JP2008191854A - Job processing method, storage medium, program, printing system, printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: There is a demand for invalidating "automatic setting" in which a machine makes a judgment. This is a case where it is necessary to reliably output with the setting requested by the end user (customer), and the quality is emphasized.
On the other hand, there is also a desire to enable only “automatic setting” in which the machine makes a judgment. This is a case where importance is placed on efficiency and productivity in order to eliminate human error by an operator (operator).
Thus, it is an object to prevent an output unintended by the user and solve the above problem.
If there are image data or jobs in the device such as job hold when changing device settings related to output, setting items that affect output cannot be changed or a confirmation screen is displayed. To prevent the output from becoming different from the expected output.
[Selection] Figure 27

Description

  The present invention relates to a job processing method, a storage medium, a program, a printing system, and a printing apparatus of a printing system that can accept a plurality of jobs.

  In the commercial printing industry, manuscript submission, design assignment to the manuscript, layout editing, comp (print presentation), proofreading (layout correction and color correction), proof printing (proof printing), composition creation, printing Publications are issued through various work processes such as post-processing and shipping.

  In the case of the commercial printing industry, an offset plate-making printing machine is often used in the printing process, and therefore the block making process is an indispensable process. However, once the composition is made, it is not easy to modify it, and if it is modified, the cost becomes considerably disadvantageous. Therefore, careful proofreading (that is, careful layout check and color confirmation work) is indispensable when creating a composition. For this reason, in general, it takes a certain period of time to complete publication of a publication.

  In the case of the commercial printing industry, many of the devices used in each work process are costly, and the work in each process requires specialized knowledge. Know-how was essential.

  In response to this situation, the so-called POD (Print On Demand) market, which has recently countered the commercial printing industry in response to higher speed and higher image quality of electrophotographic printing devices and inkjet printing devices. The so-called market is emerging.

  The POD market has emerged instead of the large-scale printing machines and printing methods described above so that relatively small lot jobs can be handled in a short delivery time without using a large-scale apparatus or system.

  In the POD market, for example, by making maximum use of printing apparatuses such as digital copiers and digital multifunction peripherals, it is possible to realize digital printing using electronic data and perform print services and the like.

  In the case of the POD market, digitalization is more advanced than in the conventional commercial printing industry, and management and control using computers has become popular, so it is possible to actually issue printed materials with short delivery times. Also, there is an advantage that know-how of an operator (operator) is unnecessary. Furthermore, recently, the image quality of printed materials is approaching the level of the commercial printing industry.

In view of such a situation, an examination of a direction in which office machine makers and the like enter a new field called a POD market is currently underway (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In particular, recently, for example, a printing apparatus and a printing system that are sufficiently satisfied not only in an office environment but also in a POD environment in which use cases and needs different from the office environment can be assumed are being studied. Assuming such a printing environment in the POD market, it is expected that how to improve productivity in the printing system will be emphasized in the future. In addition, it is expected that importance will be placed on how the printing system operator (operator) can easily use the printing system while maintaining high productivity.
JP 2004-310746 A JP 2004-310747 A

  As already mentioned, for example, in order to make a full-scale entry into the new POD market from the office environment where office equipment manufacturers are good at the present, assuming the situation of the POD market, use cases that cannot be assumed in the office environment We think it is desirable to deal with user needs. In other words, when full-scale entry into the POD market, it is necessary to fully consider the practical application of a digital printing system suitable for the POD environment. However, assuming that the printing system suitable for the POD environment is to be put into practical use, there is still room for study, and there are problems and requests to be addressed.

  For example, there is a demand for disabling “automatic setting” in which the machine makes a determination. This is a case where it is necessary to reliably output with the setting requested by the end user (customer), and the quality is emphasized.

  On the other hand, there is also a desire to enable only “automatic setting” in which the machine makes a judgment. This is a case where importance is placed on efficiency and productivity in order to eliminate human error by an operator (operator).

  Thus, in order to prevent unintended output by the user and to solve the above problems, switching means for disabling “automatic setting” and enabling only manual and switching disabling manual and enabling only automatic Both means are required.

  However, in a multi-function peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a PC print function, it is difficult to perform switching setting one by one because it has a plurality of automatic functions. Further, since there are some automatic settings that cannot be combined, it is required to provide a user interface that allows an operator (operator) to easily change the settings.

  In addition, although the setting is automatic or manual only, it is expected that there is a desire to be able to change the control under specific conditions.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a convenient printing system automatic setting switching processing method, storage medium, program, printing system, and printing apparatus that can be applied not only to an office environment but also to a POD environment. Make available.

  In addition, for example, it is possible to provide a mechanism for reducing as much as possible the intervention work of an operator (operator) that may occur in the POD environment due to the specifications of the image forming apparatus designed with the office environment only in mind. To do. Then, the workload of the operator (operator) can be reduced, and efficient work can be realized.

  In addition, assuming such various situations and usage environments, it is possible to provide a mechanism that can respond to various needs from various users as flexibly as possible.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, an image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

An image processing apparatus that includes a plurality of functions for image processing and performs image processing using setting information set for each function, and includes a setting information display control unit that displays the setting information and a screen display control unit. A setting information input means for inputting setting information for each function of the image processing apparatus on a screen displayed on the basis thereof; an automatic means for automatically setting the image processing apparatus in one or more functions; On the basis of setting information display control means, the setting information is based on the information input by the switching means and the switching means for enabling the user to enable only the automatic means, or to use both automatic means and manual means, or to enable only the manual means. The display control means includes control means for controlling the setting information input means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cope with problems as previously assumed. Further, for example, it is possible to construct a convenient printing environment that can be used not only in the office environment but also in the POD environment. In addition, for example, the need to operate the system with high productivity as much as possible, the need to reduce the workload of the operator (operator) as much as possible, and the needs of the actual work site in the printing environment such as POD In particular, the following effects can be obtained.

  For example, disable the “automatic setting” that the machine makes judgments, and set it to a mode that reliably outputs with the settings requested by the end user (customer), or only enable “automatic setting” that makes the opportunity judgment Thus, it is possible to set a mode that eliminates human error by an operator (operator).

  Even when there is a mode that cannot be combined, it is possible to provide a user interface that can reflect the setting intended by the user by checking with the operator and confirming whether or not to perform correction.

  In addition, after setting to “Manual only” or “Automatic only”, it is possible to provide a user interface that can reflect the user's intended settings according to the situation by enabling the control to be changed under specific conditions. .

  In this way, it is possible to construct a convenient and flexible printing environment that can cope with the use cases and needs that can be assumed in the POD environment as assumed in the past, and it is possible to provide various mechanisms for commercialization of the product Become.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of the system configuration of the entire printing environment 10000 including the printing system 1000]
The present embodiment assumes a printing environment different from an office environment such as a POD environment in order to cope with a problem assumed in the background art. Therefore, here, the system environment of the entire POD environment site (the printing environment 10000 in FIG. 1) including the printing system 1000 will be described. Such a printing environment itself is one of the features of this embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the printing environment 10000 to which the present printing system 1000 can be applied is called a POD system 10000 because it is suitable for the POD environment.

  The POD system 10000 in FIG. 1 includes a printing system 1000 of this embodiment, a server computer 103, and a client computer 104 (hereinafter referred to as a PC) as components. A paper folding machine 107, a cutting machine 109, a saddle stitch binding machine 110, a case binding machine 108, a scanner 102, and the like are also provided. In this way, a plurality of devices are prepared in the POD system 10000.

  The printing system 1000 includes a printing apparatus main body 100 and a sheet processing apparatus 200 as components. As an example of the printing apparatus 100, in this embodiment, a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a PC print function will be described. Even if it is, it is good. Hereinafter, the multi-function peripheral is also referred to as an MFP (Multi Function Printer).

  Here, the paper folding machine 107, the cutting machine 109, the saddle stitch binding machine 110, and the case binding machine 108 in FIG. 1 are defined as sheet processing apparatuses in the same manner as the sheet processing apparatus 200 included in the printing system 1000. This is because this is a device capable of executing sheet processing on a job sheet printed by the printing apparatus 100 included in the printing system 1000. For example, the paper folding machine 107 is configured to be able to execute a folding process for a sheet of a job printed by the printing apparatus 100. The cutting machine 109 is configured to be able to execute a cutting process for a sheet printed by the printing apparatus 100 in a sheet bundle unit composed of a plurality of sheets. The saddle stitch bookbinding machine 110 is configured to be able to execute a saddle stitch bookbinding process for a job sheet printed by the printing apparatus 100. The case binding machine 108 is configured to execute case binding processing for a sheet of a job printed by the printing apparatus 100. However, in order to execute various sheet processes by these sheet processing apparatuses, an operator (operator) takes out a printed matter of a job printed by the printing apparatus 100 from a paper discharge unit of the printing apparatus 100, and sets the processing target. It is necessary to set the printed material in the sheet processing apparatus.

  As described above, when a sheet processing apparatus other than the sheet processing apparatus 200 included in the printing system 1000 itself is used, intervention work by an operator (operator) is required after the printing process by the printing apparatus 100.

  In other words, when the sheet processing required for a job printed by the printing apparatus 100 using the sheet processing apparatus 200 included in the printing system 1000 itself is executed, the operator ( Intervention work by workers) is not necessary. This is because the sheet printed by the printing apparatus 100 can be directly supplied from the printing apparatus 100 to the sheet processing apparatus 200. Specifically, the sheet conveyance path inside the printing apparatus 100 is configured to be connectable to the sheet conveyance path inside the sheet processing apparatus 200. Thus, the sheet processing apparatus 200 and the printing apparatus 100 included in the printing system 1000 itself are in a physical connection relationship with each other. In addition, the printing apparatus 100 and the sheet processing apparatus 200 include a CPU and are configured to be capable of data communication. This is because the printing apparatus 100 and the sheet processing apparatus 200 are in electrical connection with each other.

  In this embodiment, the control unit included in the printing system controls the printing apparatus 100 and the sheet processing apparatus 200 in an integrated manner. As an example of this, in this example, the controller unit 205 inside the printing apparatus 100 in FIG. 2 performs overall control. In this embodiment, these sheet processing apparatuses are also referred to as post-processing apparatuses or post presses.

  In the POD system 10000 of FIG. 1, all of these devices other than the saddle stitch bookbinding machine 110 are all connected to the network 101 and configured to be capable of data communication with other devices.

  For example, the printing apparatus 100 causes the printing apparatus 100 to print the print data of a job to be processed, which is transmitted from the information processing apparatus corresponding to an example of the external apparatus such as the PC 103 or 104 via the network 101.

  In addition, for example, the server PC 103 manages all jobs to be processed in the POD environment 10000 by executing transmission / reception of data with other apparatuses via network communication. In other words, it functions as a computer that performs overall management of a series of workflow processes including a plurality of processing processes. The PC 103 determines post-processing conditions that can be finished in the environment 10000 based on a job instruction received from an operator (operator). In addition, the post-processing (finishing processing) process is instructed as requested by the end user (in this example, the customer who requested the print creation). At this time, the server 103 uses an information exchange tool such as JDF to exchange information with each post-processing device using a command or status inside the post press.

  As one of the points of interest of the present embodiment in the POD environment 10000 having the above components, in the present embodiment, the above sheet processing apparatuses are classified into three types and defined as follows. .

[Definition 1]
A sheet processing apparatus corresponding to an apparatus satisfying both (condition 1) and (condition 2) listed below is defined as an “inline finisher”. Note that an apparatus corresponding to this definition is also called an inline type sheet processing apparatus in the present embodiment.

(Condition 1)
A paper path (sheet conveyance path) is physically connected to the printing apparatus 100 so that the sheet conveyed from the printing apparatus 100 can be directly received without operator (operator) intervention.

(Condition 2)
It is electrically connected to another device so that data communication required for operation instructions and status confirmation can be made with the other device. Specifically, it is electrically connected to the printing apparatus 100 so as to be able to perform data communication, or is electrically connected so as to be able to perform data communication with a device other than the printing apparatus 100 (for example, the PC 103, 104, etc.) via the network 101. What has been done. Those satisfying at least one of these conditions shall be matched with (Condition 2).

  That is, the sheet processing apparatus 200 included in the printing system 1000 itself corresponds to an “inline finisher”. This is because, as described above, the sheet processing apparatus 200 is a sheet processing apparatus that is physically connected to the printing apparatus 100 and is electrically connected to the printing apparatus 100.

[Definition 2]
A sheet processing apparatus corresponding to an apparatus that does not satisfy (Condition 1) of (Condition 1) and (Condition 2) listed in the preceding paragraph but satisfies (Condition 2) is defined as “nearline finisher”. Note that an apparatus corresponding to this definition is also called a near-line type sheet processing apparatus in this embodiment.

  For example, the paper path is also not connected to the printing apparatus 100, and an operator (operator) requires intervention work such as transporting printed matter. However, operation instructions and status confirmation can be transmitted and received electrically via communication means such as the network 101. A sheet processing apparatus that meets such conditions is defined as a “near line finisher”.

  That is, the paper folding machine 107, the cutting machine 109, the saddle stitch bookbinding machine 110, and the case binding machine 108 in FIG. 1 correspond to “near line finishers”. This is because these sheet processing apparatuses are not physically connected to the printing apparatus 100. However, this is because the sheet processing apparatus has an electrical connection relationship capable of data communication with other apparatuses such as the PC 103 and the PC 104 via the network 101 at least.

[Definition 3]
A sheet processing apparatus corresponding to an apparatus that does not satisfy either of the conditions (Condition 1) and (Condition 2) listed in the preceding paragraph is defined as an “offline finisher”. Note that an apparatus corresponding to this definition is also called an offline type sheet processing apparatus in the present embodiment.

  For example, the paper path is also not connected to the printing apparatus 100, and an operator (operator) requires intervention work such as transporting printed matter. Moreover, it does not have a communication unit required for operation instructions and status confirmation, and data communication with other devices is impossible. Therefore, an operator (operator) manually conveys the output material, sets the output material, inputs the operation manually, and reports the situation generated by the device itself. A sheet processing apparatus that meets such conditions is defined as an “offline finisher”.

  That is, the saddle stitch bookbinding machine 110 in FIG. 1 corresponds to an “offline finisher”. This is because the sheet processing apparatus is not physically connected to the printing apparatus 100. In addition, this is because the sheet processing apparatus cannot be connected to the network 101 and cannot communicate with other apparatuses and is not in an electrical connection relationship.

