JP6519393B2 - Image formation system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging system.

  Conventionally, post-processing such as folding processing, punching processing, binding processing, cutting processing, insertion processing and the like is performed on a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus. In the insertion process, an insertion sheet such as thick paper or color paper is inserted between a plurality of sheets on which an image is formed.

  As a post-processing apparatus, for example, in a sheet processing apparatus provided with a folding roller that folds a sheet bundle to form a fold, reciprocates along the direction of the fold, and strengthens the fold, transport of the first sheet According to the processing time from a predetermined time to a predetermined timing, what determines the frequency | count of reciprocation of a fold-up roller is proposed (refer patent document 1).

Since the post-processing function is used in combination freely according to the user's request, the post-processing function used for each job is different. Therefore, if the sheet is discharged from the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus without considering the time required for each post-processing, the sheets may collide or jam may occur in the post-processing apparatus.
In order to avoid this, it is conceivable to determine the time interval for discharging the sheet from the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus in consideration of the time which may take the maximum for the post-processing included in the job. If it does not take so long, unnecessary waiting time will occur.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus discharges the sheet (transfer sheet) to the post-processing apparatus by measuring the time taken for the post-processing on the post-processing apparatus side and notifying the measurement time to the image forming apparatus side. An imaging system that controls timing is used. For example, in the case where a plurality of insertion sheets are inserted in the post-processing apparatus between transfer sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus, the process from the first sheet feeding of the insertion sheets to the last sheet feeding on the post-processing apparatus side The time is measured, and this measurement time is notified to the image forming apparatus side.

JP 2012-153532 A

  However, in the image forming system as described above, when a plurality of post-processing devices are connected to the image forming apparatus, when processing successive jobs with different post-processing devices (across the post-processing devices) The time measured by the post-processing apparatus may not be appropriate as the time interval of the transfer sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus.

Here, an image forming system in which a ring bind bookbinding apparatus that performs ring bind processing is connected to an image forming apparatus and a flat stitching apparatus that performs flat binding processing is connected to the ring bind bookbinding apparatus is taken as an example. The side-stitching apparatus includes a sheet insertion unit for inserting an insertion sheet between transfer sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus.
An example of a conventional method of determining the discharge timing of transfer paper in such an image forming system is shown in FIG. As the first job, the side-stitching apparatus performs the side-stitching process on the transfer sheet, the transfer sheet, and the insertion sheet in order, and the second job is the ring binding process of a plurality of transfer sheets on the ring bind bookbinding apparatus. As a job of the above, in the side-stitching apparatus, the side-by-side processing is performed on the insertion sheet, the insertion sheet, and the transfer sheet in order.

Even when ring binding processing is performed on the transfer sheet in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus when the second job is executed, the situation is unknown in the flat binding apparatus, so in the flat binding apparatus, the insertion sheet is inserted. From the feeding of the first sheet (inserted sheet to be subjected to the flat binding process of the first job) to the feeding of the last inserted sheet (the second inserted sheet to be subjected to the flat binding process of the third job) Continue measuring the time (measurement time C11) of The side-stitching device notifies the image forming apparatus of this measurement time C11.
In the image forming apparatus, the waiting time C12 between transfer sheets is determined based on the measurement time C11. Specifically, starting from the discharge of the final transfer sheet to be subjected to ring binding processing of the second job, the transfer sheet of the third job is discharged from the image forming apparatus after the standby time C12 has elapsed. Transport However, the measurement time C11 is a time that should be used as a reference when determining the time interval between the second transfer sheet of the first job and the transfer sheet of the third job.

  As described above, when processing is performed in another post-processing apparatus while the insertion sheet is continuously inserted in the post-processing apparatus with respect to the transfer sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus, another process may be performed. Based on the time measured across the processing in the post-processing device, the final sheet of transfer paper used for processing in other post-processing devices and the time of the transfer paper transported immediately after the plurality of insertion sheets There is a problem that the interval is controlled, unnecessary waiting time occurs, and the productivity is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and the present invention is directed to another method, while the sheet is continuously inserted into the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus in the post-processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to prevent a decrease in productivity by reducing unnecessary waiting time when processing in the post-processing device occurs.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of post-processing apparatuses, and the plurality of first sheets conveyed continuously from the image forming apparatus may be divided into a plurality of sheets. An image forming system for continuously inserting a plurality of second sheets in a first post-processing apparatus including a sheet insertion unit among the post-processing apparatuses, wherein the plurality of sheets are inserted from the sheet insertion section in the first post-processing apparatus; When inserting the second sheet, the sheet is transported from the image forming apparatus based on the measuring unit that measures the time from the first sheet feeding of the second sheet to the last sheet feeding and the measured time. Determining means for determining the discharge timing of the first sheet, and the measuring means is continuously inserted the second sheet from the sheet insertion section in the first post-processing apparatus. , Among the plurality of post-processing devices (1) When a process by a second post-processing apparatus different from the post-processing apparatus occurs, a measurement time from the first sheet feeding of the second sheet to the completion of the process by the second post-processing apparatus It clears, and measures the time from the feeding of the second sheet to the last feeding of the second sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit first after the processing in the second post-processing apparatus is completed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the first aspect, the determination means continuously inserts the second sheet from the sheet insertion portion in the first post-processing apparatus. When the processing in the second post-processing apparatus occurs, feeding of the second sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit is started after the processing in the second post-processing apparatus is completed. Is a starting point in determining the discharge timing of the first sheet.

