JP7136167B2 - image forming system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to image forming systems.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a post-processing device, an image forming system is known that includes both a folding machine that folds paper (a type of recording material) and a crease machine that creases the paper but feeds the paper without folding.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 discloses an image forming system that provides an alternative method even when folding processing cannot be performed as post-processing. There is disclosed an image forming system that shifts to an alternative control mode in which creasing processing is performed instead of folding processing when post-processing device 300 determines that folding processing cannot be performed. .

JP 2015-092208 A

It is considered that performing the creasing process and the folding process on one recording material in an overlapping manner realizes high-strength folding. However, if the position of the crease obtained by the folding process is not aligned with the position of the crease obtained by the creasing process, if the direction of the crease is opposite to the direction of the fold, the appearance of the recording material will be poor. It also does a lot of damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system in which the appearance of a recording material and damage to the recording material are improved as compared with a system that always permits execution of folding lines and folding in opposite directions.

An image forming system according to claim 1,
an image forming machine that forms an image on a recording material;
a folding machine that is connected to the rear stage of the image forming machine and forms folding lines on the recording material;
a folding machine connected to the rear stage of the folding machine for folding the recording material;
an instruction receiving unit that receives instructions indicating the direction of the crease in the front and back direction of the recording material and the direction of folding of the recording material in the front and back direction;
When the folding machine is a predetermined folding machine that cannot execute the instruction received by the instruction receiving section, the crease line and the fold received by the instruction receiving section, which are opposite to each other, are changed. 1. An image forming system, further comprising: an instruction changing unit for changing an instruction representing a folding line among the displayed instructions to an instruction representing a folding line in the same direction as the folding.

The image forming system according to claim 2 is the image forming system according to claim 1,
The instruction receiving unit is characterized in that it rejects an instruction indicating a crease and a fold in the same direction.

According to the image forming system of claim 1, the appearance and damage of the recording material are improved as compared with a system that always permits execution of creases and folding in opposite directions.
Further, according to the image forming system of claim 1, the orientation of the crease can be determined with priority given to the orientation of the fold.

According to the image forming system of claim 2, after receiving only instructions indicating folding lines and folds in opposite directions, the instructions can be changed to instructions indicating folding lines and folds in the same directions.

1 is a schematic external view of a printing system corresponding to a first embodiment of an image forming system; FIG. 2 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the printing system shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a job management screen; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the first tab including paper folding settings is selected on the job property screen; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a menu for selecting the type of paper folding; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second tab is selected on the property screen; It is a figure which shows the setting screen of a crease. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of a confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a confirmation screen. 5 is a flow chart showing direction control of crease lines and paper folding in a print control unit. 1 is a diagram showing a first system configuration in an image forming system; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second system configuration in the image forming system; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third system configuration in the image forming system; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a fourth system configuration in the image forming system; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fifth system configuration in the image forming system; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a sixth system configuration in the image forming system; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a seventh system configuration in the image forming system;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a printing system corresponding to the first embodiment of the image forming system.
The printing system 1 has a structure in which a print server 2 and an output device 3 are connected by a cable.

The print server 2 has a user display section 10 and a main body section 20 . The user display unit 10 is responsible for displaying information to the user of the printing system 1, and also receives user operations via, for example, a touch panel type display screen. The main unit 20 includes a CPU, a storage device, and the like, and controls the printing system 1 .
The output device 3 includes a printing machine 30 as a main body, and a crease machine 40 and a folding machine 50 connected to the printing machine 10 as post-processing machines (finishers).

The printing machine 30 forms an image on paper, which is one type of recording material, by, for example, an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method, and sends it out. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the printer 30 is equipped with a device capable of printing on one side and printing on both sides of a recording material. This printing machine 30 corresponds to an example of the image forming machine referred to in the present invention.

The crease machine 40 creases and opens the paper delivered from the printing machine 30, and delivers the paper in an open state. A device provided as the crease machine 40 in the output device 3 may have a function of vertical cutting processing of cutting the top and bottom of the paper in addition to the crease processing of forming creases on the paper. The crease machine 40 corresponds to an example of the crease machine according to the present invention.

The folding machine 50 folds the paper fed from the crease machine 40 and feeds the folded paper. A device provided as the folding machine 50 in the output device 3 may also have functions of stapling and punching in addition to paper folding. The folding machine 50 corresponds to an example of the folding machine according to the present invention.