  As described above, various sheet processes can be executed in the POD environment 10000 including various sheet processing apparatuses classified into three types.

  For example, various sheet processing processes such as a cutting process, a saddle stitch binding process, a case binding process, a sheet folding process, a punching process, an enclosing process, and a registering process are performed on a print medium of a job that has been printed by the printing apparatus 100. It is configured to be executable. In this way, the sheet processing can be executed with a desired bookbinding printing style desired by the end user (customer).

  In addition to the nearline finisher and offline finisher managed by the server PC 103, there are various other types such as a stapler dedicated device, a punching dedicated device, a sealing machine, or a book machine (collator). The server 103 grasps the device status and job status via the network 101 by sequential polling or the like using these nearline finishers and a predetermined protocol. In addition, the execution status (progress status) of each job in a large number of jobs to be processed in the environment 10000 is managed.

  Note that this embodiment may be configured such that the above-described plurality of recording sheet processes can be executed by separate sheet processing apparatuses, or a configuration in which a plurality of types of recording sheet processes can be performed by one sheet processing apparatus. Further, the present system may include any sheet processing apparatus including a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses.

  Here, further points of interest of this embodiment will be described.

  A printing system 1000 in FIG. 1 includes a printing apparatus 100 and a sheet processing apparatus 200 that can be attached to and detached from the printing apparatus 100. The sheet processing apparatus 200 is an apparatus that can accept a job sheet printed by the printing apparatus 100 directly via the sheet conveyance path. In addition, the sheet processing apparatus executes the sheet processing requested by the user together with the print execution request via the user interface unit on the job sheet printed by the printer unit 203 of the printing apparatus 100. This point is also clear from the fact that it is the inline type sheet processing apparatus.

  Here, it should be noted that the sheet processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment can be defined as a series of sheet processing apparatus groups 200. This is because, in the present embodiment, the sheet processing apparatus 200 is configured such that a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that are independent from each other and can be used independently are connected to the printing apparatus 100 and can be used. . As an example of this, the printing system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 means that the printing system 100 includes a printing apparatus 100 and three sheet processing apparatuses. In other words, the printing system 1000 in FIG. 1 includes three sheet processing apparatuses connected in series to the printing apparatus 100. In this example, such a configuration in which a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses are connected to the printing apparatus 100 is referred to as cascade connection. A plurality of sheet processing apparatuses included in a series of sheet processing apparatus groups 200 cascade-connected to the printing apparatus 100 are all handled as inline finishers in this embodiment. A controller 205 in FIG. 2 corresponding to an example of a control unit of the system 1000 controls the printing apparatus main body 100 and the plurality of inline-type sheet processing apparatuses in an integrated manner, and various types described in the following embodiments. Execute control. Such features are also provided. This configuration will be described later with reference to FIG.

[Internal configuration of this system 1000 (mainly software configuration)]
Next, the internal configuration (mainly software configuration) of the printing system 1000 will be described with reference to the shift block diagram of FIG. In this example, the sheet processing apparatus 200 (strictly speaking, a series of sheet processing apparatuses that can be configured by a plurality of inline type sheet processing apparatuses) of the units shown in FIG. All the units other than the group) are provided inside the printing apparatus 100. In other words, the sheet processing apparatus 200 is a detachable sheet processing apparatus with respect to the printing apparatus 100 and is configured to be provided as an option of the printing apparatus 100. As a result, it is possible to provide the necessary number of inline finishers for the required number in the POD environment. Therefore, it has the following configuration.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk 209 (hereinafter also referred to as HD) capable of storing a plurality of job data to be processed. In addition, it has a copy function for printing job data received from the scanner unit 201 included in the printing apparatus 100 itself by the printer unit 203 via the HD. In addition, it has a printing function for printing job data received from an external device such as the PC 103 or 104 via an external I / F unit 202 unit corresponding to an example of a communication unit, using the printer unit 203 via the HD. To do. It is an MPF type printing apparatus (also referred to as an image forming apparatus) having such a plurality of functions.

  In other words, the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment may be a printing apparatus capable of color printing or a printing apparatus capable of monochrome printing, and may have any configuration as long as various controls described in the present embodiment can be performed.

  The printing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a scanner unit 201 that reads a document image and performs image processing on the read image data. Further, it includes an external I / F unit 202 that transmits and receives image data and the like with a facsimile, a network connection device, and an external dedicated device. Further, a hard disk 209 capable of storing image data of a plurality of jobs to be printed received from either the scanner unit 201 or the external I / F unit 202 is provided. The printer unit 203 executes data printing processing of a print target job stored in the hard disk 209 on a print medium. The printing apparatus 100 also includes an operation unit 204 having a display unit that corresponds to an example of a user interface unit included in the printing system 1000. As another example of the user interface unit provided in the printing system 1000, for example, a display unit of an external device of the PC 103 or 104, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like correspond to this.

  A controller unit (also referred to as a control unit or a CPU) 205 corresponding to an example of a control unit included in the printing system 1000 comprehensively controls processes and operations of various units included in the printing system 1000. The ROM 207 stores various control programs required in the present embodiment, including programs for executing various processes in the flowcharts described later. The ROM 207 also stores a display control program for displaying various UI screens on the display unit of the operation unit 204 including the illustrated user interface screen (hereinafter referred to as UI screen). The control unit 205 reads out and executes the program in the ROM 207, thereby causing the printing apparatus to execute various operations described in this embodiment. A program for executing an operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from an external device (103, 104, etc.) via the external I / F 202 and expanding it into raster image data (bitmap image data) Is also stored in the ROM 207. These are processed by software.

  A ROM 207 is a read-only memory, and stores various programs such as programs such as a boot sequence and font information, and the above programs. A RAM 208 is a readable / writable memory, and stores image data, various programs, and setting information transmitted from the scanner unit 201 and the external I / F 202 via the memory controller 206.

  An HDD (hard disk) 209 is a large-capacity storage device that stores the image data compressed by the compression / decompression unit 210. The HDD 209 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of data such as print data of a job to be processed. The control unit 205 controls the printer unit 203 to print data of a job to be processed input via various input units such as the scanner unit 201 and the external I / F unit 202 via the HDD 209. . In addition, control is performed so that transmission to an external apparatus via the external I / F 202 is possible. In this way, the control unit 205 controls to execute various output processing of job data to be processed stored in the HDD 209. The compression / decompression unit 210 compresses / decompresses image data stored in the RAM 208 and the HDD 209 by various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG.

  With the above configuration, the control unit 205 as an example of the control unit provided in the printing system also controls the operation of the inline type sheet processing apparatus 200 as illustrated in FIG. The mechanical configuration of the printing system 1000 including this description will be described with reference to FIG.

[Device configuration of the system 1000 (mainly mechanical configuration)]
Next, the configuration (mainly mechanical configuration) of the printing system 1000 will be described with reference to the apparatus configuration explanatory diagram of FIG.

  As described above, the printing system 1000 is configured such that a plurality of inline type sheet processing apparatuses can be cascade-connected to the printing apparatus 100. In addition, the inline type sheet processing apparatus that can be connected to the printing apparatus 100 is configured so that an arbitrary number of sheets can be installed in accordance with the use environment in order to improve the effect of the present embodiment under specific restrictions.

  Therefore, in order to make the description clearer, in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it is assumed that N sheet processing apparatuses 200 can be connected as a series of sheet processing apparatus groups. Further, in order from the first sheet processing apparatus, sheet processing apparatuses 200a, 200b,... Are illustrated, and the Nth sheet processing apparatus is illustrated as a sheet processing apparatus 200n. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the shape of the sheet processing apparatus 200 has a shape as shown in the figure for explanation. However, the original overview has a configuration as described later.

  First, the mechanical configuration when executing the printing process in the printing apparatus 100 corresponding to the process before the sheet processing by the inline type sheet processing apparatus 200 is executed will be described. Mainly, the controller unit (hereinafter referred to as a control unit or CPU) 205 in FIG. 2 causes the printing apparatus 100 to execute, and supplies a sheet of a job that has undergone printing processing from the inside of the printer unit 203 to the inside of the sheet processing apparatus 200. The paper handling operation up to the time will be described.

  Of reference numerals 301 to 322 shown in FIG. 3, 301 corresponds to the mechanical configuration of the scanner unit 201 of FIG. 302 to 322 correspond to the mechanical configuration of the printer unit 203 in FIG. In this embodiment, a configuration of a 1D type color MFP will be described. Note that a 4D type color MFP and a monochrome MFP are also examples of the printing apparatus of this embodiment, but a description thereof is omitted here.

  An automatic document feeder (ADF) 301 in FIG. 3 separates a bundle of documents set on the stacking surface of the document tray from the first page document in order of pages, and scans the document by the scanner 302. Transport onto the glass plate. A scanner 302 reads an image of a document conveyed on a platen glass and converts it into image data by a CCD. A rotary polygon mirror (polygon mirror or the like) 303 makes incident light such as laser light modulated according to the image data, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 304 as reflected scanning light through a reflection mirror. The latent image formed by the laser beam on the photosensitive drum 304 is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet material attached on the transfer drum 305. A series of image forming processes is sequentially performed on yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners to form a full-color image. After the four image forming processes, the sheet material on the transfer drum 305 on which a full-color image has been formed is separated by the separation claw 306 and conveyed to the fixing device 308 by the pre-fixing conveying device 307.

  The fixing device 308 is configured by a combination of a roller and a belt, and has a built-in heat source such as a halogen heater, and melts and fixes the toner on the sheet material on which the toner image is transferred by heat and pressure. The paper discharge flapper 309 is configured to be swingable about a swing shaft, and defines the sheet material conveyance direction. When the paper discharge flapper 309 is swung in the clockwise direction in the drawing, the sheet material is conveyed straight and discharged by the paper discharge roller 310 to the outside of the apparatus. On the other hand, when forming images on both sides of the sheet material, the paper discharge flapper 309 swings counterclockwise in the figure, and the sheet material is changed in the downward direction and sent to the duplex conveying unit. The double-sided conveyance unit includes a reverse flapper 311, a reverse roller 312, a reverse guide 313, and a double-sided tray 314.

The reverse flapper 311 is configured to be swingable about a swing shaft, and defines the sheet material conveyance direction. When processing a double-sided print job, the control unit 205 swings the reverse flapper 311 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Then, control is performed so as to feed the reversing guide 313. Then, the reverse roller 312 is temporarily stopped in a state where the rear end of the sheet material is held between the reverse rollers 312, and the reverse flapper 311 is continuously swung in the clockwise direction in the drawing. In addition, the reverse roller 312 is rotated in the reverse direction. Thus, the sheet is switched back and conveyed, and the sheet is controlled to be guided to the double-sided tray 314 in a state where the trailing edge and the leading edge of the sheet are switched.
The sheet material is once stacked on the double-sided tray 314, and then the sheet material is fed again to the registration roller 316 by the refeed roller 315. At this time, the sheet material is fed with the surface opposite to the transfer process on the first surface facing the photosensitive drum. Then, the second image is formed on the second surface of the sheet in the same manner as described above. Then, images are formed on both surfaces of the sheet material, and the sheet is discharged from the inside of the printing apparatus main body to the outside through the discharge roller 310 through a fixing process. The control unit 205 executes the above-described series of double-sided printing sequences so that the printing apparatus can execute double-sided printing on the first and second sides of the data sheet of the job to be printed on both sides. .

  The paper feeding / conveying section stores paper feeding cassettes 317 and 318 (for example, each of which can store 500 sheets) and a paper deck 319 (for example, 5000 sheets) that store sheets required for the printing process. A manual feed tray 320 and the like. As units for feeding sheets stored in these paper feeding units, there are a paper feeding roller 321 and a registration roller 316. The sheet feed cassettes 317 and 318 and the paper deck 319 are configured so that sheets of various sheet sizes and various materials can be distinguished and set for each of these sheet feed units.

  The manual feed tray 320 is also configured to be able to set various print media including special sheets such as OHP sheets. The paper feed cassettes 317 and 318, the paper deck 319, and the manual feed tray 320 are each provided with a paper feed roller 321 so that sheets can be continuously fed in units of one sheet. For example, the sheet material stacked by the pickup roller is sequentially fed out, and the feeding is prevented by the separation roller provided facing the paper feed roller 321, and the sheet material is fed one by one to the conveyance guide. Here, a driving force for rotating the separation roller in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction is input via a torque limiter (not shown). When only one sheet material enters the nip formed between the sheet feeding roller and the sheet material roller, the sheet material is driven to rotate in the transport direction.

  On the other hand, when double feed occurs, the double-fed sheet material is returned by rotating in the direction opposite to the conveying direction, and only the uppermost sheet is sent out. The fed sheet material is guided between the conveyance guides and conveyed to the registration rollers 316 by a plurality of conveyance rollers. At this time, the registration roller 316 is stopped, the leading edge of the sheet material hits the nip portion formed by the registration roller 316 pair, the sheet material forms a loop, and skew is corrected. Thereafter, the registration roller 316 starts rotating and conveys the sheet material in accordance with the timing of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 304 in the image forming unit. The sheet material fed by the registration roller 316 is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 305 by the suction roller 322. The sheet material discharged from the fixing device 308 is introduced into the sheet conveyance path inside the sheet processing apparatus 200 via the discharge roller 310.

  The control unit 205 processes a job to be printed through the above printing process.

  The control unit 205 executes the print processing of the print data of the job stored in the HDD 209 from the data generation source by the printer unit 203 by the above method based on the print execution request received from the user via the UI unit. Let

  For example, the data generation source of a job that has received a print execution request from the operation unit 204 means the scanner unit 201. The data source of a job that has received a print execution request from the host computer is of course the host computer.

  Further, the control unit 205 stores the print data of the job to be processed in the HDD 209 in order from the first page, reads out the print data of the job from the HDD 209 in order from the first page, and prints the print data on the sheet. The image is formed. Such first page processing is performed. In addition, the control unit 205 causes the sheets printed in order from the first page to be supplied to the sheet conveyance path inside the sheet processing apparatus 200 with the image surface facing downward. Therefore, immediately before the sheet is introduced into the sheet processing apparatus 200 by the paper discharge roller 310, a switchback operation for reversing the front and back of the sheet from the fixing unit 308 is executed using the units 309, 312 and the like. The control unit 205 also executes paper handling control for coping with such first page processing.

