JP7057211B2 - Image formation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system having an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic method and an electrostatic recording method.

An image forming device in which a post-processing device for performing post-processing of paper (hereinafter referred to as "finisher") is mounted on an electrophotographic image forming device that irradiates a photoconductor with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image. There is a system. The finisher is equipped with various parts such as a motor and a fan. Failure of any of these components may prevent the finisher from performing some post-processing functions. In this case, if the use of the finisher itself is prohibited, the finisher cannot be used until the repair of the failed part is completed. Patent Document 1 discloses a post-processing apparatus that prohibits post-processing using a failed component but permits post-processing that does not use the component. As a result, the finisher can be effectively used even if a part fails. In addition to this, there is known a technique of prohibiting the use of the finisher and permitting printing without the finisher when the finisher itself cannot be used due to a failure of a part.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-335232

When the finisher is mounted on the upper part of the image forming apparatus, a transport guide for reversing the paper for double-sided printing (hereinafter referred to as "double-sided reversal guide") may be provided inside the finisher. If an image reader is provided above the finisher, the image forming device, finisher, and image reader need to be fixed so that the image reader does not fall off. In this case, the configuration is such that the user cannot easily remove the finisher. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to easily remove and repair the finisher in which the problem occurs.

The finisher is equipped with a door as a countermeasure in the event of a paper jam in the double-sided transport guide. If double-sided printing is performed with the finisher door open, the double-sided reversing guide inside the finisher moves in conjunction with the door, blocking the reversing path and causing a paper jam. Therefore, the image forming apparatus cannot perform double-sided printing unless it can be confirmed that the finisher door is closed. Normally, the image forming apparatus is communicably connected to the finisher, and the state of the finisher can be confirmed. If an abnormality occurs in the communication between the image forming apparatus and the finisher, the image forming apparatus cannot confirm the open / closed state of the finisher door.

In view of the above problems, the main object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that efficiently performs double-sided printing processing even when an abnormality occurs in communication with the post-processing device.

The image forming system of the present invention is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming an image on a paper, and a post-processing device for performing a predetermined post-processing on the paper on which an image is formed. The post-processing apparatus includes a double-sided reversing guide for transporting the paper to reverse the front and back of the paper when performing double-sided printing, a door for moving the double-sided reversing guide in conjunction with opening, and the above. The image forming apparatus includes a door sensor for detecting an open / closed state of a door, and the image forming apparatus includes a double-sided conveying path in which the paper conveyed from the double-sided inversion guide is conveyed when performing double-sided printing, and the image forming apparatus. The control means is provided with a control means for controlling the operation of the door and determining the open / closed state of the door based on the detection result of the door sensor by communicating with the post-processing device, and the control means is described when performing double-sided printing. When the user is instructed to confirm the open / closed state of the door when communication with the post-processing device cannot be performed, and the user does not input confirmation that the door is closed , the image forming means. It is characterized in that double-sided printing is not started .

According to the present invention, even if an abnormality occurs in communication with the post-processing apparatus, the double-sided printing process can be performed more efficiently than before.

Configuration diagram of the image formation system. Explanatory diagram of the controller. Explanatory drawing of print information. A block diagram of an image forming system without a finisher. Explanatory drawing of the transport route when the main body door and the finisher door are opened. A flowchart showing the printing process. (A) and (b) are illustrations of a copy screen. A flowchart showing the finisher abnormality check process. (A) and (b) are illustrations of the notification screen. A flowchart showing the check process of the open / closed state of the door. A flowchart showing the jam check process. (A) to (d) are illustrations of the notification screen. A flowchart showing the printing process.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming system including the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. The image forming system 10 includes an image forming device 1, a finisher 2, which is a post-processing device that performs predetermined post-processing, an operation display unit 190, and an image reading device 191 such as a scanner. The image forming apparatus 1 has a finisher 2 mounted on the upper portion. The finisher 2 is provided with an operation display unit 190 and an image reading device 191 at the upper portion. The image forming apparatus 1 and the finisher 2 each have a controller, and the controllers are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. The image forming apparatus 1 and the operation display unit 190 and the image reading apparatus 191 are communicably connected to each other. The image forming apparatus 1 acquires an instruction by the user from the operation display unit 190. The image forming apparatus 1 causes the operation display unit 190 to display various screens. The image forming apparatus 1 controls the operation of the image reading apparatus 191 to read an image from a document or the like and acquire image data used for the image forming process (printing process).

