JPH11109695A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent bookbinding of a sheet on which an image is already formed and a replenished sheet from being executed as they are different, which may occure when the sheet is replenished before the image forming of the sheet whose bookbinding should be executed is finished. SOLUTION: An image is formed on recording paper fed from a recording paper housing part 13 or a recording paper housing part 14 by an image forming device 102. Then, a sheet on which the image is formed is carried to a bookbinding device 105. When a page becomes a set page, an insertion sheet of paper is carried to the bookbinding device 105 from an inserter device 104. When the opening and closing of the housing parts 13 and 14 are detected by detection parts 18 and 19 for detecting the opening and closing of the recording paper housing parts before the image forming action of the sheet whose bookbinding should be executed is finished, the bookbinding device 105 is stopped once before bookbinding is executed and confirmation of the sheet whose bookbinding should be executed is requested to a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of binding an image-formed sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, there has been proposed an image forming system capable of automatically performing operations from forming an image on a plurality of sheets to binding an image-formed sheet at once. The image forming system is configured by connecting a copying apparatus, an inserter apparatus for feeding a sheet on which an image is formed in advance, and a bookbinding apparatus for binding a copied sheet and a sheet fed from the inserter apparatus. I have. In such an image forming system, a sheet aligning tray for sequentially stacking and storing a plurality of sheets discharged from an upstream copying apparatus and an inserter apparatus, and a front end of the sheets stacked on the sheet aligning tray are abutted for alignment. Abutment member, a bind tape (a bind tape coated with a hot melt adhesive) for gluing the leading end of the sheet bundle aligned on the sheet aligning tray, and a sheet size from the bind tape storage section. A tape cutting device that cuts the tape, a tape transport device that transports the cut bind tape, and a tape heating device that supports the bind tape and heats the bind tape.

In such a system, if a copy sheet or insert sheet runs out during continuous copying,
In accordance with the replenishment instruction of the operation unit, the user replenishes with the continuous copying operation temporarily stopped, or replenishes by opening the storage unit where the sheet feeding operation is not being performed without stopping the continuous copying operation.

[0004]

However, in the above-described system, when the user replenishes the recording paper in the recording paper storage unit, the user may set an incorrect type of recording paper, or may not be able to store the inserter paper. When replenishing the insert paper in the section,
In addition, there is a problem that if a different insert sheet is supplied, a large number of defective booklets are formed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a first storage means capable of storing and opening a sheet, a first detection means for detecting opening and closing of the first storage means, First feeding means for feeding a sheet from the first storage means, image forming means for forming an image on the sheet fed by the first feeding means, and sheets stacked on the stacking portion A bookbinding unit for binding the bundle, and wherein the first detection unit detects opening and closing of the first storage unit before the image forming unit completes image formation of a sheet to be bound, An image forming apparatus comprising: a bookbinding unit that prevents a bookbinding unit from automatically starting a bookbinding operation.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an entire image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming system includes a reading sheet feeding device 101, an image forming device 102, an operation unit 103, an inserter device 104, and a bookbinding device 105. The scanning paper feeder 101 includes an automatic document feeder 11 (hereinafter, ADF1
1), an optical system 12 for reading and scanning an original, a plurality of recording paper storage units 13 and 14 loaded with recording papers S of different sizes, and a recording paper storage unit opening / closing detection unit 1 for detecting opening and closing of the recording paper storage unit
8 and 19, and recording paper feeding units 15 and 16 for feeding the recording paper S. The ADF 11 feeds the set document p to the document reading position, and after reading, conveys the document p to the sheet discharge position. The sheets S fed by the recording paper feeding units 15 and 16 are fed to the sheet transport path 1
The sheet is conveyed to the sheet conveying path 20 of the image forming apparatus 102 via. Reference numeral 21 denotes a laser scanner that scans a laser beam based on image information read by the optical system 12, and reference numeral 22 denotes an image forming unit that is scanned by the laser scanner 21 to form a toner image. The sheet S on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 22 is transported by the transport belt 23 and the transport roller 2.
By 4, the sheet is conveyed to the sheet conveying path 41 of the inserter device 104.

The inserter device 104 includes sheet storage units 42 and 43 for storing the insert sheet I, insert sheet storage unit open / close detection units 47 and 48, and a sheet feed unit 4 for feeding the insert sheet I.
Consists of 4 and 45. The fed insert sheet I is transported to the transport path 51 of the bookbinding apparatus 105 via the paper transport paths 46 and 41.

