Sheet processing device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a sheet processing device which, even in the case where an interruption occurs in a job including execution of an online staple and an invalid sheet is generated, allows a user to properly select the content of the job that has been resumed after removing the invalid sheet.SOLUTION: A sheet processing device includes: sheet loading means for loading discharged sheets; sheet processing means for executing sheet processing on a sheet bundle loaded on the sheet loading means; and processing content notification means for notifying the user of processing selection information which allows a user to select sheet processing executed in the sheet processing means. When an interruption occurs in discharging processing of medium constituting the sheet bundle in a sheet processing job where the sheet bundle is a processing unit and after that the sheet processing job is resumed, the processing content notification means notifies the sheet loaded on the sheet loading means after the resumption, of the processing selection information in such a manner that the user can select the sheet processing according to the sheets loaded on the sheet loading means before the interruption.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a sheet processing apparatus that executes a predetermined process on a sheet-like medium (hereinafter referred to as "sheet" in this specification). Examples of the predetermined process on the sheet include a stapling process of stapling a stack of sheets.

[0003] Also known are an image forming apparatus that enables a sheet processing apparatus to be mounted inside a body, and an image forming system configured to connect a sheet processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus so as to be able to execute a predetermined process on a sheet after image formation. Note that some in-body type sheet processing apparatuses are known in which a user manually inserts a stack of sheets from outside the apparatus housing to execute a predetermined process.

[0004] There is disclosed a technique that enables a user to use a post-processing apparatus without giving an instruction to shift modes after execution of a print job including post-processing by the sheet processing apparatus (post-processing apparatus) is completed in the image forming apparatus (printing apparatus) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the prior art as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a specified number of sheets have accumulated in a tray, a stapling process of automatically stapling the end of the stack of sheets is executed. Such an automatically executed stapling process may be referred to as "online staple".

[0006] Before the online stapling is performed, the cover of the apparatus may be opened and the process may be interrupted, or a conveyance abnormality may occur before the sheet is discharged into the tray, and the process may be interrupted for some reason. In this case, the stapling process for the sheets that have been discharged and accumulated in the tray before the interruption will not be performed. In this way, the sheets that have been discharged into the tray for online stapling but are no longer subject to online stapling are referred to as "invalid sheets".

[0007] In the prior art, when the process was restarted after the interruption, the process of discharging an arbitrary number of sheets into the tray could be restarted after removing the invalid sheets. However, since it is restarted from the middle, the sheets discharged from the middle will not be subject to online stapling, and a stack of unstapled sheets will be discharged. In that case, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to notice the stack of unstapled sheets.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus that enables a user to appropriately select the content of a job restarted after removing invalid sheets even when a job including online stapling is interrupted and invalid sheets are generated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] In order to solve the above technical problem, one aspect of the present invention is a sheet processing apparatus that performs a predetermined sheet process on a sheet bundle formed by bundling a plurality of sheets, including a sheet stacking means for stacking the discharged sheets, a sheet processing means for executing the sheet process on the sheet bundle stacked on the sheet stacking means, and a processing content notification means for notifying the user of processing selection information that enables the user to select the sheet process to be executed by the sheet processing means. The processing content notification means notifies the processing selection information so that the user can select the sheet process in which the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means after the resumption are combined with the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means before the interruption when an interruption occurs in the discharge process of the medium constituting the sheet bundle in a sheet processing job with the sheet bundle as a processing unit and the sheet processing job resumes thereafter.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, even when an interruption occurs in a job including the execution of online stapling and invalid sheets are generated, the user can appropriately select the content of the job resumed after removing the invalid sheets.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of a sheet processing apparatus and an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, as an embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus, a binding processing unit 100 will be exemplified, and as an embodiment of the image forming system, a printer system 1 will be exemplified.

[0013] [Embodiment of Image Forming System] First, the printer system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIGS. 1 and 2 are external views of the printer system 1 according to the present embodiment. The printer system 1 is an apparatus having an image forming function of forming an image on a sheet S (typically, paper) as a sheet-like medium, and a post-processing function of executing predetermined sheet processing (post-processing) on the sheet S on which the image is recorded.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the printer system 1 mainly includes a housing 301 and an image forming unit 300 corresponding to an image forming apparatus inside the housing 301. The housing 301 is box-shaped with an internal space formed to accommodate the components of the printer system 1. Further, an internal space 302 accessible from the outside of the printer system 1 is formed in the housing 301. The internal space 302 is a part where the outer wall of the housing 301 is cut out and exposed to the outside, and is located, for example, slightly above the center in the vertical direction of the housing 301.

[0015] In the internal space 302, as an option unit for adding an option function, a binding processing unit 100 capable of binding a plurality of sheets S together and a punching processing unit 200 capable of punching are attachable. Note that the binding processing unit 100 corresponds to an embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0016] The image forming unit 300 discharges the sheet S picked up from the sheet storage tray and conveyed thereto to the punching processing unit 200 and the binding processing unit 100. The image forming unit 300 may be an inkjet system that forms an image using ink, or an electrophotographic system that forms an image using toner. Since the configuration of the image forming unit 300 is already well-known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0017] The punching processing unit 200 is attached to the inner space 302 of the printer system 1 on the downstream side of the image forming unit 300 and on the upstream side of the binding processing unit 100 in the conveyance path of the sheet S from the image forming unit 300 to the binding processing unit 100 (the path indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1). That is, in the example of the printer system 1, the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 300 is first delivered to the punching processing unit 200, where a predetermined punching hole forming process is executed, and then delivered to the binding processing unit 100, where the binding process described later is executed.

[0018] Note that the punching processing unit 200 is configured to be detachable from the printer system 1. When the punching processing unit 200 is removed, the state illustrated in FIG. 2 is obtained. In this case, the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 300 is directly delivered to the binding processing unit 100 and subjected to the binding process. Note that, at the position where the punching processing unit 200 in the inner space 302 has been removed, another processing unit that performs an arbitrary process on the sheet S can also be attached.

