JP5640343B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system.

  In recent copying machines, a system in which a document processing device that automatically conveys a document to an image reading unit and a paper post-processing device that performs processing such as punching and stapling on a copied paper has become common. ing. In addition, the operations of peripheral devices such as a document processing device and a paper post-processing device are basically controlled by an image forming apparatus, and are connected by an interface capable of bidirectional communication as information transmission means. It is the target.

  Accompanying information (for example, paper size, processing designation, paper discharge destination) is also required for the operation request, and the peripheral device performs the requested operation based on each information. In other words, part of the requested action changes depending on the accompanying information.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, when a plurality of paper post-processing devices are connected, by performing communication for each paper post-processing device at an arbitrary timing, high-speed and stable paper post-processing can be performed. Techniques that can be performed are disclosed.

JP 2007-79539 A

  For example, in a sheet post-processing apparatus having a plurality of sheet discharge destinations, when a sheet passing operation request (activation) is received, if the discharge destination is a shift tray as accompanying information, the transport path is set to the shift tray side, and the discharge destination is In the case of a proof tray, it is necessary to switch to the proof tray side. The switching timing may be physically changed just before the leading edge of the paper reaches the branching point. (That is, this timing is considered as the “final confirmation timing of the discharge destination information”). In addition, this timing differs for each device if the structure / configuration of the transport path is different.

  However, in the current system, since it is determined by a predetermined communication command transmitted from the image forming apparatus side, depending on the device, it is determined at a time earlier than the timing that should be finally determined. Become. Further, when changing the information once transmitted, even if communication information is transmitted again from the operation request source (image forming apparatus), the image forming apparatus side determines whether or not the peripheral apparatus has finally confirmed the information. It is unknown.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that when an operation request is made from an image forming apparatus to an external apparatus, the timing at which the external apparatus finally determines information associated with the operation is unnecessary. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system with improved flexibility, such as by increasing the period during which accompanying information can be changed by not speeding up.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming system according to the present invention is an image in which at least an image forming apparatus and an external apparatus that receives a signal from the image forming apparatus and performs a plurality of processes are connected so that bidirectional communication is possible In the forming system, a first transmission unit that transmits first information corresponding to the plurality of processes from the image forming apparatus to the external apparatus, and after the external apparatus receives the first information, A second transmission unit configured to transmit a processing confirmation time of each of a plurality of processes from the external apparatus to the image forming apparatus; and a step of confirming the plurality of processes after the second transmission unit transmits the processing confirmation time. to the to the external device the image forming apparatus, and a third transmission means for returning the second information indicating that determined comprises, as the later point in time to execute the operation by the first information, the Resona Even slower deterministic timing of respective processing, the higher the later point in time to execute the operation by the first information, wherein said third slower time of transmission of the second information by the transmitting means.

  Accordingly, in the image forming system of the present invention, bidirectional communication is performed between the image forming apparatus and the external apparatus, the operation content is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the external apparatus, and the command determined from the external apparatus to the image forming apparatus. The slower the execution of the operation when returning the content, the slower the transmission of the confirmation of the command content, so the image forming apparatus side can check whether or not the external device has correctly acquired the command content and Since the determination is made as late as possible, an image forming system capable of flexibly changing the operation content can be realized.

  In addition, when the external apparatus receives the command information from the image forming apparatus, a third transmission unit may be provided that transmits a confirmed time until the command information is confirmed from the external apparatus to the image forming apparatus. .

  As a result, since the confirmation time until the external device confirms the command information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the notification time of the confirmation information can be known in advance on the image forming apparatus side. Therefore, the burden of communication processing can be reduced.

  The first transmission unit may include a correction notification unit that notifies the corrected command information again from the image forming apparatus before the external device determines the command information.

  As a result, the operation can be changed during the operation, so that a flexible image forming process can be realized.

  An input unit that receives the command information may be provided, and the corrected command information may be command information received by the input unit.

  As a result, the operation can be changed by the user's command input during the operation, so that an image forming process flexibly adapted to the user's request can be realized.

  In addition, when the confirmation information notification transmitted from the external apparatus is different from the command information transmitted from the image forming apparatus, a first emergency processing unit may be provided that stops processing in the external apparatus.

  As a result, when the content of the command confirmed by the external device is different from the command from the image forming apparatus, erroneous processing can be suppressed and reliability can be improved by stopping the processing.

  And a second emergency processing means for stopping the operation when the sheet being conveyed is conveyed to a predetermined position when the confirmation information notification transmitted from the external apparatus is different from the command information notified from the image forming apparatus. May be provided.

  As a result, when the content of the command confirmed by the external device is different from the command from the image forming apparatus, the operation is stopped after being transported to a predetermined position, so that it is easy to perform the processing after the operation is stopped. .

  Further, when the confirmation information notification transmitted from the external apparatus is different from the information notified from the image forming apparatus, it may include a third emergency processing means for switching to the simple operation without stopping the operation. Good.

  Thus, when the content of the command confirmed by the external device is different from the command from the image forming apparatus, the operation is switched to the simple operation, so that efficient processing can be performed.

  The external apparatus may include a sheet processing apparatus that conveys a sheet to be read of an image to an image reading unit of the image forming apparatus.

  As a result, bidirectional communication is performed between the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus, the operation content is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the sheet processing apparatus, and the determined command content is returned from the sheet processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus. On the image forming apparatus side, it can be confirmed whether or not the sheet processing apparatus has correctly acquired the command content. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an image forming system that can confirm whether or not the device operates properly and can perform subsequent processing appropriately.

  The external device may include a sheet post-processing device that receives a sheet on which an image read by the image forming apparatus has been copied and discharged and performs post-processing.

  As a result, two-way communication is performed between the image forming apparatus and the sheet post-processing apparatus, the operation contents are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the sheet post-processing apparatus, and the command contents determined from the sheet post-processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus are transmitted. Since the reply is made, it can be confirmed on the image forming apparatus side whether or not the sheet post-processing apparatus has correctly acquired the command content. Accordingly, it is possible to realize an image forming system that can confirm whether or not the device operates properly and can perform subsequent processing appropriately.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a connection between an image forming apparatus, a document processing apparatus, and a sheet post-processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the document processing apparatus. Sectional drawing of a paper post-processing apparatus. The block diagram relevant to information processing. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for image forming processing. The figure which shows the 1st example of emergency processing. The figure which shows the 2nd example of emergency processing. The figure which shows the 3rd example of emergency processing.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming system 100. FIG. 2 shows the connection between the image forming apparatus 1 and the document processing apparatus 2 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the image forming system 100 of this embodiment, the document processing apparatus 2 is placed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1, and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 is in contact with the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1. What is necessary is just to arrange | position.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the document processing apparatus 2. The operation of the document processing apparatus 2 will be described below with reference to FIG. A document (sheet) on which an image to be read is printed is placed on the document placement unit 200. One or more originals may be used. The image may be printed on one side of the document or on both sides. When a user inputs an image reading command to an input unit (not shown), the document processing apparatus 2 performs document conveyance for image reading processing as follows. In the following description, it is assumed that various transport rollers and the like are appropriately rotated and stopped by being supplied with a driving force from a driving mechanism (not shown).

  The document length detection sensor 213 detects the length of the document placed on the document placement unit 200 in the conveyance direction. The document placed on the document placement unit 200 is pushed upward by a hopper or the like so as to contact the calling roller 201. The calling roller 201 rotates in the forward direction (the direction in which the original is conveyed, in the case of the calling roller 201, the clockwise direction in FIG. 3), and conveys the original that has come into contact along the conveyance path.

  The conveyed original is further conveyed by the paper feed belt 202. At this time, in order to cope with a case where a plurality of originals are conveyed together, the separation roller 203 rotates in the reverse direction (the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the original, and in the case of the separation roller 203 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3). Thus, the conveyance other than the uppermost document is pressed down from the plurality of documents being conveyed by the paper feeding belt 202. As a result, the originals are conveyed one by one.

  Thereafter, the document is transported to the position of the transport belt 205 in a U-turn shape along the transport path by the transport rollers shown in FIG. At that time, the document width detection sensor 204 detects the width of the document (the length in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction). An image reading unit 160 of the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed at the lower part of the conveyance belt 205 in the figure. The image reading unit 160 irradiates the original with light, converts the reflected light into electrical information using, for example, a CCD image sensor, and acquires image information.

  The document whose image has been read in this way has a different transport path thereafter depending on whether it is single-sided or double-sided. First, the case of single-side reading will be described.

  In the case of single-sided reading, the original after image reading is conveyed as it is to the paper discharge unit 212 and is discharged there. At that time, the first switching claw 206 is controlled to a posture along the route. Further, since the second switching claw 207 is controlled to the posture shown in FIG. 3, the document is not conveyed toward the reverse roller 208.

  In the case of double-sided reading, first, the image of the surface (first surface) of the both sides of the document that is placed on the upper side by the document placement unit 200 is read as described above. The original after reading the first side is conveyed toward the reverse roller 208. At that time, the first switching claw 206 is controlled to a posture along the route. In addition, the second switching claw 207 is also controlled to a posture along the route. In this way, the document is held between the reversing rollers 208 and accommodated in the upper switchback unit 209.

  Next, by rotating the reverse roller 208 in the reverse direction, the original is backed, and the path traced at the time of reading the first side is once again with the first side and the second side (the back side of the first side) reversed. Transport. Then, the U-turn is made again, and the image on the second surface is read by the image reading unit 160 below the conveyor belt 205.

  The original after the second side reading is conveyed toward the reverse roller 210. At that time, the first switching claw 206 is controlled to a posture along the route. The document is accommodated in the lower switchback unit 211 by rotating the reversing roller 210 in the forward direction. Then, by rotating the reverse roller 210 in the reverse direction, the document is U-turned in the back and discharged to the paper discharge unit 212. At this time, the first switching claw 206 is controlled to the posture shown in FIG. 3 so that the document does not return to the image reading unit 160. The above is the sheet conveyance processing procedure by the document processing apparatus 2.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3. The operation of the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 will be described below with reference to FIG. In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, a sheet (sheet) on which an image is printed by a copying process is carried into the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 from the sheet carry-in entrance 300. The punched unit 301 forms punch holes in the loaded paper when it is necessary to make punch holes.

  Then, the conveyance direction is branched by the proof branching claw 302, the staple branching claw 305, and the like, so that paper that does not require stapling such as proof (proof printing) is transferred to the proof tray 303, and paper that needs stapling is prestacked. It is conveyed toward the nail 306.

  The sheets conveyed toward the pre-stack branch claw 306 are branched by the pre-stack branch claw 306, temporarily stopped at a predetermined stopping portion, and conveyed in a downstream state in a state where the sheets are stacked and stacked together. When the end of the paper is bound, stapling processing is performed by the end binding stapler 308. Then, it is discharged to the shift tray 304. In the case of binding the center of the sheet, after the staple processing at the center of the sheet is performed by the saddle stitching stapler 311, the folding process is performed by the folding plate 309 and the folding roller 310 and the sheet is discharged to the saddle stitching tray 312. In the above transport, the transport rollers arranged at various places shown in FIG. 4 are appropriately driven to transport the paper.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a block diagram related to information processing. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 150, and the control unit 150 includes a CPU 151, a RAM 152, a memory 153, and an interface unit 154 (I / F). Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 160 and an input / output unit 170. As described above, the image reading unit 160 reads an image from a sheet. The input / output unit 170 allows a user (user) to input an operation or display various information to the user.

  Similar to the image forming apparatus 1, the image processing apparatus 2 (external apparatus) includes a control unit 250. The control unit 250 includes a CPU 251, a RAM 252, a memory 253, and an interface unit 254 (I / F). The sheet post-processing device 3 (external device) also includes a control unit 350. The control unit 350 includes a CPU 351, a RAM 352, a memory 353, and an interface unit 354 (I / F).

  The CPUs 151, 251, and 351 perform information processing such as various calculations and various commands, and the RAMs 152, 252, and 352 are temporary storage units serving as work areas for processing in the CPUs 151, 251, and 351. The memories 153, 253, and 353 are nonvolatile storage units that store various types of information. Information is transferred between the devices through the I / Fs 154, 254, and 354. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 and the image processing apparatus 2 are connected by the I / Fs 154, 254, and 354, and the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3 are connected. Information can be sent and received.

  In this embodiment, a series of image forming processes including a sheet transport process and a sheet post-process are executed as shown in FIG. This will be described below.

  Note that the external device in FIG. 6 is either the document processing device 2 or the paper post-processing device 3. In the present embodiment, the processing of FIG. 6 may be executed for the original processing apparatus 2 alone, or may be executed for the paper post-processing apparatus 3 alone, or the original processing apparatus 2 and the paper post-processing. It may be executed simultaneously with the apparatus 3 in parallel. In addition, the operations 1 and 2 in FIG. 6 indicate the above-described arbitrary operations in the external devices 2 and 3. Specific examples of the operations 1 and 2 will be described later.

  In FIG. 6, a region surrounded by a dotted line indicates a group of processing contents. Processing groups A1 and B1 are processing groups related to operation 1, and processing groups A2 and B2 are processing groups related to operation 2. As is clear from FIG. 2, the processing groups A1 and A2 and the processing groups B1 and B2 have the same processing contents, and the processing group A1 (B1) in which the operation 1 is replaced with the operation 2 is the processing group A2 (B2 ). Then, the processing of the processing group A1 (B1) related to the operation 1 is followed by the processing of the processing group A2 (B2) related to the operation 2.

  Although the operation is up to operation 2 in FIG. 6, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the number of operations may be increased as operations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,. Naturally, in that case, FIG. 6 is changed so that processing groups A1, A2 are followed by A3, A4, A5,..., And processing groups B1, B2 are followed by B3, B4, B5,. . In the operations 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,..., The smaller the number, the earlier the process to be executed.

  Specific examples of the operations 1 and 2 (and 3, 4, 5,...) Are, for example, when the external device is the document processing device 2, for example, sheet (sheet) conveyance at a specified linear velocity, single-side conveyance or double-side conveyance Any one of them may be a stamp of a finished stamp. For example, when the operation 1 is the sheet conveyance at the specified linear velocity, the operation content transmitted in S20 described later may be a numerical value of the conveyance linear velocity.

  For example, when the operation 2 is one of single-sided conveyance and double-sided conveyance, the operation content transmitted in S40 described later may be either single-sided conveyance or double-sided conveyance. Then, the process executed in S340, which will be described later, may be performed by controlling the attitude of the second switching claw that determines whether single-sided conveyance or double-sided conveyance. For example, when the operation 2 is a stamp of a completed stamp, the operation content transmitted in S40 may be information on whether or not the stamp is to be stamped.

  When the external device is the paper post-processing device 3, specific examples of the operations 1 and 2 (and 3, 4, 5,...) Include, for example, paper (sheet) conveyance at a specified linear velocity, punch processing, and stapling. Processing, mode specification, etc. may be used. For example, when the operation 1 is the sheet conveyance at the specified linear velocity, the operation content transmitted in S20 may be a numerical value of the conveyance linear velocity.

