JPH10198101A - Paper sheet processing device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably accelerate overall paper sheet processing speed at an optimum processing speed for a long time without increasing power consumption by fetching a processing time required for a series of processing operations for a first paper sheet from a storage means for storing each processing time and calculating a carrying time interval until a second paper sheet is carried in based on the fetched processing time, thereby starting the carry of the second paper sheet after the lapse of this interval. SOLUTION: A control part 800 returns a status where the necessary amount of the interval between two paper sheets consecutively carried in a paper sheet carrying/processing mechanism 103 is expressed by 12bits/0.1sec to a prescribed external equipment. A timer is started by a control program for adjusting a paper sheet interval for the formation of an image stored in a ROM 101b to wait for the lapse of the paper sheet interval time of an address corresponding to a pointer indicating a read address in a RAM 101c. After the lapse of this time, for instance, a printing request from a host computer is checked and the paper sheet is carried from a prescribed point such as the resist position of a printer corresponding to the printing request to start the control of the image formation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a paper processing apparatus and method for a printer and a copier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various functions have been required and realized in paper processing apparatuses such as printers and copiers. It is constant.

[0003]

However, since the time interval required for carrying in the paper is adjusted to a process requiring a long time, the time interval required for the process requiring a short time is unnecessarily long. However, it has been difficult to shorten the paper processing time as a whole.

Further, in order to keep a constant paper interval between paper conveyance, until the processing of the preceding paper having a long processing time is completed,
The paper with a short processing time is detoured to a predetermined path,
Although the overall paper processing time can be shortened, there is a problem that the cost is rather increased.

[0005] Further, in order to keep a constant paper interval between papers, it is conceivable to increase the speed of a driving device such as a motor so as to shorten the processing time required for a long time. Each load is driven with an excessive duty, and as a result, there is a problem that a temperature rise or deterioration is caused and power consumption is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to improve the overall paper processing speed with an optimum productivity (processing speed), stably and without increasing power consumption. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper processing apparatus and method capable of achieving higher speed.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet processing apparatus for loading, transporting, and discharging a sheet. Storing means for storing the required processing time in correspondence with the processing time required, a removing means for extracting the processing time required for a series of processing of the first sheet from the storing means, and A first calculating means for calculating a carry-in time interval from a time when one sheet is carried in to a time when the next second sheet is carried in, and a calculation by the first calculating means after the first sheet is carried in And a carry-in timing control means for starting carry-in of the second sheet immediately after the lapse of the carry-in time interval.

[0008] In the first aspect, the processing may include stacking sheets for stapling, stapling, and aligning the sheets for stapling.

[0009] In claim 1, the processing may include a job shift.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further include a correction unit for correcting the carry-in time interval based on a processing time of a unit that changes a processing time during a series of sheet processing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the means for changing the processing time during a series of sheet processing may be a DC motor for driving a stacking mechanism having a plurality of discharge trays for storing discharged sheets. .

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the correction means adds a predetermined first time interval to the carry-in time interval when the stacking mechanism is lifted when the paper is discharged, and the stacking mechanism when discharging the paper. When the mechanism is lowered, a predetermined second time interval shorter than the first time interval can be added to the carry-in time interval.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the DC motor, and determining means for determining a drive duty of the DC motor in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. it can.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the determining means determines the drive duty when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined temperature and raises the stacking mechanism when discharging the paper. The temperature detected by the means may exceed the predetermined temperature, and may be larger than a drive duty when the stacking mechanism is lowered when the sheet is discharged.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the paper processing method for loading, transporting, and discharging a paper, each processing performed on the paper from the loading of the paper to the discharging thereof corresponds to the processing time required for each processing. Extracting the processing time required for a series of processing of the first sheet from the storing means that has been stored, and, based on the extracted processing time, loading the next second sheet after the first sheet is loaded. Calculating the carry-in time interval until the first sheet is carried in, and starting the carry-in of the next second sheet immediately after the calculated carry-in time interval elapses after the first sheet is carried in. Have.

According to a ninth aspect, the method may further include the step of correcting the carry-in time interval based on the processing time of the means for changing the processing time during a series of paper processing.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the means for changing the processing time during a series of sheet processing can be a DC motor for driving a stacking mechanism having a plurality of discharge trays for storing discharged sheets. .

In the eleventh aspect, in the step of correcting, when the stacking mechanism is raised when the paper is discharged, a predetermined first time interval is added to the carry-in time interval, and when the paper is discharged, the first time interval is added. When lowering the loading mechanism, a predetermined second time interval shorter than the first time interval can be added to the carry-in time interval.

