, the sheet bundle can be taken out at the break of the print section to be switched to. In the third pattern, it is possible to shorten the period during which it is unclear whether the sheet bundle that has been discharged first is the end of the copy, and to quickly take out the sheet bundle that is the switching destination.

7) The MFP 1 is provided with a controller 1CR that controls the operations of the punching unit 16, the jogger 23, and the clamp pub 25. Since the ring bookbinding apparatuses 2 and 3 operate in response to an instruction from the MFP 1 via the communication means, the MFP 1 and the first and second ring bookbinding apparatuses 2 and 3 operate in cooperation, so that the system operates efficiently. Can be made.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, All the technical matters contained in the technical thought described in the claim are object.

  The present invention is connected to an image forming apparatus, or is used for bookbinding in a state where only an image-formed paper is punched and punched without ring binding. As an image forming apparatus, an MFP, a printer, a copier, a facsimile, or the like is used. When applied to an MFP or a printer, it is also used for bookbinding by output from a PC. In the case of an MFP or a copier, Used for copy paper binding.

1 is a front view showing an external appearance of an image forming system of Example 1 in the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the ring bookbinding apparatus in Example 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a sheet and a ring hole in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an online control configuration in Embodiment 1 of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the ring binding booklet produced by carrying out ring binding of the paper of FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of an image forming system in Embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a large number of paper bundles for one job are processed on a punch-only paper. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when the restriction | limiting is added to the stacking | stacking number on an alignment tray with respect to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating an appearance of an image forming system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of an online control configuration of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 9. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when connecting the ring bookbinding apparatus in Example 2, and performing parallel processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when connecting the ring bookbinding apparatus in Example 3, and performing parallel processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when connecting the ring bookbinding apparatus in Example 4, and performing parallel processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when connecting the ring bookbinding apparatus in Example 5, and performing parallel processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the paper discharge timing of Example 1 thru | or 5 in comparison with a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
1CR Controller 1P, 2P1, 27P2, 2P1-1, 2, 3P1-1, 2, 4P Communication Port 2 First Ring Binding Device 3 Second Ring Binding Device 3a Operation Display Unit (Display Selection Screen)
3a-1 to 12 selection buttons 7 ring binder binding apparatus 8 post-processing machine 16 punching unit 22 alignment tray 23 jogger 25 clamp part 29 ring bind part

Claims (23)

