JP2010072313A - Bookbinding device system, method for controlling bookbinding device system, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To control a folding position, the number of bookbinding sheets, etc., which can be a problem when a bookbinding function and a folding function are combined, are easy to use and can prevent bookbinding failure and equipment stoppage. A system, a bookbinding system control method, and an image forming apparatus are provided.
A bookbinding system includes an image forming apparatus having storage means for storing data and capable of printing data stored in the storage means, and a folding apparatus for folding paper fed from the image forming apparatus. A bookbinding apparatus 3 capable of bookbinding processing for collecting a plurality of intermediate sheets, which are sheets fed from the folding device 2, performing a gluing process on the bundle of intermediate sheets, and then attaching a cover so as to wrap the bundle; And a control unit 11 for controlling the image forming apparatus 1, the folding apparatus 2 and the bookbinding apparatus 3, and printing is performed by selecting the folding mode after the mixed size of the same width is confirmed. It is started when it is confirmed that the length in the transport direction is equal to or smaller than the size after the bookbinding process.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a bookbinding apparatus system having a bookbinding processing apparatus that is attached to an image forming apparatus and performs glue-binding for sheets discharged from the apparatus, a control method for the bookbinding apparatus system, and an image forming apparatus.

In recent years, devices that are arranged downstream of image output devices such as copiers, printers, and the like, perform punching and binding on output recording paper, inserters that insert cover and slip sheets, devices that stack a large amount of paper, In general, a bookbinding apparatus that performs bookbinding, a post-processing apparatus such as a folder apparatus that performs a folding operation, a sheet feeding apparatus that feeds a large amount of paper, and the like are widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus having a configuration capable of automatically performing a binding operation even when a transfer sheet that has been copied from a document of a size serving as a computer is discharged.
However, recently, it is required that a function can be added by connecting a device having various functions to one copying machine, and further, the function is required to be selectable by the user. . Of course, there is a demand to insert a folded sheet into a bookbinding machine function in which a plurality of middle sheets are bundled, glue is applied to the side surface, and the middle sheet bundle is wrapped with a cover sheet.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-27772

However, when the bookbinding function that wraps the above-described middle sheet bundle with a cover is folded, the size of one sheet is changed by folding the sheet, resulting in bookbinding failure.
In view of the above situation, the object of the present invention is to improve the usability and the bookbinding failure by controlling the folding position, the number of books that can be bound, etc., which may be a problem when the bookbinding function and the folding function are combined. Another object of the present invention is to provide a bookbinding apparatus system that can prevent the apparatus from being stopped, an image forming apparatus used in the bookbinding apparatus system, and a method for controlling the bookbinding apparatus system.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention described in claim 1 includes a storage unit that stores data, an image forming apparatus that can print data output from the storage unit, and a printer that transmits the data. A folding device that folds the received paper, and a plurality of sheets (hereinafter referred to as intermediate paper) sent from the folding device, and a glue process is performed on the paper bundle (hereinafter referred to as intermediate paper bundle). In a bookbinding apparatus system comprising a bookbinding apparatus that can perform bookbinding so as to wrap a bundle of paper, and a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus, the folding apparatus, and the bookbinding apparatus, mixed size of the same width size is loaded. According to the confirmation of the folding mode after confirmation, the printing is characterized in that the printing is started when it is confirmed that the length in the conveyance direction of the intermediate paper is equal to or smaller than the size after the bookbinding process.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bookbinding apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the folding position applied in the folding mode is controlled by the size input after the bookbinding process that is input when the bookbinding process is performed. Features the system.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bookbinding apparatus system according to the first aspect, wherein when the folding mode is set, the minimum number of bookbinding sheets remains unchanged and the maximum number is reduced. Features.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bookbinding apparatus system according to the first aspect, wherein the change of the maximum number of sheets is controlled in accordance with a folding mode to be applied and a number of folded sheets to be inserted.
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized by the bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the folding mode so that the folding mode is not reflected on the cover.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the size after the bookbinding process is not reached after the folding, printing is not started and a warning is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit. It features a bookbinding system.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a storage unit for storing data and capable of printing the data in the storage unit, a folding apparatus for folding paper fed from the image forming apparatus, A bookbinding apparatus capable of bookbinding processing for collecting a plurality of middle sheets, which are sheets sent from the folding device, performing a gluing process on the middle sheet bundle, and then performing cover attachment so as to wrap the middle sheet bundle; In a control method of a bookbinding apparatus system comprising an image forming apparatus, the folding device, and a control unit that controls the bookbinding device, a step of confirming mixed loading of the same width size, a step of selecting a folding mode, and a middle paper A method for controlling the bookbinding apparatus system includes a step of confirming a condition in which the length in the direction in which the sheet is conveyed is equal to or smaller than the size after the bookbinding process, and a step of starting printing after confirmation of the condition.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the folding position to be applied in the folding mode is controlled by the control unit by a size input after the bookbinding process that is input when the bookbinding process is performed. The bookbinding apparatus system is controlled by the following method.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bookbinding apparatus system according to the seventh aspect, wherein when the folding mode is set, the minimum number of sheets that can be bound is maintained as it is, and the maximum number is reduced. Features a control method.

