JP4320153B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multi-function machine provided with a post-processing device that wraps a printed document (including a copy) with a cover and binds the bag with staples (needle binding). It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Post-processing that performs confidential processing of documents so that confidential documents printed out from image forming devices are not exposed to human eyes even in offices when printing confidential documents such as internal secrets in recent offices Increasing use of image forming apparatuses equipped with the apparatus is increasing.
[0003]
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-165136, a double size paper of a confidential document is folded to a half size, and the confidential document is wrapped in a double size paper that is folded, and then stapled into a bag-bound form. An image forming apparatus including a post-processing device is disclosed.
[0004]
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-286640, although not limited to confidential processing, normal recording paper on which an image is formed with a half size of the cover recording paper so as to be sandwiched between the cover recording paper folded in half. A bag binding envelope creating apparatus that staples a cover recording sheet and a normal recording sheet after the sheet is discharged is disclosed together with a detailed mechanism relating to folding and recording sheet discharge.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since such a post-processing device and a bag-bound envelope creation device cannot handle the following cases, appropriate confidential processing is not performed, and a problem occurs in the post-processing portion of the image forming apparatus.
(1) A case where the number of confidential documents to be printed out is too large to be bound with one staple.
(2) The number of confidential documents to be printed out is too large and stapling is possible, but the confidential documents are too thick, so that the confidential documents can be completely obscured at the time of the sandwiching operation with a paper twice the size of the document. A case where normal confidential processing cannot be performed.
(3) A paper of an appropriate size (twice the size of the confidential document paper) for wrapping the confidential document to be printed is not set in the image processing apparatus, or the confidential document itself is too large. In this case, confidential documents cannot be obscured, and confidential processing cannot be performed normally.
[0006]
Even if it is known that such a problem may occur, it is bothersome and difficult for a person to judge whether confidential processing is possible for each confidential document. .
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art. When a printed document (including a copy) is sandwiched between cover sheets and stapled (needle stitching) or the like, the number of documents is sandwiched. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can flexibly cope with the size of recording paper and the size of recording paper.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provided to solve the above-described problems includes a normal recording paper selecting means for selecting the size of the normal recording paper,
Image forming means for forming an image read from a document on the selected normal recording paper;
Image scaling means for enlarging or reducing the image;
Means to fold the cover recording paper in two;
In an image forming apparatus comprising: a normal recording paper discharge means for discharging the normal recording paper on which the image is formed on the cover recording paper folded in two by the two folding means;
A sheet number counting means for counting the number of scanned documents;
A sheet number determination unit that compares the sheet number counted by the sheet number counting unit with a set specified sheet number value and determines the comparison result;
A cover recording paper selecting means for selecting a cover recording paper having a size twice as large as the size of the normal recording paper selected by the normal recording paper selecting means;
The specified number of sheets is a maximum value of the number of sheets of normal recording paper that can wrap the normal recording paper with the cover recording paper of the double size.
The cover sheet recording paper selecting means, when it is determined by the number determining means that the value exceeds the specified number of sheets, is one size larger than the size of the cover recording paper of the double size selected by the cover paper recording paper selecting means. Select the top cover sheet,
When the size of the cover recording paper selected by the cover recording paper selection means exceeds the maximum size provided in the image forming apparatus, the cover recording paper selection means selects the maximum cover recording paper size provided in the image forming apparatus. And
The normal recording paper selecting means selects the size of the normal recording paper based on the maximum cover recording paper size, and the image scaling means changes the image size based on the selected normal recording paper size. To do.
[0009]
This makes it possible to handle confidential processing even when the image forming apparatus does not have a cover recording sheet having a paper size that is twice or more that of a normal recording sheet (for example, B4 size) on which an image is to be formed. For example, if the normal recording paper on which an image is to be formed is B4 size, A3 size recording paper is selected as the selectable cover recording paper size, and A4 size recording paper is selected as the corresponding normal recording paper. Is selected, 82% reduction processing is performed so that the image size originally B4 size fits into A4 size.
