JP6659185B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms images of a plurality of pages of a book on a plurality of sheets.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a post-processing apparatus that executes saddle stitching processing in which a bound sheet is folded into two after binding the center of a plurality of sheets and output in the form of a book (see Patent Document 1). . In this post-processing device, as shown in FIG. 25A, sheets conveyed from a printing device (not shown) are loaded on the stacking trays 101 and 102 and the saddle stitch according to the type of finishing process set by the user. The sheet is discharged to one of the processing trays 103. For example, when the finishing process is not performed, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 101. When performing the normal stapling process, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 102, and when performing the saddle stitching process, the sheet is discharged to the saddle stitching tray 103.

  Also, in the saddle stitching processing section of the post-processing device, there is a limit on the number of sheets that can be saddle-stitched as a limitation on the device. Conventionally, when image data exceeding the limit on the number of sheets that can be saddle-stitched is input, the paper output destination of the post-processing device is automatically changed, and image processing is controlled so that the sheet is not conveyed to the saddle stitching processing unit. An apparatus has also been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2010-168134 A JP-A-2002-331730

  In recent years, as shown in FIG. 25B, a post-processing apparatus has been proposed which realizes downsizing by sharing a transport path for executing staple processing and a transport path for executing saddle stitching. When the saddle stitching process is performed, the post-processing device switches the sheet that has entered the transport path 104 for performing the stapling process by the reverse rotation of the transport roller pair 106 and transports the sheet to the transport path 105. The post-processing device employs a method of executing saddle stitching on a plurality of sheets stored in an intermediate tray for performing the saddle stitching.

  However, when the bookbinding process is performed using the post-processing device illustrated in FIG. 25B, the saddle stitching process is performed after switching back the paper on which the image is printed. In the forming order, a book with the correct page order cannot be obtained.

  Further, since the paper discharge destination differs depending on whether or not the saddle stitching is specified, it is necessary to flexibly switch the order of image formation on the paper in the bookbinding process according to the paper discharge destination. Therefore, when a sheet that cannot be printed on both sides such as a thick paper sheet having a large basis weight is used as a book cover, the user determines whether the image is to be formed on the front or back side of the cover in consideration of the discharge destination. It is necessary to consciously make print designations, and users are required to have advanced operation techniques. Even if the user designates printing using advanced operation technology, if image data exceeding the limit of the number of sheets that can be saddle-stitched is input to the post-processing device, the image is discharged to a stacking tray that does not execute saddle stitching. There is also a problem that a product intended by the user cannot be obtained because the paper is used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has been made in such a manner that even when the post-processing device does not perform the folding process, the order of the sheets on which the images are formed in the product discharged to the discharge tray is appropriate. The purpose is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a post-processing apparatus having a first tray, a second tray, and a saddle stitching unit, and is configured to control a sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus. When the saddle stitching process is not performed, the sheet is conveyed along the first conveyance path without being reversed in the conveyance direction of the conveyed sheet, discharged to the first tray, and then transferred from the image forming apparatus. When performing the saddle stitching process on the conveyed paper , the conveyance direction of the conveyed paper is reversed, and after the conveyance direction is reversed, the second conveyance branched from the first conveyance path. An image forming apparatus connectable to the post-processing device that performs the saddle stitching process on paper conveyed along a path and discharges the saddle stitched paper to the second tray. Receiver for receiving image data consisting of N pages A step, an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet, a conveying unit for transferring the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit to the post-processing unit , the post-processing unit , the image forming unit, and the conveying unit Control means for controlling image data consisting of the N pages received by the receiving means, and changing the page order so that a layout for bookbinding is obtained, and arranging the image data after layout. generated, a first bookbinding print job for printing an image corresponding to the image data after the layout, and when the execution of the saddle stitching process has accepted the first bookbinding print job designated, the a plurality of sheets on which an image has been formed by the image forming means to discharge said second tray, to control the post-processing device, and wherein the plurality of sheets N As paper images that correspond to the first page and the last page in the image data composed of over di is formed is transferred finally from the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus, the image forming means and said conveying means The control unit generates a post-layout image data by rearranging the page order from the N-page image data received by the receiving unit so that the layout becomes a layout for bookbinding. image data a second bookbinding print job for printing an image corresponding to the, and when the execution of the saddle stitching process has accepted the second bookbinding print jobs that are not specified in the image by the image forming means a plurality of paper but which is formed so as to discharge the first tray, to control the post-processing device, and, the N page among the plurality of sheets As paper images that correspond to the first page and the last page is formed it is transferred from the first to the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus in the image data composed of, controlling said image forming means and said conveying means The page order of the image data after layout generated when the first bookbinding print job is executed, and the page order of the image data after layout generated when the second bookbinding print job is executed Are different from each other .