The image forming apparatus 1 has a paper feed cassette 100 for storing the paper P, and feeds the paper P one by one from the paper feed cassette 100 to the transport path. The image forming apparatus 1 ejects the printed paper P to either the main body ejection tray 160 or the finisher ejection tray 161 provided on the finisher 2. When double-sided printing is performed, the paper P on which an image is formed on one side (first side) is flipped back and forth by being transferred back by a double-sided reversing guide 170 provided in the finisher 2, and then the other side. An image is formed on the surface (second surface) of. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 and the finisher 2 form a double-sided printing path for inverting the front and back of the paper P to perform double-sided printing. The finisher 2 can perform post-processing for discharging the printed paper P to the finisher output tray 161 while shifting the position for sorting by a shift mechanism (not shown).

The image forming apparatus 1 includes a photosensitive drum 120, a developing device 121, a transfer unit 122, and a fixing device 130 for forming an image on the paper P. The photosensitive drum 120, which is a photoconductor, is charged with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image. The developer 121 develops an electrostatic latent image. As a result, an image (toner image) is formed on the photosensitive drum 120.

The paper P is fed from the paper feed cassette 100 toward the photosensitive drum 120 by the pickup roller 102, the cassette feed / retard roller 103, and the resist roller 110 provided in the transport path. The pickup roller 102 takes in the paper P from the paper feed cassette 100. The cassette feed / retard roller 103 separates the paper P taken in by the pickup roller 102 one by one and conveys it to the resist roller 110. The resist roller 110 corrects the skew of the paper P and conveys the paper P toward the photosensitive drum 120 at the timing when an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 120.

The transfer unit 122 transfers the image formed on the photosensitive drum 120 to the paper P conveyed from the resist roller 110. The paper P on which the image is transferred is conveyed to the fuser 130. The fuser 130 fixes the image on the paper P by, for example, heating and pressurizing the paper P on which the image is transferred. When the paper P on which the image is fixed is ejected, it is ejected to either the main body ejection tray 160 or the finisher ejection tray 161. Further, in the case of double-sided printing, the paper P is conveyed to the double-sided inversion guide 170 provided in the finisher 2.

A paper ejection roller 142 is provided in the main body ejection path from the fuser 130 to the main body ejection tray 160. A finisher inlet roller 150 and a finisher paper discharge roller 151 are provided in the finisher discharge path from the fuser 130 to the finisher paper discharge tray 161. In the transport path on the image forming apparatus 1 side from the fuser 130 to the inlet of the double-sided reversing guide 170, a double-sided reversing portion 180 having a transport roller and a drive motor thereof is provided. A double-sided flapper 140 and a paper ejection flapper 141 are provided to convey the paper P to any of the main body ejection path, the finisher ejection path, and the reversing path. The double-sided reversing guide 170 provided in the finisher 2 does not have a transfer roller driven by the finisher 2.

When the paper P is discharged to the main body ejection tray 160 via the main body ejection path, the double-sided flapper 140 is set in the direction of the solid line in FIG. 1, and the paper ejection flapper 141 is set in the direction of the solid line in FIG. To. When the paper P is discharged to the finisher discharge tray 161 via the finisher discharge path, the double-sided flapper 140 is set in the direction of the solid line in FIG. 1, and the paper discharge flapper 141 is set in the direction of the broken line in FIG. To.

When the paper P is conveyed to the double-sided reversing guide 170 via the reversing path, the double-sided flapper 140 is set in the direction of the broken line in FIG. In the case of double-sided printing, the paper P conveyed to the double-sided reversing guide 170 by rotating the double-sided reversing section 180 in the forward direction is conveyed to the double-sided transfer path 181 by rotating the double-sided reversing section 180 in the reverse direction. When the double-sided reversing portion 180 rotates in the reverse direction, the double-sided flapper 140 is set in the direction of the solid line in FIG. 1 so that the paper P is not conveyed to the fuser 130 side. The double-sided transport path 181 transports the paper P to the resist roller 110. By passing through the double-sided inversion guide 170 and the double-sided transfer path 181 the paper P is inverted so that the image is formed on the second surface different from the first surface on which the image was formed in the first process. It will be conveyed to the resist roller 110.

