JPS62289860A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent plural copy sheets obtained from the same original, from being stapled, by forming an image by one sheet each against one sheet of original and making the original circulate, when a stapling means is selected. CONSTITUTION:When a stapling mode is set, an original which has been set to a cyclic type original feeding device (a) is fed by one sheet each, stopped at an exposing position, and with regard to its original, a one-sheet copying operation is executed. This operation is executed by making the original circulate, and continued until a one-circulation detecting sensor (b) becomes on, namely, until one circulation is ended, by which one copy set is completed. That is to say, the recording processing is executed by a mode of one original - one recording processing. Subsequently, if the device is in a stapling mode at the time point when one circulation has been ended, stapling is executed by a staple processing. Thereafter, by repeating this operation until setting of the number of copies becomes '0', stapling is executed by a copy number portion which has been set, and a classified copy set can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly to an image recording apparatus having a stable function and a sorting function.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in this type of image forming apparatus, in addition to the normal sorting function, the paper has a stable function (stapling function) in which a U-shaped wire peg called a staple is pushed into the paper to bind the paper. something is proposed.

This stable function is convenient because it allows image recording and bookbinding (document binding) to be performed at the same time.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in conventional devices of this type, whether or not the stapling mode is selected, sorting can be instructed in either sort mode or group mode (combining copies of the same document). It was a target. However, if you accidentally specify group mode instead of stipple mode, the machine will staple the same recorded paper for the original, which is different from the collated copy set that the user needs. The disadvantages were that the system created a new product, the operations were difficult to understand, and it was easy to make mistakes in copying.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks and provides an image forming apparatus in which when the user selects the stapling mode, the sorting is collated without any instruction, and multiple stapled copy sets can be completed. The purpose is to

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of the present invention.

a is a circulation type automatic document feeder that automatically feeds multiple documents stacked on a tray to a reading position and returns them to the tray after reading, and b is an automatic document feeder that circulates multiple documents once. means for detecting this, C means for setting the number of copies;
d is a means for stapling the copied sheets, e is a means for sorting the copied sheets, f is an image recording means for copying the original image onto the sheets, and g is a control means for controlling each of the above-mentioned means.

FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of an embodiment of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. In this figure, 100 is a main body that has an image reading function and an image recording function, 300 is a circulation type document feeder (hereinafter referred to as RDF) that automatically feeds documents, and 400 is a paper folding device that folds sheets at predetermined positions. A device and a finisher (post-processing device) that has a sorting function and a stapling function
Each of these 300 to 500 devices has a main body of 100
However, they can be used in any combination.

A6 main body (100) In the main body 100, reference numeral 101 denotes an original table glass on which the original is placed, 103 an illumination lamp (exposure lamp) that illuminates the original, and 105, 107, and 109 scanning units that change the optical path of the reflected light from the original. reflective mirror (scanning mirror), 11
Reference numeral 1 indicates a lens having focusing and variable magnification functions, and reference numeral 113 indicates a fourth reflection mirror (scanning mirror) that changes the optical path. 1
15 is an optical system motor that drives the optical system, 117, 119
, 121 are sensors, respectively.

131 is a photosensitive drum, 133 is a main motor that drives the photosensitive drum 131, 135 is a high voltage unit, 137 is a blank exposure unit, 139 is a developing device, 141 is a transfer charger, 143 is a separation charger, and 145 is a cleaning device. be.

151 is the upper cassette, 153 is the lower cassette, 155
157 is a paper feed roller, and 159 is a registration roller. Further, 161 is a conveyor belt that conveys the recording paper on which an image has been recorded to the fixing side, 163 is a fixing device that fixes the conveyed recording paper by thermocompression bonding, and 167 is a sensor used for double-sided recording.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 131 described above is composed of a seamless photosensitive member using a photoconductor and an electric conductor. The motor 133 starts rotating in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Next, when the predetermined rotational control and potential control processing (preprocessing) of the drum 131 are completed, the original placed on the original platen glass 101 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 that is integrated with the first scanning mirror 105. The reflected light from the original is transmitted to the first scanning mirror 105 and the second scanning mirror 105.
Scanning mirror 107, third scanning mirror 109, lens 11
1 and a fourth scanning mirror 113 to form an image on the drum 131.