The bookbinding apparatus 105 includes a sheet aligning section 52 for storing and aligning the sheet S or the insert sheet I which is branched and conveyed from the sheet conveying path 51, a first abutting member 53 to which the leading end of the sheet abuts. A tape storage unit 60 for storing a reel-shaped bind tape, a bundle conveyance unit 61 for conveying the aligned sheet bundle, and a tape cutting unit 62 for feeding and cutting the tape from the tape storage unit 60 according to the sheet size. A cut tape storage unit 63 for storing the tape recut by the tape cutting unit 62 and conveying the tape to the tape heating device
, A tape heating device 54 for heating the aligned sheet bundle and the bind tape, a vertically movable carriage 55 for transporting the bookbinding completed product, and stackers 56 and 57 for storing the bookbinding completed product.
And so on. Reference numeral 58 denotes a discharge roller pair for discharging the sheet S conveyed by the sheet conveyance path 51 to a discharge tray 59 outside the apparatus.

The operation unit 103 includes a display 32 and an operation keyboard (or a touch panel display) 31.
The number of copies, number of copies, image editing,
Various settings made by the user, such as processing and page editing, are input, and a display indicating the selected mode and machine status is performed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit according to the present embodiment. The user inputs operation settings of the image forming system using the operation unit 103. The controller 200 is a central processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU) 2002 which performs calculations by a predetermined program and controls the entire processing unit, and temporarily stores data according to a ROM for storing programs and predetermined data and signal processing. RAM, which includes an IC card or a floppy disk, etc., and a memory 2001 for writing and reading programs and data, transmitting and controlling input / output signals
The I / O control unit 2003 is included. The CPU 2002 is provided with a timer for counting time, and the CPU 2002 or the I / O control unit 2003 is provided with a plurality of registers, which are used for temporarily storing and reading data signals. These are respectively controlled by control signals from the controller 200. From the input operation settings, the controller 200 operates the reader control unit 201, the image signal control unit 202, the printer control unit 203, the operation unit control unit 204, the inserter device control unit 205, and the finishing device control unit 206.

When a user sets a document on the ADF 11 of the reading and feeding device 101 and instructs setting of a mode and start of reading with the operation unit 103, the controller 200 operates the reader control unit 201 and the ADF 11 reads the document one by one. Feeding optical system 1
Read with 2. In the optical system 12, the exposed original image is photoelectrically converted by a CCD line sensor and read as an electric signal. The read image signal is sent to the operation unit 1 by the controller 200.
The image signal control unit 202 operates according to the user setting from 03, and after being processed by the image processing unit, is compressed and transferred to the image signal control unit 202.

After all the originals set on the ADF 11 have been read and stored in the image signal control unit 202, the user operates the image signal control unit 202 by the operation unit 103, performs processing of the image processing unit, and performs editing. I do. After the editing operation, after the user sets the mode and bookbinding on the operation unit 103, and instructs to start copying, the controller 200 operates the printer control unit 203 in the image forming apparatus 102,
Images are sequentially read from the image signal control unit 202, and the read images are converted into optical signals for photoconductor exposure.
Then, the image is recorded on the sheet S through the charging, exposure, latent image, development, transfer, separation, and fixing steps in a normal electrophotographic process. The sheet S on which the image has been formed is conveyed by the conveyance belt 23 and the conveyance rollers 24 to a conveyance path in a subsequent process. Further, the recording paper storage unit opening / closing detection unit detects an opening / closing operation of the recording paper storage unit by the user.

In the inserter device 103, the controller 200
By operating the inserter control unit 205 in accordance with the user setting from the operation unit 103 described above, the sheet S conveyed from the image forming apparatus 102 is conveyed to the subsequent process by the conveyance path 41, or by the sheet feeding unit 46. The insert paper I is fed from the paper storage units 42 and 43 in which the insert paper I is stored, and is transported via the paper transport path 41 to a subsequent process. Also,
When the user sets the paper storage unit of the inserter by the operation unit 103 in advance, the controller 200 controls the inserter control unit 20 so that the set page is set.
5 is operated to feed the insert paper I such as thick paper, OHP paper, color print paper, or blank paper stored in each paper storage unit. Further, the insert sheet storage section open / close detection section detects the opening / closing operation of the insert sheet storage section by the user.