A resist sensor 111 for detecting the paper P is provided in the transport path between the resist roller 110 and the photosensitive drum 120. A fixing transfer sensor 131 for detecting the paper P is provided between the fixing device 130 and the double-sided flapper 140.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body door 182 in order to enable removal of the paper P remaining in the machine. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body door sensor 183 that detects the opening and closing of the main body door 182. The finisher 2 includes a finisher door 184 to enable removal of the paper P remaining in the finisher 2. The finisher 2 includes a finisher door sensor 185 that detects the opening and closing of the finisher door 184.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a controller that controls the operation of the image forming system 10 having such a configuration. The controller is a computer system including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 200, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 in the image forming apparatus 1. The CPU 200 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing a computer program stored in the ROM 201 using the RAM 202 as a work area. A double-sided reversing unit 180, an operation display unit 190, an image forming unit 220, a paper position detecting unit 221, an external I / F211 and a finisher I / F230 are connected to the CPU 200. Further, the controller includes a finisher control unit 240 in the finisher 2.

The CPU 200 drives and controls the double-sided reversing unit 180 during double-sided printing to reverse-convey the paper P. The CPU 200 drives and controls the finisher inlet roller 150 and the finisher output roller 151 by the finisher control unit 240 when the paper P is discharged to the finisher output tray 161.

The operation display unit 190 is a user interface including an input unit and a display unit. The operation display unit 190 includes various input keys, a numeric keypad, and the like as input units. The operation display unit 190 includes a display as a display unit. The operation display unit 190 may include a touch panel in which the input unit and the display unit are integrated. The operation display unit 190 accepts input such as instructions by the user. The CPU 200 acquires an instruction from the user from the operation display unit 190. The CPU 200 displays a screen such as a notification screen on the operation display unit 190. The user can visually recognize a screen such as a notification screen by the operation display unit 190.

The image forming unit 220 includes a photosensitive drum 120, a developing device 121, a transfer unit 122, a fixing device 130, and the like. Further, the image forming unit 220 controls the transfer of the paper P at the time of image formation (printing process) by various rollers, flappers and the like. The CPU 200 forms an image on the paper P by controlling the operation of the image forming unit 220.
The paper position detection unit 221 includes a resist sensor 111 and a fixing transfer sensor 131. The CPU 200 acquires the detection results of the resist sensor 111 and the fixing and conveying sensor 131 from the paper position detection unit 221 and determines whether or not the paper P is normally conveyed. The CPU 200 stops the printing operation by the image forming unit 220 when the paper P is not normally conveyed and a paper jam is detected.

The external I / F 211 is a communication interface with an external device 210 such as a personal computer. The external I / F 211 acquires print information from the external device 210 and transmits it to the CPU 200. The print information can also be input from the operation display unit 190. For example, in the case of copy processing using the image reading device 191 the CPU 200 acquires print information from the operation display unit 190 and the image reading device 191. The CPU 200 temporarily stores the print information in the RAM 202, and performs a print process according to the print information.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of print information. This print information represents printing for one page. The print information includes the paper ID 300, the paper feed port 301, the paper ejection port 302, and the image data 303. The paper ID 300 is information for identifying the paper and is assigned to each paper. The paper feed port 301 is information for designating a paper feed port for feeding paper to be used for printing. In the present embodiment, the paper feed port 301 designates either the paper feed cassette 100 or the double-sided transport path 181. The paper ejection port 302 is information for designating a paper ejection port for ejecting the printed paper. In the present embodiment, the paper ejection port 302 designates one of the main body paper ejection tray 160, the finisher paper ejection tray 161 and the double-sided transport path 181. In the case of double-sided printing, the print information on the first side and the second side is the same paper ID 300, and the paper ejection port 302 on the first side and the paper feed port 301 on the second side are the double-sided transfer path 181. The image data 303 is data representing an image to be formed on the paper P.

The finisher I / F230 is a communication interface with the finisher 2. The finisher 2 includes a finisher control unit 240 that controls the finisher 2 and a finisher door sensor 185. The finisher I / F 230 is connected to the CPU 200 and the finisher control unit 240.
The CPU 200 communicates with the finisher control unit 240 via the finisher I / F 230. From this, the CPU 200 can monitor the finisher door sensor 185 connected to the finisher control unit 240 and determine the opening / closing of the finisher door 184. Further, the CPU 200 can make an inquiry to the finisher control unit 240 via the finisher I / F 230 and acquire information on whether or not a failure has occurred in the finisher 2. The CPU 200 can detect that the finisher 2 is in a faulty state when communication with the finisher control unit 240 cannot be normally performed via the finisher I / F 230.

By acquiring print information, the image forming apparatus 1 having the above configuration controls the operation of the image forming unit 220 by the CPU 200 to form an image on the paper P. When the print job including the print information instructs double-sided printing, the CPU 200 controls the operation of the image forming unit 220 and the double-sided reversing unit 180 to perform double-sided printing on the paper P.