When both the crease machine 40 and the folding machine 50 are connected as finishers, the crease processing by the crease machine 40 and the paper folding process by the folding machine 50 can be performed independently or on the same sheet of paper. may also be selected. When the crease processing and the paper folding processing are performed at the same time, the crease processing must be performed before the paper folding processing. connected to the machine 50.
FIG. 2 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the printing system shown in FIG.
Viewed as a functional configuration, the printing system 1 also includes a print server 2 and an output device 3 , and the output device includes a printer 30 , a folding machine 40 and a folding machine 50 .

The print server 2 includes the user display section 10 described above, and the job management section 21 and the print control section 22 are incorporated in the main body section 20 described above. The job management unit 21 is connected to an external device 5 represented by a personal computer or the like via a communication network such as a LAN, and receives and manages job data including image data representing an image to be printed. is. The print control unit 22 sets print information indicating the number of copies to be printed, the type of paper, etc. via the user display unit 10, and sends the print information together with job data to the output device 3 to execute printing. . If the output device 3 is equipped with a post-processor, the print information also includes settings for the post-processor. As in the present embodiment, when the crease machine 40 and the folding machine 50 are provided as post-processing devices, the orientation, number, position, and the like of crease lines and paper folds are set. A specific setting method will be described in detail later.

A printer 30 of the output device 3 incorporates a control unit 31 and a printing unit 32 . The printing unit 32 is a mechanical mechanism that executes image formation, and the control unit 31 controls the mechanical operations of the output device 3 including the folding machine 40 and the folding machine 50 as post-processing machines according to the above-described print information. It is controlled according to The control unit 31 also has a role of obtaining device information such as the model from the crease machine 40 and the folding machine 50 and notifying the print control unit 22 of the print server 2 of the device information.

The paper that has been creased by the crease machine 40 is generally folded in the opposite direction to the crease of the crease to become a product. The fold is a mountain fold. When the directions of the crease lines and the directions of the paper folding are opposite to each other in this way, the paper can be folded with high strength. Such a crease machine 40 is a device that appeared recently compared to the folding machine 50, and it is assumed that paper folding to finally obtain a product is performed manually. many. When paper folding is performed manually, the position of the paper folding is finely adjusted following the position of the crease, so there is little misalignment.

On the other hand, there are a plurality of models of the folding machine 50, and some folding machines 50 do not assume the presence of the folding machine 40, so the fine adjustment is not considered at the time of design. For this reason, depending on the model of the folding machine 50, there is a possibility that the crease position and the paper folding position may be misaligned when the paper with creases is folded. If such a positional deviation occurs, not only does the appearance look bad, but the paper is greatly damaged. Therefore, in the present embodiment, control is performed to avoid the occurrence of positional misalignment, thereby avoiding deterioration in appearance and damage to the paper.
The setting and control of crease lines and paper folding will be described in detail below.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a job management screen.

This job management screen 101 is a screen displayed on the user display unit 10 of the print server 2. In the job display column 102, each job 103 represented by each job data received by the job management unit 21 shown in FIG. , ID number, job name, additional information, data size, and reception start date and time are listed.
When one job 103 is selected on the job management screen 101 and the property display is instructed, the property screen pops up.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the first tab including paper folding settings is selected on the job property screen.

The property screen 105 has three tabs 106, 107, and 108, and FIG. 4 shows a state in which the first tab 106 is selected. Settings for the folding machine 50 are made on the first tab 106. Specifically, a stapling setting field 111 for setting the contents of stapling process, a punch setting field 112 for setting the contents of punching process, and a paper folding process. A paper folding setting field 113 is provided in which the content of is set. A preview column 120 is also provided in which an image of processing according to the set contents is displayed.

For these setting fields, setting control reflecting device information obtained from the folding machine 50 via the control unit 31 of the printing machine 30 is performed. For example, for the folding machine 50 that does not have the stapling function and the folding machine 50 that does not have the punching function, the setting values in the stapling setting field 111 and the punching setting field 112 are fixed to "no". As for the folding machine 50 with the stapling function and the folding machine 50 with the punching function, the stapling setting field 111 and the punching setting field 112 are in a state in which "no" or "yes" can be selected as the setting value.

The paper folding setting field 113 is provided with a type setting field 114 and a number setting field 115. In the number setting field 115, the number of sheets to be folded as a bundle at one time can be set within a range of up to 15 sheets. Selectively set. In the type setting field 114, the type of paper folding is selectively set using a pull-down menu.
FIG. 5 shows a menu for selecting the type of paper folding.