In the eleventh aspect, the method may further include a step of detecting a temperature of the DC motor, and a step of determining a drive duty of the DC motor according to the detected temperature.

According to a thirteenth aspect, in the step of determining the drive duty, the drive duty when the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and the stacking mechanism is raised when the paper is discharged is detected. The temperature may exceed the predetermined temperature, and may be larger than the drive duty for lowering the stacking mechanism when discharging the paper.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
An embodiment will be described. This is an example of the printer 101 to which the output paper processing device 106 is added.
Reference numeral 01 denotes a higher-level device of the output paper basis device 106.

The printer 101 has a CPU 101a,
The CPU 1O1a controls each part of the printer based on the data stored in the RAM 101c according to a control program stored in the ROM 1O1b. The paper ejection sensor 101d in the printer 101 is connected to the output paper processing device 10
6 is to detect the conveyance of the sheet to the sheet No. 6. The output paper processing device 106 has a paper transport / processing mechanism 103 attached to the support 102 on the printer 101 side.
The loading mechanism 107 is mounted on the side opposite to the above.

The loading mechanism 107 has a common member 105 attached to the column 102 so as to be able to move up and down.
5, the discharge trays 104a to 104 as bins 1 to 3
c is attached. The output paper processing device 106 includes the control unit 8
00 and the output unit 10 by the control unit 800.
6 are controlled.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the output sheet processing apparatus 106 shown in FIG. 2, reference numerals 104a and 105 denote the same parts as in FIG. 201 to 203 are guides, and guide 2
01 and 202 form a paper carry-in path 204, guides 202 and 203 form a paper reversal path 205, and guides 201 and 203 form a paper discharge path 206. Guides 201-203
Has a structure in which a sheet conveyed to the sheet discharge path 206 cannot return to the sheet carry-in path 204. Reference numeral 207 denotes an entrance sensor flag, which senses that a sheet has been carried into the sheet carrying path 204. A reverse path sensor flag 208 senses that a sheet has been conveyed to the sheet reverse path 205. A paper discharge sensor / flag 209 senses that paper is discharged from the paper discharge path 206.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a first transport roller for transporting the paper in the paper carry-in path 204. 211
Reference numeral denotes a reversing roller whose part of the circumference is forcibly driven to reverse the sheet conveyed to the sheet reversing path 205. Reference numeral 212 denotes a second conveyance roller, which is a sheet discharge path 2
06 to convey the paper. 213 is the first
It is a paper discharge roller for discharging the paper in the paper discharge path 206. 215 is a second discharge roller,
This is for discharging paper onto the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c.

Reference numeral 214 denotes a pull-back belt, and when the sheet trailing end contact member 217 for aligning the edges of the sheet is raised to the position of the staple tray 216, the sheet on the staple tray 216 is moved backward. End contact member 21
It is for pulling back to 7. 2 is lowered from the position of the staple tray 216. Reference numeral 220 denotes a swing guide, which rotates clockwise when the paper is pulled back by the pull-back belt 214, and facilitates the pull-back of the paper by the pull-back belt 214. After the sheet abuts on the sheet trailing end contact member 217, the sheet is rotated counterclockwise to return to the original position before the sheet is discharged from the staple tray 216. Reference numeral 218 denotes an alignment plate for aligning sheets on the staple tray 216. 219
Is a stapler for stapling sheets on the staple tray 216. Reference numeral 221 denotes a shutter which moves up and down the discharge trays 104a to 104c.
This is to prevent the paper on the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c from flowing back into the paper transport / processing mechanism 103. Reference numerals 222 and 223 denote rear end contact plates,
This is for abutting the rear end of the paper on 04a to 104c. Reference numeral 224 denotes a distance measuring sensor,
This is for measuring the distance to the paper on 4a to 104c. Based on the measurement results, the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c
Is adjusted, and the step between the second paper discharge roller 215 and the paper surface on the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c is kept constant.

The alignment plate 218 and the pullback belt 214
And the second discharge roller 215 is connected to the staple tray 21.
6 is arranged as shown in FIG.
The rail 8 is guided by the rail 502 in the contact plate 501 side, which is a reference for alignment, that is, in the direction B orthogonal to the paper transport direction indicated by A in FIG. Matching plate 21 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a home position, and this position is defined as position 0. From the alignment plate 218 at the home position to the contact plate 5
The distance to 01 is “1”. When the width of the sheet is “w”, the alignment plate 218 is moved from the home position to “1-”.
The alignment is performed by moving to the position w ".