If it is determined that stapling can be performed, a confirmation message is displayed asking whether or not to automatically reduce the normal recording paper size, and the user is asked to continue the bookbinding document creation operation, It is recommended that you choose whether to cancel.
Further, when the number of sheets counted by the number counting means is equal to or less than the set specified number of sheets, it is determined that the normal recording paper discharged from the cover recording paper opening can be stapled. Since the cover recording paper having a paper size twice as large as that of the normal recording paper is selected by the cover recording paper selecting means, appropriate confidential processing can be surely performed. In this determination, the total thickness of confidential documents in a predetermined number of sheets is calculated on the assumption that sheets having a thickness within a predetermined thickness range are used, and the magnitude relationship between the total thickness and the stapling possible thickness. It is good to judge from.
Further, the specified number of sheets is set as a first specified value for determining whether or not stapling is possible, and the maximum value of the number of sheets that can be properly wrapped with double-size paper even when it is determined that stapling is possible is set as the second specified value. It may be set as a value, and control may be performed so that a cover recording sheet having a paper size larger than twice the size of the normal recording paper is selected in the range from the second specified value to the first specified value.
[0010]
The size of the recording paper referred to here may be the A series or B series paper size specified by JIS. For example, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the A3 size are 297 × 420 mm, the A4 size is 210 × 297 mm, the B4 size is 257 × 365 mm, and the B5 size is 182 × 257 mm.
The double size means a relationship in size that doubles the paper area. For example, the relationship is A3 size with respect to A4 size and B4 size with respect to B5 size.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a copying machine which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the copying machine reads an image of a document taken in from an automatic document feeder 1 (hereinafter referred to as ADF (Auto Document Feeder)), and converts image data read by the reading unit 50 into image data. A writing unit 57 for writing a pattern based on the photosensitive member 15, a first tray 8, a second tray 9, a third tray 10 in which recording paper of a predetermined size is stored in each tray, and a recording paper before transfer The first to third sheet feeding units 11 to 13 and the vertical conveying unit 14 for conveying, the photosensitive member 15 for forming an image on the recording paper, the conveying belt 16, the fixing unit 17 and the developing unit 27, the finisher 100, and the recording paper Normal recording paper selection means and cover recording paper selection means selected automatically or by specifying size Defined number value and a controller for controlling the mechanism of the entire copying machine and a count determination means and image reduction means is set (not shown).
[0016]
The ADF 1 has a number counting means (not shown) that counts up the number of documents every time a document is fed. The feeding roller 3, the feeding belt 4, and the discharging roller 5 are configured to be driven by a conveyance motor (not shown).
[0017]
The first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 normally store recording papers of different sizes, and the recording paper sizes stored in each of them are recognized. The recording paper used here is copy paper managed so that the weight (basis weight) and thickness per sheet are within a certain range. Further, the orientation of the recording paper is arranged in a direction suitable for the bag binding confidential processing described later.
[0018]
The photoconductor 15, the transport belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by a main motor (not shown), and the first to third paper feed units 11 to 13 are main motors. Are driven by a paper feed clutch (not shown). The vertical conveyance unit 14 is configured to drive the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch (not shown).
[0019]
The finisher 100 includes a bi-folding means (not shown) that folds the cover recording sheet in half in the transport path, and an image formed on the cover recording sheet arranged in an open state in the staple tray 108. A recording paper discharge means (not shown) for discharging the recording paper, and a stapler 106 for stapling the opening of the cover recording paper folded in two together with the discharged normal recording paper are provided. Among these, the mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-286640 may be applied to the bi-folding means and the recording paper discharge means.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows an operation unit in the copying machine according to the present invention.
The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a preheat key 35, a reset key 36, and an initial setting key 37. The liquid crystal touch panel 31 includes various function keys and image formation. A message indicating the status of the device is displayed.
[0021]
When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black. When the details of the function must be specified (for example, the type of page printing), the detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.