The invention described in claim 10 is characterized by the control method of the bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 7, wherein the change of the maximum number of sheets is controlled by the folding mode to be applied and the number of folded sheets to be inserted.
The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the control unit controls the bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 7 so that the folding mode is not reflected on the cover.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the size after the bookbinding process is not reached even after folding, printing is not started and a warning is displayed on the display unit. Features method.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having a storage unit for storing data and capable of printing the data in the storage unit, a folding apparatus for folding paper fed from the image forming apparatus, A bookbinding apparatus capable of bookbinding processing for collecting a plurality of middle sheets, which are sheets sent from the folding device, performing a gluing process on the middle sheet bundle, and then performing cover attachment so as to wrap the middle sheet bundle; In an image forming apparatus used in a bookbinding apparatus system that includes an image forming apparatus, a control unit that controls the folding apparatus and the bookbinding apparatus, by confirming mixed loading of the same width size, by selecting a folding mode, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that printing is started when it is confirmed that the length in the direction in which the paper is conveyed is equal to or smaller than the size after the bookbinding process.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the folding position applied in the folding mode is controlled by the control unit by a size input after the bookbinding process that is input when the bookbinding process is performed. The image forming apparatus described above is characterized.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein when the folding mode is set, the minimum number of bookbinding sheets remains unchanged and the maximum number is decreased. Features.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the change of the maximum number of sheets is controlled by a folding mode to be applied and a number of folding sheets to be inserted.
The invention according to claim 17 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control unit performs control so that the folding mode is not reflected on a cover sheet.
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, when the size after the bookbinding process is not reached after the folding, printing is not started and a warning is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit. The image forming apparatus is characterized.

  According to the present invention, when the bookbinding mode and the folding mode of mixed size of the same width are selected, folding is performed according to the final bookbinding product, and the number of inner sheets is set. This makes it possible to prevent problems such as the start of undesired printing and the waste of resources and waste of resources, and to provide an easy-to-use bookbinding system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding apparatus system to which a bookbinding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the control of the bookbinding apparatus system of FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 assuming a bookbinding apparatus system in which a folding machine F is attached to an image forming apparatus 1 and a bookbinding apparatus is connected.
1 and 2, an image forming apparatus 1, a folding apparatus F, and a bookbinding apparatus 2 are juxtaposed in the bookbinding apparatus system 10 in the lateral direction and sequentially in the rightward direction in FIG. 1. The bookbinding apparatus system 10 includes an operation unit 4 in a copying machine 1 that is an image forming apparatus. The operation unit 4 includes a display unit 5 on which a bookbinding operation setting, a detailed bookbinding setting, a non-print warning display, and the like are displayed.
More specifically, the bookbinding apparatus system 10 has a storage unit (not shown) for storing data, the image forming apparatus 1 capable of printing the data output from the storage unit, and the image forming apparatus 1 sent from the image forming apparatus 1. A folding device F that folds the stacked paper, and a plurality of sheets (hereinafter referred to as middle paper) sent from the folding device F, and a glue process is performed on the bundle (hereinafter referred to as middle paper bundle). And a bookbinding apparatus 2 capable of bookbinding so as to cover the cover.