The drum 131 is corona charged by a high pressure unit 135. After that, the image illuminated by the illumination lamp 103 (
The original image (original image) is exposed to slit light, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the convex smearing drum 131.

Next, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 131 is transferred to a developing device 139.
The toner image is developed by a developing roller 140 and visualized as a toner image, and the toner image is transferred onto a transfer paper by a transfer charger 141 as described later.

That is, the upper cassette 151 or the lower cassette 1
The transfer paper in 53 is fed into the main unit by paper feed rollers 155 or 157, and is sent toward the photosensitive drum 131 with accurate timing by registration rollers 159, so that the leading edge of the latent image and the leading edge of the transfer paper are aligned. Ru. Thereafter, the transfer paper passes between the transfer charger 141 and the drum 131, so that the toner image on the drum 131 is transferred onto the transfer paper.

After this transfer is completed, the transfer paper is separated from the drum 131 by a separation charger 143, guided to a fixing device 163 by a conveyor belt 161, fixed by pressure and heat, and then discharged to the outside of the main body 100 by a discharge roller 165. be done.

After the transfer, the drum 131 continues to rotate, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device 145 composed of a cleaning roller and an elastic blade.

B, RDF (circulating document feeder) (300) RDF
In 300, 301 is a stacking tray on which originals are set. Document size detection sensors 302 and 303 are provided at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the document. The size of the document in the width direction depends on whether both sensors 302 and 303 are detecting the document, or only one sensor 303 (assuming that sensor 303 is located on the back side of the paper) is detecting the document. This can be determined by checking whether there are any. Note that by increasing the number of sensors of this type, the size can be determined more accurately. Further, the lengthwise size can be determined based on the time period during which the sensor 303 (or 302) detects the document.

In addition, in this RDF300, from the loading tray 301
The document sent to the exposure surface through the dox 304 is sent through the sheet path 305 to be transferred to the stacking tray 30 again.
1 can be loaded. Further, 307 is a sensor that detects one circulation of the document.

The detailed operation of the RDF 300 is described in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-206619 filed by the present applicant, but since it is not directly related to the present invention, it will be omitted here.

C0 Paper Folding Device (400) The paper folding device 400 performs half-folding in which recorded transfer paper is folded approximately at its center position, and Z-folding in which it is folded into three with a roughly Z-shaped cross section at two predetermined positions. In this paper folding device 400, 401 is a flapper that guides the transfer paper downward during paper folding, 403 and 405 are conveyance paths, and 407 and 409 are folding rollers.

In the paper folding device 400, when Z-folding is specified using the Z-folding key described later, the flapper 401 is turned ON to guide the recorded paper to the lower tZ slot 403, and at the end of the path 403, the leading edge of the paper is When the paper is stopped, the sheet folded into 1/4 passes through the roller 407 and hits the end of the path 405, and the paper is further folded into 1/2 and is guided from the roller 407 to the roller 409 again to the finisher 500. . Further, when half-folding is specified using the half-folding key described later, the recorded paper is folded in half at the F pass 403, and then directly sent from the roller 409 to the finisher 500 without going to the pass 405. be discharged. On the other hand, when the fold key is not specified and there is no paper folding, the flapper 401 is turned off and the recorded paper is directly sent to the finisher 500.
is discharged to.