  Next, the configuration of an inline type sheet processing apparatus 200 that the printing system 1000 includes with the printing apparatus 100 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the system 1000 of this embodiment includes a total of n inline-type sheet processing apparatuses that can be cascade-connected to the printing apparatus 100. For example, the number of units may be set as many as possible. However, it is necessary to use at least a sheet processing apparatus configured to be able to supply a sheet printed by the printer unit 203 to the sheet processing unit in the apparatus without intervention by an operator (operator). In other words, for example, it is necessary to use a sheet processing apparatus having a sheet conveyance path (paper path) through which the printing medium discharged from the inside of the printer unit 203 via the discharge roller 309 included in the printing apparatus 100 can be conveyed. . These restrictions are configured to be observed.

Nevertheless, as one mechanism for improving the effects of this embodiment, the present printing system 1000 can be flexibly constructed within a range in which such restrictions are observed.
For example, three inline type sheet processing apparatuses are connected, five are connected, and the number of connections is also arbitrary. Of course, since the utilization efficiency of the off-line type sheet processing apparatus is improved, a POD environment in which the administrator determines that the inline type sheet processing apparatus is unnecessary is assumed. For example, even when an inline type sheet processing apparatus is not used at all (that is, zero), the printing apparatus 100 of this embodiment can be used as a matter of course.

  Further, for example, when a plurality of inline type sheet processing apparatuses are cascade-connected to the printing apparatus 100, the connection order of the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses is also within a range of restrictions by a specific user such as an administrator. It is configured to be arbitrarily changeable and determinable.

  However, since the mechanism as described above is a mechanism for improving user convenience, it does not necessarily have to be an essential component. In other words, for example, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. As an example, for example, a system configuration in which the number of inline type sheet processing apparatuses that can be used in the printing system 1000 and the connection order of these apparatuses are uniformly defined may be used. Any system configuration or apparatus configuration is included in the present invention as long as at least one of various job controls described later can be executed.

  Note that how many inline type sheet processing apparatuses capable of executing what kind of sheet processing can be connected to the printing apparatus 100 by the printing system 1000 will be described later. .

[Configuration of the operation unit 204 corresponding to an example of the UI unit of the system 1000]
An operation unit 204 corresponding to an example of a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as a UI unit) in the system 1000 included in the printing apparatus 100 of the system 1000 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The operation unit 204 includes a key input unit 402 that can accept user operations using hard keys and a touch panel unit 401 as an example of a display unit that can accept user operations using software keys (display keys).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the key input unit 402 includes an operation unit power switch 501. In response to the user operation of the switch 501, the control unit 205 suppresses power consumption by stopping the program in the standby mode (normal operation state) and sleep mode (waiting for an interrupt in preparation for network printing, facsimile, etc.). (State) is controlled to be switched selectively. The control unit 205 controls to accept a user operation of the switch 501 while a main power switch (not shown) that supplies power to the entire system is ON.

  A start key 503 is a key for enabling the user to accept an instruction to start the type of job processing instructed by the user, such as a copy operation or a transmission operation of a job to be processed. A stop key 502 is a key for enabling the user to accept an instruction to interrupt the processing of the accepted job to the printing apparatus. A numeric keypad 506 is a key for making it possible for a user to execute various numerical settings. A clear key 507 is a key for canceling various parameters such as numeric values set by the user via the key 506. A reset key 504 is a key for invalidating all the various settings set for the job to be processed by the user and receiving an instruction to return the setting value to the default state from the user. A user mode key 505 is a key for shifting to a system setting screen for each user.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a touch panel unit (hereinafter also referred to as a display unit) 401 corresponding to an example of a user interface unit provided by the printing system. The touch panel unit 401 includes a touch panel display including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a transparent electrode pasted thereon. The unit 401 has a function of accepting various settings from the operator and a function of presenting information to the operator. For example, when it is detected that a portion corresponding to a display key in the effective display state on the LCD is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 operates the key on the display unit 401 according to a display control program stored in the ROM 207 in advance. The operation screen is controlled so that it can be displayed. FIG. 6 is an example of an initial screen displayed on the display unit 401 when the printing apparatus is in the standby mode (there is no job to be processed by the printing apparatus).

  When the user presses the copy tab 601 on the display unit 401 illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display an operation screen for a copy function included in the printing apparatus. When the transmission tab 602 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display an operation screen for a data transmission (Send) function such as fax or E-mail transmission included in the printing apparatus. When the box tab 603 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a box function operation screen provided in the printing apparatus.

  The box function is a function that uses a plurality of data storage boxes (hereinafter referred to as boxes) that can be distinguished and used for each user that is virtually provided in advance in the HDD 209. With this function, for example, the control unit 205 controls the user to select a desired box from the plurality of boxes via the user interface unit by the user, and controls the user to accept a desired operation. For example, in response to an instruction from the user input via the operation unit 204, the control unit 205 stores the document data of the job received from the scanner 201 of the printing apparatus in the box selected by the user. The HDD 209 is controlled as possible. Also, text data of a job from an external device (for example, the host computer 103 or 104) received via the external I / F unit 202 is the user of the external device designated via the user interface unit of the external device. According to the instruction, the user can store in the box designated by the user. In addition, the control unit 205 causes the user to print the job data stored in the box in a desired output form, for example, by the printer unit 203 in accordance with a user instruction from the operation unit 204, The external I / F unit 202 is controlled to enable transmission to the external device.

  In order to enable the user to execute various box operations in this way, the control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 to display a box function operation screen in response to the user pressing the box tab 603. In addition, when the extended tab 604 of the display unit 401 in FIG. 6 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a screen for setting extended functions such as scanner settings. When the system monitor key 617 is pressed by the user, a display screen for notifying the user of the state and status of the MFP is displayed on the display unit 401.

  A color selection setting key 605 is a display key for enabling a user to select in advance whether color copying, black-and-white copying, or automatic selection. A magnification setting key 608 is a key for causing the display unit 401 to display a setting screen that allows the user to execute magnification settings such as equal magnification, enlargement, and reduction.

  When the double-sided key 614 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 displays a screen that allows the user to set whether to execute single-sided printing or double-sided printing in the print processing of the job to be printed. To display. Also, in response to the user pressing the paper selection key 615, the control unit 205 displays a screen that allows the user to set the paper feed unit, sheet size, and sheet type (media type) required for the print processing of the job to be printed. It is displayed on the display unit 401. In response to the user pressing the key 612, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a screen for enabling the user to select an image processing mode suitable for the document image such as a character mode or a photo mode. Further, the user can operate the density setting key 611 to adjust the density of the output image of the job to be printed.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit 205 displays in the status display field 606 of the display unit 401 the events currently occurring in the printing apparatus, such as standby state, warming up, printing, jam, error, etc. The display for making a user confirm a state is performed. In addition, the control unit 205 causes the display field 607 to display information for allowing the user to confirm the print magnification of the job to be processed. Also, information for allowing the user to confirm the sheet size and paper feed mode of the job to be processed is displayed in the display field 616. Also, information for checking the number of copies of the job to be processed by the user and information for checking the number of sheets being printed during the printing operation are displayed in the display column 610. As described above, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display various information to be notified to the user.

  Further, when the interrupt key 613 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 stops printing of the job being printed by the printing apparatus, and enables printing of the user's job. When the application mode key 618 is pressed, a screen for setting various image processing and layout such as page continuous shooting, cover / interleaf setting, reduced layout, and image movement is displayed on the display unit 401.

  Here, an example of a further point of interest of this embodiment will be described.

  The control unit 205 allows a user to accept a sheet processing execution request from the sheet processing unit included in the inline type sheet processing apparatus 200 included in the printing system 1000 as a setting for a job to be processed. Is displayed by the UI unit. The UI unit also causes the UI unit to execute a display that allows the user to receive an instruction for causing the UI unit to execute this display.

As an example of this, for example, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the display key 609 of FIG. Assume that the user presses this sheet processing setting key 609. In this case, the control unit 205 displays a display that allows the user to specify the desired sheet processing from among the sheet processing selection candidates that can be executed using the inline type sheet processing apparatus included in the system 1000. The display unit 401 is caused to execute. The “sheet processing setting key 609” illustrated in the display of FIG. 7 is also referred to as a “finishing key” in FIG. That is, it means the same function button. Therefore, in the following description, “sheet processing” is also referred to as “finishing”. In addition, regarding the “punching process”, in the POD environment, there is a need for various punching processes (perforating processes for printed sheets).
Accordingly, in the examples shown in FIG. 19 and subsequent figures, “2-hole punch (processing for making two holes in the sheet end corresponding to the binding edge of the sheet)” “multi-hole punch (sheet end) corresponding to a plurality of types of punching processes. Is a process of making a large number of holes such as 30 holes). These processes can be executed by the punch unit included in the saddle stitch binding machine shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, 17, 18, and 28 in order to correspond to the above-described configuration. In other words, it may be configured such that these punching processes can be executed using other apparatuses and units. However, as illustrated above, a device corresponding to the definition of an inline finisher is allowed to be used in the system 1000, and a device not corresponding to this is prohibited from being used in the system 1000.

  For example, in this example, in response to the key 609 being pressed by the user, the display unit 401 is caused to execute the display of FIG. The control unit 205 controls to accept an execution request for sheet processing to be executed by the inline sheet processing apparatus 200 on a sheet printed in a job to be processed via the display in FIG.

However, the control unit 205 determines the sheet processing apparatus candidates that can be selected via the display in FIG. 7 according to the sheet-mounting apparatus that the system 1000 includes. For example, in the display of FIG. 7, the user is permitted to accept an execution request for any type of sheet processing from among a plurality of types of sheet processing listed below for a sheet printed by the printer unit 203. Yes.
(1) Staple processing (2) Punch processing (3) Folding processing (4) Shift paper discharge processing (5) Trimming processing (6) Saddle binding bookbinding processing (7) Case bookbinding processing corresponding to an example of gluing bookbinding processing ( 8) Top glue binding process corresponding to another example of glue binding process (9) Mass stacking process In the UI control example of FIG. 7, the control unit 205 sets the operation unit 204 to be a candidate for selection of these nine types of sheet processing. I have control. This is because the nine types of sheet processing can be selectively executed by using the inline type sheet processing apparatus provided in the printing system 1000.

  In other words, the UI unit is controlled so that sheet processing corresponding to a type that cannot be executed by the system 1000 is excluded from selection candidates in the display of FIG. For example, if the system 1000 does not include one sheet processing apparatus that can selectively execute case binding processing and top binding binding processing, or if the system 1000 is out of order, the keys 707 and 708 are Control to be in a selection invalid state. For example, the control unit 205 causes a grayed-out shaded display to be executed. Thus, control is performed so that the execution request for the sheet processing is not received from the user. Furthermore, in other words, when the system 1000 includes a sheet processing apparatus capable of executing different sheet processing other than the above nine types of candidates, a display for enabling the user to accept an execution request for the sheet processing The key is controlled to be in an effective display state as shown in FIG. Thereby, it is permitted to accept the execution request for the sheet processing from the user. Such display control can also be executed together with job processing control, which will be described later, in this embodiment, thereby preventing erroneous operation by the user.

  In executing such control, the control unit 205 acquires system configuration information that identifies which sheet processing apparatus the system 1000 includes as the sheet processing apparatus 200. In addition, status information for specifying whether or not an error has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus 200 is also used in the above control. For example, the control unit 205 acquires the information by manual input by the user via the UI unit, or the sheet processing apparatus 200 outputs the signal via a signal line when the printing apparatus 100 is connected. Acquire automatically based on the signal. On the premise of such a configuration, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to execute the display of FIG. 7 with display contents based on the acquired information.

  The system 1000 is configured to accept a print execution request for a job to be processed and an execution request for sheet processing required for the job from an external device such as the PC 103 or 104. When a job is input from the external device in this way, control is performed so that the display unit of the external device that is the transmission source of the print data displays a function equivalent to the display of FIG. As an example of this, in this example, a printer driver setting screen, which will be described later, is displayed on the display unit of the computer of the PC 103 or 104. However, when the display of the UI of the external device is executed in this way, the control unit of the device executes the above control. For example, when a later-described printer driver UI screen is displayed on the display unit of the PC 103 or PC 104, the CPU of the PC executes the control subject.

[Specific system configuration example of the printing system 1000 to be controlled in this embodiment]
In relation to an example of the feature point of the present embodiment, the printing system 1000 can determine what kind of inline type sheet processing apparatus is capable of executing what kind of sheet processing to the printing apparatus 100. A system configuration such as a stand and whether it can be connected will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, for example, the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be constructed as the system 1000 shown in FIGS.

  In the system configuration example of FIG. 8, the system 1000 includes a large-capacity stacker, a gluing bookbinding machine, a saddle stitch bookbinding machine, and a total of three inline type sheet processing apparatuses as a series of sheet processing apparatus group 200. Means that In addition, the configuration example of FIG. 8 means that the printing apparatus 100 included in the system 1000 is connected in a connection order of a large-capacity stacker, a gluing bookbinding machine, and a saddle stitch bookbinding machine. A control unit 205 corresponding to an example of a control unit included in the system 1000 comprehensively controls the printing system 1000 having the system configuration shown in FIGS.

  In this example, the large-capacity stacker is a sheet processing apparatus that can stack a large number of sheets (for example, 5000 sheets) from the printer unit 203.

  The gluing bookbinding machine of this example is a sheet processing apparatus capable of performing a case binding process that requires a gluing process of sheets when binding a cover sheet to a bundle of sheets printed by the printer unit 203. Further, a top glue binding process corresponding to a sheet process for glue binding without attaching a cover can be executed by the glue binding machine. The gluing bookbinding machine is also called a case bookbinding machine because it is at least a sheet processing apparatus capable of performing the case binding process.

  Further, the saddle stitch binding machine can selectively execute a stapling process, a punching process, a cutting process, a shift discharge, a saddle stitch binding process, and a folding process on a sheet from the printer unit 203. It is.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 205 causes various system configuration information related to these sheet processing apparatuses to be registered in a specific memory as management information required for various controls. For example, when the system 1000 has a system configuration as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 205 registers the information listed below in the HDD 209.

(Information 1)
Device presence / absence information for enabling the control unit 205 to confirm that the system 1000 has an inline type sheet processing device. In this way, information that enables the control unit to specify whether or not the system 1000 includes an inline type sheet processing apparatus corresponds to this.

(Information 2)
This system 1000 is information on the number of inline sheet processing apparatuses for enabling the control unit 205 to confirm that three inline type sheet processing apparatuses 200 are provided. In this way, information that enables the control unit to specify the number of inline type sheet processing apparatuses included in the system 1000 corresponds to this.

