JP2011088710A - Image forming device, image forming system and paper processing method of image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain and improve printing operability, even if a mismatch is caused between a selected paper size and an actually fed paper size. <P>SOLUTION: A carrying part 9 carries paper fed based on indication. A printing part 13 prints by forming an image of image data on the paper carried by the carrying part 9. A detecting part 11 detects the size of the carried preprinting paper. A printing control part 19 controls stopping of carrying of the carrying part 9 and printing of the printing part 13 when a detection result of the detecting part 11 is different from the size of the paper in the indication. The printing control part 19 continuously controls the carrying and the printing of the paper when discriminating that the detection result of the detecting part 11 falls within a predetermined printing continuance range even if the detection result is different from the size of the paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a sheet processing method of the image forming apparatus. For example, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP), an image forming system using the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus The present invention relates to an improvement of a paper processing method that is suitable for being mounted on a paper.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus selects and conveys paper of a plurality of paper feed stages, and forms a latent image on the surface of a rotating photoconductor based on image data read from an original, and the toner is supplied by toner supplied from a toner cassette. A configuration is well known in which a toner image is formed on a latent image, the toner image is transferred from the rotating photosensitive member to the transport sheet, the toner image is fixed on the sheet by a fixing unit, and the sheet is discharged.

  In this type of image forming apparatus, when a paper having a different length from the selected paper size is mixed in the paper feed stage, or when a non-standard size paper is selected, the selected paper size A size mismatch with the actually transported paper may occur, causing toner image transfer failure or jamming (JAM).

  Therefore, the size of the paper in the transport direction is measured by a registration sensor placed in the paper transport path, and if it is different from the paper length of the selected paper, a paper size mismatch is displayed and the transport and print operations are performed. Interrupted.

  Even when the selected paper is correctly fed and conveyed, when the paper passes near the registration sensor, the detection timing of the trailing edge of the paper by the registration sensor is shifted and it is detected that the paper is longer than the actual one. In some cases, a state similar to the paper size mismatch state may occur.

  Conventionally, as a known technique for solving this problem, a recording apparatus with a manual feed function, such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-194020 (Patent Document 1), has been proposed.

  This patent document 1 discloses a manual paper feed unit, a first paper size input unit that inputs a paper size by operation, and a second paper that detects the size of the paper to be fed and inputs the detected paper size. And a size input unit that can appropriately determine the paper feed paper size without deteriorating the printing efficiency for the irregular size paper and without giving a sense of complexity to the operation.

JP 2005-194020 A

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, printing is stopped when there is a paper size mismatch. However, if there is no problem in paper conveyance or the like, it is more efficient to continue output without stopping printing. If there is a mismatch in paper size, there is room for improvement in improving operability.

  However, if the image data is a job that performs post-processing (finisher), such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching, if the post-processing is continued in a paper size mismatch state, jamming or stapling failure will occur. Such a problem may occur, and it is not preferable to simply continue the output to the post-processing as it is, and a special device is required.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. Even when a mismatch occurs in the size of paper to be printed, it is possible to maintain and improve printing operability, and it is easy to handle paper discharged from printing. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a sheet processing method for the image forming apparatus.

  In order to solve such a problem, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet fed based on an instruction, and image data on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit. A printing unit that forms and prints, a detection unit that detects the size of the conveyed paper before printing, and when the detection result of the detection unit is different from the size of the paper according to the instruction, the conveyance and printing unit of the conveyance unit A printing control unit for controlling the stop of printing, and when the printing control unit determines that the detection result of the detection unit is within a predetermined print continuation range, the conveyance of the conveyance unit and the printing of the printing unit It is characterized by continuing control.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention has a configuration in which the print control unit determines that the size of the conveyed paper is within the print continuation range when the size of the conveyed paper is within a preset allowable paper size. is doing.

  An image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention has a configuration in which the print control unit determines that the image data is within the print continuation range when the image data fits on the conveyed paper.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention has a configuration in which the print control unit controls paper discharge after the continuation control to a specific tray.

  An image forming system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, and a post-processing device that is coupled to the transport unit and performs post-processing on printed paper. The print control unit controls the discharge of the paper after the continuation control to a specific tray in the post-processing apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet processing method for conveying a sheet fed based on an instruction, a printing process for forming and printing image data on the sheet subjected to the conveyance process, and a conveyance process. A detection process for detecting the size of the paper before printing, a stop control process for controlling the conveyance and printing of the paper when the detection result of the detection process is different from the size of the paper according to the instruction, Even if they are different from each other, when it is determined that the detection result is within a predetermined print continuation range, a continuation control process for continuing the conveyance and printing of the paper is provided.