When the printing operation is started, the CPU 200 starts feeding the paper P from the paper cassette 100 by the pickup roller 102 when the paper feeding port 301 of the print information indicates the paper cassette 100. When the paper feed port 301 for print information instructs the double-sided transfer path 181, the CPU 200 transports the paper P from the double-sided transfer path 181 to the resist roller 110.
During the printing operation, the CPU 200 forms an image on the photosensitive drum 120 by the image forming unit 220 according to the detection result by the paper position detecting unit 221. The CPU 200 conveys the paper P from the resist roller 110 toward the photosensitive drum 120 according to the timing of image formation on the photosensitive drum 120.

When the output paper port 302 of the print information indicates the output tray 160 of the main body, the CPU 200 switches the double-sided flapper 140 in the direction of the solid line in FIG. 1 and the paper output flapper 141 in the direction of the solid line in FIG. After switching between the double-sided flapper 140 and the paper ejection flapper 141, the CPU 200 ejects the paper P to the main body ejection tray 160 by the paper ejection roller 142.
When the paper ejection port 302 of the print information indicates the finisher paper ejection tray 161, the CPU 200 switches the double-sided flapper 140 in the direction of the solid line in FIG. 1 and the paper ejection flapper 141 in the direction of the broken line in FIG. After switching between the double-sided flapper 140 and the paper ejection flapper 141, the CPU 200 ejects the paper P to the finisher ejection tray 161 by the finisher ejection roller 151.

When the output port 302 of the print information indicates the double-sided transfer path 181 the double-sided transfer path 181 is indicated, the CPU 200 switches the double-sided flapper 140 in the direction of the broken line in FIG. After switching the double-sided flapper 140, the CPU 200 conveys the paper P to the double-sided reversing guide 170 by the double-sided reversing unit 180. When a predetermined time has elapsed after the fixing transfer sensor 131 detects the rear end of the sheet P in the transfer direction, the CPU 200 switches the double-sided flapper 140 to the direction of the solid line in FIG. It is transported from the guide 170 to the double-sided transport path 181.

(Transport route for double-sided printing)
The difference in the transport path (reversal path) during double-sided printing depending on the presence or absence of the finisher 2 on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image forming system without a finisher 2. The image forming apparatus 1 does not have the finisher 2 attached to the upper portion, and the image reading device 191 is directly attached to the upper portion. In the case of single-sided printing, since the finisher output tray 161 does not exist, the only tray on which the printed paper P is ejected is the main body output tray 160. Therefore, the paper ejection flapper 141 is fixed in the direction of the solid line in FIG. The printed paper P is ejected to the main body ejection tray 160. As described above, in the case of single-sided printing, there is no big difference in the transport path of the paper P depending on the presence or absence of the finisher 2.

In the case of double-sided printing, the paper P for which printing on the first side has been completed is conveyed to the main body double-sided inversion guide 172 provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 by switching the double-sided flapper 140 in the direction of the broken line in FIG. To. After that, the front and back surfaces of the paper P are inverted by switching the double-sided flapper 140 in the direction of the solid line in FIG. 4 and transporting the paper P in the opposite direction. The image reading device 191 is provided with a member for double-sided inversion on the bottom surface facing the image forming device 1. By directly attaching the image reading device 191 to the upper part of the image forming device 1, the main body double-sided inversion guide 172 is formed.

When the finisher 2 is attached, as described above, the paper P for which printing on the first surface is completed is conveyed to the double-sided reversing guide 170 inside the finisher 2, and the printing surface is inverted. This is because it is necessary to reverse the printed surface while avoiding the transport path to the finisher output tray 161 in the finisher 2.

As described above, when the finisher 2 is not attached, the operation of reversing the printed surface is completed inside the image forming apparatus 1. When the finisher 2 is attached, the paper P temporarily enters the inside of the finisher 2 in the flipping operation of the printing surface.

In the present embodiment, since the finisher 2 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1, the paper P may cause a paper jam (jam) in both the image forming apparatus 1 and the finisher 2 at the time of double-sided printing. When a jam occurs, it is necessary to remove the paper P remaining inside the image forming apparatus 1 and the finisher 2. As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main body door 182 for removing the paper P remaining in the machine. The finisher 2 is provided with a finisher door 184 for removing the paper P remaining in the machine. The main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 shield the paper P transport path (double-sided transport path 181 and double-sided reversal guide 170) when the paper P is opened. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a transport path (double-sided transport path 181 and double-sided reversal guide 170) when the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 are opened.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the double-sided transport path 181 moves in conjunction with the opening of the main body door 182. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 changes to a state in which the user can access the inside. When the main body door 182 is closed, the image forming apparatus 1 returns to the state shown in FIG. 1 and returns to a state suitable for paper transport.
In the finisher 2, a part of the double-sided reversing guide 170 moves in conjunction with the opening of the finisher door 184. As a result, the finisher 2 changes to a state in which the user can access the inside. When the finisher door 184 is closed, the finisher 2 returns to the state shown in FIG. 1 and returns to a state suitable for paper transport.