(Information 3)
Type information of the inline sheet processing apparatus that enables the control unit 205 to specify that the system 1000 includes a high-capacity stacker, a glue binding machine, and a saddle stitch binding machine. As described above, this information corresponds to information that enables the control unit to confirm the type of the inline sheet processing apparatus included in the system 1000.

(Information 4)
Information that enables the control unit 205 to confirm that one of the three units is a large-capacity stacker that can execute the stacking process of sheets from the printer unit 203. One of them is apparatus capability information that enables the control unit 205 to confirm that there is a glue binding apparatus that can execute the glue binding process (case binding process and / or top glue binding process) of the sheet from the printer unit 203. . One of them controls that the sheet from the printer unit 203 is a saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus that can selectively execute stapling, punching, cutting, shift paper discharge, saddle stitch bookbinding processing, and folding processing. Information that can be confirmed by the unit 205. In other words, there are nine types of sheet processing that can be executed in this system: stapling, punching, cutting, shift discharge, saddle stitching, folding, case binding, top binding, and large stacking. Information for enabling identification by 205. In this way, information for enabling the control unit to confirm sheet processing capability information that can be executed by the inline type sheet processing apparatus of the system 1000 corresponds to this.

(Information 5)
The three sheet processing apparatuses make it possible for the control unit 205 to confirm that the printer 100 is cascade-connected to the printing apparatus 100 in the order of a large-capacity stacker, a glue binding machine, and a saddle stitch binding machine. information. In this way, when a plurality of inline finishers are connected, the connection order information of these sheet processing apparatuses in this system corresponds to this.

  Various types of information as indicated by the above (Information 1) to (Information 5) are registered in the HDD 209 as system configuration information required by the control unit 205 for various types of control. In addition, the control unit 205 uses this information as judgment material information required for job control to be described later.

  Assuming the above configuration, for example, assume that the system configuration status of the printing system 1000 is a system configuration as shown in FIG. The following describes how the control unit 205 executes this system configuration.

  For example, when the system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, all of the nine types of sheet processing can be executed by the system. This fact is recognized by the control unit 205 based on the determination materials (Information 1) to (Information 5). In addition, based on the recognition result, the control unit 205 controls the UI unit to select all nine types of sheet processing shown in the display of FIG. 7 as selection candidates. In addition, the control unit 205 executes control in response to the following user operation.

  For example, it is assumed that when the user presses the key 701 in the display of FIG. 7 that is executed by the control unit 205 on the UI unit, a request for executing a stapling process is received from the user for the processing target job via the UI unit. In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200c in FIG. 8 to execute the stapling process for the sheet that has been printed in the job.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user presses the key 702 in the display of FIG. 7 which is executed by the control unit 205 in the UI unit, a request for execution of punch processing (sheet punching processing) is performed for the processing target job via the UI unit. Assume that it is accepted from the user. In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200c of FIG. 8 to execute punch processing for the sheet that has been subjected to print processing in the job.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user presses the key 703 in the display of FIG. 7 that is executed by the control unit 205 on the UI unit, a cutting process execution request is received from the user for the processing target job via the UI unit. In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitch binding apparatus corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200c in FIG. 8 to perform sheet cutting processing on which printing processing has been performed in the job.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user presses the key 704 in the display of FIG. 7 that is executed by the control unit 205 in the UI unit, a cutting process execution request is received from the user for the processing target job via the UI unit. In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitch binding apparatus corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200c in FIG. 8 to perform sheet cutting processing on which printing processing has been performed in the job.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user presses the key 705 in the display of FIG. 7 executed by the control unit 205 in the UI unit, the execution request of the saddle stitch binding process is received from the user for the processing target job via the UI unit. To do. In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 causes the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200c in FIG. 8 to execute the saddle stitch bookbinding process for the sheet that has been printed in the job.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user presses the key 706 in the display of FIG. 7 that is executed by the control unit 205 on the UI unit, a folding process execution request is received from the user for the processing target job via the UI unit. In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 performs a folding process (for example, a sheet process called Z-folding) on which the printing process has been performed in the job, corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200c in FIG. It is executed by the binding apparatus.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user presses the key 707 in the display of FIG. 7 that the control unit 205 causes the UI unit to execute, the case binding process execution request is received from the user via the UI unit for the processing target job. . In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 causes the glue binding machine corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200b in FIG. 8 to execute the case binding process for the sheet that has been printed in the job.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user presses the key 708 in the display of FIG. 7 that is executed by the control unit 205 in the UI unit, a request to execute the binding binding process for the processing target job is received from the user via the UI unit. To do. In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 causes the gluing bookbinding machine corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200b in FIG. 8 to execute the top glue bookbinding process for the sheet that has been printed in the job.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user presses the key 709 in the display of FIG. 7 that is executed by the control unit 205 on the UI unit, the execution request for the large-volume stacking process is received from the user for the processing target job via the UI unit. . In this case, in response to the request, the control unit 205 causes the large-capacity stacker corresponding to the sheet processing apparatus 200a in FIG.

  As described above, the control unit 205 sends a request for executing sheet processing of a type desired by the user from selection candidates corresponding to types of sheet processing that can be executed by the sheet processing apparatus included in the system 1000 to the UI unit. Via the print execution request. In addition, a print execution request for a job to be processed is received from the user via the UI unit provided in this embodiment, and the printer unit 203 executes the print processing required for the job. In addition, the sheet processing apparatus of the system 1000 executes the sheet processing required for the job on the sheet of the job that has undergone the print processing.

  In addition, as an example of the feature point of the present embodiment, the control unit 205 also executes the following control in the system 1000.

  For example, assume that the system 1000 has a system configuration as shown in FIG. In other words, it is assumed that the printing system 1000 is connected in the order of the printing apparatus 100 → the large-capacity stacker → the gluing bookbinding machine → the saddle stitch bookbinding machine. The internal system configuration in this case is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows an apparatus cross-sectional view of the entire printing system 1000 when the configuration of the printing system 1000 is the system configuration of FIG. Further, the apparatus configuration in FIG. 9 corresponds to the apparatus configuration in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a device cross-sectional view of the entire system 1000. Further, the apparatus configuration in FIG. 9 corresponds to the apparatus configuration in FIG.

  As is apparent from the internal configuration of the apparatus in FIG. 9, the sheets printed by the printer unit 203 of the printing apparatus 100 can be supplied to the inside of each sheet processing apparatus. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, each sheet processing apparatus includes a sheet conveyance path that can convey a sheet via points A, B, and C inside the apparatus. is there.

  In addition, each inline type sheet processing apparatus, such as the sheet processing apparatuses 200a and 200b in FIG. 9, may be in front of the own apparatus even though the sheet processing that can be executed by the own apparatus is not necessary for the job to be processed. A function of receiving a sheet from a preceding apparatus connected to the. In addition, it has a function of transferring the sheet received from the preceding apparatus to the succeeding apparatus connected behind the own apparatus.

  As described above, in the printing system 1000 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the sheet processing apparatus that executes sheet processing different from the sheet processing required for the job to be processed transfers the sheet of the job to be processed from the preceding apparatus to the subsequent apparatus. It has a function to convey. This configuration is also an example of the feature point of this embodiment.

  Based on the system configuration as described above, for example, when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a job for which a print execution request is made by the user via the UI unit in the above-described manner. On the other hand, the control unit 205 executes the control exemplified below.

  For example, it is assumed that a job to be processed that receives a print execution request from a user in the system configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9 is a job that requires sheet processing (ex stack processing) by a large-capacity stacker through print processing. Here, this job is called a “stacker job”.

  When processing this stacker job with the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the control unit 205 passes the sheet of the job printed by the printing apparatus 100 through point A in FIG. The sheet processing by the stacker is executed. In addition, the print result of the stacker job that has been subjected to sheet processing (ex stack processing) by the large-capacity stacker is not conveyed to another apparatus (for example, a subsequent apparatus), and is directly discharged from the large-capacity stacker shown in FIG. Hold at paper tip X.

  The printed matter of the stacker job held in the paper discharge destination X in FIG. 9 can be taken out directly from the location of the paper discharge destination X by an operator (operator). In other words, a series of device operations and operator (operator) operations, such as conveying a sheet to the discharge destination Z at the most downstream side in the sheet conveying direction in FIG. 9 and taking out the printed matter of the stacker job from the location, Configure unnecessary.

  A series of controls executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9 corresponds to the control example of (Case 1) of FIG.

  On the other hand, for example, a job to be processed that has received a print execution request from the user in the system configurations of FIGS. ). Here, this job is referred to as a “glue binding job”.

  When processing this glue binding job into the system configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9, the control unit 205 passes the points A and B of FIG. 9 through the sheets of the job printed by the printing apparatus 100. Then, the sheet processing by the glue binding machine is executed. In addition, the print result of the gluing bookbinding job that has been subjected to sheet processing (ex case binding processing or top gluing bookbinding processing) by this gluing bookbinding machine is directly sent to the other device (for example, a subsequent device) without being conveyed. 9 is held at the paper discharge destination Y in the gluing bookbinding apparatus shown in FIG.

  The printed material of the gluing bookbinding job held at the paper discharge destination Y in FIG. 9 can be taken out directly from the location of the paper discharge destination Y by an operator (operator). In other words, a series of device operations and operator (operator) operations such as transporting a sheet to the discharge destination Z on the most downstream side in the sheet transport direction in FIG. 9 and taking out the printed material of the glue binding job from the location are performed. And make it unnecessary.

  A series of controls executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9 corresponds to the control example of (Case 2) of FIG.

Further, on the other hand, for example, a job to be processed that has received a print execution request from the user in the system configurations of FIGS. 8 and 9 is subjected to sheet processing (for example, saddle stitch binding or Assume that the job requires punch processing, trimming processing, shift paper discharge processing, or folding processing. Here, this job is referred to as a “saddle stitching job”.
When this saddle stitching job is processed into the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the control unit 205 converts the sheet of the job printed by the printing apparatus 100 into points A, B, and C in FIG. And the sheet processing by the saddle stitch binding machine is executed. Further, the print result of the saddle stitch bookbinding job subjected to the sheet processing by the saddle stitch bookbinding machine is held as it is at the paper discharge destination Z of the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus shown in FIG. 9 without being conveyed to another apparatus. Let

  Note that the paper discharge destination Z in FIG. 9 has a plurality of paper discharge destination candidates. This is due to the fact that the saddle stitching bookbinding machine of this embodiment can execute a plurality of types of sheet processing, and the discharge destination is different for each sheet processing, as will be described later with reference to FIG. To do.

  A series of control executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9 corresponds to the control example of (Case 3) of FIG.

  As described above, the control unit 205 corresponding to an example of the control unit of the present embodiment also executes paper handling control based on the system configuration information of the system 1000 stored in the HDD 209.

  Information corresponding to the system configuration information includes information on whether or not an inline finisher is provided, information on the number of devices when the inline finisher is provided, and capability information on the devices. In addition, when a plurality of inline finishers are provided, the connection order information also corresponds to this.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, 8, 9, and the like, the printing system 1000 according to the present embodiment is configured such that a plurality of inline type sheet processing apparatuses can be connected to the printing apparatus 100. . In addition, as is apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 10, 28, 17 and 18 described later, the plurality of in-line type sheet processing apparatuses can be connected independently. , And can be attached to the printing apparatus 100 in any combination. Further, the connection order of the plurality of inline type sheet processing apparatuses can be freely combined as long as they can be physically connected. However, in this embodiment, restrictions are also provided regarding the configuration of these systems.

  For example, an apparatus permitted to be used as an inline type sheet processing apparatus in the present system 1000 is an apparatus having the following configuration requirements.

  Subsequent apparatus that receives a sheet of a job that can be executed by the own apparatus itself and that does not require sheet processing by the own apparatus from the preceding apparatus. A sheet processing apparatus having a sheet conveying function to be transferred to a sheet. For example, in this example, the large-capacity stacker and the glue binding machine shown in the system configurations of FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 10 and 28 described later correspond to this.

  In this embodiment, the sheet processing apparatus not corresponding to the above configuration is permitted to be used in the system 1000 as an inline type sheet processing apparatus. For example, an apparatus that satisfies the following requirements corresponds to this.

  While it is possible for the device itself to execute the sheet processing for a job sheet that requires sheet processing that can be executed by the device itself, the device at the latter stage receives a sheet of a job that does not require sheet processing by the device itself from the preceding device. A sheet processing apparatus that does not have a sheet conveying function. For example, in this example, the saddle stitch binding machine shown in the system configuration of FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 10, 28, 17 and 18 described later corresponds to this. However, there are restrictions on such devices.

  For example, as described above, when an inline finisher (for example, a saddle stitch binding machine in FIGS. 8 and 9) having no function of conveying a sheet to a subsequent apparatus is used in the printing system 1000, the number of the apparatuses used. Is only one. However, it is permitted to use other types of inline finishers at the same time.

  For example, as shown in the system configurations of FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 10 and 28 described later, it is permitted to use a large-capacity stacker and a glue binding machine together with a saddle stitch binding machine. However, when a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses are connected in cascade as described above, the inline type sheet processing apparatus that does not have the sheet conveying function to the subsequent apparatus is positioned at the most downstream side in the sheet conveying direction. Install.

  For example, as shown in the system configurations of FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 10 and 28 to be described later, the saddle stitch bookbinding machine is configured to be connected last in the system 1000. In other words, as a system configuration different from the system configurations of FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 10 and 28 described later, the saddle stitch binding machine is connected to the system so as to be connected between the large-capacity stacker and the glue binding machine. It is prohibited to configure.

  The control unit provided in the present system performs overall control of the present system 1000 so as to perform operations within a range in which the above restrictions are observed.

  As an example of this, for example, when an inline type sheet processing apparatus is connected in a connection order that violates the above constraints, the control unit 205 causes the UI unit to execute a warning display. In addition, for example, in the configuration in which the connection order of a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses is input by the user himself / herself through the UI unit as in the above-described configuration, the control unit 205 sets a user setting that violates the above restrictions. Control to disable. For example, grayout display or shaded display is executed in order to prevent inappropriate connection settings.

  By adopting the configuration as described above, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of erroneous operation of the user, malfunction of the apparatus, and the like when the configuration as in this embodiment is employed. That is, the effect described in this embodiment is further improved.