FIG. 4 shows a moving mechanism of the stapler 219 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 701 denotes a stapler mount for attaching the stapler 219. 706a to 706d are rails for guiding the stapler mount 701 to the staple position. A stapler drive gear 702 meshes with a gear provided on the rail 706a.
Reference numeral 703 denotes an anti-tilt roller, which is a rail 70 provided in parallel.
6c and 706d are loosely fitted to prevent the stapler mount 701 from tilting. 704
Reference numerals a and 704b denote stapler moving rollers for moving the stapler mount 701 smoothly on a guide surface (not shown). Reference numeral 705 denotes a staple position on the stapler 219. Since the moving mechanism is configured in this manner, the stapler 219 can be moved to the vicinity of the corner of the sheet S, and the staple can be stuck diagonally on the corner of the sheet S. FIG. 5A shows an example of a staple hit in the staple mode at one position in the foreground.
FIG. 5B shows an example of staples hit in the staple mode at two places in the center, and FIG.
It is an example of the staple struck in the mode.

FIG. 6 shows the sheet transport / processing mechanism 10 shown in FIG.
3 shows a configuration of the control unit 800 in FIG. In FIG. 6, 22
4 shows the same part as FIG. 801 is ROM (read onl)
y memory), which stores the control program. 8
A random access memory (RAM) 02 stores data necessary for controlling the apparatus. 803
Is a battery for backing up the RAM 802. 804 is a CPU (central processing
unit) for controlling each part of the system according to a control program stored in the ROM 801. 8
05 is an extended I / O. An interface circuit 806 is effective when the switch 847 is ON. 8
07 is an interface circuit.
It is valid when FF. A DC-DC converter 808 converts a DC voltage supplied from the outside into a predetermined DC voltage. A rectangular wave generating circuit 809 generates a rectangular wave based on a signal from the extended I / O 805. Reference numeral 811 denotes a photo interrupter for detecting a predetermined position of the paper discharge sensor flag 209. A shutter opening detection sensor 812 detects the opening of the shutter 221. Reference numeral 813 denotes a shutter closing detection sensor that detects the closing of the shutter 221. A home position sensor 815 detects whether the discharge trays 104a to 104c are located at the home position. A home position sensor 816 detects whether or not the stapler mount 701 (FIG. 4) is located at the home position.

Reference numeral 817 denotes a photo interrupter for generating an encoder clock for detecting the movement of the loading mechanism. A photo interrupter 818 generates an encoder clock for detecting the rotation of the DC motor 837. 8
Reference numeral 19 denotes a home position sensor, which is a matching plate 218.
Is to detect whether or not is located at the home position. A detection sensor 820 detects presence or absence of a sheet on the staple tray 216. 82
Reference numeral 1 denotes a swing guide open detection switch, and the swing guide 22
It detects the opening of 0. An open / closed state detection switch 825 detects the open / closed state of an upper cover (not shown) of the paper transport / processing mechanism. 828 is a photo
An interrupter that detects a predetermined position of the entrance sensor / flag 207. A photo interrupter 829 detects a predetermined position of the inversion path sensor flag 208.

Reference numeral 836 denotes a stepping motor for controlling the position of the matching plate 218. 837
Is a DC motor, which drives the second paper discharge roller 215,
This is for opening and closing the swing guide 220. 83
Reference numeral 8 denotes a stepping motor, and a group of rollers 210 to 2
13 for driving the shutter 13 and opening and closing the shutter 221. Reference numeral 839 denotes a solenoid,
This is for starting the driving of the eleventh gear system.

An upper limit detection switch 840 detects whether or not the discharge trays 104a to 104c are positioned at the upper limit. Reference numeral 841 denotes a detection switch for detecting that the swing guide 220 is closed. 84
Reference numeral 2 denotes a detection switch for detecting the open / closed state of a front cover (not shown) of the paper transport / processing mechanism. 843
Is a detection sensor for detecting the connection state of the paper transport / processing mechanism with the main body. Reference numeral 844 denotes a DC motor, and the discharge trays 104a to 104c and the common member 10
5 for raising and lowering. The DC motor 844 is PWM controlled, and the drive duty is 100
% And 70% when descending.

A detection sensor 845 detects the presence or absence of a stapler. A home position sensor 846 detects a home position of the staple DC motor 849. Reference numeral 848 denotes a stepping motor for controlling the position of the stapler 219. Reference numeral 849 denotes a DC motor for driving the stapler 219 to perform stapling processing. FIG. 7A shows an example of a command issued from the external device to the control unit 800 and indicating stapling processing content.
Shown in The MSB is bit 0 and the LSB is bit 1.
The command for stapling processing content is one byte (8
7B. The format is as shown in FIG. 7B. If the bit 4 to bit 6 fields are 000, one front staple is designated, and if 001, two staples are located at the center. Staples are specified,
In the case of 010, one back staple is specified and 011
In the case of, only emissions are specified.