D. Finisher (500) In the finisher 500 that sorts or staples recorded paper, 501 is a paper output for sorting and switching to one of the pass 503 for sorting and the pass 505 for stapling. A flapper 507 is a staple tray for temporarily storing recorded paper before being stapled, 509 is a width-regulating width plate provided on the staple tray 507, and 511 is a plurality of records whose width is regulated by the width plate 509. A stapler that staples finished paper (
513 is a stacker tray for storing stapled recorded paper, and the width baffle plate 509 is driven and controlled by a stepping motor (not shown). Reference numeral 515 denotes a sorting tray for sorting recording sheets that are not to be stapled.

The recorded paper ejected from the main body 100 or the pedestal 200 is folded in half or Z-folded by the folding device 400 according to the specification of the key, and then the oscillating type sorting by the finisher 500 is ejected to the tray 515. ,or,
The recorded sheets discharged to the staple tray 507 are regulated in width by a width baffle plate 509 for each part of the specified number of sheets, stapled by a stapler 511, and dropped into a stacker tray 513.

That is, in the finisher 500, when the stapling mode is selected using the stop key described later, the paper ejection flapper 501 is turned on and the recorded paper is ejected to the staple tray 507 via the path 505, and when the specified number of sheets is reached, The width baffle plate 509 and the stapler 511 are turned on according to instructions from the main body 100, and the recorded sheets are stapled. Thereafter, the stapled paper is dropped onto the stacker tray 513.

By repeating this operation, a plurality of recorded documents that are collated and stapled are completed. A sensor 517 detects the presence or absence of staples, and for example, a reflective sensor is used.

Furthermore, when stapling processing is not selected, the paper discharge flapper 501 is turned off and the sorting is switched to the side, and the recorded paper passes through the nozzle 503 and is sorted into the tray 515.
is discharged to. At this time, according to an instruction from the main body 100, recorded sheets can be stacked in well-separated sheets, shifted by 30 mm to the left and right. FIG. 3 shows an example of the arrangement of the operation panel provided on the main body 100 described above. The operation panel has a key group 600 and a display group 700 as described below.

E, Group of keys (600) 602 is an all reset key, which is pressed to return to the standard mode.

604 is a copy start key (copy start key);
Press to start copying.

605 is a clear/stop key, which functions as a clear key during standby and as a stop key during copy recording. This clear key is pressed to cancel the set number of copies. Also, press the stop key to interrupt continuous copying. The copying operation stops after the copying at the time when the button is pressed is completed.

Numeric keys 606 are pressed to set the number of copies.

Copy density keys 608 and 609 are pressed when manually adjusting the copy density. 610 is the AE key,
Press this button to automatically adjust the number of copies per copy according to the density of the original, or to cancel AE (automatic density adjustment) and switch density adjustment to manual. A cassette selection key 611 is pressed to select the upper cassette 151 and the middle cassette 153. Further, when a document is placed on the RDF 300, APS (automatic paper cassette selection) can be selected using this key 611. When APS is selected, a cassette of the same size as the original is automatically selected.

Reference numeral 612 is a same size key, which is pressed to make a same size (original size) copy. Reference numeral 613 denotes an auto-magnification key, which is pressed to automatically reduce or enlarge the original image according to the specified transfer paper size. Zoom keys 614 and 615 are pressed to specify any magnification between 64 and 142%. 616 and 617 are fixed size scaling keys, which are pressed when specifying reduction or enlargement of the fixed size.

Reference numeral 625 is a stop key, which is pressed to staple the sheets after recording. 626 is the Z-fold key, A3
Press when folding recorded paper of size B4 or B4 into a Z-shaped cross section.

627 is a half-fold key, which is pressed to fold A3 or B4 size recorded paper in half.

628 is a sort key, and sorting is done by tray (sorter) 5.
When 15 is connected, it is lit in standard mode. At this time, press this key 628 to cancel the sort mode or not to enter the sort mode. 629 is a group key, which copies multiple copies from one original,
If the sorting tray 515 is connected, the sorting is stored in the tray 515 for each bin.

F. Display group (700) In FIG. 3, 701 is an LCD (liquid crystal) type message display, for example, 5×7 dots form one character and can display a 40-character message.