  On the premise of such a configuration, in this embodiment, the system configuration of the system 1000 is configured so as to be flexibly constructed within a range in which the above restrictions are observed.

  For example, the connection order and the number of connected inline type sheet processing apparatuses can be arbitrarily determined and changed by an operator (operator) of the POD system 10000 within a range in which the above restrictions are observed. The system 1000 executes control according to the system configuration status. An example of this is shown below.

  For example, as an example of a system configuration in which the connection order of a plurality of inline type sheet processing apparatuses in the system configuration of FIG. 8 is changed, the printing system 1000 is configured so that a system configuration as shown in FIG. 10 can also be constructed. .

The system configuration in FIG. 10 differs from the system configuration in FIG. 8 in the connection order of a plurality of inline sheet processing apparatuses included in the system 1000. Specifically, the printing system 1000 is connected in the order of the printing apparatus 100 → glue binding machine → large capacity stacker → saddle stitch binding machine. The internal system configuration in this case is as shown in FIG.
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the entire printing system 1000 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIG. The system configuration in FIG. 28 corresponds to the internal configuration of the system configuration in FIG.

  Similarly to the previous system configuration example, the system internal configuration in FIG. 28 is configured to be able to supply sheets printed by the printer unit 203 of the printing apparatus 100 to the inside of each sheet processing apparatus. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 28, a sheet conveyance path is provided through which a sheet from the printer unit 203 can be conveyed via points A, B, and C inside the apparatus.

  Moreover, the system configurations of FIGS. 10 and 28 are also system configurations that comply with the above-mentioned restrictions. For example, as described above, the saddle stitch bookbinding machine cascade-connects each sheet processing apparatus to the printing apparatus 100 so as to be the most downstream in the sheet conveyance direction.

  Based on the above configuration, for example, when the system configuration status of the printing system 1000 is the system configuration shown in FIGS. 10 and 28, a print execution request is made by the user via the UI unit in the manner described above. For the job, the control unit 205 executes the control exemplified below.

  For example, it is assumed that a job to be processed that receives a print execution request from a user in the system configurations of FIGS. 10 and 28 is a job that requires sheet processing (ex stack processing) by a large-capacity stacker through print processing. Here, this job is called a “stacker job”.

  When processing this stacker job with the system configuration shown in FIGS. 10 and 28, the control unit 205 passes the sheet of the job printed by the printing apparatus 100 through points A and B in FIG. Then, the sheet processing by the large capacity stacker is executed. In addition, the print result of the stacker job that has been subjected to sheet processing (ex stack processing) by the large-capacity stacker is not conveyed to another apparatus (for example, a subsequent apparatus), and is directly discharged from the large-capacity stacker shown in FIG. Hold at the paper tip Y.

  The printed matter of the stacker job held in the paper discharge destination Y in FIG. 28 is configured to be taken out directly from the location of the paper discharge destination Y by an operator (operator). In other words, a series of device operations and operator (operator) operations such as conveying a sheet to the discharge destination Z on the most downstream side in the sheet conveying direction of FIG. 28 and taking out the printed matter of the stacker job from the location, Configure unnecessary.

  A series of controls executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration of FIGS. 10 and 28 corresponds to the control example of (Case 1) of FIG.

  On the other hand, for example, a job to be processed that has received a print execution request from the user in the system configuration of FIGS. 10 and 28 is subjected to sheet processing (for example, case binding processing or top binding binding) by a glue binding machine after printing processing. It is assumed that the job requires processing. Here, this job is referred to as a “glue binding job”.

  When this glue binding job is processed into the system configuration of FIGS. 10 and 28, the control unit 205 passes the sheet of the job printed by the printing apparatus 100 through point A in FIG. The sheet processing by the machine is executed. In addition, the print result of the glue binding job that has been subjected to sheet processing (ex case binding processing or top glue binding processing) by the glue binding machine is not transferred to another apparatus (for example, an apparatus at the subsequent stage) and is directly displayed. It is held at the paper discharge destination X in the gluing bookbinding apparatus shown in 28.

  The printed material of the gluing bookbinding job held at the paper discharge destination X in FIG. 28 is configured so that it can be taken out directly from the location of the paper discharge destination X by an operator (operator). In other words, a series of device operations and operator (operator) operations, such as transporting a sheet to the discharge destination Z on the most downstream side in the sheet transport direction in FIG. 28 and taking out the printed material of the glue binding job from that location, are performed. And make it unnecessary.

  A series of control executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration of FIGS. 10 and 28 corresponds to the control example of (Case 2) of FIG.

Further, on the other hand, for example, a job to be processed that has received a print execution request from the user in the system configuration of FIGS. 10 and 28 is subjected to sheet processing (for example, saddle stitch binding or Assume that the job requires punch processing, trimming processing, shift paper discharge processing, or folding processing. Here, this job is referred to as a “saddle stitching job”.
When this saddle stitch binding job is processed into the system configuration shown in FIGS. 10 and 28, the control unit 205 converts the sheet of the job printed by the printing apparatus 100 into points A, B, and C in FIG. And the sheet processing by the saddle stitch binding machine is executed. Further, the print result of the saddle stitch bookbinding job subjected to the sheet processing by the saddle stitch bookbinding machine is held as it is at the paper discharge destination Z of the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus shown in FIG. 28 without being conveyed to another apparatus. Let

  Note that the paper discharge destination Z in FIG. 28 has a plurality of paper discharge destination candidates. This is due to the fact that the saddle stitching bookbinding machine of this embodiment can execute a plurality of types of sheet processing, and the discharge destination is different for each sheet processing, as will be described later with reference to FIG. To do.

  A series of control executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration of FIGS. 10 and 28 corresponds to the control example of (Case 3) of FIG.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 28, the printing system 1000 sets the connection order of a plurality of sheet processing apparatuses that are permitted to be used as inline sheet processing apparatuses within the scope of the above restrictions. And it is configured to be flexible and changeable. As described above, a number of mechanisms for maximizing the effects described above in this embodiment are included.

  From this point of view, in this embodiment, configurations other than the system configurations as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 28 can be appropriately constructed in the system 1000. An example of this will be described below.

  For example, in the system configurations of FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 28, the system configuration including three inline type sheet processing apparatuses has been described. In the present embodiment, the number of inline type sheet processing apparatuses can be arbitrarily determined by the user within a range in which the above restrictions are observed.

  As an example of this, the printing system 1000 is configured so that a system configuration as shown in FIG. 17 can also be constructed.

  The system configuration in FIG. 17 differs from the system configurations in FIGS. 8 and 10 in the number of connected sheet processing apparatuses. Specifically, two printing systems 1000 are connected in the order of printing apparatus 100 → large capacity stacker → saddle stitch binding machine. The internal system configuration in this case is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a system configuration sectional view of the entire printing system 1000 when the configuration of the printing system 1000 is the system configuration of FIG. Also, the device configuration in FIG. 18 corresponds to the device configuration in FIG.

  18 is configured so that sheets printed by the printer unit 203 of the printing apparatus 100 can be supplied to the inside of each sheet processing apparatus, as in the previous system configuration example. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18, a sheet conveyance path is provided through which a sheet can be conveyed via points A and B inside the apparatus. Moreover, the system configuration complies with the above restrictions. For example, as described above, the saddle stitch bookbinding machine connects each sheet processing apparatus so as to be the most downstream in the sheet conveying direction.

  On the premise of such a configuration, for example, when the system configuration status of the printing system 1000 is the system configuration shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a print execution request is made by the user via the UI unit by the method described above. The control unit 205 executes the control exemplified below for the received job.

  For example, it is assumed that a job to be processed that has received a print execution request from a user in the system configurations of FIGS. 17 and 18 is a job that requires sheet processing (ex stack processing) by a large-capacity stacker through print processing. Here, this job is called a “stacker job”.

  When processing this stacker job with the system configuration shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the control unit 205 passes the sheet of the job printed by the printing apparatus 100 through point A in FIG. The sheet processing by the stacker is executed. In addition, the print result of the stacker job that has been subjected to sheet processing (ex stack processing) by the large-capacity stacker is not conveyed to another apparatus (for example, a subsequent apparatus), and is directly discharged from the large-capacity stacker shown in FIG. Hold at paper tip X.

  The printed matter of the stacker job held at the paper discharge destination X in FIG. 18 can be taken out directly from the location of the paper discharge destination X by an operator (operator). In other words, a series of device operations and operator (operator) operations, such as conveying a sheet to the discharge destination Y on the most downstream side in the sheet conveying direction in FIG. 18 and taking out the printed matter of the stacker job from the location, Configure unnecessary.

  A series of control executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration of FIGS. 17 and 18 corresponds to the control example of (Case 1) of FIG.

  On the other hand, for example, a job to be processed that has received a print execution request from the user in the system configurations of FIGS. 17 and 18 is subjected to sheet processing (for example, saddle stitch binding or punch processing) through print processing. Or a job that requires cutting processing, shift paper discharge processing, or folding processing). Here, this job is referred to as a “saddle stitching job”.

  When this saddle stitch bookbinding job is processed into the system configuration shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the control unit 205 passes the sheet of the job printed by the printing apparatus 100 through points A and B in FIG. Then, the sheet processing by the saddle stitch binding machine is executed. Further, the print result of the saddle stitch bookbinding job subjected to the sheet processing by the saddle stitch bookbinding machine is held as it is at the paper discharge destination Y of the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus shown in FIG. 18 without being conveyed to another apparatus. Let

  Note that the paper discharge destination Y in FIG. 18 has a plurality of paper discharge destination candidates. This is due to the fact that the saddle stitching bookbinding machine of this embodiment can execute a plurality of types of sheet processing, and the discharge destination is different for each sheet processing, as will be described later with reference to FIG. To do.

  A series of controls executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration of FIGS. 17 and 18 corresponds to the control example of (Case 2) of FIG.

  However, in the case of the system configuration shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the control unit 205 prohibits the user from accepting an execution request for sheet processing (ex case binding processing or sheet binding processing) that can be executed by the gluing bookbinding machine. .

  For example, when the present printing system is in the system configuration state as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, when the display of FIG. 7 is executed by the UI unit, the display keys 707 and the display keys 708 are shaded or grayed out. Control to become. In other words, the user operation of the keys 707 and 708 is disabled.

  As described above, when the system 1000 has a system configuration as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the control unit 205 prohibits the system 1000 from executing the glue binding process.

  The control executed by the control unit 205 when the printing system 1000 has the system configuration shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 corresponds to (forbidden control) in FIG.

  As described above, the control unit 205 executes various controls according to the number of connected inline type sheet processing apparatuses included in the printing system 1000. In other words, various controls are executed according to the types of sheet processing that can be executed by the system 1000.

  As is apparent from the description of FIGS. 8 to 18 and FIGS. 28 to 34 and the like, the control unit included in the printing system 1000 determines the system configuration status of the system 1000 (the number of connected inline sheet processing apparatuses, The system 1000 executes various controls corresponding to each (connection order).

  An example of the reason why the printing system 1000 in this embodiment is configured so that the connection order and the number of inline sheet processing apparatuses can be flexibly constructed and changed to meet user needs will be described. This is because all user merits are taken into consideration.

  For example, first, the reason why each inline type sheet processing apparatus permitted to be used in the system 1000 is configured as an independent casing and detachable from the printing apparatus will be described.

  As an example of this reason, for example, as a POD contractor to whom the system 1000 is delivered, a mechanism that takes into account the presence of a contractor who does not need a case binding process but wants to perform a large capacity loading process. It is.

  In other words, for example, assuming the use environment of the present system, a need for realizing all the nine types of sheet processing with an inline sheet processing apparatus is expected. On the other hand, there is a possibility that only specific sheet processing is realized by an inline sheet processing apparatus. This is to provide a mechanism for dealing with the various needs of each POD contractor as a delivery destination.

  The reason why the connection order of the inline type sheet processing apparatus permitted to be used in the system 1000 can be arbitrarily changed and rearranged within the scope of the above restrictions will be described. The reason for this is that, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 28, a discharge destination is provided for each inline sheet processing apparatus so that the printed matter can be taken out by an operator (operator). is there.

  As an example of this reason, it is considered that it is more convenient for the user of the system 1000 to make it possible to construct a system flexibly according to the usage frequency of a plurality of sheet processes required in the printing system 1000. Because.

  For example, in the POD business that owns the POD system 10000 in FIG. 1, there is a tendency that the print form requested by the end user (customer) has a relatively large number of print jobs that require case binding processing such as user manuals and guide books. Suppose there is. In such a usage environment, it is more convenient to construct the system 1000 in the connection order as shown in FIGS. 10 and 28 than to construct the system 1000 in the connection order as shown in FIGS. .

  In other words, it is more convenient to connect the gluing bookbinding machine to a location closer to the printing apparatus 100. This is because it is more effective to shorten the sheet conveyance distance in the apparatus necessary for executing the case binding process required for the case binding job.

  For example, the longer the sheet conveyance distance, the longer the time required to complete the printed material that is the final product of the job. Further, it is expected that the longer the sheet conveyance distance, the higher the jam occurrence rate inside the apparatus during the sheet conveyance operation. This is the reason.

  That is, in the case of a POD contractor who has a lot of case binding jobs as user needs, it is better to adopt the system configurations of FIGS. 10 and 28 than the system configurations of FIGS. The sheet transport distance required for this is shortened. In addition, the printed material can be taken out quickly.

  In other words, for example, it is assumed that a POD trader other than the trader tends to have more jobs that require a large number of sheets. In this case, the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is shorter than the system configuration shown in FIGS. 10 and 28 in that the sheet conveyance distance necessary for creating the printed matter of the stacker job is shorter. In addition, the printed material can be taken out quickly.

  In this way, the present embodiment focuses on how to improve the productivity of a plurality of jobs in the printing system 1000 in a flexible system form that is efficient and suitable for the usage environment. In addition, a large number of mechanisms pursuing convenience from the standpoint of the user who uses the present system 1000 can be provided.

  Next, specific examples of internal configurations of various inline type sheet processing apparatuses that can be provided in the system 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, 17, 18, and 28 are individually provided for each sheet processing apparatus. It is illustrated in

[Internal configuration of large capacity stacker]
FIG. 11 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the internal configuration of a large-capacity stacker that is controlled by the control unit 205 in this embodiment, which is exemplified in FIGS. 8 to 10, FIG. 17, FIG.

  The large-capacity stacker is roughly divided into three as a sheet conveyance path from the printing apparatus 100. As an example of this, as shown in FIG. 11, one is a straight path. One is an escape path. One is a stack path. Thus, three sheet conveyance paths are provided inside.

  The straight path included in each of the large-capacity stacker in FIG. 11 and the gluing bookbinding machine in FIG. 12 to be described later functions in order to pass the sheet received from the preceding apparatus to the succeeding apparatus. It is also called a through path in the inline sheet processing apparatus.

  The straight path provided in the large-capacity stacker is a sheet conveyance path for transferring a sheet of a job that does not require a sheet stacking process by a stacking unit included in the apparatus to a subsequent apparatus. In other words, it is a unit for transporting a sheet of a job for which sheet processing by the sheet processing apparatus itself is not requested from an upstream apparatus to a downstream apparatus.

  The escape path provided in the large-capacity stacker is used when it is desired to output without stacking. For example, when the subsequent sheet processing apparatus is not connected, when performing output confirmation work (proof printing) or the like, the printed matter is conveyed to the escape path in order to simplify the removal from the stack tray, The printed matter can be taken out from the tray.

  Note that a plurality of sheet detection sensors required to detect the sheet conveyance status and jam are provided in the sheet conveyance path inside the large-capacity stacker.

  A CPU (not shown) of the large-capacity stacker electrically connects the sheet detection information from each of these sensors to a signal line for performing data communication with the control unit 205 (the sheet processing apparatus 200 and the control unit 205 shown in FIG. The control unit 205 is notified of the signal line). Based on the information from the large-capacity stacker, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyance status and jam inside the large-capacity stacker. As another system configuration of the printing system, when other sheet processing apparatuses are cascade-connected between the sheet processing apparatus and the printing apparatus 100, the large capacity stacker is connected via the CPU of the sheet processing apparatus. The sensor information is notified to the control unit 205. Thus, it has a configuration unique to the inline finisher.

  Furthermore, the stack path provided in the large-capacity stacker is a sheet conveyance path for causing the apparatus to execute a stacking process for sheets of a job that requires a sheet stacking process by a stacking unit included in the apparatus.

  For example, it is assumed that the present system 1000 includes the large-capacity stacker shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, 17, 18, and 28. In this system configuration state, the control unit 205 sends a request for executing a sheet stacking process that can be executed by the stacker for a job to be processed, for example, by operating a key 709 displayed in FIG. Suppose that it receives from a user via a department. In this case, the control unit 205 controls to convey the sheet to the stack path included in the large-capacity stacker. The sheet conveyed to the stack path is discharged to the stack tray.

  The stack tray in FIG. 11 is a stacking unit that is placed on an extendable stay or the like. A shock absorber or the like is attached to the coupling portion with the stack tray. The control unit 205 uses the stack tray to control stacking of printed sheets of a job to be processed by the large-capacity stacker. Under the extendable stay is a cart. When a handle (not shown) is attached, the stack output placed above can be carried to another offline finisher.

  When the front door of the stacker part is closed, the extendable stay rises to the upper position where the stack output is easy to be loaded, and the front door is opened by the operator (or an operator). And the stack tray is lowered.

  In addition, stacking of stack output includes flat stacking and shift stacking, and the flat stacking is always stacked at the same position. Shift stacking is a method in which the output is shifted in the back direction by a predetermined number of copies, job units, and the like, and the output is divided so that the output is easily handled.

  As described above, the large-capacity stacker to be used as an inline type sheet processing apparatus in the system 1000 can execute a plurality of types of stacking methods when executing the sheet stacking process from the printer unit 203. It is configured. The control unit 205 executes control of such various operations on the apparatus.

[Internal configuration of glue binding apparatus]
FIG. 12 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the internal configuration of the gluing bookbinding apparatus to be controlled by the control unit 205 in this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG.

  The gluing bookbinding apparatus is roughly divided into three as a sheet conveyance path from the printing apparatus 100. As an example of this, as shown in FIG. 12, one is a straight path. One is a body pass. One is a cover path. Thus, three sheet conveyance paths are provided inside.

  The straight path (through path) provided in the gluing bookbinding apparatus of FIG. 12 is a sheet that performs a function for passing a sheet of a job that does not require gluing bookbinding processing of a sheet by a gluing bookbinding unit provided in the apparatus to a subsequent apparatus. It is a transport path. In other words, it is a unit for transporting a sheet of a job for which sheet processing by the sheet processing apparatus itself is not requested from an upstream apparatus to a downstream apparatus.

  Note that a plurality of sheet detection sensors required to detect the sheet conveyance status and jam are provided in the sheet conveyance path inside the gluing bookbinding machine.

  A CPU (not shown) of the gluing bookbinding machine electrically connects the sheet detection information from each of these sensors to a signal line for performing data communication with the control unit 205 (shown in FIG. 2 between the sheet processing apparatus 200 and the control unit 205). The control unit 205 is notified of the signal line). Based on the information from the gluing bookbinding machine, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyance status and jam inside the gluing bookbinding machine. As another system configuration of the printing system, when other sheet processing apparatuses are cascade-connected between the sheet processing apparatus and the printing apparatus 100, the gluing bookbinding apparatus is configured via the CPU of the sheet processing apparatus. The sensor information is notified to the control unit 205. Thus, it has a configuration unique to the inline finisher.

  Further, the body path and the cover path included in the gluing bookbinding apparatus in FIG. 12 are sheet conveyance paths for creating case-bound printed products.

  For example, in this embodiment, the printer unit 203 executes print processing of print data serving as a text as case binding printing processing. In addition, the printed sheet can be used as a body part in an output product for one bundle of case binding printed products. In this example, the sheet bundle of the body portion on which print data corresponding to the body (content) portion is printed in case binding is referred to as “body” in this example. In addition, the process of wrapping the body with one sheet for the cover is executed by the case binding process. The sheet as the cover is conveyed through a cover path. On the other hand, the control unit 205 executes conveyance control of various sheets so that the printing paper that is printed by the printer unit 203 that is the main body is conveyed to the main body path.

  Under such a configuration, for example, the control unit 205 performs a case binding process that can be executed by the glue binding machine for a job to be processed by a key operation of the key 707 displayed in FIG. Assume that an execution request is received from a user via the UI unit. In this case, the control unit 205 controls the apparatus as follows.

  For example, sheets printed by the printer unit 203 are sequentially stored in the stack unit via the body path shown in FIG. In addition, a sheet on which body data required for one sheet of a job to be processed is printed is stored in all stacks in the stack section, and then the cover for the job required for the job via a cover path. The sheet is conveyed.

  In addition, regarding case binding, there is a matter related to one of the feature points of this embodiment. For example, in the case binding process corresponding to one example of the glue binding process in this example, the number of sheets that can be processed as one sheet bundle is one bundle in a different type of sheet process from the glue binding process. This is overwhelmingly more than the number of sheets that can be processed as a bundle of sheets. For example, the case binding process allows up to 200 sheets as a bundle of text sheets for one bundle. On the other hand, the stapling process or the like permits processing of the printing paper as a sheet process for one bundle up to a maximum of 20 sheets and a maximum of 15 sheets in saddle stitching. As described above, the allowable number of print sheets that allow sheet processing as one sheet bundle is overwhelmingly different between the gluing bookbinding process and the other sheet processes.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the inline type sheet processing apparatus to be controlled by the control unit 205 is configured to execute the gluing bookbinding process called the case binding process. In addition, a completely new finishing can be provided as a finishing that can be executed by an inline type sheet processing apparatus that is not required even in an office environment. In other words, this is one of the mechanisms assuming a POD environment, and is a configuration related to control described later.

  In case binding, as shown in FIG. 12, as a cover sheet, a preprint sheet on which cover data is printed in advance from the inserter tray of the inserter provided in the gluing bookbinding apparatus itself is printed. Configured to be available. In addition, a sheet on which a cover image is printed by the printing apparatus 100 itself can be used. Any one of these sheets is conveyed to the cover path as a cover sheet. Then, the conveyance of the cover sheet is temporarily stopped at the lower part of the stack unit.

  In parallel with this operation, the gluing process is executed on the body composed of a plurality of sheets on which all the text pages already stacked in the stack unit have been printed. For example, the glued portion applies a predetermined amount of glue to the lower part of the body, and when the glue has spread sufficiently, the glued part of the body is applied to the center part of the cover and is joined so as to be wrapped. In joining, the body is sent out so as to push it down, so that the body wrapped around the cover slides down on the turntable along the guide. Thereafter, the guide moves so that the main body wrapped on the cover is brought down on the turntable.

  The body wrapped in the cover laid on the turntable is aligned at the width-shifting portion, and first, the portion that becomes the fore edge is cut with a cutter. Next, the turntable is rotated by 90 degrees, alignment is performed at the width adjusting portion, and the top portion is cut. Further, it is rotated 180 degrees, alignment is performed at the width adjustment part, and the ground part is cut.

  After cutting, push it back again at the width adjustment part and put the body wrapped in the finished cover into the basket part.

  After the glue is sufficiently dried in the basket portion, the finished case binding bundle can be taken out.

  As described above, the gluing bookbinding machine includes a gluing unit that executes a gluing bookbinding process on a sheet of a job to be processed that is requested by the user to execute a gluing bookbinding process together with a print execution request via the UI unit.

  In addition, as described above, the gluing bookbinding process configured to be executable by the inline type sheet processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a processing process as compared with other types of sheet processing as shown in the above configuration. There are many pre-configurations that should be prepared. In other words, it is completely different from the sheet processing that can be frequently used in an office environment such as stapling or saddle stitch binding, and the processing time required to complete the requested sheet processing is also different for other finishings. It is expected to be longer than that. In this embodiment, attention is also paid to such a point.

Thus, as can be seen even if one glue binding function is taken, in this embodiment, for example, not only in the office environment but also in a completely new printing environment such as a POD environment, the convenience and productivity were pursued. Adopting a mechanism to aim for practical application of printing systems and products. In other words, for example, new functions that have not been dealt with in the office environment, such as a case binding function and a mass loading function, are provided as configuration requirements so that they can be used in the POD environment. Further, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, 17, 17, and 28, the system configuration itself in which a plurality of inline type sheet processing apparatuses can be connected to the printing apparatus also has the above object. It is a mechanism for fulfilling.
Here, it should be noted that, for example, the present embodiment is not limited to merely having the above-described new functions and system configurations, but use cases and users that can be assumed by adopting the functional configurations. This is the point where issues to be addressed such as needs are discovered and examined in advance. In addition, one of the feature points is that the apparatus has constituent requirements that are solutions to the problem. As described above, in this form, when an office machine maker enters a new market, it discovers and examines, in advance, issues such as market requests for newly installed functions and system configurations, and a solution method for the issues. As a configuration, the system is also taken into consideration. Such a point also corresponds to one of the characteristic requirements of this embodiment. As an example of this specific configuration requirement, various controls are executed by the control unit 205 in this embodiment.

[Internal configuration of saddle stitch binding apparatus]
FIG. 13 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the internal configuration of the saddle stitch binding machine, which is controlled by the control unit 205 in the present embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. .

  The saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus includes various units for selectively performing a shift discharge process and the like for a stapling process, a cutting process, a punching process, and a folding process on a sheet from the printing apparatus 100. ing. However, the saddle stitch bookbinding machine does not include a through path that functions as a sheet conveying function to the subsequent apparatus as described in the above restriction.

  Note that a plurality of sheet detection sensors necessary for detecting the sheet conveyance status and jam are provided in the sheet conveyance path inside the saddle stitch binding machine.

  A CPU (not shown) of the saddle stitch binding machine uses a signal line for performing data communication with the control unit 205 (sheet processing apparatus 200 and control unit 205 shown in FIG. The control unit 205 is notified via a signal line that is in an electrical connection relationship. Based on the information from the saddle stitch bookbinding machine, the control unit 205 grasps the sheet conveyance status and jam inside the saddle stitch bookbinding machine. As another system configuration of the printing system, when other sheet processing apparatuses are cascade-connected between the sheet processing apparatus and the printing apparatus 100, the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus is connected via the CPU of the sheet processing apparatus. The sensor information is notified to the control unit 205. Thus, it has a configuration unique to the inline finisher.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a sample tray, a stack tray, and a booklet tray are provided, and the control unit 205 switches a unit to be used according to the type of job and the number of recording sheets to be discharged. Control as follows.

  For example, when the control unit 205 performs a key operation of the key 701 displayed in FIG. 7, a request for executing a stapling process that can be executed by the saddle stitch binding machine for the job to be processed is made via the UI unit. Assume that it is accepted from the user. In this case, the control unit 205 controls to convey the sheet from the printer unit 203 to the stack tray side. At this time, before the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray, the recording paper is sequentially stored in the processing tray inside the saddle stitching bookbinding unit for each job, and is bound on the processing tray by the stapler. Then, the recording paper bundle is discharged to the stack tray. The stapling process for the sheet printed by the printer unit 203 in this way is executed by the apparatus.

  In addition, there are a Z-folder for folding paper into a Z-shape and a puncher for punching two (or three) holes for files, and each process is performed according to the type of job. For example, when the user sets Z-folding processing via the operation unit as a setting related to recording paper processing for a job to be output, the folding paper is executed by the Z-folder on the recording paper of the job, and In the above, control is performed so that the paper is passed through the apparatus and discharged to a discharge tray such as a stack tray or a sample tray. Also, for example, when the user has set punching processing via the operation unit as a setting related to recording paper processing for a job to be output, punch processing by puncher is executed on the recording paper of the job, and Then, control is performed so that the paper is passed through the apparatus and discharged onto a discharge tray such as a stack tray or a sample tray.

  The saddle stitcher binds the central part of the recording paper in two places, and then folds the recording paper by biting the central part of the recording paper with a roller to create a booklet like a pamphlet. Process.

  The recording paper bound by the saddle stitcher is discharged to the booklet tray. Whether or not the recording paper processing operation such as bookbinding processing by the saddle stitch can be executed is also based on the recording paper processing setting set by the user for the job to be output as described above.

  The inserter is for sending the recording paper set in the insert tray to either a stack tray or a sample tray without passing through the printer. Accordingly, the recording paper set on the inserter can be inserted (inserted) between the recording paper (recording paper printed by the printer unit) fed into the saddle stitch bookbinding unit and the recording paper. The insert tray of the inserter is set face-up by the user, and is fed in order from the uppermost recording paper by a pickup roller. Therefore, the recording paper from the inserter is discharged in a face-down state by being conveyed to the stack tray or the sample tray as it is. When sending to the saddle stitcher, the face is aligned by sending it back to the puncher side and then switching back.