  The paper processing method according to claim 7 of the present invention has a configuration in which the continuation control process determines that the conveyed paper size is within the print continuation range when the size of the conveyed paper is within a preset allowable paper size. ing.

  The sheet processing method according to claim 8 of the present invention has a configuration in which the continuation control process determines that the image data is within the print continuation range when the image data fits on the conveyed sheet.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet processing method for an image forming apparatus, wherein the continuation control process controls sheet discharge after the continuation control to a specific tray.

  In the paper processing method according to claim 10 of the present invention, the continuation control process discharges the paper after the continuation control to a specific tray in the post-processing device to a post-processing device that performs post-processing on the printed paper. It is the structure to control.

  In the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing method according to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, the size of the sheet before printing is detected in the process of conveying the sheet fed based on the instruction, and the detection result is When the paper size is different from the instruction, the conveyance and printing of the paper are stopped. On the other hand, even if the paper size is different, if the detection result is within the predetermined print continuation range, the paper conveyance and printing are stopped. Since the continuation control is performed, even if a dimensional mismatch occurs in the paper to be printed, paper conveyance and printing can be continued to maintain and improve printing operability, making it easier to handle printed paper. It is.

  In the image forming apparatus and the sheet processing method according to the second and seventh aspects of the present invention, when the size of the conveyed sheet is within the preset allowable sheet size, it is determined that the sheet is within the print continuation range and the continuation control is performed. Even if the sizes of the sheets are slightly different, it is possible to continuously control the conveyance and printing of the sheets and obtain the above-described effects.

  In the image forming apparatus and the paper processing method according to the third and eighth aspects of the present invention, when the image data fits on the conveyed paper, it is determined that it is within the print continuation range and is continuously controlled. However, in the situation where there is no hindrance to the image formation on the paper, it is possible to continue the conveyance and printing of the paper and obtain the above-described effects.

  In the image forming apparatus and the paper processing method according to the fourth and ninth aspects of the present invention, since the paper after the continuation control is discharged to the specific tray, the paper can be divided into the front and the rear of the paper of different sizes. This is possible, and the handling of printed and discharged paper is further improved.

  In the image forming system and the sheet processing method according to the fifth and tenth aspects of the present invention, a sheet after the continuation control is discharged to a specific tray in the post-processing apparatus for a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on the printed sheet. Since the control is performed, in the configuration in which the post-processing devices are connected, it is possible to classify the paper before and after the paper having different sizes, and the handling of the post-processed paper is further improved.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing an image forming apparatus according to the present invention together with an image forming system. It is a schematic internal block diagram which shows the image forming system of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation panel part of FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming system according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the image forming apparatus in this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The paper processing method according to the present invention will be described in the course of describing the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and shows an image forming system including the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming system includes an image forming apparatus A according to the present invention and a post-processing apparatus B externally connected thereto.

  First, the image forming apparatus A will be described.

  The image forming apparatus A includes an image reading unit 3, a storage unit 5, an operation panel unit 7, a transport unit 9, a registration sensor 11, and a printing unit 13 centering on the main control unit 1. Yes. The image forming apparatus A has various configurations in addition to this, but since it is not a main part of the present invention, description and illustration are omitted.

  The main control unit 1 controls the image reading unit 3, the storage unit 5, the operation panel unit 7, the detection unit 9, the printing unit 13, and the post-processing device B, details of which will be described later.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus A of FIG. 2, the image reading unit 3 is disposed on the upper part of the main body case 15, and optically reads an image from, for example, a printed document under the control of the main control unit 1, and performs a filter process or the like. A known scanner or the like for generating electronic image data by sequentially storing the generated image data in the storage unit 5 for each page of the document. The internal configuration of the image forming apparatus A will be described later.

  The storage unit 5 stores the image data from the image reading unit 3, the operation program of the main control unit 1, the sub-scanning direction size of the paper, the printable range data described later, and the like, which can be read and written, for example, a hard disk (HDD). It is.

  As will be described later, the print allowable range data is a list table that associates the paper size and paper type that allow the printing operation with respect to the paper designated by the operation panel unit 7, and the designated paper transport direction (sub-data). The permissible paper size is a paper length that is larger by a certain percentage than the dimension in the scanning direction).