The command transmitted from the external device to the control unit 800 includes a command for designating the size of a sheet to be carried in. FIG. 8A shows an example of this command. The format of the command that indicates the paper size to be loaded is
As shown in FIG. 8B, the sheet size is designated by the bit 1 to bit 6 fields.

The required amount of space between two sheets of paper continuously fed into the paper transport / processing mechanism 103 from the control unit 800 to a predetermined external device is 12 bits in units of 0.1 sec.
The status represented by c (see FIG. 9) is returned. The sheet interval is the time from the passage of the trailing edge of the preceding sheet to the arrival of the leading edge of the sheet at a predetermined position at the entrance of the apparatus.

Next, the operation of the sheet reversing mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. In the standby phase, as shown in FIG. 10, the cut portion of the reversing roller 211 faces the sheet reversing path 205, and therefore, the sheet reversing path 205 is not closed. In this state, when the sheet S1 is carried into the sheet carrying path 204, the sheet S1 is carried from the sheet carrying path 204 to the sheet reversing path 205 by the first carrying roller 210. At this timing, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the sheet S0 conveyed one sheet before the sheet S1 is rubbed against the sheet S1 in the sheet reversing path 205 by the second transport roller 212, and the sheet S1 is conveyed.
10 through a sheet discharge path 206 to the left in FIGS.

When the trailing edge of the sheet S0 passes through the reversing roller 211, the reversing roller 211 starts rotating clockwise, and the sheet S1 is drawn into the sheet reversing path 205 until the trailing edge exits the sheet carrying path 204. Next, the reversing roller 211 rotates counterclockwise, and the sheet S <b> 1 is conveyed from the sheet reversing path 205 to the sheet discharging path 206. FIG. 12 shows the reversing roller 21 when the clockwise rotation of the reversing roller 211 ends and the counterclockwise rotation starts.
1 and the state of the sheet S1.

As shown in FIG. 13, even if the sheet S1 conveyed to the sheet discharge path 206 is conveyed in the reverse direction, the sheet S1 is conveyed in the sheet
I can't go back to 4. Although the distance that the sheet can be conveyed in the reverse direction by the reversing roller 211 is limited, it reaches the second conveying roller 212 halfway, and thereafter is conveyed by the second conveying roller 212.

Next, a method of stacking sheets on the staple tray 216 will be described with reference to FIGS. It is now assumed that the sheet trailing end contact member 217 has been raised to the position of the staple tray 216. In this state, the sheet S is conveyed by the first discharge roller 213 and the second discharge roller 215, and the trailing end of the sheet S is detected by the discharge sensor 209.
(See FIG. 14), the rotation of the second paper discharge roller 215 is stopped when a predetermined time has passed since the rear end of the paper S passed the paper discharge sensor 209. Then, the sheet S is brought into contact with the staple tray 216 by the retraction belt 214 rotating together with the first sheet discharge roller 213.
This state is shown in FIG.

Next, the second paper discharge roller 215 is started to rotate in the reverse direction, and the paper S on the staple tray 216 is conveyed toward the paper trailing end contact member 217. This state is shown in FIG.
Shown in When the second discharge roller 215 rotates in the reverse direction, the swing guide 220 moves up. Then, the paper S is stapled
Since the tray 216 is inclined downward, it is pulled back by the pull-back belt 214. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, when the rear end of the sheet S is brought into contact with the sheet rear end contact member 217, the first sheet discharging roller 213 and the pullback belt 21 are moved.
When the rotation of No. 4 is stopped and the discharge motor 837 is rotated in the reverse direction, the swing guide 220 is lowered. This state is shown in FIG.

When the succeeding sheet is conveyed with the swing guide 220 raised, the sheet S is inclined downward by the staple tray 216 when the succeeding sheet is conveyed. Therefore, the sheets are stacked on the sheet S. When the second paper discharge roller 215 is rotated forward from the state shown in FIG. 18 in which the swing guide 220 is lowered, the paper stacked on the staple tray 216 is discharged.

Next, the operation of the shutter 221 will be described with reference to FIGS. The opening and closing of the shutter 221 is performed by a stepping motor 838 for conveyance (FIG. 6), and the shutter 221 is opened as shown in FIG. 19 when the paper is discharged, and as shown in FIG. 20 when the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c are raised and lowered. Closed as shown. By closing the shutter 221 when the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c are moved up and down, it is possible to prevent the paper stacked on the paper discharge trays 104a to 104c from flowing backward and being caught by the second paper discharge roller 215.