  For example, when the operation 2 is a punch process, the operation content transmitted in S20 may be information on whether or not to perform the punch process. For example, when the operation 2 is a staple process, the operation content transmitted in S20 may be information on whether or not the staple process is performed. For example, when the operation 2 is designated as the mode, the operation content transmitted in S40 may be set as the shift mode or not. The operations 1 and 2 (and 3, 4, 5,...) Are not limited to the above examples as long as they are operations in the document processing apparatus 2 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 3.

  The image forming side processing in FIG. 6 may be processing by the control unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the external device side processing is the control unit 250 of the external devices 2 and 3 (that is, the document processing apparatus 2 or the sheet post-processing apparatus 3). , 350. Specifically, the processing in FIG. 6 may be programmed and stored in the memories 153, 253, and 353, and the CPUs 151, 251 and 351 may call them and automatically execute them.

  In the process of FIG. 6, first, the activation request is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 side to the external apparatuses 2 and 3 (S10). Upon receiving this request, the external apparatuses 2 and 3 are activated (S200). Next, the content of operation 1 is commanded from the image forming apparatus 1 side (S20), and the external devices 2 and 3 receive this (S210). The external devices 2 and 3 return the fixed time notification 1 (S220), and the image forming apparatus 1 receives this (S30).

  Here, the fixed time is a time until execution of an operation in S290 described later or a reception process in S80 is executed. By acquiring this fixed time by the image forming apparatus 1, the time of S80 can be predicted in advance, so that the burden of communication processing can be reduced. The above is the processing group A1. The image forming apparatus 1 and the external apparatuses 2 and 3 execute the same process as the process group A1 in the process group A2 regarding the operation 2 (S40, S50, S230, and S240).

  Next, the processing group B1 will be described. In this embodiment, the command contents determined on the side of the external devices 2 and 3 are returned to the image forming apparatus 1 to determine whether or not the command is correctly transmitted to the external devices 2 and 3. Recognize on the side. If it is not transmitted correctly, emergency processing is executed. Further, the user can correct the operation content at a time before the execution of the operation.

  Specifically, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not there is a correction command from the user (S60), and when there is a correction command (S60: YES), the correction command including the content is sent to the external device. 2 and 3 are transmitted. The external devices 2 and 3 determine whether or not a correction command has been received (S250). If the correction command is received (S250: YES), the content of the correction command determined by the external devices 2 and 3 is used as the image forming apparatus. 1 is transmitted (S270).

  If there is no correction command from the user (S60: NO), naturally the external devices 2 and 3 do not receive the correction command (S250: NO), so the external devices 2 and 3 receive the external device in S210 described above and receive the external device. The contents of the command determined in steps 2 and 3 are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 (S260).

  A correction command from the user may be received through the input / output unit 170. Further, the correction command in S60 is not limited to the correction command from the user, but may be a correction command based on the judgment of the device itself. Examples of the correction command based on the judgment of the apparatus itself include a correction command based on detection of ink shortage, detection of staple staple shortage, detection of failure of each unit, and the like.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 1 receives the signal transmitted in S260 or S270 (S80). Then, the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether or not the command content transmitted in S20 matches the confirmed content received in S80 (S90). If the two pieces of information do not match (S90: NO), the image forming apparatus 1 instructs the external devices 2 and 3 to perform emergency processing (S100). The contents of the emergency process will be described later.

  The external devices 2 and 3 determine whether or not an emergency process command has been received (S280). If the emergency process command is received (S280: YES), the emergency process is executed (S350). If the external devices 2 and 3 have not received the emergency processing command (S280: NO), the external devices 2 and 3 execute the operation 1 (S290). However, when there is a correction command from the user (S60: YES), the content of the operation 1 executed in S290 is the corrected operation content.

  The above is the processing group B1. The image forming apparatus 1 and the external apparatuses 2 and 3 execute the same process as the process group B1 in the process group B2 regarding the operation 2 (S110 to S150, S300 to S340). As described above, since the command content determined by the external devices 2 and 3 is returned in S260 or S270, the image forming apparatus 1 can check whether the command is correctly transmitted (even when the command is corrected). Furthermore, when the command is not correctly transmitted, it is possible to shift to emergency processing. The time interval from S60 to S290 (or the time interval from S110 to S340) may be set to the minimum necessary period. Further, as the operation execution is clearly slower than in FIG. 6, the confirmation notification is also delayed. As a result, the operation is not determined at an unnecessarily early timing, and the operation content can be changed until immediately before the operation is executed.

  As described above, emergency processing (emergency operation) is executed in S350. Examples of emergency processing are shown in FIGS. In the example of FIG. 7, the external devices 2 and 3 immediately stop operating in S350 (S500). In the example of FIG. 8, the external devices 2 and 3 do not stop the operation immediately in S350, but stop the operation after executing a predetermined process (S510) (S520). Here, the predetermined process may be, for example, a process of transporting a sheet to a position where the subsequent process becomes easy.

  In the example of FIG. 9, in S350, the external devices 2 and 3 change the operation content to simple processing (S530), convey the paper to the end, and discharge the sheet 212, the proof tray 303, the shift tray 304, The sheet is discharged to the saddle stitch tray 312 or the like (S540). In the case of the document processing apparatus 2, the simple processing is, for example, processing contents such as image reading is not performed or a stamp is not stamped. In the case of the paper post-processing apparatus 3, for example, punching processing or stapling processing is not performed. Processing contents other than the paper conveyance may be omitted.

  Even when the emergency process is executed, the determined simple process content may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 as in the case of S260 or S270. By doing so, it is preferable that the processing contents in an emergency can be confirmed on the image forming apparatus 1 side.

  In the above, the process of S20 or S40 is the first transmission means. S260, S270, S310, and S320 are the second transmission means. The processing of S220 and S240 is the third transmission means. The processes in S70 and S120 are correction notification means. The process of S500 is the first emergency processing means. The processing of S510 and S520 is the second emergency processing means. The process of S530 is the third emergency processing means.

1 Image forming apparatus 2 Document processing apparatus (sheet processing apparatus, external apparatus)
3. Paper post-processing device (sheet post-processing device, external device)
100 Image forming system

Claims (8)

An image forming system in which at least an image forming apparatus and an external apparatus that receives a signal from the image forming apparatus and performs a plurality of processes are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.
First transmission means for transmitting first information corresponding to the plurality of processes from the image forming apparatus to the external apparatus;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit a processing confirmation time of each of the plurality of processes from the external apparatus to the image forming apparatus after the external apparatus receives the first information;
After the second transmission means transmits the processing confirmation time, when the plurality of processes are respectively confirmed, second information indicating that the plurality of processes are confirmed is returned from the external device to the image forming apparatus. A transmission means;
With
Wherein as the first slow time to perform the operation by the information, determine the timing also slows the respective processing,
2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the later the time point when the operation based on the first information is executed, the later the time point when the second information is transmitted by the third transmitting unit.   The first transmission unit includes a correction notification unit that notifies the corrected first information again from the image forming apparatus before the external apparatus determines execution of a plurality of processes. Item 4. The image forming system according to Item 1. An input unit for receiving the first information;
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the corrected first information is information received by the input unit.   The first emergency processing unit that stops processing in the external device when the second information transmitted from the external device is different from the first information transmitted from the image forming device. 4. The image forming system according to any one of items 3.   When the second information transmitted from the external apparatus is different from the first information notified from the image forming apparatus, the second emergency is stopped when the sheet being conveyed is conveyed to a predetermined position. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a processing unit.   Third emergency processing means for switching to a simple operation and processing without stopping the operation when the second information transmitted from the external device is different from the first information notified from the image forming device. The image forming system according to claim 1, comprising the image forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the external apparatus includes a sheet processing apparatus that conveys a sheet that is an image reading target to an image reading unit of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the external device includes a sheet post-processing device that receives a sheet on which an image read by the image forming device has been copied and discharged and performs post-processing. .

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