Further, 705 is a copy number display, which displays which of the copy number sets 153 is selected.

708 is an AE display, and AE key 6101:
Lights up when E (automatic density adjustment) is selected. 710
is a ready/wait indicator, which is a two-color LED of green and orange; green lights up when ready (copy possible) and orange lights up when wait (copy not possible).

G. Control Device (SOO) FIG. 4 shows an example of the circuit configuration of the control device 800 of the embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, 801 is a central processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic control for executing the present invention, and uses, for example, a microcomputer μC0M87AD manufactured by NEC (NEC Corporation).

Reference numeral 803 is a read-only memory (ROM) in which a control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG. control each configured device. Reference numeral 805 denotes a random access memory (RAM) which is a main storage device used for storing input data and as a working storage area.

807 is an interface (Ilo) that outputs the CPO 301 control signal to a load such as the main motor 133; 809
inputs input signals from the image tip sensor 121, etc., and outputs the CPU 80.
1, an interface 811 is an interface for controlling input/output between the key group 600 and the display group 700. These interfaces 807°809.
811 is, for example, NEC's input/output circuit port μPD825.
Use 5.

Note that the display group 700 is each display device shown in FIG. 3, and uses LEDs and LCDs. The key group 600 is each key shown in FIG. 3, and the CPU 801 can determine which key has been pressed using a known key matrix.

Further, the CPU 801 uses the RDF 300. Paper folding device 400
° Connected to the finisher 500 via a pass line,
operating each device.

[Operation example]

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The number of copies is set using the numeric keypad 607, the original is set on the RDF, and the copy start key 604 is pressed.
By turning on (SIOI), a control procedure according to the following flow is executed. Next, it is determined whether the sorting mode setting is set with the sort key 628 and whether the stipple mode setting is set with the stipple key 625 (5102). perform an action. However, even if the user forgets to set the sorting mode, if the next stipple mode is set, the sorting operations below 5103 will still operate. Then, only when there is no setting, the non-sorting operation from step 3108 is performed.

Next, the operations of sorting 8103 and below will be explained. First RD
The originals set in F are fed one by one, stopped at the exposure position (S103), and a copying operation is performed for each original (S104). Then, by performing this operation while circulating the original, and continuing until the circulation detection sensor is turned on, that is, until one cycle is completed, a part of the copy set is completed. In other words, the recording process is performed in the one-document-recording mode. If the mode is stable at the end of one cycle, stapling is performed by stapling processing (S106).

By repeating the operations 5103 to 106 until the set number of copies becomes 0 (S107), a stubble-bound and sorted copy set for the set number of copies is completed.

Next, the non-sorting operation after 8108 will be explained. In this case, the originals are fed one by one from the RDF, stopped at the exposure position (S108), copies are made for the set number of copies of the original (S109, 110), and - recording processing is performed for the set number of copies of the original. Execute the mode to do. Then, the mode is repeated until the original goes through one cycle (Sil
l).

Although the above embodiment has been described using a copying machine, it can also be applied to a facsimile machine or a print section of an electronic file system.

〔effect〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, when the stibbling means is selected, multiple copy sheets obtained from the same original are stippled by unconditionally forming an image on each original one by one and circulating the original. The inconvenience of doing so can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation section of the copying machine, and FIG. A block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control device, and FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of the control device.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A document feeding device that automatically feeds a plurality of documents placed on a tray to an image reading position and, after reading, discharges the documents to be returned to the tray; and a device that forms an image of the documents on a sheet. and a means for stapling the image-formed sheets, and when the stapling means is selected, controlling the document feeding means to form an image on each document one by one and circulate the documents. An image forming apparatus characterized by having means for. (2) In claim 1, there is provided means for sorting into a plurality of image-formed sheets obtained from the same document, and when the stapling means is selected, the operation of the sorting means is prohibited. An image forming apparatus characterized by: