Medium processing device, image forming device and image forming system

Abstract

To provide a medium processing device that makes it possible to recognize the state of a sheet stack in a slit.SOLUTION: A medium processing device includes binding means to bind a stack of sheets inserted into a space formed in a part of the device housing, a first sensor provided in the space for detecting the position of one side of the sheet stack in the space, a second sensor for detecting the position of another side adjacent to the side of the sheet stack, and alarm means to alarm the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a media processing device, an image forming device, and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Media processing devices are known that perform predetermined processes on sheet-like media as processing objects. Examples of predetermined processes that can be performed by media processing devices (hereinafter referred to as "post-processing" because they correspond to post-processing steps in image formation processing) include a "binding process" in which multiple sheets of media are bound together to form a sheet bundle.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a media processing device equipped with a binding process (manual stapling) in which a user can insert a sheet bundle into a gap (slit) into which the sheet bundle can be inserted and then bound. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The media processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a sensor that detects when a stack of sheets has been inserted into the slit, but it is unable to determine the state of the stack of sheets inside the slit, and there is a possibility that the binding process for the stack of sheets may be performed in a location other than the designated location.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a media processing device that makes it possible to recognize the state of a sheet stack in a slit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, one aspect of the present invention is a media processing device that forms a sheet bundle by bundling multiple sheet-like media, characterized in that it comprises a binding means that binds the sheet bundle inserted into a space formed in a part of the device housing, a first sensor that is provided in the space and detects the position of one side of the sheet bundle in the space, a second sensor that detects the position of another side adjacent to the one side of the sheet bundle, and an alarm means that alarms the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the state of the sheet stack in the slit can be recognized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing an example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an external view showing another example of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram corresponding to an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram corresponding to another example of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the basic configuration of a binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the basic configuration of the binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the basic configuration of the binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a staple binding unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a pressure binding unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a characteristic configuration of a binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 12]10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of images selected or generated as a determination result in the binding processing unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the short-side sensor, the long-side sensor, and the executable position. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a first example of processing that can be performed in the binding processing unit. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a characteristic configuration of a binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of images selected or generated as a determination result in the binding processing unit. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow when the binding processing unit executes manual binding processing. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing a first modified example of processing that can be executed in the binding processing unit. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a second modified example of processing that can be executed in the binding processing unit. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a third modified example of processing that can be executed in the binding processing unit. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing a second example of processing that can be executed in the binding processing unit. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing another example of a characteristic configuration of the binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 23] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of light emission patterns selected as determination results in the binding processing unit. [Figure 24] 10 is a flowchart showing a third example of processing that can be executed in the binding processing unit. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing another example of a characteristic configuration of the binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 26] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of sound output patterns selected as determination results in the binding processing unit. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing another example of a characteristic configuration of the binding processing unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a determination table used in the binding processing unit. [Figure 29] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of images selected or generated as a determination result in the binding processing unit. [Figure 30] 10 is a flowchart showing a fourth example of processing that can be executed in the binding processing unit. [Figure 31] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of light emission patterns selected as determination results in the binding processing unit. [Figure 32] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of sound output patterns selected as determination results in the binding processing unit. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a modified example of the image forming system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0010] [Embodiment of Image Forming Apparatus] First, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 and 2 are external views of an image forming system 1 according to this embodiment. The image forming system 1 is an apparatus equipped with an image forming function for forming an image on a sheet-like medium that is the target of post-processing, which will be described later, and a post-processing function for executing predetermined post-processing (sheet processing) on ​​the medium on which the image has been recorded.

[0011] Although various examples of sheet-like media are conceivable, the following description is based on paper. Hereinafter, paper that is the target of sheet processing will be referred to as "sheet S."

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming system 1 mainly includes a housing 31 and an image forming unit 300 that corresponds to the image forming means inside the housing 31. The housing 31 is a box-shaped member having an internal space for accommodating the components of the image forming system 1. The housing 31 also has an internal space 33 that is accessible from outside the image forming system 1. The internal space 33 is located, for example, slightly above the center of the housing 31 in the vertical direction. The internal space 33 is exposed to the outside by cutting out an outer wall of the housing 31.

[0013] Optional units that add optional functions, such as a punching unit 200 that enables punching and a binding unit 100 that enables binding of multiple sheets S, can be attached to the internal space 33. The binding unit 100 corresponds to an embodiment of the media processing device according to the present invention.

[0014] The image forming unit 300 discharges the sheet S picked up from the sheet storage tray and transported to the punching unit 200 and the binding unit 100. The image forming unit 300 may be an inkjet type that forms an image using ink, or an electrophotographic type that forms an image using toner. The configuration of the image forming unit 300 is already well known, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0015] The punching unit 200 is attached to the internal space 33 of the image forming system 1 downstream of the image forming unit 300 and upstream of the binding unit 100 on the conveyance path of the sheet S from the image forming unit 300 to the binding unit 100 (the path indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1). That is, in the example of the image forming system 1, the sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 300 is first handed over to the punching unit 200 where a predetermined punch hole forming process is performed, and then handed over to the binding unit 100 where a binding process to be described later is performed.

[0016] The punching unit 200 is configured to be detachable from the image forming system 1. When the punching unit 200 is removed, the state shown in Fig. 2 is achieved. The sheet S on which an image has been formed by the image forming section 300 is directly handed over to the binding unit 100 for binding processing. In the position in the internal space 33 from which the punching unit 200 has been removed, another processing unit that performs any processing on the sheet S can be attached.

[0017] [Control configuration of media processing devices including image forming devices] Next, the control configuration of the image forming system 1 including the binding unit 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the control configuration of the image forming system 1 in a state where the punching unit 200 is removed.

[0018] In FIG. 3, the conveyance path of the sheet S (flow of the sheet S) is indicated by a dashed arrow, and the path (flow of the signal) of the communication signal (control signal) is indicated by a solid arrow.

[0019] The image forming system 1 includes a display unit 301 that notifies the user of the status of various devices and operation details, an operation unit 302 that allows the user to perform setting operations such as setting the mode and number of copies, and a paper feed unit 303 that stocks sheets S and separates and feeds them one by one. The image forming system 1 also includes an image creating unit 304 that forms a latent image on a photoreceptor and transfers the image to the sheet S, both of which are not shown in Fig. 3, and a fixing unit 305 that fixes the image transferred to the sheet S. The image forming system 1 also includes a main body control unit 306 that controls the operation of each of the above units.

[0020] In the binding processing unit 100 as an embodiment of a media processing device, a processing instruction is sent from the main body control unit 306 of the image forming system 1 to the binding processing control unit 102 via a communication line 307, and the binding processing unit 100 performs the specified processing on the specified sheet S in the post-processing unit 101.

[0021] The main body control unit 306 and the binding process control unit 102 are connected to each other via a communication line 307, enabling the exchange of information. This allows the exchange of information regarding the operation mode, sheet size, timing, etc., enabling the system to operate.

[0022] An example of the control configuration of the image forming system 1 with the punching processing unit 200 attached is shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4 as well, the transport path of the sheet S (flow of the sheet S) is represented by a dashed arrow, and the path (signal flow) of the communication signal (control signal) is represented by a solid arrow.

[0023] The image forming system 1 is similar in that it includes a display unit 301, an operation unit 302, and a paper feed unit 303. It also includes an image forming unit 304 and a main body control unit 306.

[0024] In the binding processing unit 100 as an embodiment of the media processing device, a processing instruction is sent from the main body control unit 306 of the image forming system 1 to the binding processing control unit 102 via the communication line 307, and the binding processing unit 101 performs the specified processing on the specified sheets S. The binding processing unit 101 is notified of the specified processing content for the sheets S via the punching processing unit 201.

[0025] The main body control unit 306 and the binding process control unit 102 are connected to each other via a communication line 307, enabling the exchange of information. This allows the exchange of information regarding the operation mode, sheet size, timing, etc., enabling the system to operate.

[0026] The punching process unit 200 receives processing instructions from the main body control unit 306 of the image forming system 1 to the binding process control unit 102 via a communication line 307, and the binding process control unit 102 sends instructions to the punching process control unit 202 via a communication line 103. The punching process control unit 202 controls the punching process unit 201 to execute the instructed punching process.

[0027] [Hardware configuration of image forming system 1] Next, the hardware configuration of the binding processing unit 100 included in the image forming system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the binding processing unit 100 has a CPU 110 as a controller, and is connected to a plurality of motors that serve as power sources for the operation of each mechanism via an I / F (interface) 111. The CPU 110 is a calculation means, and controls the operation of the entire binding processing unit 100.

[0028] The CPU 110 in the binding processing unit 100 is connected to the main body control unit 306 of the image forming system 1 via the I / F 112, and controls the binding processing unit 100 in response to processing signals from the image forming system 1. The binding processing unit 100 is also an optional device, and therefore has a detachable hardware configuration.

[0029] The I / F section that connects the image forming section 300 and the binding processing unit 100 is configured to be detachable in hardware, for example, by a relay connector or a drawer connector. The I / F section that connects the punching processing unit 200 or the folding processing unit 400 to the image forming section 300 is also configured in the same way.

[0030] The drive motors that drive the plurality of conveying roller pairs for performing the binding process in the binding process unit 100 are equipped with encoders that can detect the drive amount of each motor in terms of the number of pulses. Therefore, it is possible to drive and stop the conveying roller pairs at a position of a specific drive amount starting from a specific timing, and it is configured to realize control to convey the sheet S a specific amount in a specific direction.

[0031] In addition, the encoder pulses are measured based on the timing when the sensors on the conveying path are turned on or off, and the drive amount of each motor can be calculated based on these encoder pulses.Then, based on these calculated drive amounts, the position of the edge of the conveyed sheet S can be detected.

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the binding processing control unit 102, which is the control unit of the binding processing unit 100, is connected to the CPU 110 via an I / F 111, and is connected to a conveying motor 151, a paper discharge motor 152, a staple drive motor 153, a conveying sensor 154, a paper discharge sensor 155, a staple movement HP sensor 156, and a sheet bundle detection sensor group 27 described later.

