JP2001278535A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems that an imaged section is sometimes bound by erroneous operation in designating a binding position and that the preparation of documents is unavoidably interrupted for a long time due to no staples. SOLUTION: This image forming device is formed so that an image may be displayed on an operation part and the binding position may be designated while the displayed image is being watched, and so that the remaining amount of the staples may be detected and displayed on the operation part.

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 having a post-processing device for binding a recording sheet on which an image is formed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus having a post-processing device for performing a binding process on a copy document or a print document is widely used.

Many post-processing apparatuses have a function of changing a binding position according to the size of a document to be produced or a function of changing a binding position according to an operator setting.

[0004] In many cases, a stapler as a binding processing means is configured so that a cartridge containing staples as a binding member for binding a document is mounted.

[0005]

However, in the conventional post-processing apparatus, when the binding position is designated, the position with respect to the recording paper can be designated, but the designation is made in comparison with the image to be formed. Is not configured to allow For this reason, there has been a problem that the operator easily performs an erroneous operation such as binding a position where an image is formed.

[0006] In addition, when the staple runs out of staples in the stapler, a display for prompting replacement of the staple cartridge is provided. In a conventional image forming apparatus, the presence or absence of the staple is displayed. For this reason, there is an inconvenience that the display of the absence of staples is suddenly displayed during the preparation of the document, and the preparation of the document has to be interrupted for a long time by replacing the cartridge of a new staple.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can solve the above-mentioned problem in the specification of a binding position and can perform a binding process at a correct position in relation to an image. A second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which can solve the above-mentioned problem relating to the use of staples and can supply staples smoothly.

[0008]

The above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by any of the following inventions.

1. An operation unit that displays a display screen that displays a read original image or an image formed on recording paper, a binding processing unit that performs binding processing of a bundle of recording paper, and the binding that is performed in accordance with designation of a binding position using the display screen. An image forming apparatus comprising a binding position changing unit for changing a position.

[0010] 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, wherein the operation unit displays the image read by the image reading unit on the display screen.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has a touch panel, and the specification of the binding position is performed from the touch panel.

4. The binding position according to the designation of the binding position is displayed on the display screen.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the binding position changing unit includes a moving unit that changes a position of the binding processing unit.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the binding position changing unit includes an image processing unit that changes a direction of an image recorded on recording paper.

[0015] 7. Binding processing means for binding a bundle of recording paper, remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the binding member in the binding processing means, and remaining amount for displaying the remaining amount of the binding member detected by the remaining amount detecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising an amount display means.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the remaining amount display unit displays a warning when the remaining amount of the binding member becomes a predetermined value or less.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the binding processing unit includes a cartridge containing a binding member, and the remaining amount detecting unit is reset when the cartridge is replaced.

10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the remaining amount detecting unit detects the remaining amount of the binding member based on the number of times of the binding processing by the binding processing unit.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus includes a document transport section DF, an image reading section A, an image forming section B, and a post-processing apparatus C.

In the document transport section DF, the document OR is separated one by one from the bundle of documents placed on the document feed tray 1 by the separation and transport roller 2, and transported by the transport drum 3, and transported by the transport drum 3. Image reading is performed under the drum 3. The document OR from which the image has been read is discharged to the document discharge tray 4.

The image reading unit A illuminates the original OR moving below the transport drum 3 with an illumination light source 10 and picks up the reflected light from the original OR using an optical system including a mirror 11 and a lens 12 as an image formed by a line CCD. Scanning reading is performed by projecting onto the element 13. The image information converted into the electric signal by the image sensor 13 is converted into digital image information by the image processing unit GS (shown in FIG. 3) and stored in the storage unit M (shown in FIG. 3).

The image forming section B forms an image on the recording paper P by an electrophotographic method. In the image forming unit B, reference numeral 20 denotes a drum-shaped photosensitive member, and reference numeral 21 denotes an image forming process unit for forming, developing, transferring, and cleaning an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 20. Reference numeral 22 denotes an exposure device of the image forming process unit 21, which includes a laser diode that emits light based on digital image information created by the image reading unit A and an optical system that guides a light beam from the laser diode onto the photoconductor 20. Reference numerals 30, 31, and 32 denote recording paper feeding units,
The recording paper P is fed to 0. 23, a fixing device for fixing the toner image on the recording paper P;
Is a switching guide for switching whether the sheet is discharged as it is or guided to the reversing section or the sheet feeding section 36 for backside image formation. Reference numeral 34 denotes a sheet discharging roller. Reference numeral 35 denotes a manual paper feed unit, and reference numeral 36 denotes a back image forming paper feed unit.

In the image forming section B, the photosensitive member 20 rotates in response to the image forming start signal, and the recording paper feeding section 3
Recording paper P is fed from 0, 31, or 32. The toner image formed by the image forming process unit 21 on the rotating photoconductor 20 is transferred onto the recording paper P. Fixing device 23
The recording paper P on which the fixing process has been performed is switched as it is to the post-processing device C, to be conveyed to the post-processing device C after being turned upside down, or to be conveyed to the back-side image forming paper supply unit 36. Selected by guide 33.

