JP5343780B2 - Network binding system, ring binding bookbinding method, and ring binding bookbinding control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a ring-bound booklet which is bounded by an alternative system, if it is possible for the alternative system to execute ring-binding for this system, when the number of output papers exceeds the allowable number of sheets which can be bounded by a ring member. <P>SOLUTION: In the network bookbinding system 1, a plurality of image forming systems 100 and 200 are communicatably connected to a network 300, wherein in the case of ring-binding in the first image forming system 100, when it is determined that the number of image-formed sheets exceeds the maximum number of bindable sheets in the first image forming system, it is confirmed whether the binding processing of binding the number of sheets exceeding the maximum number of bindable sheets can be executed by the second image forming system 200, and when the second image forming system 200 which can execute the processing exists, punching processing is applied to the sheets of the first copy in the first image forming system 100, to discharge the punched sheets, and the second image forming system 200 alternatively executes the image forming processing and ring-binding bookbinding processing of the second and subsequent copies. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bookbinding system in which a ring binding bookbinding machine is connected to an image forming apparatus and performs bookbinding processing, a ring binding bookbinding method executed in the bookbinding system, and ring binding bookbinding in which bookbinding control in the bookbinding system is executed by a computer. It relates to the control program.

  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, the sheets after punching are aligned, the positions of a large number of holes perforated on the binding side of the sheet bundle are aligned, and a sheet bundle is formed by passing a metal coil or plastic ring member through the hole. Ring binding with binding is also becoming popular.

  An apparatus that performs ring-binding is called a ring-binding bookbinding apparatus (ring-binding bookbinding apparatus). In this type of apparatus, a mechanism for performing ring binding and a mechanism for performing punching are arranged in one apparatus, and the flow from punching to bind binding is performed as a series of operations.

  On the other hand, an invention as described in Patent Documents 1-3 is also known. Among these, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-94081) discloses a sheet thickness input processing unit that performs an input process of thickness information indicating the thickness of the sheet bundle accumulated in a predetermined accumulation unit, and a sheet bundle. The size storage means for storing the size of the ring member that binds the sheet and the thickness indicated by the input thickness information are permitted to bind the sheet bundle by the ring member of the size stored in the size storage means. An allowable range determination means for determining whether or not the predetermined upper limit value is greater than a predetermined lower limit value and is equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit value capable of binding the sheet bundle by the ring member, and the thickness indicated by the thickness information that has been input. And setting means for resetting the size stored in the size storage means to a different size when it is determined that the size is less than or equal to the predetermined lower limit value or less than the predetermined upper limit value; Instruction means for instructing binding of the sheet bundle stored in the storage unit by a ring member having a size stored in the storage means, and the printed sheet bundle is appropriately selected according to the thickness of the sheet bundle. An invention has been disclosed in which it is possible to bind with a ring member of any size.

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-1000084) discloses that a printing unit that prints an image of a document on a sheet, a sheet aligning unit that bundles sheets printed by the printing unit to form a sheet bundle, Binding means for binding the sheet bundle with a binding member that matches the sheet bundle selected from a plurality of binding members having different maximum binding numbers, operation means for the user to instruct the device to operate, and the operation means In the image forming apparatus having an operation condition setting unit that sets an operation condition of the device based on the instruction of the apparatus and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the apparatus based on the setting of the operation condition setting unit, the operation control unit includes: When the operating condition of the chapter break mode is set by the operation means and the operation condition setting means, the break position is determined based on the page information of each chapter. Accordingly, the binding member is selected, and the bundle of sheets on which the image of the document is printed is bound by the binding member that matches the bundle of sheets selected from a plurality of binding members having different maximum binding thicknesses. There has been disclosed an invention in which a bundle of sheets can be bound based on a delimiter unit set by a user without being aware of the number of sheets.

  Further, Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-126482) discloses an image forming apparatus that analyzes data transmitted from a host computer, generates an image to be printed, and forms the generated image on a sheet. The bookbinding means for binding the printed matter on which the image is formed, the limit number detecting means for detecting the limit number of bookbinding operations by the bookbinding means, and the number of prints when the transmission data from the host computer is printed are calculated. And the number of printed sheets obtained by the number-of-printing-calculating means when the instruction by the transmission data from the host computer designates a bookbinding operation by the bookbinding means, Printing is started only when it is within the limit number of sheets of the bookbinding means obtained by the detection means, and it is determined that it is within the limit number of sheets. Until it is determined whether the printing is performed only generation of the print image, the invention can not be binding job is to not waste paper when it is transmitted is disclosed.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a ring member that allows booklet thickness is selected, and binding can be performed with a ring member of an appropriate size according to the thickness of the booklet. Determines a separation position based on the page information of each chapter, selects a binding member according to the separation position, and bundles a sheet bundle based on a separation unit set by the user without being aware of the number of sheets. It is designed to be bound. In the invention described in Patent Document 3, printing is performed only when the number of bookbinding means is within the limit, and when a job that cannot be bound is transmitted, printing is discarded in advance so as not to waste paper. ing.

  In any case, in the inventions according to these conventional techniques, the ring binding machine cannot perform ring binding when the number of pages exceeds the number of bindings allowed by the filled ring member. Only punch output results were obtained.

  Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that when the number of sheets output from the image forming apparatus exceeds the allowable number of ring members of the linked ring binding apparatus, the other ring binding apparatus is used. If ring binding is possible, the apparatus is intended to perform ring binding and allow a user to obtain a booklet that has been bound.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first means includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a punch unit that is disposed at a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus and that forms a ring hole in the sheet, and the sheet An image forming system including a ring binding machine having a ring binding means for binding through a ring member to a ring hole drilled in a network is a network binding system that is connected to a network in a communicable manner. When the ring binding is performed, the control unit of the one image forming system determines that the number of images formed exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the one image forming system. In this image forming system, it is confirmed whether or not the number of sheets exceeding the maximum number of sheets can be bound. If the image forming system exists, the first image forming system punches and discharges a predetermined number of sheets of the first copy with its own punching means, and the other image forming system performs image forming and ring binding. Necessary information is transmitted, and for at least the second and subsequent sheets, the image forming process and the ring binding bookbinding process are substituted.

  The second means is the first means in which the predetermined number of sheets of the first copy is all sheets of the first copy, and the control means sends the second and subsequent sheets of paper to the other image forming system. The image forming process and the ring binding bookbinding process are substituted.

  According to a third means, in the second means, when the control means recognizes that the number of sheets to be bound in the first copy is larger than the maximum number of sheets to be bound, the remaining paper is punched in the first image forming system. In parallel with the processing, the other image forming system starts substitution of the image forming processing and the ring binding bookbinding processing for the second and subsequent sheets.

  The fourth means is the number of processed sheets when the first means recognizes that the predetermined number of copies of the first copy is greater than the maximum number of bound sheets by the control means, The at least second and subsequent sheets are the remaining number of sheets of the first processed sheet at the time of the recognition and the second and subsequent sheets, and the control unit transfers the first copy to the other image forming system. The image forming process and the ring binding bookbinding process are substituted for the remaining number of sheets to be processed and the second and subsequent sheets.

  The fifth means is characterized in that, in the fourth means, in the other image forming system, the remaining number of remaining sheets of the first copy is discharged after the final sheet is discharged.

  According to a sixth means, in the first means, the other image forming system is installed in a front stage of the ring binding machine, and includes an inserter for supplying paper, and the predetermined number of the first copy is all the first copy. And the control means substitutes the ring binding bookbinding process in the other image forming system for all of the punched first sheets set in the inserter and fed from the inserter. It is characterized by that.

  The seventh means is characterized in that, in the sixth means, paper feeding from the inserter is performed at the first changeover of the paper after the paper is set in the inserter.

