JP6565354B2 - Sheet processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming system, and printer tool of sheet processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus that processes sheets such as paper, an image forming apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a printer tool of the sheet processing system.

  In recent years, binding devices that do not use metal needles have been invented and devised from the viewpoint of low resources and recyclability. This is a sheet processing apparatus called a finisher that performs a binding process on a plurality of sheets as sheets output from an image forming apparatus, and is known as an apparatus that includes both a stapleless binding unit and a stapled binding unit. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the sheet processing apparatus including both the stapleless binding unit and the stapled binding unit so far including Patent Document 1, the number of stapleable binding units of the stapleless binding unit is set to be smaller than that of the stapled binding unit. For this reason, control has been performed in which the needleless binding unit is used until the stapleable number of stapleless binding units is reached, and the needled binding unit is used when the stapleless number of stapleless binding units is exceeded.

However, since the number of sheets output from the image forming apparatus varies depending on one-sided / double-sided, aggregation mode, and the like, there is a problem in that the processing result is not intended by the user who executes printing.
Specifically, when the setting of the number of sheets that can be bound by the stapleless binding unit is set to be less than the upper limit value, the following processing result is obtained. For example, when the setting value is set to 3 sheets for the upper limit value of 5 sheets, processing is performed with needle binding at the middle of these 4 sheets, resulting in a processing result not intended by the user.
Further, since binding with a needle has a higher sheet holding force, there may be a user who wants to change to binding with a needle even when the number is less than the number of sheets that can be bound by a stapleless binding unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to process a sheet bundle with processing contents intended by a user in a sheet processing apparatus equipped with a binding unit with and without needles. And

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first binding means for binding a sheet bundle without using a needle, a second binding means for binding a sheet bundle using a needle, and the number of sheets to be bound. Control means for performing control to automatically switch to binding processing by one of the first binding means and the second binding means, and the first binding means from the print setting information set by the user. Deriving means for deriving the contents of the binding process performed by each of the second binding means, notifying means for notifying each of the binding process contents of the deriving means, and the current print setting for the user before executing the printing process equipped with a notification control means for the controlling the informing means to the notification of the binding processing contents for confirming the status, a sheet processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus, the notification hand The first notification about the contents of each binding process is that the user automatically switches to the binding process by one of the first binding means and the second binding means depending on the number of sheets to be bound. This is a sheet processing apparatus for informing the user .

  According to the present invention, according to the above configuration, a sheet bundle can be processed with the processing content intended by the user in the sheet processing apparatus in which both the binding unit with needle and the binding unit without needle are mounted.

1 is a front view of an entire image forming system showing Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire sheet post-processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. (A) is a perspective view which shows arrangement | positioning structure of a binding unit with a needle | hook and a binding unit without a needle | hook, (b) is a top view of (a). (A) is a perspective view for explaining a stapled binding process of a stapled binding unit, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sheet bundle is bound by a staple staple driven by the stapled binding unit. It is a perspective view explaining the needleless binding process of the needleless binding unit. (A) is explanatory drawing before needleless binding processing operation by a needleless binding unit, (b) is a figure explaining needleless binding processing operation. (A), (b) is a top view explaining the alignment operation | movement of a sheet | seat. It is a top view of an operation part. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main control configuration of the image forming system according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement order of the operation example 1 of embodiment. It is a top view which shows the example of a display of the setting confirmation screen displayed on the LCD display part of an operation part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of an operation example 2 different from the operation example 1 of the first embodiment. It is a top view which shows the example of a display of the binding setting change screen displayed on the LCD display part of an operation part. It is a top view which shows the example of a display of the binding setting change screen (after change) displayed on the LCD display part of an operation part. It is a top view which shows the example of a display of the setting confirmation screen (after change) displayed on the LCD display part of an operation part. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of an operation example 3 of the first modification. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a main control configuration of a sheet processing system according to a second embodiment. It is a top view which shows the example of an initial screen display of the printer driver display part displayed on the LCD display of the output device of a personal computer. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of an operation example 4 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a display example of a setting confirmation screen displayed on a printer driver display unit. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of an operation example 5 different from the operation example 4 of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a display example of a binding setting change screen displayed on a printer driver display unit. FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a display example of a binding setting change screen (after change) displayed on the printer driver display unit. FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a display example different from FIG. 23 of the binding setting change screen (after change) displayed on the printer driver display unit.

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

(Embodiment 1)
With reference to FIG. 1, an image forming system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the entire image forming system showing Embodiment 1 according to the image forming system of the present invention. The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 1 disposed upstream, and a sheet post-processing apparatus 6 as a sheet processing apparatus that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 1 and mechanically coupled to the image forming apparatus 1. Consists of

Although the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is omitted, a toner image is formed on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, and the sheet on which the image has been formed is subjected to sheet post-processing by a conveyance roller (not illustrated). A configuration for feeding to the device 6 is provided. A specific example of such an image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-130730 by the present applicant.
Note that the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to an apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, and may form an image by another printing method such as an inkjet method.
On one side of the apparatus main body 1A (left side in the figure), a sheet post-processing apparatus 6 including a punching device such as a punch unit, a sorting device such as a sorter, a binding device such as a stapler, and the like is installed.