When the finisher door 184 is opened and the double-sided reversing guide 170 is in the state shown in FIG. 5, the transport path (double-sided reversing guide 170) is shielded. Therefore, if double-sided printing is executed with the finisher door 184 open, jam occurs in the double-sided inversion guide 170. The image forming apparatus 1 cannot perform double-sided printing unless the finisher door 184 is closed.

(Printing process)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a printing process by the image forming apparatus 1 to which the finisher 2 is attached. This process is repeated from the time when the power switch of the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on to the time when the power switch is turned off.

When the power switch is turned on, the CPU 200 is initialized by setting the finisher function enable flag held in the RAM 202 to on and setting the finisher door enable flag to on (S400, S401). The finisher function enable flag is set to on to indicate that the finisher 2 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 and can be used. The finisher door enable flag is set to on to indicate that the image forming apparatus 1 and the finisher 2 can communicate with each other. The CPU 200 determines by communication with the finisher control unit 240 that the finisher 2 is attached and that the monitoring of the opening / closing of the finisher door 184 is effective.

The CPU 200 is initialized by setting the jam flag held in the RAM 202 to off and setting the double-sided inversion jam flag to off (S402, S403). The jam flag is set to off to indicate that no jam has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1. The double-sided inversion jam flag is set to off to indicate that no jam has occurred in the double-sided inversion guide 170 of the finisher 2.

The CPU 200 determines whether or not the power switch has been turned off (S404). When the power switch is turned off (S404: Y), the CPU 200 performs end processing of each part of the image forming apparatus 1 and ends printing processing.

When the power switch remains on (S404: N), the CPU 200 checks the finisher 2 for an abnormality (S405). The result of the abnormality check of the finisher 2 is reflected in the finisher function valid flag and the finisher door valid flag. The details of the abnormality check process of the finisher 2 will be described later. The CPU 200 checks the open / closed state of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 (S406). By checking the open / closed state of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184, the value of the door open flag indicating the open / closed state of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 is set. The details of the open / closed state check process will be described later. The CPU 200 confirms whether or not the door open flag held in the RAM 202 is in the off state (S407). When the door open flag is off, the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 are closed. When the door open flag is on, at least one of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 is open. When the door open flag is on (S407: Y), the CPU 200 returns to the process of S404 and confirms whether the power switch is off.

When the door open flag is off (S407: N), the CPU 200 checks for the occurrence of jam (S408). The details of the jam check process will be described later. The CPU 200 confirms whether or not the finisher function valid flag held in the RAM 202 is on (S409). When the finisher function enable flag is on (S409: Y), the CPU 200 displays the copy screen in the normal mode on the operation display unit 190 (S410). When the finisher function enable flag is off (S409: N), the CPU 200 displays a copy screen in the degenerate mode in which the function of the finisher 2 is disabled on the operation display unit 190 (S411). FIG. 7 is an exemplary view of the copy screen. FIG. 7A exemplifies a copy screen in the normal mode. On the copy screen in the normal mode, the function of the finisher 2 can be selected. FIG. 7B exemplifies a copy screen in the degenerate mode. On the copy screen in the degenerate mode, the function of the finisher 2 is grayed out so that it cannot be selected. The user can input a print job (print information) on the copy screen.

The CPU 200 confirms whether or not the print job (print information) is held in the RAM 202 (S412). When the print job is not held (S412: N), the CPU 200 returns to the process of S404 and confirms whether the power switch is off. When the print job is held (S412: Y), the CPU 200 performs a print process (image formation process) by the image forming unit 220 (S413). The details of the printing process will be described later. After the printing process is completed, the CPU 200 returns to the process of S404 and confirms whether the power switch is off.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the abnormality check process of the finisher 2 of S405. The CPU 200 monitors the occurrence of an abnormality in the finisher 2 by this process.

The CPU 200 confirms whether or not the finisher function valid flag held in the RAM 202 is on (S500). When the finisher function enable flag is off (S500: N), the CPU 200 determines that the finisher 2 is not attached to the image forming apparatus 1 or that an abnormality has occurred in the finisher 2. In this case, the CPU 200 ends the abnormality check process of the finisher 2 without performing the subsequent process.