In the bookbinding apparatus 105, the bookbinding apparatus control section 206 is operated by the controller 200 in accordance with the above-mentioned user setting from the operation section 103, and the sheet S or the sheet I conveyed from the previous process is transmitted through the sheet conveying path 51. The sheet is conveyed to the sheet aligning section 52 or the discharge tray 59 via the sheet. The sheet S or the insert sheet I conveyed to the aligning section 52 abuts against an abutting member 53 to which the leading end abuts, and is aligned by the aligning section 52. The bind tape is fed from the tape storage unit 60 in which the bind tape reel is stored in accordance with the setting from the operation unit 103, and cut by the tape cutting unit 62 to a predetermined length. The tape recut by the tape cutting unit 62 is stored in the cut tape storage and transport unit 63. Cut tape storage section where cut tapes are stored
From 63, the bind tape is transported to the tape heating device 54. The aligned sheet bundle is held by the bundle transport unit 61 and transports the bundle to the tape heating position.

Next, the specific bookbinding operation of the above embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Each flag described later has an initial value of 0. The job is input from the operation unit 103 to the CPU circuit unit 200, and the operation is started (S
1). The CPU 2002 operates the reader control unit 201 to read the original set on the ADF 11 by the optical system 12 and store it as image data in the image signal control unit 202 (S2). Next, when a start of job processing is input from the operation unit 103, the CPU 2002
Execute step S6. When the start of the job processing is not input from the operation unit 103 and the editing of the image data is selected (S4), the CPU 2002 activates the image signal control unit 202 and performs various editing based on the input from the operation unit 103 (editing). (S5). If the editing of the image data is not selected in step S4, step S3 is executed. When the start of the job processing is input in step S3, the CPU 2
Reference numeral 002 denotes an image signal control unit 202 and a printer control unit 20 based on the settings input in step S1 when bookbinding is not selected in the job settings input by the user (S6).
3. Operate the inserter control unit 205 and the bookbinding device control unit 206 to form image data on the recording paper S and discharge it to the external tray 59 (S8).

When the CPU 2002 determines that there is no recording paper in the recording paper storage unit during the printing operation, a screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the operation unit 103 and a user is requested to set the recording paper. Wait for the recording paper to be set (S7). CPU2
002 indicates that processing of a predetermined job has been completed (S
9), execute step S1. The CPU 2002 repeatedly executes the processing until it determines that the processing of the predetermined job has been completed. If the binding operation is selected in step S6, the CPU 200
2 clears the sheet number counter N of one bundle (S10).

When the CPU 2002 determines in S1 that the operation in the sample mode has been selected on the sample mode selection screen as shown in FIG.
2002 sets sample mode_flg (S12). When the CPU 2002 determines in the step S11 that the operation in the sample mode is not selected, the CPU 2002 executes the step S13. C
When PU2002 judges that there is no recording paper in the recording paper storage,
A screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the operation unit 103, the user is requested to set a recording sheet, and waits for the recording sheet to be set in the recording sheet storage unit (S13).

When the sheet I of the inserter is selected on the operation unit 103 (S14), the CPU 2002 causes the inserter control unit 20 to operate.
5. The bookbinding device control unit 206 is operated to execute step S15. If the inserter sheet I is not selected in step S14, the CPU 2002 executes step S30. Step S3
At 0, the CPU 2002 sets the recording paper storage unit open / close_flg, which indicates that the recording paper storage unit is opened and closed by the recording paper storage unit open / close detection units 18 and 19 (indicating that the opening / closing has occurred). When it is determined, step S31 is executed. Also CPU
In step 2002, when it is determined that the recording paper storage unit open / close_flg is not standing, step S34 is executed.

In step S31, sample mode_flg
Is 0 (default value), CPU2002 is in sample mode
_flg is set (set to 1) (S32). If the sample mode_flg is 1 in step S31, the process proceeds to step S33 to clear the recording paper storage unit open / close_flg (S33).

In step S14, when the CPU 2002 determines that there is no insert sheet in the insert sheet storage section,
A screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the operation unit 103 to request the user to set insert paper, and waits for insert paper to be set in the insert paper storage unit (S15). Then C
When the PU 2002 determines that the recording paper storage unit opening / closing_flg indicating that the recording paper storage unit is opened and closed by the recording paper storage unit opening / closing detection units 18 and 19 is standing, or the insert paper storage unit opening / closing detection unit 47, Insert paper storage open / close_flg indicating that insert paper storage was opened and closed by 48
Is determined (indicating that the door has been opened and closed) (S16), step S17 is executed. Also CPU200
In step 2, when it is determined that the insert paper storage unit open / close_flg and the recording paper storage unit open / close_flg are not standing, step S20 is executed.

In step S17, sample mode_flg
Is 0 (default value), CPU2002 is in sample mode
_flg is set (set to 1) (S18). If the sample mode_flg is 1 in step S17, step S19 is executed. In step S19, the CPU 2002 clears the recording storage section open / close_flg and the insert sheet storage section open / close_flg.