[0019] [Control Configuration of Image Forming System including Binding Processing Unit 100] Next, the control configuration of the printer system 1 including the binding processing unit 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the control configuration of the printer system 1 in a state where the punching processing unit 200 has been removed.

[0020] In FIG. 3, the conveyance path of the sheet S (the flow of the sheet S) is represented by a dashed arrow, and the path of the communication signal (control signal) (the flow of the signal) is represented by a solid arrow.

[0021] The printer system 1 includes a display unit 303 for notifying the user of the states and operation details of various devices, an operation unit 304 for the user to perform setting operations such as modes and quantities, and a paper feeding unit 305 for stocking the sheets S and separating and feeding them one by one.

[0022] Note that the configuration corresponding to the display unit 303 and the operation unit 304 may be provided in the binding process unit 100.

[0023] Also, the printer system 1 includes an image forming unit 306 that forms a latent image on a photoreceptor (not shown in FIG. 3) and transfers the image to the sheet S, and a fixing unit 307 that fixes the image transferred to the sheet S. Further, the printer system 1 includes an image forming control unit 308 that controls the operations of the above-mentioned respective units.

[0024] The binding process unit 100 receives an instruction on the processing content from the image forming control unit 308 of the printer system 1 through the communication line 309. The binding process unit 100 performs a binding process on the designated sheet S based on the designated processing content by the binding process control unit 102 controlling the operation of the binding process unit 101.

[0025] Each connected image forming control unit 308 and binding process control unit 102 are connected by the communication line 309, enabling the exchange of information. Thereby, information regarding the operation mode, sheet S size, timing, etc. is exchanged, and the system operation becomes possible.

[0026] Next, FIG. 4 shows a control configuration example of the printer system 1 with the punching process unit 200 attached. In FIG. 4 as well, the conveyance path of the sheet S (the flow of the sheet S) is represented by a dashed arrow, and the path of the communication signal (control signal) (the flow of the signal) is represented by a solid arrow.

[0027] The printer system 1 is the same in that it includes the display unit 303, the operation unit 304, and the paper feeding unit 305. Also, the image forming unit 306 and the image forming control unit 308 are similarly provided.

[0028] The binding processing unit 100 receives a processing instruction from the image formation control unit 308 of the printer system 1 via the communication line 309 and gives it to the binding processing control unit 102, and performs the specified processing on the specified sheet S in the binding processing unit 101. Information specifying the processing content for the sheet S is notified to the binding processing unit 101 via the punching processing unit 201.

[0029] Each connected image formation control unit 308 and binding processing control unit 102 are connected by the communication line 309, enabling the exchange of information. Thereby, information such as information regarding the operation mode, sheet S size, timing, etc. is exchanged, enabling the system operation.

[0030] The punching processing unit 200 receives a processing instruction from the image formation control unit 308 of the printer system 1 via the communication line 309, and the instruction is given from the binding processing control unit 102 to the punching processing control unit 202 via the communication line 103. The punching processing control unit 202 controls the punching processing unit 201 to execute the specified punching processing.

[0031] [Hardware Configuration of Binding Processing Unit 100] Next, the hardware configuration of the binding processing unit 100 included in the printer system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the binding processing unit 100 includes a CPU 110 as a controller in the binding processing control unit 102, and is connected to a plurality of motors and sensors that serve as power sources for the operation of each mechanism via an I / F (interface) 120. The CPU 110 is an arithmetic means and controls the overall operation of the binding processing unit 100.

[0032] The CPU 110 that constitutes the control means of the binding processing unit 100 is connected to the image forming control unit 308 of the printer system 1 via the I / F 120. The CPU 110 controls the binding processing unit 100 in response to a processing signal from the printer system 1 via the I / F 120. Since the binding processing unit 100 is also an optional device, it has a detachable hardware configuration. Note that the I / F part that connects the image forming unit 300 and the binding processing unit 100 has a configuration that can be detached hard, for example, by a relay connector or a drawer connector.

[0033] The drive motor that drives a plurality of pairs of conveyance rollers for executing the binding process in the binding processing unit 100 is attached with an encoder that can detect the drive amount of each motor in terms of the number of pulses. Therefore, it is configured such that the pair of conveyance rollers can be driven and stopped at a position with a specific drive amount starting from a specific timing, and control for conveying the sheet S by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction can be realized.

[0034] Also, the encoder pulses can be measured based on the timing when the sensor on the conveyance path becomes ON or OFF, and the drive amount of each motor can be calculated based on these encoder pulses. Then, based on the calculated drive amount, the position of the end of the conveyed sheet S on the conveyance path can be determined.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the binding process control unit 102, which is the control unit of the binding processing unit 100, is connected to the CPU 110 via the I / F 120, including a conveyance motor 151, a discharge motor 152, a staple movement motor 153, a conveyance sensor 154, a sheet-on-tray detection sensor 26, a sheet bundle detection sensor 28, a discharge sensor 155, and a staple movement HP sensor 156.

[0036] In addition, the punching process control unit 202, which is the control unit of the punching process unit 200, is connected to the CPU 110 via the I / F 122 to the punch punching motor 157, the punch movement motor 158, the pre-punch motor 159, the cover open / close sensor 160, and the punching unit HP sensor 161.

[0037] Also, when connecting a folding process unit that executes a folding process on the sheet S as an option, its control unit is connected to the CPU 110 via the I / F 122 to the folding motor 162, the entrance sensor 163, and the folding sensor 164.

[0038] [Structure and Operation of the Sheet Processing Apparatus] Next, the structure and operation of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the binding process unit 100 as an embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus. The binding process unit 100 as a binding process unit bundles and binds the sheet bundle Sb, and includes a plurality of binding units 19 in order to execute various types of binding.

[0039] The binding unit 19 as a sheet processing means includes, for example, a needle binding unit 19a that can execute "needle binding" for binding the end of the sheet bundle using a binding needle. In addition, a pressure bonding unit 19b that can execute pressure bonding for deforming and binding a part of the sheet bundle Sb by pressure without using a binding needle is included. In the following description, when explaining regardless of the type of binding process, it will be referred to as the "binding unit 19". Also, when referring to each type of binding, it will be denoted by its respective reference numeral.

[0040] The binding process unit 100 is configured to be able to execute a manual binding process (offline binding process). The types of binding that can be executed in this manual binding process are not limited to needle binding and pressure bonding.

[0041] That is, the stapling processing unit 100 illustrated in the following description is applicable to any of those having only the needle stapling unit 19a, those having only the crimp stapling unit 19b, or those having a hybrid configuration including both of them, regardless of whether they are illustrated or not. In the embodiments described below, mainly, a hybrid configuration including both the needle stapling unit 19a and the crimp stapling unit 19b is illustrated.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6, a slit 23 that constitutes a sheet insertion portion for a user to insert the sheet bundle Sb is provided in the exterior 2 (a part of the housing) of the housing that houses the configuration of the stapling processing unit 100 when performing manual stapling processing (manual staple). The slit 23 has an opening provided in a part of the exterior 25. This opening is provided in a plurality of directions and corresponds to an entrance for inserting the sheet bundle Sb as an object into the slit 23. That is, the slit 23 corresponds to a void having openings in a plurality of directions, and the sheet bundle Sb can be inserted into the slit 23 from a plurality of directions.

[0043] The slit 23 is a sheet bundle receiving space having a structure that allows the sheet bundle Sb to be inserted toward the stapling processing execution position where the stapling process is performed on the sheet bundle Sb from outside the device housing (outside the exterior 25). Therefore, the slit 23 is formed with a depth such that the stapling position (end portion) of the sheet bundle Sb to be stapled reaches the stapling processing execution position.

[0044] The stapling processing unit 100 includes a manual stapling start button 24 on the exterior 25. The manual stapling start button 24 is disposed, for example, on the upper surface of the exterior 25. When the manual stapling start button 24 is operated (for example, pressed) in a state where the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23 and reaches the stapling position, an operation instruction for the stapling unit 19 is notified to the stapling processing control unit 102. Thereby, the stapling unit 19 operates to perform a manual stapling process on the sheet bundle Sb.

[0045] Note that the binding unit 19 may use the position where it is placed when manually performing the binding process as the initial position. In this case, immediately after turning on the operating power of the binding processing unit 100, it becomes possible to perform a manual binding process (manual binding) without moving the binding unit 19.

[0046] Next, a configuration for performing a binding process including the binding unit 19 (the needle binding unit 19a and the pressure-bonding binding unit 19b) provided in the binding processing unit 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7(a) is a plan view of the binding processing unit 100. FIG. 7(b) is a longitudinal sectional view of the binding processing unit 100.

[0047] The binding processing unit 100 can set a plurality of operation modes and is configured to operate appropriately based on the set operation mode. Examples of the operation modes provided in the binding processing unit 100 include a "shift discharge mode" in which the sheet S is conveyed and discharged without performing a binding process on the sheet S from the upstream device (image forming unit 300) to the discharge tray 20, and a "binding mode" in which the sheet S is bound by the needle binding unit 19a or the pressure-bonding binding unit 19b.

[0048] In the case of the shift discharge mode, the sheet S conveyed from the printer system 1 is received by the inlet roller 11, conveyed to the discharge roller 16, and discharged to the discharge tray 20.

[0049] In the case of the binding mode, the sheet S conveyed from the printer system 1 is received by the inlet roller 11 and conveyed in the first direction up to the shift roller 13. Then, when the sheet S passes through the shift roller 13, the knocking roller 15 is driven to place the sheet S on the stacking tray 17 which is an internal tray and serves as a sheet stacking means. After that, by the operations of the knocking roller 15 and the return roller 14, the sheet S is conveyed in the terminal direction of the stacking tray 17. At this time, it is conveyed toward the reference fence 18 for aligning the end portion of the sheet S.

[0050] After the end of the sheet S abuts against the reference fence 18, the jogger fences 22 (front jogger fence 22a, rear jogger fence 22b) abut against the side (width direction) ends of the sheet S to sandwich the sheet S. By this operation, alignment of the width direction ends of the sheet S loaded on the loading tray 17 is performed.

[0051] By repeatedly executing the acceptance from the inlet roller 11 and the alignment operation by the jogger fences 22 for a predetermined number of sheets S, a sheet bundle Sb composed of a predetermined number of sheets can be formed. The number of times of this repeated execution is defined by the number of sheets S constituting the sheet bundle Sb.

[0052] When the sheet S is placed on the loading tray 17, the on-tray sheet detection sensor 26 detects this and notifies the binding process control unit 102 of a detection signal. By the CPU 110 described later determining this detection signal, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a sheet S (sheet bundle Sb composed of a plurality of sheets S) on the loading tray 17.

[0053] Also, in the case of the binding mode, the operation of loading the above sheet S onto the loading tray 17 and transporting it to the reference fence 18 is repeatedly executed until the number of sheets to be bound is reached. Then, when the final sheet S is transported to the reference fence 18, the binding unit such as the stitch binding unit 19a or the pressure bonding binding unit 19b closes the ends of the bundle of sheets S (sheet bundle Sb) to execute the binding process. The bound sheet bundle Sb is discharged to the discharge tray 20 by the discharge roller 16.

[0054] Note that the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb discharged to the discharge tray 20 is aligned by abutting the end of the sheet S or the sheet bundle Sb against the end fence 21.