When the finisher function enable flag is on (S500: Y), the CPU 200 monitors the occurrence of an abnormality in the finisher 2 (S501). When the finisher control unit 240 notifies the finisher control unit 240 of a load failure via the finisher I / F 230, the CPU 200 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the finisher 2. When no abnormality has occurred in the finisher 2 (S501: N), the CPU 200 determines that the finisher 2 is operating normally, and ends the abnormality check process of the finisher 2.

When an abnormality has occurred in the finisher 2 (S501: Y), the CPU 200 displays a notification screen for notifying the abnormality of the finisher 2 on the operation display unit 190 (S502). FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of the notification screen. FIG. 9A exemplifies a notification screen for notifying an abnormality of the finisher 2. The CPU 200 displaying the notification screen waits until the user presses the OK button 1001 on the notification screen of FIG. 9A (S503). When the OK button 1001 is pressed (S503: Y), the CPU 200 sets the finisher function valid flag held in the RAM 202 to off (S504). This invalidates the function of the finisher 2.

The CPU 200 determines whether or not communication with the finisher 2 (finisher control unit 240) can be performed via the finisher I / F 230 (S505). The CPU 200 also determines that an abnormality has occurred in the finisher 2 even when communication with the finisher control unit 240 is not possible via the finisher I / F 230. When communication with the finisher 2 can be normally performed (S505: Y), the CPU 200 ends the abnormality check process of the finisher 2. When communication with the finisher 2 cannot be performed normally (S505: N), the CPU 200 sets the finisher door valid flag held in the RAM 202 to off, and ends the abnormality check process of the finisher 2 (S506). The CPU 200 cannot confirm the open / closed state of the finisher door 184 when normal communication with the finisher 2 cannot be performed. Therefore, the CPU 200 sets the finisher door enable flag to off to disable the function of the finisher 2. In this case, since the double-sided reversing guide 170 of the finisher 2 does not have a driving component such as a transfer roller, double-sided printing is permitted as long as the finisher door 184 is closed.

In this way, the CPU 200 monitors the abnormality of the finisher 2 and sets the finisher function valid flag to off when the abnormality occurs. Further, the CPU 200 sets the finisher door valid flag to off when a communication abnormality occurs with the finisher 2.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a check process of the open / closed state of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 of S406. The CPU 200 determines the open / closed state of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 by this process.

The CPU 200 checks the open / closed state of the door following the abnormality check process of the finisher 2. The CPU 200 confirms whether or not the finisher door valid flag held in the RAM 202, which reflects the abnormality check process of the finisher 2, is on (S600).

When the finisher door valid flag is on (S600: Y), the CPU 200 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the finisher 2. In this case, the CPU 200 confirms whether or not the main body door 182 is open based on the detection result of the main body door sensor 183 (S601). Further, the CPU 200 confirms whether or not the finisher door 184 is open based on the detection result of the finisher door sensor 185 (S602).
When both the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 are closed (S601: N, S602: N), the CPU 200 sets the door open flag to off (S603).
When the main body door 182 is open (S601: Y), the CPU 200 displays a notification screen when the door is open on the operation display unit 190 (S604). Similarly, when the main body door 182 is closed and the finisher door 184 is open (S601: N, S602: Y), the CPU 200 displays a notification screen when the door is open on the operation display unit 190. (S604). FIG. 9B exemplifies a notification screen when the door is open. This notification screen contains a message urging the user to close the door. After displaying the notification screen, the CPU 200 sets the door open flag to ON (S605). That is, the CPU 200 turns on the door open flag when at least one of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 is open.

When the finisher door valid flag is off (S600: N), the CPU 200 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the finisher 2 and it is not necessary to check the open / closed state of the finisher door 184. In this case, the CPU 200 confirms whether or not the main body door 182 is open (S606), and does not determine anything about the finisher door 184. When the main body door 182 is closed (S606: N), the CPU 200 sets the door open flag to off (S607). When the main body door 182 is open (S606: Y), the operation display unit 190 displays a notification screen (FIG. 9B) when the door is open (S608). After displaying the notification screen, the CPU 200 sets the door open flag to ON (S609).

As described above, if at least one of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184 is in the open state, the CPU 200 notifies the user of a message to close the door and sets the door open flag to ON. When the door open flag setting is completed by any of the processes S603, S605, S607, and S609, the CPU 200 ends the check process of the open / closed state of the main body door 182 and the finisher door 184.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the jam check process of S408. By this process, the CPU 200 monitors the occurrence of jam in the path through which the paper P is conveyed in the image forming apparatus 1 and the finisher 2, respectively.