  According to an eighth means, in the first means, the other image forming system is installed in a front stage of the ring bookbinding machine and includes an inserter for supplying paper, and the predetermined number of the first copy is determined by the control means. The number of sheets to be processed when it is recognized that the first bound number of sheets is greater than the maximum number of bound sheets, and the remaining sheets of the second and subsequent copies are the remaining number of sheets of the first processed sheet at the time of the recognition. And the second and subsequent sheets of paper, and the control means sets the other image formation on all the processed sheets at the recognized time when the punching process is set on the inserter and fed from the inserter. The paper is transported to a predetermined location of the ring binding machine of the system and stacked, and the remaining paper of the first copy is subjected to image forming processing and punching processing and is further applied to the paper stack stacked at the predetermined location. Accumulated, by substituting the wire binding binding process when all sheets of the first set are integrated, thereafter, characterized in that the second copy of the paper to act for the image forming process and the wire binding binding process.

  According to a ninth means, in any one of the first to eighth means, when it can be determined that the number of images formed exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the one image forming system, the other image forming system is used. A setting means is provided for setting whether to automatically perform the above process or to inquire the user.

  A tenth means is the ninth means, wherein the setting means sets based on selection of a selection screen on an operation display unit of an operation panel of the one image forming system.

  The eleventh means includes a selection means for selecting one of the first to ninth means when one of the other image forming systems that can be treated exists. Features.

  A twelfth means is characterized in that, in the eleventh means, the selection means is set to be selected from a selection screen of an operation display section of an operation panel of the one image forming system.

  A thirteenth means includes the personal computer connected to the network in any one of the first to twelfth means, wherein the first image forming system receives print data from the personal computer, and performs image forming processing. And ring-binding bookbinding processing.

  The fourteenth means includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a punch unit that is disposed at a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus and that forms a ring hole in the sheet, and a ring hole that is formed in the sheet. An image forming system including a ring binding machine having a ring binding means for binding through a ring member is a ring binding method in a network binding system that is connected to a network in a communicable manner. When performing binding and binding, it is possible to bind in the step of determining whether the number of images formed by the one image forming system exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the one image forming system and the step of determining. If it is determined that the maximum number of binding sheets has been exceeded, the number of sheets exceeding the maximum number of binding sheets in another image forming system connected to the network When confirming whether or not binding processing is possible and that there is another image forming system that can be processed in the confirming step, a predetermined number of sheets of the first copy in the one image forming system For the process of punching with its own punch means and discharging the sheet, the step of transmitting information necessary for image formation and ring binding to the other image forming system, and at least the second and subsequent sheets And a step of substituting the image forming process and the ring binding bookbinding process.

  The fifteenth means includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a punch unit that is disposed at a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus and that forms a ring hole in the sheet, and a ring hole that is formed in the sheet. A ring binding bookbinding control program that causes a computer to execute ring binding bookbinding control in a network bookbinding system in which a plurality of image forming systems including a ring binding machine having ring binding means for binding through a ring member are connected to a network. A procedure for determining whether or not the number of images formed by one image forming system exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the one image forming system when ring binding is performed by one image forming system; If it is determined in the determining step that the maximum number of sheets that can be bound is exceeded, the network Confirmed that there is a procedure for confirming whether or not the number of binding processes exceeding the maximum number of sheets can be performed in another connected image forming system, and that there is another image forming system that can be processed in the confirmation procedure. When a predetermined number of sheets of the first copy are punched by one punching means to the one image forming system and ejected, and the other image forming system is necessary for image formation and ring binding. And a procedure for substituting an image forming process and a ring binding bookbinding process for at least the second and subsequent sheets.

  In the embodiment described later, the image forming apparatus is in the first and second image forming apparatuses 110 and 210, the punching unit is in the punch unit 416, the ring member is in reference numeral 428, and the ring binding unit is in the ring binding unit 429. The ring binding machine is the first and second ring binding machines 120 and 230, the network is the reference numeral 300, the image forming system is the first and second image forming systems 100 and 200, and the network binding system (substitute system). , Control means to the controller 150, inserter to the reference numeral 220, setting means to the operation panel 110 and controller 150, selection means to the operation panel 110 and controller 150, operation panel to the reference numeral 110, personal computer ( PC) respectively corresponds to reference numeral 500.

  According to the present invention, when the number of sheets output from the image forming apparatus exceeds the allowable number of ring members of the connected ring binding apparatus, ring binding can be performed by another ring binding apparatus. For example, the user can obtain a booklet that has been bound and bound by ring binding.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the network bookbinding system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the ring binding machine currently used in the 1st and 2nd image forming system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the first image forming system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when ring binding is performed from image formation of the first or second image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when carrying out ring binding of the 2nd copy or later by a substitution destination. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when ring binding of the remaining first sheet and the second and subsequent sheets at a substitute destination. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when processing is performed in consideration of the discharge order of the remaining first sheet. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the process which discharges | emits the 1st remaining page in parallel. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the process which carries out the ring binding of the 1st sheet bundle using an inserter. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the process which automates the ring binding with respect to the 1st sheet | seat bundle. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of processing executed when the paper from the inserter is fed to the inserter and the first copy is switched after paper is set. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for switching processing from the first image forming system to the second image forming system. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of switching processing from a first image forming system to a second image forming system by user designation. FIG. 3 is a front view of an operation panel of the first image forming apparatus in the first image forming system. It is a figure which shows one example of a display when the ring binding tab is selected in the operation display part of the operation panel of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inquiry screen on an operation display unit as to whether or not to switch the output destination to another image forming system. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen of the operation display part when selecting a desired image forming system from several 2nd image forming system.

  In the present invention, when a plurality of image forming systems including ring binding machines having different binding thicknesses are connected on a network, when the number of sheets that cannot be ring-bound in a certain image forming system, In the forming system, if the number of sheets can be ring-bound, the image forming process and the ring binding (binding) bookbinding process are moved to the other image forming system side to perform the ring binding bookbinding process, and the user can perform the ring-binding bookbinding process as much as possible. It is intended to be able to obtain a booklet that has been published.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network binding system (hereinafter simply referred to as “substitution system”) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The substitution system 1 is configured as a system in which a first image forming system 100 and a second image forming system 200 are connected via a network 300. Although two image forming systems 100 and 200 are shown in FIG. 1, it is obvious that more image forming systems can be connected, and the two image forming systems 100 and 200 are merely examples. Absent.

  The first image forming system 100 includes a first image forming apparatus 110, a plurality of first post-processing peripheral devices 140, and a first document feeder (ADF) 111. The first post-processing peripheral device 140 includes a first ring binding machine 120 and a first finisher (post-processing apparatus) 130, and the first ring binding machine 120 and the first finisher are connected to the first image forming apparatus 110. The finishers 130 are connected in this order, and the first image forming apparatus 110 is provided with a document feeder 111 and an operation panel 112 described later.

  On the other hand, the second image forming system 200 includes a second image forming apparatus 210, a plurality of second post-processing peripheral devices 250, and a second document feeder (ADF) 211. The second post-processing peripheral device 250 includes an inserter 220, a second ring binding machine 230, and a third finisher 240. The second image forming apparatus 210 includes an inserter 220, a second ring binding machine 230, and The third finisher 240 is linearly connected along the paper transport path in this order. The second image forming apparatus 210 is provided with an independent operation panel 212. Since the ring binding machine forms a single booklet by binding a sheet bundle with a ring member, it is also referred to as a ring binding apparatus or a ring binding bookbinding apparatus as described above. In the following description, ring binding is referred to as ring binding.

  The first and second image forming systems 100 and 200 are respectively connected to a CPU of a controller (described later) of each of the first and second image forming apparatuses 110 and 210 and each of the subsequent apparatuses 120, 130, 220, 230, and 240. The provided controller or CPU of the control circuit can communicate online, and the types and connection states of the respective devices 120, 130, 220, 230, and 240 are indicated by the CPUs of the first and second image forming devices 110 and 210, respectively. Is grasping. These CPUs read the program code stored in the ROM in each device, expand it in the RAM in each device, and follow the program code while using the RAM as a work area and data buffer. Execute control. In the present embodiment, the CPU, ROM, and RAM provided in each device function as computer resources. Further, the first and second image forming apparatuses 110 and 210 are constituted by, for example, a digital multi-function peripheral (MFP-Multi Function Peripheral).

  The first and second ring binding machines 120 and 230 receive sheets printed by the first and second image forming apparatuses 110 and 210 from the first and second image forming apparatuses 110 and 210, respectively. Each sheet is punched and accumulated as a sheet bundle. When a ring bookbinding instruction is received, the accumulated sheet bundle is bound by a ring member and discharged as a booklet that has been bound to a book. When receiving an instruction to eject only the punch, the accumulated sheet bundle is ejected without being bound by the ring member.