[0033] In addition, a folding process control unit 402 which is a control unit of the folding process unit 400 has a folding motor 163 , an entrance sensor 164 , and a folding sensor 165 connected to the CPU 110 via an I / F 121 .

[0034] In addition, when a punching processing unit 200 that performs punching processing on a sheet S is connected as an option, the punching processing control unit 202 is connected to the CPU 110 via the I / F 122 with a punch motor 158, a punch movement motor 159, a pre-punch sensor 160, a cover opening / closing sensor 161, and a punching unit HP sensor 162.

[0035] [Configuration of binding processing unit 100] Next, the configuration of the binding processing unit 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6(a) is a plan view of the binding processing unit 100. Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the binding processing unit 100. Fig. 6 shows only the staple binding unit 19 as the binding processing unit 100, which is used for "staple binding" to bind the ends of a sheet stack using staples.

[0036] As will be described later, the binding unit that the binding processing unit 100 can use for manual binding processing (manual stapling) is not limited to the staple binding unit 19. A pressure binding unit 26 (see FIG. 8) that can perform pressure binding by deforming a part of the sheet bundle Sb by applying pressure without using staples can also be used. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a hybrid configuration including the staple binding unit 19 and the pressure binding unit 26 is also possible as the binding processing unit.

[0037] Also, as illustrated in Figure 8, the binding processing unit 100 may be composed only of a pressure binding unit 26 for "pressure binding," which binds the sheet stack Sb by applying pressure to and deforming the ends of the sheet stack Sb without using staples.

[0038] In other words, the binding processing unit 100 illustrated in the following description can be any of those that include only the staple binding unit 19, those that include only the pressure binding unit 26, or hybrid configurations that include both of these, regardless of whether they are shown in the figure.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6(b), a slit 23 for manual stapling is provided in an exterior casing 25 (a part of the device casing) of a housing that houses the components of the binding processing unit 100. The slit 23 is a gap that allows a user to insert a sheet bundle Sb from openings 23a, 23b provided in a part of the exterior casing 25. The user inserts the sheet bundle Sb into the slit 23 and performs the binding process with the sheet bundle Sb in an appropriate position, thereby properly performing the binding process on the sheet bundle Sb. Note that the components used for manual stapling, including the slit 23, are not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0040] The binding processing unit 100 is configured to be able to set a plurality of operation modes and to operate appropriately based on the set operation mode. The operation modes provided in the binding processing unit 100 include, for example, a "shift discharge mode" in which the binding processing unit 100 conveys and discharges the sheets S from the upstream (image forming unit 300) to the discharge tray 20 without performing the binding process on the sheets S, and a "binding mode" in which the staple binding unit 19 or the pressure binding unit 26 performs the binding process on the sheets S.

[0041] In the shift discharge mode, the sheet S conveyed from the image forming unit 300 is received by the entrance rollers 11 , conveyed to the discharge rollers 16 , and discharged onto the discharge tray 20 .

[0042] In the binding mode, the sheet S conveyed from the image forming unit 300 is received by the entrance rollers 11 and conveyed in the first direction to the shift rollers 13. When the sheet S leaves the shift rollers 13, the tapping rollers 15 are driven to place the sheet S on a stacking tray 17 serving as an internal tray. Thereafter, the tapping rollers 15 and the return rollers 14 operate to convey the sheet S toward the terminal end of the stacking tray 17. At this time, the sheet S is conveyed toward a reference fence 18 for aligning the edge of the sheet S.

[0043] In the binding mode, the operation of stacking the sheets S on the stacking tray 17 and transporting them to the reference fence 18 is repeated until the number of sheets to be bound is reached. Then, when the final sheet S is transported to the reference fence 18, a binding unit such as the staple binding unit 19 or the pressure binding unit 26 closes the end of the stack of sheets S (sheet stack Sb) to perform the binding process. The stapled sheet stack Sb is discharged to the discharge tray 20 by the discharge rollers 16.

[0044] The sheet S or the sheet stack Sb discharged onto the discharge tray 20 is aligned by abutting the end of the sheet S or the sheet stack Sb against the end fence 21.

[0045] The staple binding process or the pressure binding process is executed by inserting the sheet bundle Sb into the slit 23 and then the user pressing the process start button 24 provided on a part of the exterior 25 of the binding process unit 100. The process start button 24 corresponds to an operating means for instructing the start of the manual binding process.

[0046] The staple binding unit 19 or the pressure binding unit 26 can also set the binding position where manual stapling is performed as the home position (initial position). That is, when the user inserts and sets the sheet bundle Sb into the slit 23, the home position can be a position corresponding to the binding position for the sheet bundle when the ends of the sheet bundle abut against the abutment portions for positioning the sheet bundle.

[0047] As a positioning configuration for the sheet stack Sb, the binding processing unit 100 is provided with a regulating means for regulating the position of the sheet stack Sb inserted into the slit 23. Here, one of the sides forming the outer edge of the sheet stack Sb is defined as the first direction end. Further, another side of the sides forming the outer edge of the sheet stack Sb that is perpendicular to the one direction side is defined as the second direction end. If the sheets S are rectangular, the short side is defined as the first direction end and the long side is defined as the second direction end.

[0048] 6A, for example, a conveying direction stopper 25a is provided as a regulating member that regulates the position of the first direction end of the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23 by abutting the first direction end against the conveying direction stopper 25a. Also, a width direction stopper 25b is provided as a regulating member that regulates the second direction end of the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23 by abutting the second direction end against the conveying direction stopper 25a. The positions of the conveying direction stopper 25a and the width direction stopper 25b are adjusted so that the position where the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23 abuts against the conveying direction stopper 25a and the width direction stopper 25b becomes a binding position, which is an appropriate position for performing a binding process on the sheet bundle Sb.

[0049] Then, the home position of the binding unit is set so that the binding process is performed at the position of the end of the sheet bundle Sb when the sheet bundle Sb hits the conveyance direction stopper 25 a and the width direction stopper 25 b. By setting these, it is possible to perform manual stapling at the position at which the binding process unit 100 starts operating.

[0050] 7, the pressure binding unit 26 is disposed at the rear side of the binding processing unit 100, and the staple binding unit 19 is disposed at the front side, but the arrangement of the binding units is not limited to this. The staple binding unit 19 may be disposed at the rear side, and the pressure binding unit 26 may be disposed at the front side.

[0051] Here, the "rear side" used in this specification corresponds to the opposite side of the opening through which the sheet stack Sb is inserted into the slit 23, when the long side of the sheets S is the front side. In other words, it corresponds to the upper side when facing the drawing in FIG. 6(a).

[0052] [Configuration of Staple Binding Unit 19] 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the staple binding unit 19. The staple binding unit 19 includes a driver 19a, a staple storage section 19b, and a clincher 19c. Staples (binding needles) SN are stored in the staple storage section 19b. The clincher 19c is a bending table, and is formed with grooves 19d and 19e that guide the tip ends of the staples SN inward. The clincher 19c is located below the staple storage section 19b.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 9(A), in the staple binding process, first, the sheet stack Sb placed on the stacking tray 17 (see FIG. 8(b)) is inserted between the clincher 19c and the staple storage section 19b. Next, as shown in FIG. 9(B), the staple drive motor 153 (see FIG. 5) is driven to move the driver 19a downward toward the staple storage section 19b. As the driver 19a moves downward, the staple SN is pushed downward from inside the staple storage section 19b. As a result, the staple SN penetrates the sheet stack Sb.

[0054] 9(C), the staples SN that have penetrated the sheet stack Sb are pressed against the grooves 19d and 19e of the clincher 19c and bent inward, thereby binding the sheet stack Sb with the staples SN.

[0055] [Configuration of Pressure Binding Unit 26] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the pressure binding unit 26. The pressure binding unit 26 includes a pair of upper and lower pressure teeth 26a and 26b. The pair of upper and lower pressure teeth 26a and 26b are arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the sheet bundle Sb so as to be able to sandwich the sheet bundle Sb placed on the stacking tray 17 (see FIG. 8(b)). The opposing surfaces of the pair of upper and lower pressure teeth 26a and 26b are formed unevenly with alternating concave and convex portions. The concave and convex portions of the pair of upper and lower pressure teeth 26a and 26b are formed so as to be misaligned so as to mesh with each other. The pair of upper and lower pressure teeth 26a and 26b move toward and away from each other by the driving force of a staple drive motor 153 (see FIG. 5).

[0056] When the sheets S constituting the sheet bundle Sb are being supplied to the stacking tray 17, the pair of upper and lower crimping teeth 26a, 26b are spaced apart from each other, as shown in FIG. 10A. When all the sheets S constituting the sheet bundle Sb are placed on the stacking tray 17, the pair of upper and lower crimping teeth 26a, 26b mesh with each other, as shown in FIG. 10B, to pressurize and deform the sheet bundle Sb in the thickness direction. This causes the sheet bundle Sb placed on the stacking tray 17 to be crimp-bound. The crimp-bound sheet bundle Sb is then discharged to the discharge tray 20 by the discharge rollers 16.

[0057] [First embodiment of binding processing unit 100] 11 is a plan view of the binding processing unit 100, and shows a state in which the staple binding unit 19 is at an end position when the sheet bundle Sb is inserted into the slit 23 and abuts against the conveyance direction stopper 25a and the width direction stopper 25b. In other words, the state shown in Fig. 11 illustrates a state in which manual binding processing can be performed immediately by inserting the sheet bundle Sb into the slit 23 and abutting the sheet bundle Sb against the regulating member.