  The invention according to claim 3 relates to the image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring unit is a size or a basis size of the first sheet or the second sheet conveyed in the first post-processing apparatus. According to the change of the amount, the time for moving the member of the first post-processing device, which is previously determined for each size or basis weight, is added to the measured time.

  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 second sheet is continuously inserted from the sheet insertion portion in the first post-processing apparatus. If the processing in the second post-processing device occurs while the second post-processing device is being processed, the sheet insertion unit is first performed after the processing in the second post-processing device is completed. The sheet feeding control operation is performed to perform the sheet feeding operation of the second sheet to be inserted.

  The invention according to a fifth aspect is the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the measuring unit starts the main feeding of the first sheet of the second sheet to be measured. Measure the time until the last paper feeding operation is completed.

  According to the present invention, it is wasteful if processing by another post-processing apparatus occurs while the sheet is continuously inserted in the post-processing apparatus with respect to the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus. By reducing the waiting time, a decrease in productivity can be prevented.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view of an image forming system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of a sheet feeding portion of a sheet insertion unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of each device of the image forming system. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a method of determining the discharge timing of transfer paper in the present invention. FIG. 13 is a ladder chart showing transfer paper discharge timing determination processing in the case where there is no post-processing device crossover. FIG. 13 is a ladder chart showing transfer paper discharge timing determination processing in the case where the post-processing device straddles. FIG. 13 is a ladder chart showing transfer paper discharge timing determination processing in the case where the post-processing device straddles. It is a flow chart which shows measurement time calculation processing performed in a side stitching device. It is a figure which shows the example of the determination method of the discharge timing of the conventional transfer paper.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

[Configuration of image forming system]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming system 100. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 10, a ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 as a second post-processing apparatus, and a side stitching apparatus 30 as a first post-processing apparatus. The devices are connected. The ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 and the side-stitching apparatus 30 are post-processing apparatuses that perform post-processing on the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an image forming unit 14, an image reading unit 15, paper feed trays T11 and T12, and the like.
The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on a sheet fed from the sheet feed trays T11 and T12. In the paper feed trays T11 and T12, sheets of predetermined size and basis weight are stored.
Hereinafter, the sheet fed from the sheet feed trays T11 and T12 is also referred to as a transfer sheet. The transfer sheets stored in the sheet feed trays T11 and T12 are supplied to the image forming unit.

  The operation unit 12 includes a touch panel formed to cover the display screen of the display unit 13 and various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button, and the operation signal based on the user's operation Output to FIG.

  The display unit 13 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the image forming apparatus control unit 11.

  The image forming unit 14 forms an image on transfer paper based on the image data read by the image reading unit 15 or the image data received from an external device.

  The image reading unit 15 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a scanner, and the like, and outputs image data obtained by reading an image of a document to the image forming apparatus control unit 11.

  The ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 includes a ring bind unit 22. The ring binding unit 22 forms a punched hole by punching a bundle of transfer paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10, attaches a ring binder to the punched hole, and performs bookbinding processing. The booklet bound by the ring binder is accommodated in an accommodating portion (not shown) in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20.

The side-stitching device 30 includes a side-stitching unit 32, a sheet insertion unit (post inserter) 40, and sheet discharge trays T21 and T22.
The side-stitching unit 32 performs side-stitching processing on a bundle of transfer sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 and sheets (hereinafter, also referred to as insertion sheets) inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40.
The sheet insertion unit 40 includes stacking trays T31 and T32 for stacking insertion sheets, and inserts the transfer sheet as the first sheet continuously conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 as the second sheet at the merging position X Combine the sheets and insert the insertion sheet between the transfer sheets. Since the sheet insertion unit 40 is located downstream of the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 in the sheet conveyance direction, the insertion sheet fed from the sheet insertion unit 40 is not inserted into the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of a sheet feeding portion of the sheet insertion unit 40. As shown in FIG.
The sheet insertion unit 40 includes stacking trays T 31 and T 32, separating rollers 41 and 42, a registration unit 43, conveyance rollers 44 to 48, and a sheet detection sensor 49.

  Insertion sheets such as thick paper and color paper are stacked on the stacking trays T31 and T32. The state in which the insertion sheets are stacked on the stacking trays T31 and T32 is referred to as an unfed state.

  The operation of moving the insertion sheet to a position where stable conveyance can be performed by feeding the insertion sheet stacked on the stacking trays T31 and T32 is referred to as "pre-feed (sheet feeding operation)". The insertion sheets stacked on the stacking trays T31 and T32 are separated one by one by the separating rollers 41 and 42 and fed out (pickup), and are transported to the registration unit 43 by the transport rollers 44 to 46. The conveyance of the leading end of the insertion sheet in the conveyance direction until the leading end reaches the registration unit 43 from the separation rollers 41 and 42 corresponds to “pre-feed”. The state in which the leading end in the conveyance direction of the insertion sheet has reached the registration unit 43 is the pre-feed completion state. The time taken for pre-feeding varies greatly depending on the type of inserted sheets, the number of stacked sheets, the degree of wear of the separating rollers 41 and 42, and the double try (retrying when the sheet can not be conveyed at one time).