The bookbinding apparatus system 10 is also provided with a bookbinding mode button 6, a size mixed mode switch 7, a size sensor 8 after the bookbinding process, and a folding mode button 9, which are connected to the control unit 11. Here, “size mixed loading” means that sheets having the same length in the width direction and different lengths in the sheet conveying direction are mixed and placed, for example, A3 sheets and A4 sheets Indicates that it is placed.
The sheets sent from the image forming apparatus 1 are sent to a tray indicated by a symbol X in the drawing in order to align the middle sheets of the bookbinding bundle (a book that cannot be covered with a book), and an alignment operation is performed for each sheet. (Since the alignment operation is the same as the conventional finisher, explanation is omitted here.)
When the final sheet of the bookbinding bundle is finished in the tray X, the cover is sent from the main body. When the cover sheet is sent, the sheet is conveyed to the conveyance path B by switching the branch claw 15. When the bookbinding spine comes to the position of the roller 13, the cover is stopped. At this time, the size of the cover is double that of the middle paper (if the middle paper is A, the cover is A3 size, etc.).
Thereafter, the rear end fence 16 is retracted, and the sheet bundle aligned with X by the roller 10a is conveyed for gluing. When the leading end of the sheet (the part that becomes the back of bookbinding) comes out of the roller 10b, the bundle is stopped, and the glue candy 17 is moved under the bundle to perform the gluing. Thereafter, the glue candy 17 is retracted, and the glued bundle is attached to the cover that has been conveyed in advance. Thereafter, the back plate 12 is retracted and the roller 13 is driven to discharge the bound bundle to the bookbinding tray 14.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a mixed size confirmation flow at the start of copying. When it is recognized that the bookbinding apparatus 2 is connected, the bookbinding mode for performing the bookbinding operation is displayed on the operation unit 4 by the bookbinding mode button 6. If this bookbinding mode is selected, it is confirmed by the size mixed mode switch 7 whether it is a size mixed mode (S1).
If it is not the size mixed loading mode (No in S1), the bookbinding operation setting screen is entered as it is, and the bookbinding printing operation is started. Next, it is determined whether or not the mixed mode is the same size (S2), and if the mixed size mode is the same width, it is determined whether or not the folding mode can be selected (S3). It is determined whether it is selected (S4).
It is checked whether the intermediate paper conveyance length of the finished size of the bookbinding is larger than the length of the folded paper in the middle paper conveyance direction (S5). If the intermediate sheet conveyance length of the finished size of bookbinding is larger than the length of the folded sheet in the intermediate sheet conveyance direction, the bookbinding operation is started (S6).

If the intermediate paper conveyance length of the finished size of bookbinding is smaller than the length of the folded paper in the middle paper conveyance direction, an error is displayed on the operation unit (S7), and the bookbinding printing operation is stopped (S8). If it cannot be determined, a confirmation screen may be displayed on the screen. If the folding function cannot be used or is not the same width, the user is prompted to cancel the bookbinding setting.
In the present embodiment of the bookbinding apparatus system, the folding position applied in the folding mode is controlled by the size input after the bookbinding process that is input when the bookbinding process is performed. When the folding mode is set, the minimum number of bookbinding sheets is changed as it is and the maximum number is reduced.
The control unit 11 (FIG. 2) controls the change of the maximum number of sheets according to the folding mode to be applied and the number of folded sheets to be inserted. Further, the control unit 11 performs control so that the folding mode is not reflected on the cover. Further, if the size after the bookbinding process is not reached after folding, printing is not started and a warning is displayed on the display unit 5 of the operation unit 4 (FIG. 2).
As described above, when the folding function can be used with the same width, the screen shifts to the detailed setting screen for bookbinding. When the finished size of the bookbinding (final size of the bookbinding product) is input, it is confirmed whether the middle paper conveyance length of the finished size of the bookbinding is larger than the length of the folded paper in the middle paper conveyance direction. If so, the bookbinding operation is started.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a confirmation flow of the number of folded sheets during the bookbinding operation. In FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the size mixed mode and the bookbinding mode have been started (S11). If so, the bookbinding operation is started to confirm whether or not the folded sheet has been conveyed. (S12).
If the folded sheet is conveyed, the predetermined conversion number X is added to the total number of sheets sent so far (S13). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the total number of sheets exceeds the maximum number of books that can be bound (S14). If the maximum number of sheets that can be bound is not exceeded, the bookbinding operation is continued (S17).
If it is determined in step (S14) that the total number> the maximum number that can be bound, an error is displayed on the operation unit 4 (FIG. 2) (S15), and the bookbinding operation is stopped (S16). The converted number at this time is not used when the bookbinding is the minimum possible number. The converted number X may be changed depending on the thickness, size, folding method, and the like of the paper.

Thus, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the bookbinding apparatus system 10 has a storage unit for storing data, and the image forming apparatus 1 capable of printing data in the storage unit, and the image forming apparatus. A folding device F that folds the paper sent from the printer, and a plurality of intermediate papers that are the paper sent from the folding device F, and paste the intermediate paper bundle. A bookbinding apparatus 2 that can perform bookbinding processing so as to be wrapped around, and a control unit 11 that controls the image forming apparatus, the folding apparatus, and the bookbinding apparatus are provided.
The bookbinding apparatus system includes a step of confirming mixed loading of the same width size, a step of selecting a folding mode, and a step of confirming conditions under which the length in the direction in which the intermediate paper is conveyed is equal to or smaller than the size after the bookbinding process. And a step of starting printing after confirmation of the conditions.
As described above, in the present invention, when the mixed-size bookbinding mode and folding mode of the same width are selected, folding is performed according to the final bookbinding product, and the number of intermediate sheets is set. It is possible to prevent problems that waste users' resources and resources, such as starting printing that was not originally requested by the user, and can be used in a user-friendly bookbinding system and this bookbinding system. An image forming apparatus and a bookbinding apparatus system control method can be provided.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding apparatus system to which a bookbinding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. It is a block diagram explaining control of the bookbinding apparatus system of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the size mixed loading confirmation flow at the time of copy start. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a confirmation flow of the number of folded sheets during bookbinding operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus, 2 folding apparatus, 3 bookbinding apparatus, 4 operation part, 5 display part, 6 bookbinding mode button, 7 mixed loading confirmation switch, 8 size sensor after bookbinding processing, 9 folding mode button, 10 bookbinding apparatus system, 11 Control unit