  The inserter 220 also has a function of feeding paper to the ring binding machine 230. In the second image forming system 200, the sheets set in the two paper feed trays 221 and 222 of the inserter 220 are ring-bound from the image forming apparatus 210. Paper can be fed to a conveyance path for conveyance to the machine 230. That is, the inserter 220 uses the two paper feed trays 221 and 22 to feed the paper on which the image has been formed, or the paper that cannot pass through the second image forming apparatus 210 to the ring binding machine, or A sheet can be inserted before and after the sheet output from the second image forming apparatus 210 or between arbitrary sheets. Further, the first and second ring binding machines 120 and 230 can accumulate sheets as a bundle without punching according to instructions from the connected first and second image forming apparatuses 110 and 210, respectively. This accumulation function is a function that is particularly necessary for ring-binding bookbinding without punching a sheet that has already been punched.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ring binding machines 120 and 230 used in the first and second image forming systems 100 and 200.

  The ring binding machines 120 and 230 are provided with a horizontal conveyance path 410, alignment trays 413 and 422, a bundle conveyance unit 430, a final bundle conveyance unit 432, and a stack tray 401 along the conveyance path, and a sheet bundle ring is mounted. A clamp 425 that holds the vicinity of the position and a ring bind unit 429 that executes ring bind processing are provided. The paper fed from the image forming apparatuses 110 and 210 is carried into the horizontal conveyance path 410 of the ring binder bookbinding apparatus 4 and conveyed along the horizontal conveyance path 410. When the paper is not ring-bound, it is transported horizontally as it is and transported to the downstream post-processing device 5. In the case of ring binding, the paper is switched back by the reverse roller 411 located downstream of the horizontal conveyance path 410. At that time, the switching claw 412 is switched and conveyed to the punch portion obliquely below.

  In the punch section, the end in the direction parallel to the paper transport direction (hereinafter referred to as the lateral direction) is aligned on the alignment tray 413 by a jogger 414 that abuts the paper edge from a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport direction. It is done. On the other hand, the leading end of the sheet in the conveyance direction is abutted against a leading edge abutting stopper 420 protruding into the conveyance path of the alignment tray 413, and the leading edge of the sheet in the conveyance direction is determined. That is, the alignment tray 413 and the stopper 420 determine the position of the paper in the horizontal direction and the conveyance direction (vertical direction). Note that when the sheet is abutted against the leading edge abutting stopper 420, a conveying force is applied by a conveying roller 415 with a torque limiter, thereby eliminating damage to the leading edge of the sheet.

  When the sheet is positioned, the cam 419 inside the punch unit 416 is rotated, the punch 418 is pushed down, and a hole is punched in the sheet with the die 417. The punch unit 416 is a multi-hole punch for making a ring hole for ring binding. After the punch holes have been punched, the sheet moves backward from the transport path of the leading end abutting stopper 420 to release the contact operation, and is further transported downstream. Further, punch scrap generated by the punching is stored in the punch scrap hopper 421.

  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 on the aligning tray 422 and stacked while being aligned. The alignment tray 422 is provided with a horizontal alignment jogger 423 and a hitting roller 424 that presses the paper in the paper conveyance direction. The horizontal direction is aligned by the jogger 423 while aligning the paper conveyance direction (vertical direction) with a fence (not shown). It is done.

  After the number of sheets to be booklet is stacked on the alignment tray 422 and aligned, the clamp 425 holds the vicinity of the binding side of the sheet under pressure. A ring cartridge holding part 426 is provided in the vicinity of the alignment tray 422, and the ring cartridge 427 is accommodated in the ring cartridge holding part 426. A large number of ring members 428 are stacked in the ring cartridge 427. In the present embodiment, a plastic ring of a type in which the circumference is divided into three is shown.

  After the number of sheets to be bound are stacked on the alignment tray 422 and aligned, the ring binding portion 429 rotates to the lower part of the ring cartridge 427 and takes the ring member 428. The ring binding portion 429 takes one link member 428 and rotates it under the clamp portion 425 while holding one of the link members 428, and passes the ring member 428 through the hole opened at the lower end of the sheet bundle. Thereafter, ring binding is performed by a binding mechanism (not shown). The booklet on which the ring binding has been performed is received by the discharge claw 431 provided on the belt of the bundle conveyance unit 430 after the rotating bundle conveyance unit 430 moves below the clamp unit 425 and then the clamp 425 is released. It is transferred to the bundle transport unit 430.

  Thereafter, the bundle conveying unit 430 rotates counterclockwise and moves to a position that is substantially straight with the final bundle conveying unit 432. Then, the booklet is delivered to the final bundle conveyance unit 432 by the discharge claw 431 provided on the belt of the bundle conveyance unit 430. From the final bundle conveying unit 432, the booklet is conveyed by the discharge claw 433 similarly provided on the belt, and is discharged to the stack tray 401. The stack tray 401 moves up and down according to the stack amount. Reference numeral 402 indicates the lowest position of the stack tray 401. This is the end of the series of booklet creation (ring-bound bookbinding) operations.

  In the case of a sheet with punch holes formed from the beginning, a punch hole is detected by detecting a punch hole by providing a sensor in the middle of the horizontal conveyance path 410 or the like. In this embodiment, the presence or absence of a punch hole is detected by a reflective sensor at the portion where the paper stops at the switchback portion, and the punch hole is determined based on the detection result.

  The first and second finishers 130 and 240 are devices that can perform sheet processing such as alignment, sorting, edge binding, saddle stitching, and center folding on a sheet bundle, and are also known as sheet post-processing devices. belongs to. Note that the sheets post-processed by the first and second finishers 130 and 240 are discharged to the respective discharge trays 131 and 241. These paper discharge trays 131 and 241 can be lifted and lowered according to the height of the uppermost stacked paper in a sheet or a bundle of sheets, and a stable paper discharge operation is possible.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the first image forming system 100. 3 shows the first image forming system 100, the same applies to the second image forming system 200. FIG. Therefore, although not shown, when it is necessary to distinguish between the first and second image forming systems 100 and 200 for the sake of explanation, the former is “−1” for each component of the software and the ring binding machine. The latter will be described as “−2”.

  As described above, the first image forming system 100 includes the first image forming apparatus 110, the first post-processing peripheral apparatus 140, and the first document feeding apparatus 111. The first image forming apparatus 110 is the first image forming apparatus 110. Furthermore, a controller 150 and an engine 160 are provided. As described above, the controller 150 and the engine include a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown). The controller 150 controls the engine 160, the first document feeder 111, and the first post-processing peripheral device 140, and uses the engine 160 to form a visible image on a sheet. The engine 160 includes known units such as an optical writing unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a fixing unit for forming a visible image on a sheet by electrophotography. Each of these units is a well-known device and is not essential to the present invention, so the description thereof is omitted here. Needless to say, the engine 160 may be a droplet discharge type engine such as an ink jet type in addition to the electrophotographic type.

  The controller 150 includes a job management unit 151, an HDD control unit 152, a communication control unit 153, and an operation unit control unit 154 as software, and the engine 160 includes a scanner control unit 161 and a plotter control unit 162. The document feeder 111 also includes the document conveyance control unit 112 as software, and the post-processing peripheral device 140 also includes a post-processing operation control unit 141 in the device as software.

  The controller 150 manages print requests from users as jobs. The job management unit 151 performs printing order, printing priority, and resumption of printing when an abnormality occurs. Also, the page information and image data constituting one part are instructed by the job management unit 151 to the HDD control unit 152, and the HAD control unit 152 stores the information in the HDD (hard disk device). The HDD control unit 152 extracts page information and image data from the HDD or deletes them as necessary. The controller 150 instructs the engine 160 to print in the order determined by itself. In particular, in printing using the ring binding machine 120, the controller 150 issues a bookbinding instruction or a sheet bundle discharge instruction to the engine 160, and the post-processing peripheral device 140 follows the instructions for the sheet bundle stacked on the alignment tray 422. Then, ring binding is performed and the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 401, or the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 401 without any processing or specific processing.

