Image forming system

Abstract

To change an imposition pattern of a booklet according to an inclination direction of a compile tray of a post-processing device.SOLUTION: An image forming system forming an image on a sheet based on an image data for printing in which a plurality of pieces of image data are imposed so as to correspond to a center-folding and a center-binding processing and capable of the center-folding and the center-binding processing and outputting a booklet comprises: a storage means for pre-storing, as an output processing content table, an inclination direction of a compile tray on which a sheet bundle to be subjected to an imposition processing and the center-folding and the center-binding processing on either a page constituting the booklet or a double page spread is placed; and a processing means producing the image data for printing that acquires information on the inclination direction of the compile tray, and refers to the output processing content table, and performs imposition processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a post-processing apparatus having a paper bundle forming unit that bundles a plurality of sheets to form a paper bundle, a binding means that penetrates a binding needle through the paper bundle formed by the paper bundle forming unit and bends an end portion of the binding needle to bind the paper bundle, a folding means that folds a portion of the paper bundle bound by the binding needle, and a binding needle detection unit that is disposed on the downstream side in the paper bundle conveyance direction from the binding means and on the upstream side in the paper bundle conveyance direction from the folding means and detects the binding needle used for the paper bundle by the binding means (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention changes the page - facing pattern of a booklet according to the inclination direction of the compile tray of a post - processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the image forming system according to claim 1 is Center - fold Rika An image forming system capable of forming an image on a sheet based on print image data in which a plurality of image data are page - faced so as to correspond to the center - fold Rika and performing the center - fold A folding means that performs the folding process on the paper placed on the compile tray using a folding knife that moves so as to protrude from the upstream side to the downstream side in the paper transport direction, The tilt direction of the aforementioned compile tray and The page Ji Page - facing A pattern, and a correspondence with the surface pattern which differs according to the inclination direction.Predict Mete A storage means for storing it as a cable, The information regarding the tilt direction of the aforementioned compile tray is obtained. , the acquired information on the inclination direction and before Note Table According to the layout pattern determined based on The system includes a processing means that performs the imposition process to obtain the image data for printing, It is characterized by the following:

[0006] The invention described in claim 2 is an image forming system described in claim 1, The inclination direction of the compilation tray is a first direction in which it is inclined upstream in the direction in which the paper is transported to the compilation tray, and a second direction in which it is inclined downstream in the direction in which the paper is transported to the compilation tray. It is characterized by the following:

[0007] The invention described in claim 3 is an image forming system described in claim 2, As the aforementioned layout pattern, When the tilt direction of the compile tray is the first direction, and an n-page (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) booklet is printed, the upstream side of the i-th sheet of paper placed on the compile tray will be filled with pages n / 2-2×i+2 and n / 2+2×i-1, and the downstream side of the i-th sheet of paper placed on the compile tray will be filled with pages n / 2-2×i+1 and n / 2+2×i. The processing is stored in the table. , It is characterized by the following:

[0008] The invention described in claim 4 is an image forming system described in claim 2, As the aforementioned layout pattern, When the tilt direction of the compile tray is the second direction, and an n-page (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) booklet is printed, the 2×i page and n-2×i+1 page are imposed on the upstream side of the i-th sheet of paper placed on the compile tray in the paper transport direction, and the 2×i-1 page and n-2×i+2 page are imposed on the downstream side of the i-th sheet of paper placed on the compile tray in the paper transport direction. The processing is stored in the table. , It is characterized by the following.

[0009] The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the information on the inclination direction of the compile tray is acquired according to the type of the post-processing device actually installed in the image forming system, It is characterized by the following.

[0010] The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an input means, the information on the inclination direction of the compile tray is acquired according to the input from the input means, It is characterized by the following.

[0011] [[ID=-23]] The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming system according to claim 5 or 6, when the information on the inclination direction of the compile tray is not acquired, the Note sheet pasting process referring to the table is not performed, It is characterized by the following.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the invention described in claim 1, the booklet sheet pasting pattern can be changed according to the inclination direction of the compile tray of the post-processing device, and the sheet pasting can be set for each post-processing device.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 2, the booklet sheet pasting pattern can be changed according to the inclination direction of the compile tray.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 3, when the inclination direction of the compile tray is the first direction, appropriate sheet pasting can be performed.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 4, when the inclination direction of the compile tray is the second direction, appropriate sheet pasting can be performed.

[0016] According to the invention described in claim 5, the tilt direction of the compilation tray of the post-processing device that is actually installed can be detected.