[0022]
By pressing the initial setting key 37, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. The paper size stored in the machine can be set or the state set when the copy function reset key is pressed can be arbitrarily set. Also, select applications that are preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star Plan, and set the transition time to auto-off / sleep mode. It is possible to set. When the preheating key 35 is pressed, the machine shifts from the standby state to the power reduction state, and the fixing temperature is lowered or the display on the operation unit is turned off. The preheating state means a low power state as referred to in the International Energy Star Program. In order to cancel the preheating state, the off state / sleep state, and shift to the standby state, the preheating key is pressed again.
[0023]
A general processing flow from copying a document to stapling recording paper on which an image is formed in a copying machine will be described below with reference to FIGS.
(1) After a bundle of documents is placed on the document table 2 of the ADF 1, when the print key 34 on the operation unit 30 is pressed, the feeding roller 3 is fed one by one from the bottom document. Then, the sheet is fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding belt 4. The fed original is read by the reading unit 50 after the image data of the original on the contact glass 6 is read, and then discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5. At this time, the document size is detected by the reading unit 50 when the image data is read. The number counting means counts up the number of documents every time one document is fed. When it is detected by the document set detection 7 that the next document is present on the document table 2, the next document is continuously fed onto the contact glass 6.
[0024]
(2) Based on the detected document size, a recording paper of an appropriate size is selected from the recording papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 by the recording paper selection means, The paper is fed by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, and is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15.
[0025]
(3) The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photosensitive member 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Next, the toner image on the photosensitive member 15 is transferred while the recording paper is conveyed by the conveying belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photosensitive member 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus by the paper discharge unit 18.
[0026]
(4) The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the recording paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 18 of the main body toward the normal paper discharge roller 102 and toward the staple processing unit. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the switching plate 101 downward, it can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107.
[0027]
(5) Each time the recording sheets stacked on the staple table 108 are ejected, the end faces of the sheets are aligned by the jogger 109 for aligning the sheets. The recording paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion paper discharge tray 110 by its own weight.
[0028]
In FIG. 1, a normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can be moved back and forth. The paper discharge tray section 104 that can be moved back and forth moves forward and backward for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and sorts copy paper that is simply discharged.
[0029]
When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the branching claw 112 for switching the path is provided without guiding the recording paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 to the paper discharge tray 104 side. By setting it on the upper side, it is once stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111. Thereafter, the recording paper stocked in the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 15 again, and the branching claw 112 for switching the path. Is set on the lower side and guided to the paper discharge tray 104. In this way, the duplex feeding unit 111 is used when creating images on both sides of a recording sheet.
[0030]
Hereinafter, a flow until a bag-bound document that forms the basis of the present invention is created will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, a bag-bound document is wrapped so that a bundle of image-formed normal recording papers, which are copies of confidential document originals, is sandwiched between two folded front cover recording papers. This means that the cover recording paper is stapled together with the normal recording paper at a predetermined position on the opening side of the paper.
[0031]
The content to be printed out by the operation unit 30 is set to be a bag-bound document (S1). Then, after placing the confidential document original on the document table 2 on the ADF 1 with the image side facing up, when the operator presses the print key 34 on the operation unit 30 (S2), the lowermost original is started. Each sheet is fed one by one to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4, and after the image data of the original is read, the sheet is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharging roller 5. At this time, the document size is detected by the reading unit 50 when the image data is read. Further, the number of document sheets is counted up every time the document sheet counting unit completes feeding of one document sheet (S3).
[0032]
After the count-up is completed, the result of the number counting means is notified to the number determining means, and the number value counted by the number determining means is compared with the set first specified number value (S4). Here, the number of sheets that can be stapled is set as the first specified number of sheets value. The first specified number of sheets is determined by the staple size and the thickness of the recording paper used, and is usually 100 sheets.
[0033]
If the number of confidential documents exceeds the number of sheets that can be stapled (100 sheets) (No in step S4), an error message “Too many documents. Reduce the number of documents. ”Is displayed (S5), a message for canceling the binding document creation process is displayed (S6), and the document creation process is terminated.
[0034]
When the number of confidential documents is within the stapling number (100) (Yes in step S4), the first to third trays 8 are selected by the normal recording paper selection unit based on the document size information detected in step S3. 9, one of the recording papers set in the recording paper is selected as the normal recording paper, and the cover recording paper selection means selects a recording paper having a size twice as large as the selected recording paper size. It is determined whether it is in the recording paper set in the first to third trays 8, 9, and 10 (S7). For example, when the document size is B5, the normal recording paper is B5 size, and it is determined whether there is a recording paper of B4 size that is twice as large as that.
Normally, at this stage, it is also determined whether or not there is a recording sheet having the same size as the original size. Here, the description will be made on the assumption that there is a corresponding size.
[0035]
If the size twice the original size exceeds the maximum size of the recording paper set in the copying machine (No in step S7), an error message “Original is too large” on the LCD touch panel 31. Is displayed (S8), an error message “There is no paper of a size suitable for the cover.” Is displayed (S9), and a confirmation message asking whether or not the original can be reduced is “Are you sure you want to reduce the original to an appropriate size?” ? "Is displayed (S10). An operator inputs an instruction for this message.
[0036]
If document reduction is not possible (No in step S10), a message for canceling the bound-bound document creation process is displayed (S6), and the document creation process is terminated.
[0037]
If the original can be reduced (Yes in step S10), the cover recording paper selection means selects the maximum recording paper size set in the copying machine and continues the cover binding document creation operation. The normal recording paper selecting unit selects the size of the normal recording paper so that the size is equal to or less than ½ of the size of the recording paper, and the image reduction unit changes the image size based on the selected size of the normal recording paper. . After the work is completed, the process proceeds to step S11.
[0038]
If the recording paper having a size twice the original size is on the recording paper set in the copying machine (Yes in step S7) or Yes in step S10, the number of sheets counted by the number determination means A comparison is made between the numerical value and the set second fixed sheet value (S11). Here, the maximum value of the number of sheets that can be appropriately wrapped with double-size paper is set as the second specified number of sheets value.
[0039]
The second specified number of sheets is the distance from the edge of the normal recording paper to the stapling position, the effective thickness per sheet when the normal recording paper is stacked, and the position where the cover recording paper is stapled from the opening edge. It is determined from the allowable distance until. For example, the distance L1 from the end of the normal recording paper to the stapling position is 14 mm, the effective thickness t per normal recording paper is 0.08 mm (80 μm), and the cover recording paper has its opening. Assuming that the allowable distance L2 from the end to the stapling position is 10 mm, the difference of 4 mm between L1 and L2 is obtained by dividing by the effective thickness t per sheet when the normal recording paper is laminated 50 The number of sheets becomes the second specified number of sheets value. In this case, the laminated thickness of the normal recording paper is approximately deviated from the end of the normal recording paper at the end of the opening of the cover recording paper.
[0040]
If the number of confidential originals is too large and exceeds the second specified number (50 in step S11) (No in step S11), a recording paper that is one size larger than the cover recording paper size is stored in the copying machine by the cover recording paper selection means. It is confirmed whether or not it is on the recording paper set in (S12).
[0041]
If there is no recording paper of one size (No in step S12), it is considered that there is no suitable recording paper, and after the error message “Original is too large” is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31 (S8) The process proceeds to step S9. This is the case, for example, when B5, A4, A3 size recording paper is set in the first to third trays 8, 9, 10 in the copying machine, the normal recording paper is A4 size, and the cover recording paper is A3 size. is there.