  As shown in a perspective view in FIG. 1, the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 includes a needleless binding unit 201 as a first binding means or a needleless binding means, and a needle as a second binding means or a stapled binding means. Both the staple binding unit 202 are mounted. The stapleless binding unit 201 is a device that binds a sheet bundle as a sheet bundle without using a needle, and the stapled binding unit 202 binds a sheet bundle using a metal needle such as a staple needle. Device. Details of the needleless binding unit 201 and the needled binding unit 202 will be described later.

With reference to FIG. 2, the overall configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 will be described. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the entire sheet post-processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
The sheet post-processing device 6 has an entrance conveyance path A that conveys a sheet (usually an image-formed sheet) received from the image forming apparatus 1 and an upper conveyance path B that communicates with the entrance conveyance path A. , An intermediate conveyance path C, and a lower conveyance path D are provided. The paper post-processing device 6 includes the following units as post-processing means for performing predetermined post-processing on the paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1. That is, a punch unit 243, a binding unit 202 with a needle, a binding unit without a needle (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIGS. 1 and 3), a shift roller 249 as a sorting unit, a folding plate 259 as a folding unit, a folding roller 260. Note that the binding means with a needle is also called a staple unit.

The sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 passes through an inlet conveyance path A having a punch unit 243, an upper conveyance path B that leads to a proof tray 258, an intermediate conveyance path C that leads to a shift roller 249, alignment, and stitching with / without needle binding. The sheet is selectively conveyed to the lower conveyance path D leading to the binding tray 250 to be performed. The received paper is sorted by the branching claw 264, the turn guide 276, the branching claw 265, and the turn guide 277.
The binding tray 250 is not shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7 and the like described later for the sake of simplicity. The turn guide 276 and the turn guide 277 indicate guide portions formed in a circled portion.

  An inlet sensor 301, a punch unit 243, a punch hopper 244, and a conveyance are sequentially provided from the upstream side to an inlet conveyance path A that is upstream of the upper conveyance path B, the intermediate conveyance path C, and the lower conveyance path D. A roller 271, a branch claw 264, and a turn guide 276 are arranged. The entrance sensor 301 is a sensor that detects a sheet received from the image forming apparatus 1 of FIG. The conveyance roller 271 is rotationally driven by a conveyance motor 211 connected via a driving force transmission means such as a gear train.

Each of the branching claws 264 and a later-described branching claw 265 are configured to be swingable around a support shaft (not shown) by a combination of a spring (not shown) and a solenoid (not shown). The branch claw 264 is held in the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 by the spring. When the solenoid is turned on (hereinafter referred to as “ON”), the branch claw 264 is swung to the position indicated by the broken line. Sort the paper in the D direction. If the solenoid is off (hereinafter referred to as “OFF”), the branching claw 264 distributes the paper to the upper conveyance path B in the position indicated by the solid line and discharges it to the proof tray 258 by the proof paper discharge roller 247. Make paper.
The branching claw 265 is held in the position of the solid line in FIG. 2 by the spring. When the solenoid is turned on, the branching claw 265 swings to the position of the broken line and distributes the sheet to the intermediate conveyance path C. If the solenoid is OFF, the sheet is conveyed to the lower conveyance path D with the branching claw 265 positioned in the solid line.

  In the intermediate conveyance path C, a shift roller 249 that is movable by a certain amount in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction X (hereinafter also referred to as “sheet width direction”) is disposed. The sheet sent to the intermediate conveyance path C through the conveyance roller 272 and the turn guide 277 is moved in the sheet width direction by the shift roller 249 being moved by a certain amount in the sheet width direction by a driving unit (not shown). The amount is shifted. The sheets shifted by a certain amount in the sheet width direction are discharged in this state by the discharge roller 255 and stacked on the discharge tray 257. The movement timing of the shift roller 249 in the paper width direction is determined based on the paper detection information of the entrance sensor 301, the paper size information, and the like.

  A staple tray paper discharge sensor 302 is disposed in the lower conveyance path D. The staple tray paper discharge sensor 302 serves as a trigger for the presence / absence of paper in the lower transport path D and an alignment operation when paper is discharged to the binding tray 250. The sheets sent to the lower conveyance path D are sequentially conveyed by the respective conveyance rollers 273, 274, 275, and after being stacked on the binding tray 250, are aligned.

With reference to FIGS. 2-7, the structure and operation | movement of the binding part which is an arrangement | positioning part of the binding unit 202 with a needle | hook and the binding unit 201 without a needle | hook are demonstrated. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an arrangement configuration of the binding unit with needle 202 and the binding unit 201 without needle, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining the needled binding process of the needled binding unit 202, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the needleless binding process of the needleless binding unit 201. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram before the needleless binding processing operation by the needleless binding unit 201, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the needleless binding processing operation. FIGS. 7A and 7B are plan views for explaining the sheet alignment operation.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, as described above, the paper P conveyed by the respective conveying rollers 273, 274, and 275 and conveyed and stacked on the binding tray 250 shown in FIG. The pair of jogger fences 204a and 204b are aligned in the paper width direction Y. The sheet P aligned in the sheet width direction Y is aligned in the sheet conveying direction by the tapping roller 248 with reference to the rear end alignment stoppers 203a and 203b which are sheet abutting members.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the home position (initial position) of the needle-bound binding unit 202 is detected by a needle-bound binding unit home position sensor 213 disposed outside the jogger fence 204b.
As shown in FIG. 2, the staple-binding unit 202 includes a driver unit 245a that drives out the needle and a clincher unit 245b that bends the tip of the needle that has been driven into the sheet bundle PA. The stapled binding unit 202 is stably guided by the stapled binding unit moving guide rail 214 disposed along the paper width direction Y over the entire region in the paper width direction Y of the binding tray (not shown). The paper can be reciprocated in the paper width direction Y. The stitching unit 202 with a needle is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 2 of the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-130730, and various known stitching devices with a needle can be used.