Punching means for punching holes in the paper;
An aligning means for aligning the sheets accumulated on the aligning tray;
Discharging means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means;
A paper processing apparatus comprising:
When an image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance or a paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation is aligned by the aligning means and discharged by the discharge means, the image-formed paper The sheet processing device is characterized in that the discharge operation of the discharge means is not performed while the conveyance of the sheet is continued beyond the section. Punching means for punching holes in the paper;
An aligning means for aligning the sheets accumulated on the aligning tray;
Discharging means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means;
A paper processing apparatus comprising:
The image-formed paper in which punch holes have been punched in advance, or the paper in which punch holes have been punched by the punching means after image formation is transported to the alignment tray up to a predetermined number of sheets beyond the final paper of the first copy. Then, the sheet processing apparatus is configured to align and stack the sheets by the aligning unit, and then discharge the sheet bundle stacked on the alignment tray by the discharging unit at a time. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the predetermined number of sheets is a final sheet of the job. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The predetermined number of sheets is an upper limit number of sheets that can be stacked on the alignment tray. After the upper limit number of sheets is stacked, the sheet stack on the alignment tray is discharged at a time by the discharge unit, and the discharged sheets are subsequently discharged. A sheet processing apparatus that discharges the sheet next to the bundle to the alignment tray. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a ring binding unit that binds the image-formed paper having punch holes punched in advance or the paper having punch holes punched by the punching unit after image formation. Punching means for punching holes in the paper;
An aligning means for aligning the sheets accumulated on the aligning tray;
Discharging means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means;
A paper processing system in which a plurality of paper processing devices including
An image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance or a paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation is stacked up to the upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray, and then the alignment is performed by the discharge means. A first paper processing device for discharging a bundle of paper on the tray at a time;
While the sheet bundle on the alignment tray is being discharged at a time by the discharge means of the first sheet processing apparatus, the first sheet of the next part of the sheet bundle being discharged by the first sheet processing apparatus Is conveyed to the alignment tray and aligned by the alignment means,
An image processing system comprising: The image processing system according to claim 6,
The sheets are stacked up to the upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus, and then the sheet bundle on the alignment tray is discharged at a time by the discharge means, and the discharge tray sets the sheets on the alignment tray. An image processing system in which the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle is conveyed to the first sheet processing apparatus and the alignment operation is continued while discharging the sheet bundle at a time. The image processing system according to claim 6,
When the second sheet processing apparatus conveys the final sheet of the next section onto the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus, the sheet is aligned by the aligning means, and when the one sheet bundle is completed, the discharge section performs the one sheet bundle. In the meantime, the sheet following the discharged sheet bundle is conveyed to the first sheet processing apparatus and the alignment operation is continued. The image processing system according to claim 6,
When the first sheet processing apparatus is transported to the final sheet of the next section on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus and the sheet bundle discharge of the first sheet processing apparatus is completed, the first sheet processing is performed. The next sheet of the ejected sheet bundle is conveyed to the apparatus and the alignment operation is continued, and after the sheet bundle creation is completed, the sheet conveyance destination is switched to the second sheet processing apparatus and the alignment is performed. A paper processing system characterized in that an operation is performed. A paper processing system according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
A paper processing system comprising: a ring binding unit that binds the image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance or the paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation. A paper processing system according to any one of claims 6 to 10,
An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet in front of the first sheet processing apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 11,
Control means for controlling the operations of the punching means, the aligning means, and the discharging means are provided in the image forming apparatus,
Each of the sheet processing apparatuses and the image forming apparatus are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other by a communication unit.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs a control signal to the sheet processing apparatuses via the communication unit. Punching means for punching holes in the paper;
An aligning means for aligning the sheets accumulated on the aligning tray;
Discharging means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means;
A paper processing control method in a paper processing apparatus comprising:
The image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance, or the paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation, is transported to the alignment tray up to a predetermined number of sheets beyond the final paper of the first copy. And a process of
Aligning the conveyed paper on the alignment tray by the alignment means;
Stacking the sheets on the alignment tray up to the predetermined number, and discharging the bundle of sheets stacked on the alignment tray at a time by the discharge unit after stacking;
A sheet processing control method comprising: A paper processing control method according to claim 13,
The sheet processing control method, wherein the predetermined number of sheets is a final sheet of the job. A paper processing control method according to claim 13,
The predetermined number of sheets is an upper limit number of sheets that can be stacked on the alignment tray. In the discharging step, the stack of sheets stacked up to the upper limit number of sheets is discharged at a time by the discharging unit, and subsequently the discharged A sheet processing control method comprising a step of discharging the sheet next to the sheet bundle from the sheet to the alignment tray. Punching means for punching holes in the paper;
An aligning means for aligning the sheets accumulated on the aligning tray;
Discharging means for discharging the sheet bundle aligned by the alignment means;
A sheet processing control method in a sheet processing system in which a first and a second sheet processing apparatus comprising:
A step of stacking an image-formed paper with punch holes punched in advance or a paper with punch holes punched by the punching means after image formation up to an upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray of the first paper processing apparatus; ,
Discharging the stacked sheet bundle on the alignment tray at a time by the discharging means;
Conveying the first sheet of the next part of the sheet bundle discharged by the first sheet processing apparatus to the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus while discharging the sheet bundle at a time. When,
Aligning the sheet conveyed to the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus by the alignment unit;
An image processing control method comprising: The paper processing control method according to claim 16,
Stacking the sheets up to an upper limit that can be stacked on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus;
After stacking in the stacking step, discharging the sheet bundle on the alignment tray at once by the discharging means;
Conveying the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle to the first sheet processing apparatus while discharging the sheet bundle on the alignment tray by the discharging unit at a time, and continuing the alignment operation; ,
A sheet processing control method comprising: The paper processing control method according to claim 16,
Conveying to the final sheet of the next section on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus;
Aligning by the aligning means, and when the one sheet bundle is completed, the discharging means discharges the one sheet bundle;
Conveying the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle to the first sheet processing apparatus while discharging in the discharging step, and continuing the alignment operation;
A sheet processing control method comprising: The paper processing control method according to claim 16,
When the first sheet processing apparatus is transported to the final sheet of the next section on the alignment tray of the second sheet processing apparatus and the sheet bundle discharge of the first sheet processing apparatus is completed, the first sheet processing is performed. Conveying the next sheet of the discharged sheet bundle to the apparatus and continuing the alignment operation;
Continuing the alignment operation, and after completing the sheet bundle creation, switching the sheet transport destination to the second sheet processing apparatus while discharging the sheet bundle, and performing the alignment operation;
A sheet processing control method comprising: A sheet processing control method according to any one of claims 13 to 19,
A sheet processing control method comprising: a ring binding unit that binds the image-formed sheet with punch holes punched in advance or the sheet with punch holes punched by the punching unit after image formation. A sheet processing control method according to any one of claims 13 to 20,
A sheet processing control method comprising an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet in front of the first sheet processing apparatus.   21. A computer program comprising a procedure for executing each step of the paper processing control method according to claim 13 by a computer.   23. A recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 22 is read and recorded so as to be executable by a computer.

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