In the pull-down menu 116 of the type setting field 114, the types of paper folding include, for example, a two-fold that folds the paper in half along one folding line, a Z-fold that folds the paper in opposite directions along each of the two folding lines, and two folds. Inner tri-folds that fold in the same direction at each folding line are lined up. In addition, the pull-down menu 116 includes menu items representing settings including not only the type of paper folding but also the direction of paper folding. Assuming that the surface is the top surface, it means folding in a valley fold with the printed surface facing inward.
By selecting a menu item from such a pull-down menu 116, instructions for the paper folding type and direction for the folding machine 50 are set.
Next, settings on the second tab 107 of the property screen 105 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the second tab is selected on the property screen.

On the second tab 107 of the property screen 105, settings for the crease machine 40 are made. Specifically, crease (crease) settings and vertical cutting settings are made. The second tab 107 of the property screen 105 is provided with a setting content display field 121 , an edit button 122 and a preview field 123 .

In the setting content display field 121, the setting contents of the crease (creasing line) and top and bottom cutting are described in characters, and in the preview field 123, an image of processing according to these setting contents is displayed.
When the edit button 122 is selected, a setting screen for editing those settings pops up.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a crease setting screen.

This setting screen 125 is a screen that can also be switched to a setting screen for top-bottom cutting by selecting a tab 126. In the following description, however, it is assumed that creases (folding lines) are set on this setting screen 125. The description of the setting of is omitted.

This setting screen 125 is provided with a check box 131 , a type setting field 132 , a direction setting field 133 , a custom setting field 134 and a preview field 140 .

When the check box 131 is checked, the folding machine 40 is set to perform the folding process, and when the check box 131 is unchecked, the folding process is not performed. .

In the type setting field 132, the type of crease is set using a pull-down menu. As for the types of folding lines, similar to the types of folds described above, double fold, Z fold, and inner tri-fold are listed on the menu, and furthermore, outer tri-fold, gate fold, winding quadruple fold, accordion fold, etc. are also on the menu. line up. Since the crease machine 40 creases each sheet and does not fold the sheet, the degree of freedom of the crease is higher than that of the crease machine 50, and "custom" is also selected as the type of crease.

The direction (orientation) of the crease is set in the direction setting field 133 . However, for example, in the case of the setting of "inside printing", if the printed surface is the upper surface, the crease means not the valley fold but the mountain fold. This follows the popular expression in the field of printing, etc., because strong folds are realized by folding the paper in the direction opposite to the folding line in the case of manual folding.

The custom setting column 134 becomes active when “custom” is selected in the type setting column 132 . The custom setting field 134 includes a number setting field 135 , a folding method setting field 136 , a strength setting field 137 , and a position setting field 138 .

In the number setting field 135, the number of folds up to a maximum of 5 is set. Is displayed.

In the folding method setting field 136, either “mountain fold” or “valley fold” is selected and set for each folding line. In the strength setting field 137, the strength of the crease is set, and in the position setting field 138, the position of each crease is set according to the distance from the base point.
A preview field 140 displays an image of the processing according to the crease settings.

The crease lines and paper folds are set using the screens described above. In the present embodiment, the following prohibition processing is executed when the settings are made. In this prohibition process, only combinations that strengthen the folding as described above are permitted with respect to combinations of the direction of the crease and the direction of the paper folding. That is, only combinations in which the direction of the crease and the direction of folding are opposite to each other are permitted, and combinations in which the direction of the crease and the direction of folding are the same are rejected. Also, since the degree of freedom of the folding machine 50 is lower than that of the crease machine 40, only the setting of double folding is permitted when both the crease process and the paper folding process are applied to the same sheet. is supposed to be
If the user selects a setting that violates these prohibitions, a confirmation screen is displayed to request settings that comply with the prohibitions.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first example of the confirmation screen.

The confirmation screen 141 of the first example is displayed when execution of the crease process is selected after "Z-fold (right binding/bottom binding)" is set as the paper folding process. In this case, the execution of the crease process selected later is given priority, and in combination with this selection, a setting change to "no" is proposed as the setting of the paper folding process permitted in the prohibition process.

The confirmation screen 141 has a Yes button 142 and a No button 143. When the Yes button 142 is selected, the paper folding setting is changed to "No" as suggested, and the No button 143 is selected. Then, the execution of the crease processing set immediately before is cancelled, and the screen returns to the crease processing setting screen.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of the confirmation screen.