  The binding process of the sheet bundle PA aligned in the sheet width direction Y and the sheet conveyance direction X as described above by the staple-binding unit 202 will be described. In the case of end binding with a needle, in FIG. 4A, the binding unit 202 with a needle moves from the home position along the movement guide rail 214 with a needle binding unit and stops at a predetermined position where end binding is performed. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the rear end of the aligned sheet bundle PA is bound by a staple needle 221. Thereafter, the sheet bundle PA subjected to the end binding is conveyed upward by the discharge claw 251 attached to the discharge belt 254 shown in FIG. 2 and discharged and stacked on the discharge tray 257 by the discharge roller 255. A paper surface detection sensor 303 is arranged below the discharge roller 255 so that the height of the paper discharge tray 257 can be lowered according to the amount of paper to be discharged.

On the other hand, in the case of saddle stitching with a needle, after the sheet bundle PA is aligned with reference to the rear end alignment stoppers 203a and 203b, the rear end alignment stoppers 203a and 203b are retracted. Next, the aligned sheet bundle PA is bundle-conveyed downward by the pair of bundle-conveying rollers 253a and 253b, and the binding process is performed by the staple-attached binding unit 202 at the saddle stitching position. When the saddle stitching process is completed, the intermediate folding process is appropriately performed. That is, the sheet is conveyed to the folding position by the bundle conveying roller pair 266a and 266b, subjected to the middle folding process by the folding plate 259 and the folding roller 260, and discharged and stacked on the middle folded paper discharge tray 263 by the middle folded paper discharge roller 262. The The binding position of the sheet bundle PA in the sheet bundle conveyance direction is performed by conveying the sheet bundle PA by the bundle conveyance roller pair 253a and 253b. As a result, it is possible to perform stapled binding processing at various positions of the sheet bundle PA.
During the binding process (including moving) of the sheet bundle PA by the stapleless binding unit 201, the stapled binding unit 202 stands by in its non-driven state at its home position.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the home position of the needleless binding unit 201 is detected by a needleless binding unit home position sensor 211 disposed outside the jogger fence 204a. The stapleless binding unit 201 is stably guided by a stapleless binding unit moving guide rail 212 disposed along the paper width direction Y over a partial region of the binding tray (not shown) in the paper width direction Y. Thus, it can move back and forth in the paper width direction Y.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the needleless binding unit 201 is composed of upper binding teeth 223 that can be moved up and down by a lifting means (not shown) and lower binding teeth 224 that are fixed so as to be immovable in the vertical direction. Has been. As described above, the stapleless binding unit 201 employs a method in which pressure is applied from above and below, which is the thickness direction of the bundle of sheets, the sheets are pressure-bonded, and the fibers of the sheets are entangled and bound. The needleless binding unit 201 is not limited to this, and various known needleless binding devices can be used.

The binding process of the sheet bundle PA aligned in the sheet width direction Y and the sheet transport direction X as described above by the stapleless binding unit 201 will be described. The needleless binding unit 201 moves from the home position to a predetermined binding position set along the needleless binding unit moving guide rail 212, and the rear end of the aligned sheet bundle PA is set to the upper binding teeth 223 and the lower binding teeth. Bonding is performed at 224 to form a binding tooth mark 222 as shown in FIG. The pressed paper bundle PA is bound by the fibers of the paper being intertwined.
Note that during the binding process (including during movement) of the sheet bundle PA by the staple binding unit 202, the stapleless binding unit 201 stands by in its non-driven state at its home position.

  The entrance sensor 301 described above is a sheet detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the passage of paper at the provided position, that is, the presence or absence of paper in the paper post-processing device 6. The staple tray paper discharge sensor 302 is also a sheet detection unit that detects the presence or absence of paper in the lower conveyance path D, that is, the presence or absence of paper in the paper post-processing device 6.