[0058] In the following, a state in which the first and second direction ends of the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23 abut against the respective regulating members is defined as a state in which the sheet bundle Sb is in an "executable position" for binding. In the following description, the first direction end is assumed to be the "short side" of the sheets S and the sheet bundle Sb. The second direction end is assumed to be the "long side" of the sheets S and the sheet bundle Sb. In other words, when the sheet bundle Sb is inserted toward the position where the staple binding unit 19 performs the binding process, the position where the short side of the sheet bundle Sb abuts against the transport direction stopper 25a is defined as the short side abutment position, and the position where the long side of the sheet bundle Sb abuts against the width direction stopper 25b is defined as the long side abutment position.

[0059] The slit 23 is provided with a sheet bundle detection sensor group 27 that can detect the position of the sheet bundle Sb inserted into the slit 23, i.e., whether or not the sheet bundle Sb is abutting against the regulating member. The sheet bundle detection sensor group 27 is a two-sensor group that includes at least a short side sensor 27a and a long side sensor 27b (a first sensor and a second sensor). The slit 23 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The side of the slit 23 facing the conveying direction stopper 25a is referred to as the short side 23c. The side of the slit 23 facing the width direction stopper 25b is referred to as the long side 23d.

[0060] The short side sensor 27a is disposed on or near the short side 23c of the slit 23. The short side sensor 27a detects that the sheet stack Sb has hit the conveying direction stopper 25a. The short side sensor 27a outputs a detection signal to the CPU 110.

[0061] The long side sensor 27b is disposed on or near the long side 23d of the slit 23. The long side sensor 27b detects that the sheet stack Sb has hit the width direction stopper 25b. The long side sensor 27b outputs a detection signal to the CPU 110.

[0062] The CPU 110 is an example of a determination unit. The CPU 110 determines the position information of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 based on the detection signals of the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b. The short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b may be of any type, such as a transmission type sensor or a reflection type sensor, as long as they are capable of detecting whether the sheet stack Sb is present within the detection range.

[0063] When determining the position information of the sheet stack Sb in the slit 23, the CPU 110 makes the determination based on the detection signal from the short side sensor 27a and the detection signal from the long side sensor 27b. That is, when the detection signal from the short side sensor 27a is input, the short side sensor flag is set to the ON state, and when the detection signal from the long side sensor 27b is input, the long side sensor flag is set to the ON state. Thereafter, the position information indicating the position (state) of the sheet stack inserted into the slit 23 is determined based on the combination of the ON / OFF states of the two sensor flags. In other words, there are multiple pieces of position information determined by the CPU 110 based on the combination of the ON / OFF states of the two sensor flags, and the CPU 110 selects the position information corresponding to the combination of the ON / OFF states of the two sensor flags.

[0064] In this embodiment, the location information selected by CPU 110 according to the determination result (detection result) is information that can be notified by a notification means. For example, if an example of the notification means is display unit 301, CPU 110 selects an image corresponding to the location information and outputs the selected image to display unit 301 so that it can be displayed on display unit 301. Images that CPU 110 can output are stored in memory in advance, and an image corresponding to a combination of two sensor flags is selected and extracted from memory. There are at least three types of images stored in memory to correspond to the combination of two sensor flags. Note that an image that matches the condition may be retrieved from memory and selected after the condition is determined, or CPU 110 may generate an image that matches the determination result after the condition is determined.

[0065] When the CPU 110 determines the position information of the sheet stack Sb, the CPU 110 sends an instruction to the main body control unit 306 to output an image as the selected or generated position information. The main body control unit 306 sends an instruction to output the image selected or generated by the CPU 110 to the display unit 301, and causes the display unit 301 to display the image.

[0066] In this embodiment, the CPU 110 selects or generates four patterns of images as a result of the determination, as shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 12(A) is a first image GA when both the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are ON. Fig. 12(A) shows a state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short side abutment position and the long side abutment position.

[0067] 12B is a second image GB when the short-side sensor flag is OFF and only the long-side sensor flag is ON. FIG. 12B shows a state in which the sheet stack Sb has not yet reached the short-side abutment position, but has reached the long-side abutment position.

[0068] 12C is a third image GC when only the short-side sensor flag is ON and the long-side sensor flag is OFF. FIG. 12C shows a state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached the short-side abutment position but has not yet reached the long-side abutment position.

[0069] 12(D) is a fourth image GD when the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are in the OFF state, and shows a state in which the sheet stack Sb has not reached either the short side abutment position or the long side abutment position.

[0070] [Positional Relationship Between the Short Side Sensor 27a, the Long Side Sensor 27b, and the Executable Position P] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship between the short-side sensor 27a, the long-side sensor 27b, and the executable position P. More specifically, FIG. 13A shows the positional relationship between the short-side sensor 27a and the long-side sensor 27b and the executable position P at which the stapling unit 19 can perform binding processing on the sheet bundle Sb. Here, the executable position P in FIG. 13A can be said to be the position at which the staple SN shown in FIG. 9 penetrates the sheet bundle Sb. Furthermore, the executable position P in FIG. 13A can also be said to be the position at which the staple SN of the stapling unit 19 faces the sheet bundle Sb when stapling the sheet bundle Sb. Furthermore, the positions of the short-side sensor 27a and the long-side sensor 27b can also be said to be downstream of the executable position P in the sheet bundle Sb insertion direction.

[0071] 13(B) shows the positional relationship between the short-side sensor 27a and the long-side sensor 27b and an executable position P at which the pressure binding unit 26 can bind the sheet bundle Sb. Here, the executable position P in FIG. 13(A) can be referred to as a position at which the upper pressure teeth 26a and the lower pressure teeth 26b shown in FIG. 10 press the sheet bundle Sb. Furthermore, the executable position P in FIG. 13(A) can also be referred to as a position at which the upper pressure teeth 26a and the lower pressure teeth 26b of the pressure binding unit 26 face the sheet bundle Sb when binding the sheet bundle Sb.

[0072] 13(A) and 13(B), the short-side sensor 27a is disposed on the base end side in the conveying direction (the side where the opening 23a is located) of the conveying direction stopper 25a. The long-side sensor 27b is disposed on the near side in the width direction (the side where the opening 23b is located) of the width direction stopper 25b. The executable position P is disposed on the base end side in the conveying direction of the short-side sensor 27a, and on the near side in the width direction of the long-side sensor 27b.

[0073] [Processing flow in binding processing unit 100 (first example)] Next, a first example of the processing flow of the control processing program executed in the binding processing unit 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 14. The flowchart illustrated in Fig. 14 illustrates a process in which the CPU 110 of the binding processing unit 100 determines the position of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 and notifies the determination result (detection result) in manual stapling processing.

[0074] 15 is an example of an external view of the binding processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. The binding processing unit 100 is provided with a slit inside confirmation button 28 that is pressed to confirm the position of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23. The slit inside confirmation button 28 is provided on a part of the exterior 25 of the binding processing unit 100. The slit inside confirmation button 28 is located, for example, near the process start button 24.

[0075] The slit inside position determination process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14 is a process that starts, for example, when the slit inside confirmation button 28 is pressed. At the start of the slit inside position determination process, both the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are in the OFF state.

[0076] When the CPU 110 starts the slit inside position determination process, the CPU 110 executes a process of monitoring the detection signals of the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b (S1001). In the monitoring process of step S1001, the CPU 110 determines whether or not there is a detection signal indicating that the short side sensor 27a has detected the sheet S (S1002).

[0077] In step S1002, if there is a detection signal indicating that the short side sensor 27a has detected the sheet S (YES in S1002), the CPU 110 sets the short side sensor flag to ON (S1003). On the other hand, if there is no detection signal indicating that the short side sensor 27a has detected the sheet S (NO in S1002), the short side sensor flag remains OFF.

[0078] Next, CPU 110 determines whether there is a detection signal indicating that long side sensor 27b has detected sheet S (S1004). In step S1004, if there is a detection signal indicating that long side sensor 27b has detected sheet S (YES in S1004), CPU 110 sets the long side sensor flag to ON (S1005). On the other hand, if there is no detection signal indicating that long side sensor 27b has detected sheet S (NO in S1004), the long side sensor flag remains OFF.

[0079] Next, CPU 110 executes a process of selecting an image to be output to display unit 301 based on a combination of the ON / OFF states of two sensor flags (short side sensor flag and long side sensor flag).

[0080] If both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON (YES in S1006), the CPU 110 selects the first image GA (FIG. 12A) as the determination result and transmits an output instruction for the first image GA to the main body control unit 306 (S1007). The main body control unit 306, having received the output instruction from the CPU 110, transmits an instruction to the display unit 301 to output the first image GA (S1008). The display unit 301, having received the output instruction from the main body control unit 306, displays the first image GA (S1009). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet bundle Sb has reached both the short-side abutment position and the long-side abutment position. In other words, the user can recognize that the sheet bundle Sb is in an executable position within the slit 23 where binding processing can be performed.

[0081] Furthermore, if the short-side sensor flag is OFF and the long-side sensor flag is ON (NO in S1006 and YES in S1010), the CPU 110 selects the position information of the second image GB (FIG. 12B) described above as the determination result, and transmits an output instruction for the second image GB to the main body control unit 306 (S1011). The main body control unit 306, having received the output instruction from the CPU 110, transmits an instruction to output the second image GB to the display unit 301 (S1012). The display unit 301, having received the output instruction from the main body control unit 306, displays the second image GB (S1013). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet stack Sb has not yet reached the short-side abutment position, but has reached the long-side abutment position.

[0082] Furthermore, if the short-side sensor flag is ON and the long-side sensor flag is OFF (NO in S1006, NO in S1010, and YES in S1014), the CPU 110 selects the position information of the third image GC (FIG. 12C) as the determination result and transmits an output instruction for the third image GC to the main body control unit 306 (S1015). The main body control unit 306, having received the output instruction from the CPU 110, transmits an instruction to the display unit 301 to output the third image GC (S1016). The display unit 301, having received the output instruction from the main body control unit 306, displays the third image GC (S1017). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet stack Sb has reached the short-side abutment position but has not yet reached the long-side abutment position.

