JP6575173B2 - Sheet processing apparatus and image processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a sheet processing apparatus, relates to an image processing system, in particular, it relates to sheet transportation to the sheet processing apparatus.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is configured as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. Many.

Such multifunction machines, folding a sheet on which the image is output after being formed by the image forming output processing and stapling processing, and the like, Ru Monogaa the sheet processing apparatus is connected to apply the process to the paper (for example, patent Reference 1). Further, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, as a mechanism for processing paper independently of image formation output, a transport path for setting and transporting paper to the paper processing apparatus itself, and paper processing Providing a user interface for the device itself is disclosed.

  In the case of the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user interface is provided on the sheet processing apparatus side in addition to the user interface on the apparatus main body side, which is inefficient because devices having the same function are provided redundantly. It is a simple configuration. Further, when the position where the user interface on the apparatus main body side is provided and the position where the user interface on the paper processing apparatus side is separated, the user needs to move the position when using both functions, which is inconvenient. is there.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and in the case of using a sheet processing apparatus that applies a predetermined process to a sheet, the image forming apparatus has a configuration that is efficient and does not impair operator convenience. It is an object of the present invention to realize sheet processing that can cope with both a case where a sheet outputted from the printer is automatically conveyed and a case where a sheet already outputted is manually set.

In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a sheet processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on a sheet-like member conveyed from an image processing apparatus. a state in which the sheet-like member which is set on the sheet stand is connected to the original discharge portion which is discharged to the outside after having been conveyed to the inside of those said image processing apparatus to the surface is read, the sheet-like member A discharge unit that discharges to the outside after an image is formed on the front surface, and is connected to an image formation output discharge unit that is physically separated from the document discharge unit. It is characterized by including a sheet-like member input portion that can be moved .

  According to the present invention, when using a paper processing apparatus that applies a predetermined process to paper, the paper output from the image forming apparatus is automatically conveyed with a configuration that is efficient and does not impair the convenience of the operator. Thus, it is possible to realize paper processing that can handle both the case where the paper is output and the case where the paper that has already been output is manually set.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the control structure of the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information included in a print job when a slip sheet is output in the image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an image processing system including a multifunction machine including a document reading function and an image forming output function and a paper folding machine that performs a folding process on a sheet conveyed from the multifunction machine will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system according to the present embodiment includes a multifunction device 200 and a paper folding machine 1. The multifunction device 200 functions as an image processing device, and the paper folding machine 1 functions as a sheet processing device. First, the document reading function of the multifunction device 200 will be described.

  When reading a document in the multifunction device 200, a document transport table 210, a document insertion detection sensor 215, a document transport unit 214, and a document reading device 213 operate. The document transport unit 214 includes a motor (not shown), a transport roller for transporting the document, and a drive mechanism. The document reading device 213 is provided in the middle of transporting a document by the document transport unit 214, and a sheet in the middle of transporting the document transport unit 214 is read by the document reading device 213 to generate image data. In this embodiment, a case where a paper medium is transported from the document transport table 210 is taken as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to paper and can be similarly applied to a sheet-like member.

  When a document is set on the document conveyance table 210, the document insertion is detected via the document insertion detection sensor 215, and document conveyance and reading are performed. That is, the document transport table 210 is used as a sheet table. The document after reading is transported inside the multi-function device 200 as an image processing apparatus, and from one of the document upper discharge unit 211 and the document rear discharge unit 212 according to the switching state of the document discharge switching solenoid 216. The paper is ejected. In FIG. 1, the document discharge switching solenoid 216 is in a discharge state from the document upper discharge unit 211. By being discharged from the document rear discharge unit 212, it can be conveyed to the paper folding machine 1 which is a subsequent conveyance destination. This will be described later.

  The multifunction device 200 is provided with an operation unit 220. The operation unit 220 is used as a user interface for the operator to set various document reading conditions. The operation unit 220 is used for setting conditions for printing on paper in the image forming output function and setting conditions for the operation of the paper folding machine 1, and a display unit for displaying information on various functions. Also works.

  Next, an image forming output operation of the multifunction device 200 will be described. In the MFP 200 according to the present embodiment, the paper is supplied from the roll paper 201 in the paper feeding device 232. An image is printed by the image printing device 202 on the surface of the paper fed and conveyed from the roll paper 201 along the broken line in the figure. The image at this time may be document image data stored in a storage device or image data transmitted from another device to the MFP 200 via a network.