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if the post-processing apparatus does not perform saddle stitching , it is possible to make the order of the sheets on which images are formed in the product discharged to the discharge tray appropriate.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a finisher. FIG. 5 is a schematic partial view of the finisher in a state where a trailing edge of a sheet is detected by a trailing edge detection sensor. FIG. 6 is a schematic partial view of the finisher in a state where the leading end of a sheet abuts a nip of a skew feeding correction roller. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial view of the finisher in a state where the leading end of a sheet is abutted against a stopper. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial view of a finisher in a state where a sheet bundle moves downstream in a transport direction. FIG. 7 is a schematic partial view of a finisher discharged to a saddle stitching tray by a bundle transport roller pair. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a controller in the printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of an operation unit in the printing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard screen displayed on a display unit on an operation unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application mode setting screen displayed on a display unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a document size at the time of bookbinding displayed on a display unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for finishing at the time of bookbinding displayed on the display unit. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper selection screen for a text at the time of bookbinding displayed on a display unit. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a saddle stitching setting screen displayed at the time of bookbinding displayed on the display unit. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an application mode setting screen displayed on the display unit after application mode setting. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen after application mode setting displayed on the display unit. 7A to 7C are diagrams for explaining an image layout method at the time of bookbinding processing. FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams for explaining an image layout method during saddle stitching bookbinding processing. FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cover setting screen for bookbinding displayed on the display unit. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cover sheet setting screen displayed during bookbinding displayed on the display unit. FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams for explaining an image layout method in bookbinding processing when a cover is additionally set; FIGS. FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams for explaining a layout method of an image at the time of saddle stitch binding processing when a cover is additionally set; FIGS. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a bookbinding process performed by the printing apparatus (part 1). 9 is a flowchart illustrating a bookbinding process performed by the printing apparatus (part 2). FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a conventional sheet post-processing apparatus. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of another conventional sheet post-processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral having functions such as copying, a printer, and a facsimile will be described as an example of a printing apparatus. However, the printing device may be a single-function device.

  In FIG. 1, the printing apparatus includes a scanner unit 301, a document feeder (DF) 302, and a printer unit 313 having a four-color drum, and is connected to a paper feed deck 314 and a finisher (paper post-processing device) 315. Have been. Each of the sheet feeding deck 314 and the finisher 315 is configured to be connectable to a printing apparatus.

  First, a reading operation mainly performed by the scanner unit 301 will be described.

  When a reading operation is performed with a document set on the platen, the user sets the document on the platen 307 and closes the DF 302. When the open / close sensor (not shown) detects that the DF 302 is closed, a reflection type document size detection sensor (not shown) in the housing of the scanner unit 301 detects the size of the set document. When the document size is detected, the light source 310 irradiates the document, and the irradiated light is incident on the CCD 343 via the reflector 311 and the lens 312. The CCD 343 converts the incident light into a digital signal and sends it to a controller (not shown) of the scanner unit 301. The controller performs desired image processing on the sent digital signal, converts the digital signal into a laser recording signal, and stores it as image data in a memory.

  When a reading operation is performed with a document set on the DF 302, the user places the document face up on the tray of the document setting unit 303 of the DF 302. When a document is placed, the document presence detection sensor 304 detects that the document has been set. When the document is detected by the document presence / absence detection sensor 304, the controller rotates the paper feed roller 305 and the transport belt 306 to transport the document to a predetermined position on the document table 307. When the document is transported to a predetermined position, the controller performs a reading operation similar to the reading operation on the document table, and stores the image data in the memory. Then, the document on which the reading operation has been completed is discharged to the document discharge tray 309 via the transport roller 308.

  When there are a plurality of originals set on the DF 302, the controller ejects the original after the reading operation is completed, and simultaneously feeds the next original via the paper feed roller 305 to read the next original. Perform the operation. In this way, the reading operation of a plurality of originals is performed.

  Next, a printing operation performed by the printer unit 313 will be described.

  The recording signal (print image data) once stored in the memory in the controller is transferred to the printer unit 313, and the recording laser for each color of Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, and Black is transmitted to a laser recording unit (not shown). Converted to light. Then, the recording laser light is applied to the photoconductors 316 of each color, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on each photoconductor 316. Then, toner development is performed with toner supplied from the toner cartridge 317, and the visualized image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 321. Thereafter, the intermediate transfer belt 321 rotates clockwise. Then, when the sheet fed from the sheet cassette 318 or the sheet feeding deck 314 through the sheet feeding path 319 reaches the secondary transfer position 320, the image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 321 to the sheet. The paper on which the image has been transferred is fixed with toner by pressure and heat in a fixing device 322, and is conveyed through a paper discharge conveyance path. Then, the paper is discharged to a paper discharge port 325 to the finisher 315.

  In the case of double-sided printing, after the paper has passed through the fixing device 322, the flapper 327 switches the transport path, the paper is switched back and sent downward, and is fed again to the secondary transfer position 320 via the duplex paper transport path 330. Thus, a double-sided printing operation is realized.

  Next, an operation performed by the finisher 315 will be described.

  The finisher 315 performs post-processing on a sheet according to a user setting. Specifically, the finisher 315 has functions such as stapling (single binding at one place and two places), punching (two holes, three holes, and four holes), and saddle stitching.