[0083] Furthermore, if both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are OFF (NO in S1006, S1010, and S1014), the CPU 110 selects the position information of the fourth image GD (FIG. 12D) as the determination result and transmits an output instruction for the fourth image GD to the main body control unit 306 (S1018). Upon receiving the output instruction from the CPU 110, the main body control unit 306 transmits an instruction to output the fourth image GD to the display unit 301 (S1019). Upon receiving the output instruction from the main body control unit 306, the display unit 301 displays the fourth image GD (S1020). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet stack Sb has not reached both the short-side abutment position and the long-side abutment position. After displaying one of the first image GA, second image GB, third image GC, and fourth image GD, the CPU 110 terminates the slit inside position determination process.

[0084] According to the present embodiment described above, the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 can be recognized from the image displayed on the display unit 301. If the user can recognize from the first image GA displayed on the display unit 301 that the sheet bundle Sb is in an executable position where binding processing can be performed, the user can execute binding processing to bind the ends of the sheet bundle Sb by pressing the process start button 24. On the other hand, if the user can recognize from the second image GB to the fourth image GD displayed on the display unit 301 that the sheet bundle Sb is not in an executable position, the user can correct the position of the sheet bundle Sb. After correcting the position of the sheet bundle Sb, the user can press the slit inside confirmation button 28 again to recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23.

[0085] The start of the slit inside position determination process is not limited to the timing of pressing the slit inside confirmation button 28. For example, the CPU 110 may constantly monitor the detection signals of the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b, and start the slit inside position determination process when either the short side sensor 27a or the long side sensor 27b outputs a detection signal.

[0086] Furthermore, when the CPU 110 executes the slit inside position determination process, the images selected or generated are not limited to the first image GA to the fourth image GD shown in Fig. 12. For example, the image selected or generated by the CPU 110 may be displayed with an executable position P at which binding processing can be executed on the sheet bundle Sb superimposed thereon, as shown in Fig. 16. This allows the user to more easily recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23.

[0087] The executable position P is represented, for example, as a line or a rectangle in the first image GA to the fourth image GD. In addition, in Fig. 16, the executable position P is superimposed on the image selected or generated by the CPU 110, and other than that, the images are the same as the first image GA to the fourth image GD shown in Fig. 10 described above, and therefore further description will be omitted.

[0088] 16A shows the first image GA when both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON. Fig. 16A shows that the executable position P overlaps with the sheet stack Sb in both the conveying direction and the width direction. Here, "overlapping" means that the executable position P is completely contained within the range in which the sheet stack Sb is located.

[0089] 16B shows the second image GB when the short-side sensor flag is OFF and only the long-side sensor flag is ON. In FIG. 16B, the sheet stack Sb and the executable position P overlap in the width direction but do not overlap in the conveying direction. Here, "not overlapping" means that at least a portion of the executable position P is outside the range where the sheet stack Sb is located.

[0090] 16C is a third image GC when only the short side sensor flag is ON and the long side sensor flag is OFF. Fig. 16C shows that the sheet stack Sb and the executable position P are not overlapping in the width direction but are overlapping in the conveying direction.

[0091] 16(D) is the fourth image GD when the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are in the OFF state. In FIG. 16(D), the sheet stack Sb and the executable position P are in positions where they do not overlap in either the width direction or the conveying direction.

[0092] [Processing flow when the binding processing unit 100 executes manual binding processing (manual stapling)] 17 is an example of the flow of processing from the start of the manual binding processing mode to the execution of binding processing in the binding processing unit 100. First, the CPU 110 changes the mode of the binding processing unit 100 to the manual binding processing mode based on the user's setting operation via the operation unit 302 (S1031). Then, after starting the manual binding processing mode, the CPU 110 displays on the display unit 301 a message urging the insertion of the sheet bundle Sb into the slit 23 (for example, "Please insert the sheet bundle into the slit") (S1032).

[0093] After displaying on the display unit 301 a message urging the insertion of the sheet stack Sb into the slit 23, the CPU 110 executes a slit inside position determination process (S1033). In the slit inside position determination process (S1033), the CPU 110 executes the slit inside position determination process similar to each process (ST1001 to ST1020) of the flowchart shown in Fig. 14 described above or the modified examples or each embodiment exemplified below.

[0094] After the slit inside position determination process, the CPU 110 displays on the display unit 301 a message urging the user to press the process start button 24 (for example, "Press the process start button") (S1034). Then, if the CPU 110 detects that the process start button 24 has been pressed (YES in S1035), the CPU 110 operates the staple binding unit 19 or the pressure binding unit 26 to execute the binding process (ST1036). The manual binding process mode is then terminated. Note that if the CPU 110 does not detect that the process start button 24 has been pressed even after a certain period of time has elapsed (NO in S1035), the CPU 110 displays again a message urging the user to press the process start button 24 (S1034).

[0095] [First Modified Example of Processing Flow in Binding Processing Unit 100] In the processing flow of the binding processing unit 100 shown in the first example above, a process (S1001) of monitoring the detection signals of the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b is started, and the presence or absence of detection signals from the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b is determined (S1002 to S1005), and then an image to be output to the display unit 301 is selected. However, this is not limited to this, and in the processing flow of the first modified example shown in the flowchart of Figure 18, a process (S1001) of monitoring the detection signals from the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b is started, and the ON / OFF state of the two sensor flags (short side sensor flag and long side sensor flag) is not determined until a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in S1051).

[0096] Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S1051), the CPU 110 determines the ON / OFF states of the two sensor flags (the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag). More specifically, in this first modified example, the CPU 110 acquires the states of the detection signals of the short-side sensor 27a and the long-side sensor 27b (the ON / OFF states of the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag) to determine whether both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON (S1052), whether the short-side sensor flag is OFF and the long-side sensor flag is ON (S1053), or whether the short-side sensor flag is ON and the long-side sensor flag is OFF (S1054). This makes it possible to determine the accurate position of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 even if the sheet stack Sb moves during the predetermined time period after the start of monitoring the detection signals of the short-side sensor 27a and the long-side sensor 27b.

[0097] After the above determination (S1052 to S1054), the process of selecting an image to be output to the display unit 301 is the same as the process of the first example (S1007 to S1009, S1011 to S1013, S1015 to S1017, S1018 to S1020), and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] [Second Modification of Processing Flow in Binding Processing Unit 100] In the processing flow of the binding processing unit 100 shown in the first example and first modified example above, when the position of the sheet stack Sb is misaligned (the sheet stack Sb is not in an executable position), the second image GB to the fourth image GD are displayed on the display unit 301 (S1013, S1017, S1020) and then the slit internal position determination process is terminated. However, this is not limited to this, and in the processing flow of the second modified example shown in the flowchart of Figure 19, after the second image GB to the fourth image GD are displayed on the display unit 301 (S1013, S1017, S1020), the process returns to the process of monitoring the detection signals of the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b again (S1001), and after a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S1051), the CPU 110 determines the ON / OFF state of the two sensor flags (the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag) (S1052 to S1054).

[0099] In other words, in the second modified example, the CPU 110 repeats the above-described determination (S1052 to S1054) and the process of selecting an image to be output to the display unit 301 (S1007 to S1009, S1011 to S1013, S1015 to S1017, S1018 to S1020) until the sheet bundle Sb is in the appropriate position (the sheet bundle Sb is in the executable position) (S1009). This allows the user to check the display of the second to fourth images GB to GD and correct the position of the sheet bundle Sb. When the sheet bundle Sb is in the appropriate position, the slit inside position determination process is terminated and the binding process for binding the sheet bundle Sb is performed.

[0100] [Second Modification of Processing Flow in Binding Processing Unit 100] In the processing flow of the binding processing unit 100 shown in the second modified example, if the position of the sheet bundle Sb is misaligned, the determination of the ON / OFF states of the two sensor flags and the image selection process are always repeated. However, this is not limited to this. In the processing flow of a third modified example shown in the flowchart of FIG. 20, after the second image GB to the fourth image GD are displayed on the display unit 301 (S1013, S1017, S1020), the CPU 110 repeats the above determination (S1052 to S1054) and the image selection process (S1007 to S1009, S1011 to S1013, S1015 to S1017, S1018 to S1020) only when the user corrects the position of the sheet bundle Sb while viewing the display and presses the slit inside confirmation button 28 again (YES in S1056). This allows the user to recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 after correcting the position of the sheet bundle Sb.

[0101] If the displayed image is the second image GB, the third image GC, or the fourth image GD, the user corrects the position of the sheet bundle Sb while looking at the display, and after (repeatedly) pressing the inside slit check button 28 (YES in S1056), the CPU 110 repeats the above determinations (S1052-S1054) and the image selection process (S1007-S1009, S1011-S1013, S1015-S1017, S1018-S1020). On the other hand, if the first image GA is displayed (S1009), indicating that the sheet bundle Sb is in the appropriate position (the sheet bundle Sb is in an executable position), the CPU 110 ends the inside slit position determination process and can perform the binding process to bind the sheet bundle Sb. Furthermore, if the slit inside confirmation button 28 is not pressed again (NO in S1056) after the second image GB, the third image GC, or the fourth image GD is displayed on the display unit 301 (S1013, S1017, S1020), the slit inside position determination process is terminated after a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S1057).

[0102] [Processing flow in 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 with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 21. The flowchart illustrated in Fig. 21 illustrates the processing flow in which the CPU 110 transitions from a standby state to the slit inside position determination processing when the slit inside confirmation button 28 of the binding processing unit 100 is configured to double as the processing start button 24.

[0103] The CPU 110, which is in a standby state, constantly monitors whether the process start button 24 is pressed (S1101). When the process start button 24 is pressed from the standby state (S1102), the CPU 110 acquires information on whether the manual staple flag is in the ON state or the OFF state (S1103). Since the manual staple flag is in the OFF state in the initial state (NO in S1103), the CPU 110 proceeds to the slit inside position determination process (S1104). In other words, even if the process start button 24 is pressed (S1102), if the manual staple flag is in the OFF state (NO in S1103), the CPU 110 does not execute the binding process. Then, after performing the slit internal position determination process (S1104), the process returns to the standby state (S1101), and when the process start button 24 is pressed again (S1102), the CPU 110 again acquires information on whether the manual staple flag is in the ON or OFF state (S1103).