  The sheet on which the image is formed on the front surface is discharged from the sheet rear discharge port 203 and is conveyed to the sheet folding machine 1 which is a subsequent apparatus. That is, the sheet rear discharge port 203 functions as an image formation output discharge unit. In addition, the paper discharge switching solenoid 205 moves the conveyance switching claw in the middle of the paper conveyance path, whereby the paper is guided to the upper part of the device and traces the conveyance path indicated by the broken line in the drawing to the device from the paper front discharge port 206. The paper is discharged to the front.

  Next, the operation of the paper folding machine 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a bridge 2 in which a conveyance path for conveying a sheet to the sheet folding machine 1 is connected to a sheet rear discharge port 203 of the multifunction device 200. As a result, the sheet on which the image is formed on the front surface in the multifunction device 200 is conveyed from the sheet rear discharge port 203 to the sheet folding machine 1 via the bridge 2. That is, the bridge 2 functions as a sheet receiving unit.

  The multifunction device 200 notifies the paper folding machine 1 of a signal indicating that a sheet is to be inserted immediately before the leading edge of the sheet is discharged from the sheet rear discharge port 203. As a result, the paper folding machine 1 makes preparations for receiving paper. This preparation is, for example, drive start control of the rollers constituting the conveyance path. At this time, the multi-function device 200 also notifies the paper folding machine 1 of an operation condition instruction such as how to perform paper folding.

The paper transported into the paper folding machine 1 is transported toward the lower part of the paper folding machine 1 by driving a paper transport motor (not shown), and the folding process is executed in accordance with the operating conditions notified from the multifunction peripheral 200 side. In the folding process, the paper is folded by the end face folding device 3 and the bellows folding device 4, and the paper in a folded state is discharged from the bellows folding discharge port 5. That is, the end face folding device 3 and the bellows folding device 4 function as a sheet processing unit. Further, depending on the above-described operating conditions, it is possible to discharge the sheet as it is from the bellows folding discharge outlet 5 without performing end face folding or bellows folding, that is, without performing paper folding.

  Although not shown in the figure, a cross-folding device or the like is further connected thereafter, and cross-folding is performed in which a fold is made again in a direction perpendicular to the bellows fold, and the sheet is folded to a standard size of about A4. It is. The paper folding machine 1 can also be configured as a paper processing device that can punch holes or stamp stamps in addition to the paper folding function of bellows folding, ear folding, and cross folding. It is.

  In the state of FIG. 1, the case where the sheet is conveyed from the sheet rear discharge port 203 to the sheet folding machine 1 via the bridge 2 is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the paper folding machine 1 is not provided with a configuration for introducing paper from the outside other than the bridge 2. For this reason, in the state of FIG. 1, it is impossible to perform folding processing by introducing into the paper folding machine 1 paper that has already been output by image formation and discharged to the outside of the apparatus.

  Such an operation of folding the paper prepared by the operator in the paper folding machine 1 is referred to as “manual folding”. Also, the operation of folding the sheet on which an image is formed by the image printing apparatus 202 on the sheet supplied from the sheet feeding device 232 and discharged from the sheet rear discharge port 203 and conveyed to the sheet folding machine 1 is referred to as “online”. Called “fold”.

  On the other hand, in the paper folding machine 1 according to this embodiment, the bridge 2 is deformed as shown in FIG. As a result, the sheet set on the document conveying table 210 and discharged from the document rear sheet discharging unit 212 through the document conveying unit 214 can be conveyed into the paper folding machine 1 via the bridge 2. . That is, the document rear discharge unit 212 functions as a document discharge unit.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, when a sheet to be folded instead of a document is set on the document conveyance table 210 in a state where the bridge 2 is connected to the document rear discharge unit 212, the image is read. It is possible to introduce a sheet into the paper folding machine 1 using a mechanism for conveying a document and execute a folding process.

  In addition, by setting the paper folding conditions and the like from the operation unit 220, it is possible to eliminate the mechanism for manual folding from the paper folding machine 1, and to increase the efficiency of the apparatus configuration. Become. Further, since the operation of the multifunction machine 200 and the operation of the paper folding machine 1 can be performed from the operation unit 220 provided in the multifunction machine 200, the operator can move between the multifunction machine 200 and the paper folding machine 1. There is no need to move and operate, and convenience can be improved.

  The bridge 2 is movable up and down as shown in FIG. The bridge 2 moves using the power of a motor or the like with respect to the respective positions of the document rear paper discharge unit 212 or the paper rear paper discharge port 203. This movement is performed in conjunction with an operation such as pressing a button arranged on the operation unit 220 of the multifunction device 200. In addition, for the purpose of configuring at a lower cost, a power device may not be provided, and the user may be arbitrarily moved to each position.

  In any case, by making the bridge 2 movable, it is possible to achieve both online folding and manual folding without providing the paper folding machine 1 with a dedicated manual folding mechanism. Become.

  Next, a control configuration of the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the multifunction device 200 is provided with a multifunction device controller 230 as a configuration for controlling the entire apparatus. Further, the paper folding machine 1 is provided with a paper folding machine controller 30 as a configuration for controlling the entire apparatus.

  The multifunction machine controller 230 and the paper folding machine controller 30 are realized by software and hardware interlocking with each other. Specifically, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is stored according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a program read from a nonvolatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) to a RAM (Random Access Memory). ) And the like, and a combination of a software control unit configured by performing arithmetic operations and hardware such as an integrated circuit.

  The multifunction machine 200 is provided with a paper folding machine I / F 233, and the paper folding machine 1 is provided with a multifunction machine I / F 34. The multifunction machine controller 230 and the paper folding machine controller 30 are respectively connected to each other. Information can be exchanged via serial communication or the like via the I / F.

  The multifunction device controller 230 receives information from the operation unit 220 and accepts setting of operation conditions for reading a document and image forming output in the multifunction device 200. In addition, the multifunction device controller 230 according to the present embodiment has a function of accepting an operation condition related to folding processing in the paper folding machine 1 through an operation on the operation unit 220. The operation unit 220 can display various information such as the operating status of these systems.

  The MFP controller 230 is connected to the document insertion detection sensor 215, the document transport motor 231, the document discharge switching solenoid 216, the document reading device 213, and the like described with reference to FIGS. As a result, the conveyance and reading of the document are controlled by the multi-function device controller 230.

Further, the MFP controller 230, described in FIG. 1, the sheet feeding apparatus 232,
An image printing device 202, a paper discharge switching solenoid 205, and the like are also connected, and the multifunction device controller 230 controls the transfer of the paper, the image formation output to the paper surface, the change of the discharge destination, and the like.

  A paper insertion detection sensor 18 and a paper transport motor 33 are connected to the paper folding machine controller 30. The paper folding machine controller 30 detects the introduction of the paper into the conveyance path inside the bridge 2 based on the detection signal of the paper insertion detection sensor 18, and drives and controls the paper conveyance motor 33 to control the end face folding device 3 and the bellows folding. The sheet is conveyed to the apparatus 4.

  In addition, a bridge position detection sensor 31 and a bridge position detection sensor 32 are connected to the paper folding controller 30. As a result, the paper folding controller 30 can recognize whether the bridge 2 is connected to the document rear discharge portion 212 or the paper rear discharge port 203 of the multifunction device 200.

  The detection states of the upper bridge position detection sensor 31 and the lower bridge position detection sensor 32 are notified from the paper folding controller 30 to the multi-function device controller 230 via an interface. For example, when the bridge position detection sensor 32 is turned on, that is, when the bridge 2 is connected to the sheet rear discharge port 203, manual folding is performed by setting a sheet on the document conveying table 210 and performing a folding process. The operator is notified via the operation unit 220 that the operation cannot be performed. As a notification mode for the operator, in addition to a mode for notifying that the bridge is not connected to the document rear discharge unit 212 and that manual folding is impossible, there is no operation for performing manual folding. The display of the operation unit 220 may be controlled as possible.

  On the contrary, when the bridge position detection sensor 31 is on, that is, when the bridge 2 is connected to the document rear sheet discharge unit 212, it is notified via the operation unit 220 that online folding is impossible. Is possible.

  When the bridge 2 is changed automatically instead of manually using the power of a motor or the like, the notification that online folding or manual folding as described above is impossible is unnecessary. In this case, a bridge position switching motor 41 is connected to the paper folding machine controller 30. Then, the paper folding machine controller 30 drives the bridge position switching motor 41 and moves the position of the bridge 2 while checking the state of the bridge position upper detection sensor 31 and the bridge position lower detection sensor 32.

  As an operation in the case of automatic switching, when the user wants to perform online folding, when the content is set from the operation unit 220, the multifunction device controller 230 connects the paper to the paper folding machine controller 30 via the interface. A command is output so as to connect to the rear discharge port 203. As a result, the paper folding machine controller 30 drives and controls the bridge position switching motor 41 to deform the bridge 2 and move the bridge 2 so as to connect to the paper rear discharge port 203. Similarly, when manual folding is input from the operation unit 220, the paper folding controller 30 moves the position of the bridge 2 to the document rear discharge unit 212.

  Such deformation of the bridge 2 can be automatically executed in accordance with the operation mode of the multifunction device 200, for example. Such an operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 4 shows an operation when a document is set on the document conveyance table 210 and the multifunction device 200 operates in response to an operation on the operation unit 220. In this case, the operations to be executed include a case where the original set on the original conveyance table 210 is folded as it is without an image formation output, and a case where the original set on the original conveyance table 210 is read and copied. There is.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the multi-function device controller 230 accepts an operation setting by an operator's operation on the operation unit 220 (S <b> 401). In step S401, in addition to setting of a mode indicating whether to operate in the manual folding mode or the copy mode, setting of a folding method, an image forming mode when performing image forming output, and the like are set. Among these, the setting of the operation in the paper folding machine 1 is notified from the multifunction machine controller 230 to the paper folding machine controller 30 through an interface. That is, the multifunction machine I / F 34 and the paper folding machine controller 30 function as an operation setting receiving unit. After the operation setting is received, when the operator operates the operation unit 220 to request execution of the operation, the multi-function device controller 230 receives the execution operation via the operation unit 220 (S402), first confirms the operation mode, It is determined whether the manual folding mode or the copying mode is selected (S403).

  When the manual folding mode is selected (S403 / YES), as described above, the bridge 2 needs to be connected to the document rear discharge unit 212. Accordingly, the multi-function device controller 230 exchanges information with the paper folding machine controller 30 via the paper folding machine I / F 233 and confirms whether or not the bridge 2 is detected by the bridge position detection sensor 31 (S404). .

  As a result, if the detection state of the bridge position detection sensor 31 is off, that is, if the bridge 2 is not connected to the document rear sheet discharge unit 212 (S404 / YES), the multi-function device controller 230 performs the paper folding machine I / F 233. Then, information is exchanged with the paper folding machine controller 30, and the bridge position switching motor 41 is driven to connect the bridge 2 to the document rear discharge section 212 (S405). As a result, the bridge 2 transitions from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIG.

  When the processing of S405 is completed, or when the detection state of the bridge position detection sensor 31 is on, that is, when the bridge 2 is connected to the document rear sheet discharge unit 212 (S404 / NO), the multifunction device controller 230 , Manual folding control is executed in accordance with the operation setting received in S401 (S406), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in S403 is copy mode (S403 / NO), as described above, the bridge 2 needs to be connected to the sheet rear discharge port 203. Accordingly, the multi-function device controller 230 exchanges information with the paper folding machine controller 30 via the paper folding machine I / F 233, and confirms whether or not the bridge 2 is detected by the bridge position detection sensor 32 (S407). .

  As a result, if the detection state of the bridge position detection sensor 32 is OFF, that is, if the bridge 2 is not connected to the paper rear discharge port 203 (S407 / YES), the multi-function device controller 230 performs the paper folding machine I / F 233. And exchanges information with the paper folding machine controller 30 to drive the bridge position switching motor 41 to connect the bridge 2 to the paper rear discharge port 203 (S408).

  When the processing of S408 is completed, or when the detection state of the bridge position detection sensor 32 is on, that is, when the bridge 2 is connected to the sheet rear discharge port 203 (S407 / NO), the multifunction device controller 230 , Manual folding control is executed in accordance with the operation setting received in S401 (S406), and the process ends. With such processing, one aspect of the operation of the image processing system according to the present embodiment is completed.

  Note that the operations of S404, S405, S407, and S408 are exemplified by a case where the operation is realized by exchanging information with the paper folding machine controller 30 via the paper folding machine I / F 223 mainly by the multifunction machine controller 230. . However, this is an example, and control may be entrusted to the paper folding controller 30.

  For example, when it is confirmed in S403 that the manual folding mode is selected, the multi-function device controller 230 notifies the paper folding machine controller 30 to perform standby for the manual folding mode. As a result, the paper folding machine controller 30 executes the processes of S404 and S405, performs standby for the manual folding mode, and notifies the multifunction machine controller 230 of the completion notification. As a result, the operation can be realized in the same manner as described above.

  Similarly, when it is confirmed in S403 that the copy mode is set, the multi-function device controller 230 notifies the paper folding machine controller 30 to stand by for the copy mode. As a result, the paper folding controller 30 executes the processes of S407 and S408, performs standby for the copy mode, and notifies the multifunction controller 230 of the completion notification. As a result, the operation can be realized in the same manner as described above.

  In the description of FIG. 4, the case where the processes of S407 and S408 are executed in the copy mode is taken as an example. However, only when the copy mode is selected and the folding process is designated, S407 and S408 are executed. The above process may be executed. Such a determination can be realized by referring to the operation setting received in S401.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the bridge 2 for transporting the paper to the paper folding machine 1 is configured to be deformable, and the rearward document ejection of the multifunction device 200 by the deformation. It is configured to be connectable to both the unit 212 and the sheet rear discharge port 203. With such a configuration, the document set on the document transport table 210 can be transported to the paper folding machine 1 and folded.

  Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a configuration for setting paper such as the document conveyance table 210 in the paper folding machine 1 or a user interface such as the operation unit 220 in order to realize manual folding, and the configuration of the entire system can be efficiently performed. Can be realized. Further, as a result of unifying the user interface between the multifunction device 200 and the paper folding machine 1, the operator can operate both devices through a single user interface, and there is no need to move the positions, which is convenient. It can improve the nature.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the bridge 2 is deformed as described in FIGS. However, this is merely an example, and the gist of the present case is that the paper folding machine 1 can accept both the paper that has been image-formed and output by the multifunction device 200 and the paper that is set and transported on the document transport table 210. It is to have. The bridge 2 can be deformed as an example, but other than that, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, it can be realized by two bridges 2a and 2b. In other words, it is possible to obtain the same effect as described above by configuring the sheet receiving unit with a plurality of different conveyance paths.

  The paper folding machine 1 according to the example of FIG. 5 has substantially the same configuration as that of FIGS. 1 and 2, but instead of the bridge 2 being configured to be deformable, the bridge 2a corresponding to the states of FIGS. 2b are provided. The bridge 2 a corresponds to the state of FIG. 2 and is connected to the document rear sheet discharge unit 212. The bridge 2 b corresponds to the state of FIG. 1 and is connected to the paper rear discharge port 203.

  Each of the conveyance paths of the bridges 2a and 2b merges in the paper folding machine 1, and is configured to be capable of folding the paper inserted from any of the conveyance paths. Such a configuration of the paper folding machine 1 makes it possible to obtain the same effects as described above.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, if the paper discharge on the multifunction device 200 side is separate, such as the document rear paper discharge unit 212 and the paper rear paper discharge port 203, the paper folding machine 1 accordingly. On the side, a configuration for receiving paper discharged from different positions is required. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the sheet formed and output by the multifunction device 200 and the sheet set and transported on the document transport table 210 are discharged from the same position in the multifunction device 200. In this case, the paper folding machine 1 only needs to be configured to accept paper discharged from a single position.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the conveyance path of the sheet conveyed from the document conveyance table 210 through the document conveyance unit 214 and conveyed by the document discharge switching solenoid 216 in a direction different from the document upper sheet discharge unit 211 is the multifunction peripheral. 200 is connected to a sheet rear discharge port 203 inside. As a result, after the paper is supplied from the paper feeding device 232 and an image is formed by the image printing device 202, the paper conveyed by the paper discharge switching solenoid 205 in the direction different from the paper front discharge port 206 is also transferred to the document transfer table. The paper conveyed for manual folding from 210 is also discharged from the paper rear discharge port 203.

