Image forming system and program

Abstract

To be able to continue a binding process with another binding process method even when an event happens that stops the binding process during the binding process using a binding method selected from multiple types of binding processes.SOLUTION: In a control device 10 that constitutes an image forming system, a process execution control unit 102 performs binding processing to bind multiple paper sheets to form a paper stack using a binding process selected from either a staple using process that uses staples or a stapleless process that does not use staples, and when a predetermined event occurs during paper stack forming, a detection unit 103 detects this, and a switching unit 104 performs a first switching process that switches to the other binding process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology that allows an operator to select between a staple-based binding process for binding multiple sheets of paper into a paper stack and a staple-free binding process (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With such a technology, if an event such as a staple break or a malfunction occurs while the binding process is being performed using the selected binding method, the binding process must be stopped until the event is resolved. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-040084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an event occurs that causes the binding process to be stopped while the binding process is being performed using a selected binding process method from among multiple binding methods, there is a demand to be able to continue the binding process using another binding process method.

[0005] To provide an object of the present invention to enable a binding process to be continued using another binding process method even if an event occurs during the binding process that is being performed using a binding process method selected from among multiple types of binding processes, which necessitates the stopping of the binding process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is an image forming system comprising one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors perform a binding process for binding multiple sheets of paper to create a paper stack using one of a staple-based process, which uses staples, and a stapleless process, which does not use staples, and when a predetermined event occurs during the creation of the paper stack, the processors perform a first switching process, which switches to the other binding process. The invention described in claim 2 is the image forming system described in claim 1, characterized in that the one or more processors perform the first switching process when an event occurs that may hinder the continuation of the selected binding process as the predetermined event. The invention described in claim 3 is the image forming system described in claim 2, characterized in that when a staple runs out in a needle-present processing mechanism that performs the needle-present processing as an event that may hinder the continuation, the one or more processors switch from the needle-present processing to the needle-less processing as the first switching processing. The invention described in claim 4 is the image forming system described in claim 1, characterized in that when the predetermined event occurs, the one or more processors perform a second switching process that switches the front and back sides and the discharge order of the paper stack to be discharged depending on the binding position of the paper stack that is the target of the binding process that is started after the first switching process. The invention described in claim 5 is the image forming system described in claim 4, characterized in that the staple-present processing mechanism that performs the staple-present processing and the staple-less processing mechanism that performs the staple-less processing are each movable in a movement direction perpendicular to the discharge direction in which the stack of sheets is discharged, and the first binding position for the stack of sheets that is the target of the staple-present processing and the second binding position for the stack of sheets that is the target of the staple-less processing are different in the movement direction. The invention described in claim 6 is the image forming system described in claim 5, characterized in that the first binding position is at one end side of the moving direction of the paper stack, and the second binding position is at the other end side of the moving direction of the paper stack. The invention described in claim 7 is the image forming system described in claim 6, characterized in that the one or more processors, as the first switching process, switch from the staple-present process to the staple-less process, and as the second switching process, switch so that the front and back of the discharged stack of sheets are reversed in the direction of movement, and switch so that the discharge order of the stack of sheets is reversed. The invention described in claim 8 is the image forming system described in claim 4, characterized in that the one or more processors eject a first interleaf sheet as an indication that the second switching process has been performed, before the next stack of sheets is ejected, after the second switching process has been performed. The invention described in claim 9 is the image forming system described in claim 8, characterized in that the one or more processors eject a second interleaving sheet, which serves as an indication that the number of created paper stacks has reached a predetermined number, before the next paper stack is ejected, after the number of created paper stacks has reached the predetermined number. The invention described in claim 10 is a program for realizing the function of causing a computer to perform a binding process for binding multiple sheets of paper to create a paper stack using one of a staple-based process, which uses staples, and a stapleless process, which does not use staples, and to perform a first switching process, which switches to the other binding process, when a predetermined event occurs while creating the paper stack. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention of claim 1, even if a predetermined event occurs while the selected binding process is being performed, the process can be switched to another binding process, and as a result, the binding process can be continued. According to the present invention of claim 2, even if an event occurs during the selected binding process that may prevent the continuation of the selected binding process, the binding process can be switched to another binding process, and as a result, the binding process can be continued. According to the present invention, even if a staple runs out in the staple-present processing mechanism that performs the staple-present processing, the mechanism can be switched to the staple-less processing, allowing the binding processing to continue. According to the present invention of claim 4, the binding process can be continued regardless of the binding position of the paper stack to be subjected to staple-based processing and the binding position of the paper stack to be subjected to staple-less processing. According to the present invention of claim 5, the binding process can be continued even if the binding position of the paper stack to be processed with staples and the binding position of the paper stack to be processed without staples are different in the movement direction. According to the present invention of claim 6, the binding process can be continued even if the binding position of the paper stack to be processed with staples and the binding position of the paper stack to be processed without staples are located at positions apart in the movement direction. According to the present invention of claim 7, the front and back of the discharged paper stack are reversed in the direction of movement, and the discharge order of the paper stack is reversed. As a result, even if the binding position of the paper stack to be processed with staples and the binding position of the paper stack to be processed without staples are located at positions apart in the direction of movement, the binding process can be continued. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the user can ascertain the timing at which the second switching process was performed simply by identifying the position of the first interleaf inserted between the plurality of discharged sheet bundles. According to the present invention of claim 9, the user can know where to insert the discharged stack of sheets before the first switching process is performed simply by identifying the position of the second interleaf inserted between the multiple discharged stacks of sheets. According to the present invention of claim 10, even if a predetermined event occurs while the selected binding process is being performed, the process can be switched to another binding process, and as a result, the binding process can be continued. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system to which the present embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a post-processing device included in the image forming system of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1A is a diagram showing the movable range of the staple head when staple processing is performed, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a specific example of the binding position of a paper stack after staple processing. [Figure 4]1A is a diagram showing the movable range of the staple head when stapleless processing is performed, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a specific example of the binding position of a stack of paper sheets after stapleless processing. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a specific example when the front and back of a stack of sheets are reversed by the second switching process. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a specific example in which the discharge order of a sheet stack is reversed as a result of the first switching process and the second switching process being performed during the binding process. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a specific example of a method for rearranging the order of a plurality of discharged sheet bundles and combining them together. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a specific example in which a first interleaf sheet and a second interleaf sheet are discharged. [Figure 9] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device that configures the post-processing device of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of the control device of FIG. 9. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Configuration of Image Forming System 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the post-processing device 3 that constitutes the image forming system 1 of FIG. The image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2 and a post-processing apparatus 3 disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus 2 in the conveying direction.