  The resist unit 43 is configured of a resist roller that aligns the leading end position of the sheet. The operation of conveying the inserted sheet from the position (resist portion 43) where stable conveyance can be carried out to the downstream side of the inside of the machine is called "main sheet feeding". The conveyance until the leading end in the conveyance direction of the insertion sheet reaches the merging position X with the conveyance path of the transfer sheet from the registration unit 43 corresponds to “main sheet feeding”. Since the main feeding is stable conveyance by the nip portion of the registration unit 43 and the conveying rollers 47 and 48, the time taken for the main feeding hardly varies.

  That is, the feeding of the inserted sheet in the sheet insertion unit 40 is made up of two stages of the pre-feed including the temporally unstable element and the main sheet feeding not including the temporally unstable element. Therefore, the insertion sheet can be prepared to the pre-feed completion state prior to the actual insertion between the transfer sheets.

  The sheet detection sensor 49 is provided near the registration unit 43, detects the presence or absence of the sheet on the conveyance path, and outputs the detection result to the side stitching device control unit 31 (see FIG. 3). The change of the detection result of the paper detection sensor 49 from the "paper out" state to the "paper out" state means that the pre-feeding of the insertion paper is completed.

In the image forming system 100, when executing a job including a side stitching process, the image forming apparatus 10 receives a notification of measurement time from the side stitching device 30. In addition, when executing a job including ring binding processing, the image forming apparatus 10 receives a notification of measurement time from the ring binding bookbinding apparatus 20.
When the measurement time is notified from the side stitching device 30 or the ring bind bookbinding device 20, the image forming apparatus 10 determines the discharge timing (standby time) of the transfer sheet based on the measurement time. The image forming apparatus 10 performs image formation so that the next transfer sheet is discharged when the elapsed time from the start point becomes the standby time, starting from the discharge of the previous transfer sheet. The present invention is a technique corresponding to the exception in determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet.
The image forming apparatus 10 does not start image formation (conveyance) unless there is a notification of measurement time from the side stitching device 30 or the ring bind bookbinding device 20.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of each device of the image forming system 100. As shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming apparatus control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an image forming unit 14, an image reading unit 15, a storage unit 16, a conveyance unit 17, a serial communication unit 18, and the like. The description of the functional units already described is omitted.

  The image forming apparatus control unit 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and the like. The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and centrally controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the expanded programs.

  The storage unit 16 is configured by a hard disk, a flash memory, and the like, and stores various data. For example, job information is stored in the storage unit 16. The job information is information for instructing the image forming apparatus 10 to form an image. The job information includes data for each page including image data, setting information such as an image forming condition of each image data, and a post-processing condition.

  The conveyance unit 17 includes a conveyance roller for conveying a sheet, and conveys the sheet in the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, the transport unit 17 transports the transfer paper fed from the paper feed trays T11 and T12 to the image forming unit 14, and the transfer paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 14 is ring-bound to the bookbinding apparatus 20. And transport.

  The serial communication unit 18 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device such as the ring bind bookbinding device 20.

  The ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 includes a ring bind bookbinding apparatus control unit 21, a ring bind unit 22, a storage unit 23, a transport unit 24, serial communication units 25 and 26, and the like. The description of the functional units already described is omitted.

  The ring bind bookbinding device control unit 21 is configured of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU reads various processing programs stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and centrally controls the operation of each part of the ring bind bookbinding device 20 according to the expanded programs.

  The storage unit 23 is configured by a hard disk, a flash memory, and the like, and stores various data.

  The conveyance unit 24 includes a conveyance roller for conveying a sheet, and conveys the sheet in the ring bind bookbinding device 20. Specifically, the transport unit 24 transports a transfer sheet to be subjected to ring binding processing to the ring binding unit 22 and transports the booklet generated by the ring binding unit 22 to the storage unit. Further, the transport unit 24 transports the transfer sheet not subjected to the ring binding process to the side stitching device 30.

  The serial communication units 25 and 26 are interfaces for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices such as the image forming apparatus 10 and the side stitching device 30.

  The side stitching device 30 includes a side stitching device control unit 31, a side stitching unit 32, an alignment plate adjustment member 33, a storage unit 34, a conveyance unit 35, a serial communication unit 36, a sheet insertion unit 40, and the like. The description of the functional units already described is omitted.

  The side stitching device control unit 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU reads various processing programs stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and centrally controls the operation of each part of the side stitching device 30 according to the expanded program.

  The alignment plate adjustment member 33 is a member for adjusting the position of the alignment plate. The aligning plate aligns the position of the sheet to be processed in the side stitching unit 32 in the width direction (a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction and a direction parallel to the sheet surface).

  The storage unit 34 is configured by a hard disk, a flash memory, etc., and stores various data. The storage unit 34 stores, for the size and basis weight of a sheet, a combination of before and after change and a movement time for moving a member moved with the change, in association with each other. . For example, in the storage unit 34, the movement time for moving the alignment plate is stored in association with the combination of the sheet size before change and the sheet size after change.