  Therefore, in the paper folding machine 1, it is possible to obtain the same effect as described above only by receiving the paper discharged from the paper rear discharge port 203 by the fixed bridge 2 and transporting the paper into the apparatus. .

  In the above embodiment, a paper folding machine that performs folding processing on a sheet-like member such as paper has been described as an example, but this is only an example. The present invention is not limited to the paper folding machine, and can be similarly applied to any sheet processing apparatus that accepts sheet conveyance in the subsequent stage of the multifunction machine 200 and performs a specific process on the sheet.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where paper discharge is performed only from one of the document rear paper discharge unit 212 and the paper rear paper discharge port 203 in one job has been described as an example. On the other hand, for example, when inserting a slip sheet into a printed material, a single print job including a plurality of pages, that is, different types of sheets may be included in a single output material in a single image forming output process. In such a case, the sheet discharged from the sheet rear discharge port 203 is set as a normal output result, and the sheet set on the document transport table 210 and discharged from the document rear discharge unit 212 is used as a slip sheet. It is possible to improve the convenience for the user.

  The operation in such a case will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the case of the paper folding machine 1 including the movable bridge 2 described in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described as an example. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the multifunction device 200 and the paper folding machine 1 execute operations based on a print job transmitted from another information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) to the multifunction device 200. Will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the multi-function device controller 230 acquires a print job transmitted from another device such as a PC via a network (S701). As shown in FIG. 8, the print job acquired in the document discharge S <b> 701 includes an output page of an image formation output on a recording sheet supplied from the sheet feeding device 232 and a slip sheet conveyed from the document conveyance table 210. Information indicating the number is included.

  The multifunction device controller 230 performs folding designation and slip sheet designation to the paper folder controller 30 based on the folding designation information and slip sheet designation information included in the acquired print job. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the multi-function device controller 230 checks the recording paper output and the slip sheet setting specified in the print job in the order of pages (S703).

  If it is a recording sheet output (S703 / YES), the multi-function device controller 230 performs control so that the bridge 2 is connected to the sheet rear discharge port 203 as shown in FIG. 1 (S704). In S704, the multi-function device controller 230 controls the position of the bridge 2 by the same processing as S407 and S408 in FIG.

  When it is confirmed that the bridge 2 is connected to the sheet rear discharge port 203, the multifunction device controller 230 controls execution of image formation output according to the print job (S705). As a result, the recording paper is conveyed from the paper rear discharge port 203 to the paper folding machine 1, folded by the paper folding machine 1, discharged to the outside of the paper folding machine 1 and stacked.

  On the other hand, if the result of the confirmation in S703 is a slip sheet (S703 / NO), the multi-function device controller 230 controls the bridge 2 to be connected to the document rear discharge unit 212 as shown in FIG. (S706). In S706, the multi-function device controller 230 controls the position of the bridge 2 by the same processing as in S404 and S405 of FIG.

  When it is confirmed that the bridge 2 is connected to the document rear sheet discharge unit 212, the multifunction device controller 230 controls the conveyance of the slip sheet set on the document conveyance table 210 (S707). As a result, the slip sheet is conveyed from the document rear discharge unit 212 to the paper folding machine 1, is folded by the paper folding machine 1 according to the setting, and is discharged to the outside of the paper folding machine 1 and stacked. The

  When the processing of S705 or S707 is completed, the multi-function device controller 230 checks whether or not all the processing set for each number of pages is completed as shown in FIG. Until the process is completed, the process from S703 is repeated (S708 / NO). When all the processing is completed and the job is completed (S708 / YES), the multi-function device controller 230 ends the processing.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 7, the image processing system according to the present embodiment combines the recording paper supplied from the paper feeding device 232 according to the contents of the print job and the slip paper supplied from the document transport table 210. Switch and transfer within the job. At this time, the position of the bridge 2 is controlled in accordance with the conveyed paper, and control is performed so that the paper is ejected from the rear document ejection unit 212 and the rear document ejection port 203.