  The communication control unit 153 can communicate with another image forming system or a PC (personal computer) connected via the network 300. The image forming systems 100 and 200 and the PC 500 are mutually connected by the job management unit 151. Managed page information and image data can be transmitted and received.

The operation of the substitution system shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.
1. Operation of First or Second Image Forming System Alone FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when ring binding is performed from image formation of the first or second image forming apparatus 110 or 210 in the present embodiment. The CPU is executed. Here, since the processing is the same for both the first image forming apparatus 110 and the second image forming apparatus, both will be described simply as image forming apparatuses.

  In FIG. 4, when the engine 160 of the image forming apparatus 110 forms an image on a sheet in accordance with an instruction from the controller 150 (step S <b> 101), the sheet is sent to the subsequent ring binding machine 120 and punched by the punch unit 416 of the ring binding machine 120. Processing is performed (step S102). Next, the sheet is conveyed to the alignment tray 422 (step S103). In the alignment tray 422, alignment in both the vertical and horizontal directions is performed one by one by the roller 424 and the horizontal alignment jogger 423, and the number of sheets stored in the alignment tray 422 is checked (step S104). The job management unit 151 manages the number of printed sheets.

  When the number of sheets conveyed to the alignment tray 422 does not exceed the number of sheets to be bound (step S104-N) and the last page is reached (step S106-Y, step S107-Y), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 Are bound by the ring binding mechanism and discharged to the stack tray 401 via the bundle conveying unit 430 and the final bundle conveying unit 432. On the other hand, when the number of sheets to be bound is exceeded in step S104, the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 is discharged (not bound) to the bundle conveyance unit 430 without being bound (step S105). This process is repeated until the final number of sheets that can be bound (step S106-N). However, since the next sheet that exceeds the number of sheets that can be bound can be bound on the alignment tray 422, the processes from step S101 to step S106 are repeated. When the final sheet is reached (step S106-Y), since the number of bound sheets is exceeded (step S107-Y), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 is discharged without being bound (step S109).

  Accordingly, if one copy is less than the maximum number of sheets (the number of sheets that can be bound), the ring binding process is performed and the sheet is discharged, and one set of sheets exceeding the maximum number of sheets is subjected to punching only. Paper is ejected without ring binding.

  For example, assuming that the number of sheets that can be bound, that is, the reference number for determining whether or not the number of sheets to be bound in step S104 has been exceeded (maximum number of sheets to be bound) is 50, if the number of printed sheets is 60, the sheet conveyed to the alignment tray 422 When the number of sheets reaches 51, the 50 punched sheets on the alignment tray 422 are discharged without ring binding (step S105). The 51st sheet is stacked on the alignment tray 422 (steps S104 and S106), and when it reaches 60 sheets, it is determined as the final sheet (step S106-Y). As a result of the determination (step S107), since ten sheets have been exceeded, the ten sheets on the alignment tray 422 are discharged without being bound (step S109). Thereby, the stack tray 401 is stacked with a bundle of 60 sheets (booklet) that is subjected only to punching processing and not subjected to ring binding.

  Therefore, when one copy is equal to or less than the maximum number of sheets to be bound, a ring bind process is performed, and when the number exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be bound, the sheet is discharged without being subjected to the ring bind process. Therefore, for the sheet bundle that has not been subjected to the ring binding process, the ring binding process may be separately performed by a ring binding machine corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle. Therefore, when the maximum number of sheets to be bound is exceeded, it is possible to eliminate waste such as stopping the system and notifying the operator to that effect.

2. 2. Operation when the operation of the first image forming system is delegated to the second image forming system 2.1 Ring binding for the second and subsequent copies as a substitute destination As shown in the system configuration diagram of FIG. The image forming systems 100 and 200 are connected via a network 300. Therefore, when the two are linked together, the maximum number of sheets of one image forming system is greater than the maximum number of sheets of the other image forming system, and the other number of processed sheets is greater than the maximum number of sheets of its own and less than the maximum number of sheets of one Then, communication is performed via the network 300, and the image forming process and the ring binding process of the other image forming system are made to substitute for one image forming system.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure at this time. In the figure, when the engine 160 of the image forming apparatus 110 of the first image forming system (denoted as the image forming system A in the figure, also in the following embodiments) 100 forms an image on a sheet according to an instruction from the controller 150 ( In step S201, the sheet is sent to the subsequent ring bookbinding machine 120, and punched by the punch unit 416 of the ring bookbinding machine 120 (step S202). Next, the sheet is conveyed to the alignment tray 422 (step S203). In the alignment tray 422, alignment in both the vertical and horizontal directions is performed one by one by the roller 424 and the horizontal alignment jogger 423, and the number of sheets accumulated in the alignment tray 422 is checked (step S204). The management of the number of printed sheets is performed by the job management unit 151 as in the case of the flowchart of FIG.

  When the number of sheets conveyed to the alignment tray 422 does not exceed the number of sheets to be bound (step S204-N) and the last page is reached (step S206-Y, step S207-Y), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 Are bound by the binding mechanism and discharged to the stack tray 401 via the bundle conveying unit 430 and the final bundle conveying unit 432. On the other hand, if the number of sheets to be bound is exceeded in step S204, the process of discharging the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 to the bundle conveying unit 430 without binding is repeated until the last page (steps S205 and S206-N). When the final page is reached (step S206-Y), the bound number of sheets is exceeded (step S207-Y), and the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 is discharged without being bound (step S209).

  Next, the controller 150 of the first image forming apparatus 110 transmits the first image forming system 200 to the controller 150-2 of the second image forming apparatus 210 of the second image generating system 200 via the network. An inquiry is made as to whether or not the same number of sheets as the number of sheets to be processed by the image forming system 100 can be bound, and whether or not binding is possible is confirmed (step S210). If the binding is not possible, the process returns to step S201 without performing the binding process, and the first image forming system 100 repeats the processes in and after step S201. If the binding is possible, the second image forming system for the second and subsequent copies. The output destination is switched so as to be processed at 200 (step S211).

  Here, when the maximum number of sheets to be bound in the first image forming system 100 is 50 as described above, if the maximum number of sheets to be bound in the second image forming system 200 is 100, the bundle of 60 sheets is the first. The second image forming system 200 can bind and bind. Therefore, when it is confirmed that the first image forming system 100 can be closed by the second image forming system 200 in step S210, the page information and the image data stored in the HDD are converted into the second image. Transfer to the forming system 200 side. When the second image forming system 200 receives the page information and the image data from the first image forming system 100, the second image forming apparatus 210 performs image formation for the second and subsequent copies, and the ring-bound bookbinding is performed on the second ring. Each of the bookbinding machines 230 executes the ring binding bookbinding instructed by the first image forming system 100 to the second image forming system 200.

  By processing in this way, ring-binding can be performed without stopping the printing of the second and subsequent copies.

2.2 Ring binding of the remaining first sheet and the second and subsequent sheets as a substitute destination In the case of 2.1, when the first sheet is larger than the maximum number of sheets of the first image forming system 100, Since ring binding is not executed, it is necessary to perform ring binding separately for the first copy. When ring binding is performed for only one part, the user or the operator usually attaches the ring member himself without using the ring binding device. At this time, since the ring member is mounted on the ring cartridge, a ring member having a required size is removed from the ring cartridge or only one ring bundle is taken out from the ring bundle to be mounted on the ring cartridge, and the ring member is used. For this reason, it takes time and effort to bind only one sheet bundle.