  The finisher 315 includes stacking trays 328 and 329. The paper that has passed through the paper discharge port 325 to the finisher 315 is assigned a paper discharge destination for each function of, for example, copy, printer, and facsimile according to user settings. For example, when used as a printer, a printer driver can be used to print black and white prints / color prints, paper sizes, 2UP / 4UP prints / N-UP prints, duplex, staples, punches, saddle stitching, slip sheets, front covers, back covers, etc. Various settings are possible.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the finisher 315 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, the finisher 315 includes a pair of transport rollers 31 to 39, front end detection sensors 50 and 53, a rear end detection sensor 48, a stapler 42, a thrust plate 43, a stopper 44, and folding rollers 45 and 46. , And a bundle transport roller pair 47. The finisher 315 may be configured to operate according to a command from a controller of the printing apparatus, or may be configured to operate using a unique controller.

  The paper conveyed from the printing apparatus is discharged to one of the stacking trays 328 and 329 and the saddle stitching tray 331 according to the type of finishing processing set by the user. For example, when the finishing process is not performed, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 328. When the normal stapling process is executed, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 329. When the later-described saddle stitching process is executed, the sheet is discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331. For example, the transport path from the paper entrance of the finisher 315 to the stack trays 328 and 329 is, for example, a first transport path.

  The sheet conveyed from the printing device is conveyed by the conveying roller pairs 31, 37, and 38 until the rear end of the sheet reaches the rear end detection sensor 48. When the trailing edge of the sheet is detected by the trailing edge sensor 48, the pair of transport rollers 37 and 38 holding the sheet are stopped (FIG. 3).

  Next, the sheet is switched back by the reverse rotation of the pair of conveying rollers 37 and 38, and the sheet is conveyed by the pair of conveying rollers 36 until the leading edge of the sheet comes to the leading edge detection sensor 50. When the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the leading edge detection sensor 50, the conveying roller pair 36 holding the sheet is decelerated, and the leading edge of the sheet strikes the nip of the skew correction roller pair 51 (FIG. 4). .

  Even after the leading edge of the sheet strikes the nip of the skew correction roller pair 51, the transport roller pair 36 continues to rotate for a while. Then, after the sheet forms a loop in the loop space, the transport roller pair 36 stops.

  Next, the skew correction roller pair 51 starts rotating. When the sheet is skewed, the skew is corrected by the skew correction roller pair 51. Then, the sheet whose skew has been corrected is transported in the direction of the transport roller pair 39. When the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the leading edge detection sensor 53, the sheet is conveyed by a predetermined amount from that point, and the leading edge of the sheet is hit against the stopper 44 (FIG. 5). At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet is positioned by the stopper 44 such that the binding position by the stapler 42 is located at the center of the sheet.

  By repeating the above operation, a plurality of sheets are sequentially transported to the transport path 41 (accumulation tray). When all the sheets constituting the book are conveyed into the conveyance path 41 (accumulation tray), the sheets are aligned in the width direction by a width direction alignment plate (not shown). To form At this time, the paper conveyed into the conveyance path 41 (accumulation tray) is sequentially conveyed from the paper corresponding to the inside of the body of the book, and the paper corresponding to the cover of the book is conveyed last. . If the setting is to perform the saddle stitching process, the stapler 42 performs the stapling process on the sheet bundle. When the sheet bundle is bound by the stapler 42, the stopper 44 supporting the sheet bundle moves downstream in the transport direction. Accordingly, the sheet bundle moves downstream in the transport direction (FIG. 6).

  The stopper 44 positions the sheet bundle so that the center of the sheet bundle is located at the position of the pushing plate 43. Then, the leading end of the pushing plate 43 abuts on the portion where the crease of the sheet bundle positioned by the stopper 44 is formed, and the sheet bundle is pushed into the nip of the folding rollers 45 and 46 to form a crease in the sheet bundle. . Then, the sheet bundle on which the folds are formed by the folding rollers 45 and 46 is discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331 by the bundle conveying roller pair 47 (FIG. 7).

  Next, a controller that controls the scanner unit 301, the printer unit 313, and the network interface unit of the printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a controller in the printing apparatus.

  The main controller 401 mainly includes a CPU 402, a bus controller 403, and various I / F controller circuits. The CPU 402 and the bus controller 403 control the operation of the entire device. The CPU 402 operates based on a program read from the ROM 404 via the ROM I / F 405. The operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from an external PC and developing it into raster image data is also described in this program and processed by software. The bus controller 403 controls transfer of data input / output from each I / F, and performs arbitration of the bus and control of DMA data transfer.

  The DRAM 406 is connected to the main controller 401 via a DRAM I / F 407, and is used as a work area for the operation of the CPU 402 and an area for storing image data.

  A codec (Codec) 408 compresses the raster image data stored in the DRAM 406 by a method such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG / JPEG, and expands the compressed and stored code data into raster image data.

  The SRAM 409 is used as a temporary work area of the codec 408. The codec 408 is connected to the main controller 401 via the I / F 410. Data transfer between the codec 408 and the DRAM 406 is controlled by the bus controller 403 and is performed by DMA transfer.