  For example, an allowable paper size up to a larger A4 paper length for the B5 designated paper is set as an allowable paper size, and a larger B4 paper length than the A4 designated paper is set as an allowable paper size. Up to a larger A3 paper length is set in a list table as an allowable paper size, and is set in advance.

  The operation panel unit 7 is disposed, for example, on the upper part of the main body case 15 of the image forming apparatus A in FIG. 2 and functions as a liquid crystal display unit that displays the operation state of the image forming apparatus A, and is a sheet that is a sheet to be printed. Selection, execution or cancellation of printing, and an instruction input unit such as the number of copies to be printed, which are controlled by the main control unit 1.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, on the operation panel unit 7, paper selection keys 7a such as “B5”, “A4”, “B4”, “A3”, “indeterminate”, and the like are displayed. Selection instruction information is output to the main control unit 1 by a touch operation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 9 in FIG. 1 is arranged at the lower part of the main body case 15 and has a plurality of paper feed stages 17a, 17b, 17c (three are shown in the figure) on which paper is set, and paper feed. This is a mechanism for forming a conveyance path for primarily feeding the sheets from the stages 17a to 17c and sequentially conveying the sheets to the sheet discharge port 19, and is formed by a plurality of rollers. Reference numeral 17c denotes a manual feed tray.

  A registration sensor 11 and a printing unit 13 are arranged in the middle of the transport unit 9. The registration sensor 11 is a detection unit arranged in front of the printing unit 13 in the middle of the transport unit 9 and performs secondary paper feeding of the paper that is primarily fed from the paper feeding stages 17a to 17c to the printing unit 13 side. It has a function to adjust the timing, counts the distance from detection (on) of the leading edge of the paper that has been conveyed to detection of the trailing edge (off), and the conveyance direction of the paper to be secondarily fed It has a function of detecting the length (size in the sub-scanning direction) and outputting it to the main control unit 1.

  The printing unit 13 is disposed in the main body case 15 of the image forming apparatus A in FIG. 2, and transfers a toner image based on the image data on a sheet that is secondarily fed by the registration sensor 11. 21 and a monochrome printing or color printing function including a fixing unit 23 that heats and fixes the paper on which the toner image is transferred.

  The main control unit 1 includes a CPU, a working memory unit that stores a startup program for the CPU, and an input / output interface (none of which are shown), and the image reading unit 3, the storage unit 5, and the operation panel unit described above. 7. Controls the transport unit 9, the registration sensor 11, the printing unit 13, and the post-processing apparatus B, and also plays a part thereof.

  The main control unit 1 controls paper feeding from the paper feeding stages 17a to 17c based on an instruction from the operation panel unit 7, controls conveyance of the selectively fed paper, and sets the image data in the storage unit 5 on the paper. It has a function of controlling the transport unit 9 and the printing unit 13 so as to form and control printing, and to discharge the paper.

  The main control unit 1 takes in the size of the sheet according to the instruction from the storage unit 5, and when the size and the detection result of the registration sensor 11 are different, the main control unit 1 controls the conveyance unit 9 to stop conveyance of the sheet and prints It has a function as a print control unit 19 that performs stop control so as to stop printing of the unit 13.

  That is, the print control unit 19 uses the selection key 7a of the operation panel unit 7 to select A4 paper, and the detection result of the registration sensor 11 is caused by a paper setting error in the paper feed stages 17a to 17c. When long or short, the conveyance unit 9 and the printing unit 13 are controlled to stop the conveyance operation and the printing operation, and display control is performed on the operation panel unit 7 to that effect. Reference numeral 7b in FIG. 3 is a warning display.

  When it is determined that the detection result of the registration sensor 11 is within the predetermined print continuation range, the print control unit 19 has a function of continuing the conveyance of the conveyance unit 9 and continuing the printing of the printing unit 13. Yes.

  That is, the print control unit 19 determines that it is within the print continuation range when the size of the conveyed paper that is the detection result of the registration sensor 11 is within the preset allowable paper size. 13 has a function of continuing control.

  If the image data includes post-processing instructions, the main control unit 1 outputs a post-processing instruction signal to the post-processing apparatus B as described later, and controls the execution of post-processing such as stapling and punching. It also has a function.

  The print control unit 19 has a function of outputting a post-processing cancel signal to the post-processing apparatus B described later when it is determined that it is within the print continuation range.