[0010] (Image forming device 2) The image forming apparatus 2 is an apparatus that has functions such as forming an image based on image data, accepting operation input, and displaying various types of information. The image forming apparatus 2 is configured, for example, as a printer or copier that forms an image on a recording material (e.g., paper) by an electrophotographic method. The paper as a recording material on which an image has been recorded by the image forming apparatus 2 is transported along a transport path 114 toward the post-processing apparatus 3.

[0011] (Post-processing device 3) The post-processing device 3 is a device that performs post-processing on paper on which an image has been recorded (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "printed") by the image forming device 2. Post-processing refers to various processes such as processing, binding, and packaging that are performed after an image has been recorded on the paper. As shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing device 3 includes a conveying section 110, a post-processing section 120, and a stacker tray 130.

[0012] A conveying section 110 of the post-processing device 3 conveys the paper, which has been conveyed from the image forming device 2 along a conveying path 114, toward the post-processing device 3 by rolls 111 to 113 that convey the paper further downstream.

[0013] The post-processing unit 120 of the post-processing device 3 performs processes such as collecting and bundling multiple sheets of paper and binding the bundled sheets of paper to create a paper sheaf (hereinafter referred to as "binding process"). The post-processing unit 120 is capable of "staple-based processing" in which binding is performed using staples, and "stapleless processing" in which binding is performed without using staples. The post-processing unit 120 is equipped with staples to be used in staple-based processing.

[0014] The post-processing unit 120 includes a roll 121 that receives the paper sheets transported by the transport unit 110, and an exit sensor 122 that detects the paper sheets downstream of the roll 121. The post-processing unit 120 also includes a compile tray 124 that collects and stacks multiple sheets of paper that are transported sequentially, and a roll 123 that discharges the paper sheets toward the compile tray 124. The post-processing unit 120 also includes a main paddle 125 and a sub paddle 126 that rotate to push multiple sheets of paper toward a stapler 127 that performs binding processing. The post-processing unit 120 also includes a roll 128 that transports the stack of paper sheets stacked on the compile tray 124 toward the stacker tray 130 after binding processing.

[0015] The stacker tray 130 of the post-processing device 3 stacks the transported paper stacks in a manner that makes it easy for the user to pick them up. The post-processing device 3 also has a control device 10 that controls the entire post-processing device 3. The control device 10 is provided in the post-processing section 120, for example. The configuration of the control device 10 will be described in detail later.