[0055] Insert the sheet bundle Sb into the slit 23, and when the user presses the manual binding start button 24 provided on a part of the exterior 25 of the binding processing unit 100, the sewing binding process or the heat-sealing binding process is executed. The manual binding start button 24 corresponds to an operation means for instructing the start of the manual binding process.

[0056] When the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23, whether the end of the sheet bundle Sb has reached a predetermined binding position is detected by the sheet bundle detection sensor 28.

[0057] The sewing binding unit 19a or the heat-sealing binding unit 19b can also set the binding position for performing manual binding (manual stapling) as the home position (initial position). That is, when the user inserts and sets the sheet bundle Sb into the slit 23, the position corresponding to the binding position for the sheet bundle when the ends of the sheet bundle are respectively abutted against the abutting portions for positioning the sheet bundle can be set as the home position.

[0058] As a positioning configuration of the sheet bundle, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 7(a), a conveyance direction stopper 25a as a part that abuts in a direction corresponding to the conveyance direction when the sheet bundle Sb is discharged, and a width direction stopper 25b as a part that abuts in the width direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the sheet S are provided. The positions of the conveyance direction stopper 25a and the width direction stopper 25b are adjusted and installed so that the position where the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23 abuts against the conveyance direction stopper 25a and the width direction stopper 25b becomes the binding position. Then, the home position of the binding unit is set so that the end of the sheet bundle Sb when it abuts against the conveyance direction stopper 25a and the width direction stopper 25b is set as the binding position. By setting these, the manual stapling process can be executed at the position at the start of the operation of the binding processing unit 100.

[0059] Also, the binding unit 19 is configured to move to a predetermined binding position along the movable guide member 29.

[0060] In the example of FIG. 7, the pressure-bonding binding unit 19b is arranged on the back side of the binding processing unit 100, and the needle binding unit 19a is arranged on the front side. However, the arrangement of each binding unit is not limited to this. The needle binding unit 19a may be arranged on the back side and the pressure-bonding binding unit 19b may be arranged on the front side.

[0061] Here, the "back side" used in this specification corresponds to the X-direction side at the opening where the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23. That is, it corresponds to the upper side when facing the drawing in FIG. 7.

[0062] [First Embodiment of Sheet Processing Apparatus] Next, a first embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 shows an example of an intermediate state when the binding processing unit 100 executes a sheet processing job as a processing unit for forming a sheet bundle in the binding mode. FIG. 8 illustrates a case where a discharge failure occurs in the sheet S constituting the sheet bundle Sb during the formation of at least one sheet bundle Sb in the sheet processing job.

[0063] When the sheet S constituting the sheet bundle Sb is not normally discharged (not conveyed) to the stacking tray 17 and becomes defective (jams), the sheet bundle Sb cannot be normally formed. In the following description, among the sheets S that should have been discharged to form the sheet bundle Sb, the sheet S that has a discharge failure and reaches a situation where it cannot contribute to the formation of the sheet bundle Sb is referred to as an "invalid sheet Si". Also, the sheet S that is discharged first in the order of the sheets S for forming a certain sheet bundle Sb is denoted as the "first sheet S1". Together, the sheet S that follows the "first sheet S1" and is scheduled to contribute to the formation of the same sheet bundle Sb as the first sheet S1 is denoted as the "second sheet S2".

[0064] Note that when the stapling processing unit 100 according to the present embodiment resumes a job after a jam occurs and the job is interrupted in a sheet processing job for forming a stack of sheets Sb, it can execute control processing for reducing the number of sheets S to be treated as invalid sheets Si.

[0065] When the stapling processing unit 100 operates in the stapling mode, after a predetermined number of sheets S are loaded on the loading tray 17, the plurality of sheets S are automatically stapled as a stack of sheets Sb and discharged as the stack of sheets Sb. In this way, the automatic stapling process for the sheets S loaded on the loading tray 17 is referred to as "online staple" in this specification.

[0066] On the other hand, when a predetermined number of sheets S are loaded on the loading tray 17, the stapling process performed by the user taking out the sheets S from the loading tray 17 and inserting them into the slit 23 is referred to as "manual staple".

[0067] Here, if there is no interruption due to discharge failure (jam) or the like during the execution of the sheet processing job, online staple is executed. On the other hand, when an interruption occurs in the sheet processing job, manual staple is performed using the sheets S that have been discharged to the loading tray 17 until then and the sheets S that are discharged to the loading tray 17 after the job is resumed. When performing this "manual staple after job interruption", the user is notified of the method of manual staple so that the generation of invalid sheets Si can be reduced. This notification is one of the features of the present embodiment.

[0068] For example, assume that when a sheet processing job is being executed, at the stage of forming a certain stack of sheets Sb, the preceding sheet S (first sheet S1) is normally discharged to the loading tray 17, but a discharge failure (jam) occurs in the subsequent sheet S (second sheet S2) discharged thereafter. FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which the processes in which discharge failure occurs in the second sheet S2 are grouped.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 9, the second sheet S2 with discharge failure will not be stacked on the first sheet S1 already placed on the stacking tray 17, but will be removed by once removing the binding processing unit 100 from the upstream device 10.

[0070] Here, the upstream device 10 corresponds to the printer system 1 that discharges the sheet S to the binding processing unit 100 in the present embodiment. As described with reference to FIG. 1 and the like, the image forming unit 300 that forms an image on the sheet S constitutes a part of the upstream device 10.

[0071] After the second sheet S2 that has not been normally discharged to the stacking tray 17 due to a discharge jam is removed, the degree of damage is confirmed by the user, and it is determined whether it can be reused.

[0072] On the other hand, the first sheet S1 already placed on the stacking tray 17 has not been damaged. However, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when the binding processing unit 100 is once removed from the upstream device 10 to take out the second sheet S2, the interlock (energization) is interrupted. In this case, the state of the process being executed by the binding processing unit 100 is not maintained, and the alignment state of the sheet S placed on the stacking tray 17 cannot be maintained.

[0073] In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the first sheet S1 cannot also be used to form the sheet bundle Sb. Therefore, although it has been normally discharged to the stacking tray 17, due to an interruption occurring in the job until the sheet bundle is configured and the online stapling is normally executed, the first sheet S1 will reach a state where it is treated as an "invalid sheet Si".

[0074] In this case, although the first sheet S1 (invalid sheet Si) that has become a state to be treated as invalid needs to be removed from the loading tray 17 by the user, since there is no discharge jam or the like, it is in a state without damage. Therefore, regarding the first sheet S1 (invalid sheet Si), after the user confirms the presence or absence and degree of damage, if there is no damage, it is considered that it may be used for forming the sheet bundle Sb according to the user's judgment.

[0075] After the discharge jam is resolved and the first sheet S1 is removed from the loading tray 17, the binding process unit 100 resumes the sheet processing job. After the interruption of the sheet processing job, when the sheet processing job is resumed, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the binding process unit 100 causes the user to judge that the second sheet S2 that has become unusable due to the discharge jam to be discharged again. Here, the re-discharged second sheet S2 is referred to as "re-discharged second sheet S2r".

[0076] If no discharge jam occurs in the re-discharged second sheet S2r, it is discharged toward the loading tray 17 and newly loaded. That is, from the second sheet S2 that the user has judged to be unusable, the same sheet S is discharged and the sheet processing job is resumed from there.

[0077] Note that the resumption of the sheet processing job illustrated in FIG. 11 is executed by detecting that no sheet S is loaded on the loading tray 17. Whether or not a sheet S is loaded on the loading tray 17 is determined by a control processing program that uses the detection signal output by the tray upper sheet detection sensor 26 and the arithmetic processing of the CPU 110. When the sheet S is removed from the loading tray 17, a detection signal notifying this is notified from the tray upper sheet detection sensor 26 to the CPU 110.

[0078] [First example of processing content notification means] Next, the process selection screen as the process content notification means according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. As described above, when an interruption occurs in the sheet processing job and the preceding sheet S (the first sheet S1 discharged before the job interruption) placed on the stacking tray 17 is taken out from the stacking tray 17, the sheet processing job is restarted from the discharge of the second sheet S2 that caused the interruption reason.

[0079] After this restart, when the discharge of the sheets S that make up the sheet bundle Sb that was not formed by the online stapler due to the job interruption is normally performed, the binding process control unit 102 notifies the display unit 303 of the process content selection information.

[0080] The process content selection information is information for notifying the user of the method of forming a sheet bundle using the sheets S discharged before and after the interruption when the sheet processing job is restarted after being interrupted during the formation of one sheet bundle. Hereinafter, embodiments of the process content selection information notified from the binding process control unit 102 as the process content notification means will be illustrated and described with reference to the drawings.

[0081] First, FIG. 12(a) shows the process content selection information when the invalid sheet Si due to a discharge jam or the like is removed and the first sheet S1 loaded from the stacking tray 17 is removed in the binding processing unit 100 that is executing the sheet processing job in the binding mode. With this process content selection information, for example, the first process selection screen G11 is displayed on the display unit 303.

[0082] The first process selection screen G11 includes process selection information that allows the user to arbitrarily select the restart conditions when restarting the sheet processing job after removing the invalid sheet Si. When it is determined that the sheet processing job has been interrupted and the invalid sheet Si has been removed from the stacking tray 17, the binding punching process control unit 202 notifies the display unit 303 of the process selection information for displaying the first process selection screen G11. The display unit 303 displays the notified process selection information.

[0083] When the user selects "Resume Job from Invalid Sheet" on the first processing selection screen G11, for example, processing content selection information is notified to cause the second processing selection screen G12 to be displayed on the display unit 303. When the user continues the binding process using the second processing selection screen G12, it is possible to perform a binding process that combines the sheet S (re-discharged second sheet S2r) to be discharged after resumption with the first sheet S1 that would otherwise become an invalid sheet Si if nothing were done. This enables the invalid sheet Si that was previously wasted to be bound and not wasted.

[0084] Note that in the second processing selection screen G12 illustrated in FIG. 12(b), the binding type is not specified. However, in the case of the binding processing unit 100 capable of executing manual stapling, the processing content selection information may be notified to the display unit 303 and displayed so as to prompt "manual stapling" as in the third processing selection screen G13 illustrated in FIG. 12(c).

[0085] Also, when an invalid sheet Si occurs, damage may also occur to the sheets S other than the invalid sheet Si. Therefore, on the first processing selection screen G11, the user may select to use a specific number of sheets S that make up the sheet bundle Sb as the resumption condition for the sheet processing job.

[0086] In this case, the processing content selection information may be notified to the display unit 303 so that the sheet S for resuming the printing process can be selected as in the fourth processing selection screen G14 illustrated in FIG. 12(d). If there is no damage to the sheet S, printing may be resumed from where the invalid sheet Si occurred as in the second processing selection screen G12 illustrated in FIG. 12(b).

[0087] However, when restarting printing from the first sheet, it becomes possible to perform online stapling, which is the normal process in the binding mode at the time of printing completion. In this case, processing content selection information indicating that no manual stapling is required after printing completion may be notified to the display unit 303 as in the fifth processing selection screen G15 illustrated in FIG. 12(e). When the second printed sheet becomes the invalid sheet Si but there is damage to the first sheet and it is desired to restart printing from the first sheet, processing content selection information such as the fifth processing selection screen G15 will be notified to the display unit 303.

[0088] FIG. 13 is an example of processing content selection information notified to the display unit 303 when the invalid sheet Si is removed and the remaining sheets S are normally printed in the binding processing unit 100. In the sixth processing selection screen G16 illustrated in FIG. 13, the user is prompted again to perform a binding process by combining the invalid sheet Si taken out from the stacking tray 17 and the printed sheet S.

[0089] Also, for the part where printing is restarted, when printing is completed up to the last sheet of that part (the last sheet S corresponding to the sheets discharged to form the sheet bundle Sb), it is counted as the number of parts of the online-stapled sheet bundle. For example, when a sheet processing job for forming five parts of sheet bundles is executed, if the fifth sheet S of the second part becomes the invalid sheet Si, the number of parts of the online-stapled part is in the state of "1", and printing is restarted from the fifth sheet of the second part. When the remaining sheets S are discharged, the number of parts of the online-stapled part becomes "2", and printing is restarted from the first sheet of the third part.

[0090] [Second Embodiment of Sheet Processing Apparatus] Next, a second embodiment of the sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. Similar to the first embodiment, when a process of forming a plurality of sheet bundles Sb is executed in a binding mode sheet processing job, assume that a discharge jam occurs in the sheet S included in a certain sheet bundle Sb at the formation stage of the sheet bundle. At this time (when the sheet processing job is interrupted due to a discharge jam), it is assumed that the preceding sheet bundle (the first sheet bundle Sb11) has already been formed on the stacking tray 17.

[0091] If the formation of the first sheet bundle (the first sheet bundle Sb11) is normally performed and the online stapling is completed as shown in FIG. 14, it is directly discharged to the discharge tray 20 as shown in FIG. 15.

[0092] However, when the sheet processing job is interrupted during the formation of the subsequent sheet bundle (the second sheet bundle Sb2), as illustrated in FIG. 16, the subsequent sheet bundle Sb (the sheet bundle Sb including the first sheet S1 before interruption) placed on the stacking tray 17 is removed and becomes the second sheet bundle Sb2A as illustrated in FIG. 17.

[0093] Since the sheet processing job is restarted when the second sheet bundle Sb2A is removed from the stacking tray 17, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the re-discharged second sheet S2r that is re-discharged after the interruption is placed on the stacking tray 17. Then, when the sheet S including the re-discharged second sheet S2r is discharged to the discharge tray 20, it is discharged to the same position as the first sheet bundle Sb11. In this case, it becomes difficult for the user to distinguish between the sheet bundle Sb that was interrupted midway and the sheet bundle that was normally discharged.

[0094] Therefore, in the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 18, when restarting the sheet processing job, when a predetermined number of sheets S including the re-discharged second sheet S2r are placed on the stacking tray 17, the positions of the jogger fences 22 (front jogger fence 22a, rear jogger fence 22b) are moved (shifted). The jogger fences 22 (front jogger fence 22a, rear jogger fence 22b) constitute a sheet position moving unit. The operation of the jogger fences 22 (front jogger fence 22a, rear jogger fence 22b) is controlled by the binding process control unit 102.

[0095] Thereafter, the re-discharged second sheet bundle Sb2B including the re-discharged second sheet S2r is discharged to the discharge tray 20 without performing online stapling, resulting in the state illustrated in FIG. 19. That is, the discharge position of the re-discharged second sheet bundle Sb2B is different from the discharge position of the first sheet bundle Sb11. This position is orthogonal to the discharge direction of the sheet bundle Sb (the conveyance direction of the sheet S).

[0096] As described above, the placement positions of the first sheet bundle Sb1 and the re-discharged second sheet bundle Sb2B that overlap on the discharge tray 20 are made easily distinguishable by the user. That is, the user can easily distinguish between the first sheet bundle Sb1 for which online stapling has been executed and the sheet bundle Sb (re-discharged second sheet bundle Sb2B) for which online stapling has not been executed (binding process has not been performed) among the sheet bundles Sb placed on the discharge tray 20. As a result, the user can also take out the re-discharged second sheet bundle Sb2B from the discharge tray 20 and perform manual stapling.

[0097] [Processing Flow in the Binding Processing Unit 100 (First Example)] Next, a first example of the flow of the control processing program executed in the binding processing unit 100 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 20 and 21. The flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 exemplify the processing executed when a job interruption cause occurs at any intermediate stage during which online stapling is performed on the sheet bundle Sb in the binding mode and discharged to the discharge tray 20. That is, it exemplifies the processing executed at the stage where the sheet processing job is started and then interrupted, resulting in the generation of invalid sheets Si.

[0098] Note that the job interruption cause is not limited to a discharge jam, and includes the case where the printer system 1's housing cover is opened and the operation of the entire printer system 1 is forcibly stopped.

[0099] When a job interruption cause occurs, the first sheet S1 placed on the loading tray 17 is treated as an invalid sheet Si. Therefore, in order to notify and display the processing content selection information on the display unit 303, the binding processing control unit 102 first displays the first processing selection screen G11 (S2001).

[0100] Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the first sheet S1 has been removed from the loading tray 17 (S2002). The processing loops until all the first sheets S1 are removed from the loading tray 17 (S2002: NO). When all the first sheets S1 have been removed from the loading tray 17 (S2002: YES), it is determined whether or not the user has selected "Resume job from invalid sheets" on the first processing selection screen G11 (S2003).

[0101] If "Resume job from invalid sheet" is selected (S2003: YES), the binding processing unit 100 determines whether it is equipped with a manual stapling function (S2004). If the manual stapling function is not equipped (S2004: NO), the binding processing control unit 102 notifies the display unit 303 of the processing content selection information for displaying the second processing selection screen G12 (S2005). If the manual stapling function is equipped (S2004: YES), the binding processing control unit 102 notifies the display unit 303 of the processing content selection information for displaying the third processing selection screen G13 (S2006).

[0102] In S2003, if "Resume job from invalid sheet" is not selected (S2003: NO), it means that the setting to resume printing from an arbitrary sheet number has been selected. Therefore, the binding processing control unit 102 notifies the display unit 303 of the processing content selection information for displaying the fourth processing selection screen G14 (S2007).