  Next, the post-processing apparatus B connected to the image forming apparatus A will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the post-processing apparatus B includes a staple processing unit 25, a punch processing unit 27, a post-processing control unit 29, and the like connected to the main control unit 1 of the image forming apparatus A. . Although the post-processing apparatus B has other configurations, it is not a main part of the present invention, so that the description and illustration are omitted.

  The staple processing unit 25 is a mechanism that performs a staple process for pinning the paper loaded from the image forming apparatus A with each pin based on post-processing instruction information from the image forming apparatus A under the control of the post-processing control unit 29. Part.

  The punch processing unit 27 performs punch processing for punching holes in the paper for each unit carried in from the image forming apparatus A based on post-processing instruction information from the image forming apparatus A under the control of the post-processing control unit 29. It is a mechanism part executed every time.

  The post-processing control unit 29 includes a CPU and a storage unit (none of which is shown) that stores an operation program for the CPU. Based on post-processing instruction information from the main control unit 1, the post-processing control unit 29 and the punch processing unit 25 The processing unit 27 has a function of controlling execution of stapling and punching.

  Based on the post-processing cancel signal from the main control unit 1, the post-processing control unit 29 cancels the continuation of the corresponding punch processing or stapling process, and discharges paper after the post-processing cancel signal to the specific tray 37 described later. It has a paper control function.

  Note that reference numeral 31 in FIG. 2 conveys sheets of paper carried in from the carry-in port 33 to the staple processing unit 25 and the punch processing unit 27, and papers after those processings to the paper discharge tray 35, specific tray. 37 is a lever that is switched and conveyed to 37.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user touches the selection key 7a on the operation panel unit 7 to select a sheet, the operation program is started and the sheet is conveyed (conveying process). In step S1, the registration sensor 11 waits for the leading edge of the sheet to arrive. When the registration sensor 11 is turned on and step S1 is YES, a paper size measurement count is started in step S2, and step S2 is performed until the registration sensor 11 is turned off due to the arrival of the trailing edge of the paper in step S3. , S3 is repeated to measure the paper size (detection process).

  If the trailing edge of the sheet arrives and the registration sensor 11 is turned off and step S3 is YES (detection process), the print control unit 19 determines whether or not the count value is within the set range in step S4. If step S4 is YES, a normal printing process is executed in step S5 and the process ends.

  If the count value is out of the set range and step S4 is NO, it is determined in step S6 whether the print control unit 19 is within the print continuation range (printable range). If S6 is NO, in step S7, the print control unit 19 performs the stop control process for the transport unit 9 and the print unit 13, and displays the warning as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is within the print continuation range and step S6 is YES, the print control unit 19 determines whether or not the post-processing apparatus B is connected in step S8, and the post-processing apparatus B is not connected and step S8 is executed. If NO, the process ends through step S5.

  If the post-processing apparatus B is connected and step S8 is YES, the print control unit 19 controls the post-processing apparatus B so as to change the discharge destination of the paper after the page to the specific tray in step S9 (continue) In step S10, the print control unit 19 makes a post-processing cancel request (continuation control process) to the post-processing apparatus B, and prints and ends.

  These processes correspond to the paper processing method of the present invention.

  Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the sheet is the sheet 1 designated on the operation panel unit 7, and the detected length is the sheet 2, but if it is within the print continuation range of the sheet 1. Printing is continued.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus A according to the present invention, the conveyance unit 9 that conveys the sheet fed based on the instruction, the printing unit 13 that prints image data on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit 9, and the conveyance A registration sensor (detection unit) 11 that detects the size of the printed paper before printing, and when the detection result of the registration sensor 11 is different from the size of the paper according to the instruction, the conveyance of the conveyance unit is stopped and controlled. A printing control unit 19 for stopping printing of the printing unit. When the printing control unit 19 determines that the detection result of the registration sensor 11 is within a predetermined printing continuation range, the printing control unit 19 It is characterized in that the conveyance is continuously controlled and the printing of the printing unit 13 is continuously controlled.

  Therefore, even if there is a mismatch between the designated paper and the size of the actually fed paper, printing is continued within the print continuation range.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce or reduce the waiting time for the next print job due to waiting for the paper size mismatch to be canceled, to maintain and improve the printing operability, and to easily handle the printed paper.

  For example, if the size of the conveyed paper is within the preset allowable paper size, it is determined that it is within the print continuation range and control is continued. Therefore, even if the paper size is slightly different, paper conveyance and printing are continued. It is possible to control and obtain the effects described above.