[0016] <Binding process> (Needle treatment) Fig. 3A is a diagram showing the movable range of the staple head when staple processing is performed, and Fig. 3B is a diagram showing a specific example of the binding position of a paper-sheet bundle B after staple processing. The stapler 127 of the post-processing section 120 (see FIG. 2) of the post-processing device 3 includes staple heads 201 and 202 as a staple-present processing mechanism for performing staple-present processing. The stapler 127 also includes staple heads 211 and 212 as a staple-less processing mechanism for performing staple-less processing.

[0017] When stapler 127 performs staple-present processing, staple heads 201 and 202 move widthwise and insert staples into predetermined binding positions in stack of paper B to staple the sheets. At this time, staple heads 211 and 212, which perform staple-less processing, are not used and are therefore retracted to the vicinity of the rear end in the widthwise direction. For this reason, the range within which staple heads 201 and 202 can move widthwise to perform staple-present processing is limited, as shown by arrow 222.

[0018] The staple-with processing can be selected from either "staple-with front processing," in which a staple is inserted into binding position 301 of paper-sheet bundle B to bind it, or "staple-with dual processing," in which a staple is inserted into each of binding positions 302 and 303 of paper-sheet bundle B to bind it. When staple-with front processing is performed, staple head 201 moves to the vicinity of the front end of paper-sheet bundle B in the width direction, rotates about 45°, and inserts a staple into binding position 301 of paper-sheet bundle B to bind it.

[0019] When dual processing with staples is performed, staple heads 201 and 202 each move to near the center in the width direction of paper-sheet bundle B and staple the paper-sheet bundle B by inserting staples into binding positions 302 and 303, respectively. Note that while Fig. 3(B) illustrates a state in which staples are inserted into all of binding positions 301 to 303 of paper-sheet bundle B, in reality, either front processing with staples or dual processing with staples is selected alternatively.

[0020] In this way, the staple-present process is a process that is performed within the movable range of the staple heads 201 and 202 in the width direction, and the binding positions for the paper stack B are limited to three positions (binding positions 301 to 303). For this reason, there is a hardware limitation that, for example, it is not possible to staple the paper stack B shown in FIG. 3B by inserting a staple near the rear end in the width direction.

[0021] (Needle-free treatment) Fig. 4(A) is a diagram showing the movable range of the staple head when stapleless processing is performed, and Fig. 4(B) is a diagram showing a specific example of the binding position of a stack of paper sheets B after stapleless processing.

[0022] When stapler 127 performs stapleless processing, staple heads 211 and 212 move in the width direction and insert staples into predetermined binding positions in stack of paper-sheets B to staple the sheets. At this time, staple heads 201 and 202, which perform staple-based processing, are not used and are therefore retracted to the vicinity of the front end in the width direction of stack of paper-sheets B. For this reason, the range within which staple heads 211 and 212 can move in the width direction to perform stapleless processing is limited, as shown by arrow 232.

[0023] The stapleless processing can be selected from either "stapleless rear processing," which binds paper-sheet bundle B by using a press binder or the like at binding position 311, or "stapleless dual processing," which binds paper-sheet bundle B by using a press binder or the like at each of binding positions 312 and 313. When stapleless rear processing is performed, staple head 211 moves to the vicinity of the rear end of paper-sheet bundle B in the width direction, rotates about 45°, and binds paper-sheet bundle B by using a press binder or the like at binding position 311.

[0024] When staple-free dual processing is performed, staple heads 211 and 212 each move to near the center of the width direction of sheet bundle B and bind the sheets by press-binding or the like at binding positions 312 and 313 of sheet bundle B. Note that while Figure 4(B) illustrates an example of a state in which press-binding or the like has been performed at all of binding positions 311 to 313 of sheet bundle B, in reality, either staple-free rear processing or staple-free dual processing is selected alternatively.

[0025] In this way, stapleless processing is performed within the movable range of the staple heads 211 and 212 in the width direction, and the binding positions for the paper stack B are limited to three positions (binding positions 311 to 313). For this reason, there is a hardware limitation in that, for example, it is not possible to bind the paper stack B by using a press binder or the like near the end on the front side in the width direction as shown in FIG. 4(B).

[0026] <First switching process> If a "needle out" occurs during the needle-present process, which is an event that may prevent the needle-present process from continuing, the process automatically switches from the needle-present process, which requires a needle, to the needle-free process, which does not require a needle. Hereinafter, this type of process will be referred to as the "first switching process." The configuration for realizing the first switching process will be described later.

[0027] By performing the first switching process, there is no need to replenish staples during the binding process. For example, if staples run out during staple-based dual binding, the first switching process is performed, and the process automatically switches to staple-free dual binding. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3(B) and 4(B) above, even if staple-based dual binding automatically switches to staple-free dual binding, the binding position of sheet stack B does not change. In other words, binding positions 302 and 303 of sheet stack B shown in FIG. 3(B) are the same or approximately the same as binding positions 312 and 313 of sheet stack B shown in FIG. 4(B). For this reason, the binding process continues without any problems even if the first switching process is performed.

[0028] <Second switching process> In contrast, when staple-present front processing is performed, binding position 301 is located upstream in the conveyance direction of sheet bundle B and near the front end in the width direction, as shown in Fig. 3(B). Also, when staple-less rear processing is performed, binding position 311 is located upstream in the conveyance direction of sheet bundle B and near the rear end in the width direction, as shown in Fig. 4(B). For this reason, if a staple runs out during staple-present front processing and the first switching process automatically switches to staple-less rear processing, the binding position of sheet bundle B will change from the front to the rear in the width direction, which is a problem.

[0029] Therefore, in the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, if staples run out during the staple-present front process, the front and back sides of the discharged sheet stack B and the discharge order are automatically switched. Hereinafter, this type of process will be referred to as the "second switching process." The configuration for realizing the second switching process will be described later.

[0030] <Specific examples of the first switching process and the second switching process> 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a specific example when the front and back of the stack of sheets are reversed by the second switching process. Figure 5(A) shows a stack of sheets B1 that has undergone staple-based front processing before the first and second switching processes, while Figure 5(B) shows a stack of sheets B2 that has undergone staple-less rear processing after the first and second switching processes.

[0031] When staple-based front processing is performed, as shown in FIG. 5A, stack B1 of sheets is discharged with the printed side facing downward and the top of the printed side positioned toward the front in the width direction. If staples run out during staple-based front processing, first and second switching processes are automatically performed, and the process switches to stapleless rear processing. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the process switches so that the front and back of stack B2 of sheets being discharged are inverted in a direction perpendicular to the discharge direction (conveyance direction) (the direction of movement of staple head 201, etc. (width direction)). That is, stack B2 of sheets is discharged with the printed side facing upward and the top of the printed side positioned toward the rear in the width direction. As a result, binding position 301, where staple-based front processing is performed, and binding position 311, where stapleless rear processing is performed, are the same or approximately the same for stacks B1 and B2. As a result, even if staples run out, the binding process can continue without replenishing staples.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example in which the discharge order of the sheet bundle is reversed as a result of the first switching process and the second switching process being performed during the binding process. There is a limit to the number of sheets of paper that the stapler 127 (see FIG. 2) can staple in one binding process. Therefore, if the total number of pages of the manuscript data to be printed exceeds the number of sheets that can be stapled in one binding process, the manuscript data is divided into multiple bundles of sheets and discharged. For example, if the total number of pages of manuscript data to be printed on one side is 90 pages and the number of sheets that can be stapled in one binding process is 10, nine bundles of sheets (10 sheets x 9 = 90 sheets) are discharged in the order of the pages of the manuscript data. The user combines the nine bundles of sheets that have been discharged using a method such as bookbinding to create one copy of a printed material.

[0033] The discharge order of the nine separated bundles of sheets is designed to facilitate easy recombination after discharge, and differs depending on whether the binding process is a front process with staples or a rear process without staples. Specifically, when the binding process is a front process with staples, the bundle of sheets is discharged with the printed side facing downwards in the vertical direction and with the top of the printed side positioned toward the front in the width direction. Therefore, the bundle of sheets is discharged sequentially so that the page numbers of the original data are in ascending order. In contrast, when the binding process is a rear process without staples, the bundle of sheets is discharged with the printed side facing upwards in the vertical direction and with the top of the printed side positioned toward the rear in the width direction. Therefore, the bundle of sheets is discharged sequentially so that the page numbers of the original data are in descending order.

[0034] However, if a staple breaks during staple-attached front processing and the first and second switching processes are performed, the stack of sheets will be flipped over and the order in which the sheets are discharged will be reversed, as described above. Therefore, if multiple discharged stacks of sheets are combined as is, the printed pages will not be printed on the same side as the other sheets, and the order of the pages will be incorrect. Therefore, if a staple breaks during staple-attached front processing and the first and second switching processes are performed, the user must consider the order in which the sheets are discharged and rearrange the order as needed before combining the stacks of sheets.