[0103] Subsequently, it is determined whether the resume of printing is from the first sheet (S2008). When resuming printing from the first sheet (S2008), online stapling will be performed. Therefore, the binding processing control unit 102 notifies the display unit 303 of the processing content selection information for displaying the fifth processing selection screen G15 (S2009).

[0104] When a predetermined operation is performed on each processing content selection screen displayed on the display unit 303, the job is resumed (S2010). The processing loops until the job is resumed (S2010: NO). After the job is resumed (S2010: YES), it is determined whether a predetermined number of sheets of the second sheet S2 including the re-discharged second sheet S2r have been discharged to the stacking tray 17 (S2011). That is, it is determined whether the sheet S for forming the sheet bundle Sb of the specified number defined in the sheet processing job has been discharged. The processing loops until the predetermined number of sheets S are discharged to the stacking tray 17 (S2011: NO).

[0105] When a predetermined number of sheets S are discharged onto the loading tray 17 (S2011: YES), it is determined whether printing is to be resumed from the second sheet onward (S2012). If printing is not to be resumed from the second sheet onward (S2012: NO), the process ends.

[0106] If printing is to be resumed from the second sheet onward (S2012: YES), the jogger fence 22 is moved, and then the sheet S placed on the loading tray 17 is discharged (S2013).

[0107] Subsequently, it is determined whether the job is completed (S2014). The process loops until the job is completed (S2014: NO). When the job is completed (S2014: YES), the binding process control unit 102 notifies the display unit 303 of the process content selection information for displaying the sixth process selection screen G16 (S2014).

[0108] [Second Example of Process Content Notification Means] Next, another example of the process selection screen as the process content notification means according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 22. FIG. 22(a) is an example of a seventh process selection screen G17 for selecting whether to enable acceptance of another sheet processing job until a sheet bundle Sb combining the reprinted sheet S and the invalid sheet Si is stapled manually after the occurrence of the invalid sheet Si.

[0109] After the occurrence of the invalid sheet Si, the remaining sheets are printed, but there is a possibility of mixing with the printing jobs of other users. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22(a), it may be possible to set so that after printing is completed after the occurrence of the invalid sheet Si and the combined bundle is manually stapled, the printing job of another user is started.

[0110] However, when the invalid sheet Si is bound separately from the manual staple, the manual staple is not executed and the job remains unaccepted. Therefore, an eighth process selection screen G18 that allows selection of making it in an acceptable state after the printing job is completed may be displayed as shown in FIG. 22(b).

[0111] [Processing Flow in the Binding Processing Unit 100 (Second Example)] Next, a second example of the processing flow of the control processing program executed in the binding processing unit 100 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 23 and 24. If an invalid sheet Si does not occur (S2301: NO), the job is executed until the job is completed (S2308: NO). If the job is completed, the process ends (S2308: YES).

[0112] When an interruption cause occurs during the execution of the job and an invalid sheet Si occurs (S2301: YES), if printing is not resumed from the second sheet onwards (S2302: NO), the new job reception status becomes "acceptable" (S2306). If printing is resumed from the second sheet onwards (S2302: YES), then, the binding process control unit 102 notifies the display unit 303 of the process content selection information for displaying the seventh process selection screen G17 illustrated in FIG. 22(a) (S2304).

[0113] If "Make it possible to accept after manually stapling the invalid sheet" is not selected on the seventh process selection screen G17 (S2304: NO), the new job reception status becomes "acceptable" (S2306). If "Make it possible to accept after manually stapling the invalid sheet" is selected on the seventh process selection screen G17 (S2304: YES), the new job reception status becomes "not acceptable" (S2305). At this time, the binding process control unit 102 notifies the upstream device 10 of an instruction indicating that a new job is not to be accepted. That is, the binding process control unit 102 that notifies the display unit 303 of the seventh process selection screen G17 constitutes the instruction input notification means.

[0114] Subsequently, the process loops until the invalid sheet Si is removed and the job is resumed (S2307: NO). When the job is resumed (2307: YES), the process loops until the interrupted job discharges all sheets S and sheet bundles and is completed (S2401: NO).

[0115] When the job is completed (S2401: YES), it is determined whether the new job reception status is "acceptable" (S2402). If the new job reception status is "acceptable" (S2402: YES), the process ends.

[0116] If the new job reception status is not "acceptable" (S2402: NO), it is determined whether the manual stapling is completed (S2403). If the manual stapling is completed (S2403: YES), the new job reception status is changed to "acceptable" and the process ends (S2404).

[0117] If the manual stapling is not completed (S2403: NO), the process loops until the user operates the operation unit 304 to perform an operation to display the eighth process selection screen G18 shown in FIG. 22(b) on the display unit 303 (S2405: NO, S2402: NO, S2403: NO).

[0118] When the user operates the operation unit 304 to perform an operation to display the eighth process selection screen G18 shown in FIG. 22(b) on the display unit 303 (S2406: YES), the binding process control unit 102 notifies the display unit 303 of the process content selection information for displaying the eighth process selection screen G18 illustrated in FIG. 22(b) (S2406).

[0119] Subsequently, the process is looped until the user selects "Make it acceptable after the print job is completed?" for the operation unit 304 (S2407: NO, S2402: NO, S2403: NO, S2405: YES, S2406).

[0120] If the user selects "Make it acceptable after the print job is completed?" for the operation unit 304 (S2407: YES), the new job reception status is changed to "acceptable" and the process ends (S2404).

[0121] As described above, the flowcharts illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 show the transition flow of the new job reception state when it is set whether to accept a job until the sheet bundle Sb combining the printed sheet S and the invalid sheet Si after the occurrence of the invalid sheet Si is manually stapled.

[0122] When the new job reception state is in the unacceptable state, a new job is not accepted.