  The conveyance unit 35 includes a conveyance roller for conveying the sheet, and conveys the sheet in the side stitching device 30. Specifically, the conveyance unit 35 conveys the transfer sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 via the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 and the insertion sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 to the sheet discharge trays T21 and T22. Discharge. The transport unit 35 transports the sheet to be subjected to the side stitching process to the side stitching unit 32, and discharges the sheet bundle subjected to the side stitching process to the paper discharge tray T22.

  The serial communication unit 36 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from an external device such as the ring bind bookbinding device 20.

The side-stitching device control unit 31 measures the time from the first sheet feeding to the last sheet feeding of the insertion sheet when the plurality of insertion sheets are continuously inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 in the side-stitching device 30. Do. That is, the side stitching device control unit 31 functions as a measuring unit.
The side-stitching device control unit 31 causes the ring binding bookbinding device 20 to be different from the side-stitching device 30 among the plurality of post-processing devices while the insertion sheets are continuously inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 in the side-stitching device 30. Clears the measurement time from the first sheet feeding of the inserted sheet to the completion of the processing in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 when the processing in the above occurs, and after the processing in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 is completed First, the time from the feeding of the insertion sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 to the last feeding is measured.

  "Continuously inserting the insertion sheet" means that the insertion of the insertion sheet is continuous in the side stitching device 30. In the image forming apparatus 10 or other post-processing apparatus, even if a transfer sheet or another insertion sheet is conveyed, if the sheet is not carried by the side stitching device 30, the side stitching device 30 It can be said that the sheet is continuously inserted.

  The side stitching device control unit 31 feeds the last sheet from the start of the main feeding of the first sheet (the first sheet or the first inserted sheet after processing by the ring bind bookbinding device 20) of the insertion sheet to be measured Measure the time until the loosening operation (pre-feed) is completed.

  The side-stitching device control unit 31 controls the side-stitching device 30 whose position is determined in advance for each size or basis weight in accordance with a change in the size or basis weight of the transfer sheet or insertion sheet transported in the side-stitching device 30. The time for moving the member is added to the measured time (measured value). Examples of members which are previously determined for each size or basis weight include an alignment plate, a member for adjusting a nip amount when conveying a sheet, and a member for changing an opening of a conveyance path. For example, when the size of the sheet is changed, the side stitching device control unit 31 controls the alignment plate adjustment member 33 to move the position of the alignment plate.

  The side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 causes the ring-bind type bookbinding apparatus 20 to process the ring-bind type bookbinding apparatus 20 while the insertion sheets are continuously inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 in the side-stitching apparatus 30. During the processing in step (4), after the processing in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 is completed, the paper feed operation (pre-feed) of the inserted sheet to be inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 is performed. That is, the side stitching device control unit 31 functions as a sheet feeding control unit.

  The side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the measured time (measurement time) via the serial communication unit 36.

The image forming apparatus control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines the discharge timing (time interval) of the transfer sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 based on the time (measurement time) notified from the side stitching device 30. . That is, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 functions as a determination unit.
When a process in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 occurs while the insertion sheet is continuously inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 in the side stitching device 30, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 performs the ring bind bookbinding device 20. The time when the feeding of the insertion sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 is started after the processing in the above is completed is set as the starting point for determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet.

[Summary of the Invention]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the method of determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet in the present invention. As the first job, the side stitching device 30 performs the side stitching process on the transfer sheet, the transfer sheet, and the insertion sheet in order, and the second job is to ring bind the plurality of transfer sheets in the ring bind bookbinding device 20, As the third job, in the side-stitching device 30, side-stitching processing is performed on the insertion sheet, the insertion sheet, and the transfer sheet in order.
As such, processing of successive jobs by different post-processing devices is referred to as "post-processing device straddle".

The side-stitching device 30 starts measurement from the feeding of the first sheet of the insertion sheet (the insertion sheet to be subjected to the side-stitching process of the first job).
During execution of the second job, while the ring binding process is being performed on the transfer sheet in the ring binding bookbinding apparatus 20, the situation is unknown in the flat binding device 30, but after the ring binding process is completed, Clear the measurement time until the ring binding process is complete, and then feed the insertion sheet (the first insertion sheet to be subjected to flat binding processing for the third job) to be inserted first after the ring binding process is completed The time (measurement time C1) until the feeding of the last insertion sheet (the second insertion sheet to be subjected to the side stitching process of the third job) is measured.

Here, if the size of the sheet conveyed in the side stitching device 30 changes, that is, if the sizes of the insertion sheet and the transfer sheet differ, after the insertion sheet is inserted, the transfer sheet is conveyed. In the meantime, it is necessary to change the position of the alignment plate. Therefore, in the side stitching device 30, the time required to move the alignment plate is added to the actual measurement value (measurement time C1).
When the basis weight of the sheet conveyed in the side stitching device 30 changes, that is, when the basis weight of the insertion sheet and the transfer sheet differ, after the insertion sheet is inserted, the transfer sheet is conveyed. In the meantime, it is necessary to change the position of the member for gripping the paper and the nip amount of the transport roller. Therefore, in the side stitching device 30, the time required to move the member for gripping the sheet and the transport roller is added to the actual measurement value (measurement time C1).
In addition, when it is necessary to change the front of the conveyance path by changing the size or basis weight of the sheet conveyed in the side stitching device 30, the size (height) of the front of the conveyance path in the flat stitching device 30 The time required to move the member for adjusting the width) is added to the actual measurement value (measurement time C1).