FIG. 21 shows a part of the contents of the RAM 101c shown in FIG. In FIG. 21, tray is data of a discharge tray designated by the user. size is the size data of the paper carried into the paper delivery / processing mechanism 103. proc is processing data (simple loading / staple / job shift). Here, a job shift is used to distinguish a set (job) when discharging paper.
This means that the copies are alternately shifted in the horizontal direction for each copy. n is the number of jobs. adr write is a pointer indicating the write address of the ring buffer in the RAM 101c. ad
r read is a pointer indicating the read address of the ring buffer.

The ring buffer is used to convert the paper processing data into a code and store it in order to send the paper processing data to the paper transport / processing mechanism 103. As shown in FIG. The processing code and the inter-sheet time are stored for 20 sheets.

At addresses 4 to 7 of the ring buffer, the discharge destination tray is the discharge tray 104a, the paper size is A4-L (L: Landscape), the processing is stapling, and the number of staples is four. Is stored. In the addresses 8 to 15 of the ring buffer, the discharge destination tray is the discharge tray 104b, the paper size is A4-L (L: Landscape), the processing is job shift, and the number of jobs is 4. The contents are stored, and two copies of this job are processed.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure for obtaining a command code of the output sheet processing device 106 from sheet processing data. In the RAM 101c of FIG.
At the address indicated by write, the tray code "tray"
Write the size code “size” (S2701),
Next, the process is determined (S2702). As a result of the determination, if the processing is “simple loading”, the processing code is “directly discharged to the tray” at the address indicated by adr write.
Is written (S2703). Next, the process proceeds by adr write n sheets (S2708).

If the result of determination in step S2702 is that the process is "staple", "staple tray loading / matching" is written at the address indicated by adr write, and "staple-tap" is written at the address n pages ahead. "Tray loading / alignment + staple" is written (S270
4). After that, the procedure moves to Step S2708.

If the result of determination in step S2702 is that the job is "job shift", it is determined whether the previous job has been shifted (S2705). If the result of the determination is that the shift has occurred, “discharge directly to tray” is written to the address indicated by adr write (S27).
06). After that, the procedure moves to Step S2708. On the other hand, if the shift has not been performed, "staple / tray loading / alignment" is written into the address indicated by adr write, and "staple / tray loading / alignment + discharge only" is written into the address n pages ahead (S2707). . After that, the procedure moves to Step S2708. A code indicating no code is inserted in places where no writing is performed.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the printer 101 sends a command to the output sheet processing device 106. First, two sheets of paper information are transmitted (S280).
1, S2802). Next, when the paper ejection sensor 101d of the printer 101 detects the timing of loading the paper into the paper transport / processing mechanism 103 (S2803), it sends a carry-in notice command (S2804), and newly outputs a code for one sheet. It is sent (S2805). Then, step S
Returning to 2803, steps S2803 to S2805 are repeated.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing in more detail the procedure for sending the sheet information shown in FIG. A code at an address according to adr read is transmitted (S2811), and an instruction determination command is transmitted to indicate that the transmitted code is determined (S2812). At this time, the paper interval time status (shown by 1601 and 1602 in FIG. 9) required between the sheet for which the instruction is determined in step 2812 and the preceding sheet is returned from the output sheet processing device 106 to the printer 101. Therefore, the paper interval time status is stored at the address of the paper interval according to adr read (S2813). Then, adr read is advanced by one (S2814). In sending the code, no c
If it is an ode, do not send the code.

FIG. 26 is a time chart showing an example of a command transmission timing from the printer 101 to the output paper processing device 106 and a status return timing in the reverse direction in response to each command. In FIG. 26, c
A discharge tray instruction command 101 designates one of the discharge trays 104a to 104c. c102
Is a paper size instruction command (its format is shown in FIG. 8). The commands c101 and c102 are valid until the instruction content is changed for the sheet on which the commands c101 and c102 are executed and for all sheets thereafter.

In c103, the sheet is placed on the staple tray 21.
6 is a command instructing that the data is loaded on and further matched. The command c103 is valid for the sheet on which these commands are executed and for all sheets after this sheet until the command c404 is executed. c
Reference numeral 404 denotes a staple mode and a command for instructing staple execution (the format is shown in FIG. 7). c105, c205, c305, and c405 are instruction confirmation commands, respectively. When these commands are transmitted, the output sheet processing device 106 determines that the contents instructed so far have been determined for a predetermined sheet.