  Whether or not a recording paper processing operation such as recording paper insertion processing by the inserter can be executed is also based on the recording paper processing setting set by the user for the job to be output as described above.

  In this embodiment, as an example, a saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus also includes a cutting part (trimmer part). This explanation will be given below.

  The output that has become a booklet (saddle-stitched booklet) in the saddle stitching bookbinding section enters this trimmer. At that time, the output of the booklet is first fed by a predetermined length by a roller, cut by a predetermined length by a cutter unit, and dispersed among a plurality of pages in the booklet. The edges will be neatly aligned. Then, it is stored in the booklet hold unit. Whether or not a recording paper processing operation such as a cutting process by the trimmer can be executed is also based on the recording paper processing setting set by the user for the job to be output as described above.

  As described above, the saddle stitch bookbinding machine includes a saddle stitch bookbinding unit that executes a saddle stitch bookbinding process on a sheet of a job to be processed that is requested by the user to execute the saddle stitch bookbinding process together with a print execution request via the UI unit. It has.

  For example, when saddle stitch binding is selected by the user with the display key 705 in FIG. 7, the control unit 205 causes the UI unit to execute the display in FIG. 14. Through the display in FIG. 14, the control unit 205 controls to accept detailed settings for saddle stitch binding from the user. For example, it is possible to determine whether to actually execute the saddle stitching process for the vicinity of the center of the sheet using the staple. Also, settings such as split bookbinding, change of saddle stitching position, presence or absence of cutting, or change of cutting width can be accepted from the user.

  For example, it is assumed that “saddle binding” and “cut” are set by the user via the display of FIG. 14 executed by the control unit 205 in the UI unit. In this case, the control unit 205 controls the operation of the system 100 so that the job to be processed becomes a print format as shown in FIG. 15 as a saddle stitch bookbinding print result. As shown in the saddle stitch bookbinding printing result of FIG. 15, saddle stitching is performed, and the edge side is cut. Moreover, if the position of the saddle stitch or the position of the cutting surface is set in advance, it can be changed to a desired position.

  Also, for example, when a case binding execution request is made by the user using the display key 707 in FIG. 7, the control unit 205 prints the job to be processed as a case binding print result as shown in FIG. The system 1000 is controlled as follows. As shown in the example of FIG. 16, the cut width can be set for each of the cut surfaces A, B, and C in the case of case binding.

  In addition, the printing system 1000 is configured to be able to accept a print execution request and a sheet processing execution request for a job to be processed from an information processing apparatus corresponding to an example of an external apparatus. Hereinafter, an example of using the printing system 1000 from a host computer will be described.

  For example, when operating program data for executing various processes and controls of the present embodiment on a data supply source such as WEB or a host computer (PC 103 or 104 in FIG. 1) downloaded from a specific storage medium, Control as follows. However, the control subject is the control unit of the PC.

  For example, in response to a mouse or keyboard operation from the user, a printer driver activation instruction for operating the printing apparatus 100 of the system 1000 is given. In response, the CPU of the host computer displays the print setting screen shown in FIG. 29 on the display unit of the host computer. 29 and 30 are diagrams illustrating examples of user interface screens to be controlled in the present embodiment.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the finishing key 1701 on the operation screen of FIGS. 29 and 30 is pressed by the user's mouse operation. Then, the CPU of the host computer controls the display unit to switch the print setting screen to a print setting screen as shown in FIG.

  Then, the CPU of the host computer uses the sheet processing setting item 1701 on the print setting screen in FIGS. 29 and 30 to perform the sheet processing type to be executed by the inline type sheet processing apparatus 200 included in the system 1000. Are controlled to be selectable by the user.

  Although omitted here, in the external apparatus including the host computer, as the screens other than FIGS. 29 and 30, the same instructions as those that can be input via the various display screens described in detail in this embodiment are used. A display screen for enabling input of instructions is configured to be displayed. In other words, processing and control equivalent to the various processing and control described in this embodiment can be executed on the external device side.

  Then, it is assumed that the user selects a desired sheet process via the setting item 1701, returns to the screens of FIGS. 29 and 30, and presses the OK key.

  In response to this, the CPU of the host computer associates a command indicating various printing conditions set by the user via the print setting screen and a series of print data to be printed by the printing unit 203 as one job. , To the system 1000 via the network 101.

  When the external I / F unit 202 of the system 1000 receives a job from the computer, the control unit 205 of the system receives the job from the host computer by the user at the host computer. Based on the set processing requirements, the system 1000 is controlled to perform processing.

  With the configuration as described above, various effects described in the present embodiment can be obtained even in a job from an external device or the like, and the utilization efficiency of the system 1000 can be further improved.

  The control unit included in the printing system 1000 according to the present embodiment executes various controls described later on the premise of the various configuration requirements described above.

  The configurations described using FIGS. 1 to 18 and FIGS. 28 to 30 and the like correspond to the configuration requirements common to all the embodiments described in the present embodiment. In other words, for example, various controls described in the present embodiment correspond to the configuration requirements based on the configuration.

  As described above using FIGS. 1 to 18, 28 to 30, and the like, the printing system 1000 according to the present embodiment is configured not only in the office environment but also in a printing environment suitable for the POD environment.

  For example, as an example, a mechanism that can cope with use cases and user needs that can be assumed in a POD environment that cannot be assumed in an office environment is adopted.

  As an example of this, for example, in a POD environment, a POD contractor can receive various printing forms from an end user (customer).

  For example, as described above, finishing that cannot be required as user needs in the office environment, such as gluing bookbinding processing and mass loading processing, can be realized by the inline sheet processing apparatus. In other words, the present embodiment is configured to cope with user needs other than those that may be required in an office environment such as stapling in consideration of the POD environment. Further, for example, the printing system 1000 is configured to be able to flexibly cope with a business form in a POD trader that conducts business in a POD environment to be delivered.

  As an example of this, for example, as described above, a plurality of inline sheet processing apparatuses can be connected to the printing apparatus 1000, and each inline sheet processing apparatus is configured with an independent casing and capable of independent operation. ing. In addition, an arbitrary number of sheet processing apparatuses can be connected, and the printing system 1000 can flexibly add or change inline sheet processing apparatuses.

  In this embodiment, the design of the printing system 1000 is designed with sufficient consideration for user operability. As an example of this, for example, in this embodiment, the configuration in which the operator (operator) himself can manually register the system configuration of the printing system 1000 in the HDD 209 has been described. Therefore, it illustrates using this.

  For example, suppose that the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is desired to be constructed by a POD contractor as the system configuration of the printing system 1000. In this case, first, the three sheet processing apparatuses shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 purchased together with the printing apparatus 100 by the operator (operator) of the POD dealer are connected to the printing apparatus in the connection order shown in FIGS. Get connected. Then, the user mode key 505 of the operation unit 204 is pressed. In this case, in response to the key operation, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to execute the display in FIG.

  The display of FIG. 31 is a display for enabling manual input of system configuration information of the printing system 1000 by an operator (operator) himself. The control unit 205 enables an operator (operator) to determine the type of inline type sheet processing apparatus to be connected to the printing apparatus 100 via the displays in FIGS. In addition, the control unit 205 enables an operator (operator) to determine the connection order of the inline type sheet processing apparatuses in a plurality of units connected to the printing apparatus 100 via the displays of FIGS. 31 to 34.

  In addition, when the “detailed setting” key provided for each setting item of the display in FIG. 31 is pressed by the operator (operator), the control unit 205 displays a screen (not shown). On this screen, the sheet processing apparatuses used in the printing system can be specified one by one. In addition, since the present embodiment obeys the restrictions as described above, this information is also notified to the operator (operator) as guidance information. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, the control unit 205 “register the type and connection order of the sheet processing apparatus to be connected to the printing apparatus. Up to five units can be connected. However, the saddle stitch bookbinding machine Please connect to the end of the connected device. " Here, the maximum number of connected inline sheet processing apparatuses is five, but it is not particularly limited to this.

  The control unit 205 controls the display unit 401 so that the sheet processing apparatuses to be used can be determined one by one in order from the top of the setting items in FIG. This is determined as the actual connection order of the devices.

Based on the above configuration, for example, when the system configuration of the printing system 1000 is changed to the system configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the type and connection order of each sheet processing apparatus are registered as shown in FIG. Get it. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 32, the setting items are set in the order of “large capacity stacker → glue binding machine → saddle stitching machine” in order from the top. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the control unit 205 determines that this setting order is an actual connection order.
On the other hand, for example, when the system configuration of the printing system 1000 is changed to the system configuration shown in FIGS. 10 and 28, the type and connection order of each sheet processing apparatus are registered as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33, the setting items are set in order from the top of the setting items such as “glue binding machine → large capacity stacker → saddle stitching machine”. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 28, the control unit 205 determines that this setting order is an actual connection order.

  On the other hand, for example, when the system configuration of the printing system 1000 is changed to the system configuration shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the type and connection order of each sheet processing apparatus are registered as shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 34, the setting items are set in the order from “high capacity stacker → saddle stitching machine” in order from the top. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, this setting order is determined by the control unit 205 as the actual connection order.

  Further, in the system configuration of the printing system 1000 of this embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19, a system configuration example in which two large-capacity stackers illustrated in FIG. 13 and one of the saddle stitch binding machines are connected in total to three inline finishers. It is. This system configuration is a system configuration in which two large capacity stackers are connected as the same type of inline finisher. As described above, the printing system of the present embodiment is configured so that a plurality of inline finishers of the same type can be connected. Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the configuration in which the same type of inline finisher is cascade-connected is also referred to as tandem connection in this embodiment. In addition, the system configuration illustrated in FIG. 19 assumes a situation in which a printing company as a delivery destination of this system frequently performs large-scale loading. As described above, in this embodiment, a plurality of large-capacity stackers are configured to be connected in tandem.

  In this way, UI control itself that improves convenience assuming actual use cases in the field also corresponds to one of the feature points of this embodiment.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19, the system 1000 flexibly copes with various use cases and user needs with a view to POD environments that have different use cases and user needs from the office environment. It has various mechanisms for the practical application of products.

  In addition to simply having the above-described new functions and new configurations, the system 1000 executes the following various controls in order to maximize the effects of the printing system 1000. It is configured as possible.

As an example of this, for example, a control unit included in the printing system controls the printing system 1000 to execute the following control.
Before describing the following specific control, the configuration of the printing system 1000 will be supplemented.

  Various inline finishers such as a large-capacity stacker of this embodiment remove paper jam for each apparatus or take out a printed matter (also referred to as a print medium) of a job printed by the printer unit 203. A door (front door) that can be opened and closed is provided on the front surface of the apparatus housing.

  The large-capacity stacker according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a stack tray (also simply referred to as a stacker unit) disposed inside an apparatus capable of stacking large-capacity printed materials, as illustrated in the internal configuration of FIG. An escape tray (also referred to as a sample tray) disposed in (the upper part outside the apparatus) is provided. The control unit 205 exemplifies the present embodiment with respect to each of the stack tray disposed inside the large capacity stacker of the present embodiment and the escape tray disposed outside the device. Based on various determination conditions, control is performed so that a printed material of a job to be processed can be selectively supplied. In addition, the inline finisher of this embodiment other than the saddle stitch binding machine, such as a large-capacity stacker, places the printed matter received from the device located at the front stage of the own device in the subsequent stage of the own device via the through-pass inside the own device. It also has a function of transporting to the inside of the inline finisher. Further, the large-capacity stacker of this embodiment is configured such that the tray can be automatically lowered according to the sheet stacking amount of printed matter stacked on the stack tray inside the apparatus. In addition, it is possible to perform alignment processing of printed matter.

  The above configuration is as described with reference to FIG. 13, but as shown in the example of the device overview in FIG. 20, a front door 2002 that can be opened and closed by an operator (operator) is provided on the front surface of the large-capacity stacker. In addition, a switch 2001 for an operator (operator) to input an instruction for opening the door 2002 is provided in the upper part of the apparatus casing. Control of various operations in the large-capacity stacker is performed mainly by a control unit (not shown) included in the large-capacity stacker itself. The control unit opens the door 2002 in accordance with a manual input command from the switch 2001 by an operator (operator). Specifically, the door 2002 is locked with a key (not shown) when the door 2002 is closed, and the door 2002 is opened by unlocking the key. Accordingly, the printed matter loaded on the stack tray of the large-capacity stacker can be taken out by an operator (operator). Further, not only the operation from the switch 2001 but also an instruction from the control unit 205 of the printing apparatus 100 is controlled so that the door 2001 can be automatically opened. At this time, the door open signal is transmitted from the control unit 205 to the control unit of the large-capacity stacker via a signal line inside the apparatus shown in FIG. Further, when the operator (operator) takes out the printed material stacked on the stack tray of the large-capacity stacker, the door 2002 is opened, and the operator (operator) takes out the printed matter. Of course, these main controls may also be executed by the control unit 205 included in the printing apparatus 100.

  In this embodiment, when a printed matter of a job that has undergone printing processing is taken out from the large-capacity stacker by an operator (operator), a print execution request is issued to the stack tray provided in the large-capacity stacker after the job. The printing system 1000 is controlled mainly by the control unit 205 so that the sheet of the succeeding job is not discharged.

  In other words, the printing system 1000 according to the present embodiment causes the sheet processing unit inside the sheet processing apparatus to perform the process of taking out the printed matter of the job that has been printed by the operator (operator) in the sheet processing apparatus. Control is performed so that the sheet of the job following the job is not discharged.

  However, the control unit 205 performs control so that, for example, the operations exemplified below can be executed even when the operator (operator) takes out printed matter from the stack tray provided in the large-capacity stacker.

  For example, the control unit 205 performs a subsequent job on the escape tray of the large-capacity stacker while the front door 2001 of the large-capacity stacker is open / closed, such as when an operator (operator) takes out printed materials loaded on the stacker tray. The system 1000 is controlled so that the printed material can be discharged.

  In addition, the control unit 205 corresponds to a job that does not require stacking processing by the large-capacity stacker while the front door 2001 of the large-capacity stacker is open as described above, and the large-capacity stacker. The system 1000 is controlled so that a printed matter of a subsequent job corresponding to a job that requires finishing by an inline finisher connected to the subsequent stage can be conveyed via a through path inside the large-capacity stacker.