  Therefore, in the system shown in FIG. 1, the first image forming system 100 substitutes the processing on the second image forming system 200 side when the number of bound sheets in the bundle exceeds the maximum number of bound sheets. It is possible to perform ring binding on the remaining sheet bundle and the second and subsequent sheet bundles, and discharge the sheet bundle with a bindable ring member attached to the first sheet bundle.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for such processing. In the figure, when the engine 160 of the image forming apparatus 110 of the first image forming system 100 forms an image on a sheet in accordance with an instruction from the controller 150 (step S301), the sheet is sent to the ring binding machine 120 at the subsequent stage, and the ring bookbinding is performed. A punching process is performed by the punch unit 416 of the machine 120 (step S302). Next, the sheet is conveyed to the alignment tray 422 (step S303). In the alignment tray 422, both vertical and horizontal alignments are performed one by one by the rollers 424 and the horizontal alignment jogger 423, while the number of sheets stored in the alignment tray 422 is checked to determine whether the maximum number of sheets has been exceeded. (Step S304). The management of the number of printed sheets is performed by the job management unit 151 as in the case of the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S304, when the number of bindings reaches the final page without exceeding the maximum number of bindings (steps S304-N and S305-Y), the first ring binding machine 120 of the first image forming system 100 performs the binding process. Is executed, and the ring-bound booklet is discharged onto the stack tray 401.

  If the maximum number of sheets is exceeded before reaching the final page in step S304 (step S304-Y), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 of the first ring binding machine 120 is transferred to the stack tray 401 without being bound. The second image forming system 200 determines whether or not the maximum number of bindings, in other words, the upper limit of the number of bindings is larger than that of the first image forming system 100 (step S308). This determination is made from the controller 150-1 of the first image forming system 100 to the controller 150-2 of the second image forming system 200 via the network via the maximum binding number of the ring binding machine 230 of the second image forming system 200. It is done by inquiring. If it is determined that the maximum number of sheets of the second image forming system 200 is less than or equal to the maximum number of sheets of the first image forming system 100 (step S308-N), the process returns to step S301 and the subsequent processing is repeated. .

  On the other hand, if the maximum number of sheets of the second image forming system 200 is larger than the maximum number of sheets of the first image forming system 100 (step S308-Y), the remaining first copy is the second image forming system 200. In step S309, the second and subsequent sheets are ring-bound by the second image forming system 200 and output (step S310). That is, when it is determined in step S308 that the maximum number of bindings of the second image forming system 200 is larger than the maximum number of bindings of the first image forming system 100, the page information and the image data are stored in the first image forming system 100. Is transferred from the controller 150-1 side to the controller 150-2 side of the second image forming system 200, and the controller 150-2 of the second image forming system 200 forms an image based on the received page information and image data. And ring binding process.

  In this way, when the number of sheets to be ring-bound is greater than the maximum binding number of the first image forming system 100 and the second image forming system is capable of ring binding, the second and subsequent copies are processed. The second image forming system 200 performs image forming and ring bookbinding on behalf of the second image forming system 200, and a ring member for binding the first copy is added to each of the remaining pages of the first copy for the ring binding of the second image forming system 200. Can be output to the stack tray 401-2 of the machine 230. This eliminates the need for the user or operator to separately prepare and use a ring member for binding the first copy, and can easily bind the first copy manually after printing.

2.2.1 Discharge order of first remaining sheet In step 2.2, if the maximum number of sheets of the second image forming system 200 is greater than the maximum number of sheets of the first image forming system 100 (step (S308-Y) The remainder of the first copy is output by the second image forming system 200 (step S309), and the second and subsequent sheets are also output by the second image forming system 200 (step S310). I have to. When paper is discharged in this way, the first first set is discharged to the bottom of the stack tray 401-2, and the second and subsequent copies are stacked from the top. Therefore, when trying to ring bind the first copy, the ring binding cannot be performed unless the second and subsequent booklets are taken out of the stack tray 401-2. When the number of copies is small, there is no problem, but when the number of copies is large, it takes time and effort to take out, and it is inefficient.

  Therefore, if the rest of the first copy that has been subjected to image formation and punch processing by the first image forming system 100 is on the top of the second and subsequent booklets, the first sheet bundle is stacked on the stack tray 401-. 2 can be easily taken out, and the time for ring binding is reduced.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for performing this processing. In the figure, steps S401 to S408 are the same as steps S301 to S308 in FIG. If the maximum number of sheets of the second image forming system 200 is larger than the maximum number of sheets of the first image forming system 100 in step S408 (step S408-Y), the second and subsequent sheets are transferred to the second sheet. Ring binding is performed by the image forming system 200 and output (step S409). Then, the remainder of the first copy is ring-bound by the second image forming system 200 and output (step S410).

  That is, when it is determined in step S408 that the maximum number of bindings of the second image forming system 200 is larger than the maximum number of bindings of the first image forming system 100, the page information and the image data are stored in the first image forming system 100. Is transferred from the controller 150-1 side to the controller 150-2 side of the second image forming system 200, and the controller 150-2 of the second image forming system 200 performs two copies based on the received page information and image data. The first sheet bundle is processed first, and the process to the last part is completed, and then the sheet bundle of sheets after the maximum number of sheets of the first set is bound and output.

  As a result, it is easy to take out the remaining page of the first copy of the output divided into the two image forming systems, and it is possible to improve the work efficiency when the user or the operator performs the ring binding.

2.2.2 Parallel discharge of first remaining page in 2.1 In step S207, when the number of binding sheets exceeds the first image forming system 100 in step S207, the number of sheets to be bound is the second image. If the number is less than the maximum binding number of the forming system 200 (step S210), the second and subsequent copies are imaged by the second image forming system 200, and ring binding is performed. At this time, the number of sheets to be bound by the first image forming system 100 is determined when the last page is output or before. In the example of FIG. 5, after the first copy of the unstitchable paper is discharged, the second and subsequent copies are bound by the second image forming system 100. Since the second copy process is not started until all sheets are discharged, the second image forming system 200 determines the time until the number of sheets is fixed and all the first unbinding sheets are discharged. It only waits for the completion of paper discharge, and this time is wasted.

  Therefore, when the first image forming system 100 forms an image and the number of sheets for ring binding exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be bound, output from the first image forming system 100 is continued until the number of sheets is determined. If the number of sheets that can be bound by the second image forming system 200 is compared with the maximum number of sheets to be bound by the second image forming system 200 at the time when the image is fixed, the second and subsequent processes are performed. Switch to, and implement it on your behalf. If there is the first remaining sheet, the first image forming system 100 outputs only the punched sheet in parallel with the output from the second image forming system 200.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for performing this processing. In the figure, from step S501 to step S504, the same processing as in step S201 to step S204 in FIG. 5 is executed, and the sheet conveyed to the alignment tray 422 of the ring binding machine 120 in the first image forming system 100. When the number of sheets does not exceed the number of sheets to be bound (step S504-N) and the last page has been reached (steps S505-Y and S506-N), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 is bound by the bind mechanism and conveyed. The sheet is discharged to the stack tray 401 via the section 430 and the final bundle conveying section 432 (step S507).

  On the other hand, if the number of sheets to be bound is exceeded in step S504, the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 is discharged to the bundle conveying unit 430 without being bound (step S509), and step S501 is performed until the number of pages of one part is determined. To steps S504 and S509 are repeated (step S510-N). When the number of pages in one part is determined (step S510-Y), the controller 150-1 of the first image forming apparatus 110 transmits the second image forming apparatus of the second image generation system 200 via the network 300. The controller 150-2 of 210 is inquired whether or not the second image forming system 200 can bind one part, and if the binding is possible based on the result (step S511-Y), the second and subsequent copies are second. Are output by the image forming system 200 (step S512), and the processing from step S501 is repeated. If the second image forming system 200 cannot bind the number of pages of one part in step S511 (step S511-N), the second image forming system 200 does not perform the process for the processing, and step S501 is performed. Repeat the process from.

  On the other hand, if the final page is reached in step S504 without exceeding the maximum number of sheets (steps S504-N and S505-Y), whether or not the currently processed sheet is after the maximum number of sheets has been exceeded. Is determined (step S506). If this determination is exceeded (step S506-Y), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 is discharged only by punching processing without binding (step S508).

  With this processing, when it is determined in step S511 that binding is possible, the process proceeds to step S512 regardless of the remaining first page, and the second image is transferred from the controller 150-1 of the first image forming system 100. Since the page information and the image data are transmitted to the controller 150-2 of the forming system 200, the second image forming system 200 outputs the second and subsequent copies while the first image forming system outputs the first copy. The remaining pages can be output.

  As a result, the two devices can be operated in parallel, and productivity can be improved.