[0035] Figure 6 shows an example of when a staple runs out during the creation of a printed product in which bundles of sheets B1 to B9 are joined in that order, and the first and second switching processes are performed. In the example of Figure 6, the staple-containing front process is performed three times in succession, and the staple runs out when bundles of sheets B1 to B3 (first set S1) are created. As a result, the staple-containing front process is switched to the staple-less rear process as the first switching process, and the sheet bundle is turned over as the second switching process, reversing the order in which the sheets are discharged.

[0036] Specifically, after sheet bundle B3 is ejected, sheet bundle B9, which is upside down compared to sheet bundle B3, is ejected, followed by sheet bundles B8 and B7 (second set S2 including sheet bundle B9) and sheet bundles B6 to B4 (third set S3) in that order. This means that sheet bundles B1 to B9 have all been ejected, and they can be combined to create the first copy D1 of the printed material. However, because the first and second switching processes are performed while the staple-attached front process is being performed continuously, the user must consider the order in which the sheet bundles are ejected and rearrange the order as needed to combine sheet bundles B1 to B9. A specific method for combining sheet bundles B1 to B9 while rearranging the order will be described later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0037] 6, following the ejection of the first copy D1, the second copy D2, consisting of the sheet bundles B1 to B9, is ejected in descending order. This allows these to be combined to create the second copy D2 of the printed material. Note that in the second copy D2, the sheet bundles B1 to B9 are ejected in descending order, so they can be combined without changing the order.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a method for rearranging and combining multiple discharged sheet bundles. In the example of Fig. 6, the first and second switching processes are performed while the staple-present front process is being performed continuously, so the user must combine the first set of paper bundles D1 to B9 by rearranging the order as needed, taking into consideration the order in which the paper bundles are discharged.

[0039] 7, the discharge order of the sheet bundles B1 to B9 of the first copy D1 is as follows: sheet bundles B1 to B3 (first set S1) are discharged in ascending order, sheet bundles B7 to B9 (second set S2) are discharged in descending order, and sheet bundles B4 to B6 (third set S3) are discharged in descending order. Of these, sheet bundles B1 to B3 (first set S1) are bound using the staple-based front process, and are therefore discharged with the printed side facing downward in the vertical direction and with the top of the printed side positioned toward the front in the width direction. In contrast, sheet bundles B7 to B9 (second set S2) and sheet bundles B4 to B6 (third set S3) are bound using the staple-less rear process, and are therefore discharged with the printed side facing upward in the vertical direction and with the top of the printed side positioned toward the rear in the width direction.

[0040] Therefore, the user flips the paper stacks B1 to B3 (first set S1) widthwise as shown by the arrows in Figure 7, and rearranges them so that they come before the paper stacks B4 to B6 (third set S3). This allows the user to combine the paper stacks B1 to B9 of the first copy D1 in that order.

[0041] <Discharge of the first and second interleaf sheets> FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example in which a first interleaving sheet 601 and a second interleaving sheet 602 are discharged. When the image forming system 1 (see FIG. 1) performs the first switching process and the second switching process while continuously performing staple-present front processes, the image forming system 1 discharges the first interleaving paper 601 and the second interleaving paper 602 at predetermined timings. Note that the configuration for discharging the first interleaving paper 601 and the second interleaving paper 602 is a configuration for improving user convenience and is not essential.

[0042] The first interleaving paper 601 is an interleaving paper that indicates that the second switching process has been performed. The first interleaving paper 601 is discharged after the second switching process has been performed and before the next stack of sheets is discharged. Specifically, for example, when the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 above are used as a base, the first interleaving paper 601 is discharged at the timing shown in FIG. 8. In other words, the first interleaving paper 601 is discharged after the first set S1 of sheet stack B3 has been created and the first switching process and second switching process have been performed due to a staple outage, and before the sheet stack B9 is discharged.

[0043] The second interleaving paper 602 is an interleaving paper that indicates that the number of created sheet bundles has reached a predetermined number. The second interleaving paper 602 is discharged after the number of created sheet bundles has reached the predetermined number and before the next sheet bundle is discharged. Specifically, for example, based on the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 above, the second interleaving paper 602 is discharged at the timing shown in FIG. 8. That is, the second interleaving paper 602 is discharged after the number of created sheet bundles has reached nine, the total number of sheet bundles for the first copy D1, due to the creation of the sheet bundle B4 of the third set S3, and before the sheet bundle B9 of the first set S1 of the second copy D2 is discharged.

[0044] The first and second interleaf sheets 601 and 602 may be color-coded or may have a message printed thereon indicating that the first switching process or the second switching process has been performed so that the user can understand at a glance.

[0045] The binding process described above with reference to Figures 3 to 8 is realized by the control of the process of the post-processing device 3 by the control device 10 shown in Figure 2. Hereinafter, the configuration of the control device 10 that realizes the binding process described above will be described in detail with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0046] <Hardware configuration of the control device 10> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 10 that constitutes the post-processing device 3 of FIG. The control device 10 has a control unit 11, a memory 12, a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a display unit 16. These units are connected to each other via a data bus, an address bus, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, etc.

[0047] The control unit 11 is a processor that controls the functions of the control device 10 through the execution of various software such as an OS (operating system) and application software. The control unit 11 is configured, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 is a storage area that stores various software and data used for executing the software, and is used as a work area for calculations. The memory 12 is configured, for example, by a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0048] The storage unit 13 is a storage area that stores input data for various software programs and output data from various software programs. The storage unit 13 is configured with, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a semiconductor memory, etc. that are used to store programs, various setting data, etc. The storage unit 13 is provided with a database that stores various information.

[0049] The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data to and from the outside via a network 90 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The operation unit 15 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, mechanical buttons, and switches, and accepts input operations. The operation unit 15 also includes a touch sensor that forms a touch panel integrally with the display unit 16. The display unit 16 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display used to display information, and displays image and text data, etc. The display unit 16 displays a user interface, etc.

[0050] <Functional configuration of the control device 10> FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the control device 10 of FIG. In the control unit 11 of the control device 10, a selection receiving unit 101, a process execution control unit 102, a detection unit 103, a switching unit 104, and a transmission control unit 105 function.

[0051] The selection receiving unit 101 receives various selections via an input operation. For example, the selection receiving unit 101 receives a selection of a binding process via an input operation. Specifically, for example, the selection receiving unit 101 receives a selection of staple-present processing or staple-less processing as the selection of the binding process. Furthermore, for example, the selection receiving unit 101 receives a selection of staple-present front processing or staple-present dual processing when staple-present processing is selected as the selection of the binding process. Furthermore, for example, the selection receiving unit 101 receives a selection of staple-less rear processing or staple-less dual processing when staple-less processing is selected as the selection of the binding process.

[0052] The process execution control unit 102 controls the execution of binding processing by the stapler 127 (see FIG. 2). For example, when the selection receiving unit 101 receives the selection of staple-present processing, the process execution control unit 102 causes the stapler 127 to execute staple-present processing. Furthermore, when the selection receiving unit 101 receives the selection of staple-present front processing, the process execution control unit 102 causes the stapler 127 to execute staple-present front processing. Furthermore, when the selection receiving unit 101 receives the selection of staple-present dual processing, the process execution control unit 102 causes the stapler 127 to execute staple-present dual processing.

[0053] Also, for example, when the selection receiving unit 101 receives a selection of stapleless processing, the process execution control unit 102 causes the stapler 127 to execute stapleless processing. Furthermore, when the selection receiving unit 101 receives a selection of stapleless rear processing, the process execution control unit 102 causes the stapler 127 to execute stapleless rear processing. Furthermore, when the selection receiving unit 101 receives a selection of stapleless dual processing, the process execution control unit 102 causes the stapler 127 to execute stapleless dual processing.

[0054] The detection unit 103 detects a staple outage that occurs in the stapler 127. Specifically, the detection unit 103 detects a staple outage when a staple outage occurs during a staple-present process (a staple-present front process or a staple-present dual process).

[0055] The switching unit 104 performs a first switching process and a second switching process. Specifically, when the switching unit 104 detects that a staple has run out during the staple-present process, the switching unit 104 switches from the staple-present process to the staple-less rear process as the first switching process. The switching unit 104 also performs a second switching process depending on the content of the first switching process. For example, when the switching unit 104 switches from the staple-present front process to the staple-less rear process, the switching unit 104 switches the front and back sides and the discharge order of the discharged sheet stack as the second switching process. Similarly, when the switching unit 104 switches from the staple-less rear process to the staple-present front process, the switching unit 104 also switches the front and back sides and the discharge order of the discharged sheet stack as the second switching process.