[0042]
When the number of confidential originals is within the second specified number (50 sheets) (Yes in step S11), a recording sheet (for example, B4 size) that is twice as large as a normal recording sheet (for example, B5 size). As a front cover recording paper, it is folded in half from the central portion in the transport path in the finisher 100, and is placed on the staple table 108 before the normal recording paper on which the image read from the confidential document original is formed. Then, the cover recording sheet folded in half is held in an open state by lifting one end thereof, and the normal recording sheet is discharged in such a manner that the normal recording sheet is sandwiched between the cover recording sheets. Next, when a part of the copy is completed, the opening of the cover recording paper is stapled together with the normal recording paper by the stapler 106 to form a bag-bound document, and the bag-bound document is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight. This completes the bag binding document creation operation.
[0043]
Further, when there is a recording sheet in which a recording sheet that is one size larger than the cover recording sheet size is set in the copying machine (No in step S12), the cover recording sheet selection unit selects the recording sheet that is one size larger. Is selected as a cover recording sheet, the cover recording sheet is folded in the same manner as described above, and the bag binding document creation operation is completed. As an example here, B1, B4, and A3 size recording sheets are set in the first to third trays 8, 9, and 10 in the copying machine, the normal recording sheet is B5 size, and the cover recording sheet is B4 size. This case corresponds to a case where a new A3 size cover recording sheet is selected.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, it is possible to cope with the confidential processing even when the image forming apparatus does not have a cover recording sheet having a sheet size that is twice or more that of the normal recording sheet on which an image is to be formed. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a copying machine as an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit in the copying machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an external view showing a state of a bag-bound document according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow until a bag-bound document is created by a copying machine which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
2 Document platen 3 Feed roller 4 Feed belt 5 Discharge roller 6 Contact glass 7 Document set detection 8 1st tray 9 2nd tray 10 3rd tray 11 1st paper feed unit 12 2nd paper feed unit 13 3rd feed Paper unit 14 Vertical transport unit 15 Photoconductor 16 Transport belt 17 Fixing unit 18 Paper discharge unit 19 Paper discharge tray 27 Development unit 50 Reading unit 51 Exposure lamp 52 First mirror 53 Lens 54 CCD image sensor 55 Second mirror 56 Third mirror 57 Writing Unit 58 Laser Output Unit 59 Imaging Lens 60 Mirror 100 Finisher 101 Branching Deflection Plates 102 and 103 Paper Discharge Transport Roller 104 Paper Discharge Tray 105 and 107 Stapler Transport Roller 106 Stapler 108 Staple Tray 109 Jogger 110 Stay Le completion discharge tray 111 duplex conveying unit 112 reversing unit 113 duplex Nyukami conveying path 114 reverse discharge conveyance path

Claims (1)

Normal recording paper selection means for selecting the size of normal recording paper,
Image forming means for forming an image read from a document on the selected normal recording paper;
Image scaling means for enlarging or reducing the image;
Means to fold the cover recording paper in two;
In an image forming apparatus comprising: a normal recording paper discharge means for discharging the normal recording paper on which the image is formed on the cover recording paper folded in two by the two folding means;
A sheet number counting means for counting the number of scanned documents;
A sheet number determination unit that compares the sheet number counted by the sheet number counting unit with a set specified sheet number value and determines the comparison result;
A cover recording paper selecting means for selecting a cover recording paper having a size twice as large as the size of the normal recording paper selected by the normal recording paper selecting means;
The specified number of sheets is a maximum value of the number of sheets of normal recording paper that can wrap the normal recording paper with the cover recording paper of the double size.
The cover sheet recording paper selecting means, when it is determined by the number determining means that the value exceeds the specified number of sheets, is one size larger than the size of the cover recording paper of the double size selected by the cover paper recording paper selecting means. Select the top cover sheet,
When the size of the cover recording paper selected by the cover recording paper selection means exceeds the maximum size provided in the image forming apparatus, the cover recording paper selection means selects the maximum cover recording paper size provided in the image forming apparatus. And
The normal recording paper selecting means selects the size of the normal recording paper based on the maximum cover recording paper size, and the image scaling means changes the image size based on the selected normal recording paper size. Image forming apparatus.

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