2.3 Ring binding of the first sheet bundle using the inserter 2.3.1 Ring binding of the first sheet bundle by the processing of the user or operator As shown in FIG. An inserter 220 is provided downstream of the second image forming apparatus 210, and the ring binding machine 230 is provided downstream of the inserter 220. Therefore, when the number of pages in one copy exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be bound in the first image forming system 100, in 2.1, only the punch processing is performed on the first sheet bundle without performing ring binding, and output. If the number of sheets that can be bound for one copy is set in the inserter 220, ring binding can be performed by the second ring binding machine.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure at this time. In FIG. 5, when an image is formed on a sheet (step S601), the sheet is sent to the subsequent ring bookbinding machine 120 and punched by the punch unit 416 of the ring bookbinding machine 120 (step S602). Next, the sheet is conveyed to the alignment tray 422 (step S603), and the number of sheets stored in the alignment tray 422 is checked (step S604).

  If the number of sheets conveyed to the alignment tray 422 does not exceed the number of sheets to be bound (step S604-N) and the last page is reached (step S606-Y, step S607-Y), the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 Are bound by the binding mechanism and discharged to the stack tray 401 via the bundle conveying unit 430 and the final bundle conveying unit 432. On the other hand, if the number of sheets to be bound is exceeded in step S604, the process of discharging the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 to the bundle conveying unit 430 without binding is repeated until the last page (steps S605 and S606-N). When the final page is reached (step S606-Y), the bound number of sheets is exceeded (step S607-Y), and the sheet bundle on the alignment tray 422 is discharged without being bound (step S609).

  Next, the second image forming system 200 checks whether or not the number of sheets to be processed by the first image forming system 100 can be bound (step S610). If the binding is impossible, the binding process is not performed. Returning to step S601, the processing from step S201 is repeated, and if the binding is possible, the output destination is switched so that the second and subsequent sheets are processed by the second image forming system 200 (step S611). Then, the first sheet bundle, which has been punched only by the first image forming system 100, is set on the sheet feeding tray 221 or 222 of the inserter 220, and automatically after the final section is bound. Specifically, the sheet is fed one by one to the ring bookbinding machine 230 and conveyed, the punching process is omitted, and the ring binding machine 230 executes the ring binding bookbinding process (step S612). The reason why the punching process is omitted in step S612 is that the punching process has already been completed for the first sheet in the first image forming system 100.

  Step S601 to step S611 are the same as step S201 to step S211 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and practically ring-bound bookbinding using the inserter 220 at the subsequent stage of step S211 in the flowchart in FIG. Equivalent to the addition of processing.

  Processing in this way eliminates the need to manually perform the first ring binding, and can improve convenience and work efficiency.

2.3.2 Automating the ring binding of the first sheet bundle When it is possible to determine that the number of sheets to be bound has been exceeded during the output of the first copy, the second image forming system 200 is used for the second and subsequent copies to start the output. If the first copy is set in the inserter 220 when the output of the final portion is finished in the second image forming system 200, the paper is supplied from the inserter 220 to the ring binding machine 230. At that time, the ring bookbinding machine 230 stacks the first set of sheets on the alignment tray 420 without performing punching processing on the sheets. If there is a first remaining page after the paper feeding from the inserter 220 is completed, it is printed again by the second image forming system 200 and collected on the alignment tray 420-2 while punching. When all the sheets are stacked on the alignment tray 420-2, the ring-binding bookbinding process is executed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure at this time. In the figure, when the first copy is output from the first image forming system 100 (step S701), it is checked whether the number of pages of the first copy exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be bound (step S702). In this check, the last page of the first copy may be detected or detected before reaching the final page. If the number of sheets to be bound is equal to or smaller than the maximum number of sheets in this check (step S702-N), it is further checked whether it is the final page of the copy (step S703). The ring binding bookbinding process is performed by the 100 ring binding machines 120 (step S704).

  If it is determined in step S702 that the number of pages exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be bound (step S702-Y), image formation and ring binding are performed to the second image forming system 200 for the second and subsequent copies via the network as described above. Is output in place of (step S705). This is repeated until the final part (step S706-N), and after the final part is output (step S706-Y), it is checked whether or not a sheet bundle of one side is set in the inserter 220 (step S707). If it is set in the inserter 220 (step S707-Y), the paper in the inserter 220 is fed to the ring binding machine 230. In the ring bookbinding machine 230, since the sheet from the inserter 220 has already been punched in the first image forming system 100, the sheet is conveyed to the alignment tray 422 without performing the punching process (step S708).

  Then, it is confirmed whether there is a remaining page in the first copy (step S709). If there is a remaining page, the second image forming system 200 punches and outputs the remaining page in the first copy (step S710). ). After that, the second image forming system 200 performs a ring-binding bookbinding process on the first sheet bundle and discharges it to the stack tray 401-2. If the first copy is not set in the inserter 220 in step S707, step S708 is skipped and the remaining page of the first copy is confirmed in step S709. If there is no remaining first page in step S709, step S710 is skipped and the process of step S711 is executed. That is, in step S711, the ring binding bookbinding machine 230 of the second image forming system 200 executes ring binding binding on the first sheet bundle, and the first bound booklet subjected to ring binding is stored in the stack tray 401-2. Paper is discharged.

  By processing in this way, the remaining page side of the first copy of the output divided into two image forming systems can be easily taken out, and the first binding process using the inserter can be automated.

2.3.3 Feeding from the inserter is executed at the first copy change after the paper is set in the inserter. In step S612, the timing of feeding paper from the inserter is output as a job (here, all the specified number of copies are output). It is set to the last part. In other words, the second image forming system 200 forms a booklet by binding the second and subsequent sheet bundles, then feeds the first sheet from the inserter 220, and binds and binds it. However, the bookbinding can be executed at the break between the parts, not the final part of the job.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when such processing is performed. In the figure, when the first copy is output from the first image forming system 100 (step S801), it is checked whether the number of pages of the first copy exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be bound (step S802). If there is no excess of the number of sheets to be bound, the first image forming system 100 executes image formation and ring bind binding to the final part.

  On the other hand, if the number of sheets exceeds the number in step S802, the second image forming system 200 performs the image forming and ring binding bookbinding processing for the second and subsequent copies (step S804). In the meantime, when the section is separated (step S805-Y), it is checked whether or not a sheet bundle not subjected to the first binding process is set in the inserter 220 (step S806). The paper is fed to the ring binding machine 230. The ring bookbinding machine 230 discharges the paper carried in from the inserter 220 to the alignment tray 422-2 without performing punching processing (step S807).

  Next, if there is a remaining page in the first copy, the remaining page is output by the second image forming system 200 (step S809). In this output, the remaining sheets are discharged onto the alignment tray 422-2 in step S807, and the remaining sheets are placed on the first formed sheet bundle conveyed from the accumulated first image forming system 100. They are stacked in order. At this timing, the number of previous pages of the first sheet bundle is equalized, so the binding process is performed by the ring binding unit 429-2 of the ring binding machine 230, and the sheet is discharged onto the stack tray 401 (step S810).

  Then, the presence / absence of the remaining number of copies is confirmed (step S811). If there is a remaining number of copies, the remaining number of copies is processed by the second image forming system 200 in step S812, and the ring binding is performed (step S812). If there are no remaining copies, the process ends. If the first copy is not set in the inserter 220 in step S806, the remaining number of copies is confirmed (step S811), and the second image forming system 200 outputs the remaining number of copies according to the presence or absence of the remaining copies. Whether to end (step S812) or to end as it is is determined.

  If processing is performed in this way, it is possible to prevent the first printing from being wasted by stopping or changing the number of copies after the paper feeding from the inserter 220 is completed.

2.4 Switching from the First Image Forming System to the Second Image Forming System Upon image formation and ring binding in the first image forming system 100, the ring binding is performed in the first image forming system 100 as described above. As described above, in the case of the number of pages that cannot be bound, the processing is delegated to the second image forming system that can be ring-bound even with this number of pages. However, on the occasion of substitution, it is necessary to request substitution from the first image forming system 100 to the second image forming system 200. Furthermore, there is a problem whether the user makes this request or whether the first image forming system 100 automatically requests the second image forming system 200.