The post-processing apparatus C includes a discharge tray 40 on which the recording paper P discharged from the image forming section B is placed, a shift discharge section 43 for shifting the discharge position for each copy, and a shift discharge section. Paper tray 51 on which the recording paper P and the stapled recording paper P are discharged, staplers 461 and 46 as binding processing means
2. The center folding unit 49, a sheet discharge tray 52 on which the center folded recording paper P is discharged, a sheet S used for a front cover, a back cover, a partition, and the like.
The recording paper transport path 42 for transporting the recording paper P and the paper S is provided in the paper feeding section 41 on which the recording paper P is placed and the various processing sections described above of the post-processing apparatus C.

In the mode in which the recording sheets P are discharged in the discharge order from the image forming section B without performing the binding processing or the shift processing, the recording sheets P are discharged to the discharge tray 40.

In a shift mode in which the discharge position is changed for each bundle of predetermined recording sheets P, such as for each copy, the recording sheets P
Is sent to the shift paper output unit 43, and the shift unit 43
The paper is shifted to a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and discharged to the paper discharge tray 51.

In the staple mode in which the binding process is performed for each bundle of predetermined recording sheets P and the recording sheets P are discharged, the recording sheets P are conveyed onto the conveyance belt 44 and aligned to a predetermined number by the stopper 48. . And stapler 46
After the sheets are bound by the sheets 1 and 462, the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance belt 44 and discharged to the sheet discharge tray 51.

In the center-folding mode, in which the center sheet is folded every predetermined number of sheets, the recording paper P is sent to the center-folding section 49, and after the center sheet has been fed, the recording sheet P is subjected to the center-folding processing and then to the sheet discharge tray 52. The paper is ejected.

In the present embodiment, the staples serving as the binding members can be used to bind at two locations in the direction perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction, and the binding position in the direction perpendicular to the direction can be changed. Can be.

FIG. 2 shows a mechanism for displacing the staplers 461 and 462 in a direction W perpendicular to the direction in which the recording paper P is conveyed.

In FIG. 2, a stapler 461 for driving staples into the binding position 461a is attached to the right side 465a of the belt 465, and a stapler 462 for driving staples into the binding position 462b is mounted on the left side 465b of the belt 465. The belt 465 is rotated by being driven by the motor 466, and the staplers 461 and 462 move in opposite directions as indicated by W according to the rotation of the belt 465. Accordingly, the interval between the binding position of the stapler 461 and the binding position of the stapler 462 is changed about the center line CL of the recording paper P.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral A denotes an image reading unit in FIG. 1, which reads an image of a document and generates digital image information. B is an image forming unit in FIG. 1 and forms an image on the recording paper P based on the image information read from the storage unit M. GS is an image processing unit that constitutes a position changing unit, and performs filter processing, density conversion processing, scaling processing, various editing processing, and the like on the image information from the image reading unit A. The image processing unit GS has a storage unit M, and the storage unit M stores image information. Storage unit M
Performs image processing for rotating an image by 180 degrees when writing or reading image information, as described later.

Reference numeral TP denotes an operation unit constituted by a touch panel, which displays a document image and receives designation of a binding position, as described later. Further, it is possible to display the binding position on the operation unit TP. Further, the operation unit TP is also a remaining amount display unit, and the operation unit TP displays the remaining amount of the staples in the staplers 461 and 462 as described later. Reference numerals 461 and 462 denote staplers as binding processing means shown in FIG.
A staple as a binding member is driven into the bundle. CR
Is a control means for controlling the whole, and in particular, the stapler 4
A stapling operation of the staplers 61 and 462, that is, a stapling operation is counted, and a remaining amount detecting unit configured to detect a remaining amount of a staple as a stapling member in the staplers 461 and 462 is configured.

In the present embodiment, the binding position, that is, the position on the recording paper P where the staples are to be driven can be designated by using the operation unit TP. Next, the specification of the binding position and the binding operation according to the specification will be described.

An application function button 60 is displayed on the basic screen of the operation unit TP shown in FIG. By pressing the applied function button 60, the screen is switched from the basic screen to the applied function screen shown in FIG. A binding processing button 61 is displayed on the application function screen of FIG. 5, and when the binding processing button 61 is pressed, the screen is switched to the binding processing setting screen of FIG. 6 and a display screen H is displayed. The image F on the document E is displayed together with the image E. The operator can specify a desired position as a binding position by touching an arbitrary position on the display screen H.

When the stapler 461 is located at the position SPa and the position SPb changed in the long side direction of the document E is designated as the binding position with respect to the position SPa, the control means CR controls the motor 466 to control the motor 466. Then, the stapler 461 is set to the position SPb which is the binding position.

With respect to the position SPa, the short side direction V of the original E
Next, control in a case where a different position SPc is designated as a binding position will be described.

The stapling at the positions SPa and SPe is performed by the stapler 461. With respect to the staple to the position SPa, the staple at the position SPe sets the stapler 461 to the position SPa which is the binding position,
This is executed by rotating the image by 180 degrees in the image processing by the image processing unit GS to form an image. Also, the position S
The stapling at Pc and SPd is performed by the stapler 462 using the rotation of the image as described above. The rotation of the image by such image processing is controlled when image information is stored in the storage unit M in the image processing unit GS or the storage unit M
This is executed by the control at the time of reading the image information from.

As described above, the binding position is changed by the control means CR, the motor 466 and the image processing section GS.
These constitute a binding position changing unit. The motor 4
The belt 66 and the belt 465 constitute moving means for changing the positions of the staplers 461 and 462.

In a normal copying operation, the relationship of the image F with respect to the original E is maintained on the recording paper P as it is. Therefore, by specifying the stapling position on the document, the specified stapling is performed on the recording paper P.

When an image is formed in the printer mode for forming an image on the recording paper P based on the image information transmitted from the external device, in FIG.
The image E and the image F formed on the recording paper P are displayed, and the operator can set the stapling position while viewing the images E and F on the recording paper P, and can perform stapling.

As shown in FIG. 6B, it is also possible to display the image SPG at the binding position together with the image on the display screen, and to move the image SPG at the binding position according to the designation operation.

The binding position is displayed as a frame as indicated by a mark SPH, and when the frame is touched, it is converted into a solid mark as indicated by a mark SPG, and the stapler enters an operable state. By operating the buttons L, R, U, and D, the marks SPG, SPH can be moved up, down, left, and right.

In this embodiment, the stapler 46
1, 462 is configured to display the remaining amount of staples as a binding member stored in the operation unit TP as a display unit.

The cartridges 463 and 464 containing a certain amount of staples are stored in the staplers 461 and 462 for use. Therefore, the control means CR as the remaining amount detecting means detects the mounting of the cartridges 463 and 464, resets the display value of the operation section TP to a predetermined constant value, and detects the operation of the stapler 461 or 462. , To detect the remaining amount by subtracting from the initial value for each operation,
The remaining amount of staples is displayed on the operation unit TP.

In the display of the remaining amount of the staples, when the remaining amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the cartridge 4
It is desirable to display a warning prompting replacement of 63 and 464.

Further, by mounting a plurality of cartridges on the stapler, when the remaining amount of staples in the cartridge being used becomes low, the operation of the apparatus can be interrupted by loading a spare cartridge. Documents can be created.

[0049]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the binding position can be designated while comparing with the image on the recording paper, so that an erroneous operation such as binding an erroneous position can be reliably prevented, and the position other than the image can be reliably determined. Can be bound.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to produce a bound copy document while reliably avoiding the image position.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the binding position can be designated by a very simple operation of designating the binding processing position.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably specify the binding position. According to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of designating a binding position at a desired position with a simple mechanism is realized.

According to the seventh, eighth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is notified in advance that the binding member is lost, so that the replenishment of the binding member can be performed smoothly.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the binding member formed on the cartridge is used, the remaining amount of the binding member can be reliably detected.

According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to reliably detect the remaining amount of the binding member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a stapler according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a basic screen of an operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an application function screen on the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a binding process setting screen of the operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A image reading section B image forming section C post-processing device GS image processing section M storage section TP operation section CR control means 461, 462 stapler 466 motor

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An operation unit for displaying a display screen for displaying a read document image or an image formed on recording paper, a binding processing unit for binding a bundle of recording paper, and a binding position using the display screen. An image forming apparatus comprising: a binding position changing unit that changes the binding position according to a designation. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, wherein the operation unit displays the image read by the image reading unit on the display screen. apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has a touch panel, and the designation of the binding position is performed from the touch panel. 4. A binding position according to the designation of the binding position is displayed on the display screen.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding position changing unit has a moving unit that changes a position of the binding processing unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the binding position changing unit includes an image processing unit that changes a direction of an image recorded on a recording sheet. 7. A binding unit for binding a bundle of recording sheets, a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting a remaining amount of the binding member in the binding unit, and a remaining amount of the binding member detected by the remaining amount detecting unit. An image forming apparatus comprising a remaining amount display unit for displaying an amount. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the remaining amount display unit displays a warning when the remaining amount of the binding member becomes a predetermined value or less. 9. The binding processing device according to claim 7, wherein the binding processing device includes a cartridge containing a binding member, and the remaining amount detection device is reset when the cartridge is replaced. Image forming apparatus. 10. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the remaining amount detecting unit detects the remaining amount of the binding member based on the number of times of the binding processing performed by the binding processing unit. Image forming device.