  With such a configuration, according to the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the conveyance path is automatically switched by controlling the position of the bridge 2 according to the paper supplied from different parts. Therefore, since a job for inserting slip sheets at the important points of the printed material constituted by recording paper output is automatically executed, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the paper folding machine 1 including the movable bridge 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has been described as an example. However, this is only an example, and the same applies to the modes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by switching the paper supplied from the paper feeding device 232 and the paper conveyed from the document conveying table 210 in one job. Is possible. In this case, the position control processing of the bridge 2 in S704 and S706 of FIG. 7 is not necessary, and switching control of the conveyance path inside the apparatus is performed as necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper folding machine 2, 2a, 2b Bridge 3 End surface folding device 4 Bellows folding device 5 Bellows folding paper discharge port 18 Paper insertion detection sensor 30 Paper folding machine controller 31 Bridge position detection sensor 32 Bridge position detection sensor 33 Paper conveyance motor 34 MFP I / F
41 Bridge position switching motor 200 MFP 201 Roll paper 202 Image printing device 203 Paper rear discharge port 205 Paper discharge switching solenoid 206 Paper front discharge port 210 Document transport table 211 Document upper discharge unit 212 Document rear discharge unit 213 Document reading device 214 Document conveyance unit 215 Document insertion detection sensor 216 Document discharge switching solenoid 220 Operation unit 231 Document conveyance motor 232 Paper feeding device 233 Paper folding machine I / F

JP 2008-168964 A

Claims (11)

A sheet processing apparatus that performs a predetermined process on a sheet-like member conveyed from an image processing apparatus,
By deforming, connecting the sheet-like member the surface of which is set on the sheet stand in order to be read in the image processing apparatus to the original discharge portion which is discharged to the outside on the inside has been transported to the person the image processing apparatus And a discharge portion that is discharged to the outside after an image is formed on the surface of the sheet-like member, and is connected to an image formation output discharge portion that is physically separated from the document discharge portion A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a sheet-like member input unit that is movable so as to be in any one of the states . Wherein the predetermined processing on the sheet-like member, the sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the folding process with respect to the sheet-like member. The sheet- like member input unit is connected to one of a conveyance path connected to the document discharge unit and a conveyance path connected to the image forming output discharge unit physically separated from the conveyance path. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sheet processing apparatus is movable as described above. The sheet- like member input portion is discharged from the sheet-like member discharged from the document discharge portion and the sheet-like member discharged from the image forming output discharge portion in a single image forming process constituted by a plurality of pages. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is movable so as to receive a sheet-like member . The sheet- like member input unit transitions from a state connected to the image formation output discharge unit to a state connected to the document discharge unit in a single image formation output process including a plurality of pages. the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 any one, characterized in that the receiving s husband sheet member discharged from the image forming output sheet member and the original discharge portion which is discharged from the discharge portion. 6. An operation setting receiving unit that receives an operation setting related to a predetermined process for the sheet-like member that is set in response to an operation on an operation unit provided in the image processing apparatus . The sheet processing apparatus according to item 1 . An image processing system in which a sheet processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on a sheet-like member conveyed from the image processing apparatus is connected to a subsequent stage of the image processing apparatus having an image forming function and an image reading function,
The image processing apparatus includes:
A document discharge section which is discharged to the outside after being conveyed inside the image processing apparatus from a sheet table set for reading the surface of the sheet-like member;
An image forming output discharging unit that is formed on the surface of the sheet-like member and then discharged to the outside, and is physically separated from the document discharging unit;
The sheet processing apparatus includes:
It includes a sheet-like member input section that can be moved so as to be able to take one of a state connected to the document discharge section and a state connected to the image forming output discharge section by being deformed. Image processing system. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined process for the sheet-like member is a folding process for the sheet-like member. The image processing apparatus conveys a sheet-like member used in an image forming function and discharges the sheet-like member to the sheet processing apparatus in a single image forming output process including a plurality of pages. 9. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the set sheet-like member is conveyed and discharged to the sheet processing apparatus. In the single image formation output process constituted by a plurality of pages, the image processing apparatus transitions from a state connected to the image formation output discharge unit to a state connected to the document discharge unit, thereby The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the sheet-like member discharged from the image forming output discharge unit and the sheet-like member discharged from the document discharge unit are received. 8. The sheet processing apparatus includes an operation setting receiving unit that receives an operation setting related to a predetermined process for the sheet-like member in response to an operation on an operation unit provided in the image processing apparatus. The image processing system of any one of thru | or 10.