The operation unit 127 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit 127 is disposed on the image forming apparatus 1 side, and is used to give instructions to the devices and driving units of the image forming apparatus 1 and the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 and to check the operation state. It is. The operation unit 127 functions as a print setting unit that sets print conditions. The operation unit 127 includes hard keys such as a numeric keypad and a start button, and a touch panel type LCD display unit 128.
In addition to the LCD display unit 128, the operation unit 127 includes a means for notifying the operation status of each device and each driving unit by voice, a buzzer for generating a warning sound, or a blinking LED (light emitting diode). You may add the means to call attention. Therefore, the LCD display unit 128 of the operation unit 127 may be a “notification unit” that is a superordinate concept of the “display unit” according to the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 9, the main control configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a main control configuration of the image forming system of the present embodiment.
The sheet post-processing device 6 includes a UART 131, a CPU 130, a ROM 134, a RAM 135, and a timer (not shown). UART is an abbreviation for Universal Asychronous Receiver Transmitter. The sheet post-processing apparatus 6 is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 1 side via a line 138 and via a UART 131 which is a communication unit that communicates.
The CPU 130 functions as a control unit that performs control to automatically switch to binding processing by either one of the stapleless binding unit 201 and the stapled binding unit 202 depending on the number of sheets to be bound. The CPU 130 also has a function as a derivation unit for deriving the contents of the binding process performed by the stapleless binding unit 201 and the stapled binding unit 202 from the print setting information set by the user. Further, the CPU 130 performs notification control for controlling the LCD display unit 128 of the operation unit 127 so as to notify and display the contents of each binding process for allowing the user to confirm the current print setting status before executing the printing process. It also functions as a means.
The above three functions of the CPU 130 may be given to the CPU 120 constituting the control device on the image forming apparatus 1 side, or may be appropriately shared.

The ROM 134 has a function as a storage unit that stores and holds programs and fixed / related data shown in FIGS. The RAM 135 temporarily stores and holds data input to the CPU 130 and data of calculation results. The UART 131, the ROM 134, and the RAM 135 are electrically connected to the CPU 130 via the signal bus 132.
Further, the entrance sensor 301, the needleless binding unit home position sensor 211, and the needled binding unit home position sensor 213 are electrically connected to the CPU 130 via the I / O interface 136. Further, the transport motor 211, the stapleless binding unit driving unit 201D, and the stapled binding unit driving unit 202D are electrically connected to the CPU 130 via the I / O interface 136. The control device on the paper post-processing device 6 side includes a microcomputer having the CPU 130, ROM 134, RAM 135, timer (not shown), signal bus 132, and I / O interface 136.

  The CPU 130 receives signals from the LCD 120 and various sensors 114 such as various keys and switches of the CPU 120 or the operation unit 127 constituting the control device on the image forming apparatus 1 side via UARTs 121 and 131 as communication means. Entered. The CPU 130 performs predetermined control based on these input signals.

Further, the CPU 130 controls the transport motor 211 via the motor driver, and acquires sensor information in the sheet post-processing device 6 from the I / O interface 136. Further, the CPU 130 performs drive control of the motor by the motor driver via the I / O interface 136 according to the control target and the sensor, and acquires sensor information from the sensor. The control is executed based on a program defined by the program code while the CPU 130 reads the program code stored in the ROM 134 and develops it in the RAM 135 and uses the RAM 135 as a work area and a data buffer.
As the control configuration on the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 side shown in FIG. 9, the control configuration closely related to the present invention is mainly illustrated.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a UART 121 that can communicate (transmit / receive) with the UART 131 of the paper post-processing apparatus 6 via a line 138, and is connected to the paper post-processing apparatus 6 so as to be communicable. The control device on the side of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 120 for controlling a transport motor 115 that drives a transport roller (not shown) on a sheet on which an image has been formed. The control device on the image forming apparatus 1 side includes a microcomputer having the CPU 120, ROM 124, RAM 125, timer (not shown), signal bus 122, and I / O interface 126.

The CPU 120 receives signals from the various sensors 114 such as the CPU 130 of the paper post-processing device 6 or various keys and switches of the operation unit 127 via the I / O interface 126, and the CPU 120 is based on the input signals. To execute predetermined control.
Further, the CPU 120 drives and controls the conveyance motor 215 via the motor driver and the LCD display 128 of the operation unit 127 serving as notification / display means via the LCD driver, and the image forming apparatus from the I / O interface 126. The sensor information in 1 is acquired. The control is executed based on a program defined by the program code while the CPU 120 reads the program code stored in the ROM 124 and expands the program code in the RAM 125 and uses the RAM 125 as a work area and a data buffer.

  As a control configuration on the image forming apparatus 1 side, a control target device for realizing image forming and sheet processing functions is also provided, but the illustration thereof is omitted for simplification of the drawing, and FIG. The control configuration closely related to is mainly illustrated. In this embodiment, UART is used as a communication means with other devices, but the type of communication means is not limited. Although the RAM is used as the temporary storage means, the type of the storage means is not limited in the same manner.

(Operation example 1)
With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, an operation example 1 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of the operation example 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a display example of a setting confirmation screen displayed on the LCD display unit.
First, in the operation unit 127 shown in FIG. 8, the user selects a print mode such as single-sided / double-sided, collective, stipple, punched hole, etc., to be performed on the printed material (step S1), and instructs the image forming apparatus 1 to print. Perform (step S2). When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the print instruction, it is determined from the setting information whether the stipple mode is selected (step S3). Here, if the stipple mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S6 in which printing is performed in the selected printing mode, and printing is performed under the setting conditions of the selected printing mode.