[0123] Regarding the reception of a new job, it is in an acceptable state until an invalid sheet Si occurs. When an invalid sheet Si occurs and printing resumes from the second sheet onwards (not online stapled), the new job reception state changes according to the items set on the setting screen in FIG. 22(a). If it was set to be acceptable after manual stapling and completion after the occurrence of the invalid sheet Si in FIG. 22(a), it becomes an unacceptable state; otherwise, it remains in an acceptable state.

[0124] Also, even if the user binds the bundle of invalid sheets Si without using manual stapling after printing resumes and the job is completed, if the other job acceptance setting is set to an acceptable state as shown in FIG. 22(b), it may transition to an acceptable state.

[0125] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. All technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are the subject of the present invention. The above embodiments show preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various modified examples from the disclosed content. Such modified examples are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0126] The content of the present invention is as follows, for example. <1> A sheet processing apparatus that performs predetermined sheet processing on a sheet bundle formed by bundling a plurality of sheets, Sheet stacking means for stacking the discharged sheets, Sheet processing means for performing the sheet processing on the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet loading means; Processing content notification means for notifying the user of processing selection information that enables the user to select the sheet processing to be performed by the sheet processing means; Comprising; The processing content notification means; When an interruption occurs in the processing of the medium constituting the sheet bundle in a sheet processing job with the sheet bundle as a processing unit, and then the sheet processing job resumes, The processing selection information is notified so that the user can select the sheet processing in which the sheet loaded on the sheet loading means after the resumption is combined with the sheet that was loaded on the sheet loading means before the interruption; A sheet processing apparatus characterized by the above. <2> The processing content notification means; When the sheet loaded before the interruption cannot form the sheet bundle combined with the sheet loaded after the resumption, the processing selection information is not notified; The sheet processing apparatus according to <1> above. <3> The sheet loading means has a sheet position moving part for moving the loading position of the sheet, The sheet position moving part; When an interruption occurs in the sheet processing job, the loading position of the sheet to be loaded after the resumption of the sheet processing job is set at a position different from the loading position of the sheet loaded before the interruption; The sheet processing apparatus according to <1> or <2> above. <4> The sheet processing means includes a sheet insertion part having an opening through which the user can insert the sheet bundle loaded on the sheet loading means, The processing content notification means; When the sheet processing job is interrupted, the processing selection information is notified so that the sheet bundle, which is a combination of the sheets stacked before the interruption and the sheets stacked after the sheet processing job is resumed, is inserted into a sheet insertion unit and the sheet processing is performed. The aforementioned <1> and above <3> 10. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is a sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of nozzles. <5> an instruction input notifying means for receiving an input of a processing instruction for an upstream device that discharges the sheet onto the sheet stacking means and notifying the upstream device of the input instruction; The instruction input notification means When an interruption occurs in processing of sheets constituting the sheet bundle in a sheet processing job in which the sheet bundle is a processing unit, the upstream device is notified of an instruction to disable resumption of the sheet processing job until a user instructs the upstream device to resume the sheet processing job. The aforementioned <1> and above <4> 10. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is a sheet processing apparatus having a plurality of nozzles. <6> an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet-like medium; The image forming apparatus connected to the <1> and above <5> a sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding items; The image forming system includes: [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1: Printer system 10: Upstream device 17: Loading tray 19: Binding unit 22: Jogger Fence 23: Slit 24: Start button 25: Exterior 26: Sheet detection sensor on tray 28: Sheet stack detection sensor 100: Binding processing unit 101: Binding processing section 300: Image forming unit G11: First Processing Selection Screen G12: Second Processing Selection Screen G13: Third Processing Selection Screen G14: Fourth Processing Selection Screen G15: Fifth Processing Selection Screen G16: Sixth Processing Selection Screen G17: Seventh Processing Selection Screen G18: Eighth Processing Selection Screen

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0128]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A sheet processing apparatus for performing predetermined sheet processing on a bundle of sheets obtained by bundling a plurality of sheets, comprising: sheet stacking means for stacking the discharged sheets; sheet processing means for executing the sheet processing on the bundle of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means; processing content notification means for notifying the user of processing selection information that enables the user to select the sheet processing to be executed by the sheet processing means; and the processing content notification means when an interruption occurs in the processing of the medium constituting the bundle of sheets in a sheet processing job that uses the bundle of sheets as a processing unit, and when the sheet processing job resumes thereafter, notifies the processing selection information so that the user can select the sheet processing in which the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means after the resumption are combined with the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means before the interruption; A sheet processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The processing content notification means does not notify the processing selection information when the sheets stacked before the interruption cannot form a bundle of sheets combined with the sheets stacked after the resumption. The sheet processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The sheet stacking means has a sheet position moving unit for moving the stacking position of the sheets, and the sheet position moving unit sets the stacking position of the sheets to be stacked after the resumption of the sheet processing job at a position different from the stacking position of the sheets stacked before the interruption when an interruption occurs in the sheet processing job. The sheet processing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The sheet processing means includes a sheet insertion portion having an opening through which the user can insert the bundle of sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means, and the processing content notification means notifies the processing selection information so that the sheet processing is executed by inserting the bundle of sheets obtained by combining the sheets stacked before the interruption and the sheets stacked after the resumption of the sheet processing job into the sheet insertion portion when an interruption occurs in the sheet processing job. The sheet processing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2.

5. It includes instruction input notification means for receiving an input of an instruction for processing to an upstream apparatus that discharges the sheets to the sheet stacking means and notifying the input instruction to the upstream apparatus, and the instruction input notification means In a sheet processing job that uses the sheet bundle as a processing unit, when an interruption occurs in the processing of the sheets that make up the sheet bundle, until the user instructs the resumption of the sheet processing job, notify the upstream device of an instruction to disable the resumption of the sheet processing job for the upstream device. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet-like medium, The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 connected to the image forming apparatus, An image forming system comprising:

Images