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to obtain information on the tilt direction of the compilation tray of the post-processing device that is actually installed.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the productivity of the image forming system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the image forming system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the output format and imposition process for "center-folded and saddle-stitched binding." [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the configuration of the saddle-stitch binding function section in the finisher unit. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the configuration of the saddle-stitch binding function section in the finisher unit. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the saddle-stitch binding function section with different tilt directions for the compile tray. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the process of determining the layout performed in the control unit. [Figure 7] This table shows an example of the configuration and layout pattern of the post-processing equipment. [Figure 8] (a) is a diagram showing the compilation of a stack of paper in a saddle-stitch binding function unit, where the tilt direction of the compilation tray is a first direction tilted upstream in the direction in which the paper is transported to the compilation tray, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the imposition order. [Figure 9] (a) is a diagram showing the compilation of a stack of paper in a saddle-stitch binding function unit, where the tilt direction of the compilation tray is a second direction tilted downstream in the direction in which the paper is transported to the compilation tray, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the imposition order. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings, with examples of embodiments and specific examples provided below, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and specific examples. Furthermore, it should be noted that the following diagrams used in the explanation are schematic, and the proportions of the dimensions may differ from those of reality. For ease of understanding, diagrams of components other than those necessary for the explanation have been omitted as appropriate.

[0021] (1) Overall configuration and operation of the image forming system Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming system 100 according to this embodiment. The image forming system 100 shown in Figure 1 comprises an image forming device 1, such as a printer or copier, which forms an image by electrophotography, and a post-processing device 2 that performs post-processing on the paper P on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming device 1.

[0022] (1.1) Overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 10 that forms an image based on image data, an image reading unit 11 that reads an image from a document and generates read image data, a paper supply unit 12 that supplies paper P to the image forming unit 10, a user interface 13 that accepts operation input from the user and displays various information to the user of the image forming system 100, and a control unit 14 that controls the operation of the entire image forming system 100.

[0023] The image forming unit 10 includes a photoreceptor, and around the photoreceptor are a charging device that uniformly charges the photoreceptor, an exposure unit that scans a light beam based on image data, a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by scanning exposure by the exposure unit with toner, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the developed photoreceptor to the paper P, and a cleaning unit that cleans the surface of the photoreceptor after transfer. Furthermore, a fixing unit is provided on the transport path of the paper P to fix the toner image on the paper P after transfer.

[0024] The user interface 13 includes an input function for inputting instructions related to the printing process, including print execution instructions and print cancellation instructions, through user operation, and a display function for displaying information related to the printing process of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0025] The control unit 14 receives a print execution instruction and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing predetermined processes based on the control program. Specifically, when a print execution instruction is received, it controls the paper supply unit 12 to transport the paper P and controls the image forming unit 10 to execute printing based on the received image data.

[0026] Figure 2 illustrates the output format and imposition process for "saddle-fold and saddle-stitched binding." Furthermore, the control unit 14 acquires information from the installed post-processing device 2 and functions as a processing means to output printable image data in which multiple image data are imposed to correspond to saddle-folding and saddle-stitching processes. As shown in Figure 2(a), in the "center-fold and saddle-stitched" process, multiple sheets of paper P, each containing two pages, are folded in the middle and stapled together to form a booklet, and the pages are arranged in page order within the booklet.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an example where the left side of the booklet is considered page 1 and the pages are arranged in order, but the booklet could also be designed so that the right side is considered page 1 and the pages are arranged in order. Therefore, in the case of a 12-page document, the imposition is arranged as shown in Figure 2(b), with pages 12 and 1 on the front of the first sheet, pages 2 and 11 on the back of the first sheet, pages 10 and 3 on the front of the second sheet, pages 4 and 9 on the back of the second sheet, pages 8 and 5 on the front of the third sheet, and pages 6 and 5 on the back of the third sheet.

[0028] The post-processing device 2 includes a transport unit 3 that receives and transports the paper P with an image formed on it from the image forming apparatus 1, a folding unit 4 that performs folding on the paper P brought in from the transport unit 3, a finisher unit 5 that performs final processing on the paper P that has passed through the folding unit 4, and a paper processing control unit 6 that controls each of the functional parts of the post-processing device 2. Furthermore, the control unit 14 in the image forming apparatus 1, which controls the operation of the entire image forming system 100, may also be configured to incorporate the control functions of the paper processing control unit 6.

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates the configuration of the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30 in the finisher unit 5, and Figure 4 shows saddle-stitch binding function units 30A with different tilt directions for the compile tray 31. The finisher unit 5 includes a punching function unit 70 that punches holes such as 2 holes or 4 holes in the paper P, an edge binding function unit 40 that stacks the required number of sheets of paper PB to create a paper stack PB and performs a binding process (edge ​​binding) on ​​the edges of the paper stack PB, and a saddle-stitch binding function unit 30 that stacks the required number of sheets of paper P to create a paper stack PB and binds the central part of the paper stack PB to form a booklet.