When the stipple mode is selected in step S3, a setting confirmation screen for confirming the current setting of the stipple mode is immediately displayed on the screen of the LCD display unit 128 of the image forming apparatus 1 (step S4). . This prompts the user to check whether the setting of the stipple mode is correct. An example of the setting confirmation screen at this time is shown on the screen of the LCD display unit 128 shown in FIG.
The execution of the setting confirmation screen display is performed based on the functions of the derivation unit and the notification control unit or display control unit of the CPU 130 (or CPU 120). That is, this is a function as a derivation means for deriving the contents of the binding process performed by the stapleless binding unit 201 and the stapled binding unit 202 from the print setting information set by the user. Also, a function as a notification control unit or a display control unit that controls the LCD display unit 128 to display the contents of each binding process for allowing the user to confirm the current print setting status before executing the print process. It is.
In step S4, the user may be urged to make sure that the user is notified / displayed by using a warning sound or a blinking display of the LED as appropriate by blowing a buzzer.

"<No needle>, 2 to 5 sheets, 1 diagonal position", "<With needle>, 6 to 50 sheets, 2 long sides" on the screen display of the LCD display unit 128 shown in FIG. The display is based on relational data stored in advance in the ROM 134 (or ROM 124). That is, the CPU 130 (or CPU 120) calls up the related data in the ROM 134 (or ROM 124), and is displayed by deriving the contents of the binding processing performed by the stapleless binding unit 201 and the stapled binding unit 202 from the print setting information of the user. The Of course, this may be different for each model of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
In the screen display of the LCD display unit 128, an execution key 128a at the bottom of the figure is a key for touching and selecting when the display of the setting confirmation screen is correct where the user desires. The cancel key 128b is for canceling execution in the display of the setting confirmation screen. The setting change key 128c functions as a setting changing unit that allows the user to change the print settings set by the user again after confirming the current print setting status by the user.

If the setting displayed on the setting confirmation screen in FIG. 11 is correct as desired by the user, in [Option 1] in step S5, when the user selects “execute”, printing is executed under the setting conditions of the selected print mode. (Step S6). When the execution key 128a is selected, the execution key portion is displayed in reverse video in black and white to indicate that the screen display content has been selected. Since this is the same for other soft keys, such detailed description will be omitted below.
On the other hand, if the above setting is not desired by the user and the user wants to cancel the print instruction itself, the user selects “Cancel” on the setting confirmation screen of FIG. 11 (step S5), and selects the print mode again (step S1). Will start over.

As described above, according to the operation example 1 of the present embodiment, by performing the above setting confirmation control, it is possible to obtain an output result (including processing of a sheet bundle) as intended by the user.
In other words, in the image forming system of the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 and the image forming apparatus 1 in which both the stapled binding unit 202 and the needleless binding unit 201 are mounted, the sheet bundle is processed with the processing content intended by the user. Can do. Further, the sheet post-processing device 6 connected to the image forming apparatus 1 can process the sheet bundle with the processing content intended by the user.

(Operation example 2)
With reference to FIGS. 12-15, the operation example 2 different from the operation example 1 of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of an operation example 2 different from the operation example 1 of the first embodiment. 13 shows a display example of a binding setting change screen displayed on the LCD display unit, FIG. 14 shows a display example of a binding setting change screen (after change) displayed on the LCD display unit, and FIG. 15 shows a display on the LCD display unit. It is a top view which respectively shows the example of a display different from FIG. 14 of the binding setting change screen (after change).
Operation example 2 starts from step S11. Compared to the first operation example, the second operation example, as shown in FIG. 12, first, the setting displayed on the setting confirmation screen is changed so that the setting of the stipple mode can be changed without canceling. The user who wants to change is different in that “setting change” can be selected (step S15). Second, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a screen for changing the setting of the stipple mode is output (step S17).
Operation example 2 other than the above differences is the same as operation example 1. That is, Steps S11 to S16 excluding Step S15 in Operation Example 2 are the same as Steps S1 to S6 except Step S5 in Operation Example 1.

In step S15, when the user who wants to change the setting displayed on the setting confirmation screen selects “change setting”, the stipple mode setting change screen is displayed (step S17). On the setting change screen of operation example 2, the setting change is repeated until the user's intention is reached (step S18 → step S19 → step S17 loop). When the change is completed, a setting confirmation screen is displayed (step S14). .
Examples of setting change screens displayed to the user in step S17 of FIG. 12 are shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 (in both figures, “binding setting change screen” is described). For example, on the binding setting change screen of FIG. 13, if the number of sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 is less than the set upper limit number (5 in the example) of needleless binding, the stapleless binding may be equal to or higher than the set upper limit. For example, it is a setting to switch the binding with a needle “automatically”. However, if you want to perform binding with a needle even with a small number of sheets, as shown in the binding setting change screen (after the change) in FIG. Regardless, binding with a needle can be performed reliably (see FIG. 15). Specifically, since the user wants to change the stipple mode to “with needle” on the binding setting change screen (after change) in FIG. 14, if the “with needle” key is selected, the setting confirmation screen ( Automatically switch to (after change).
The determination key 128d below the “binding setting change screen” in FIGS. 13 and 14 is used to finally select and determine the binding setting change screen as intended by the user.