  Therefore, here, when it is determined that the number of pages n exceeds the number of pages that can be closed, the output switching from the first image forming system 100 to the second image forming system 200 is automatically performed, or the user is prompted. It was possible to set in advance whether to inquire once.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure at this time. In the figure, when the first copy is output from the first image forming system 100 (step S901), it is checked whether the number of pages of the first copy exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be bound (step S902). In this check, the last page of the first copy may be detected or detected before reaching the final page. When it is detected in this check that the number of binding sheets has exceeded the maximum number of binding sheets (step S902-N), it is checked whether automatic switching to another image forming system is set (step S903). If automatic switching is set (step S903-Y), the image forming system capable of binding the number of pages of the set, in this case, the second image forming system 200, performs the processing and performs image formation and copying from the second copy. The ring-binding bookbinding process is executed by the second image forming system 200 (step S909).

  On the other hand, when the automatic switching is not set (step S903-N), the operation of the first image forming system 100 is stopped and the second image forming system 200 capable of ring binding is substituted for. The user is inquired whether it is acceptable (step S904). Next, it is checked whether or not the ring member 428 has been replaced with one having a large capacity (step S905). If it has been replaced with a larger one, the inquiry is terminated (step S906), the process returns to step S901, and if there is a remaining page, the first remaining page is processed.

  On the other hand, if there is no replacement, the first image forming system 100 cannot perform the binding process, so an instruction for switching to another image forming system having a large binding capacity is confirmed (step S907). Step S907-N) The inquiry is terminated (Step S906), and the processing from Step S901 is repeated. If there is an instruction (step S907-Y), the inquiry is terminated (step S908), and the process is transferred (substituted) to another image forming system having a large binding capability, here, the second image forming system 200. From the page that has not been processed, the second image forming system 200 performs processing up to the final part (step S909).

  1 above. As described in the above, for example, if the number of sheets that can be bound, that is, the reference number for determining whether or not the number of sheets to be bound in step S902 is exceeded (maximum number of sheets to be bound) is 50, the number of printed sheets is 60, If the automatic switching setting is not made in S903, this inquiry is made by displaying a message on the operation display unit 112a of the operation panel 112 of the first image forming apparatus 110 of the first image forming system 100. A user instruction is input by touching the selection button displayed on the operation display unit 112a. In FIG. 1, the operation panel 112 is provided on the upper surface of the main body of the first image forming apparatus 110 and is not particularly illustrated, but the operation as shown in FIG. 14 is performed at a position indicated by reference numeral 112 in FIG. 1. A panel 112 is provided.

  In response to this inquiry, when switching is not set, as shown in FIG. 16, “Yes” or “No” is displayed along with a message 114f “Do you want to switch output to another system? The selection buttons 114g and 114h are displayed and the user is inquired. When the user selects “Yes” from this display screen, the ring member 428-1 of the ring binding machine 120 of the first image forming system 100 has a large capacity, here, 50 or more can be ring-bound. If not exchanged, the processing of step S908 and step S909 is executed. The second image forming system 200 is a system that can function as the second image forming system (capable of binding the previous page of the part), and is not particularly specified as long as it is a system connected to the network 300. .

  Further, the operation display unit 112a shown in FIG. 16 is a view showing one display example of the operation display unit 112a of the operation panel 112 shown in FIG. 14, and the ring binding 114d is selected on the display screen of FIG. Displayed during bookbinding.

  As shown in the front view of FIG. 14, the operation panel 112 of the first image forming apparatus 110 in the first image forming system 100 includes an operation display unit 112a, a numeric keypad 112b, a stop button 112c, a start button 112d, a power button 112e, and the like. The operation display unit 112a is a touch panel. The numeric keypad 112b and the other buttons 112b to 112d are hard keys. Function keys for selecting a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and the like are provided on the left side of the operation display unit 112a, and operations such as a clear button and an interrupt button are selected on the right side of the numeric keypad 112B. A selection key is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the operation display section 112a of the operation panel 112 includes a paper selection button 112b1 and a scaling selection button 112b2 in addition to a “ready to copy” display 112a1 and a “document, set number of copies, copy number” display 112a2. A document type selection button 112b3, a density selection button 112b4, a paper type selection button 112b5, a document setting direction selection button 112b6, a paper processing selection display unit 113, and the like are set and displayed.

  The paper selection button 112b1 is used to automatically select an optimal size paper from the paper cassette according to the document size and copy size, or to manually select an intended size paper. The magnification selection button 112b2 selects the magnification including the same magnification. An original image type selection button 112b3 selects an original type such as a character original or a photo original. The density selection button 112b4 is for selecting the copy density automatically or manually. The paper type selection button 112b5 selects a paper type such as mixed size and thin paper thick paper. The original setting direction selection button 112b6 selects the original setting direction.

  In the paper processing selection display section 113, a paper discharge / registration tab 114a, a finisher tab 114b, a folding / punch tab 114c, a ring bookbinding tab 114d, a bookbinding tab 114e, and a display input screen 114 are set by display control. The type of tab and the types of buttons that can be selected in the tab vary depending on the connected post-processing peripheral device.

  When the ring binding tab 114d is touched, the display input screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. From this screen, the type of ring binding that can be executed by this system and the binding direction at the time of binding are displayed. Ring binding is automatically performed.

  When ring binding is automatically executed, if it is determined that the number of pages is not ringable, the process is performed after step S903, and the display screen of FIG. 16 described above is obtained by the process of step S904. .

  With this processing, in the network system including the first and second image forming systems 100 and 200, the user sets whether or not to automatically switch the ring bind bookbinding, and the ring bind bookbinding is executed based on the setting. Therefore, ring binding according to the user's usage environment and usage is possible, and usability can be improved.

2.4.1 Switching from First Image Forming System to Second Image Forming System by User Specification In 2.4, the second image forming system 200 can function as a second image forming system. When there are a plurality of the image forming systems, it is not specified which image forming system is selected, and it is only necessary that the binding process can be performed functionally. However, if the selected second image forming system 200 is set at a location away from the first image forming system 100, for example, the farthest location on the same floor or a different floor, It is inconvenient when setting a part of the remaining pages that have not been output by the image forming system 100 to the inserter 220. In addition, when carrying the remaining pages, even if the processing for the second and subsequent copies is completed, the next user, Alternatively, the operator cannot use the ring binding machine 230 of the second image forming system 200. Therefore, this time becomes a loss time.

  In view of this, when there are a plurality of second image forming systems 200 that perform the processing of the first image forming system 100, an image forming system that can perform work as efficiently as possible if the user can select an image forming system that performs the processing. Can be used.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when such processing is performed. In the figure, when the first copy is output from the first image forming system 100 (step S1001), it is checked whether the number of pages of the first copy exceeds the maximum number of sheets to be bound (step S1002). In this check, the last page of the first copy may be detected or detected before reaching the final page. When it is detected in this check that the number of bindings has exceeded the maximum number of bindings (step S1002-N), the operation of the first image forming system 100 is stopped, and candidates for switching destinations of the second image forming system are selected. Enumerate and ask the user for selection (step S1003). Here, 70 sheets of the A machine system, 100 sheets of the B machine system, and 100 sheets of the C machine system can be bound, and the selection buttons 114j, 114k, and 114l of the A machine system, the B machine system, and the C machine system are displayed. It is displayed on the input screen 114 and an inquiry to the user is made.

  Next, it waits for the system to be switched to be selected (step S1004). When the system is selected, the inquiry is terminated, the display input screen 114 in FIG. 17 is closed (step S1006), and the designated switching destination, here A Machine system, machine B system, or machine C system is selected as the second image forming system 200, and the second and subsequent ring-bound bookbinding processes in the selected system and the first page of all pages of the ring Executes the binding bookbinding process and ends the job.

  With this processing, the user or the operator can select a system to be executed as the second image forming system 200, so that convenience can be improved.

3. Printing instruction from PC In the above example, when ring binding is performed, when the number of pages of one copy is the number of pages that cannot be ring bound by the first image forming system 100, the ring binding is performed. Have another image forming system capable of bookbinding, in this case, the second image forming system 200 substitute ring-bound bookbinding, and complete one job for the sheet bundle set in the first image forming system 100. Is intended. However, in addition to the image forming apparatus, the printer, and the image forming (bookbinding) systems 100 and 200, the proxy system 1 may be connected to a PC 500, and a print request and a ring bind bookbinding request may be made from the PC 500. At this time, the sheet processing is performed in the same way.