  A graphic processor (Graphic) 424 performs image rotation, image scaling, color space conversion, and binarization processing on the raster image data stored in the DRAM 406.

  The SRAM 425 is used as a temporary work area of the graphic processor 424. The graphic processor 424 is connected to the main controller 401 via an I / F. Data transfer between the graphic processor 424 and the DRAM 406 is controlled by the bus controller 403 and is performed by DMA transfer.

  The network controller 411 is connected to the main controller 401 by an I / F 413, and is connected to an external network by a connector 412. As a network, Ethernet (registered trademark) is generally used. Print data received from an external PC is received and controlled by the network controller 411 and sent to the CPU 402. The CPU 402 stores the sent print data in the DRAM 406 or the HD 440 and processes the print data.

  An extension connector 414 and an I / O control unit 416 are connected to the general-purpose high-speed bus 415. In the present embodiment, transmission and reception of commands with the finisher 315 are performed through the general-purpose high-speed bus 415. The I / O control unit 416 includes two channels of an asynchronous serial communication controller 417 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from each CPU of the scanner unit 301 and the printer unit 313. The I / O control unit 416 is connected to a scanner I / F 426 and a printer I / F 430 via an I / O bus 418.

  The panel I / F 421 is connected to the LCD controller 420 and has an I / F for displaying on a liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 501 shown in FIG. 9 and a key input I / F for inputting hard keys and touch panel keys. F.

  The operation unit 501 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached on the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. A signal input by a touch panel or a hard key is transmitted to the CPU 402 via the panel I / F 421 described above. The liquid crystal display unit displays the image data sent from the panel I / F 421. The liquid crystal display unit displays a function display, image data, and the like in the operation of the printing apparatus. The operation unit 501 will be described later.

  The real-time clock module 422 updates and saves the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by the backup battery 423.

  The E-IDE I / F 439 is for connecting an external storage device. In the present embodiment, the CPU 402 connects the hard disk drive 438 via the E-IDE I / F 439 and performs an operation of storing image data in the HD 440 and reading image data from the HD 440. The connectors 427 and 432 are connected to the scanner unit 301 and the printer unit 313, respectively, and include synchronous serial I / Fs 428 and 433 and video I / Fs 429 and 434.

  The scanner I / F 426 is connected to the scanner unit 301 via the connector 427, and is connected to the main controller 401 via the scanner bus 441, and has a function of performing predetermined processing on an image received from the scanner unit 301. Have. Further, the scanner I / F 426 has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the scanner unit 301 to the video I / F 429. Data transfer from the scanner bus 429 to the DRAM 406 is controlled by the bus controller 403.

  The printer I / F 430 is connected to the printer unit 313 via the connector 432, and is connected to the main controller 401 via the printer bus 431. The printer I / F 430 has a function of performing predetermined processing on image data output from the main controller 401 and outputting the processed data to the printer unit 313. Further, the printer I / F 430 has a function of outputting a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 313 to the printer bus 431. The transfer of the raster image data developed on the DRAM 406 to the printer unit 313 is controlled by the bus controller 403 and is DMA-transferred to the printer unit 313 via the printer bus 431 and the video I / F 434.

  The SRAM 436 is a memory configured to be able to retain the stored contents even when the power of the entire apparatus is cut off by the power supplied from the backup battery 423, and is connected to the I / O control unit 416 via the bus 435. I have. The EEPROM 437 is also a memory connected to the I / O control unit 416 via the bus 435.

  Next, the operation unit 501 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user makes various print settings via the operation unit 501. A reset key 502 is a key for canceling a set value or the like set by a user. A stop key 503 is a key for stopping a running job. The numeric keypad 504 is a key for inputting a numerical value such as a numeral.

  The display unit 505 has a touch panel and a liquid crystal display unit integrated with each other, and displays various screens on the liquid crystal display unit based on instructions from the CPU 402, and receives instructions from the user via the touch panel.

  A start key 506 is a key for starting a job such as reading a document. A clear key 507 is a key for clearing settings and the like. The lamp 508 is turned on when a job is being executed or when an error has occurred in the printing apparatus or the finisher 315 to notify the user of the apparatus state.

  Next, a screen displayed on the display unit 505 of the operation unit 501 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard screen displayed on the display unit 505.

  Tabs 1201 to 1204 displayed at the upper part of the screen are tabs for selecting various functions executable by the printing apparatus. The copy function (simple), the copy function (quick), the transmission / fax function, and the box function are shown in order from the left.

  The copy function (simple) and the copy function (quick) are functions that print image data of a document read by the scanner unit 301 by the printer unit 313 and perform finishing processes such as stapling and saddle stitching as necessary. is there. The user can make settings relating to the copy function with the copy function (simple) or the copy function (quick) selected. The copy function (quick) is a function that allows more settings to be set on one screen than the copy function (simple).

  The transmission / fax function is a transmission function such as facsimile transmission, e-mail transmission, and transmission to a file server. The box function is a function of storing image data read by the scanner unit 301 in the HD 440, or a function of operating or printing data stored in the HD 440.