  According to the operation example 2 of the present embodiment, by performing the above setting confirmation control, it is possible to obtain an output result (including processing of a sheet bundle) as intended by the user. In addition, since it is possible to change the print setting by focusing on the stipple function, it is possible to save the user's trouble.

(Modification 1)
With reference to FIG. 16, the modification 1 of Embodiment 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation sequence of the operation example 3 of the first modification.
In the control flow of FIGS. 10 and 12, a setting confirmation screen is always displayed when the user executes printing with stipple settings. However, it may be troublesome to display the setting confirmation screen when the number of users to use is limited or when the usage method is ruled in the office. Also, for users who use only stapleless binding, such as when there is a concern about foreign matter contamination such as a staple, or when there is a concern about injury due to a staple, and vice versa The display of the setting confirmation screen is extra work.

Therefore, the modification 1 is characterized in that a setting for not displaying the setting confirmation screen can be performed. In the first modification, compared to the first embodiment, it is possible to select not to display each binding process content derived by the CPU 130 (or CPU 120) as the derivation unit on the LCD display unit 128. The only difference is that it further comprises display means (not shown). The configuration of the first modification other than this difference is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The confirmation screen non-display means that does not display the contents of each binding process on the LCD display unit 128 is not shown, but the LCD display unit 128 may ask “Do you want to set the setting confirmation screen display?” Yes ",""No""screen display examples.

A supplementary explanation will be given of operation example 3 of modification 1 centering on differences from operation example 2. In the flow of FIG. 16, Operation Example 3 of Modification Example 1 is different from Operation Example 2 in that step S <b> 24 is added. Operation example 3 other than this difference is the same as operation example 2. That is, except for step S24 in operation example 3, steps S21 to S23 and steps S25 to S30 are the same as steps S11 to S19 of operation example 2.
In step 24, before the setting confirmation screen is displayed, a screen display of “Are you sure you do not want to set the setting confirmation screen display?“ Yes ”,“ No ”” is displayed on the LCD display unit 128 (FIG. 16). Is abbreviated as “confirmation screen display on?”). If “Yes” is selected, the setting confirmation screen display is not set, and the process proceeds to step S27 (corresponding to step S16 in FIG. 12), and printing is executed under the setting conditions of the selected print mode.
On the other hand, if “No” is selected, the setting confirmation screen display is set in the same manner as in Operation Example 2, and the same operation as in Operation Example 2 can be performed.

  According to the operation example 3 of the first modification, by performing the setting confirmation control described above, it is possible to obtain an output result (including processing of a bundle of sheets) as intended by the user. Moreover, the trouble of confirming the setting confirmation screen display can be omitted.

  In Patent Document 1 cited as the background art, the following control is performed for the purpose of executing the binding process even when the number of stitches that can be stapled is exceeded. In other words, when the number of sheets that can be bound is exceeded, the execution of the binding process in the separate volume process is confirmed. This is a control method in which the binding processing is executed by switching to the binding processing with a needle. However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a limitation / problem that it is not possible to change all settings such as a binding location with a needle as in the present invention.

(Embodiment 2)
With reference to FIG. 17, the printer tool of the sheet processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a main control configuration of the sheet processing system according to the second embodiment. The sheet processing system shown in FIG. 17 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 1 similar to the first embodiment, the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 similar to the first embodiment connected to the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1. It is composed of a connected personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) 10.
The personal computer 10 is an example of a computer and may be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network including a LAN (Local Area Network). Not only the personal computer 10 but also a host computer or the like may be used.

The personal computer 10 has an I / F (interface) 12 that can communicate (transmit / receive) with the UART 121 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the line 21 and is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be communicable. The personal computer 10 includes a CPU 11 as a central processing unit having control and calculation functions, the above-described I / F 12, a storage device 14, an input device 16, and an output device 18.
The CPU 11 is connected to the I / F 12, the storage device 14, the input device 16, and the output device 18 via an I / O interface cable or a signal cable so as to perform each function described later.

The storage device 14 includes a main memory composed of a RAM as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device (external storage device) such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or an optical disk drive, and a CD-ROM drive (external storage device). . The CD-ROM data storing “the image forming apparatus 1 and a program capable of giving an operation instruction to the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 via the image forming apparatus 1” is read by the CD-ROM drive and stored in the auxiliary storage device. Configured to be installable. The program functions as utility software as a printer tool according to the present invention. The processing flow of the program is shown in a flowchart of an operation example 4 in FIG. 19 and an operation example 5 in FIG. The storage medium to be installed is not limited to the CD-ROM, and may be another known storage medium as long as it has a read drive corresponding thereto.
The input device 16 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a scanner, and the like. The output device 18 includes a display, a printer, and the like made up of an LCD or the like. The LCD display of the output device 18 displays a printer driver display unit 20 whose screen display can be switched by the progress of operations described later.

In the following operation examples 4 and 5 , “the image forming apparatus 1 and a program capable of giving an operation instruction to the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 via the image forming apparatus 1” are installed in the hard disk drive of the storage device 14 in advance. It is assumed that In the second embodiment, the following object is achieved in a sheet processing system including both a needle-attached and needle-less binding unit, an image forming apparatus, and a computer. That is, an object is to execute a desired process with settings on the personal computer side (printer tool side) without changing the system setting value for the binding process.