C106, c206, c306, c406
Is a carry-in notice command, which is a command for notifying that a sheet is carried into the output sheet processing device 106. Reference numeral s100 denotes a basic status, which indicates an outline of a state of the output sheet processing apparatus 106. s105, s205, s
Reference numerals 305 and s405 denote paper interval time statuses (the format is shown in FIG. 9), which are returned in response to the instruction confirmation commands c105, c205, c305, and c405. An instruction confirmation command c10 for each sheet
5, c205, c305, c405 and carry-in notice commands c106, c206, c306, c406 are sequentially attached. Therefore, for example, the commands c205 and c206 are added to the second sheet.

In the example shown in FIG. 26, four sheets of paper continuously carried in are stacked on a staple tray, and the four sheets are collectively subjected to the processing shown in the staple mode (FIG. 7B). FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an example of a control program for adjusting a sheet interval for image formation stored in the ROM 1O1b shown in FIG. A timer (not shown) is started (S1701), and the elapse of this time is waited based on the sheet interval time of the sheet on which the image is formed, that is, the sheet interval time of the address corresponding to adr read (S170).
2). After this time elapses, for example, a print request from the host computer is checked, the sheet is conveyed from a predetermined point such as a registration position of the printer according to the print request, and the image forming control is started (S170).
3,1704). If the trailing edge of the sheet has passed this point (S1705), the process returns to step S1701, and thereafter, steps S1701 to S1705 are repeated.

Next, a method of determining the sheet interval in the output sheet processing device 106 will be described. The paper interval is basically 0.4
[sec], the value of the corresponding item is added by switching the bin from the preceding paper or finishing (processing content) the preceding paper. As shown in FIG.
Assuming that the time (time is indicated by [0.1 sec]) is stored in the bin 1, for example, the preceding paper is staple-finished in one place in the bin 1, and the sheet is bin 3
When it is specified that paper is discharged to
4 seconds (= 0.4 + 12.0 + 4.0).

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a task for activating the paper transport task. When the carry-in advance notice command is transmitted (S1301), first, a sheet leading edge control task, that is, a predetermined process for controlling the sheet leading edge at a predetermined position on the transport path as a trigger is started (S1302). The sheet front / rear end task is provided for each sheet that is carried in.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the sheet leading edge control task. The forward rotation of the stepping motor 838 for conveyance is started (S140).
1) The swing guide 220 is lowered (S1402), and the second paper discharge roller 215 is rotated forward (S1403). If the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the entrance sensor 207 (S140
4) A paper rear end control task, that is, a predetermined process is started with the rear end of the paper passing a predetermined position on the transport path as a trigger (S1405), and the own task is stopped (S1406).

FIGS. 31 and 32 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing procedure of the paper trailing edge control task. The entrance sensor 207 waits for a timing 20 [ms] before the trailing edge of the sheet passes (S1501). This timing is before the timing of actually passing, but since the paper size is known, this timing can be predicted. Then, the reversing solenoid 839 is turned ON only for 300 [ms] (S1
502), a sheet reversing operation is started. Next, the paper ejection sensor 1
Wait for the trailing edge of the sheet at 01d (S1503). When the trailing edge of the paper has passed, it is checked whether or not paper is loaded on the staple tray 216 (S1504). As a result of the check, if the sheet is not stacked on the staple tray 216, it is determined whether or not this sheet is the last sheet (S
1505). If a negative determination is made, the invoking task is stopped (S1521). If an affirmative determination is made, the process waits for the trailing edge of the sheet to pass through the second discharge roller 215 (S
1506), the stepping motor 838 for conveyance and the DC motor 837 are stopped (S1507).
As a result, the first and second discharge rollers 213 and 215
To stop. Thereafter, the flow shifts to step S1521.

On the other hand, as a result of the check in step S1504, if the sheets are to be stacked on the staple tray 216, the process proceeds to step S1508, and the process proceeds to step S150.
At 8, it is determined whether or not it is the first sheet. If a negative determination is made, the alignment plate 218 is moved to align the paper (S
1510), and then wait 500 [ms] (S1511),
The matching plate 218 is retracted (S1512). On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S1508, the swing guide 220 is raised (S1509), and the flow shifts to step S1510. At this time, the discharge mechanism and the paper are in the state shown in FIG.