  However, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the image data is within the print continuation range based on the preset allowable paper size of the paper, but the range in which the image data can be contained in the conveyed paper region. A configuration in which the continuation control is performed when it is within the print continuation range is possible, and the print control unit 19 may be formed in accordance with this.

  For example, even if the detected paper size is smaller than the selected paper size, as shown in FIG. 5B, the image data corresponding to one page is developed with respect to the state in which the image data is developed as an image image for one page. If the image image fits on the paper 3, it can be determined that it is within the print continuation range, and even if the paper size is slightly different, there is no hindrance to image formation on the paper. Continuing control of conveyance and printing can obtain the above-described effects.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the post-processing device B that performs post-processing on the printed paper is controlled to discharge the paper after the continuation control to the specific tray 37 in the post-processing device B. In the configuration in which B is connected, it is possible to distinguish between different sheets before that, and the handling of post-processed sheets is further improved.

  However, there is a configuration in which the post-processing apparatus B is not connected. In this configuration, if the print control unit 19 is formed so as to control paper discharge after the continuation control to the specific tray 37, for example, the in-body tray 39 in FIG. good. The paper discharged to the specific tray 37 can be easily prepared later by manual processing.

  Reference numeral 41 in FIG. 2 is a lever that sorts the paper between the post-processing apparatus B and the in-body tray 39 and is controlled by the print control unit 19.

  Even with such a configuration, it is possible to distinguish between different sheets before that, and the handling of the printed and discharged sheets is further improved.

  In the image forming apparatus A of the present invention, the paper is not limited to paper and can be implemented with various sheet media such as a synthetic resin sheet.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus A of the present invention can be implemented in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine.

  Furthermore, the image forming system and the paper processing method according to the present invention have the same effects as the image forming apparatus A of the present invention described above.

1 Main control unit 3 Image reading unit 5 Storage unit 7 Operation panel unit (input unit)
7a Selection key 7b Warning display 9 Transport unit 11 Registration sensor (detection unit)
13 Printing Unit 15 Main Body Cases 17a, 17b Paper Feed Stage 17c Manual Tray (Paper Feed Stage)
19 Paper discharge port 21 Transfer portion 23 Fixing portion 25 Staple processing portion 27 Punch processing portion 29 Post-processing control portions 31, 41 Lever 33 Carry-in port 35 Paper discharge tray 37 Specific tray 39 In-body tray (specific tray)
A Image forming apparatus B Post-processing apparatus

Claims (10)

A transport unit for transporting paper fed based on the instructions;
A printing unit that forms and prints image data on the paper conveyed by the conveyance unit;
A detection unit that detects the size of the paper that has been transported before printing;
When the detection result of the detection unit is different from the size of the paper according to the instruction, the print control unit that controls the conveyance of the conveyance unit and the printing of the printing unit, and
Comprising
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detection result of the detection unit is determined to be within a predetermined print continuation range, the print control unit continuously controls the conveyance of the conveyance unit and the printing of the printing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit determines that the size of the conveyed paper is within the print continuation range when the size of the paper is within a preset allowable paper size. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit determines that the image data is within the print continuation range when the image data fits on a conveyed sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit controls discharge of the sheet after the continuation control to a specific tray. 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, and a post-processing device that is connected to the transport unit and performs post-processing on the printed paper. An image forming system, wherein the sheet is discharged to a specific tray in the post-processing apparatus. A transport process for transporting the paper fed based on the instructions;
A printing process for forming and printing image data on the transported paper;
A detection process for detecting the size of the paper that has been transported before printing;
When the detection result by the detection process is different from the size of the sheet according to the instruction, a stop control process for stopping the conveyance of the sheet and the printing;
When it is determined that the detection result is within a predetermined print continuation range even if it is different from the size of the paper, a continuation control process for continually controlling the conveyance and the printing;
A sheet processing method for an image forming apparatus. The paper processing method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the continuation control process determines that the size of the conveyed paper is within the print continuation range when the size of the paper is within a preset allowable paper size. 7. The sheet processing method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the continuation control process determines that the image data is within the print continuation range when the image data fits on a conveyed sheet. The sheet processing method for an image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the continuation control process controls discharge of the sheet after the continuation control to a specific tray. 9. The continuation control process controls discharge of the sheet after the continuation control to a specific tray in the post-processing apparatus for a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on the printed sheet. A sheet processing method of the image forming apparatus described.

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