The side stitching device 30 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the measurement time C1.
The image forming apparatus 10 determines the discharge timing (waiting time C2) of the transfer sheet based on the measurement time C1 notified from the side stitching device 30. The image forming apparatus 10 discharges the transfer sheet of the third job from the image forming apparatus after the standby time C2 has elapsed, starting from the feed start of the insertion sheet at the beginning of the third job (particularly, the main feed start). Transport the transfer paper as follows.
The unnecessary waiting time is reduced as compared with the case where the control between transfer sheets is performed by the conventional method (see FIG. 9).

[Operation of image forming system]
Next, the operation of the image forming system 100 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a ladder chart showing a transfer sheet discharge timing determination process in the case where there is no post-processing apparatus straddling (at the normal time). This processing is performed by another post-processing apparatus (ring bind bookbinding) when n sheets of insertion sheets are inserted between the transfer sheets (transfer sheets A and B) conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 by the side stitching device 30. It is an example in case processing in device 20) does not occur.

First, in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 inquires of the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 via the serial communication unit 18 about the measurement time for determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet A (step S1).
In the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 that has received an inquiry from the image forming apparatus 10, the ring bind bookbinding apparatus control unit 21 inquires about the measurement time to the side stitching apparatus 30 via the serial communication unit 26 (step S2).
In the side stitching device 30 that has received an inquiry from the ring bind bookbinding device 20, the side stitching device control unit 31 notifies the ring bind bookbinding device 20 of the measurement time via the serial communication unit 36 (step S3).
In the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 receiving the notification of the measurement time from the side stitching apparatus 30, the ring bind bookbinding apparatus control unit 21 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the measurement time of the side stitching apparatus 30 via the serial communication unit 25. (Step S4).

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 determines the discharge timing of the transfer sheet A based on the measurement time measured by the side stitching device 30, and starts the image formation of the transfer sheet A.

  In the following description, since the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 only mediates communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the side stitching apparatus 30, the description of the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 is omitted.

In the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 transmits a pre-feed start instruction of the first insertion sheet to the side stitching device 30 (steps S5 and S6).
In the side-stitching device 30, upon receiving a pre-feed start instruction for the first insertion sheet, the side-stitching device control unit 31 controls the sheet insertion unit 40 to pre-feed the first insertion sheet P1. Let me do it. When the first pre-feed P1 for the first insertion sheet is completed, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 transmits a pre-feed completion notification for the first insertion sheet to the image forming apparatus 10 (steps S7 and S8). ). The completion of the pre-feed P1 is determined based on the detection result of the paper detection sensor 49.

In the image forming apparatus 10, when the pre-feeding completion notification of the first insertion sheet is received, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 instructs the flat stitching device 30 to start the main feeding of the first insertion sheet. Send (steps S9 and S10).
In the side-stitching device 30, upon receiving a main feeding start instruction of the first insertion sheet, the side-stitching device control unit 31 controls the sheet insertion unit 40 to perform the final feeding Q1 of the first insertion sheet. The measurement is started, and the main feed start notification of the first insertion sheet is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (steps S11 and S12).

  In the case where the side-stitching device 30 does not need to stand by in the pre-feed completed state, that is, when there is no circumstances such as processing by another post-processing apparatus before insertion of the insertion sheet, The completion of the sheet feeding and the start of the main sheet feeding are substantially simultaneous.

  Thereafter, in the same manner, processing for the second to (n-1) th sheets is performed. In the side stitching device 30, the timing at which the pre-feed is completed is stored in the storage unit 34 for the second to (n-1) th insertion sheets.

Next, in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 transmits a pre-feed start instruction of the n-th insertion sheet to the side stitching device 30 (steps S13 and S14).
In the side-stitching device 30, when receiving a pre-feed start instruction for the n-th insertion sheet, the side-stitching device control unit 31 controls the sheet insertion unit 40 to pre-feed the nth insertion sheet Pn Let me do it. When pre-feeding Pn of the n-th insertion sheet is completed, the side-stitching device control unit 31 stores the timing at which the pre-feeding Pn is completed in the storage unit 34 and transmits the n-th sheet to the image forming apparatus 10. The notification of completion of pre-feeding of the inserted sheet is sent (steps S15 and S16).

In the image forming apparatus 10, when the pre-feeding completion notification of the n-th insertion sheet is received, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 instructs the flat stitching device 30 to start the regular feeding of the n-th insertion sheet. Send (steps S17 and S18).
In the side-stitching device 30, when the main feeding start instruction for the n-th insertion sheet is received, the side-stitching device control unit 31 controls the sheet insertion unit 40 to perform the final feeding Qn of the nth insertion sheet. The main sheet feeding start notification of the nth insertion sheet is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (steps S19 and S20).