This confirmation screen 145 of the second example is displayed when "fold in half" and "inside printing" are selected as the crease processing setting and then "double fold (print on the outside)" is selected as the paper folding process. This is the screen that appears. In this case as well, the paper folding process of "Fold in half (print on the outside)", which is a setting item selected later, takes precedence, and in combination with this setting, the crease processing setting that is permitted in the prohibition process is set to "Outside A change to "printing" is proposed.

The confirmation screen 145 of the second example is also provided with a Yes button 146 and a No button 147, and when the Yes button 146 is selected, the crease processing setting is changed to "outside printing" as suggested, When the No button 147 is selected, the previously selected paper folding process of "fold in half (print on the outside)" is cancelled, and the screen returns to the paper folding process setting screen.

After the print control unit 22 receives the setting of the combination restricted by such prohibition processing as the setting of the crease processing and the paper folding processing via the user display unit 10, in the present embodiment, the print control unit 22 , direction control of the crease and paper folding according to the capabilities of the crease machine 40 and folding machine 50 incorporated in the output device 3 are executed.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing direction control of crease lines and paper folding in the print control unit.

The print control unit 22 acquires the setting information of the crease and paper folding set on the setting screen described above via the user display unit 10 (step S101). The print control unit 22 also acquires device information of the folding machine 40 and the folding machine 50 via the control unit 31 of the printing machine 30 . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the device information also includes information (configuration information) indicating the performance of the folding machine 40 and the folding machine 50 (step S102).

If the device information does not include the performance, the printing control unit 22 or the control unit 31 of the printing machine 30 has a correspondence table in which the model and the performance are associated in advance. The performance may be recognized by matching with the model included in the information. As for the performance of the apparatus, it is not essential that both the folding machine 40 and the folding machine 50 are recognized, and at least the folding machine 50 should be recognized.

Next, it is determined based on the configuration information whether or not it is possible to process the folding line and paper folding in opposite directions. In other words, it is determined whether or not the folding machine 50 combined with the folding machine 40 is a device capable of folding paper in the direction opposite to the folding line (step S103).

In this determination, if it is determined that the folding machine 50 is a first-class folding machine that does not support reverse paper folding (step S103: No), the folding line is formed in accordance with the paper folding direction. The direction of processing is specified. As described above, since the folding machine 50 has a lower degree of freedom than the folding machine 40, the direction of the folding process is given priority and the direction of the folding process is determined, thereby obtaining an appropriate combination. . That is, the folding direction of the folding machine 50 is confirmed by the configuration information (step S104), and if the folding direction is mountain folding, the direction of the folding line is also designated as mountain folding (step S105). If it is a valley fold, the direction of the folding line is also designated as a valley fold (step S106). Therefore, if the folding machine 50 is a first-class folding machine, a combination of paper folding and folding lines in a direction contrary to the prohibition processing set via the user display unit 10 is executed as a result. As for the print surface, it is assumed that the print surface as set is realized by printing with the printing machine 30 on the side that matches the set "inside print" or the like.

Here, as the first-class folding machine, for example, a folding machine with low performance that may cause the folding position to deviate from the position of the folding line when folding in the direction opposite to the direction of the folding line is assumed. be. However, "low performance" here does not necessarily mean the performance of the folding process itself. For example, if there are no creases, the folding position is always correct. A folding machine that is disturbed by the folding lines and causes the folding position to shift is also treated as a "low performance" class 1 folding machine here.

In such a first-class folding machine, in order to avoid a bad appearance and damage to the paper due to misalignment of the folding position, crease lines and paper folding are performed in the same direction even if the above prohibition processing is violated. In addition, since the above prohibition processing is executed at the time of setting and the instruction is changed after that, the user does not feel uncomfortable at the time of setting, and the instruction is suitable for the performance of the folding machine 50 and the like. be an instruction.

If it is determined in step S103 that the folding machine 50 is a second-class folding machine that supports reverse paper folding (step S103: Yes), the direction of the crease processing is It is specified in the direction opposite to the paper folding direction. That is, the folding direction of the folding machine 50 is confirmed by the configuration information (step S107). If it is a valley fold, the direction of the folding line is designated as a mountain fold (step S109). If the folding machine 50 is a second-class folding machine, a combination of paper folds and folding lines according to the above-described prohibition process is realized. As for the print surface, the print surface as set is realized by printing on the side that matches the setting by the printing machine 30 .

As described above, in the present embodiment, the combination of paper folding and folding lines is determined according to the folding machine 50 provided in the output device 3. , the folds and creases may be performed in the same direction as each other.
Variations in the system configuration of the image forming system of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first system configuration in the image forming system.