  In this way, the control unit 205 permits the execution of the operation in the system 1000 as illustrated above even when the door 2002 remains open.

  In order to execute the above-described various operations, the control unit 205 prohibits the start of the printing operation of the succeeding job for which the print execution request is made after the job to be picked up by the operator (operator) from the sheet processing apparatus. Or allow. In other words, the control unit 205 controls whether or not to execute the printing operation of the subsequent job and the printing timing.

  The above configuration is also a configuration unique to an inline finisher that is physically connected to the printing apparatus and is electrically connected.

  Based on the above configuration, the control unit 205 corresponding to an example of a control unit included in the printing system 1000 executes the following control.

  In addition, before explaining exemplary control below, it supplements further about a prerequisite component.

  As a premise, the system 1000 includes a printing apparatus 100 including a printer unit 203 that can execute print processing of data in the HDD 209 that can store data of a plurality of jobs. In addition, the system 1000 can execute sheet processing (also referred to as finishing or post-processing) on a sheet of a job (also referred to as a printed matter or a print medium) printed by the printer unit 203 that can be connected to the printing apparatus 100. A plurality of sheet processing apparatuses 200a to 200n. Each of these sheet processing apparatuses is configured such that an operator (operator) can take out a printed matter that has been subjected to sheet processing by itself. In addition, the system 1000 is configured to selectively supply sheets of jobs printed by the printer unit 203 from the printer unit 203 of the printing apparatus 100 to the plurality of sheet processing apparatuses. Yes.

  The control unit 205 corresponding to an example of the control unit of the present embodiment executes the control as illustrated below in the printing system 1000 having the system configuration with the POD market as described above.

  Automatic function setting will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the user mode key 505 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a user mode function operation screen (FIG. 21A) provided in the printing apparatus.

  The “common specification setting” button is a function for setting specifications common to each function such as copy, box, transmission, and fax.

  The “timer setting” button is a function for finely adjusting the time, setting the time until the sleep state, and the like.

  The “adjustment / cleaning” button is a function for finely adjusting and cleaning the print image.

  The “report output” button is a function for outputting a list of printer information and outputting a test page.

  The “system management setting” button is a function for performing setting for a system administrator who manages operations.

  The “copy specification setting” button is a function for performing specification settings relating to copying.

  The “transmission / reception specification setting” button is a function for setting specifications regarding transmission / reception.

  The “box specification setting” button is a function for setting specifications related to a box.

  The “address table specification setting” button is a function for registering / deleting an address table.

  When the “common process setting” button is pressed by the user in the state of FIG. 21A, the control unit 205 displays the common process setting screen of FIG.

  The “function display setting” button is a function for setting a screen to be displayed when the power is turned on or after auto-clearing.

  The “function after auto clear” button is a function for setting whether to display the screen of the function set in the initial function after auto clear.

  The “buzzer ON / OFF” button is a function for switching on / off a buzzer such as an input sound, a warning sound, and a forgetting document warning sound as necessary.

  The “automatic function setting” button is a function for setting display of an automatic function and a manual function existing in each function.

  The “automatic color selection black and white text / photo priority” button is a function for setting whether the image quality is set to text priority or photo priority when an original is recognized as black and white by automatic color selection.

  When the “automatic function setting” button is pressed by the user in the state shown in FIG. 22B, the control unit 205 displays the automatic function setting screen shown in FIG. This screen displays a list of automatic functions that exist in the functions displayed in the “Select Type” pull-down in the upper right.

  In the case of FIG. 22A, an automatic function existing in the copy function is displayed.

  The “manual only” button is a function for hiding the automatic function from the function setting.

  The “automatic and manual” button is a function for displaying both the manual function and the automatic function, as in the case of factory shipment.

  The “auto only” button is a function for hiding the manual setting from the function setting.

When the “type selection” pull-down is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 11A, the state shown in FIG. 11B is displayed, and switching to another function can be performed. When the “select all” button is pressed in the state of FIG.
The figure (c) is displayed. The mode can be changed for all automatic functions in copying. In FIG. 8C, the “select all” button changes to a “selection release” button. When the button is pressed, the selection is canceled and FIG.

  Next, a case where coexistence between automatic settings is impossible will be described with reference to FIG.

  The automatic XY independent zoom setting of the copy function is a function that automatically sets the vertical / horizontal magnification according to the selected paper size. Therefore, it cannot be used in combination with automatic paper selection in which a paper is automatically selected according to the document size and copied.

  In FIG. 23A, the type selection “copy” and the paper selection “auto only” are set. When the user selects “magnification> XY independent zoom” and presses the “auto only” button, the control unit 205 sets the confirmation message “Currently, paper selection is set to“ auto only ”. > When XY independent zoom is set to "Auto only", the paper selection will be corrected to "Automatic and manual". Are you sure? "

  When the “cancel” button is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 displays the screen shown in FIG. When the “OK” button is pressed, the same figure (c) is displayed, the magnification> XY independent zoom is set to “automatic only”, and the paper selection is corrected to “automatic and manual”.

  When the check of magnification> XY independent zoom is canceled and “paper selection” is selected in FIG. 10C, FIG. On this screen, when the “Auto only” button is pressed, the confirmation message “Currently, magnification> XY independent zoom is set to“ Auto only ”in FIG. "Is set, the magnification> XY independent zoom is corrected to" automatic and manual ". Are you sure?" Is displayed.

  When the “cancel” button is pressed by the user, the control unit 205 displays the screen shown in FIG. When the “OK” button is pressed, the same figure (f) is displayed, the paper selection is set to “automatic only, and the magnification> XY independent zoom is corrected to“ automatic and manual ”.

  The flow will be described with reference to FIG.

First, after a function is selected on the automatic function setting screen (S2701), when the pressing of any of the buttons “manual only”, “manual and automatic”, or “automatic only” is detected, the control unit that has been pressed 205 determines. (S2702) When “Manual and Auto” is selected, the selected function is set to “Manual and Auto” (S2703), and the list of the automatic function setting screen is updated (S2704)
In S2702, when “manual only” or “automatic only” is selected, it is determined whether a function that cannot be combined with the selected function is set. (S2705)
If there is no function that cannot be combined, the selected function is set to an arbitrary mode ("Manual only" or "Auto only") (S2706), and the list of the automatic function setting screen is updated. (S2704)
In S2705, if there is a function that cannot be combined, a confirmation message asking whether to perform correction processing is displayed. (S2707) It is determined whether the user inputs “Yes” or “No” (S2708), and if “Yes”, the functions that cannot be combined are corrected to “Manual and Automatic”. (S2709) Then, the selected function is set to an arbitrary mode (S2710), the confirmation message is closed (S2711), and the list of the automatic function setting screen is updated. (S2704)
If “No” is selected in S2708, the confirmation message is closed. (S2712)
Next, a screen display when “manual only”, “manual and automatic”, and “automatic only” are set will be described using FIG. 24 and color mode setting.

  The color mode setting in FIG. 24A is a state in which “manual and automatic” at the time of factory shipment is set.

  “Automatic color selection” is a function for automatically recognizing whether a document is color or black and white and switching between a full color mode and a black and white mode.

  “Full color” is a function for performing copying in the full color mode regardless of whether the document is color or black and white.

  “Monochrome” is a function that performs copying in the monochrome mode regardless of whether the document is color or monochrome.

  “Monocolor” is a function for performing copying with one specified color.

  “Two-color” is a function for performing copying with one color designated as black.

  In the state of FIG. 24A, since the color mode setting is set to “manual and automatic”, all the above functions can be selected.

  The color mode setting in FIG. 24B is set to “automatic only”. For this reason, manual “full color”, “black and white”, “single color” and “two color” are not displayed, and “automatic color selection” is fixed.

  The color mode setting in FIG. 24C is set to “manual only”. Therefore, the automatic “automatic color selection” is not displayed.

  In this way, the “automatic setting” that the machine makes judgments is invalidated, and the mode is set to perform output reliably with the settings requested by the end user (customer), or only “automatic setting” that the machine makes judgments. Can be set to a mode that eliminates human error by the operator (operator).

  In other words, the present embodiment prevents an output unintended by the user, and even if there are those that cannot be combined with each other, it is possible to provide a user interface that allows an operator (operator) to easily change the settings. became.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 24, an example in which the control can be changed under specific conditions after setting only automatic or only manual will be described.

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 25, a description will be given of a function (hereinafter referred to as a mode memory) that can register a copy setting of a combination with a name in the copy function of the multifunction peripheral.

  In FIG. 25A, five copies, automatic color setting, automatic paper setting, 100% magnification, double-sided to double-sided, density standard, and binding margin are set. To register this combination, the “application mode” button is pressed to display the application mode screen of FIG.

  The “image create” button is a function for processing and copying characters and images such as negative / positive inversion, image repeat, mirror image, area designation, and the like.

  The “index sheet creation” button is a function for copying to the index portion of the index sheet.

The “image quality adjustment” button is a function for performing image quality and color balance adjustments such as image quality adjustment, color adjustment, and one-touch adjustment for copying.
The “Sharpness” button is a function for clearing a copied image.

  The “composite” button is a function for combining and copying the image registered in the hard disk and the original image.

  The “background pattern printing” button is a function for embedding a character string that floats when copied as a hidden character string in the background of the output paper.

  The “page print / number of copies” button is a function for copying with a page number and a copy number.

  The “stamp / date printing” button is a function for copying with a stamp or date.

  The “mode memory” button is a function for registering or calling the copy mode.

  The “call” button is a function for calling the set copy mode.

  The “job combination” button is a function for outputting a plurality of originals read with different settings in one bundle.

  The “box save” button is a function for saving a document read from the copy screen as a document in the user box.

  When the “mode memory” button is pressed by the user in the state shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 205 displays a mode memory screen.

  When the user presses the “mode memory 4 (M4)” button, the same figure (c) is displayed, indicating that the settings made by the user are ready to be registered in the mode memory 4.

  When the “registration” button is pressed by the user in the state shown in FIG. 8C, the control unit 205 displays the screen shown in FIG.

  When the “NO” button is pressed by the user in the state shown in FIG. 8D, the registration is stopped by the control unit 205, and the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. When the “Yes” button is pressed by the user, registration is performed by the control unit 205, and FIG.

  In the above, the method for registering the function in the mode memory has been described.

  Next, a screen when the mode memory 4 is called by setting the color mode selection to “manual only” using the method described above will be described.

  The current setting is color mode selection “manual only”, but what is registered in the mode memory is “automatic color selection”. As described above, when there is a difference between the current setting and the calling mode, the control unit 205 displays the user confirmation screen in FIG. 26 and confirms the user.

  The “Cancel” button is a function for returning to the copy basic screen without calling the set mode memory.

  The “Correction” button is a function for correcting automatic color selection to the full color mode and calling other set modes together.

  The “OK” button is a function for calling automatic color selection and calling other set modes together although the current color mode is “manual only”.

  The above is just an example, but only automatic or manual settings were made, but by enabling the control to be changed under specific conditions, a user interface that can be set flexibly according to the situation can be provided. .

  Effects that can be achieved by the printing system 1000 of the present embodiment as described above will be exemplified below.

  For example, it is possible to cope with problems as previously assumed. Further, for example, it is possible to construct a convenient printing environment that can be used not only in the office environment but also in the POD environment. In addition, for example, the need to operate the system with high productivity as much as possible, the need to reduce the workload of the operator (operator) as much as possible, and the needs of the actual work site in the printing environment such as POD In particular, the following effects can be obtained.

  For example, disable the “automatic setting” that the machine makes judgments, and set it to a mode that reliably outputs with the settings requested by the end user (customer), or only enable “automatic setting” that makes the opportunity judgment Thus, it is possible to set a mode that eliminates human error by an operator (operator).

  Even when there is a mode that cannot be combined, it is possible to provide a user interface that can reflect the setting intended by the user by checking with the operator and confirming whether or not to perform correction.

  In addition, after setting to “Manual only” or “Automatic only”, it is possible to provide a user interface that can reflect the user's intended settings according to the situation by enabling the control to be changed under specific conditions. .

  In this way, it is possible to construct a convenient and flexible printing environment that can cope with the use cases and needs that can be assumed in the POD environment as assumed in the past, and it is possible to provide various mechanisms for commercialization of the product Become.

[Other mechanisms]
The functions shown in the drawings in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer (for example, the PC 103 or the PC 104) by a program installed from the outside. In this case, data for displaying an operation screen similar to the operation screen described in this embodiment including each operation screen is installed from the outside, and the various user interface screens are provided on the display unit of the host computer. Configure as possible. As an example of this, in this example, this is described with the configuration of the UI screens of FIGS. In the case of such a configuration, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. It is what is done.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Moreover, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not. For example, in the present embodiment, the control unit 205 inside the printing apparatus 100 is the main body of the various controls, but one or all of the various controls are executed by an external controller or the like in a separate housing from the printing apparatus 100. You may comprise.

  As described above, various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described. However, the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to specific descriptions in the present specification by those skilled in the art.

It is a figure for demonstrating the example of whole structure of the printing environment 10000 containing the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a printing system 1000 to be controlled in this embodiment. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a printing system 1000 to be controlled in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structural example of the inline finisher used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structural example of the inline finisher used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the internal structural example of the inline finisher used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a control in the case of producing printed matter with the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a control in the case of producing printed matter with the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. It is a figure which shows the further system configuration example of the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the control regarding the high capacity | capacitance stacker of this form. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of display control. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of display control. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of display control. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of display control. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of display control. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of display control. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of control. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of the printing system 1000 used as the control object by this form (apparatus structure sectional drawing of FIG. 10). It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display control with respect to UI part used as a control object by this form.

Claims (3)

An image processing apparatus that includes a plurality of functions for image processing and performs image processing using setting information set for each function, and includes a setting information display control unit that displays the setting information and a screen display control unit. A setting information input means for inputting setting information for each function of the image processing apparatus on a screen displayed on the basis thereof; an automatic means for automatically setting the image processing apparatus in one or more functions; On the basis of setting information display control means, the setting information is based on the information input by the switching means and the switching means for enabling the user to enable only the automatic means, or to use both automatic means and manual means, or to enable only the manual means. An image processing apparatus, wherein the display control means controls the setting information input means. 2. The switching means characterized in that only the automatic means is effective at a time for a plurality of functions, or the automatic means and manual means are used together, or only the manual means is enabled. Image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changing unit that can change the control in a specific condition after switching by the switching unit.

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