  When the tab of each function described above is selected, a screen for making detailed settings for each function is displayed.

  The screen illustrated in FIG. 10 is a copy setting screen in a state where the copy function (simple) is selected, and accepts various settings related to copying from the user. On the copy setting screen shown in FIG. 10, for example, a button for selecting color / monochrome / auto, a button for specifying one side / two sides, a button for specifying a copy magnification, and a button for performing finishing processing Buttons and the like. There are two types of buttons for performing the finishing process. The first type is a “finishing” button. The “finishing” button is a button for displaying a screen for accepting a setting for executing a stapling process of binding an edge of a sheet with a stapler. The second type is an “application mode” button. The “application mode” button is a button for displaying a screen for receiving a setting for executing a finishing process such as a saddle stitching process by the finisher 315 connected to the printing apparatus.

  When the user wants to obtain a bound book on which the bookbinding process has been performed, the user makes settings through the screens shown in FIGS. 10 to 17 in order to cause the printing apparatus and finisher 315 to execute the process. When a setting for executing the bookbinding process is performed by the user, the printing apparatus generates an image in which a page to be printed is laid out based on the setting, and executes printing in accordance with the generated image. Then, the finisher 315 performs an appropriate finishing process based on the setting.

  The user first presses an “application mode” button 1205 on the screen shown in FIG. When an “applied mode” button 1205 is pressed, a screen shown in FIG. Then, when a “bookbinding” button 1301 on the screen shown in FIG. 11 is pressed, a screen for setting bookbinding processing as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. The user specifies the size of the document to be read by the scanner unit 301 via the screen shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 12, an A4 size document is designated as the size of the document. Then, when a “next” button 1301 shown in FIG. 12 is pressed, a screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. The user sets via the screen in FIG. 13 whether the book is to be opened to the left or to the right. When the “Next” button 1401 on the screen in FIG. 13 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. The user selects the paper size of the book body text via the screen shown in FIG. Further, the user can also set whether or not to attach a cover to the book via the screen of FIG. The function of attaching a cover to a book will be described later.

  When the “Next” button 1501 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 14, the screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 15 is a screen for setting the finish of a book. There are the following three forms of bookbinding finish.

Form 1: Saddle stapling (executing saddle stitching processing)
Mode 2: saddle folding (executing center-fold bookbinding)
Mode 3: Do not perform saddle stitching (execute bookbinding layout processing)
In the case of the first mode, the paper printed by the printing apparatus is conveyed to the finisher 315, and is accumulated by the stopper 44 at a position inside the finisher 315 shown in FIG. Then, when a predetermined number of printed sheets are aligned, a binding process of binding the center of the sheets by the stapler 42 is performed. Thereafter, the sheet on which the binding process has been performed is subjected to a folding process in which the sheet is folded into two by a pushing plate 43 and folding rollers 45 and 46, conveyed by a bundle conveying roller pair 47, and discharged to a saddle stitching processing tray 331. .

  In the case of mode 2, the paper printed by the printing apparatus is conveyed to the finisher 315 and is stored in the finisher 315 at a position shown in FIG. Then, when a predetermined number of printed sheets are aligned, a folding process is performed in which the printed sheets are folded into two by the abutting plate 43 and the folding rollers 45 and 46, and are conveyed by the bundle conveying roller pair 47 to the saddle stitching tray 331. The paper is ejected. In this case, the binding process is not performed.

  In the case of mode 3, page images are arranged in a bookbinding layout, but are discharged without performing binding processing and folding processing. In this case, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 328 instead of the saddle stitching tray 331.

  When the finish of a book is set on the screen shown in FIG. 15 and the “OK” key 1601 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. The CPU 402 holds the settings received via the screens shown in FIGS. Then, when displaying the screen shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 402 displays on the screen that bookbinding is set. When the “close” key 1701 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 402 displays the screen shown in FIG.

  When the start key 506 on the operation unit 501 is pressed while the screen illustrated in FIG. 17 is displayed, the CPU 402 reads an original by the scanner unit 301 and performs printing by the printer unit 313 in accordance with the settings stored in the DRAM 406. Start operation.

  By performing the above-described operations, the user can obtain a book on which the bookbinding process has been performed.

  However, there is an upper limit to the number of sheets that can be processed at one time due to the ability of the finisher 315 (the ability to bind and fold sheets). For example, since the capacity of the folding rollers 45 and 46 is limited, only 25 sheets can be folded at a time. If the number of sheets required for printing an image in the saddle stitching process exceeds 25, the CPU 402 discharges each sheet to the stacking tray 328 without executing the binding process or the folding process. In this case, the user separately performs binding processing and folding processing on the paper by using a paper post-processing device dedicated to bookbinding called an offline finisher to obtain a book.

  FIGS. 18A to 18C show image layouts and print results in a case where the bookbinding layout process is executed and the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 328, and in a case where the saddle stitching process is executed and the sheet is discharged to the saddle stitching processing tray 331. 18 (c) and FIG. 19 (a) to FIG. 19 (d).