The first system configuration shown in FIG. 11 is similar to the printing system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. That is, the image forming system 200 has a server 210 and an output device 220 . Although not shown, it is assumed that the output device 220 incorporates examples of an image forming machine, a crease machine, and a folding machine according to the present invention.

The server 210 is provided with a receiving section 230 corresponding to an example of an instruction receiving section according to the present invention, and a changing section 240 corresponding to an example of an instruction changing section according to the present invention. In the case of the printing system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the print control unit 22 serves both as the receiving unit 230 and the changing unit 240. FIG.

In the case of the first system configuration, the changing unit 240 changes the instruction received by the receiving unit 230 according to the performance and model of the folding machine provided in the output device 220 as necessary. , the crease line and paper folding in the direction suitable for the folding machine are executed by the output device 220 .
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a second system configuration in the image forming system.

In the second system configuration shown in FIG. 12, the above-described changing section 240 is provided in the output device 220 . If applied to the printing system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 31 of the printing machine 30 functions as the changing unit 240, for example.
This second system configuration is a system configuration that performs the same operations as the first system configuration, except that the place where the function is performed is internally changed.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third system configuration in the image forming system.

In the third system configuration shown in FIG. 13, both the reception unit 230 and the change unit 240 are provided in the output device 220 . If applied to the printing system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control unit 31 of the printing machine 30 functions as the reception unit 230 and the change unit 240, for example.
In the case of the third system configuration, the reception unit 230 receives instructions for creases and paper folding via the operation unit of the output device 220 .
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a fourth system configuration in the image forming system.

In the fourth system configuration shown in FIG. 14, the reception unit 230 is provided in the server 210, but the change unit 240 is not provided anywhere in the image forming system 200. FIG. Therefore, in the fourth system configuration, the instructions received by the receiving unit 230 are instructions for crease lines and paper folding in directions suitable for the folding machine, or crease lines and paper folds in the same direction. It is necessary that the paper folding is instructed. For this reason, in the image forming system 200 in the fourth system configuration, settings are performed using the same setting screen as in the printing system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. Either prohibition processing is performed in which only creases and paper folds are allowed to be set in directions suitable for the folding machine, or prohibition processing is performed in which only creases and paper folds are allowed to be set in the same direction.

In the case of kinsoku processing, where only settings compatible with the folding machine are permitted, only instructions showing crease lines and paper folds in directions compatible with the folding machine can be obtained. In the case of prohibition processing that permits only folding settings, poor appearance and damage to paper due to misalignment can be avoided regardless of the performance of the folding machine.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a fifth system configuration in the image forming system.

In the fifth system configuration shown in FIG. 15, the reception unit 230 described above is provided in the output device 220, and the reception unit 230 receives instructions for creases and paper folding via the operation unit of the output device 220. FIG.
Also, since the fifth system configuration does not include the changing unit 240, the same prohibition processing as in the fourth system configuration is performed.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a sixth system configuration in the image forming system.

In the sixth system configuration shown in FIG. 16, image forming system 200 has only output device 220 . The output device 220 is provided with a receiving section 230 and a changing section 240 . Thus, the presence of a server is not essential in the image forming system of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a seventh system configuration in the image forming system.

In the seventh system configuration shown in FIG. 17 as well, the image forming system 200 has only the output device 220 , and the output device 220 is provided with the receiving section 230 . Even such a simple system functions as the image forming system of the present invention.

1...printing system, 2...printing server, 3...output device, 10...user display section, 20...main body section, 21...job management section, 22...printing control section, 30...printing machine , 31...control section, 32...printing section, 40...folding machine, 50...folding machine,

Claims (2)

an image forming machine that forms an image on a recording material;
a folding machine that is connected to the rear stage of the image forming machine and forms folding lines on the recording material;
a folding machine connected to the rear stage of the folding machine for folding the recording material;
an instruction receiving unit that receives instructions indicating the direction of the crease in the front and back direction of the recording material and the direction of folding of the recording material in the front and back direction;
When the folding machine is a predetermined folding machine that cannot execute the instruction received by the instruction receiving section, the crease line and the fold received by the instruction receiving section, which are opposite to each other, are changed. 1. An image forming system, further comprising: an instruction changing unit for changing an instruction representing a folding line among the displayed instructions to an instruction representing a folding line in the same direction as the folding. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said instruction receiving unit rejects instructions indicating folding lines and folds in the same direction.

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