[0056] The transmission control unit 105 controls the transmission of various information to the outside of the image forming system 1 via the communication unit 14 (see FIG. 9). For example, the transmission control unit 105 may control the transmission to an external information processing device (e.g., a user terminal used by the user) via the communication unit 14 to notify the user that the first switching process or the second switching process will be performed. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which prior approval from the user is required to perform the first switching process or the second switching process. Note that the configuration in which the user is notified that the first switching process or the second switching process will be performed is a configuration for improving user convenience and is not essential.

[0057] <Other embodiments> Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the above-described embodiment. For example, the configuration of the image forming system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the binding process shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the configurations of the first switching process and the second switching process shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention, and are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the configuration for discharging the first interleaf sheet 601 and the second interleaf sheet 602 shown in FIG. 8 is also merely an example for achieving the object of the present invention, and is not particularly limited.

[0058] Furthermore, the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 9 and the functional configuration shown in FIG. 10 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention and are not particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient for the image forming system 1 of FIG. 1 to have the function of being able to execute the above-described processes as a whole, and the hardware configuration and functional configuration used to realize this function are not limited to the above examples. For example, as described above, information processing devices such as user terminals used by one or more users may be connected to the image forming system 1 of FIG. 1. In this way, for example, to improve user convenience, the user may be notified that the first switching process or the second switching process will be performed.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the first switching process is automatically performed when a so-called "staple out" occurs, which is an event that may prevent the continuation of the binding process, but events that may prevent the continuation of the binding process are not limited to a "staple out" situation. For example, a failure of the staple head 201 (see FIG. 3A) that performs the "staple present" process may also be an event that may prevent the continuation of the binding process.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the first switching process is described as switching from staple-present processing to staple-absent processing, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the staple head 211 (see FIG. 4(A)) that performs staple-absent processing breaks down, the first switching process switches from staple-absent processing to staple-present processing.

[0061] (Addendum) (((1))) one or more processors; the one or more processors: A binding process for binding a plurality of sheets of paper to create a paper bundle is performed by a binding process selected from a staple-based process performed using a staple and a stapleless process performed without using a staple; When a predetermined event occurs during the creation of a paper bundle, a first switching process is performed to switch to the other binding process. Imaging system. (((2))) The one or more processors are configured to perform the first switching process when an event that may hinder continuation of the selected one of the binding processes occurs as the predetermined event. The image forming system according to (((1))). (((3))) When a needle break occurs in a needle-present processing mechanism that performs the needle-present processing as the event that may interrupt the continuation, the one or more processors perform the first switching processing by switching from the needle-present processing to the needle-absent processing. The image forming system according to (((2))). (((4))) When the predetermined event occurs, the one or more processors perform a second switching process that switches the front and back sides and the discharge order of the paper stack to be discharged according to the binding position of the paper stack that is the target of the binding process that is started after the first switching process. The image forming system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))). (((5))) a staple-present processing mechanism for performing the staple-present processing and a staple-free processing mechanism for performing the staple-free processing, each of which is movable in a direction perpendicular to a discharge direction in which the paper stack is discharged; The binding positions are characterized in that a first binding position for a sheet bundle to be subjected to the staple-present processing and a second binding position for a sheet bundle to be subjected to the staple-less processing are different in the movement direction. The image forming system according to (((4))). (((6))) The first binding position is located on one end side of the paper stack in the moving direction, and the second binding position is located on the other end side of the paper stack in the moving direction. The image forming system according to (((5))). (((7))) The one or more processors perform the first switching process by switching from the staple-present process to the staple-less process, and the second switching process by switching so that the front and back of the discharged paper stack are reversed in the direction of movement, and so that the discharge order of the paper stack is reversed. The image forming system according to any one of (((4))) to (((6))). (((8))) the one or more processors, after the second switching process is performed, eject a first interleaf sheet as a mark indicating that the second switching process has been performed before the next stack of sheets is ejected, The image forming system according to any one of (((4))) to (((7))). (((9))) the one or more processors are characterized in that, after the number of created paper bundles reaches a predetermined number, and before the next paper bundle is discharged, a second interleaf sheet is discharged, which serves as a marker that the number of created paper bundles has reached the predetermined number. The image forming system according to (((8))). (((10))) On the computer, A binding process for binding a plurality of sheets of paper to create a paper bundle is performed by a binding process selected from a staple-based process performed using a staple and a stapleless process performed without using a staple; a function of performing a first switching process for switching to the other binding process when a predetermined event occurs during the creation of a paper stack; A program to achieve this.