[0104] The slit internal position determination process (S1104) is basically the same as the process flow of the first example described above, except for the addition of a step of setting the manual staple flag to an ON state. Specifically, in the process flow of the first example, after the first image GA is displayed, in other words, after S1009 in the flowchart of FIG. 14, a step in which the CPU 110 sets the manual staple flag from an OFF state to an ON state is added. As described above, when the first image GA is displayed, the sheet bundle Sb is in an executable position inside the slit 23. In other words, the sheet bundle Sb is in a state in which manual stapling is possible. After the step of setting the manual staple flag from an OFF state to an ON state, the CPU 110 ends the slit internal position determination process, as in the process flow of the first example described above.

[0105] After the step of changing the manual staple flag from OFF to ON (when the sheet bundle Sb is in the executable position) and the slit inside position determination process (S1104) is completed, the process returns to the standby state (S1101). Then, when the process start button 24 is pressed again (S1102), the manual staple flag is switched from OFF to ON (YES in S1103).

[0106] If the manual staple flag is ON (YES in S1103), the CPU 110 executes a binding process to bind the end of the sheet bundle Sb (S1105). After executing the binding process, the CPU 110 resets the manual staple flag from ON to OFF (S1106). After resetting the manual staple flag, the CPU 110 returns to the standby state. On the other hand, if the manual staple flag remains OFF (if the sheet bundle Sb is not in an executable position), after the slit inside position determination process is completed, the CPU 110 returns to the standby state (S1101). Then, if the process start button 24 is pressed again (S1102), the manual staple flag is OFF (NO in S1103), so the CPU 110 proceeds to the slit inside position determination process (S1104).

[0107] [Second embodiment of binding processing unit 100] Next, a second embodiment of the binding processing unit according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 22 is an external view of the binding processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. The binding processing unit 100 includes an LED light emitting unit 29 (notification means) that indicates the position of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23. The LED light emitting unit 29 is provided in a part of the exterior casing 25 of the binding processing unit 100. The LED light emitting unit 29 is provided in the vicinity of the processing start button 24.

[0108] In addition, the hardware configuration of the binding processing unit 100 of this embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the binding processing unit 100 of the first embodiment described above, except that the LED light-emitting unit 29 is connected to the CPU 110 via the I / F 111.

[0109] In this embodiment, the position information selected by the CPU 110 in accordance with the determination result (detection result) is the light emission pattern of the LED light emitter 29. The CPU 110 varies the light emission state of the LED light emitter 29 as an example of a notification means. In this embodiment, the light emission pattern of the LED light emitter 29 controlled by the CPU 110 is one of four types shown in FIG. 23. FIG. 23(A) shows a first light emission pattern L1 when both the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are in the ON state. In the first light emission pattern L1, the LED light emitter 29 is in a continuous light emission state in which it continues to emit light. This continuous light emission state represents a state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short side abutment position and the long side abutment position.

[0110] 23(B) shows the second light emission pattern L2 when the short-side sensor flag is OFF and only the long-side sensor flag is ON. In the second light emission pattern L2, the LED light emitter 29 is in a slow flashing state, repeatedly turning on and off at a slow speed. This slow flashing state indicates that the sheet stack Sb has not yet reached the short-side abutment position, but has reached the long-side abutment position.

[0111] 23(C) shows the third light emission pattern L3 when only the short-side sensor flag is ON and the long-side sensor flag is OFF. The third light emission pattern L3 is a high-speed flashing state in which the LED light emitter 29 is turned on and off repeatedly at high speed. This high-speed flashing state indicates that the sheet stack Sb has reached the short-side abutment position but has not yet reached the long-side abutment position.

[0112] 23(D) shows the fourth light emission pattern L4 when the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are in the OFF state. In the fourth light emission pattern L4, the LED light emitter 29 does not emit light, and is in an off state. This off state represents a state in which the sheet stack Sb has not reached either the short-side abutment position or the long-side abutment position.

[0113] [Processing flow in the binding processing unit according to the second embodiment (third example)] Next, a third example of the processing flow of the control processing program executed in the binding processing unit 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 24. The flowchart illustrated in Fig. 24 illustrates a process in which the CPU 110 of the binding processing unit 100 determines the position of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 and notifies the determination result (detection result) in manual stapling processing.

[0114] The slit inside position determination process starts, for example, in the same manner as the process flow of the second example described above. That is, after the process start button 24 is pressed, if the manual staple flag is in the ON state (S1104 in the flowchart of FIG. 21), the CPU 110 starts the slit inside position determination process. Note that the start of the slit inside position determination process is not limited to the above. For example, as with the binding processing unit 100 of the first embodiment, a slit inside confirmation button 28 may be provided, and the process may start when the slit inside confirmation button 28 is pressed. Also, at the start of the slit inside position determination process, both the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are in the OFF state.

[0115] When the slit inside position determination process is started, the CPU 110 monitors the detection signals of the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b (S1201). Then, the CPU 110 acquires information on whether or not there is a detection signal indicating that the short side sensor 27a has detected the sheet S (S1202).

[0116] If there is a detection signal indicating that the short side sensor 27a has detected the sheet S (YES in S1202), the CPU 110 sets the short side sensor flag to ON (S1203). On the other hand, if there is no detection signal indicating that the short side sensor 27a has detected the sheet S (NO in S1202), the short side sensor flag remains OFF.

[0117] Next, the CPU 110 acquires information as to whether or not there is a detection signal indicating that the long side sensor 27b has detected the sheet S (S1204). If there is a detection signal indicating that the long side sensor 27b has detected the sheet S (YES in S1204), the CPU 110 sets the long side sensor flag to ON (S1205). On the other hand, if there is no detection signal indicating that the long side sensor 27b has detected the sheet S (NO in S1204), the long side sensor flag remains OFF.

[0118] Next, the CPU 110 executes a process for selecting a light emission pattern for the LED light emitter 29 based on a combination of the ON / OFF states of the two sensor flags. If both the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are ON (YES in S1206), the CPU 110 selects the above-described first light emission pattern L1 as a determination result and transmits a light emission instruction for the first light emission pattern L1 to the LED light emitter 29 (S1207). Upon receiving the light emission instruction from the CPU 110, the LED light emitter 29 executes the first light emission pattern L1 (S1208). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short side abutment position and the long side abutment position.

[0119] On the other hand, if the short-side sensor flag is OFF and the long-side sensor flag is ON (NO in S1206 and YES in S1209), the CPU 110 selects the second light emission pattern L2 as the determination result and transmits a light emission instruction for the second light emission pattern L2 to the LED light emission unit 29 (S1210). The LED light emission unit 29, having received the light emission instruction from the CPU 110, executes the second light emission pattern L2 (S1211). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet stack Sb has not yet reached the short-side abutment position but has reached the long-side abutment position.

[0120] Furthermore, if the short-side sensor flag is ON and the long-side sensor flag is OFF (NO in S1206, NO in S1209, and YES in S1212), the CPU 110 selects the third light emission pattern L3 as the determination result and transmits a light emission instruction for the third light emission pattern L3 to the LED light emission unit 29 (S1213). The LED light emission unit 29, having received the light emission instruction from the CPU 110, executes the third light emission pattern L3 (S1214). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet stack Sb has reached the short-side abutment position but has not yet reached the long-side abutment position.

[0121] Furthermore, if both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are OFF (NO in S1206, S1209, and S1212), the CPU 110 selects the fourth light-emitting pattern L4 as the determination result and transmits a light-emitting instruction for the fourth light-emitting pattern L4 to the LED light-emitting unit 29 (S1215). Upon receiving the light-emitting instruction from the CPU 110, the LED light-emitting unit 29 executes the fourth light-emitting pattern L4 (S1216). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet stack Sb has not reached both the short-side abutment position and the long-side abutment position. After the LED light-emitting unit 29 executes one of the first light-emitting pattern L1, second light-emitting pattern L2, third light-emitting pattern L3, and fourth light-emitting pattern L4, the slit inside position determination process ends.

[0122] According to the present embodiment described above, the user can recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 from the light emission pattern of the LED light emitter 29. When the user can recognize from the light emission pattern of the LED light emitter 29 that the sheet bundle Sb is in an executable position, the user can execute the binding process of binding the ends of the sheet bundle Sb by pressing the process start button 24. After correcting the position of the sheet bundle Sb, the user can press the slit inside confirmation button 28 again to recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23.

[0123] When the CPU 110 executes the slit inside position determination process, the light emission patterns that the CPU 110 causes the LED light emitter 29 to execute are not limited to the first light emission pattern L1 to the fourth light emission pattern L4 shown in FIG. 23 described above. For example, the light emission pattern that the CPU 110 causes the LED light emitter 29 to execute may be a pattern that changes the light emission color of the LED. This allows the user to recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23, as in the above example. In this example, the LED light emitter 29 is configured with, for example, a multicolor LED that can emit light in three or more colors. The content of the slit inside position determination process executed by the CPU 110 is similar to the above process flow, except for the light emission patterns. The state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 indicated by the first light emission pattern L1 to the fourth light emission pattern L4 is similar to that of the first light emission pattern L1 to the fourth light emission pattern L4 shown in FIG. 23 described above.

[0124] For example, upon receiving instructions for the first light emission patterns L1 to L4, the LED light emitter 29 emits light in the colors "blue," "green," "yellow," and "red," respectively. The user can recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 from the light emission colors of the LED light emitter 29.

[0125] [Third embodiment of binding processing unit 100] Next, a third embodiment of the binding processing unit according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 25 is an external view of the binding processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. The binding processing unit 100 is provided with a sound output mechanism 30 (notification means) that notifies the user of the position of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23. The sound output mechanism 30 is, for example, a speaker. The sound output mechanism 30 is provided in a part of the exterior 25 of the binding processing unit 100. The sound output mechanism 30 is also arranged near the process start button 24.