  FIGS. 18A to 18C are diagrams for explaining a method of laying out each page of a document image in a case where the bookbinding layout process of opening left is executed and the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 328.

  When the paper is discharged to the stacking tray 328, for example, the image of each page of the original shown in 801 in FIG. 18A is laid out and held on the DRAM 406 as shown in 802 in FIG. When the layout is completed, the images are printed in order from the image of the paper corresponding to the outside of the book to the image of the paper corresponding to the inside of the book. When the layout of the images after the layout is as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the CPU 402 determines the first table, the first back, the second table, the second back, and the third table. And printing in the order of the back of the third sheet. Then, the printed sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 328 by the pair of transport rollers 31 to 35. Then, the discharged print result is as shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 19A to 19D are diagrams for explaining a layout method of each page of a document image in the case where the saddle stitching process is performed to open to the left and discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331. is there.

  When the paper is discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331, the image of each page of the original shown in 901 in FIG. 19A is laid out and held on the DRAM 406 as shown in 902 in FIG. When the layout is completed, the images are printed in order from the image of the paper corresponding to the inside of the book to the image of the paper corresponding to the outside of the book. When the layout of the images after the layout is as shown in FIG. 19B, the CPU 402 determines the first table, the first page, the second table, the second page, and the third table. And printing in the order of the back of the third sheet. Then, the printed sheet is transported by the pair of transport rollers 31, 37, and 38 until the rear end of the sheet reaches the trailing edge detection sensor 48, and the sheet is switched back by the reverse rotation of the pair of transport rollers 37 and 38. , And sequentially accumulate inside the transport path 41 (second transport path). Then, after executing the binding process, the folding process is executed, and the sheet is discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331. The discharged print result is as shown in FIG. When the number of sheets required for printing the held image is 25 or less, the CPU 402 executes the binding process and the folding process by the layout method shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 (a) to 18 (c) and FIGS. 19 (a) to 19 (d), the booklet discharged to the stacking tray 328 and the booklet discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331. Since the objects differ only in the presence or absence of the binding process and the folding process, two types of bound products having the same image layout can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when setting the bookbinding process using FIGS. 11 to 16, the user presses the “attach cover” button 1502 included in the screen shown in FIG. Can be used. For example, if the “Next” button 1501 on the screen in FIG. 14 is pressed while the “Cover” button 1502 is selected, the screen shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. The user can set on which side of the cover the image is printed on the screen shown in FIG. Here, any one of “copy” and “not copy” is accepted for each of the front cover, the back cover, the back cover front, and the back cover back. When the “Next” button 1801 on the screen in FIG. 20 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. The user selects the paper size of the book cover through the screen shown in FIG. When the “Next” button 1901 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 21, the screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.

  FIGS. 22A to 22C illustrate a method of laying out each page of a document image in a case where a bookbinding layout process of attaching a cover to a left-open booklet is performed and discharged to the stacking tray 328. FIG.

  When the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 328, the image of each page of the original shown in 1001 in FIG. 22A is laid out and held on the DRAM 406 as shown in 1002 in FIG. Then, when the layout is completed, the images on the paper corresponding to the body of the book are printed in order from the image of the paper corresponding to the cover of the book. Here, when a sheet that cannot be printed on both sides, such as a thick paper with a large basis weight, is used as the cover of a bookbinding product, it cannot be switched back and conveyed to the sheet conveyance path 330 for double-sided printing. Only the back of the cover and the front of the back cover as shown in FIG. 20 can be printed. When the layout of the images after the layout is as shown in FIG. 22B, the CPU 402 first prints the first table (cover). Then, the CPU 402 outputs the second table (text), the second back (text), the third table (text), the third back (text), the fourth table (text), Printing is performed in the order of the fourth back (text). Then, the printed sheet is discharged to the stack tray 328 by the pair of transport rollers 31 to 35. Then, the discharged print result is as shown in FIG.

  FIGS. 23A to 23C illustrate a layout method of each page of a document image in a case where the saddle stitch bookbinding process of attaching a cover to a left-open book is executed and discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331. It is a figure for explaining.

  When the paper is discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331, the image of each page of the original shown in 1101 in FIG. 23A is laid out and held on the DRAM 406 as shown in 1102 in FIG. When the layout is completed, the images on the paper corresponding to the cover of the book are printed in order from the image of the paper corresponding to the body of the book. When the layout of the images after the layout is as shown in FIG. 23B, the CPU 402 first sets the first table (text), the first back (text), the second table (text), Printing is performed in the order of the second back (text), the third front (text), and the third back (text). Then, finally, the CPU 402 prints the fourth sheet (cover). Then, the printed sheet is transported by the pair of transport rollers 31, 37, and 38 until the rear end of the sheet reaches the trailing edge detection sensor 48, and the sheet is switched back by the reverse rotation of the pair of transport rollers 37 and 38. , Are sequentially accumulated in the transport path 41. Then, after executing the binding process, the folding process is executed, and the sheet is discharged to the saddle stitching tray 331. Then, the discharged print result is as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 (a) to 22 (c) and FIGS. 23 (a) to 23 (d), even when a cover is attached to a book, the booklet discharged to the stacking tray 328 and the saddle stitching are performed. The booklet discharged to the processing tray 331 is different only in the presence or absence of the binding process and the folding process. For this reason, in the screen shown in FIG. 20, when a sheet that cannot be double-sided printed is used as a book cover, the user is aware that only the side corresponding to the inside of the cover can be printed regardless of the discharge destination. It is only necessary to set the cover.