[0062] According to the present invention (((1))), even if a predetermined event occurs while the selected binding process is being performed, the process can be switched to another binding process. As a result, the binding process can be continued. According to the present invention (((2))), even if an event occurs during the selected binding process that may prevent the continuation of the selected binding process, the binding process can be switched to another binding process. As a result, the binding process can be continued. According to the present invention (((3))), even if a staple runs out in the staple-present processing mechanism that performs the staple-present processing, the mechanism can switch to the staple-less processing, and as a result, the binding processing can be continued. According to the present invention (((4))), the binding process can be continued regardless of the binding position of the paper stack to be processed with staples and the binding position of the paper stack to be processed without staples. According to the present invention (((5))), the binding process can be continued even if the binding position of the paper stack to be processed with staples and the binding position of the paper stack to be processed without staples are different in the movement direction. According to the present invention (((6))), the binding process can be continued even if the binding position of the paper stack to be processed with staples and the binding position of the paper stack to be processed without staples are located at positions apart in the movement direction. According to the present invention (((7))), the front and back of the discharged paper stack are reversed in the direction of movement, and the discharge order of the paper stack is reversed. As a result, even if the binding position of the paper stack to be processed with staples and the binding position of the paper stack to be processed without staples are located at positions apart in the direction of movement, the binding process can be continued. According to the present invention (((8))), the user can know the timing when the second switching process was performed simply by identifying the position of the first interleaf inserted between the multiple discharged sheet bundles. According to the present invention (((9))), the user can determine where to insert the discharged stack of sheets before the first switching process is performed simply by identifying the position of the second interleaf inserted between the multiple discharged stacks of sheets. According to the present invention (((10))), even if a predetermined event occurs while the selected binding process is being performed, the process can be switched to another binding process. As a result, the binding process can be continued. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...image forming system, 2...image forming apparatus, 3...post-processing apparatus, 10...controller, 11...controller, 101...selection receiving section, 102...processing execution control section, 103...detection section, 104...switching section, 105...transmission control section, 127...stapler, 201, 202, 211, 212...staple head, 301, 302, 303, 311, 312, 313...binding position, 601...first interleaf, 602...second interleaf, B...sheet stack

Claims

1. one or more processors; the one or more processors: A binding process for binding a plurality of sheets of paper to create a paper bundle is performed by a binding process selected from a staple-based process performed using a staple and a stapleless process performed without using a staple; When a predetermined event occurs during the creation of a paper bundle, a first switching process is performed to switch to the other binding process. Imaging system.

2. The one or more processors are configured to perform the first switching process when an event that may hinder continuation of the selected one of the binding processes occurs as the predetermined event. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. When a needle break occurs in a needle-present processing mechanism that performs the needle-present processing as the event that may interrupt the continuation, the one or more processors perform the first switching processing by switching from the needle-present processing to the needle-absent processing. The image forming system according to claim 2 .

4. When the predetermined event occurs, the one or more processors perform a second switching process that switches the front and back sides and the discharge order of the paper stack to be discharged according to the binding position of the paper stack that is the target of the binding process that is started after the first switching process. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

5. a staple-present processing mechanism for performing the staple-present processing and a staple-free processing mechanism for performing the staple-free processing, each of which is movable in a direction perpendicular to a discharge direction in which the paper stack is discharged; As the binding positions, a first binding position for the sheet stack to be subjected to the staple-present processing and a second binding position for the sheet stack to be subjected to the staple-less processing are different in the movement direction. The image forming system according to claim 4 .

6. The first binding position is located on one end side of the sheet bundle in the moving direction, and the second binding position is located on the other end side of the sheet bundle in the moving direction. The image forming system according to claim 5 .

7. The one or more processors perform the first switching process by switching from the staple-present process to the staple-less process, and the second switching process by switching so that the front and back of the discharged paper stack are reversed in the direction of movement, and so that the discharge order of the paper stack is reversed. The image forming system according to claim 6 .

8. the one or more processors, after the second switching process has been performed, eject a first interleaf sheet as a marker indicating that the second switching process has been performed before the next stack of sheets is ejected, The image forming system according to claim 4 .

9. the one or more processors, after the number of created paper bundles reaches a predetermined number, discharge a second interleaf sheet, which serves as a marker indicating that the number of created paper bundles has reached the predetermined number, before discharging the next paper bundle. The image forming system according to claim 8 .

10. On the computer, A binding process for binding a plurality of sheets of paper to create a paper bundle is performed by a binding process selected from a staple-based process performed using a staple and a stapleless process performed without using a staple; a function of performing a first switching process for switching to the other binding process when a predetermined event occurs during the creation of a paper stack; A program to achieve this.

Images