[0126] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of the binding processing unit 100 of this embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the binding processing unit 100 of the first embodiment described above, except that the sound output mechanism 30 is connected to the CPU 110 via the I / F 111.

[0127] In this embodiment, the position information selected by the CPU 110 in accordance with the determination result (detection result) is the sound output by the sound output mechanism 30. The CPU 110 causes the sound output mechanism 30 to execute a sound output pattern as an example of an informing means. The sound output mechanism 30 can change its sound output pattern under the control of the CPU 110. In this embodiment, the sound output pattern of the sound output mechanism 30 under the control of the CPU 110 is four types, as shown in FIG. 26. FIG. 26(A) shows a first sound output pattern So1 when both the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are in the ON state. In the first sound output pattern So1, the sound output mechanism 30 is in a long sound output state, outputting a long sound such as a "beep" (a sound that is extended for a long time). This long sound output state represents a state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short side abutment position and the long side abutment position.

[0128] 26B shows the second sound output pattern So2 when the short-side sensor flag is OFF and only the long-side sensor flag is ON. In the second sound output pattern So2, the sound output mechanism 30 outputs a short sound, such as a "beep beep," that is shorter than the sound output in the first sound output pattern So1. This short sound output state indicates that the sheet stack Sb has not yet reached the short-side abutment position but has reached the long-side abutment position.

[0129] 26(C) shows the third sound output pattern So3 when only the short-side sensor flag is ON and the long-side sensor flag is OFF. In the third sound output pattern So3, the sound output mechanism 30 continuously outputs very short sounds, such as "beep beep beep," that are even shorter than those in the second sound output pattern So2. This continuous short sound output state indicates that the sheet stack Sb has reached the short-side abutment position but has not yet reached the long-side abutment position.

[0130] 26(D) shows the fourth sound output pattern So4 when the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are in the OFF state. The fourth sound output pattern So4 is a silent state in which the sound output mechanism 30 does not output any sound. This silent state represents a state in which the sheet stack Sb has not reached either the short-side abutment position or the long-side abutment position.

[0131] The processing flow of the control processing program executed in the binding processing unit 100 of this embodiment is basically the same as the processing flow of the third example described above, except that the CPU 110 sends instructions to the sound output mechanism 30 instead of the LED light-emitting unit 29, and the sound output mechanism 30, upon receiving instructions from the CPU 110, executes the sound output pattern.

[0132] Specifically, the processing from the start of the slit inside position determination to switching the ON / OFF states of the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag in response to the detection signals of the short side sensor 27a and the long side sensor 27b (S1201 to S1205 in the flowchart in FIG. 24) is the same as in the processing flow of the third example described above. In the subsequent processing, the CPU 110 selects one of the first sound output patterns So1 to So4 for the sound output mechanism 30 based on a combination of the ON / OFF states of the two sensor flags. Next, the CPU 110 transmits an instruction for one of the selected first sound output patterns So1 to So4 to the sound output mechanism 30. Upon receiving the instruction from the CPU 110, the sound output mechanism 30 executes one of the first sound output patterns So1 to So4. After the sound output mechanism 30 executes the first light emission pattern L1 to the fourth light emission pattern L4, the slit inside position determination processing ends.

[0133] According to the present embodiment described above, the user can recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 from the sound output pattern of the sound output mechanism 30. When the user can recognize from the sound output pattern of the sound output mechanism 30 that the sheet bundle Sb is in an executable position, the user can execute the binding process of binding the ends of the sheet bundle Sb by pressing the process start button 24. After correcting the position of the sheet bundle Sb, the user can press the slit inside confirmation button 28 again to recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23.

[0134] When the CPU 110 executes the slit inside position determination process, the sound output patterns that the CPU 110 causes the sound output mechanism 30 to execute are not limited to the first sound output pattern So1 to the fourth sound output pattern So4 shown in FIG. 26 described above. For example, the sound output pattern that the CPU 110 causes the sound output mechanism 30 to execute may be a sound that indicates the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23. In this example, the sound output mechanism 30 selects and outputs one sound from a plurality of sounds pre-stored in memory. The content of the slit inside position determination process executed by the CPU 110 is similar to the above-described process flow except for the sound output pattern. The state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 indicated by the first sound output pattern So1 to the fourth sound output pattern So4 is similar to that of the first sound output pattern So1 to the fourth sound output pattern So4 shown in FIG. 26 described above.

[0135] For example, upon receiving an instruction for the first sound output patterns So1 to So4, the sound output mechanism 30 outputs sounds such as "Binding process possible," "Not reached in the conveying direction," "Not reached in the width direction," and "Not reached in the conveying and width directions," respectively. The user can recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 from the sounds output by the sound output mechanism 30.

[0136] [Fourth embodiment of binding processing unit 100] Next, a fourth embodiment of the binding processing unit according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 27 is a plan view of the binding processing unit 100 according to this embodiment. Note that the configuration of the binding processing unit 100 of this embodiment, except for the sheet bundle detection sensor group 27, is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0137] The sheet bundle detection sensor group 27 includes a short-side sensor 27a, a long-side sensor 27b, a short-side extension sensor 27c, and a long-side extension sensor 27d. The short-side extension sensor 27c and the long-side extension sensor 27d are arranged inside the slit 23. The short-side extension sensor 27c is arranged at a predetermined distance in the width direction on the near side of the short-side sensor 27a (opposite the width direction stopper 25b). The long-side extension sensor 27d is arranged at a predetermined distance on the base end side of the conveying direction (opposite the conveying direction stopper 25a) of the long-side sensor 27b. Note that, as in FIG. 13A, the short-side sensor 27a and the long-side sensor 27b may face the executable position P of the stapling unit 19, but this is not limitative. For example, the positional relationship between the long-side sensor 27b and the executable position P may be the same as that shown in FIG. 13A, and the short-side sensor 27a and the short-side extension sensor 27c may be disposed so as to face the executable position P. Alternatively, the long-side extension sensor 27d may be disposed so as to face the executable position P, and the short-side sensor 27a and the short-side extension sensor 27c may be disposed so as to face the executable position P. Note that while FIG. 27 illustrates the staple binding unit 19, this may also be applied to the pressure binding unit 26. In this case, the positional relationship between the executable position P of the pressure binding unit 26 and the short-side sensor 27a, the long-side sensor 27b, the short-side extension sensor 27c, and the long-side extension sensor 27d may be any of the forms described in this embodiment.

[0138] As described above, the short-side sensor 27a and the long-side sensor 27b detect that the sheet stack Sb has reached the short-side abutment position and the long-side abutment position, respectively. By combining the detection signals of the short-side sensor 27a and the long-side sensor 27b with the detection signals of the short-side extension sensor 27c and the long-side extension sensor 27d, the CPU 110 can determine the positional state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 in more detail.

[0139] When determining the position information of the sheet stack Sb, the CPU 110 sets the short side sensor flag to the ON state based on the detection signal from the short side sensor 27a, and sets the long side sensor flag to the ON state based on the detection signal from the long side sensor 27b, as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the CPU 110 sets the short side extension sensor flag to the ON state based on the detection signal from the short side extension sensor 27c, and sets the long side extension sensor flag to the ON state based on the detection signal from the long side extension sensor 27d.

[0140] In this embodiment, the position information selected by the CPU 110 according to the determination result (detection result) is an image to be displayed on the display unit 301. The CPU 110 selects and determines the image as the position information to be selected according to the combination of the ON / OFF states of the four sensor flags from three or more options. In this embodiment, the determination is made, for example, according to the determination table illustrated in FIG. 28.

[0141] 28, there are 13 possible combinations of ON / OFF states of the four sensor flags, and therefore 13 patterns of images are selected or generated as a result of the judgment by the CPU 110. Note that, although there are actually four possible combinations in which both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON, the judgment table T400 determines that the image is in an executable position when both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON, and summarizes this as one pattern regardless of the ON / OFF states of the short-side extended sensor flag and the long-side extended sensor flag. Furthermore, there are 12 possible combinations other than when both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON.

[0142] Fig. 29 shows an example of an image selected or generated by the CPU 110 as a determination result in this embodiment. Furthermore, Fig. 29 shows an executable position P where binding processing can be performed on the sheet bundle Sb, superimposed on the image. This allows the user to more easily recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23.

[0143] 29A shows a first image G1 when both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON. This first image G1 shows the state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short-side abutment position and the long-side abutment position. Also, FIG. 29A shows that the executable position P is in a position overlapping with the sheet stack Sb in both the conveying direction and the width direction.

[0144] 29(B) is a second image G2 in which the short-side sensor flag is ON, the long-side sensor flag is OFF, the short-side extension sensor flag is ON, and the long-side extension sensor flag is ON. In second image G2, the sheet bundle Sb has reached sensors 27a, 27c, and 27d out of the four sensors 27a to 27d, but has not reached only long-side sensor 27b, and the sheet bundle Sb is inclined with respect to the slit 23.

[0145] 29C is a third image G3 in which the short-side sensor flag is OFF, the long-side sensor flag is OFF, the short-side extension sensor flag is OFF, and the long-side extension sensor flag is ON. The third image G3 shows a state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached only the long-side extension sensor 27d out of the four sensors 27a to 27d.

[0146] 29(D) is a twelfth image G12 in which the short-side sensor flag is OFF, the long-side sensor flag is OFF, the short-side extension sensor flag is ON, and the long-side extension sensor flag is OFF. The twelfth image G12 shows a state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached only the short-side extension sensor 27c out of the four sensors 27a to 27d. Note that the fourth image G4 to the eleventh image G11 are omitted from FIG. 29.

[0147] Fig. 29(E) is a thirteenth image G13 when all four sensor flags are OFF. The thirteenth image G13 shows a state in which the sheet bundle Sb has not reached any of the four sensors 27a to 27. Fig. 29(E) also shows that the sheet bundle Sb and the executable position P are in positions where they do not overlap in either the width direction or the conveying direction.