  Next, the flow of bookbinding processing in the printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 24A and 24B. This processing is realized by the CPU 402 executing a program stored in the ROM 404.

  Referring to FIG. 24A, first, when receiving a job execution request using start key 506, CPU 402 starts processing. For example, when a request to execute a copy job for printing an image of a document read by the scanner unit 301 by the printer unit 313 is received, the CPU 402 lays out and prints the image of the document, and prints the image on a printed sheet. The illustrated process is performed. When a print job execution request for printing an image received from an external PC by the printer unit 313 is received, the CPU 402 lays out the image received from the PC and prints the image. Is performed.

  In step S5001, the CPU 402 determines whether bookbinding is specified. If it is determined that bookbinding is designated, the CPU 402 proceeds to step S5004, and if it is determined that bookbinding is not designated, the CPU 402 proceeds to step S5002.

  If the process has proceeded to step S5002, the CPU 402 determines the discharge destination to be the stack tray 328, and proceeds to step S5003. Then, in step S5003, the CPU 402 executes a normal print process based on settings other than the bookbinding process received from the user. For example, this corresponds to the case where the printing is performed by the printing apparatus and the sheet is discharged without performing the post-processing by the finisher 315.

  On the other hand, if the process has proceeded to step S5004, the CPU 402 determines whether saddle stitching has been designated. Step S5004 is an example of a first determination unit. If it is determined that saddle stitching is specified, the CPU 402 proceeds to step S5006. If it is determined that saddle stitching is not specified, the CPU 402 proceeds to step S5005. If the process has proceeded to step S5005, the CPU 402 determines the discharge destination to be the stack tray 328, and proceeds to step S5 + 009. Step S5005 is an example of a paper discharge destination determining unit.

  On the other hand, if the process has proceeded to step S5006, the CPU 402 calculates the number of output sheets per copy, and proceeds to step S5007. As shown in FIG. 18B, when laying out two pages of images on one page, the number of output sheets per copy is calculated by the formula of (total number of pages + 3) / 4. Step S5006 is an example of a calculating unit.

  In step S5007, the CPU 402 determines whether the number of output sheets per copy exceeds the number of saddle stitchable sheets that can be processed by the finisher 315. Step S5007 is an example of a comparison unit, for example. When determining that the number of saddle stitches is exceeded, the CPU 402 advances the processing to step S5005, and when determining that the number of saddle stitches is not exceeded, the CPU 402 advances the processing to step S5008 of FIG. 24B.

  In step S5009, the CPU 402 determines whether or not a cover is designated. Step S5009 is an example of a second determination unit. If it is determined that the cover is specified, the CPU 402 proceeds to step S5010. If it is determined that the cover is not specified, the CPU 402 proceeds to step S5011.

  If the processing has proceeded to step S5010, the CPU 402 lays out each page by a method as shown in FIG. 22B, and proceeds to step S5012.

  In step S5012, the CPU 402 performs an image forming process on the sheet corresponding to the cover, and proceeds to step S5013.

  In step S5013, the CPU 402 controls to discharge the sheet corresponding to the cover without executing the binding process and the folding process, and proceeds to step S5014. In this case, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 328 instead of the saddle stitching tray 331.

  On the other hand, if the process has proceeded to step S5011, the CPU 402 lays out each page by a method as shown in FIG. 18B, and proceeds to step S5014.

  In step S5014, the CPU 402 performs an image forming process on the sheet corresponding to the text, and proceeds to step S5015. In step S5015, the CPU 402 controls the sheet corresponding to the text to be discharged to the stack tray 328 without executing the binding processing and the folding processing. Steps S5009 to S5015 are an example of first control means. In particular, step S5010 is an example of a third control unit.

  On the other hand, if the processing has proceeded to step S5008 in FIG. 24B, the CPU 402 determines the paper discharge destination to the saddle stitching tray 331 and proceeds to step S5016. Step S5008 is an example of a paper discharge destination determining unit.

  Next, in step S5016, the CPU 402 determines whether or not a cover is designated. Step S5016 is an example of a second determination unit. If it is determined that the cover is specified, the CPU 402 proceeds to step S5017. If it is determined that the cover is not specified, the CPU 402 proceeds to step S5018. In this way, the paper discharge destination is determined based on the comparison result of the comparison means.

  When the process has proceeded to step S5017, the CPU 402 lays out each page by a method as shown in FIG. 23B, and proceeds to step S5019. In step S5019, the CPU 402 performs an image forming process on the paper corresponding to the text, and proceeds to step S5020.