Claims (18)

An image forming apparatus having storage means for storing data and capable of printing the data output from the storage means, a folding apparatus for folding paper sent from the image forming apparatus, and sent from the folding apparatus A bookbinding apparatus capable of performing a bookbinding process in which a plurality of middle sheets, which are sheets of paper, are combined, glued on the middle sheet bundle, and then attached to cover the middle sheet bundle, the image forming apparatus, and the folding A bookbinding apparatus system comprising: a control unit that controls the apparatus and the bookbinding apparatus;
Printing is started when it is confirmed that the length in the conveyance direction of the inner sheet is equal to or smaller than the size after the bookbinding process by selecting the folding mode after confirming that the same width size is mixed. A bookbinding system characterized by this.   The bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein a folding position applied in the folding mode is controlled by a size input after the bookbinding process that is input when the bookbinding process is performed.   2. The bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein when the folding mode is set, the minimum number of sheets that can be bound is kept as it is, and the maximum number of sheets is changed.   2. The bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the change of the maximum number of sheets is controlled according to a folding mode to be applied and a number of folded sheets to be inserted.   The bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that the folding mode is not reflected on a cover sheet.   3. The bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 2, wherein after the folding, if the size does not become the size after the bookbinding process, printing is not started and a warning is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit. An image forming apparatus having storage means for storing data and capable of printing the data in the storage means, a folding apparatus for folding sheets fed from the image forming apparatus, and a sheet sent from the folding apparatus A bookbinding apparatus capable of binding a plurality of sheets of paper, performing a gluing process on the bundle of intermediate sheets, and then attaching a cover so as to enclose the bundle of intermediate sheets, and the image forming apparatus, the folding apparatus, and the bookbinding apparatus. In a control method of a bookbinding apparatus system comprising a control unit for controlling,
A step of confirming the mixed loading of the same width size, a step of selecting a folding mode, a step of confirming a condition in which the length in the direction in which the inner paper is conveyed is equal to or smaller than the size after the bookbinding process, and confirmation of the conditions And a step of starting printing later. A control method for a bookbinding apparatus system, comprising:   8. The bookbinding apparatus system control according to claim 7, wherein a folding position applied in the folding mode is controlled by the control unit according to a size input after bookbinding processing that is input when bookbinding processing is performed. Method.   8. The method of controlling a bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 7, wherein when the folding mode is set, the minimum number of sheets that can be bound is maintained as it is and the maximum number of sheets is reduced.   8. The bookbinding apparatus system control method according to claim 7, wherein the change of the maximum number of sheets is controlled by a folding mode to be applied and a number of folding sheets to be inserted.   8. The bookbinding apparatus system control method according to claim 7, wherein the control unit performs control so that the folding mode is not reflected on a cover sheet.   8. The method of controlling a bookbinding apparatus system according to claim 7, wherein if the size does not become the size after the bookbinding process even after folding, printing is not started and a warning is displayed on the display unit. An image forming apparatus having storage means for storing data and capable of printing the data in the storage means, a folding apparatus for folding sheets fed from the image forming apparatus, and a sheet sent from the folding apparatus A bookbinding apparatus capable of binding a plurality of sheets of paper, performing a gluing process on the bundle of intermediate sheets, and then attaching a cover so as to enclose the bundle of intermediate sheets, and the image forming apparatus, the folding apparatus, and the bookbinding apparatus. In an image forming apparatus used for a bookbinding apparatus system comprising a control unit for controlling,
After confirming the mixed loading of the same width size, by selecting the folding mode, printing is started when it is confirmed that the length in the direction in which the intermediate paper is transported is equal to or smaller than the size after the bookbinding process. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a folding position applied in the folding mode is controlled by the control unit according to a size input after the bookbinding process that is input when the bookbinding process is performed.   14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when the folding mode is set, the minimum number of sheets that can be bound is kept as it is, and the maximum number is changed.   16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the change of the maximum number of sheets is controlled by a folding mode to be applied and a number of folded sheets to be inserted.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control unit performs control so that the folding mode is not reflected on a cover sheet.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein after the folding, if the size after the bookbinding process is not reached, printing is not started and a warning is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit.

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