Here, in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 inquires of the side stitching device 30 the measurement time for determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet B (steps S21 and S22).
In the side-stitching device 30, the side-stitching device control section 31 starts pre-feeding Pn of the last insertion sheet (nth insertion sheet) from the start of main feeding Q1 of the first insertion sheet whose measurement has been started. Calculate the time to completion (measurement time). Since the final pre-feeding Pn of the inserted sheet is already completed at this time, the side stitching device control unit 31 measures the time based on the completion timing of the pre-feeding Pn stored in the storage unit 34. Calculate
The side stitching device control unit 31 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the measurement time (steps S23 and S24).

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 determines the discharge timing of the transfer sheet B based on the measurement time measured by the side stitching device 30, and starts the image formation of the transfer sheet B.

  FIGS. 6 and 7 are ladder charts showing transfer sheet discharge timing determination processing in the case where the post-processing apparatus is straddling. In this process, while the n-sheets are being inserted by the side stitching device 30 between the transfer sheets (transfer sheets A and B) conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10, another post-processing device (ring It is an example in case processing in binding binding device 20) occurs.

  The processes of step S31 to step S42 are the same as the processes of step S1 to step S12 of FIG.

  Thereafter, processing for the second to (i-1) th insertion sheets is similarly performed. In the side stitching device 30, the timing at which the pre-feed is completed is stored in the storage unit 34 for the second to (i-1) th inserted sheets.

Next, moving to FIG. 7, in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 transmits a pre-feed start instruction of the i-th insertion sheet to the side stitching device 30 (steps S43 and S44). .
The pre-feed start instruction can be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 to the side-stitching device 30 in a forward direction prior to the insertion of the insertion sheet to be subjected to the pre-feed, even immediately before the main feed. Therefore, when an insertion sheet is inserted after processing in the ring bind bookbinding device 20, a pre-feed start instruction relating to the insertion sheet is transmitted to the side stitching device 30 during processing in the ring bind bookbinding device 20.
In the side-stitching device 30, when receiving the pre-feed start instruction for the i-th insertion sheet, the side-stitching device control unit 31 controls the sheet insertion unit 40 to pre-feed the i-th insertion sheet. Let me do it. When the pre-feeding Pi of the i-th insertion sheet is completed, the side-stitching device control unit 31 stores the timing at which the pre-feeding Pi is completed in the storage unit 34 and transmits the i-th sheet to the image forming apparatus 10 The notification of completion of pre-feeding of the inserted sheet is sent (steps S45 and S46).

  Here, it is assumed that the process (crossing of the post-processing device) in the ring bind bookbinding device 20 has occurred. The communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 in the ring bind process will not be illustrated and described.

In the image forming apparatus 10, since the notification of the pre-feed completion of the i-th insertion sheet is received from the side-stitching device 30, the image forming device control unit 11 sends the side-stitching device 30 An instruction to start the main feeding of the i-th insertion sheet is transmitted (steps S47 and S48). At this time, information indicating that it is the first inserted sheet after the post-processing apparatus straddling (after the completion of the ring binding process) is added to the sheet feeding start instruction.
In the side-stitching device 30, when the main feeding start instruction for the i-th insertion sheet is received, the side-stitching device control unit 31 controls the sheet insertion unit 40 to perform the final feeding Qi of the i-th insertion sheet. The main sheet feeding start notification of the i-th insertion sheet is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (steps S49 and S50).
In addition, when the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 recognizes that the i-th insertion sheet is the first insertion sheet to be inserted after the processing in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 is completed according to the full-sheet feeding start instruction. Clear the measurement time, and start measurement from the start of the main feed Qi of the i-th insertion sheet.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 receives the main feeding start notification corresponding to the main feeding start instruction to which the information indicating the first inserted sheet after the post-processing apparatus straddling is added. When the main feeding start notification of the i-th insertion sheet is received (when the feeding of the insertion sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 is started after the processing in the ring bind bookbinding device 20 is completed) To be the starting point for determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet.

Thereafter, processing is performed for the (i + 1) th to (n-1) th insertion sheets.
Moreover, since the process of step S51-step S58 is the same as the process of step S13-step S20 of FIG. 5, description is abbreviate | omitted.

Next, in the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 inquires of the side stitching device 30 the measurement time for determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet B (steps S59 and S60).
In the side-stitching device 30, since the side-stitching device control unit 31 starts the measurement again after the measurement time is cleared, the last insertion sheet from the start of the main feeding Qi of the i-th insertion sheet (the nth insertion sheet The time (measurement time) until the completion of the pre-feed Pn) is calculated. The side stitching device control unit 31 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the measurement time (steps S61 and S62).

  In the image forming apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus control unit 11 performs transfer based on the starting point picked up when the main feeding start notification of the i-th insertion sheet is received and the measurement time measured by the side stitching device 30. The discharge timing of the paper B is determined, and the image formation of the transfer paper B is started.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing measurement time calculation processing performed in the side stitching device 30.
First, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 determines whether insertion of an insertion sheet has been instructed (step S71). Specifically, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 determines whether or not there is a pre-feed start instruction of the insertion sheet from the image forming apparatus 10.

  When insertion of the insertion sheet is instructed (step S71; YES), that is, when there is an instruction to start pre-feeding of the insertion sheet from the image forming apparatus 10, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 selects one of the insertion sheets. The measurement is started from the feeding of the second sheet (step S72). Specifically, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 starts the measurement from the time when the first main feeding of the insertion sheet is started.

  Next, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 determines whether continuous insertion of the insertion sheet has been instructed (step S73). Specifically, after receiving the main feeding start instruction of the insertion sheet from the image forming apparatus 10, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 determines again whether the main feeding start instruction of the insertion sheet is received.

  When the continuous insertion of the insertion sheet is instructed (step S73; YES), that is, when the main feed start instruction of the insertion sheet is continuously received from the image forming apparatus 10, the side stitching device control unit 31 It is determined whether there is processing by another post-processing apparatus (ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20) (step S74). Specifically, the side stitching device control unit 31 first inserts the main sheet feeding start instruction of the insertion sheet received from the image forming device 10 after the post-processing device straddle straddling (after the completion of processing in another post-processing device) If information indicating that the sheet is a sheet, it is determined that there is processing in another post-processing apparatus.

  When there is no processing in another post-processing apparatus (step S74; NO), that is, the main sheet feeding start instruction to which the information indicating that it is the first inserted sheet after straddling the post-processing apparatus is not received In the case, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 measures the time until the last inserted sheet is fed (step S75). Specifically, the side stitching device control unit 31 calculates a time from the start of the main feeding of the first insertion sheet to the end of the pre-feeding of the last insertion sheet as a measurement time.

  In step S74, when there is a process in another post-processing apparatus (step S74; YES), the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 waits for the completion of the process in the other post-processing apparatus (step S76; YES). ), And the measurement time from the first sheet feeding of the inserted sheet to the end of the processing in the other post-processing apparatus is cleared (step S77). In the present embodiment, upon reception of the main sheet feeding start instruction to which information indicating that the sheet is the first inserted sheet after straddling the post-processing apparatus is received, processing in another post-processing apparatus is already completed. There is.

  Next, the side-stitching device control unit 31 measures the time from the feeding of the insertion sheet inserted first from the sheet insertion unit 40 to the feeding of the last insertion sheet after the completion of the processing in the other post-processing device (Step S78). Specifically, the side-stitching device control unit 31 measures the time from the start of the main feeding of the first inserted sheet to the completion of the pre-feeding of the last inserted sheet after the completion of the processing in the other post-processing device. calculate.

  After step S75 or step S78, the side-stitching apparatus control unit 31 determines whether the size or basis weight of the sheet to be processed in the side-stitching apparatus 30 has been changed (step S79). If there is a change in the size or basis weight of the sheet (step S79; YES), the side stitching device control unit 31 stores the moving time required to move the predetermined member along with the change in size or basis weight. The movement time read out from the unit 34 is added to the measurement time (step S80).

  In step S79, when there is no change in the size or basis weight of the sheet (step S79; NO), or after step S80, the side stitching device control unit 31 causes the image forming apparatus 10 to measure time (travel time in step S80). Is added, the time after addition is notified (step S81). Specifically, the side stitching device control unit 31 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 of the measurement time via the ring bind bookbinding device 20 via the serial communication unit 36.

  In step S71, when the insertion of the insertion sheet is not instructed (step S71; NO), when the continuous insertion of the insertion sheet is not instructed in step S73 (step S73; NO), or after step S81, the flat stitching device 30 The measurement time calculation process in step is completed.

  As described above, according to the image forming system 100, while the insertion sheet is being continuously inserted in the side-stitching device 30, the transfer sheet continuously conveyed from the image forming apparatus 10 is a ring. Since the measurement time from the first sheet feeding of the inserted sheet to the completion of the process in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 is cleared when the process in the bind bookbinding apparatus 20 occurs, the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 It is possible to avoid adding extra measurement time to the time taken for processing. In addition, since the time from the feeding of the insertion sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 first to the last feeding after the processing in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 is measured, unnecessary waiting in the image forming apparatus 10 By reducing the time, a decrease in productivity can be prevented.

  Further, when processing by the ring bind bookbinding device 20 occurs while the insertion sheets are continuously inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 in the side stitching device 30, the ring bind bookbinding device 20 is generated in the image forming device 10. Since the time when feeding (main feeding) of the inserted sheet to be inserted from the sheet inserting unit 40 is started after the processing in step is started is used as the starting point for determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet, the flat stitching device Based on the measurement time measured at 30, the discharge timing of the transfer sheet can be easily determined.

  In addition, since the moving time of the member that needs to be moved is added to the measurement time in the side stitching device 30 according to the change in the size or basis weight of the sheet, the image forming apparatus 10 more accurately discharges the transfer sheet. The timing can be determined.

  Further, during processing by the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20, since the pre-feed of the insertion sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit 40 is first performed after the processing by the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 is completed, the pre-variation is large. Unnecessary waiting time can be reduced by processing the paper feed forward.