(Operation example 4)
With reference to FIGS. 18-20, the operation example 4 of Embodiment 2 is demonstrated. 18 is a plan view showing an initial screen display example of the printer driver display unit displayed on the LCD display of the output device of the personal computer, FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence of the operation example 4 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a printer driver. It is a top view which shows the example of a display of the setting confirmation screen displayed on a display part.
First, on the initial screen of the printer driver display unit 20 shown in FIG. 18, the user selects a print mode such as single-sided / double-sided, collective, stipple, punched hole, etc., to be performed on the printed material (step S31). 1 is instructed to print (step S32). Here, the print mode is selected using a mouse or the like which is the input device 16 of the personal computer 10 shown in FIG. When the image forming apparatus 1 receives the print instruction, it is determined from the setting information whether the stipple mode is selected (step S33). Here, if the stipple mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S36 in which printing is performed in the selected printing mode, and printing is performed under the setting conditions of the selected printing mode.

If the stipple mode is selected in step S33, a setting confirmation screen for confirming the current setting of the stipple mode is immediately displayed on the screen of the printer driver display unit (step S34). This prompts the user to check whether the setting of the stipple mode is correct. An example of the setting confirmation screen at this time is shown in the screen display of the printer driver display unit 20 shown in FIG.
The execution of the setting confirmation screen display is performed based on the functions of the derivation unit and the notification control unit or display control unit of the CPU 130 (or CPU 120). That is, this is a function as a derivation means for deriving the contents of the binding process performed by the stapleless binding unit 201 and the stapled binding unit 202 from the print setting information set by the user. Also, a function as a notification control unit or a display control unit that controls the printer driver display unit so as to display the contents of each binding process for allowing the user to confirm the current print setting status before executing the print process. It is.
In step S34, the user may be urged to make sure that the user is notified and confirmed by using a warning sound or a blinking display of the LED, as appropriate, by sounding a buzzer.

In the screen display of the printer driver display unit 20 shown in FIG. 20, "<No needle>, 2 to 5 sheets, 1 diagonal position", "<With needle>, 6 to 50 sheets, 2 locations on the long side" and their The graphic display is based on relational data stored in advance in the ROM 134 (or ROM 124). That is, the CPU 130 (or CPU 120) calls up the related data in the ROM 134 (or ROM 124), and is displayed by deriving the contents of the binding processing performed by the stapleless binding unit 201 and the stapled binding unit 202 from the print setting information of the user. The Of course, this may be different for each model of the sheet post-processing apparatus.
In the printer driver display unit 20, an execution key 20a at the bottom of the figure is a key for selecting using a mouse or the like when the display of the setting confirmation screen is correct where the user desires. The cancel key 20b is for canceling execution in the display of the setting confirmation screen. The setting change key 20c functions as a setting changing unit that allows the user to change the print settings set by the user again after confirming the current print setting status by the user.

If the setting displayed on the setting confirmation screen of FIG. 20 is correct as desired by the user, in [Option 1] in step S35, when the user selects “execute”, printing is performed with the setting conditions of the selected print mode. (Step S36). When the execution key 20a is selected, the execution key portion is displayed in reverse video in black and white to indicate that the screen display content has been selected. Since this is the same for other soft keys, such detailed description will be omitted below.
On the other hand, if the above setting is not desired by the user and the user wants to cancel the print instruction itself, the user selects “Cancel” on the setting confirmation screen 20 of FIG. 20 (step S35), and selects the print mode again (step S31). ) Will start over.

As described above, according to the operation example 4 of the second embodiment, by performing the above setting confirmation control, it is possible to obtain an output result (including processing of a sheet bundle) as intended by the user.
In other words, the sheet post-processing apparatus 6, the image forming apparatus 1, and the personal computer 10 including both the needle-bound binding unit 202 and the needle-less binding unit 201 have the following effects. That is, a desired process can be executed with the setting on the personal computer 10 side (printer tool side) without changing the system setting value for the binding process.

(Operation example 5)
An operation example 5 different from the operation example 4 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of an operation example 5 different from the operation example 4 of the second embodiment. FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a display example of a binding setting change screen displayed on the printer driver display unit, and FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a display example of a binding setting change screen (after change) displayed on the printer driver display unit. FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a display example different from FIG. 23 of the binding setting change screen (after change) displayed on the printer driver display unit.
The operation example 5 starts from step S41. As compared with the operation example 4, the operation example 5 first has the setting displayed on the setting confirmation screen so that the setting of the stipple mode can be changed without canceling, as shown in FIG. The user who wants to change is different in that “setting change” can be selected (step S45). Second, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, a screen for changing the setting of the stipple mode is output (step S47).
Operation example 5 other than the above differences is the same as operation example 4. That is, Steps S41 to S46 except for Step S45 in Operation Example 5 are the same as Steps S31 to S36 except for Step S35 in Operation Example 4.

In step S45, when the user who wants to change the setting displayed on the setting confirmation screen selects “change setting”, the stipple mode setting change screen is displayed (step S47). On the setting change screen of Operation Example 5, the setting change is repeated until the user's intention is reached (step S48 → step S49 → step S47 loop). When the change is completed, a setting confirmation screen is displayed (step S44). .
Examples of setting change screens displayed to the user in step S47 of FIG. 21 are shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 (in both figures, “binding setting change screen” is described). For example, in the binding setting change screen of FIG. 22, if the number of sheets transported from the image forming apparatus 1 is less than the set upper limit number (5 in the example) of needleless binding, the stapleless binding may be equal to or more than the set upper limit. For example, it is a setting to switch the binding with a needle “automatically”. However, when it is desired to perform binding with a needle even with a small number of sheets, as shown in the binding setting change screen (after change) in FIG. Regardless, binding with a needle can be reliably performed (see FIG. 24). Specifically, since the user wants to change the stipple mode to “with needle” on the binding setting change screen (after change) in FIG. 23, when the “with needle” key is selected, the setting confirmation screen (FIG. 24) ( Automatically switch to (after change).
The determination key 20d below the “binding setting change screen” in FIGS. 22 and 23 is used to finally select and determine the binding setting change screen as intended by the user.

  According to the operation example 5 of the second embodiment, by performing the above setting confirmation control, it is possible to obtain an output result (including processing of a bundle of sheets) as intended by the user. In addition, since it is possible to change the print setting by focusing on the stipple function, it is possible to save the user's trouble.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and the present invention described in the claims is not specifically limited by the above description. Various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the above. For example, the technical matters described in the above embodiments and examples may be appropriately combined.

Embodiment 1 described above is an example of an image forming system, and the description of an embodiment in which the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention is used alone (an example in which the sheet processing apparatus is independently configured to move goods) is omitted. Therefore, a supplementary explanation of the main configuration example of the first embodiment using the sheet processing apparatus alone is as follows. For example, the sheet processing apparatus includes an LCD display unit having only a function of notifying and displaying the contents of each binding process, which is a partial function of the LCD display unit 128 as the notification unit and display unit illustrated in FIGS. It may be. Further, after the connection between the sheet processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus, a function for notifying and displaying the contents of each binding process may be integrated on the LCD display section provided in the operation section on the image forming apparatus side.
For example, the image forming apparatus 1 itself may be an image forming apparatus having the configuration of the sheet post-processing apparatus 6 as a sheet processing apparatus, instead of the image forming system of the first embodiment. .

  The effects appropriately described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not a thing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1A Image forming apparatus main body 6 Paper post-processing apparatus (an example of a sheet processing apparatus)
10 PC (an example of a computer)
11 CPU
14 storage device 16 input device 18 output device 20 printer driver display unit (an example of notification means and display means)
20c Setting change key (an example of change setting means)
127 Operation unit 128 LCD display unit (an example of notification means and display means)
128c Setting change key (an example of change setting means)
130 CPU (an example of control means, derivation means, notification control means / display control means)
201 Needleless binding unit (an example of first binding means)
202 Stitching unit with needle (an example of second binding means)

JP 2013-170067 A

Claims (7)

First binding means for binding a sheet bundle without using a needle;
A second binding means for binding the sheet bundle using a needle;
Control means for performing control to automatically switch to binding processing by one of the first binding means and the second binding means, depending on the number of sheets to be bound;
Derivation means for deriving the contents of the binding processing performed by the first binding means and the second binding means from the print setting information set by the user;
Informing means for informing each of the binding processing contents of the derivation means;
Notification control means for controlling the notification means so as to notify the contents of each binding process for allowing the user to confirm the current print setting status before executing the print processing;
A sheet processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus ,
The first notification about the contents of each binding process by the notification unit is automatically switched to the binding process by one of the first binding unit and the second binding unit depending on the number of sheets to be bound. A sheet processing apparatus that notifies the user of this fact . The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The sheet processing apparatus, wherein the notification unit is a display unit that displays the contents of each binding process. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
A sheet processing apparatus, comprising: a setting changing unit that allows a user to change the print settings set by the user again after the user confirms the current print setting status. In the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
A sheet processing apparatus, further comprising: a confirmation screen non-display unit capable of selecting not to display the contents of each binding process derived by the deriving unit on the display unit. An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet; and a sheet processing unit that processes a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus,
An image forming system comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 as the sheet processing unit. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet,
An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 as sheet processing means for processing a sheet on which an image is formed. First binding means for binding a sheet bundle without using a needle;
A second binding means for binding the sheet bundle using a needle;
Control means for performing control to automatically switch to binding processing by one of the first binding means and the second binding means, depending on the number of sheets to be bound;
Derivation means for deriving the contents of the binding processing performed by the first binding means and the second binding means from the print setting information set by the user;
Informing means for informing each of the binding processing contents of the derivation means;
Notification control means for controlling the notification means so as to notify the contents of each binding process for allowing the user to confirm the current print setting status before executing the print processing;
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus connected to the sheet processing apparatus; and a computer connected to the image forming apparatus.
The first notification about the contents of each binding process by the notification unit is automatically switched to the binding process by one of the first binding unit and the second binding unit depending on the number of sheets to be bound. To inform the user of this,
A printer tool of a sheet processing system in which the image forming apparatus and a program capable of giving an operation instruction to the sheet processing apparatus via the image forming apparatus are installed in the computer.

Images