Then, it is determined whether or not this sheet is the last sheet (S1513). If a negative determination is made, step S
The process proceeds to 1521 and, if an affirmative determination is made, step S
It moves to 1514. In step S1514, the stepping motor 838 for conveyance is stopped (S15).
14) The paper is aligned by the alignment plate 218 (S151).
5), the swing guide 220 is lowered (S1516). Next, it is determined whether or not the command is a command for instructing stapling (S1517). If a negative decision is made,
The alignment plate 218 is retracted by 5 mm from the right end of the sheet (S151
9) Then, the second paper discharge roller 215 is rotated forward for 800 ms (S1520), and the paper is discharged.
521. That is, the sheet is discharged without being stapled. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S1517, stapling is performed in one of the three modes (S1518).

With this configuration, for example,
The first job is discharged directly to the output tray, the second job is stacked and aligned on the staple tray 216, and the procedure of discharging without stapling is repeated. The sheets are stacked as shown in FIG.

The paper interval for the time required for this processing is adjusted in the printer 101 as described in the flowchart shown in FIG.

As described above, when it is instructed whether or not to match each job, sheets are stacked as shown in FIG. 33, but only the last sheet of each job is placed on the staple tray 216. When the sheets are stacked and aligned and discharged as they are, the sheets are stacked as shown in FIG.

<Second Embodiment> The distance L from the distance measuring sensor 224 to the uppermost surface of the paper C on the discharge tray 104a.
(FIG. 34) is always constant, that is, the step d between the top surface of the sheet C and the second discharge roller 215 (FIG. 3).
4) so that the loading mechanism (the common member 10)
5 and the discharge tray 104a) are controlled.

In the case where the speed of the DC motor 844 for raising and lowering the loading mechanism changes according to the loading capacity of the bins, the paper is carried in between the papers obtained in the first embodiment, and after the previous paper is discharged. When the bin is being switched, that is, when conveyance is impossible, the next sheet may be carried in.

Therefore, the drive current supplied to the DC motor 844 is increased so that the DC motor 8
A method for keeping the speed of the DC motor 44 constant is known. However, in this case, the temperature of the DC motor 844 is excessively increased and the deterioration of the DC motor 844 is accelerated.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to switch the bin between sheets, when the stacking mechanism is raised, the interval between sheets obtained in the first embodiment is calculated as follows.
When 0 ms is added and the loading mechanism is lowered, the interval between sheets obtained in the first embodiment is set to 20 per 1% of the loading ratio.
Added ms. The stacking height h is equal to the output tray 1
This is the difference between the height of the paper discharge tray 104a and the stacking mechanism when only one sheet is stacked on the sheet 04a, and the stacking ratio can be known from the sum of the stacking heights h of the three bins.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 35 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. 35, the same portions as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. A temperature sensor 844a detects the temperature of the DC motor 844 for lifting and lowering the loading mechanism.

Even if the DC motor 844 is driven at the same drive duty, the speed decreases when the temperature of the DC motor 844 increases, and when the sheet is carried in between the sheets obtained in the first embodiment, the previous sheet is After the paper is ejected, the next sheet may be carried in while the bin is being switched, that is, when conveyance is impossible.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when there is a bin switch between sheets, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 844a exceeds 40 ° C., the inter-sheet time obtained in the first embodiment is 100 ms was added for 1 ° C.

When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 844a exceeds 60 ° C., the bin is switched between sheets, and when the loading mechanism is raised, the driving duty is set to 70% to suppress the temperature rise. When the loading mechanism is lowered, the drive duty is set to 50% and at 40 ° C.
200 ms was added per 1 ° C. that exceeded

In the present embodiment, the paper processing apparatus
Although the example of the output paper processing device of the printer has been described, the present invention is applied to a device for feeding paper to the printer, for example, a device having a lifter motor for a lifter loaded with a large amount of paper to be fed. Can be applied.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With the configuration as described above, the overall sheet processing speed can be further increased with an optimum productivity (processing speed), stably and without increasing power consumption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of the output sheet processing device 106.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of an alignment plate 218, a pullback belt 214, and a second discharge roller 215 on a staple tray 216.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a stapler moving mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing staple positions.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit 800 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a command for instructing stapling processing content.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a command for designating an output paper size.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sheet interval time status.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) for explaining the operation of the sheet reversing mechanism.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) for explaining the operation of the sheet reversing mechanism.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view (No. 3) for explaining the operation of the sheet reversing mechanism.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view (No. 4) for explaining the operation of the sheet reversing mechanism.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating a method of stacking sheets on the staple tray 216;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view (part 2) for explaining a method of stacking sheets on the staple tray 216;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) illustrating a method of stacking sheets on the staple tray 216;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view (No. 4) for explaining a method of stacking sheets on the staple tray 216;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view (No. 5) for explaining a method of stacking sheets on the staple tray 216;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) for explaining the operation of the shutter 221;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) for explaining the operation of the shutter 221;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of data relating to a job in an external device stored in a RAM 101C.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in a ring buffer.