  In step S5020, the CPU 402 controls the paper corresponding to the text to be switched back by the pair of transport rollers 37 and 38, and then accumulated in the transport path 41 in order.

  In step S5021, the CPU 402 performs an image forming process on the sheet corresponding to the cover, and proceeds to step S5022.

  In step S5022, the CPU 402 switches the sheet corresponding to the front cover back by the pair of transport rollers 37 and 38, accumulates the sheet inside the transport path 41, executes the binding process, executes the folding process, and executes the saddle stitching process. Control is performed to discharge the paper to the tray 331.

  On the other hand, if the processing has proceeded to step S5018, the CPU 402 lays out each page by a method as shown in FIG. 19B, and proceeds to step S5023. In step S5023, the CPU 402 performs an image forming process on the paper corresponding to the text, and proceeds to step S5024.

  In step S5024, the CPU 402 switches back the paper corresponding to the text by the transport roller pairs 37 and 38, sequentially accumulates the paper in the transport path 41, executes the binding process, executes the folding process, and performs the saddle stitching. Control is performed to discharge the sheet to the processing tray 331. Steps S5016 to S5024 are an example of a second control unit. In particular, step S5017 is an example of a fourth control unit.

  Since the order of image formation is controlled by controlling as described above, the user can obtain a book having the same image layout even at different discharge destinations of the sheet post-processing apparatus equipped with the switchback mechanism. Also, even when the number of output sheets per copy exceeds the number of sheets that can be saddle-stitched, the user can obtain a book having the same image layout, thereby improving the user's work efficiency when specifying bookbinding processing. Become.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of saddle stitchable sheets of the finisher 315 is 25 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to these values.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the layout method of each page of the document image in the case where the bound book is opened to the left has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the left opening.

  The functions shown in the flowchart in the present embodiment can also be realized by executing software (programs) obtained via a network or various storage media on a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a computer.

315 Finisher 402 CPU
404 ROM
406 DRAM
501 Operation unit

Claims (7)

A post-processing apparatus having a first tray, a second tray, and a saddle stitching unit, wherein when the sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus is not subjected to saddle stitching , the conveyed sheet is conveyed. When the paper is transported along the first transport path without reversing the direction and is discharged to the first tray, and the saddle stitching process is performed on the paper transported from the image forming apparatus, After the transport direction of the transported paper is reversed, and after the transport direction is reversed, the saddle stitching process is performed on the paper transported along the second transport path branched from the first transport path. An image forming apparatus that can be connected to the post-processing apparatus that discharges the sheet on which the saddle stitching processing has been performed to the second tray.
Receiving means for receiving image data consisting of N pages;
Image forming means for forming an image on paper;
Conveying means for delivering the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming means to the post-processing device,
The post-processing device , comprising a control unit that controls the image forming unit and the transport unit ,
The control unit generates image data after layout by changing the page order so as to obtain a layout for bookbinding from the image data including N pages received by the reception unit, and generates the image data after layout. If the first bookbinding print job for printing a corresponding image is received , and the execution of the saddle stitching process is specified as the first bookbinding print job, a plurality of images on which images are formed by the image forming unit are formed. to discharge the sheet to the second tray, to control the post-processing device, and, images that correspond to the first page and the last page in the image data composed of the N page among the plurality of sheets Controlling the image forming unit and the conveying unit so that the formed sheet is finally delivered from the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus,
The control unit generates image data after layout by changing the page order so as to obtain a layout for bookbinding from the image data including N pages received by the reception unit, and generates the image data after layout. a second bookbinding print job for printing an image corresponding, and when the execution of the saddle stitching process has accepted the second bookbinding print jobs that have not been specified, the image is formed by said image forming means to discharge a plurality of sheets to the first tray, to control the post-processing device, and, images that correspond to the first page and the last page in the image data composed of the N page among the plurality of sheets Controlling the image forming means and the transport means so that the paper on which is formed is first passed from the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus ,
The page order of the image data after layout generated when executing the first bookbinding print job and the page order of image data after layout generated when executing the second bookbinding print job are as follows: An image forming apparatus characterized by being different from each other . Wherein, when the execution of the previous SL in the binding process has accepted the unspecified second bookbinding print job, a plurality of sheets on which the image has been formed by said image forming means to said first tray The post-processing device is controlled so as to be discharged, and the sheet on which the image corresponding to the first page is formed among the N-page image data is first transferred from the image forming device to the post-processing device. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit controls the image forming unit so that a sheet on which an image corresponding to the last page is formed is finally passed from the image forming apparatus to the post-processing apparatus. Forming equipment. Wherein the top sheet on which an image is formed corresponding to the page, different from the kind of the other sheet of the plurality of sheets, the image formation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is a sheet to be used as the cover apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generated image data after layout is image data in which images of two pages are laid out on one page. 5. Further comprising image reading means for reading the image of the document,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data including the N pages received by the receiving unit is input from the image reading unit. The reception means, an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in the Turkey to receive the image data via a network from an external apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first bookbinding print job and the second bookbinding print job are designated to have a cover.

Images