The CPU 200 confirms whether or not the jam flag is on, and determines whether or not a jam has occurred (S700). The jam flag is initially set to off by the processing of S402. However, when a jam occurs due to the printing process of S413, the jam flag is set to ON. When the jam flag is off (S700: N), the CPU 200 determines that no jam has occurred and ends the jam check process.

When the jam flag is on (S700: Y), the CPU 200 displays on the operation display unit 190 a notification screen indicating that the paper P has caused a paper jam and a jam has occurred (S701). FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram of the notification screen. FIG. 12A exemplifies a notification screen instructing the user to deal with a jam because it has occurred. After the notification screen is displayed, the CPU 200 waits until the jammed paper P is removed (S702). In the case of jam in the image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 200 detects the opening / closing of the main body door 182 by the main body door sensor 183, and detects the absence of paper by the resist sensor 111 and the fixing transfer sensor 131, thereby jamming in the image forming apparatus 1. It is determined that the paper P that has become has been removed. In the case of jam in the finisher 2, the CPU 200 determines that the jammed paper P in the finisher 2 has been removed by detecting the opening and closing of the finisher door 184 with the finisher door sensor 185. When the removal of the jammed paper P is completed (S702: Y), the CPU 200 sets the jam flag to off (S703).

The CPU 200 confirms whether or not the double-sided inversion jam flag held in the RAM 202 is on and whether or not the finisher door valid flag held in the RAM 202 is off (S704, S705). The double-sided inversion jam flag is initially set to off by the processing of S403. However, when a jam occurs in the double-sided inversion guide 170 of the finisher 2 by performing the printing process of S413, the double-sided inversion jam flag is set to ON. When the double-sided inversion jam flag is off (S704: N), or when the finisher door valid flag is on (S705: N), the CPU 200 determines that no jam has occurred in the finisher 2 and performs a jam check process. To finish.

When the double-sided inversion jam flag is on and the finisher door enable flag is off (S704: Y, S705: Y), the CPU 200 determines that printing is performed with the finisher door 184 open and a jam has occurred. do. Therefore, the CPU 200 displays a notification screen instructing the operation display unit 190 to confirm the open / closed state of the finisher door 184 (S706). FIG. 12B exemplifies a notification screen instructing confirmation of the open / closed state of the finisher door 184. The CPU 200 waits until the OK button 1101 on the displayed notification screen (FIG. 12 (b)) is pressed (S707). When the OK button 1101 is pressed (S707: Y), the CPU 200 sets the double-sided inversion jam flag to off and ends the jam check process (S708).

As described above, the CPU 200 confirms the occurrence of jam by the jam flag, and when the jam occurs, prompts the user to deal with the jam. The CPU 200 prompts the user to confirm the state of the finisher door 184 when a jam occurs in the double-sided inversion guide 170 of the finisher 2 and the finisher door 184 is opened.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the printing process of S413. The CPU 200 forms an image on the paper P by this process.

Before the start of printing, the CPU 200 confirms whether or not the finisher door valid flag held in the RAM 202 is off and the output port 302 of the print information held in the RAM 202 is the double-sided transfer path 181 (S800, S801). .. When the finisher door valid flag is off and the output port 302 is the double-sided transfer path 181 (S800: Y, S801: Y), the CPU 200 is instructed to print on both sides in a state where communication with the finisher 2 is abnormal. to decide. In this case, the CPU 200 displays a notification screen instructing the operation display unit 190 to confirm the open / closed state of the finisher door 184 (S802). FIG. 12C exemplifies a notification screen instructing the user to confirm the open / closed state of the finisher door 184. Since the state of the finisher door 184 cannot be confirmed, the CPU 200 displays such a notification screen. If double-sided printing is performed with the finisher door 184 open, jam occurs, and this notification screen is displayed to prevent the occurrence of jam. The user inputs the confirmation result of the open / closed state of the finisher door 184 from the notification screen by the operation display unit 190.

The CPU 200 monitors the pressing of the OK button 1102 or the CANCEL button 1103 on the displayed notification screen (FIG. 12 (c)) (S803, S804). When the CANCEL button 1103 is pressed (S803: N, S804: Y), the CPU 200 cancels printing and ends the printing process (S805).

When any of the following conditions is satisfied, the CPU 200 continues the printing process and displays a notification screen indicating that printing is in progress on the operation display unit 190 (S806).
-The finisher door valid flag is on (S800: N). This is a case where the open / closed state of the finisher door 184 can be normally monitored.
The print information ejection port 302 is not the double-sided transport path 181 (S801: N). This is the case when the print job instructs to perform single-sided printing.
-The OK button 1102 on the notification screen (FIG. 12 (c)) was pressed (S803: Y). This is the case where the user confirms the open / closed state of the finisher door 184.