The CPU 2002 determines that the value of the sheet number counter N is
It is determined whether or not the number of sheets (pages) to insert the insert paper set on the screen shown in FIG. 8 (S20). C
When the PU 2002 does not determine that the sheet number counter N is a value (page) for inserting the insert sheet I, the image signal control unit 202, the printer control unit 203, and the bookbinding device control unit 206 are operated based on the setting, and The data is formed on the recording paper S, and the sheet S is conveyed to the sheet aligning section 52 (S34).

When the CPU 2002 determines that the sheet number counter N is a value (page) for inserting the insert sheet I, the inserter control section 205 and the bookbinding apparatus control section 206 are operated to store the set insert sheet I. The inserted paper I is transported from the stored paper storage units 42 and 43 to the sheet alignment unit 52 via the paper transport path 41 (S21). Then, the CPU 2002 counts up the sheet number counter N (S22). When the CPU 2002 determines that the value of the sheet number counter N has reached the predetermined number of one bundle (S23), the CPU 2002 operates the bookbinding device control unit 206 to execute the bookbinding operation (S24). CPU2
In step 002, when it is determined that the value of the sheet number counter N has not reached the predetermined number of one bundle, step S13 is executed, and a series of operations is repeated until N reaches the predetermined number of one bundle.

In step S25, when the CPU 2002 determines that the processing of the predetermined job has been completed, step S1 is executed. If the CPU 2002 does not determine in step S25 that the processing of the predetermined job has been completed, step S26 is executed. When determining that the sample mode_flg is standing, the CPU 2002 executes step S27, and when determining that it is not standing, executes step S10 (S26) and executes a series of operations until a predetermined job is completed.

In step S26, sample mode_flg
When the CPU 2002 determines that is standing (is 1), the CPU 2002 operates the bookbinding device control unit 206 to temporarily stop the bookbinding operation (S
27). That is, when the sample mode is set on the operation unit 103, or when the sheet storage unit is opened and closed during a series of operations of the system, the sheet bundle to be bound by the user as the sample mode before the bookbinding operation is started. Control to confirm the above. Thereafter, the CPU 2002 clears the sample mode_flg (S28). CPU 2002 has the operation unit 103 shown in FIG.
Is displayed and the user is requested to restart or reset the job (S29).

If the CPU 2002 determines in step S29 that continuation of the job has been selected, the CPU 2002 executes step S10 and executes a series of operations until a predetermined job is completed. When the CPU 2002 determines in step S29 that resetting of the job has been selected, the CPU 2002 executes step S1.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Before the image forming means completes image formation of a sheet to be bound, the bookbinding means automatically starts a bookbinding operation in response to the first detecting means detecting opening and closing of the first storage means. If the user mistakenly replenishes the storage unit with a sheet different from the sheet on which an image is being formed, the booklet will be bound as it is, and a large number of defective booklet bundles will be noticed later and come out. It has the effect of preventing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an entire image forming system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the image forming system.

FIG. 4 is a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 6 is a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 7 is a screen of an operation unit.

FIG. 8 is a screen of an operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 13, 14 Recording paper storage unit 18, 19 Recording paper storage unit open / close detection unit 42, 43 Insert paper storage unit 47, 48 Insert paper storage unit open / close detection unit 101 Reading paper supply device 102 Image forming device 103 Operation unit 104 Inserter device 105 Bookbinding device

Claims (4)

[Claims] An opening / closing first storage unit that stores a sheet; a first detection unit that detects opening and closing of the first storage unit; and a first feeding unit that feeds a sheet from the first storage unit. Feeding means, an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet fed by the first feeding means, a bookbinding means for binding a sheet bundle stacked on the stacking section, and the image forming means. Before the image formation of the sheet to be bound is completed, the bookbinding unit automatically starts the binding operation in response to the first detection unit detecting opening and closing of the first storage unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a blocking unit that blocks the image. 2. An openable and closable second storing means for storing a sheet, a second detecting means for detecting opening and closing of the second storing means, and a second feeding means for feeding a sheet from the second storing means. Feeding means, and conveying means for conveying the sheet from the first feeding means and the sheet from the second storage means to the same stacking unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in response to detection of opening and closing of the second storage unit by the second detection unit, the bookbinding unit is prevented from automatically starting a bookbinding operation. . 3. A first setting unit for setting a page to insert a sheet of the second storage unit between sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, and according to a setting of the first setting unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising control means for controlling a feeding timing of the first feeding means and the second feeding means. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second setting unit configured to set the number of copies on which the image forming unit forms an image, wherein the control unit controls the image forming unit and the first unit in accordance with the setting of the second setting unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second feeding unit is controlled.