  For example, in the proxy system 1, when a request is made from the PC 500 to perform a 10-sheet bundle of 60 copies per page and ring-bound bookbinding, and the first image forming system 100 is selected by the PC 500 as an output destination, The page information that one copy is 60 pages and the image data of each page are transmitted to the first image forming system 100. In the first image forming system 100, the job control unit 151 instructs the HDD control unit 152 to receive page information and image data constituting the one part, and the HAD control unit 152 receives the HDD control unit 152. To store. When there is a print instruction from the controller 150, the job management unit 151 instructs the HDD control unit 152 to retrieve page information and image data from the HDD, and the controller 150 instructs the plotter control unit 162 to retrieve the page information and Image data is transmitted to form an image on a sheet.

  In this process, 1. And 2. Each operation described in the above is executed as appropriate depending on whether the number of sheets in one sheet bundle exceeds the maximum number of binding sheets in the first image forming system 100, functions as the proxy system 1, and functions as one job and a plurality of jobs. Part of the ring-bound bookbinding is executed.

  The selection operation from the display screen of the operation panel 112 described in the sections 2.4 and 2.4.1 when printing is instructed from the PC 500 uses a pointing device on the display of the PC 500. The same operation procedure is executed instead of the selection operation.

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

416 Punch unit 428 Ring member 429 Ring binding unit 120 First ring binding machine 230 Second ring binding machine 110 First image forming apparatus 210 Second image forming apparatus 100 First image forming system 200 Second image Forming system 1 Network binding system (proxy system)
150 Controller 220 Inserter 110 Operation Panel 500 Personal Computer (PC)
300 network

JP 2008-94081 A JP 2008-1000084 JP 2008-126482 A

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a punch unit that is disposed at a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus and that forms a ring hole in the sheet, and a ring binding that binds through a ring member to the ring hole that is formed in the sheet An image forming system including a ring binding machine having means is a network binding system in which a plurality of image forming systems are communicably connected to a network,
When ring binding is performed by one image forming system, the control unit of the one image forming system determines that the number of image formation exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the one image forming system.
Check whether the number of sheets exceeding the maximum number of sheets can be bound by another image forming system connected to the network.
When there are other image forming systems that can be processed,
The first image forming system punches a predetermined number of sheets of the first copy with its own punching means, and discharges it.
A network bookbinding system, wherein information necessary for image formation and ring binding and bookbinding is transmitted to the other image forming system, and image forming processing and ring binding and bookbinding processing are substituted for at least the second and subsequent sheets. The network binding system according to claim 1,
The predetermined number of sheets of the first copy is all sheets of the first copy,
The network binding system, wherein the control unit causes the other image forming system to perform the image forming process and the ring binding bookbinding process for the second and subsequent sheets. The network binding system according to claim 2,
When the control unit recognizes that the number of sheets to be bound in the first copy is larger than the maximum number of sheets to be bound, the control unit sends the remaining sheets to the other image forming system in parallel with the remaining sheet punching process in the first image forming system. A network bookbinding system that starts substitution of the image forming process and ring-binding bookbinding process for the second and subsequent sheets. The network binding system according to claim 1,
The predetermined number of sheets of the first copy is the number of sheets processed when the control means recognizes that the number of sheets of the first copy is greater than the maximum number of sheets to be bound,
The at least the second and subsequent sheets are the remaining sheets of the first processed number of sheets and the second and subsequent sheets at the recognized time point,
The control unit causes the other image forming system to perform the image forming process and the ring binding bookbinding process for the remaining sheets of the first copy and the second and subsequent sheets. . The network binding system according to claim 4,
In the other image forming system, the remaining number of sheets to be processed in the first set are discharged after the last sheet is discharged. The network binding system according to claim 1,
The other image forming system is installed in a front stage of the ring binding machine, and includes an inserter for supplying paper.
The predetermined number of sheets of the first copy is all sheets of the first copy,
The control means substitutes the ring-binding bookbinding process in the other image forming system for all the first sheets subjected to the punching process set in the inserter and fed from the inserter. Network binding system. The network binding system according to claim 6,
The network bookbinding system is characterized in that paper feeding from the inserter is performed at the first changeover of the paper after the paper is set in the inserter. The network binding system according to claim 1,
The other image forming system is installed in a front stage of the ring binding machine, and includes an inserter for supplying paper.
The predetermined number of sheets of the first copy is the number of sheets processed when the control means recognizes that the number of sheets of the first copy is greater than the maximum number of sheets to be bound,
The at least the second and subsequent sheets are the remaining sheets of the first processed number of sheets and the second and subsequent sheets at the recognized time point,
The control means includes
The punched paper fed from the inserter is set to the inserter, and all the processed paper at the recognized time point is conveyed to a predetermined place of the ring bookbinding machine of the other image forming system, and accumulated.
For the remaining number of sheets of the first copy processed, the image forming process and the punching process are substituted and further accumulated on the sheet bundle accumulated at the predetermined place,
A network binding system characterized in that a ring binding bookbinding process is substituted when all sheets of the first copy are collected, and then the image forming process and ring binding bookbinding process are substituted for the second sheet. A network binding system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
When it is determined that the number of image forming sheets has exceeded the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the one image forming system, whether to automatically substitute the processing to the other image forming system or ask the user to substitute A network bookbinding system comprising a setting means for setting. The network binding system according to claim 9, wherein
The network bookbinding system, wherein the setting means sets based on selection of a selection screen on an operation display unit of an operation panel of the one image forming system. A network binding system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A network bookbinding system, comprising: a selection unit that selects one of the other image forming systems that can be treated when there are a plurality of the image forming systems. The network binding system according to claim 11,
The network bookbinding system, wherein the selection unit is set to be selected from a selection screen on an operation display unit of an operation panel of the one image forming system. The network binding system according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
A personal computer connected to the network;
The network image binding system, wherein the first image forming system receives print data from the personal computer and executes an image forming process and a ring binding bookbinding process. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a punch unit that is disposed at a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus and that forms a ring hole in the sheet, and a ring binding that binds through a ring member to the ring hole that is formed in the sheet An image forming system including a ring binding machine having a means is a ring binding method in a network binding system in which a plurality of communicably connected to a network are connected,
Determining whether or not the number of images formed by one image forming system exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the one image forming system when ring binding is performed by one image forming system;
If it is determined in the determining step that the maximum number of sheets that can be bound has been exceeded, a step of confirming whether or not the number of sheets that exceed the maximum number of sheets can be bound in another image forming system connected to the network. When,
When it is confirmed that there is another image forming system that can be processed in the checking step,
A step of punching a predetermined number of sheets of the first set by the punching means by the punching means to the one image forming system;
Transmitting information necessary for image formation and ring binding to the other image forming system;
A process of substituting the image forming process and the ring binding process for at least the second and subsequent sheets;
A ring-bound bookbinding method characterized by comprising: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a punch unit that is disposed at a subsequent stage of the image forming apparatus and that forms a ring hole in the sheet, and a ring binding that binds through a ring member to the ring hole that is formed in the sheet An image forming system including a ring binding machine having a means is a ring binding bookbinding control program for causing a computer to execute ring binding bookbinding control in a network bookbinding system connected to a network so as to be able to communicate with each other.
A procedure for determining whether or not the number of images formed by one image forming system exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be bound by the one image forming system when ring binding is performed by one image forming system;
If it is determined in the determining step that the maximum number of sheets that can be bound has been exceeded, a procedure for confirming whether or not the number of sheets exceeding the maximum number of sheets can be bound in another image forming system connected to the network. When,
When it is confirmed that there is another image forming system that can be processed in the checking procedure,
A procedure for punching and ejecting a predetermined number of sheets of the first copy to the one image forming system with its own punching means;
A procedure for transmitting information necessary for image formation and ring binding to the other image forming system;
A procedure for substituting the image forming process and the ring binding process for at least the second and subsequent sheets;
A ring-bound bookbinding control program characterized by comprising: