JP5440265B2 - Image forming system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus, a folding device, and a sealing device are connected so as to be communicable, and a control method therefor.

  Conventionally, it automatically performs up to the sealing operation of filling the contents or the inclusions such as a sheet (hereinafter, representatively described as “paper”) into the envelope or sealing the envelope after the contents are enclosed. Techniques such as a paper processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can perform the above have already been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a technique that enables an automatic selection or an operator to select an envelope of the minimum size from the paper size of the paper to be sealed.
Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe a technique in which an envelope is first selected and a folded sheet is enclosed or sealed.

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, an envelope is selected from the paper to be enclosed, but the folding process of the paper to be enclosed is not considered.
In the techniques described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, an envelope is first selected and a folded sheet is enclosed, and a combination option of a sheet and an envelope including a fold that can be enclosed is presented in advance. It is not a thing.

  Conventionally, as described above, the envelope size is selected and the inclusion such as paper is processed to be folded so as to enter the selected envelope, but it is not possible to know in advance whether or not the envelope can be actually enclosed. In the case where it is impossible to enclose, there is a problem that the user (hereinafter also referred to as “user”) has to consider and try again.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is possible to grasp in advance all information and data of a sheet (for example, a paper recording medium such as paper) to be enclosed in an envelope, and to perform folding processing or the like. In addition, the main purpose is to increase convenience by configuring the user to select a combination of the envelope size and the type of folding that can be sealed.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to each claim employs the following characteristic means / invention-specific matters (hereinafter referred to as “configuration”).
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply means for supplying an envelope, an image forming apparatus capable of printing on the envelope or the sheet, and a folding apparatus for performing a folding process on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus. And an encapsulating device that encapsulates the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus or the sheet conveyed from the folding apparatus in the envelope, and is communicably connected to each envelope size. The storage means for storing the data of the sheet size that can be enclosed, the setting means for setting the sheet size information, the sheet size information set by the setting means, and the envelope size and the type of folding based on the data Any one of display means for displaying at least one encapsulable first set pattern as a set, and the first set pattern displayed by the display means A selection means for selecting one and at least one of a first set pattern is displayed on the display means, and the selection is made by the supply means based on the selected first set pattern Control means for supplying an envelope of an envelope size and executing printing or folding processing and sealing processing on the sheet.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, the control unit causes the display unit to display based on an envelope stored in the supply unit.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, the control means displays a message on the display means that an envelope of a size not stored in the supply means needs to be stored. It is characterized by making it.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the control unit includes the display unit based on a type of folding that can be performed by the folding device. It is characterized by being displayed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the setting means includes a means for setting sheet number information, and the data is enclosed for each envelope size. The control means includes a second set pattern of the set sheet size and the number of encapsulable sheets based on the sheet size information and the data set by the setting means. It is characterized by being displayed on a display means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply means for supplying an envelope, an image forming apparatus capable of printing on the envelope or the sheet, and a folding apparatus for performing a folding process on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus. And a control method of an image forming system in which a sheet transported from the image forming apparatus or a sealing apparatus that seals a sheet transported from the folding apparatus into the envelope is communicably connected. A step of recognizing sheet size data set by the setting means and sheet size data that can be sealed for each envelope size from the storage means, and a control means installed in the image forming system; Any one of the first group patterns is displayed by displaying on the display means at least one first group pattern that can be sealed. Based on the step of selecting from the selection means, and based on the selected first set pattern, the supply means supplies the envelope of the selected envelope size, and the printing or folding process or the sealing process is performed on the sheet. And a step of executing.

  According to the present invention, a novel image forming system and a control method therefor can be realized and provided by solving the above-described problems. That is, according to the present invention, according to the above configuration, the envelope size and the type of folding that can be enclosed are automatically searched, and at least one enclosure that can be enclosed is combined with the envelope size and the type of folding that can be enclosed. Since one set pattern is displayed on the display means and the user can select any one of the first set patterns by the selection means, the user needs to check the envelope that can be sealed in advance and operate the apparatus. Eliminates convenience and improves convenience.

1 is a front view showing an overall apparatus configuration of an image forming system showing a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the internal structure of the enclosure apparatus which comprises an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of an image forming system. It is a top view explaining the touch-panel display content of the operation part in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement flow of 1st Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of Modification 1; FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating touch panel display contents of an operation unit according to Modification 2. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of Modification 2; 10 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of Modification 3; FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating touch panel display contents of an operation unit according to Modification 4.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention including examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment and the like, components (members and components) having the same function and shape are described once unless they are confused, and the description thereof is omitted by giving the same reference numerals. In order to simplify the drawings and the description, even if the components are to be represented in the drawings, the components that do not need to be specifically described in the drawings may be omitted as appropriate. When quoting and explaining constituent elements such as published patent gazettes, the reference numerals are shown in parentheses to distinguish them from those of the embodiments.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, an apparatus configuration of the entire image forming system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 1, an inserter 4, and an image forming apparatus capable of printing on an envelope or a sheet (hereinafter, “sheet” will be representatively described as an example of a sheet). 1, a folding device 5 that performs folding processing on an image-formed paper conveyed from 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “paper” for the sake of simplicity), and a paper or a folding device conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1. An enclosing device 6 for enclosing the folded paper conveyed from 5 in an envelope, and a punching process on the paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 or the folded paper conveyed from the folding apparatus 5; A finisher 7 for performing a stapling process or the like is mechanically coupled and is communicably connected via a communication cable (not shown).

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 2, an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) 3, an image reading unit (not shown), an image forming unit and a paper feeding unit (not shown), and the like. Examples of the image forming unit and the paper feeding unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 include those similar to the copying machine (1) shown in FIG. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus configuration similar to the image forming unit and paper feeding unit of the copier (1) in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, a writing unit (6), and a photosensitive drum (7). A charging charger (8), a developing device (9), a transfer charger (12), a separation charger (13), a cleaning device (14), etc., a paper feed unit (11), a fixing roller, etc. It has. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a size detection sensor (32) that also serves as a paper size detection unit and an envelope size detection unit similar to FIGS. 3 to 5 of Patent Document 1, a size detection device (30), and the like.

The paper feed unit (11) of the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a supply unit that supplies envelopes. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured to be able to perform image formation / printing on an envelope or paper of a specified paper type and size by including the above-described known device configuration.
As described above, in addition to paper, the sheet includes all sheet-like recording media that can be image-formed by image forming means, such as thick paper and OHP film, and paper and slip sheets that are not actually used for printing. Such a paper recording medium is also included. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic copying machine (1) of the present embodiment, but is a single color or full color copying machine of an electrophotographic system or a magnetic recording system, an ink jet recording apparatus, The image forming apparatus includes a printing machine including a stencil printing machine and a multifunction machine having two or more functions.

The inserter 4 is one of the post-processing devices, like the folding device 5, the enclosing device 6, and the finisher 7. In this embodiment, the inserter 4 has a paper feeding function outside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, that is, a sheet by fixing or the like. A cover sheet or a slip sheet that does not change (sheet) or envelope or the like is not required for printing is supplied to the finisher 7, or an unprinted envelope is supplied to the sealing device 6.
As described above, the inserter 4 also functions as a supply unit that supplies the envelope together with the paper feeding unit (11) of the image forming apparatus 1.
As the inserter 4, for example, a slip sheet inserter (120) shown in FIG. 1 of JP-A-2003-280305 can be employed.

  As the folding device 5, for example, a folding processing device (ZF) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of JP-A-2009-67537 can be employed. Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the above publication, the folding processing device (ZF) includes a plurality of conveyance paths (first to seventh conveyance paths (101 to 107)) for conveying paper. Abutting members (first to third stoppers (601 to 603)) provided in a plurality of conveyance paths among the plurality of conveyance paths, and a plurality of folding rollers (first to fourth folding rollers). (201 to 204)), the front end of the sheet is abutted against the abutting member and bent, the sheet is folded at the nip of the folding roller, and the folded sheet is a conveying roller (235, 236) as a conveying means. It is a well-known one that can perform the folding processing operations of bi-folding, Z-folding, outer tri-folding, inner tri-folding, simple four-folding, and kannon quadruple-folding. Hereinafter, including the outer trifold and the inner trifold, it is simply referred to as “trifold”.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the internal structure of the sealing device 6 will be described. As shown in the figure, the enclosing device 6 encloses the paper (not shown) conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 or the folded paper (not shown) conveyed from the folding device 5. A paper receiving port 10 to be received in the main body, a horizontal conveying path 11 extending from the paper receiving port 10 in the horizontal direction in the main body of the enclosing device 6 to the paper feeding port 16, and a horizontal conveying path in the vicinity of the paper receiving port 10. 11 from the vertical conveyance path 12 that branches vertically downward to face and communicate with the enclosing unit 18, and the horizontal conveyance path 11 in the vicinity of the upstream side of the sheet delivery port 16, which is branched obliquely to the right to the alignment tray unit 17. Provided at a branching portion between the oblique conveyance path 13 that communicates with the horizontal conveyance path 11 and the vertical conveyance path 12 in the vicinity of the sheet receiving port 10, the conveyance of the sheet is switched to the horizontal conveyance path 11 or the vertical conveyance path 12. A switching claw 14, a switching claw 15 provided at a branch portion between the horizontal conveyance path 11 and the oblique conveyance path 13 on the upstream side of the paper delivery port 16, for switching the conveyance of the paper to the horizontal conveyance path 11 or the oblique conveyance path 13, An alignment tray portion 17 for aligning sheets of paper (including folded paper) to be enclosed in the envelope, an enclosure portion 18 for packing the sheets of content into the envelope, and an enclosure finish in the enclosure portion 18 The envelope transport unit 20 that transports and discharges the envelopes (hereinafter also referred to as “enclosed envelopes”) to the discharge tray 25, and the discharge tray on which the sealed envelopes transported by the package transport unit 20 are stacked. 25.

In the horizontal conveyance path 11, the vertical conveyance path 12, and the oblique conveyance path 13, a plurality of conveyance rollers 9 are disposed as conveyance means for conveying the sheet as the contents.
Each of the switching claws 14 and 15 has a known configuration including, for example, a combination of a solenoid (not shown) as a driving unit and a spring (not shown) as a biasing unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the enclosing unit 18 includes a support shaft 19 a at each position where it is connected to or communicated with the vertical conveying path 12, the alignment tray unit 17, or the encapsulated material conveying unit 20, as indicated by a solid line, a broken line, and a one-dot chain line. And a sealing unit 19 fixed to a fan-shaped gear (not shown) that is driven to swing freely. The enclosure unit 19 is swung to each position by, for example, a motor as drive means for driving the fan gear.

  The inclusion transport unit 20 is mainly composed of an endless transport belt 23 that is wound around a driving roller 21 and a driven roller 22 and to which a grip hook 24 that grips an enclosed envelope is fixed. . Since the driving roller 21 is connected to a driving motor (not shown) as driving means via driving force transmission means such as a gear or a belt, the transport belt 23 is driven and driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

The operation of the sealing device 6 will be described. When sealing with the sealing device 6, the sheet as the contents is received from the upstream side (folding device 5 in FIG. 1) connected by the paper receiving port 10, and at this time, the switching claw 14 is a solid line in FIG. 2. By occupying the position indicated by, a sheet as a content is guided to the horizontal conveyance path 11 and conveyed along the horizontal conveyance path 11 by a plurality of conveyance rollers 9. In the state where the switching claw 15 occupies the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, after the sheet as the contents is conveyed to the horizontal conveyance path 11 on the downstream side of the switching claw 15, the conveyance of the sheet as the contents is performed. The paper is once stopped and is switched back by the transport roller 9 of the paper delivery port 16 so that the rear end of the sheet as the contents is now the front end. At this time, the switching claw 15 is positioned at a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. , The sheet as the contents is guided to the oblique conveyance path 13, conveyed along the oblique conveyance path 13 by the plurality of conveyance rollers 9, and guided to the alignment tray unit 17, so that the sheet as the contents becomes Be aligned.
Further, the sheet as the contents is a sheet or sheet bundle that has been punched or stapled by the finisher 7 and is fed from the finisher 7 connected to the downstream side of the enclosing device 6 from the transport roller 9 of the sheet delivery port 16. In some cases, the sheet is conveyed to the horizontal conveyance path 11 by reverse conveyance. Also at this time, the sheet or sheet bundle as the contents is guided and aligned to the oblique conveyance path 13 through the switching operation by the switching claw 15 as described above.

As with the paper as the contents described above, as for the envelope, an envelope conveyed from the upstream image forming apparatus 1 or the inserter 4 is received at the paper receiving port 10, and the switching claw 14 is indicated by a broken line in FIG. By occupying the position, the envelope is guided to the vertical conveyance path 12, conveyed along the vertical conveyance path 12 by the plurality of conveyance rollers 9, and guided to the enclosing unit 18. In the enclosure 18, the paper that is the aligned contents is packed into the envelope.
The envelope that is encapsulated in the encapsulating unit 18 is guided to the discharge tray 25 by the encapsulant transport unit 20, and the user can take out the completed envelope.

The finisher 7 performs punching processing, stapling processing, or the like on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 or the folded sheet conveyed from the folding apparatus 5.
As a specific example of the finisher 7, for example, a sheet processing apparatus including a binding unit that binds a sheet bundle and a folding unit that folds the bound sheet bundle disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-161468 can be cited.
Hereinafter, the inserter 4, the folding device 5, the enclosing device 6, and the finisher 7 may be collectively referred to as post-processing devices 4 to 7.

As a specific example of the combination of the sealing device 6 and the finisher 7 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, for example, the SSP device as the post-processing device disclosed in FIG. (3) and a storage carrier (4) for storing an envelope in which a sheet is enclosed may be mentioned, and this may be adopted.
The SSP device (3) described in paragraphs “0027” to “0030” of Patent Document 1 corresponds to the main parts of the sealing device 6 and the finisher 7 shown in FIG. The section 20 and the discharge tray 25 correspond to the storage carrier (4) of Patent Document 1. A specific configuration example of the storage carrier (4) is, for example, as disclosed in FIGS. 27 to 30 of JP-A-5-8926.

The operation unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. The operation unit 2 instructs the printing conditions to the above-described image forming apparatus 1 (each part) and post-processing apparatuses 4 to 7 (collective names of the inserter 4, the folding apparatus 5, the enclosing apparatus 6, and the finisher 7) constituting the image forming system. Printing, and printing and post-processing conditions such as the occurrence of jam in each part of the image forming apparatus 1 and the post-processing devices 4 to 7 are confirmed.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the operation unit 2 includes a touch panel 27 including a hard key 26 such as a start key and a numeric keypad, and a touch sensor screen provided with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that gives various instructions for printing conditions. And have. The touch panel 27 has a hierarchical display structure, and can be switched to the next screen display by pressing a “next” button shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the touch panel 27 includes an enclosure key 50 for setting and inputting an enclosure mode for executing a processing operation for filling an enclosure into an envelope, and “envelope size and later” as a first set pattern. Selection keys 51a to 51c set to be selected corresponding to the “folding type (pattern)” display, various keys for setting and inputting various printing conditions, a paper automatic selection key, an equal magnification key, a paper designation variable A double key, a sort / stack key for setting / inputting a sort / stack mode, a staple key for setting / input a staple mode, and the like are provided.

The touch panel 27 functions as a display unit that displays at least one encapsulable first set pattern with a set of “envelope size and folding type (pattern)”. The three selection keys 51a, 51b, 51c in the figure are displayed and set to be selected in accordance with the “envelope size and folding type (pattern)” displayed on the display means. It functions as a selection means for selecting any one of “envelope size and folding type (pattern)”.
A hard key (ten key) 26, a paper automatic selection key, a normal magnification key, a paper designation scaling key, and the like function as setting means (or input means) for setting or inputting sheet size information. Various paper size detection means provided in the image forming apparatus 1 are also included in the setting means in a broad sense.

With reference to FIG. 3, a control configuration of the entire image forming system of the present embodiment will be described.
In FIG. 3, a controller 30 includes a job management 31 for performing management related to all print jobs in the image forming apparatus 1, a communication control 32 for performing communication control with a network or the like via an I / F, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as “hard disk drive”). Control related mainly to software, such as an HDD control 33 for performing input / output control of 35) (abbreviated as “HDD”), an operation unit control 34 for controlling input / output signals from the hard keys 26 of the operation unit 2 and the touch panel 27, etc. Do. The controller 30 includes a plurality of well-known microcomputers each having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, and the like (not shown).

  The CPU of the controller 30 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “controller 30” for the sake of simplicity of explanation) includes various sensors (not shown) provided in each part of the engine 36 and various output signals from the operation unit 2. Based on the operation program called from the ROM or HDD 35, each drive unit including the ADF 3 of the engine 36, each drive unit of the post-processing devices 4 to 7, and the liquid crystal display unit of the touch panel 27 in the operation unit 2 To control.

  The ROM stores in advance an operation program (for example, the flowchart of FIG. 5) of each drive unit including the ADF 3 of the engine 36 and related data, and the operation program and related data are appropriately stored by the CPU. Called. The RAM has a function of temporarily storing calculation results of the CPU, a function of storing various sensors (not shown), various output signals from the operation unit 2, and on / off signals as needed. The operation program (for example, the flowchart in FIG. 5), the data table, and the related data stored in the ROM may be shared with the HDD 35 as appropriate.

  The controller 30 of the present embodiment displays any one of the first set patterns (“envelope size and folding type (pattern)”) on the touch panel 27 as display means and is selected by the user from the selection means. Based on the first set pattern (“envelope size and folding type (pattern)”), a command signal is sent to the engine 36, whereby the paper feed unit (not shown) or the inserter 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled. As a control means for controlling the drive units of the image forming apparatus 1 and the post-processing apparatuses 4 to 7 in order to supply the envelope of the selected envelope size and execute printing or folding processing and sealing processing on the paper Function.

  Information and data of all the sheets enclosed in the envelope are stored in the HDD 35. The HDD 35 functions as a storage unit that stores data of a sheet (sheet) size that can be sealed for each envelope size.

  The engine 36 mainly performs control of a mechanical system (each device and each unit drive unit), and includes a scanner control 37 that performs document conveyance control 39 and the like of the ADF (automatic document feeder) 3 in FIG. And a plotter control 38 that performs post-processing control 40 for the devices 4 to 7 (collective name of the inserter 4, the folding device 5, the sealing device 6, and the finisher 7). The engine 36 includes a plurality of well-known microcomputers each having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, and the like (not shown).

  The post-processing devices 4 to 7 (collective names of the inserter 4, the folding device 5, the sealing device 6, and the finisher 7) are electrically connected to the plotter control 38 of the engine 36, and are not shown with a CPU, ROM, RAM, timer, respectively. The control part comprised including the well-known microcomputer which has etc. is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, it is a matter of course that an image forming system or an image forming system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses similar to the present embodiment are connected via a network may be used.

The operation flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The flow of FIG. 5 shows the operation flow of the present embodiment relating to the combination of envelope size and folding, which is executed under the control of the controller 30 of FIG. As described above, the data of all the sheets to be sealed in the envelope and the data of the sheet size that can be sealed for each envelope size are stored in the HDD 35.

First, in step S1 of FIG. 5, the controller 30 acquires all sizes of paper used for printing / encapsulation, that is, paper size data (hard key (tenkey)) that can be enclosed for each envelope size stored in the HDD 35. (Including paper size information and data accumulated by setting means (input means) such as 26)
Recognize and understand
Next, the process proceeds to step S2, and one folding pattern (for example, bi-fold or tri-fold) is determined as the folding type for the paper size data and paper size information that can be sealed for each envelope size.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where the controller 30 recognizes and acquires the maximum paper size after folding with the folding pattern determined this time, and then can enclose the maximum size paper after folding with the maximum size of the folded paper. The table is searched from the HDD 35 from the smaller envelope size (step S4).

  Next, the process proceeds to step S5, where the controller 30 checks and determines whether or not the size of the envelope that can be enclosed is stored in the table of the HDD 35, and if the size of the envelope that can be enclosed is stored in the table of the HDD 35 The combination of “envelope size and folding pattern” is displayed on the touch panel 27 by combining the envelope size and the type of folding with the touch panel 27 as a combination of at least one encapsulable first set pattern. Is selected from the selection means displayed on the touch panel 27 (step S6).

  In step S6, for example, on the liquid crystal screen of the touch panel 27 in FIG. 4, as combinations of three “envelope sizes and folding patterns”, “corner xx number: A3 fold”, “corner XX number: A3 trifold, “A4 Folded” and “Square-No .: No Paper Fold” are displayed. Further, in the present embodiment, the combinations of three “envelope sizes and folding patterns” are “Square XX number: A3 fold”, “Square XX number: A3 fold, A4 fold”, “Square-No. Corresponding to “No sheet folding”, three selection keys 51a, 51b, 51c are displayed as selection means.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether or not there are other folding patterns. In step S7, when there is no other folding pattern, the process proceeds to step S8, and the combination of “envelope size and folding pattern” “corner xx number: A3 fold”, “corner XX number: A3 trifold” , A4 Folded ”,“ Square-No .: No Paper Fold ”(first set pattern), based on the touch panel 27, any one of the three selection keys 51a, 51b, 51c (selecting means). The system waits for the user to select one and waits for selection by the user.

Next, the process proceeds to step S9, where the controller 30 selects the “corner xx number: A3 fold”, “corner XX number: A3 fold, A4 fold”, “corner--number” selected from the selection means by the user. : Envelope size selected by the image forming apparatus 1 or the inserter 4 based on any one combination of “envelope size and folding pattern” of “no sheet folding” (first set pattern) Then, the printing or folding device 5 executes the folding process on the paper, and the sealing device 6 executes the sealing process.
In step S4, if there is only one combination of “envelope size and folding pattern” as a result of the table search of the HDD 35, a combination of “envelope size and folding pattern” and a selection key corresponding thereto are displayed. Printing and encapsulating are performed in a possible combination without doing so.

On the other hand, if there is another folding pattern in step S7, the process returns to step S3 for recognizing the maximum size of the folded paper instead of the next folding pattern, and repeats the processing up to step S6. (Step 7 to Step 8).
As described above, it is needless to say that the control method (Claim 6) of the image forming system of the present invention is described in this embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, by the above-described configuration and operation, at least one first settable pattern that can be sealed is automatically searched and displayed by combining the envelope size and the type of folding (pattern) that can be sealed. In addition to being displayed on the touch panel 27 as a means and being able to be selected by the user as, for example, the selection keys 51a, 51b, 51c as the selection means, it is not necessary for the user to check the envelope that can be sealed in advance and operate the apparatus. Sexually improved.

(Modification 1)
With reference to FIG. 6, the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5 is demonstrated. The modification 1 is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the controller 30A shown in FIG. 3 is used instead of the controller 30, and the flow operation shown in FIG. 6 is executed instead of FIG. . Except for this difference, the first modification is the same as the first embodiment.

  The controller 30A displays any one of the functions of the controller 30 in the first embodiment, that is, the first set pattern (“envelope size and folding type (pattern)”) on the touch panel 27 as display means. At the same time, a command signal is sent to the engine 36 on the basis of the first set pattern (“envelope size and folding type (pattern)”) selected by the user from the selection means, whereby the paper feeding unit of the image forming apparatus 1 (Not shown) or an inserter 4 to supply an envelope of a selected envelope size, and in addition to a function as a control means for executing printing or folding processing and sealing processing on a sheet, an image as a supply means Based on the envelope stored and set in the paper feed unit (not shown) or the inserter 4 of the forming apparatus 1, the first set pattern (“envelope size” Points with any one type of fold (pattern) ") function to be displayed on the touch panel 27 are different.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the operation flow of the present modification will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. The flow in the figure shows an operation flow of the present modification example, which is executed under the control of the controller 30A, and is limited to the envelope that is set.
The operation flow of the modified example 1 is different from that of the first embodiment only in steps S16 to S17. In step S16, it is checked and determined whether or not an envelope is set in a tray (not shown) of the paper feed unit of the image forming apparatus 1 or a tray (not shown) of the inserter 4, and only when the envelope is set. In step S17, the combination of the envelope size and the folding type is displayed on the touch panel 27 as a combination of “envelope size and folding pattern” as at least one enclosing first set pattern. Any one of the combinations of “folding patterns” is selected from the selection means displayed on the touch panel 27.

  Therefore, according to this modification, in addition to the advantages and effects of the first embodiment, in addition to the advantages and effects of the first embodiment, there is an inconvenience that an envelope that is not set in the apparatus is put into a candidate and cannot actually be operated. It can be prevented beforehand.

(Modification 2)
A modification 2 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The modification 2 is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the controller 30B shown in FIG. 3 is used instead of the controller 30, and the flow operation shown in FIG. 8 is executed instead of FIG. . Except for this difference, the second modification is the same as the first embodiment.

  In addition to the function that the controller 30 has in the first embodiment, the controller 30B is an envelope of a size that is not stored or set in the paper feed unit (not shown) or the inserter 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 as a supply unit. The main difference is that it has a function of displaying on the touch panel 27 a message indicating that it needs to be stored and set, and that the flow operation of FIG. 8 is executed instead of FIG. Except for this difference, the second modification is the same as the first embodiment.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the operation flow of the present modification will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. The flow of the figure shows the operation flow of the present modification, which is executed under the control of the controller 30B, in which an unset envelope is accompanied by a display prompting the user to set.
The operation flow of Modification 2 is different from that of the first embodiment only in Steps S26 to S27 and Step S32. In step S26, as in the first modification shown in FIG. 7, it is checked whether or not an envelope is set in the tray (not shown) of the paper feed unit of the image forming apparatus 1 or the tray (not shown) of the inserter 4. Only when it is judged and the envelope is set, the process proceeds to step S27, and the “envelope size and fold pattern” as the first set pattern that can be encapsulated by combining the envelope size and the type of folding. The combination is displayed on the touch panel 27, and one of the combinations of “envelope size and folding pattern” is selected from the selection means displayed on the touch panel 27.

  On the other hand, if an envelope is not set in the tray (not shown) of the paper feed unit of the image forming apparatus 1 or the tray (not shown) of the inserter 4 in step S26, the process proceeds to step S32, and an unset size envelope is set. With the message display of the set, the combination of “envelope size and folding pattern” as the first set pattern that can be sealed is displayed on the touch panel 27 by combining the envelope size and the type of folding. Any one of the combinations of “size and folding pattern” is selected from the selection means displayed on the touch panel 27.

In step S32, for example, on the liquid crystal screen of the touch panel 27 in FIG. 7, as the combination of three “envelope sizes and folding patterns”, the same “Square No .: A3 trifold, A4 double fold as in the first embodiment” , “Square-No .: No paper folding” and “[Envelope set] corner XX number: A3 fold” peculiar to the second modification are displayed. The above [Envelope Set] display indicates that an envelope of a size that is not stored or set in the paper feed unit (not shown) or the inserter 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 is a message indicating that it is necessary to store or set the envelope size. Are displayed on the top line of the folding pattern.
In the example of FIG. 7, a “[envelope set] angle xx sign” is a combination of “envelope size and folding pattern” that is not stored or set in the paper feed unit (not shown) or the inserter 4 of the image forming apparatus 1. : Selection key 51d as selection means is displayed corresponding to “A3 fold”, and “envelope size and storage” stored / set in the paper feed unit (not shown) or the inserter 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 Selection keys 51b and 51c as selection means are displayed in correspondence with “corner XX number: A3 trifold, A4 double fold” and “corner--number: no paper fold”, which are combinations of “folding patterns”. The

  Therefore, according to the present modification, in addition to the advantages and effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to enclose an envelope that is not stored or set in the apparatus if it is set by the configuration and operation described above. By visually recognizing it, it is possible to broaden the choices of combinations of “envelope size and folding pattern” by the user.

(Modification 3)
With reference to FIG. 9, the modification 3 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. The modification 3 is mainly different from the first embodiment in that the controller 30C shown in FIG. 3 is used instead of the controller 30, and the flow operation shown in FIG. 9 is executed instead of FIG. . Except for this difference, the third modification is the same as the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the controller 30 </ b> C of the image forming apparatus 1 knows in advance the types (patterns) of folding that can be folded on sheets of various sizes from the image forming system configuration information of FIG. That is, the controller 30 </ b> C has a function to display on the touch panel 27 as a display unit based on the type of folding (pattern) that can be folded by the folding device 5 in addition to the function that the controller 30 has in the first embodiment. The type of folding (pattern) is limited to that which can be performed by the own system, and the selection key is displayed. Except for this difference, the third modification is the same as the first embodiment.

With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the operation flow of the present modification will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. The flow of FIG. 10 shows an operation flow of this modification example that is executed under the control of the controller 30C and is limited to those that can be folded.
The operation flow of the modification 3 is different from that of the first embodiment only in step S33. In step S33, it is checked / determined whether or not folding processing is possible with the connected folding device 5. Only in the case where the folding process is possible in the connected folding device 5 in step S33, as in the first embodiment having steps S3 to S10 in FIG. 5, steps S34 to S in FIG. The process of S41 is performed. In step S33, if the folding process cannot be performed by the connected folding device 5, the process proceeds to step S38.

  Therefore, according to the present modification, in addition to the advantages and effects of the first embodiment, the combination candidate of “envelope size and folding pattern” can be narrowed down to the folds that can be actually performed by the own system. Can be presented, and there is no fear of the user selecting an impossible option.

(Modification 4)
With reference to FIG. 10, the modification 4 of 1st Embodiment is demonstrated. As compared with the first embodiment, the modified example 4 includes a setting unit including a hard key (tenkey) 26 and the like including a unit for setting sheet number information, and an envelope stored in a storage unit including an HDD 35. The main difference is that the paper size data that can be sealed for each size includes data of the number of sheets (sheets) that can be sealed for each envelope size, and that the controller 30D shown in FIG. . Except for this difference, the modification 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment.
That is, in this modification, when displaying the selection keys as candidates, the number of sheets to be folded and the number of sheets to be folded are displayed in the selection key for each sheet size. It is characterized by displaying.

  The controller 30D is set based on paper size information set by setting means such as a hard key (tenkey) 26 and data stored in the HDD 35 in addition to the functions that the controller 30 has in the first embodiment. It functions as control means for displaying the second set pattern of the paper size and the number of sheets that can be enclosed on the touch panel 27 as display means.

  In this modified example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, in addition to the combination display of three “envelope size and folding pattern” which is the same display as the modified example 2 illustrated in FIG. 7 on the liquid crystal screen of the touch panel 27. As a second set pattern display example of the set paper size and the number of sheets that can be enclosed, specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, “[envelope set] corner xx number: A3 folded in 7 sheets, A4 “No fold 12 sheets”, “Square XX number: A3 trifold 7 sheets, A4 double fold 12 sheets”, “Square--number: A3 no fold 7 sheets, A4 fold 12 sheets” are displayed.

Corresponding to the above display example displayed on the touch panel 27, the selection key 51e as the selection means is displayed as “[envelope set] corner xx number: 7 sheets of A3 folded, 12 sheets of A4 folded”, The selection key 51f as the selection means displays "Square XX number: A3 trifold 7 sheets, A4 double fold 12 sheets", and the selection key 51g as the selection means displays "Square-No .: No A3 folding 7 sheets, A4" Each is assigned to the “12 sheets without folding” display. As described above, in this modified example, in addition to the combination display of “envelope size and folding pattern” as a selection key, the number of sheets is displayed as a caption (small heading) of each selection key 51e, 51f, 51g.
As a result, the user can confirm in advance, for example, how many paper sizes are folded, so that the finish of the envelope in which the contents are enclosed can be selected and selected.

  Therefore, according to the present modification, as described above, in addition to the advantages and effects of the first embodiment, the user can determine the number of folded sheets and the like, so that candidates can be selected according to user preferences. Become.

As described above, the present invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, modifications, and the like. However, the technical scope disclosed by the present invention is limited to those exemplified in the above-described embodiments, modifications, or examples. However, it should be understood that various embodiments, modifications, or examples may be configured within the scope of the present invention in accordance with the necessity and application thereof. It will be clear to the trader.
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the touch panel 27 having, for example, an LCD as display means and the selection keys 51a, 51b, 51c that are displayed on the LCD and function as selection means are provided. The display means of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be a notification means as a superordinate concept in a broad sense. The notification means includes the display means of the above example, a warning by voice guidance, a buzzer sound, and the like, for notification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Operation part 3 ADF
4 Inserter (post-processing device)
5 Folding device (post-processing device)
6 Enclosing device (post-processing device)
7 Finisher (post-processing equipment)
9 Conveying roller 18 Enclosing part 19 Enclosing unit 20 Hard key (setting means)
27 Touch panel (display means, selection means)
30, 30A-30D (control means)
35 HDD (storage means)
36 Engine 50 Enclosed key 51a-51g Selection key (selection means)

Japanese Patent No. 3118044 Japanese Patent No. 4089318 Japanese Patent No. 4131135

Claims (6)

Supply means for supplying an envelope, an image forming apparatus capable of printing on the envelope or the sheet, a folding apparatus for performing a folding process on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and conveying from the image forming apparatus An image forming system in which an encapsulating apparatus that encapsulates a sheet that has been conveyed or a sheet that has been conveyed from the folding apparatus is communicably connected to the envelope,
Storage means for storing sheet size data that can be sealed for each envelope size;
Setting means for setting sheet size information;
Based on the sheet size information set by the setting means and the data, display means for displaying at least one encapsulable first set pattern by combining the envelope size and the folding type;
Selecting means for selecting any one of the first set patterns displayed by the display means;
At least one of the first group patterns is displayed on the display unit, and based on the selected first group pattern, an envelope of the selected envelope size is supplied by the supply unit, and the sheet Control means for executing printing or folding processing and sealing processing on
An image forming system comprising: The image forming system according to claim 1.
The image forming system characterized in that the control means displays on the display means based on an envelope stored in the supply means. The image forming system according to claim 1.
The control unit causes the display unit to display a message indicating that an envelope having a size not stored in the supply unit needs to be stored. In the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display based on a folding type that can be folded by the folding device. In the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The setting means includes means for setting sheet number information,
The data includes data on the number of sheets that can be sealed for each envelope size,
The control means causes the display means to display a second set pattern of the set sheet size and the number of sheets that can be enclosed based on the sheet size information and the data set by the setting means. Image forming system. Supply means for supplying an envelope, an image forming apparatus capable of printing on the envelope or the sheet, a folding apparatus for performing a folding process on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus, and conveying from the image forming apparatus A control method of an image forming system in which a sealed sheet or a sealing apparatus for sealing a sheet conveyed from the folding apparatus is connected to the envelope so as to be communicable,
Control means installed in the image forming system,
Recognizing sheet size data that can be sealed for each envelope size from the storage means and sheet size information set by the setting means;
A step of selecting one of the first group patterns from the selection unit by causing the display unit to display at least one first group pattern that can be enclosed by combining the envelope size and the type of folding. When,
Based on the selected first set pattern, causing the supplying means to supply an envelope of the selected envelope size, and executing printing or folding processing, sealing processing on the sheet;
An image forming system control method comprising:

Images