The CPU 200 prints based on the paper ID 300, the paper feed port 301, the paper ejection port 302, and the image data 303 of the print information stored in the RAM 202 (S807). During printing (during image formation), the CPU 200 monitors the occurrence of jam from the detection results of the resist sensor 111 and the fixing and conveying sensor 131 (S808). When no jam has occurred (S808: N), the CPU 200 confirms whether or not the next print job (print information) is held in the RAM 202 (S809). When the next print job (print information) is held (S809: Y), the CPU 200 performs printing based on the next print job (print information) (S807).

When a jam occurs during printing (S808: Y), the CPU 200 sets the jam flag held in the RAM 202 to ON (S810). The CPU 200 determines whether or not the generated jam is a double-sided reversal jam generated by the double-sided reversal guide 170 of the finisher 2 (S811). If it is not a double-sided inverted jam (S811: N), the CPU 200 ends the printing process as it is. In the case of double-sided inversion jam (S811: Y), the CPU 200 sets the double-sided inversion jam flag held in the RAM 202 to ON and ends the printing process (S812).

The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment as described above causes the user to confirm the open / closed state of the finisher door 184 when a communication abnormality occurs with the finisher 2. As a result, it is possible to prevent double-sided printing from being performed while the finisher door 184 is open, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of jam. As described above, even if an abnormality occurs in the finisher 2, the image forming apparatus 1 can operate with only the minimum functional deterioration, and can prevent the user's convenience from being impaired.

Claims (10)

An image forming system including an image forming apparatus having an image forming means for forming an image on a paper, and a post-processing device for performing a predetermined post-processing on the paper on which an image is formed.
The aftertreatment device is
A double-sided reversing guide for transporting the paper to reverse the front and back of the paper when performing double-sided printing, and a double-sided reversing guide.
A door that moves the double-sided reversing guide in conjunction with opening,
A door sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the door is provided.
The image forming apparatus is
When performing double-sided printing, the double-sided transfer path through which the paper conveyed from the double-sided inversion guide is conveyed, and
A control means for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus, communicating with the post-processing apparatus, and determining the open / closed state of the door based on the detection result of the door sensor is provided.
The control means gives an instruction to urge the user to check the open / closed state of the door when communication with the post-processing device cannot be performed when performing double-sided printing, and the user indicates that the door is closed. If no confirmation is input, double-sided printing by the image forming means is not started .
Image formation system. An input means that accepts instructions from the user,
Further equipped with a display means to display the screen,
The control means is characterized in that an instruction prompting the user to confirm the open / closed state of the door is displayed on the display means, and the user obtains the confirmation result of the open / closed state of the door from the input means. ,
The image forming system according to claim 1. The control means is characterized in that when it is input that the door is closed as a result of checking the open / closed state of the door, the image forming apparatus is allowed to start double- sided printing.
The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2. The aftertreatment device is
A finisher control means for controlling the operation of the post-processing device and detecting an abnormality in the post-processing device is further provided.
The control means of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that when the finisher control means detects an abnormality of the post-processing device, the function of the post-processing device is invalidated.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The control means is characterized in that when the finisher control means detects an abnormality in the post-processing device, it notifies the user that the function of the post-processing device has been disabled.
The image forming system according to claim 4. The image forming apparatus is
The main body door that moves the double-sided transport path in conjunction with the opening,
Further equipped with a main body door sensor for detecting the open / closed state of the main body door,
The control means determines the open / closed state of the main body door based on the detection result of the main body door sensor, and if at least one of the main body door and the door is open, the image forming means forms an image on the image forming means until it is closed. Characterized by not allowing
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The control means instructs the user to deal with the jam when the jam occurs in the image forming apparatus, and instructs the user to deal with the jam when the jam occurs in the post-processing device. It is characterized in that it gives an instruction to confirm the open / closed state of the door after the inspection.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The control means monitors the occurrence of jam while the image forming means is forming an image, and when the jam occurs, whether the jam is generated by the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus. It is characterized in that the information to be represented is held in a predetermined holding means.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The control means is characterized in that information indicating whether the jam is generated in the double-sided inversion guide or the double-sided transfer path is held in a predetermined holding means.
The image forming system according to claim 8. The double-sided reversing guide is characterized in that a transport roller for transporting the paper is not arranged.
The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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