[0030] The saddle-stitch binding function unit 30 includes a compile tray 31 that collects a predetermined number of sheets of paper P after image formation, a loading roller 39 that loads the paper P into the compile tray 31 one sheet at a time, and an end guide 32 that places the stack of paper PB on a positioning stopper protruding from the compile tray 31 and moves along the compile tray 31 to determine the saddle-stitch position and folding position of the stack of paper B. Furthermore, it includes a paper alignment paddle 33 for aligning the paper P accumulated on the compile tray 31 toward the end guide 32, and a paper width alignment member 34 for aligning the width direction of the paper P accumulated on the compile tray 31.

[0031] Furthermore, the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30 includes a stapler 80 that performs a binding process on the stack of paper PB accumulated on the compile tray 31 while passing a stapling needle through it, a folding mechanism 35 having a folding knife 35a that moves so as to protrude from the back side of the compile tray 31 toward the storage side relative to the bound stack of paper PB, and a folding roller 36 consisting of a pair of rollers that grips the stack of paper B as folding begins with the folding knife 35a. Furthermore, downstream of the folding roller 36, there is a transport roller 37 for transporting the paper bundle PB that has been folded and bound by the folding mechanism 35 and the folding roller 36, a booklet tray TR3 for loading the bound paper bundle PB, and an output roller 38 for transporting the paper bundle PB to the booklet tray TR3.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, there are two types of saddle-stitching binding functions 30 that bind the central portion of a stack of paper PB into a booklet: a first saddle-stitching binding function 30 in which the compiling tray 31 is tilted in a first direction toward the upstream side in the direction in which the paper P is transported to the compiling tray 31, and a second saddle-stitching binding function 30A in which the paper P is tilted in a second direction toward the downstream side in the direction in which the paper P is transported to the compiling tray.

[0033] Figure 5 shows the order in which the papers are compiled onto the compilation tray 31 and the order of the pages in the folded booklet. In the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30 in which the compile tray 31 is tilted in a first direction, when folding is performed on the stack of paper PB piled on top of the compile tray 31, the inside of the booklet becomes the first sheet (P1), as shown in Figure 5(a). In the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30A in which the compile tray 31 is tilted in a second direction, when folding is performed on the stack of paper PB piled on top of the compile tray 31, the outside of the booklet becomes the first sheet (P1), as shown in Figure 5(b).

[0034] Therefore, if the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 of the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30 in the post-processing device 2, which is mounted on the image forming apparatus 1, changes, it is necessary to change the imposition settings on the image forming apparatus 1 side. In the image forming system 100 of this embodiment, the imposition pattern is changed by obtaining information about the configuration of the post-processing device 2 to which the control unit 14 is installed, and by referring to the output processing content table regarding the tilt direction of the compile tray 31, which is part of the configuration of the post-processing device 2.

[0035] (2) Imposition process (2.1) Imposition settings Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the layout determination process performed in the control unit 14, and Figure 7 is an output processing content table showing the configuration of the post-processing device and an example of a layout pattern. When the power to the image forming apparatus 1 is turned ON (S11), the control unit 14 acquires information regarding the model of the installed post-processing device 2 (S12). The information regarding the model of the post-processing device 2 includes the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 of the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30. There are two possible tilt directions for the compile tray 31: a first direction in which it tilts upstream in the direction in which the paper P is transported to the compile tray 31, and a second direction in which it tilts downstream in the direction in which the paper P is transported to the compile tray.

[0036] Then, it is determined whether the acquired information regarding the model of the post-processing unit 2 includes information regarding the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 (S13). If step 14 includes information on the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 (S13; Yes), the control unit 14 refers to the output processing content table (hereinafter simply referred to as the table) stored in the storage unit 15 as a storage means, which shows the combination of the post-processing device configuration and the imposition pattern (S14). As shown in Figure 7, the table shows the model of the post-processing device 2, the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 of the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30, and the combination of the imposition pattern. Based on the information regarding the model of the installed post-processing device 2 obtained in step S12, the control unit 14 determines the layout pattern from the table referenced in step S13 (S15). If the information regarding the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 is not included in step S13 (S13; No), the control unit 14 does not perform layout setting by referring to the table.

[0037] In this way, by changing the imposition setting in the image forming apparatus 1 based on the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 of the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30, the imposition setting can be easily switched even when a post-processing device 2 with a different configuration is installed. The information regarding the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 of the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30 may be obtained in response to input from the user interface 13.

[0038] (2.2) Surface Placement Patterns Figure 8(a) shows the compilation of a stack of paper PB in the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30A, where the inclination direction of the compile tray 31 is a first direction in which the paper P is inclined upstream in the direction of transport to the compile tray 31, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the imposition order. When the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 is the first direction, as shown in Figure 8(a), the inside of the booklet becomes the first page. Therefore, when outputting an n-page booklet (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1), as shown in Figure 8(b), the upstream side of the i-th sheet placed on the compile tray 31 in the paper transport direction will be filled with pages n / 2-2×i+2 and n / 2+2×i-1, while the downstream side of the i-th sheet placed on the compile tray 31 in the paper transport direction will be filled with pages n / 2-2×i+1 and n / 2+2×i.

[0039] Specifically, for example, when imposing a total of 100 pages, the first sheet will have pages 50 and 51 on the front, pages 49 and 52 on the back, pages 48 and 53 on the front, pages 47 and 54 on the back, pages 50-2×i and 51+2×i on the front of the i-th sheet, and pages 51-2×i and 50+2×i on the back of the i-th sheet.

[0040] Figure 9(a) shows the compilation of a stack of paper PB in the saddle-stitch binding function unit 30B, where the inclination direction of the compile tray 31 is a second direction in which the paper P is inclined downstream in the direction of transport to the compile tray 31, and (b) is a diagram illustrating the imposition order. When the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 is the second direction, as shown in Figure 9(a), the outside of the booklet becomes the first page. Therefore, when outputting an n-page booklet (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1), as shown in Figure 9(b), the 2×i page and n-2×i+1 page are imposed on the upstream side of the i-th sheet placed on the compile tray 31 in the paper transport direction, and the 2×i-1 page and n-2×i+2 page are imposed on the downstream side of the i-th sheet placed on the compile tray 31 in the paper transport direction.

[0041] Specifically, for example, when imposing a total of 100 pages, the first sheet will be arranged so that page 100 and page 1 are printed on the front, page 99 and page 2 on the back, page 98 and page 3 on the front, page 97 and page 4 on the back, page 102-2×i and page 2×i-1 on the front, and page 101-2×i and page 2×i on the back.

[0042] In the image forming system 100 according to this embodiment, the model information of the installed post-processing device 2 is acquired, and the imposition method of the booklet is changed according to the configuration of the post-processing device 2. Specifically, by referring to the output processing content table according to the tilt direction of the compile tray 31 and changing the imposition pattern, it becomes possible to easily switch imposition control even when a post-processing device with a different configuration is installed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 100...Image forming system 1. Image forming apparatus 10...Image forming unit, 11...Image reading unit, 12...Paper supply unit 13. User Interface, 14. Control Unit 2. Post-treatment device 3. Transport Unit 4-fold unit 5. Finisher Unit 30, 30A...Saddle-stitch binding function 31...Compile tray, 32...End guide 35...Folding mechanism, 36...Folding rollers 6. Interposer 7. Paper Processing Control Unit

Claims

1. An image forming system capable of forming an image on paper based on printable image data in which multiple image data are imposed to accommodate center-fold processing, and then performing center-fold processing to output a booklet, A folding means that performs the folding process on the paper placed on the compile tray using a folding knife that moves so as to protrude from the upstream side to the downstream side in the paper transport direction, A storage means for storing in advance, as a table, the correspondence between the tilt direction of the compilation tray and the imposition patterns of the pages constituting the booklet, which differ depending on the tilt direction. The system includes a processing means for acquiring information on the tilt direction of the compilation tray, and performing the imposition process according to the imposition pattern determined based on the acquired tilt direction information and the table to obtain printable image data. An image forming system characterized by the following features.

2. The inclination direction of the compilation tray is a first direction in which it is inclined upstream in the direction in which the paper is transported to the compilation tray, and a second direction in which it is inclined downstream in the direction in which the paper is transported to the compilation tray. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. As the imposition pattern, when the tilt direction of the compile tray is the first direction, and when outputting an n-page (n is an integer of 1 or more) booklet, the table stores a process in which the upstream side of the i-th sheet placed on the compile tray in the paper transport direction is imposed with pages n / 2 - 2 × i + 2 and n / 2 + 2 × i - 1, and the downstream side of the i-th sheet placed on the compile tray in the paper transport direction is imposed with pages n / 2 - 2 × i + 1 and n / 2 + 2 × i. The image forming system according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.

4. As the imposition pattern, when the tilt direction of the compile tray is the second direction, and when outputting an n-page (n is an integer of 1 or more) booklet, the process of imposing the 2×i page and n-2×i+1 page on the upstream side in the paper transport direction of the i-th sheet placed on the compile tray, and the 2×i-1 page and n-2×i+2 page on the downstream side in the paper transport direction of the i-th sheet placed on the compile tray is stored in the table. The image forming system according to claim 2, characterized in that it is as described above.

5. The information regarding the tilt direction of the compilation tray is acquired according to the type of post-processing device actually installed in the image forming system. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Further equipped with input means, The information regarding the tilt direction of the compilation tray is obtained in response to input from the input means. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. If information on the tilt direction of the compile tray is not obtained, the imposition process that refers to the table will not be performed. The image forming system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 5 or 6.

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