[0148] [Processing flow in binding processing unit 100 (fourth example)] Next, a fourth example of the processing flow of the control processing program executed in the binding processing unit 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 30. The flowchart illustrated in Fig. 30 illustrates a process in which the CPU 110 of the binding processing unit 100 determines the position of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 and notifies the user of the determination result during manual stapling.

[0149] The slit inside position determination process starts, for example, in the same flow as the process flows of the second and third examples described above. Note that the start of the slit inside position determination process is not limited to the above, and for example, as with the binding processing unit 100 of the first embodiment, a slit inside confirmation button 28 may be provided and the process may start when the slit inside confirmation button 28 is pressed. Furthermore, at the start of the slit inside position determination process, the short side sensor flag, long side sensor flag, short side extended sensor flag, and long side extended sensor flag are all in the OFF state.

[0150] When the slit inside position determination process starts, the CPU 110 acquires detection signals from the short side sensor 27a, the long side sensor 27b, the short side extended sensor 27c, and the long side extended sensor 27d (S1301).

[0151] Then, the CPU 110 switches the ON / OFF states of the short side sensor flag, the long side sensor flag, the short side extended sensor flag, and the long side extended sensor flag depending on whether or not there are detection signals from the short side sensor 27a, the long side sensor 27b, the short side extended sensor 27c, and the long side extended sensor 27d (S1302).

[0152] Next, the CPU 110 selects an image to be output to the display unit 301 from the determination table T400 according to the combination of the ON / OFF states of the four sensor flags. If both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON (YES in S1303), the CPU 110 selects the position information of the first image G1 as the determination result and transmits an output instruction for the first image G1 to the main body control unit 306 (S1304). The main body control unit 306, upon receiving the instruction from the CPU 110, transmits an instruction to the display unit 301 to output the first image G1 (S1305). The display unit 301, upon receiving the output instruction from the main body control unit 306, displays the first image G1 (S1306). This allows the user to recognize that the sheet bundle Sb has reached both the short-side abutment position and the long-side abutment position. In other words, the user can recognize that the sheet bundle Sb is in an executable position within the slit 23 where binding processing can be performed.

[0153] If neither the short-side sensor flag nor the long-side sensor flag is ON (NO in S1303), the CPU 110 selects one of the second image G2 to the thirteenth image G13 from the determination table T400 according to the ON / OFF state of each sensor flag (S1307), and sends an output instruction to the main body control unit 306 to output one of the second image G2 to the thirteenth image G13 according to the determination result (S1308). The main body control unit 306, having received the instruction from the CPU 110, sends an instruction to the display unit 301 to output one of the second image G2 to the thirteenth image G13 according to the determination result (S1309). The display unit 301, having received the output instruction from the main body control unit 306, displays one of the second image G2 to the thirteenth image G13 according to the determination result (S1310). This allows the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 to be recognized from the image displayed on the display unit 301. After one of the first image G1 to the thirteenth image G13 is displayed, the slit inside position determination process ends.

[0154] According to the present embodiment described above, the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 can be recognized from the image displayed on the display unit 301. If the user can recognize from the first image G1 displayed on the display unit 301 that the sheet bundle Sb is in an executable position where binding processing can be performed, the user can execute binding processing to bind the ends of the sheet bundle Sb by pressing the process start button 24. On the other hand, if the user can recognize from any one of the second image G2 to the thirteenth image G13 displayed on the display unit 301 that the sheet bundle Sb is not in an executable position, the user can correct the position of the sheet bundle Sb. The CPU 110 can determine the positional state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 in detail from the determination results based on the detection signals of the four sensors 27a to 27d.

[0155] In the binding processing unit 100 of this embodiment, the determination result that the CPU 110 selects as position information and notifies the user is not limited to the image displayed on the display unit 301, but may also be the light emission pattern of the LED light emission unit 29 as in the second embodiment, or the sound output pattern of the sound output mechanism 30 as in the third embodiment.

[0156] FIG. 31 shows an example of a light emission pattern of the LED light emitter 29 under the control of the CPU 110. The configuration of the LED light emitter 29 is the same as that of the second embodiment. In this example, there are three types of light emission patterns of the LED light emitter 29 under the control of the CPU 110. FIG. 31(A) shows a first light emission pattern L1 when both the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are in the ON state. In the first light emission pattern L1, the LED light emitter 29 is in a continuous light emission state in which it continues to emit light. This continuous light emission state represents a state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short side abutment position and the long side abutment position.

[0157] 31(B) shows a second light emission pattern L2 when at least one of the four sensor flags is ON (excluding the case where both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON). In the second light emission pattern L2, the LED light emitter 29 is in a flashing state where it alternately turns on and off. This flashing state indicates that the sheet stack Sb has reached at least one of the four sensors 27a to 27d (excluding the case where the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short-side abutment position and the long-side abutment position).

[0158] 31(C) shows the third light emission pattern L3 when all four sensor flags are in the OFF state. In the third light emission pattern L3, the LED light emitter 29 does not emit light, and is in an off state. This off state represents a state in which the sheet stack Sb has not reached any of the four sensors 27a to 27b. The user can recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 from the light emission pattern of the LED light emitter 29.

[0159] The processing flow of the control processing program executed in the binding processing unit 100 in this example is basically the same as the processing flow of the fourth example described above, except that instead of the CPU 110 sending instructions to the display unit 301 via the main body control unit 306, the CPU 110 sends instructions to the LED light-emitting unit 29, and the LED light-emitting unit 29, having received the instructions from the CPU 110, executes the light-emitting pattern.

[0160] When the CPU 110 executes the in-slit position determination process, the light emission patterns that the LED light emitter 29 executes are not limited to the first light emission pattern L1 to the third light emission pattern L3 shown in FIG. 31 described above. For example, the light emission pattern that the CPU 110 executes on the LED light emitter 29 may be a pattern that changes the light emission color of the LED. This allows the user to recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23, as in the above example. In this example, the LED light emitter 29 is configured with, for example, a multicolor LED that can emit light in three or more colors. The content of the in-slit position determination process executed by the CPU 110 is similar to the above-described process flow, except for the light emission patterns. The state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 indicated by the first light emission pattern L1 to the third light emission pattern L3 is similar to that of the first light emission pattern L1 to the third light emission pattern L3 shown in FIG. 31 described above. For example, the LED light emitter 29 that receives the instruction for the first light emission patterns L1 to L3 emits light in the colors "blue," "green," and "red," respectively. The user can recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 from the color of light emitted by the LED light emitting portion 29.

[0161] Furthermore, for example, the light emission pattern that the CPU 110 causes the LED light emitter 29 to execute may be a light emission pattern that changes from one color to another color in a stepwise manner. This allows the user to recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23, as in the above example. In this example, the LED light emitter 29 is configured with, for example, a multi-color LED that can emit light in two or more colors and can individually control the light intensity of each color.

[0162] For example, upon receiving an instruction for one of the first light-emitting patterns L1 to L3, the LED light-emitting unit 29 emits light in the colors "blue," "a color intermediate between blue and red," and "red," respectively. The user can recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 from the light-emitting colors of the LED light-emitting unit 29. Furthermore, in this example, when the LED light-emitting unit 29 emits light in the "a color intermediate between blue and red" of the second light-emitting pattern L2, the light-emitting color is gradually changed so that the amount of blue light increases and the amount of red light decreases as the sheet stack Sb approaches the executable position. In other words, the LED light-emitting unit 29 gradually changes the light-emitting color so that the amount of blue light decreases and the amount of red light increases as the sheet stack Sb moves away from the executable position.

[0163] For example, the CPU 110 determines that the sheet bundle Sb is approaching the executable position as the number of sensor flags that are in the ON state increases, and determines that the sheet bundle Sb is moving away from the executable position as the number of sensor flags that are in the ON state decreases. The user can recognize the state (also referred to as the position) of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 in more detail from the gradually changing light color of the LED light-emitting unit 29.

[0164] FIG. 32 shows an example of a sound output pattern of the sound output mechanism 30 controlled by the CPU 110. The configuration of the sound output mechanism 30 is the same as that of the third embodiment. In this example, there are three types of sound output patterns of the sound output mechanism 30 controlled by the CPU 110. FIG. 32(A) shows a first sound output pattern So1 when both the short side sensor flag and the long side sensor flag are ON. In the first sound output pattern So1, the sound output mechanism 30 is in a long sound output state, for example, outputting a long sound such as a "beep." This long sound output state represents a state in which the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short side abutment position and the long side abutment position.

[0165] 32(B) shows the second sound output pattern So2 when at least one of the four sensor flags is ON (excluding the case where both the short-side sensor flag and the long-side sensor flag are ON). In the second sound output pattern So2, the sound output mechanism 30 continuously outputs short beeps, for example, a short sound output state. This continuous short sound output state indicates that the sheet stack Sb has reached at least one of the four sensors 27a to 27d (excluding the case where the sheet stack Sb has reached both the short-side abutment position and the long-side abutment position).

[0166] 32(C) shows the third sound output pattern So3 when all four sensor flags are OFF. The third sound output pattern So3 is a silent state in which the sound output mechanism 30 does not output any sound. This silent state represents a state in which the sheet stack Sb has not reached any of the four sensors 27a to 27b.

[0167] The processing flow of the control processing program executed in the binding processing unit 100 in this example is basically the same as the processing flow of the fourth example described above, except that instead of the CPU 110 sending instructions to the display unit 301 via the main body control unit 306, the CPU 110 sends instructions to the sound output mechanism 30, and the sound output mechanism 30, having received instructions from the CPU 110, executes the sound output pattern.

[0168] Furthermore, for example, the sound output pattern that the CPU 110 causes the sound output mechanism 30 to execute may be a pattern that gradually changes from a long sound output state to a silent state. This allows the user to recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23, as in the above example. In this example, the sound output mechanism 30 can, for example, control the sound output mechanism 30 to gradually change the interval between sounds.