Further, in the side stitching device 30, the prefeeding of the insertion sheet can be performed forward regardless of the conveyance of the transfer sheet and the processing in the ring bind bookbinding device 20. The start of the main feeding of the sheet (the first sheet or the first inserted sheet after the completion of the processing in the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20) substantially corresponds to the start of the feeding of the first sheet.
In addition, since the time taken for the main feeding is stable (the variation is small), if the time until the completion of the pre-feeding of the last inserted sheet is known, the time taken for the main feeding of the last inserted sheet is predicted Is easy. Therefore, by setting the measurement target to the completion of pre-feeding of the last inserted sheet, it is possible to notify the image forming apparatus 10 of the measurement time at the earliest possible stage, and the increase of the waiting time in the image forming apparatus 10 is suppressed. be able to.

  The description in the above embodiment is an example of the image forming system according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and the detailed operation of each device constituting the system can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, from the start of the main feeding of the first sheet of the insertion sheet to be measured (the first sheet or the first insertion sheet after completion of processing in the ring bind bookbinding device 20) in the side stitching device 30 Although the case of measuring the time until the final pre-feeding of the last sheet has been described, it is assumed in this example that the “first sheet” of the insertion sheet to be measured and the “sheet feeding” of the last sheet are used. It is not limited. Specifically, as the "paper feed" of the first sheet of the insertion sheet to be measured, the pre-feed start time, the pre-feed completion time, the full-feed completion time, or the like may be used. In addition, as the “paper feeding” of the last sheet of the insertion sheet to be measured, it is also possible to use the time of pre-feed start, the time of main paper feed start, the time of main paper feed completion or the like.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the time measured in the side stitching device 30 is notified to the image forming apparatus 10, and in the image forming apparatus 10, based on the time notified from the side stitching device 30, the image forming device 10 Although the discharge timing of the transfer sheet to be conveyed is determined, the process of determining the discharge timing of the transfer sheet based on the measurement time may be performed anywhere.

In the above embodiment, the image forming system 100 includes the image forming apparatus 10 and the two post-processing apparatuses. However, the image forming system 100 may have three or more post-processing apparatuses. Good.
Further, in the above embodiment, the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20 without the sheet insertion unit is connected to the image forming apparatus 10, and the flat binding device 30 including the sheet insertion unit 40 is connected to the ring bind bookbinding apparatus 20. However, the connection position of the post-processing apparatus provided with the sheet insertion unit is not limited to this.

  In the above description, although the example which used ROM as a computer readable medium which stored the program for performing each processing was disclosed, it is not limited to this example. As another computer readable medium, it is also possible to apply a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In addition, a carrier wave may be applied as a medium for providing program data via a communication line.

10 image forming apparatus 11 image forming apparatus control unit 14 image forming unit 16 storage unit 17 transport unit 20 ring binding bookbinding device 30 side stitching device 31 side stitching device control unit 32 side stitching unit 33 alignment plate adjustment member 34 storage unit 35 transport unit 40 sheet insertion portion 100 image forming system T11, T12 sheet feeding tray T21, T22 sheet discharging tray T31, T32 stacking tray X joining position

Claims (5)

A first post-processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus and a plurality of post-processing apparatuses, and a sheet insertion unit among the plurality of post-processing apparatuses between the first sheets continuously conveyed from the image forming apparatus. An image forming system for continuously inserting a plurality of second sheets, comprising:
A measuring unit configured to measure a time from the first sheet feeding of the second sheet to the last sheet feeding when the plurality of second sheets are inserted from the sheet inserting unit in the first post-processing apparatus;
A determination unit configured to determine an ejection timing of the first sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus based on the measured time;
Equipped with
The measurement unit is configured to be different from the first post-processing apparatus among the plurality of post-processing apparatuses while the second sheet is continuously inserted from the sheet insertion unit in the first post-processing apparatus. [2] When the processing in the post-processing apparatus occurs, the measurement time from the first sheet feeding of the second sheet to the completion of the processing in the second post-processing apparatus is cleared, and the second post-processing is performed An image forming system for measuring a time from the feeding of the second sheet to the last feeding of the second sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit first after the processing in the apparatus is completed.   The determination unit is configured to perform the second processing when the second post-processing device occurs while the second sheet is continuously inserted from the sheet insertion unit in the first post-processing device. The time when the feeding of the second sheet inserted from the sheet insertion unit is started after the processing in the post-processing apparatus is completed is set as the starting point when the discharge timing of the first sheet is determined. The image forming system described in.   The measuring unit is configured such that the position is determined in advance for each size or basis weight in accordance with a change in the size or basis weight of the first sheet or the second sheet transported in the first post-processing apparatus. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a time for moving a member of the first post-processing apparatus is added to the measured time.   When processing by the second post-processing apparatus occurs while the second sheet is continuously inserted from the sheet insertion unit in the first post-processing apparatus, the second post-processing apparatus 4. The sheet feeding control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sheet feeding control means for performing a sheet feeding operation of the second sheet inserted from the sheet insertion portion first after the processing in the second post-processing apparatus is completed during processing. An image forming system according to any one of the preceding claims.   The measurement method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the measurement means measures a time from the start of the main feeding of the first sheet of the second sheet to be measured to the completion of the feeding operation of the last sheet. Image formation system.

Images