FIG. 23 shows an output paper processing device 106 based on paper processing data.
9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for converting the command code into a command code.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the printer 101 sends a command to the output sheet processing device 106.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the paper information sending procedure shown in FIG. 24 in more detail.

FIG. 26 is a time chart showing an example of a transmission timing of a command from the printer 101 to the output paper processing apparatus 106 and a timing of returning a status in a reverse direction in response to each command.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control program for adjusting a sheet interval for image formation stored in the ROM 101b illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of time for calculating a sheet interval stored in a ROM 801.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a task for starting a paper transport task.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a sheet leading edge control task.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a paper trailing edge control task;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a paper trailing edge control task.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of stacking sheets.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram for describing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 106 Output paper processing unit 215 Second discharge roller 216 Staple tray 217 Staple / paper trailing end contact member 218 Alignment plate 219 Stapler 220 Swing guide 811 Discharge sensor 819 Alignment plate home position sensor 821 Swing guide Open detection switch 836 Stepping motor 837 for alignment plate position control 837 Motor for driving paper discharge roller 838 Stepping motor 841 for paper conveyance 841 Swing guide close detection switch

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A paper processing apparatus for loading, transporting, and discharging paper, wherein each processing performed on the paper from the loading of the paper to the discharging thereof is associated with the processing time required for each processing. Means for taking out the processing time required for a series of processing of the first sheet from the storing means; and, based on the processing time taken out by the taking out means, after the first sheet has been carried in, A first calculator for calculating a carry-in time interval until the second sheet is carried in, and immediately after the carry-in time interval calculated by the first calculator has elapsed since the first sheet was carried in, And a carry-in timing control means for starting carry-in of the second sheet. 2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing includes stacking sheets for stapling, stapling, and aligning sheets for stapling. 3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing includes a job shift. 4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit that corrects the carry-in time interval based on a processing time of a unit that changes a processing time during a series of paper processing. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means for changing the processing time during the series of paper processing is a DC motor for driving a stacking mechanism having a plurality of paper discharge trays for storing discharged paper. A paper processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The paper discharging device according to claim 5, wherein the correcting unit adds a predetermined first time interval to the carry-in time interval when the stacking mechanism is lifted when discharging the paper, and discharges the paper. When lowering the loading mechanism at this time, a predetermined second time interval shorter than the first time interval may be used.
Wherein the time interval is added to the carry-in time interval. 7. The DC motor according to claim 5, further comprising: temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of the DC motor; and determining means for determining a drive duty of the DC motor in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. A paper processing apparatus characterized by the above. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determining unit sets a drive duty when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit exceeds a predetermined temperature and when the stacking mechanism is raised when the paper is discharged. The temperature detected by the temperature detecting means exceeds the predetermined temperature, and
A sheet processing apparatus characterized in that a driving duty for lowering the stacking mechanism when discharging the sheet is set to be larger than a driving duty. 9. A sheet processing method for loading, transporting, and discharging a sheet, wherein each processing performed on the sheet from the loading of the sheet to the discharging thereof is associated with the processing time required for each processing. Extracting the processing time required for a series of processing of the first sheet from the means; and loading the first sheet into the next sheet until the next second sheet is loaded based on the extracted processing time. Calculating a time interval; and starting to carry in the next second sheet immediately after the calculated carry-in time interval has elapsed since the first sheet was carried in. Paper processing method. 10. The sheet processing method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of correcting the carry-in time interval based on a processing time of a unit that changes a processing time during a series of sheet processing. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means for changing the processing time during the series of sheet processing is a DC motor for driving a stacking mechanism having a plurality of discharge trays for storing discharged sheets. A sheet processing method characterized by the above-mentioned. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of correcting includes adding a predetermined first time interval to the carry-in time interval when raising the loading mechanism when discharging the paper, and A sheet processing method, wherein when the stacking mechanism is lowered at the time of discharging, a predetermined second time interval shorter than the first time interval is added to the carry-in time interval. 13. The sheet processing method according to claim 11, further comprising: detecting a temperature of the DC motor; and determining a drive duty of the DC motor in accordance with the detected temperature. . 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of determining the drive duty includes detecting a drive duty when the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and the stacking mechanism is raised when the paper is discharged. Wherein the set temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature, and the driving temperature is set to be larger than a drive duty for lowering the stacking mechanism when discharging the sheet.