[0169] For example, upon receiving a light emission instruction for the first sound output pattern So1 to the third sound output pattern So3, the LED light emitter 29 outputs sounds in a "long sound output state," a "short sound output state," and a "silent state," respectively. The user can recognize the state of the sheet stack Sb inside the slit 23 from the length of the sound from the sound output mechanism 30. Furthermore, in this example, when the sound output mechanism 30 outputs sound in the "short sound output state" of the second light emission pattern L2, the sound output is gradually varied so that the intervals between sounds become shorter as the sheet stack Sb approaches the executable position. In other words, the sound output mechanism 30 gradually varies the sound output so that the intervals between sounds become longer as the sheet stack Sb moves away from the executable position.

[0170] For example, the CPU 110 determines that the sheet bundle Sb is approaching the executable position as the number of sensor flags that are in the ON state increases, and determines that the sheet bundle Sb is moving away from the executable position as the number of sensor flags that are in the ON state decreases. The user can recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 in more detail from the sound output of the sound output mechanism 30, which is gradually variable.

[0171] In this embodiment, the sheet bundle detection sensor group 27 is configured to include four sensors 27a to 27d, but is not limited to this, and the sheet bundle detection sensor group 27 may be configured to include more sensors. The number of image patterns, light emission patterns, or sound output patterns as determination results may be increased depending on the number of sensors. This allows the user to recognize the state of the sheet bundle Sb inside the slit 23 in more detail.

[0172] [Modification of Image Forming System] 33 is a functional block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a modified image forming system according to the present invention. In the above-described embodiments, the CPU 110 of the binding processing unit 100 executes the determination process as the determination means, but this is not limited to this. In the image forming system according to this modified embodiment, the main body control unit 306 of the image forming unit 300 (image forming apparatus) executes the determination process as the determination means. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0173] 33 controls the operations of the components of the image forming unit 300 (for example, a notification unit 312, a feed roller 313, an image creating unit 304, a fixing unit 305, a conveyance roller 314, and an operation unit 302) through an internal IF 311, and also controls the operations of the power sources (conveyance motor 151, a paper discharge motor 152, and a staple drive motor 153) and various sensors (conveyance sensor 154, a paper discharge sensor 155, a staple movement HP sensor 156, and a sheet bundle detection sensor group 27) of the binding processing unit 100 through external IFs 315, 181, and an internal IF 182. In other words, the binding processing unit 100 operates under the control of the main body control unit 306 mounted in the image forming unit 300.

[0174] The image forming unit 300 may be configured to form an image on a sheet S, as in the above-described embodiments, and may be an inkjet system that forms an image using ink, or an electrophotographic system that forms an image using toner. The feed rollers 313 feed the sheets S stored in the paper feed unit 303 one by one toward the image creation unit 304. As in the above-described embodiments, the image creation unit 304 transfers an image onto the sheet S fed by the feed rollers 313, and the fixing unit 305 fixes the image transferred onto the sheet S. The transport rollers 314 transport the sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 305 toward the binding processing unit 100.

[0175] The main body control unit 306 includes, for example, a CPU 321 and a memory 322. The memory 322 is configured, for example, with a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a combination of these. The memory 322 stores images and the like to be displayed as the determination results (notification results) of the above-described embodiments. The main body control unit 306 also controls the operation of the power sources and various sensors of the punching unit 200 and the power sources and various sensors of the folding unit 400 via the external IFs 315 and 181 and the internal IF 182.

[0176] In this modification, detection signals from the sheet stack detection sensor group 27 are input to the main body control unit 306 via the external IFs 312 and 181 and the internal IF 182. The sheet stack detection sensor group 27 includes a short side sensor 27a, a long side sensor 27b, etc., as in the above embodiments. The main body control unit 306, to which the detection signals from each sensor are input, executes a determination process as in the above embodiments. Furthermore, after executing the determination process, the main body control unit 306 sends an output instruction to an alarm unit 310 (announcement means; configured similarly to any one of the display unit 301, LED light emitter 29, and sound output mechanism 30 in the above embodiments and modifications), and controls the alarm to notify the determination result (detection result).

[0177] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed contents. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0178] In each of the above-described embodiments, an output instruction is sent from the CPU 110 that controls the binding processing unit 100, and the determination result (detection result) is notified to the notification means (display unit 301) provided in the image forming unit 300 or the notification means (LED light emitting unit 29, sound output mechanism 30) provided in the binding processing unit 100, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification may be made to the LED light emitting unit 29 or the sound output mechanism 30 provided in the image forming unit 300, or the display unit 301 provided in the binding processing unit 100. In addition, when making the notification means notify the determination result (detection result), the CPU 110 or the main body control unit 306 may output the determination result (detection result).

[0179] The contents of the present invention are as follows, for example. <1> A media processing device that bundles a plurality of sheet-like media to form a sheet bundle, a binding means inserted into a space formed in a part of the device housing for binding the sheet stack; a first sensor provided in the space and configured to detect a position of one side of the sheet bundle in the space; and a second sensor configured to detect a position of another side of the sheet bundle adjacent to the one side; and a notification means for notifying the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor. The media processing device is characterized by the above. <2> a determining unit that determines position information of the sheet stack within the space by selecting from at least three options in response to detection signals from the first sensor and the second sensor, The notification means notifies the detection result as a determination result by the determination means. The aforementioned <1> The media processing device described in <3> the determining means is included in a control unit provided in the media processing device, The control unit receives detection signals from the first sensor and the second sensor and executes the determination. The aforementioned <2> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <4> the notification means causes a display unit to display an image selected or generated based on the detection signals of the first sensor and the second sensor as the detection result. The aforementioned <1> and above <3> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <5> The notification unit displays an executable position where the binding unit can execute the binding process in a superimposed manner on the image. The aforementioned <4> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <6> The notification means includes a light emitting means that changes a light emitting state in accordance with the detection result. The aforementioned <1> and above <3> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <7> The notification means includes a sound output means for outputting a sound in response to the detection result. The aforementioned <1> and above <3> 2 is a media processing device according to the first embodiment. <8> The binding means performs a staple binding process of binding an end portion of the sheet bundle using a staple. The aforementioned <1> and above <7> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of the preceding claims. <9> The binding unit performs a pressure binding process in which a part of the sheet bundle is pressurized and deformed to bind the sheet bundle by pressure. The aforementioned <1> and above <7> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of the preceding claims. <10> The sheet stacking device includes a plurality of binding means including a staple binding means for binding the end of the sheet stack using staples, and a pressure binding means for pressurizing and deforming a part of the sheet stack to bind the sheet stack by pressure. The aforementioned <1> and above <7> 1 is a media processing device according to any one of the preceding claims. <11> an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium; A binding process is performed on the medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit. <1> and above <9> a media processing device according to any one of The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising: <12> an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet-like medium; a medium processing device connected to the image forming device and configured to bundle a plurality of the media to form a sheet bundle; A notification means; Equipped with The media processing device includes: a binding means inserted into a space formed in a part of the device housing for binding the sheet stack; a first sensor provided in the space for detecting a side in one direction that forms an outer edge of the sheet bundle in the space, and a second sensor for detecting a position of another side adjacent to the side in the one direction; The image forming system is characterized in that the notification unit notifies the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0180] 1: Image forming system 19: Staple binding unit 23: Slit 23a: Short side 23B: Long side 26: Pressure binding unit 31: Housing 27: Sheet stack detection sensors 27a: Short side sensor 27b: Long side sensor 27c: Short side extension sensor 27d: Long side extension sensor 29: LED light emitting part 30: Sound output mechanism 102: Binding processing control unit 110:CPU 301:Display section 306: Main unit control section P: Executable position S: Seat Sb Sheet bundle [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0181] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-043037

Claims

1. A media processing device that bundles a plurality of sheet-like media to form a sheet bundle, a binding means inserted into a space formed in a part of the device housing for binding the sheet stack; a first sensor provided in the space and configured to detect a position of one side of the sheet bundle in the space; and a second sensor configured to detect a position of another side of the sheet bundle adjacent to the one side; a notification unit that notifies the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor, A media processing device characterized by:

2. a determining unit that determines position information of the sheet stack within the space by selecting from at least three options in response to detection signals from the first sensor and the second sensor, The notification means notifies the detection result as a determination result by the determination means. The media processing device of claim 1 .

3. the determining means is included in a control unit provided in the media processing device, the control unit receives detection signals from the first sensor and the second sensor and executes the determination. The media processing device of claim 2 .

4. the notification means causes a display unit to display an image selected or generated based on the detection signals of the first sensor and the second sensor as the detection result. The media processing device of claim 1 .

5. The notification unit displays an executable position where the binding unit can execute the binding process in a superimposed manner on the image. The media processing device of claim 4 .

6. The notification means includes a light emitting means that changes a light emitting state in accordance with the detection result. The media processing device of claim 1 .

7. The notification means includes a sound output means for outputting a sound in response to the detection result. The media processing device of claim 1 .

8. The binding means performs a staple binding process of binding an end portion of the sheet bundle using a staple. The media processing device of claim 1 .

9. The binding unit performs a pressure binding process in which a part of the sheet bundle is pressurized and deformed to bind the sheet bundle by pressure. The media processing device of claim 1 .

10. The sheet stacking device includes a plurality of binding means including a staple binding means for binding the end of the sheet stack using staples, and a pressure binding means for pressurizing and deforming a part of the sheet stack to bind the sheet stack by pressure. The media processing device of claim 1 .

11. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium; a media processing device according to claim 1 , which performs a binding process on the media on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

12. an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet-like medium; a medium processing device connected to the image forming device and configured to bundle a plurality of the media to form a sheet bundle; A notification means; Equipped with The media processing device includes: a binding means inserted into a space formed in a part of the device housing for binding the sheet stack; a first sensor provided in the space for detecting a side in one direction that forms an outer edge of the sheet bundle in the space, and a second sensor for detecting a position of another side adjacent to the side in the one direction, The notification means notifies the detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor. An image forming system comprising:

Images